International Women's Day 2025
As we celebrate International Women's Day 2025, we reflect on the journeys, challenges, and successes of women in the workplace past, present, and future.
In line with this year’s theme, For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment, the below questions and answers, as well as letters to older and younger selves, capture personal reflections from women and girls of different generations. Their stories highlight the power of experience, ambition, and resilience, while also recognising the role of women and girls in shaping a more equal and empowered future for all.
Jill Britton
Jill, what is your proudest career moment?
The day I officially became the Director General of the JFSC was my proudest career moment, made all the more special by being our first female Director General. The support from within and outside the JFSC was amazing and very inspiring.
What was your younger self like?
I was ambitious and very head strong. I often said yes to opportunities without fully understanding what I was letting myself into, but this has served me well, giving me the opportunity to move to Jersey, run the London Marathon and spend nearly 5 years working in Asia. I was also however sensible, often being described as older than my years. I had and continue to have a huge sense of loyalty and pride.
Do you have any advice to your younger self?
- Hold tight to your family and friends, treasure the time you spend making memories because life can be very short. Take the time to laugh and have fun – the simple things in life are the most precious.
- Follow a career that makes you happy – you have to work a long time. Make sure you take roles that give you new experiences, purpose and enable you to learn every day.
- The world is a wonderful place, experience and appreciate different cultures, beliefs, religions, foods and environments – it is so rewarding and broadens your mind.
Clara Hamon
A letter to my younger self
Dear younger self,
There are so many things I’d like to tell you – opportunities you should take while you can, people to get to know or avoid, and things not to waste time worrying about.
However, there is really one main thing to say: do not wait for things to be perfect and let this get in the way of living life.
I would also say it’s fine to have your head in the clouds some of the time, but learn to know when it is time to take responsibility and face things head on.
One day you’ll have your own daughters and will see some of yourself reflected back in them. You will try to give them all the bits of advice you wish you could have told your younger self, and they won’t listen!
Love
Your future self
Georgie Hamon
A letter to my future self
Dear future self,
I wonder what you are like. It is exciting and scary to think about what you will do and whether you will be happy.
I hope you have the confidence to do all the things you want to do and that you have the chance to do some of the interesting things your mum did when she was younger.
I think I’d like you to be a fashion designer or a stylist or personal shopper for Young Adz, but you will probably look back at that and wonder what I was thinking! I am curious as to how similar or different your life will be to mum’s. We are both very independent but in some ways we are not alike.
I hope you have your own children and can be a good example to them of a strong, successful woman.
My advice for you would be to try your best, don’t be too hard on yourself, admit when you’ve made a mistake, treat people fairly, don’t worry about things that might never happen, and try lots of things.
Love
Your younger self (Georgie)
Faryal Khurram
I met my younger self for a coffee today
She asked if we made it. I said we did (but we didn’t quite follow the rather strict life plan we wrote at 21!). I told her to never stop looking for opportunities - they may take you around the world! To never stop learning - it will open doors for you!
She asked what had been the proudest moment of my career so far. I said watching the women around me succeed. There is something magical about watching the women you’ve grown up with, the women you studied with, the women you’ve worked with and the women you become friends with take the journey with you and succeed in their careers as well.
She asked what advice I would give her. I said to keep going. It will not always be easy but keep going.
Elizabeth Mière
A letter to my younger self
Dear Lizzie aged 18,
You won’t realise it right now, but your choices are going to take you on a very different path and challenge your expectations. You won’t stay in Scotland and teach English after all! You’ll move to a different country and work in a field you never knew existed. There will be missteps and difficulties along the way, but eventually you’ll be amazed by the strength and patience you use to face what life throws at you.
After completing your Chartered Secretarial exams, winning the ICSA (CGI) Jersey Branch’s inaugural Administrator of the Year Award is a standout moment in your career; as a strong team player you don’t always focus on yourself, but something like this is a good prompt to reflect on your skills and the quality of your work.
You really can do anything you set your mind to, and in time you’ll have the confidence to give (almost) anything a go. You won’t believe this, but your fear of heights is going to get so much better! Working in London really builds your confidence with escalators and awkward stairs. At 30 you’ll finally learn to swim – not brilliantly, but you will love it and really empower yourself.
You will always keep learning and want to know more. After finishing university you’ll complete two more degree-level qualifications. You’ll gradually venture into a bit of DIY, teach yourself to sew and finally make sense of knitting.
The one piece of advice I’d give you is to remember that communication is the foundation of everything. Working out how you like to communicate, and listening to others is a skill that will help everything else fall into place. You might not get it right every time, and that’s ok.
You are going to have a lot of fun, too so you have a lot to look forward to. You’ll end up on quite a different direction to the one you think you’re on, but it’s because you’ve truly made your own path.
Love from,
Lizzie aged 38
Amy McAlister
A letter to my younger self
One of the proudest moments in your career is making the huge leap moving from law enforcement to the JFSC at 40 years old. Law enforcement provided you with many extremely important life skills but moving to the JFSC allowed you to enjoy a better work / life balance and learn a new diverse set of skills. You must never limit your possibilities due to circumstance or age.
Three things I would tell my younger self would be:
- You wont ever regret being kind and showing compassion to people
- If your given an opportunity don’t let fear get in the way and grab it with both hands
- Never compare yourself to other people, enjoy what makes you happy and you will always prosper.
One word of advice I would give to my younger self is DO IT NOW. I sadly lost my mother to early onset dementia, and she never got to enjoy her retirement. Do something every day that makes you smile and is simply for you. Never be afraid to fight for what you believe to be right.
And remember to wear sunscreen.
Forever proud,
Older you x
Gracie-Rose McAlister
What do you want to be when you grow up?
When I grow up I want lots of opportunities to find a path that makes me happy. I would like to learn to be a stylist or a vet.
How would you describe your future self?
That being happy and kind and helping is others is really important. We can do any job we want if we put the hard work in.
What do you think it takes to be a successful woman?
I think helping people and being kind makes you successful. Also hard work and determination means you can take any path you like.
What advice would you have for your future self?
To do what makes you smile. Don’t worry about trying new things. When I started at secondary school it was a big change but its been a good one. Make sure you treat yourself for all the hard work and always fight for what you think is right.