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Nicky Briger
EDITOR
I
t’s our mission to celebrate incredible women every
month, but this issue packs more powerhouse
punch than usual as we feature the winners of the
inaugural marie claire and Bumble Glass Ceiling
Awards. From the unstoppable former PM Julia
Gillard, who scooped the main accolade for
smashing the highest and hardest glass ceiling of
all, to the two fearless teens working to halt cancer and
climate change, the roll call of achievements is inspiring
beyond words. While we launched these awards to
honour such wonderwomen, we also wanted to celebrate
the revolutionary companies helping to smash gender
barriers in the workplace today. These businesses are at
the coalface of change and slowly shifting the dial more
than we know or realise. Right now, there are many
companies that recognise the true benefits of employing
and promoting smart, sassy women, and removing all
invisible barriers in their way. They’re forging gender
equality across the board, and on the board, and actively
changing the way we think and work. Our hope is that by
celebrating these companies and publicising their ideas
and initiatives, others might be inspired to do the same,
and then, eventually, real change will occur.
I want to congratulate all our game-changing
winners and extend a colossal thanks to our 10 judges
who gave their valuable time and insights. I’d also like
to thank our presenting partner, Bumble, and supporting
partners Estée Lauder Companies and Veuve Clicquot,
who passionately join our vision for gender equality
at work and in life. Turn to page 79 for our must-read
Glass Ceiling portfolio.
Still on the topic of smashing gender barriers, this
month we’re focusing on blokes and the hot-button issue
of equal parental leave – or lack thereof. Just as more
women want equal opportunities in the workplace, more
men want the opportunity to be involved at home.
Reports show that 75 per cent of men would have liked
to take additional time off, yet only 5 per cent of new
dads take primary parental leave. Also, studies prove
that men involved in child-rearing are more likely to
bond with their kids in later life. Australia is woefully
behind the rest of the world on this issue, offering just
two weeks for “secondary” carers, known as “dad and
partner pay”. Even the use of this gender-specific term
makes the blind assumption that men will be the
supporting act in family life. So we teamed up with our
mates on Men’s Health, who are equally committed to
raising awareness of this issue, to bring you our extensive
report. With the support of seven celebrity dads (and
their super-cute kids), we show you how to get involved
and push for change. Turn to page 52 to find out how, or
lend your support on social media by using the hashtag
#PledgeForPaternityLeave. Get behind it!
ABOVE Embrace your
inner child with a game
of dress-ups, page 100.
BELOW We heart Georg
Jensen’s gold Mercy
Heart Pendant ($995),
worn also by Asher
Keddie who is supporting
the push to raise money
for the Ovarian Cancer
Research Fund, page 176.
ABOVE Our esteemed Glass
Ceiling Awards judging
panel including (from left)
Business Chicks CEO Olivia
Ruello, Bumble’s Michelle
Battersby, Estée Lauder
Companies’ Terry Little,
politician Tanya Plibersek
and Nicky Briger.
sharon
(sharon)
#1