International Women’s Day is not just a day to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women around the globe; it’s also a powerful reminder of the journey towards gender equality and the challenges that still lie ahead. Among these challenges, the issue of unequal pay remains a glaring testament to the disparities that persist in the workplace. Despite decades of progress and advocacy, the gender pay gap continues to affect women across all sectors, undermining their economic independence and undervaluing their contributions.
At Clarity Simplicity we ensure that regardless your gender that there is fair and equal pay. To celebrate this day we have included several of our co-workers questions which they have kindly answers.
Daryl Walker
Tell us a bit about yourself?
Daryl Walker- I am a Trainee Solicitor at Clarity. I’ve been working here for the best part of 9 months, and in that time have had 3 job roles. I’d describe myself as motivated and optimistic.
What is your proudest achievement whilst working at Clarity Simplicity?
Definitely obtaining my training contract! It’s something I’ve worked towards for a number of years so definitely a rewarding moment.
Which women inspire you the most?
Beyonce always.. otherwise, I’m always inspired by any woman who can be completely professional and get the job done, but at the same time, be true to her personal character and values.
Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman? If so, how did you overcome them?
I’m lucky in that throughout my (short) career, I’ve always worked for organisations who challenge the status quo and aren’t quiet about supporting women at work. I don’t feel I’ve personally suffered, although it’s hard to know where bias may have played a role behind the scenes, for example in recruitment processes where I’ve lost out despite being qualified.
How do you influence your colleagues around you and the wider business?
I’d hope that I influence my colleagues by offering a positive outlook on challenges faced by the team, by being outspoken and offering solutions to problems where I can. I’d also like to think that team members feel supported and as though there is a listening ear where they need it, both professionally and personally. 6. This year’s theme for International woman’s day is theme is Inspire Inclusion. What does this mean to you?
Inspire Inclusion means to me that women should actively look out for ways to encourage others to participate and to lean on each other for support. It’s easy to get caught up and start to see others as competition, especially at work. So I suppose it’s about helping others to achieve a common goal.
Kara MacGregor-Duke
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I am an Associate Solicitor for Complete Clarity Solicitors. Since leaving school, and even whilst in school on work experience, I have always loved law. For me, it is about guiding clients through difficult situations in their live, and finding a positive solution. I am very much a “problem solver”.
What is your proudest achievement whilst working at Clarity Simplicity?
Being involved in training of newer members of staff, and seeing our Trainee Solicitors grow and develop into fully qualified solicitors. Many of us face “imposter syndrome” in this profession, so it is important for us all to build and support each other.
Which women inspire you the most?
I entered this profession when it was dominated by men and whilst men and women are equal, it is refreshing to see that as times have changed we now have more woman in the profession than men. In a professional setting, it is inspiring to see women achieve their goals and make positive changes. For me, I have known Emma King for many years and she has always been an inspiration to me in the profession.
Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman? If so, how did you overcome them?
I recall one occasion where a male Partner in another firm made a comment to me about how women halt their careers, and take time off work, to have children. In his mind, this was a negative thing. Thankfully I have not had personal experience of having barriers in my way due to being a woman.
How do you influence your colleagues around you and the wider business?
At Complete Clarity we have more female solicitors than men. This has certainly not been intentional, and perhaps follows the trend of more women entering the profession now than ever before. I have been in this profession for many years. For me, I strive to guide and train all my colleagues to be the best version of themselves and be a support where they need it most.
This year’s theme for International woman’s day is theme is Inspire Inclusion. What does this mean to you?
For me, this means women playing an equal part in society. This is not to be perceived as any sort of radical feminism, but to recognise that men and women are equal.
Abigail Murray
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m Abigail, I’m 23 and I’ve been working here at Clarity Simplicity Solicitors on the Client Services Team for one year.
What is your proudest achievement whilst working at Clarity Simplicity?
I felt proud within my role when I developed a template for sending clients emails in response to their enquiry. The emails I was sending to clients were used as an example for good communication and added to our templates folder for the rest of the team to use.
Which women inspire you the most?
Many women inspire me but my Mum: Gail, my partners Mum: Dana and my best friends inspire me every day.
How do you influence your colleagues around you and the wider business?
I bring my best self to work every day and trying to raise the spirits of everyone around me.
This year’s theme for International woman’s day is theme is Inspire Inclusion. What does this mean to you?
To me, inspire inclusion means to promote the idea of including everyone and taking into account their different circumstances.
Emma Hamilton
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I am Paralegal here at Clarity and deal with family law and private evictions, mummy to Eva all days of the week, dog mum to Hallie and Harper and let’s not forget soccer mum on the weekends. Life is busy!
What is your proudest achievement whilst working at Clarity Simplicity?
In my time at Clarity I have built (and still continuing to build) a wild caseload. I thrive off of the achievements for my client’s and providing them representation and of course when it comes to family law, effectively providing support and guidance through a difficult time in their life.
Which women inspire you the most?
I can honestly say every female in my life is an inspiration. I have incredible friends and family who are all so ambitious and truly beautiful inside and out. If I had to specially pick one, I would of course have to say my mum. She is the most hardworking and resilient woman I know and has always been my biggest cheerleader in life.
Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman? If so, how did you overcome them?
Absolutely. I became a mum at 19 and I guess you could say I did my life a little backwards with being a mum first and building my career in my 20’s. There is no question that I always worried about facing judgement in life about how my juggle of being mum but being career driven would be a barrier. My best advice to anyone is determination. My biggest barrier was proving to those that say you can’t possibly do it all is that you actually can. Working full time with a baby on your own was no easy task and getting the right firm to take a chance on you felt like a real hurdle. But here I am now. Don’t be grouped into a stereotype or let it define you. Be YOU and those who shout the loudest really are the ones that get heard. Don’t give up on what you want and keep working, regardless of how hard it feels. You can do this.
How do you influence your colleagues around you and the wider business?
I would like to think I am a really positive influence on my colleagues. My life is 100mph what feels like 24/7 and I’d like to think my crazy schedule would show anyone that you
can do it all – it doesn’t matter how you started out but you will get there in the end. My personal experiences in life are what motivated me to work in law and more specifically, family law. I bring a unique approach to clients whereby I feel I have a real in depth understanding of how difficult separations and sharing a child can be. My empathetic approach is acknowledged by clients and something I am incredibly proud of.
This year’s theme for International woman’s day is theme is Inspire Inclusion. What does this mean to you?
Beth Latham
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am a full-time university student, studying an English law degree, and I work full time as a Client services assistant with Clarity.
What is your proudest achievement whilst working at Clarity Simplicity
Persevering through my full-time studies as well as working full-time, developing personal qualities and making career progress.
Which women inspire you the most?
Aside from my own family members, I am also inspired by Princess Diana, the way she views the world and provides a voice for women makes me aspire to be a women that truly cares for people without expecting anything in return. “I think the biggest disease the world suffers from in this day and age is the disease of people feeling unloved. I know that I can give love for a minute, for half an hour, for a day, for a month, but I can give. I am very happy to do that, I want to do that.”. (Favourite Princess Dianna quote)
Inspiring inclusion to me means recognising the potential from woman in all walks of life. We are incredible. There is no one right way to do life and hearing the stories of how we all got from A to B is so inspiring. Being us is our superpower and every woman should remember that. Be unique and be proud!