Women are increasingly being elected or appointed to positions of leadership in the Uk and worldwide. Here are some of those who first held specific posts.
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1979-1990) - Margaret Thatcher
Foreign Secretary (2006-2007) - Margaret Beckett
Home Secretary (2007-2009) - Jacqui Smith
Head of MI5 in the UK (1992-1996) - Stella Rimington
Chancellor of Germany (2005-) - Angela Merkel
Prime Minister of New Zealand (1999-2008) - Helen Clark
Prime Minister of Denmark (2011-) - Helle Thorning-Schmidt
Prime Minister of Israel (1969-1974) - Golda Meir
Prime Minister of the Ukraine (2005, 2007-2010) - Yulia Tymoshenko
Leader of the Opposition in Burma (2012-) - Aung San Suu Kyi
President (elected) of Argentina (2007-) - Christina Fernandez de Kirchner
President of Brazil (2010-) - Dilma Vana Rousseff
President of Chile (2006-2010) - Michelle Bachelet
President of Ireland (1990-1997) - Mary Robinson
President of Liberia (2006-) - Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Church of England Bishop (2014-) - Libby Lane
Ordination of Women Bishops in the Anglican Communion - see Wikipedia entry
END
Friday, 24 April 2015
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Getting Back into the Job Market
Over-50s currently (2014) have the highest level of long-term unemployment and a recent study proved a 25 year-old is twice as likely to get a job interview than a 51 year-old. Here are some tips to help.
The National Careers Service (NCS) is a free nationwide service offering information on careers, training and work. Its advisors are available online, over the phone or in person, seven days a week.
# For the over-50s, technology is often a skills gap, so get on some courses.
# To find the hidden job market, network friends, colleagues and join an organisation. And join a social media website - some employers fill 75% of jobs from sites like Linked In.
# Prepare and practise for job interviews. Research the company, and the role. Google the top 10 interview questions - then work your skills, qualities, knowledge and examples into your answers.
# If we are all working till we are 70, we can have several careers. If you don't have A-levels or a degree apply anyway, as some places accept you based on your life experience.
Being your own boss. The Prince's Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) was set up to help anyone over 50 start a business. It offers courses teaching business skills, and once you've completed those, pairs you with a business mentor for ongoing advice.
If you are wanting to return to work after a career break, try a Career MoT course run by Women Like Us, who offer free online career support and advice packs, a series of wporkshops and a recruitment agency, Timewise Recruitment.
Some key points from Sophie Giles, a chartered occupational psychologist, are:
The National Careers Service (NCS) is a free nationwide service offering information on careers, training and work. Its advisors are available online, over the phone or in person, seven days a week.
# For the over-50s, technology is often a skills gap, so get on some courses.
# To find the hidden job market, network friends, colleagues and join an organisation. And join a social media website - some employers fill 75% of jobs from sites like Linked In.
# Prepare and practise for job interviews. Research the company, and the role. Google the top 10 interview questions - then work your skills, qualities, knowledge and examples into your answers.
# If we are all working till we are 70, we can have several careers. If you don't have A-levels or a degree apply anyway, as some places accept you based on your life experience.
Being your own boss. The Prince's Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) was set up to help anyone over 50 start a business. It offers courses teaching business skills, and once you've completed those, pairs you with a business mentor for ongoing advice.
If you are wanting to return to work after a career break, try a Career MoT course run by Women Like Us, who offer free online career support and advice packs, a series of wporkshops and a recruitment agency, Timewise Recruitment.
Some key points from Sophie Giles, a chartered occupational psychologist, are:
- Know yourself. Start by writing down the highs and lows in your personal and work life. Look at when you were at your best. Step back and make a frank assessment - and be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. What should you address?
- Be curious and brave. Pursue leads and possibilities, even while you worry about rejection. Go online, pursue work by keywords and links. Answers don't fall into your lap - you need to find them.
- Bin the self-deprecating humour. In order to interview confidently and convince an employer of your merits, you have to see them yourself. List all your talents and truly believe them.
- Build a social support network around you - partner, peers, family. Be generous with them in your thoughts and actions, and the support that comes back will give you strength. Conversely, know who sucks you dry and leave them behind.
Monday, 20 April 2015
Capitals in Email and Web-page Addresses
Some email addresses and web page addresses are printed in flyers, business cards and other advertising materials with some capital letters. But do you need to use capitals when typing in an email address or web page address?
Email: Everything up to and including the .com (or .org or .net) part of the web address is never case sensistive. It doesn't matter what has been printed or what you type in, they will always work. So if someone gives their email address as ABJones@MyMail.com you can safely type it in as abjones@mymail.com .
Web pages. Like email, everything up to and including the .com (or .org or .net) is never case sensitive so www.example.com, WWW.EXAMPLE.COM or www.Example.com will all work. BUT any text after the .com might be case sensitive (e.g. www.example.com/FAQ.htm) and needs to be typed in as referenced.
