COMBINING OUR VOICES IS VITAL

Our cover star today is the always bubbly Sonya Lennon, who is one of the nicest celebrities I’ve ever come across. Her joy is utterly infectious and whenever you see her she’s sure to be surrounded by smiling people as her very presence lights up a room. I love that Sonya has used her own success to help other women, particularly those who are struggling to remember their worth. The ageism that affects women far more than men can be demoralising as we get older and we can often struggle to find our place in society. Returning to the workplace after having children can also be an overwhelming experience as the double demands of career and family battle it out. Through the Work Equal scheme, Sonya helps women get ready to return to work but, just as importantly, she lobbies the Government on the gender pay gap. That there is still a disparity in pay for women is hard to believe and we need voices like Sonya’s making sure that our demands are not silenced or ignored. As a successful woman, it would be so easy for Sonya to sit back and enjoy the fruits of her labour, happy that she has managed to get to the top in her chosen career. That she chooses to use her fame and influence to help other women is testament to the kind of person she is. She mentions experience often – and it really is a vital component in any field of work, contributing to better decision-making and ideas. Yet it’s spoken about as if it’s a dirty word. Another fascinating chat in today’s issue is on page 44 with the brilliant Scandinavian author Jo Nesbo. He’s had careers as a footballer, a musician and a writer, and has recently become an extreme climber too. It’s a hugely impressive list but I do feel that the same flexibility to choose such diverse careers wouldn’t be afforded to a woman. We tend to be pigeon-holed far more strictly and advised not to stray out of our lane, as if we could only possibly be good at one discipline. So it’s vital that voices like Sonya’s continue to be heard on our behalf but also that we join the noise and not only speak out for ourselves but for those who can’t do so. Never pull up the ladder behind you, give a helping hand to the next woman climbing it.

Enjoy the issue.