International Women’s Day 8th March
International Women’s Day takes place on March 8th every year to celebrate women’s rights and inspire people to act in the ongoing fight for gender equality. The 2023 International Women’s Day theme is “Embrace Equity”. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action. If we truly believe in, value and embrace equity, then women are more likely to have access to what’s required to succeed. So on International Women’s Day, make sure to engage in those impactful conversations which help to raise awareness.
Here at Servisource, we want to honour all the amazing women in our lives and we would like to share stories on the theme of “The Strength of Women” based on nominations and accounts from our colleagues and friends.
In October 2017, Pamela’s husband Fintan passed away tragically due to storm Ophelia while traveling home from work early to be with his family. Pamela had only given birth to their second child Henry who was only 4 weeks old and had a 4-year-old daughter Laragh. Pamela was lucky enough to have the support of her family and friends, however, Pamela was still on the journey of losing her husband, her partner for life, the father of her children, her best friend alone. Something none of us had gone through.
Pamela did not let the death of her husband stop her life, she got up every day, got dressed and decided to try and keep moving forward, she had to as she was a mother of two children. Pamela has since lost a close friend to cancer, her own sister got diagnosed with cancer and her other sister’s partner is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. However, she keeps going, giving support to others, and is always the strong one we all look up to.
Pamela is my best friend and as a woman I look up to her for all that she has overcome in her life.
Pamela was always the person I went to during my own difficulties in life. She would always tell me things would be ok and not allow me to get down or wallow. She would keep telling me to keep going, that I was stronger than this and that I would get through this. She is a true woman of strength.
Jordan McMahon/Marketing Co-Ordinator
Nominates her mother Helena McMahon.
My mother works for Myhomecare. She had me very young and raised me solo. With us being so close in age, it has allowed us to bond to the point we can even work together! Seeing her work so hard and motivated to work harder everyday is inspiring and it’s great having a built in best friend.
I have a nomination for a fantastic woman in my life. My nomination is my grandmother, fondly known as Kitty. She is 87 years old and has always been an inspiration and one of my favourite people. She has 3 children, 2 boys, and 1 girl (my mother). Her whole life she yearned for my mother to have a sister and always felt a pang of guilt that she couldn’t provide her with one.
The day I was born (4th child, but 1st girl), she snuck her way into the labour ward to see me and said to my mom, “I can die happy now that you have your girl”. 27 years later, she’s still going strong.
Last year, I brought her shopping for my wedding dress, on her own 64th wedding anniversary and we had the most beautiful day together with my mother, sister, and aunt. Unfortunately, I found out a few weeks later, on that very day, she found a lump. She kept it to herself that day so she would not spoil my day. She got the lump checked, and we received the news that she had cancer. She underwent surgery to get this lump removed and it was a nerve-racking time considering her age. Though she had some complications in the weeks and months after, she has just received the news she is cancer free.
She inspires me every day as she has not let her health get in the way of living her life to the full. She is nearly completely blind but her independence amazes me. To still have her in my life, supporting and loving me every day is an honour.
We’ve all been there. You’re in the shower and notice a bit more hair going down the drain than usual. For many, this is an occasional thing and nothing to be alarmed about.
For me this is the reality of hair loss.
I first noticed I was losing my hair a few years ago, so I’ll try to keep this brief. It started with my parting getting noticeably wider, particularly around my crown, which is the number one sign of female patterned hair loss.
As it continued to get worse over the coming months/years, panic set in, my self-esteem plummeted and I started to feel lost.
It took me a long time to build up the courage to seek help and go to the doctor about it. I thought he would laugh or wouldn’t take me seriously. Once I did book that initial appointment my doctor couldn’t have been more understanding or supportive and we began my search for answers.
During that time I chopped off all my long dark locks. I’m talking Frankie from the Saturdays short! I thought it would help, but I looked ridiculous and it made it that bit harder to hide my hair loss. Shorter hair does give the appearance of a thicker mane so don’t knock it, you just don’t have to go the whole hog like I did.
I’ve been to dermatologists, endocrinologists and hair replacement clinics looking for the reason for my hair loss, after a quick fix or a magic tablet that would make my hair come back.
Finally I have the cause, not one that I am particularly happy about because for me there is no quick fix, no magic tablet, but for you there might be. My hair loss is down to female patterned hair loss/androgenic alopecia, which basically means it’s in my genetics (my dad’s side are follically challenged) and PCOS.
Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome is elevated male hormones in women, which in turn presents (in my case) as:
- Hair loss
- Anxiety and depression
- Acne (this is an added bonus to losing my hair)
Stress is another contributing factor. Herein lies the perfect example of a catch-22, you are stressed because you are losing your hair! Personally due to anxiety caused by my hair loss and PCOS I’m a stress head, so I never really stood a chance of having a luscious mane, did I?
I can still agonise and feel demoralised over my hair loss at tiimes. The thought of losing my hair to the point that I can’t disguise it haunts me.
Hair loss is not easy to come to terms with, for men or women. I’ve come to terms with it all now, and have a good routine that helps me deal (and mask) my hairloss. Yes it is always going to sting when I find a new patch or my parting gets that extra bit thinner, but for now I’m trying not to let it own me, or define me.
Ciara McArdle/Digital Marketing Co-Ordinator
Nominates her granny.
To mark International Women’s Day, I wanted to celebrate my granny. She has 12 children, 21 grandchildren & 13 great grandchildren.
She has raised such a large family, and her love to our family really is a blessing. She always makes sure that everyone feels welcome and appreciated & influences all around her, even it she doesn’t know it.
My granny recently celebrated her 90th birthday on new year’s eve. In lieu of receiving birthday presents, she opted for donating money & gifts to different charities in Ireland. To her, this wasn’t a big gesture, it’s just in her nature. She is a shining example of what it means to be a strong, caring, and loving woman.
Happy International Women’s Day!
Thank you to the amazing women who shared their stories and their nominees. They show true strength and are an inspiration to us all.
By sharing your stories you are encouraging everyone to stay strong each and every day.
Thank You!
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