Shoosmiths supports International Women's Day - Balance for Better

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on 8 March. It is a global day marking the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women - while also representing a call to action for accelerating gender balance.

The theme for this year was #BalanceforBetter, so Shoosmiths’ Board of Directors (joined by a few extra leaders from around the business) adopted the balance for better pose and told us what action they would take to help build a more gender-balanced world.

To drive forward gender balance collective action and shared responsibility is key. So for IWD 2019 and beyond, we asked colleagues ‘what will you do to promote #BalanceforBetter?’ 

Colleagues were invited to post their commitments and photos on social media. There were also personal messages of commitment from some of the firm’s senior leaders. 

During the week our Manchester office hosted a ‘Women In Planning’ event on the subject of gender balance/diversity. Partner Lisa Tye talked about her journey as a woman progressing within the legal sector and job sharing with fellow partner, Kathryn Jump.

The latest stage of their innovative partnership has seen them become the joint national Head of Planning. Their story and Lisa’s take on the wider subject resonated greatly with the audience. They have also been named 'Women of Influence' by The Planner Magazine.Partner, Paula Swain, was also recently shortlisted for 'Woman of the Year (non-creditors)' at the Women in Credit Awards.

IWD was also be marked at Shoosmiths by events organised by the national LeanIn@Shoosmiths network, including:

• Leeds held a session over lunchtime focusing on why gender equality is good for everyone. 
• A lunch time quiz in Solent highlighted the progression of women’s equality; 
• Listening to and discussing the LeanIn podcast “Men, ask us anything – with Sheryl Sandberg” in Thames Valley; 
• Sponsoring the ‘Nottingham Inspirational Women Awards’;
• Nottingham Partner Deborah Gordon Brown spoke at the event and presented one of the awards;
• Asking everyone to share something inspirational about one of their female colleagues.