Em takes women on emotional rollercoaster
#breakthebias
The juggles of family, building a career and surviving the battle of being neuro-diverse made for a personal story delivered with hilarity and emotion at an International Women's Day event in Warragul last week.
Em Rusciano took her audience on an emotional rollercoaster, sharing her personal journey from a young mum to a successful comedian, podcaster and radio host.
The entertainer left no stone unturned, putting a frivolous spin on her life experiences while delivering subtle, yet strong messages encouraging women to never give up and to listen to their inner voice.
With this year's IWD theme being “break the bias," Em spoke about her personal battles to break the bias against women and inspired the audience with her stories of pregnancy, miscarriage, post-natal depression and being diagnosed with autism and ADHD.
But she delivered a powerful message for women to take home - "believe you can do it, just one per cent more than you believe you can't."
“It's not confidence you need, it's courage...have the courage to put yourself first," she said.
Em's flamboyant presentation was a celebration of what she had achieved - from falling pregnant in her early 20s, making her singing stage debut on Australian Idol, building a career as a radio presenter to being a mum of three, wife, neuro-diverse and taking the time to focus on herself.
The event, hosted by Baw Baw Shire and Women in Gippsland, was a sell out at the West Gippsland Arts Centre.
Deputy mayor Annemarie McCabe said she had experienced her share of bias "just for being a woman."
As a mother of four daughters, she said she was concerned about how gender bias would affect them throughout their lifetime.
Cr McCabe said the past year had seen a wave of women calling for change - a sign there was hope for the future.
She said the bravery of Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame was inspiring. “They have advocated so much yet there is still so much to do."
Cr McCabe said breaking the bias was creating a world where there was equal pay for equal work, a world where a woman was not overlooked for a job because she was pregnant and a world where no one could be fired because of their sexuality.
She said said it was important to create a community where everyone was listened too and celebrated.
WIG member Leah Mether spoke about the power of women having a voice.
She used sexual consent activit Chanel Contos as an example of someone who spoke out on an Instagram post and 12 months later has seen a commitment by governments to mandate consent education in schools.
Leah said women like Grace Tame, Brittany Higgins and Chanel Contose show how “you can use a voice and speak up."
Leah also acknowledged fellow WIG member Kerry Wilson who used her voice to initiate the “Put Her Name On It" campaign in a bid to have more women recognised in the names of streets, locations and landmarks.
"The rest of the committee has been in awe of her commitment and tenacity to this cause and supported her any way we can, and we are thrilled to announce that all our calls have been answered and Put Her Name On It is being taken to the world.
“Kerry raised her voice for a cause she believed in - and you can too.," she said.
Leah encouraged people to break the bias, call out gender bias - “and if you can't call it out, try some side eye glances."
Gippsland entertainer Mel Pollard took on the dual role as host and performer for the evening, appropriately bringing the audience on board to sing Helen Reddy's anthem I Am Woman at the end of the night.