We founded our social enterprise Necesse in early 2017 in an effort to address the ongoing issue of period poverty in New Zealand. The idea was simple – subscription tampons, with every order resulting in the donation of a box of tampons to women in need – enabling women to support other women.

Women have shaped me, strengthened me, inspired me, mentored me, and buffered me. They have done it quietly, with no applause or search for recognition. These women are authentic, passionate, courageous, intelligent, and they love exceptionally and without agenda.

My reality, my identity and my whole life as I had imagined it was challenged. I was forced to re-invent my perception of what it was to be a woman and what it was to be a mother.

Despite the negative press recently, I strongly encourage more young women to consider teaching in boys schools. We have a place at the table. The next generation of young men needs us and our unique perspectives. I consider my role to be a privilege, teaching future husbands, partners and fathers.

all eyes on me, a white unaccompanied female
in a sea of men
soon it was like paparazzi
men asking for my picture
arms around me as if we were old friends

I have been lucky to have been raised by women who have not pushed their opinions on me. They have just been themselves, given me room to find my own feet, and to take the turns I have taken to discover my own truth.

By hiding my ‘form’ and subsequently my femininity I only aided and abetted  that world view of female objectification where to be successful in a ‘mans world’ you had to dress like a man, talk like a man, essentially be a man. 

Feminism is a central part of my beliefs and identity because I believe in equality. Women are so powerful on an individual, collective and global level, and we're a force to be reckoned with in the business world.

Some event crew and attendees are initially surprised at seeing women take on the traditionally male roles of lifting, transporting and sorting waste, but once they realise we’re more than capable we usually get respect, and I now have waste truck drivers waving if they see me on the street.

Find that one thing that lets you be.

I like sausages and hot chips and mince pies and I’m not afraid to say that.  I know most other females do too, and I want a world where no woman is afraid to admit that. 

I love that our roles, whether it’s around the house, socially or vocationally, don’t define us. The day-to-day activities I do (or don’t do) don’t make me any more or less of a woman. 

They saw me as my brain, my attitude, my unique way of seeing and thinking and being and they talked to this aspect of me. They didn’t talk to me as a girl, they talked to me as a person.

As a feminist, it appals me that feminism is still a necessary thing. That we should have to think about gender parity, let alone still need to insist on it.

If being a feminist means being treated fairly and equally, then that is definitely what I stand for – for both women and men.

I learned how to speak up, to never concede anything, how to hold yourself with discipline, how to value beauty in things that are well made, to always listen to your inner voice, make sure you have at least one other language and double check your handbag contains everything you could possibly need, in any given situation.

We all need to challenge gender stereotypes and biases and celebrate women's achievement.