For more details, see this helpful article.
Email: Everything up to and including the .com (or .org or .net) part of the web address is never case sensistive. It doesn't matter what has been printed or what you type in, they will always work. So if someone gives their email address as ABJones@MyMail.com you can safely type it in as abjones@mymail.com .
Web pages. Like email, everything up to and including the .com (or .org or .net) is never case sensitive so www.example.com, WWW.EXAMPLE.COM or www.Example.com will all work. BUT any text after the .com might be case sensitive (e.g. www.example.com/FAQ.htm) and needs to be typed in as referenced.
For more details, see this helpful article.
Friday, 17 April 2015
Short Sight and Sunlight
Can spending too much time in front of a computer screen cause short-sightedness?
Computer screens have been blamed for short-sightedness, just as reading for too long under the bedclothes was when I was a boy. Actually, you are short-sighted because your eyeball grows too long for your lens, but the growth is slowed down by a brain chemical called dopamine in the retina.
A recent Australian study suggested that exposure to sunlight in childhood stimulates the production of dopamine, so the eyeball stays the right length. But if you don't get enough sunlight, the theory goes, you won't produce enough dopamine. People who spend a lot of time in front of screens are less likely to go outdoors, so it's not the computers themselves that may cause shortsightedness - and there is definitely a genetic component.
Doctor's orders: Kids should get out more!
Dr Michael Mosley in Radio Times, 11-17 Oct. 2014
Computer screens have been blamed for short-sightedness, just as reading for too long under the bedclothes was when I was a boy. Actually, you are short-sighted because your eyeball grows too long for your lens, but the growth is slowed down by a brain chemical called dopamine in the retina.
A recent Australian study suggested that exposure to sunlight in childhood stimulates the production of dopamine, so the eyeball stays the right length. But if you don't get enough sunlight, the theory goes, you won't produce enough dopamine. People who spend a lot of time in front of screens are less likely to go outdoors, so it's not the computers themselves that may cause shortsightedness - and there is definitely a genetic component.
Doctor's orders: Kids should get out more!
Dr Michael Mosley in Radio Times, 11-17 Oct. 2014
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
Dress Code
Invitations to special occasions (garden parties, christentings, weddings, etc) often include a dress code, which is rarely spelled out for women in the way it is for men. So what should you be wearing?
More Top Tips
Feature in Good Housekeeping, June 2014
- White tie (men) = Over-the-top, full-length, glamour and jewels (women)
- Morning suit (men) = A day dress, plus a coat or jacket (women)
- Black tie (men) = A pretty party look - not full length (women)
- Lounge suit (men) = A day dress or smart trouser suit.
- Smart casual (e.g. chinos & blazer for men) = Trousers or white jeans (not faded or ripped) or maybe a patterned skirt with a white shirt.
- Mother of the Bride: Long-line coats and dresses are a stylish alternative to skirt suits. They also look great worn separately, so are good value for money.
- Wedding Guest: Nude tones and metallics are perfect for summer weddings. They are understated and chic without overshadowing the bride.
- Summer Party: team bright, punchy colours with classic neutral pieces for a look that is modern and adaptable for lots of special occasions.
More Top Tips
- The Hat Dilemma: Most of us don't wear them often, so don't know what suits us. At very formal occasions the crown of the head must be covered. Or try a fascinator - best to go with a hairband style with some artificial flowers or sparkle (feathers have been sadly overdone). If going for a hat, choose a wide-brimmed pink straw hat (which will cast a flattering glow on the skin and suits everyone) with a neutral coloured dress.
- Invest in the right underwear - formal occasions tend to involve photographs. Take your outfit with you when you shop for underwear.
- Special occasion shoes. For comfort, a heel no higher than 3 inches, that is block shaped to give more support. Court shoes are classic but a strap over the instep will help keep your foot in place. Make full use of gel pads and insoles to cushion your feet ( M&S does tights with extra padding). Flatter shoes are coming into fashion, so consider cystal-embellished sandals or white summer brogues. Or wear smart ballet pumps or have a fold-up pair in your bag.
- Nude tights look best. (Black tights, especially opaques, are unsightly with summery formal outfits.)
- Toes - if you show your toes, you can't wear tights. You should also have a recent pedicure and unchipped polish.
- Miracle dresses (e.g. with control panels) can help you look your best and needn't be expensive.
- Bare arms? Consider a shrug as an alternative to a pashmina.
- Handbag? A small clutch to hold just the basics looks better. Pick one with a strap, otherwise you won't be able to eat and drink while you hold it.
- Get a blow dry. Even if you are brilliant at doing your hair, it's hard to get the back right - and that's what other people see most often.
- Avoid all black. It looks out of place at summer weddings and christenings. If your wardrobe is full of black, add lots of white. Monochrome is still allowed.
- On very formal occasions, consider a matching dress and coat.
Feature in Good Housekeeping, June 2014
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