HOW I GOT HERE
Women for Women International UK’S executive director Brita Fernandez Schmidt, 47, reflects on her journey in the charity sector
Women International UK’S executive director Brita Fernandez Schmidt’s inspirational story
Brita Fernandez Schmidt’s passion for gender equality led her to pursue a career in the charity sector. Under her compassionate leadership, Women for Women International UK has empowered and supported thousands of women across the globe, and has garnered the support of celebrities and brands including Helen Mirren, Alice Temperley and LK Bennett. She tells Red how she did it…
I STARTED MY CAREER AS AN UNPAID INTERN. After completing my MA in Women’s Studies at the University of Sussex in 1994, I wrote to the director of the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) in Brussels, explaining how passionate I was about making a difference to women’s lives. She took me on, and after five months of hard work, I plucked up the courage to tell her I needed to start earning money – and she offered me a paid position.
BE CLEAR WHAT YOUR DREAM IS BUT DON’T WORRY ABOUT TAKING
DETOURS. When the EWL stopped feeling right, I moved back to the UK in 1996 and applied half-heartedly for some jobs that weren’t my dream – I wanted to work specifically for women’s charities. But I landed a job at the Peru Support Group, a tiny organisation raising awareness about human rights abuses in Peru. The experience I gained there was invaluable, leading to my next job at Womankind Worldwide, which was perfect for me – I stayed for 10 years.
IN 2008, I JOINED THE NEW LONDON OFFICE OF WOMEN
FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL. I was already a huge fan of WFWI founder Zainab Salbi, so when headhunters approached me to join the organisation, I jumped at the chance. I didn’t get the role because I wasn’t experienced enough, but they created a new one for me – as Director of Operations. After becoming Director of Policy and Development in 2010, I was appointed Executive Director in 2012. I’m thankful for the journey it took to get there.
WE GRADUALLY STARTED ATTRACTING CELEBRITY
ATTENTION. We had a small group of women on the board who were so supportive; they’d open their address books and we’d put on events to spread the word. Our campaigns are driven by sisterhood and shared humanity, which seems to bring people together. Our campaign for International Women’s Day, #Messagetomysister, is about supporting women living in countries affected by conflict.
MY NON-NEGOTIABLE HAS ALWAYS
BEEN MY TWO DAUGHTERS. As a working woman who travels a lot, it can be difficult to balance everything. My husband and I are very organised, so if I have meetings one evening, he will pick up the kids from school and vice versa. It really helps if you make it clear what your non-negotiable is. My children are my priority, and I don’t feel guilty about it. YOU WON’T ALWAYS SUCCEED – BUT THIS SHOULDN’T BE HOW YOU MEASURE SELF-WORTH. Four years ago, I applied for another role within WFWI. I gave it my best, but I didn’t get it. I allowed myself to feel hurt, but then I realised I was feeling great about myself before the phone call came. Nothing had changed, so why should I feel any worse now?
I told this to my children as a lesson that you have to put yourself out there, and sometimes you don’t get it, but that’s okay. These ‘failures’ drive you forward.
‘YOU HAVE TO PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE’