Episode 2 - International Womens Day
Sun, Mar 09, 2025 6:09PM • 33:11 -- Download Full Transcript
Sue Vincent - Past Chair, DEI
Rana Ebrahimi 00:16
Welcome to today's Rotary District 9800 podcast, Reimagining Belonging. We begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are meeting today, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We recognize their ongoing connection to this land, its waters, and its rich culture. In line with Rotary International's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, District 9800 is dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We celebrate diversity in all its forms, embracing people from every background, identity, and experience. Together, we build a stronger community through mutual respect, understanding, and empowering each other to take meaningful action.
Thank you for joining us. Imagine Belonging is a podcast by Rotary District 9800 where we explore the transformative power of DEIB in creating stronger, more connected communities. In this series, we will answer some of the big questions about DEIB: Why does it matter to Rotary? How does it enhance membership and service impact? And what does it mean to truly belong in a Rotary family that spans the globe? We will also highlight Rotary’s programs and initiatives, showcasing how DEIB principles shape the way we engage with members and communities.
Welcome to Reimagining Belonging. I'm your host, Rana Ebrahimi, and today's episode is a special one because we are celebrating International Women's Day. International Women's Day is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a global movement recognizing the achievements of women, challenging gender biases, and advocating for a more inclusive world. This year's theme, March Forward, reminds us that when women feel included, communities thrive.
In this episode, we’ll discuss the role of women in Rotary and how the organization is evolving to become more inclusive. We’ll explore how gender equity connects to Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self, and share inspiring stories of women breaking barriers and leading change.
Joining me today is an incredible guest who embodies the spirit of International Women's Day: Sue Vincent. I’m really glad that we are talking about International Women's Day. I think we do a lot of talking offline, but this time, we are going to share our conversation with everybody. I want to start by asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself and how you joined Rotary. I had the privilege of working with you when you were the Chair of DEI, and actually, I have this role because of you. So I want to talk about that and ask you to share your experience.
Sue Vincent 03:56
Thank you, Rana, and wonderful that we're here on International Women's Day—well, a day late, but still marking it! It’s fantastic that we now have an International Women’s Day.
A little bit about myself: I came to Rotary later in life. I had moved to a new area where I knew no one except a distant relative—Susie Cole—who introduced me to Rotary. She is a fantastic Rotarian. A lot of people talk about having a Rotary moment that got them into Rotary. For me, it was hearing the Four-Way Test. It echoed what I believed, and I thought, This is the organization for me. It’s been a fantastic journey. I belong to the Rotary Club of Prahran, which is small but powerful—we punch above our weight, I think!
My DEI journey is not an official one—I don’t work in the area professionally—but certain experiences in my life shaped my perspective. I was brought up to challenge inequity before I even fully understood what inequity was. In Rotary, I found myself naturally being inclusive in my club. When my first year as President ended, I was honoured to be asked to chair the first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee in District 9800. That role opened up more opportunities. Once you accept a challenge, you also embrace an opportunity. Through this, I met incredible people like you, Rana, who have a deep professional understanding of this space. I was also involved in launching a series of learning modules within our district, which were fantastic but required time, effort, and support to develop.
Rana Ebrahimi 05:54
Absolutely! The time we spent on education and delivering learning sessions was fantastic. It took a lot of effort, but it was worth it. And I remember that one of the most valuable things we did together was developing a DEI strategy. I’m really honored that we co-designed it with other members of the working group. It’s still the same strategy and vision today, and we continue to build on it. That’s the beauty of a strong foundation—it stands the test of time.
Sue Vincent 07:06
A podcast is a fantastic way to share these conversations because people are often time-poor and living in stressful conditions. Making learning accessible through different formats, like podcasts and transcripts, is an excellent way to engage more people. Congratulations on this initiative, Rana!
Rana Ebrahimi 07:24
Thank you! We are trying to practice DEIB ourselves by making our discussions more accessible. We also received great advice from Grant, one of our key supporters and a founder of DEIB in the district. He helped us ensure our podcast is accessible in multiple formats, including text for those who prefer reading. The next step is distribution—so if you're listening now, please share this podcast with your club and networks!
Rana (07:24):
Thank you! Absolutely. We are trying to practice inclusion ourselves in the group and create something accessible. Additionally, we received advice from Grants, who was a wonderful support and member. He is also one of the founders of the inclusion initiative in the district. We have also added text so that whatever you hear, you can read as well if you prefer reading.
We are trying different ways to make it accessible, but another crucial aspect is distribution. So please share this podcast with others and let club members know about it. There are multiple episodes, and you can pick and choose from our conversations.
Now, Sue, I have another question. We want to discuss the evolution of women in Rotary—not just the history, but also our own lived experiences as women and how we chose to be more active in society.
Before I ask you about your own journey, let’s touch on Rotary’s history. For most of its existence, women were not allowed to be members. It wasn’t until 1989 that Rotary International officially opened its doors to women. Since then, we’ve witnessed an incredible transformation, with women leading at all levels of Rotary.
That’s such an interesting point because 1989 doesn’t seem that long ago. I remember growing up, conversations about education and employment with my mother and grandmother revolved around marriage. They didn’t work or attend school because they got married and had children.
Even though I come from another country, I believe this was similar in Australia. Significant changes happened after World War II when women had to enter the workforce due to the loss of male workers. If that hadn’t happened, perhaps women wouldn’t have joined the workforce as early as they did.
What do you remember from those times, and what stories did you hear from your parents and grandparents?
Sue (10:19):
Yes! One of my grandmothers worked at a bank but was forced to leave her job when she got married. She ended up working as a domestic worker instead. It’s mind-boggling—the wasted potential.
She actually became a housekeeper for a wealthy family when she could have had a successful banking career. That’s oppression.
My mother also wanted to work, but my father told her, "No." He wasn’t particularly a misogynist—it was just the societal norm at the time. He had the privilege to say no.
I grew up in the 1960s and 70s, and at that time, women in construction were non-existent. When the first female commercial airline pilot was hired, it caused an uproar. People couldn’t believe a woman would want to be a pilot!
Now, we know that women bring an additional dimension to any group. Studies have consistently shown that organizations—including Rotary—benefit from women’s participation. It increases productivity, improves communication, and enhances fairness.
Is that because women inherently improve organizations? Or is it because organizations that include women are already fairer? Either way, we must acknowledge that diversity strengthens organizations.
We’ve made progress, but we’re not there yet. In Australia, men and women join Rotary at the same rate, yet only 30% of members are women. Worldwide, that percentage is even lower.