Inspire Inclusion with the RSA & Freaks of Nurture
Inspire Inclusion - RSA with Becky Dell and Hadiya Masieh
Thought this week
‘To be nobody-but-yourself — in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else — means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.’
- E.E. Cummings.
Inspire Inclusion
This was 2024's theme for International Women’s Day.
To join the global conversation that played out on March 8th, the RSA (Royal Society of the Arts) launched the first of a three-part series featuring a selection of Fellows who identify as women in 3-way conversations around Inclusion.
I sat alongside RSA Fellows Becky Dell and Hadiya Masieh (more on their social justice work below).
We spoke openly about our personal and professional experiences of inclusion as women for 2 hours. The discussion I'm sharing today was edited to 20 minutes, which I hope you'll have time to watch or listen to.
In the presence of Giants
Becky and Hadiyah's social justice work is colossal compared to my work in future foresight. I was in the presence of women who save lives.
Becky Dell FRSA is the co-founder of Citizens of the World Choir, the UK's leading refugee choir, a professional organisation that celebrates the artistry, heritage and humanity of people seeking sanctuary, advocating for understanding, dignity and kindness through the transformative power of music and song. The Citizens of the World choir family has 50 members from over 30 countries, composed of a mixture of refugees and allies. They've performed on stages ranging from Glastonbury to the Royal Opera House. Meet the choir and discover their stories here.
Hadiya Masieh is the founder of Groundswell project, a peace and community resilience-building organisation with 20+ years of frontline experience in countering violent extremism and hate. Using Hadiyah's unique insights as a former member of an extremist political organisation, Groundswell brings communities together through several grassroots, education and tech projects. They educate teenagers to identify grooming by radicalists. Groundswell also developed the Kindness Mapper app, a grassroots community connector. You can check it out here if you want to get involved with a local UK project. More case studies on their kindness and anti-radicalisation work here.
If you had to thank a woman
I would be in a different place today if it hadn't been for the many women I crossed paths with who gave me wings. You know who you are. The tributes published last week taking the time to give thanks, including this post by Lydia Caldana of Future Resources were sources of joy.
One of the questions from the RSA was Who in your life has inspired you as a female changemaker?
Taking a page from Lydia's book but zeroing in on 2 women:
My mother (of course) taught me to speak up for my beliefs. Even if for many years I struggled to speak up for for myself, at least I was always good at standing up for others thanks Mom!
Rosella Giuliani, my director at Ripcurl and 7 for All Mankind between 2005 and 2010. I would not be the professional I am today without being in the presence of her female leadership, support and kindness. The following conversation has been edited for privacy.
Everyday is Women's Day
And every day is a chance to thank your Rosella or simply your mother, a woman who made a difference in your life, helping you be nobody but yourself and keep flying high.
What lessons do we pass on to current and future female changemakers?
People who make major strides are rarely freaks of nature. They're freaks of nurture.
- Adam Grant Hidden Potential
By Geraldine Wharry