International Women’s Day; celebrating the incredible women who support The Foodbank Project

International Women’s Day is a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year, we wanted to celebrate some of the women who support and have developed The Foodbank Project.  

We talked to 4 women who hold various roles that each supports the project in some way, whether that be on the frontline providing food parcels, managing the partnership, or in the background working on the functionality. Each person we interviewed has shared honest and genuine answers about their inspirations, advice, and personal perspectives as a woman. 

 

Charlotte Turner 

Where do you live and what do you do for work? 

I live in Wellington and work in our Headquarters on Cuba Street as the Foodbank Project Administrator. I do lots of things in my role with a big part being ordering the food for delivery to our centres all over the country each week.   

What motivates you to do the work that you do for The Foodbank Project? 

I just want to make a difference in the world. I know what it can feel like when times are tough, and it can feel helpless. I like knowing that the work I do directly helps put food on the table for people who need it. 

What makes you proud to be a woman? 

I love that I can be feminine and strong. I am extremely proud of women's ability to rally around and pick each other up when they are down. The bonds of an unspoken sisterhood are immeasurable, and I think that is so special.  

What or who inspires you the most in life?  

My Mum. She has been in some challenging situations and always comes out the other side stronger than before. I admire her resilience and she is the first person I go to for help and advice.  

What is the best advice you have been given? 

“You can't be everything to everyone today” I found this quote pinned up to my desk when I started my position with The Foodbank Project. I think it is very relevant for lots of situations, especially as women tend to feel they have to please everyone to prove they are competent.  

Why do we need more women in leadership? 

Because seeing people achieving things and being respected as an equal in leadership positions inspires other women to work towards those things too. It makes our goals seem a little more achievable. 

If you had the power to change one thing today, what would it be? 

I would give young women in underdeveloped countries the opportunity to attend higher education where they otherwise wouldn’t. I think that education is the pathway to intergenerational change and more women's voices deserve to be heard. 

 

Stephenie Mackenna 

Where do you live and what do you do for work? 

I live on the beautiful West Coast of the South Island in a small place called Dunollie, which is 10 minutes out of Greymouth. I work for the Salvation Army in Greymouth as part of the Mission Team supporting our Corps Officer and run the Community Ministries which involves Food Bank, Financial Mentoring, and other programmes. 

What motivates you to do the work that you do for others? 

I have been where some of our clients have been in my past, I love helping our clients through these times, I really love to help people, giving them a hand up during the hard times and not so hard times as well. 

What makes you proud to be a woman? 

The fact that as a woman I have a strong sense of intuition, strength (more mental than physical), that I am built to feel empathy and compassion towards others. 

What or who inspires you the most in life?  

My Mum Ollie and Dad Steve, they have shown me that no matter your start in life or what cards you are dealt with, you can make the changes and break cycles. Family is important and is to be cherished (whether they are blood or close friends that have become your family), loved and nurtured. 

What is the best advice you have been given? 

From my parents, never lie always be truthful even if the truth hurts and from God Jeremiah 29:11 

What challenges do you think we still need to overcome to reach gender equity? 

That people must understand that times have changed, and we need to be fair, if a woman and a man have done the same study and training and have also given the same dedication, they should be treated the same when it comes to pay and promotions.   

 

Monique Vallom 

Where do you live and what do you do for work? 

I’ve lived in Auckland for 10 years now, but grew up in Kerikeri, Northland and still don’t quite feel like I’m an Aucklander! I work for Countdown Supermarkets as the Senior Advisor – Community Programmes & Charity Partnerships which means I get to work with amazing organisations like The Salvation Army to help provide meaningful support to the communities we’re lucky to operate in. 

What motivates you to do the work that you do for others? 

I feel extremely lucky to get to do the work that I do – for as long as I can remember it's upset me that some people have a harder time in life than others. Working in this role for Countdown, I get to do a little bit of good every day, and my hope is that those little bits of good all add up to make a positive impact. The 20,000 Countdown team also motivate me every day – they are the hardest working people I’ve ever come across and inspire me to no end. 

What makes you proud to be a woman? 

All the people I most admire in this world are female – and that’s no coincidence. Women have always been at the forefront of social justice and when thinking about the people I work with, that’s absolutely true, they are always the ones fighting to make things better for people.  

What or who inspires you the most in life?  

My three fearless and beautiful nieces. They are kind, funny and caring and I hope they continue to enjoy life just like they do now.  

What is the best advice you have been given? 

It wasn’t advice given directly to me, but Brene Brown says “Life is better when I assume that everyone is doing their best. It keeps me out of judgement and focused on what is and not what could or should be”. I think this is important to remember, because at the end of the day we are all messy human beings doing our best. 

What’s the most pressing issue for women in 2022? 

Climate is the existential threat of our time and deepens existing inequalities - which already disproportionately affect women. My hope for 2022 is that gender-responsive climate actions become an integral part of the climate change agenda. 

If you had the power to change one thing today, what would it be? 

The increasing and disturbing inequality that we are seeing in New Zealand – it’s unacceptable in our beautiful country and I believe there is so much more we can do to make things better for those who need it most. The best way we can do this is by supporting mothers and women better. 

 

Vanessa Ronan-Pearce 

Where do you live and what do you do for work? 

I live in Auckland near Mission Bay and I lead Corporate Partnerships for The Salvation Army. 

What motivates you to do the work that you do for others? 

Using my skills and experience to support the outcomes of others, both personally and professionally, is incredibly rewarding. I love supporting others to accelerate towards their goals and to find ways to allow others to own their full potential.  

What makes you proud to be a woman? 

I love being a fierce woman! I’m proud that we lead through empathy and collaboration instead of battle and competition. I’m proud of the amazing network of supportive women in my life who are always there to support, cheer, help and encourage each other. I’m proud that the value of women is being re-evaluated and recognised for the worth that we have as individuals and as a collective.  

What or who inspires you the most in life?  

There are far too many people who inspire me to mention here. What does inspire me is seeing other women, champions of women and also champions of those who are under-represented, stand up and have their say, share their passions and their viewpoints, push for greater equity, and continue to have the difficult conversations to create a better environment.  

What is the best advice you have been given? 

To know when to slow down and rest. Burnout is too common in women and resting is a critical form of self-care that allows consistent progress to happen. 

Why do we need more women in leadership? 

Other than the fact that study after study shows that women actually make better leaders, that women led start-ups are generally more successful than male led start-ups, and that women are more collaborative and build stronger more productive communities? We need more women leaders because the historic evidence is clear, when men lead there is less compassion, less equity and more failure.  

What progress have you seen on gender equity in your life and work? 

There is still a long way to go but some of the changes and improvements I have witnessed include more women speaking up and insisting they are heard, a community of people supporting the advancement of women because they understand that by advancing women you advance the whole community, and more opportunities for alternate forms of work that support a home/life/family balance. 

 

Thank you to all the wonderful women who were willing to be interviewed and a big thank you to all the amazing women who support The Foodbank Project!  

“You are not here in the world for yourself. You have been sent here for others. The world is waiting for you!” 

-Catherine Booth, Co-Founder of The Salvation Army and remembered as ‘The Mother of The Salvation Army’