We enjoyed an inspiring online event celebrating the incredible women working in public sectors and addressing the crucial issue of their safety. It was an empowering event that raised awareness about the challenges faced by women in public work.
This event provided a platform for open discussions and recognition for these crucial issues. The group discussion was led by Lucy Caldicott with support from NCWGB member Jackie Taylor. They spoke about their own experiences and engaged with attendees, nurturing open conversations about how we can work towards creating a safer environment for all women.
Lucy is a charity leader and campaigner working to address issues of inequality, injustice and exclusion, through her consultancy, ChangeOut. Lucy has worked in senior leadership positions at a range of voluntary and private sector organisations, including Young Lives vs Cancer, VSO, and youth leadership charity, UpRising. Up to May 2022 Lucy was a Labour councillor in the London Borough of Lambeth and Cabinet lead on Health and Adult Social Care. She was Labour’s General Election candidate in Dudley South in 2019, and has recently taken up the role of Director of Policy for Richard Parker’s West Midlands Mayoral Campaign.
NCWGB member Jackie Taylor, trained and worked as a nurse, looked after accommodated young people and studied at degree level as a Social Worker. As the first African Caribbean Councillor in Sandwell, Councillor Taylor has seized the opportunity to learn from her local political peers. Jackie has held various roles on Sandwell Council: Vice Chair of Children’s Services, Equality and Diversity Champion, Joint Consultative Committee Member, Planning Committee, and Audit Committee for the Combined Authority. Currently she is chair to Economy, Skills, Transport and Environment Scrutiny.
This event inspired, educated, and connected like-minded individuals in attendance by sharing stores and reinforcing commitments to women’s safety.