8th March, International Womens Day, I was late with my morning message on the group – it may have been due to the ‘carefree’ feeling I was experiencing at that moment, where it could actually have been a stressful one! A feeling of, ” I’ve decided to walk on a path, am happy carving that niche, I’m glad that the others are with me and supporting me. It’d be okay even if I didn’t have anyone”. I’ll continue to walk; because I know what am doing is a hope for a lot of good things to come, not for me alone but for all. I am sure a lot of you have experienced this, isn’t it a good feeling? The thoughts of self worth are powerful; remember we are our own cheerleaders!
We turned a month old and am glad that we’ve already created a niche for ourselves. The website is up and worth sharing. We need to use all our resources, media, social media or whatever we have in the ‘Girl Power’ so that the little voice we have created reaches where it is supposed to and makes a difference. Even an iota of it matters, very drop counts in making up the ocean isn’t it? It was also the launch day for our website www.theiwh.com ; as everyone onboard the IWH wanted it to be the 8th March, they wished our inspirational and empowering stories to reach all and create better awareness of our industry! “We have the wings; let’s soar high!” was all I could think of.
We introduced a new section on the website called, ‘Rear View Mirror‘ In this section the women from the fraternity would share their empowering stories. One lady who has not only had a great career in the industry but also has mentored generations of hospitality professionals in the last 40 years; is Ms. Avril Bayros Sule’ loved by all across the globe, may be even Mars and Venus… and beyond! It was an opportunity for us to express our gratitude for the tremendous work that she has done and the legacy she has created. I felt a whole lot of emotions as I put this post on the website, a feeling if pride, humility and a many more emotions were live in my mind and heart. It was for all to take a glimpse of her beautiful journey and use it as a guide for ourselves, and applaud Sule ma’am.
In the ‘Stories‘ section on the website, there was another gift from IWH to all the ladies (and gentlemen); on Woman’s Day. It was the time for us to hold our breaths, listen up and celebrate another stalwart from our fraternity, who holds ‘Many firsts’ to her illustrious career, first girl to step into F & B department in a hotel, first lady restaurant manager, first F and B Manager, first General Manager etc; in her crown. The crown she earned for herself, rather snatched it and made it so very powerful! A journey that inspires all and sets benchmarks to follow. The lady I am privileged to have worked with Ms. Shirin Batliwala, synonymous with ‘She is The Taj’, and the lady who mentored generations of hospitality professionals, the world over! It was a pleasure to share her story as we saluted the icon and thanked her for paving a new thought; a new path that others could walk on.
Our timeline was lively and so powerful, we all contributed a little bit each; to that power. We have such inspirational women among us, that we all must have access to great learnings and mentoring and celebrate who you are. Received messages and calls from so many ladies; each one appreciating this platform and loving the website. Website was ours, the Indian Women in hospitality, and we all needed to contribute good content. I didn’t want content writers for it, they had to be real women expressing their stories or sharing experiences that helped others in the industry or just created awareness.
I realised something extremely valuable, my earnings have been the wonderful people in my life, who have always supported me, encouraged me and I know I can fall back on them anytime. Nothing can buy these ‘relationships’, we create them. I am so happy to have done it on, the IWH too. It is turning out to be a platform for some kind of a reunion. Women are high on emotions (I believe so!) and here we have many opportunities that provide an outlet, for expressions or to just vent.
A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult. ~Melinda Gates
