An important letter

Dear Daughters of Tomorrow,

As I sit here and reflect on our journey, I feel pride. I feel hope. And, I feel fear.

I feel pride as I see the world talk more and more about making a difference.

As I lean in, I notice individuals and organisations recognise the need for change. I notice diversity and inclusion becoming a topic of conversation for so many organisations and communities.  I notice a push for gender equity rather than equality. I notice the statistics around women in the workplace slowly but surely increasing. I notice the difference when I share my story and my grandmother shares hers.

This gives me hope - hope for you. And hope for what is to come.

I am hopeful that your voice will be heard - because it matters. I am hopeful that you will live in a world where your personality never comes into play when your manager talks about your performance; where you represent 50% of leadership roles no matter the level; where you have equal access to opportunities - may they be big or small; where parental leave will be equally paid and distributed; where the mental load is equally shared; where you feel you truly have a place at the table.

But I also feel fear.  Fear that you will arrive in a world where change has not progressed quickly enough. Fear that this will create further divide in our communities. Fear that this will impact on your families, on your wellbeing, on economies, and on your lives…

But these fears increase my drive, passion and determination to pave the way for you.

My dream for you is that this is no longer a topic of conversation because it has become the norm. My dream for you is that you no longer feel the need to fit in; my dream for you is that you haven’t had to change but society has done that for you.

As you read this, I can only hope this is what my generation has given you.

With all my love,

Victoire.