(^18) | marieclaire.com.au
R
ecently, I was flicking through past issues
of marie claire, which was like discovering
a time capsule filled with nostalgic treasures.
There were stories on a “terrifying” new
face-freezing injectable called botox, a
five-page feature on the Ange-Brad-Jen
love triangle, and a tiny piece on a little-
known singer called Lady Gaga. Then I came across a
far-reaching survey we conducted exactly 10 years ago that
asked 5000 women what they really wanted in all areas of
their working lives. On the surface, it didn’t seem like much
had changed, but then it struck me: the results seemed
overridingly negative. Most of you were unhappy at work
and with your chosen careers, more than 80 per cent said
there was a silent battle raging between working and
stay-at-home mums, and life balance was seriously out of
whack, causing increased stress and anxiety. This made
me think: despite the advances in technology and women’s
rights, has anything altered over the past decade, or are we
still concerned and complaining about the same things?
To find out, we partnered with software giant Salesforce
to take the pulse of Australia’s working women once again.
Our survey found significant positive shifts in attitudes
on everything from the pay gap and parental leave,
to harassment, mental health, career and kids (turn to
page 73 for the full results). But, best of all, women today
are overwhelmingly happier and more confident at work,
and more empowered and entrepreneurial. Also, the
so-called “mummy wars” are finally on the wane, as women
become less judgemental about the choices we make.
Which brings me to three stories in this month’s issue
in celebration of Mother’s Day. In “Letter to my loves” (page
40) and “The juggle is real” (page 90), a clutch of successful,
high-profile women discuss the joys, stresses and pressures
of having kids while building businesses. And then there’s
renowned filmmaker Jocelyn Moorhouse, who did the
opposite and ditched her wildly successful career to become
a full-time mum after discovering two of her four children
had severe autism. Her memoir on page 78 is not only
gut-wrenchingly personal but perfectly describes the highs
and heartache of being a stay-at-home carer. After reading
all these stories, the takeaway is clear: whatever you decide,
the choice is yours and no-one has the right to judge – and,
thankfully, our survey results prove that our readers agree.
While I’ve been immersed in statistics, the fashion
team has been busy collecting the best new-season pieces
for the cooler weather ahead (think coats, boots and knits),
along with scores of drool-worthy jewels and watches.
After months of searing heat, it feels fabulous to pull on
a coat and pair of jeans (turn to page 122 for our denim
special). Winter is coming, so get shopping!
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...WATCHING
our heartwarming (and oh-
so-relatable) Mother’s Day
video series in collaboration
with Georg Jensen, starring
Sunrise presenter Edwina
Bartholomew (left) and
her mum, Cathy.
T
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Nicky Briger
EDITOR
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ABOVE It’s time to
shine; let this month’s
jewellery special (page
114) show you how.
LEFT To celebrate
Mother’s Day, actress
Teresa Palmer (here
with son Bodhi)
and six other
high-profile mums
pen heartfelt letters
to their kids (page 40).
...WEARING
this stunning Omega
Constellation Manhattan
timepiece – well, I wish!
...READING
filmmaker Jocelyn Moorhouse’s
memoir, Unconditional Love,
about stepping away from her
career to raise her two autistic
kids. What an inspiration! Read
our exclusive extract on page 78.
EDITOR’S LETTER
marty
(Marty)
#1