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'There's nothing intheworid worth experiences of other women Link magazine women's writer Elizabeth Wood met a group of
doing that a girl can't do', are the returners, Euro MP Caroline girls at Greendown School who will be visiting the exhibition
words of the Roadshow song, Jackson, Jenni Francis, Black and talked about how they see the future
and these words welcome visitors Business Woman of 1989 who
to Swindon's Roadshow 'It's runs a Public Relations company, Demographic change' seems to
Women's Work' opening at the and 'Balancing home and work', be the latest media catchphrase!
Oasis Leisure Centre on 7 and 8 a subject close to every working Put simply, the number of babies
March. parent's heart. born in this country took a
"The aim of the Roadshow is to And for the visitor keen to nosedive about 15 years ago and
breakdown the myths and explore new skills, there is even a the effect of that on employment
prejudices which may prevent chance of some 'hands-on' will begin to show in the next
women and girls from taking on experience of working in the eighteen months. Employers are
non-traditional roles", said building trade. During the course beginning to think of new ways
organiser Nancy Catchpole. of the exhibition, a section of a to attract and retain staff -
As well as promoting oppor- house will be erected giving especially women.
tunities available to women visitors a chance to try their hand Apart from creating opport-
starting work, returning to work, at plumbing, electrical, tiling and unities for older women this
changing careers or considering carpentry skills. Assistance will should also affect the choice
self-employment, the exhibition be on hand from women who are available to girls who are
will be a day for women to have already working or training in approaching school-leaving age.
fun finding out. Employers, these disciplines. I visited Greendown School to
employment agencies and "This is a really exciting event talk to a group of girls to find out
women already running their own for women in the Wiltshire area", how they see their futures. Visiting It's Women's Work and
businesses will all be on hand to said co-ordinator Rosa Matheson, Sharon Standrin, Gillian taking over this page next month,
offer advice, information orjustto "We particularly chose this date Taylor, Paula Thomson, Julie from the left, Gillian Taylor, Naomi
swap ideas. as 8 March is International Wilks, Abigail Parsons and Goulding, Abigail Parsons, Julie
There will be a running Women's Day. I think that the Naome Goulding are all students Wilks and Paula Thompson
programme of workshops 1990's will be one of the most in the fourth year, preparing to like to have a career and a family,
including a chance to listen to the exciting decades for women. take GCSE exams in 1991. Some but I think if you have children
of the girls already have quite you should look after them
definite ideas about what they yourself." Naome would also
OFFICE TRAINING/EQUIPMENT want to do in the future while like children, "Lots of them. I'd
others are still deciding. look after them myself when they
TUITION: (at home or business) Naome wants to be a doctor are little." Abigail wanted a more
Word Processing and specialise as a pediatrician. flexible approach. "1 would
Spreadsheets/Accounts "I used to want to be an engineer probably stop work if I had
but I've decided I would rather children, but if my husband was
Typing & Shorthand work with people than things." earning less than me it would be
Abigail has chosen the field she is better for him to look after them."
interested in-the Law -and hopes Greendown School has an
EQU1PME1': to train as a barrister. Two of the extensive Career Information
(Extremely low prices) girls, Sharon and Paula are both service which all the girls have
keen to work with languages and used and they are clearly eager to
Computers/Typewriters/ are hoping to continue their find out as much about the work
Copiers/Faxes studies at college. Gillian and environment as possible. As part
Julie are still considering several of their Humanities course they
Tel: Heather on 613693 (24 hr.) alternatives - Gillian expressed will be visiting the 'It's Women's
an interest in osteopathy and Julie Work' exhibition at the Oasis in
"possibly something to do with March. The are looking forward
animals or children." to finding our more about the
On one subject they are all opportunities available to them.
agreed - they all want to get Paula said "I want to see how
qualifications and a career before competitive the outside world is,
they get married and start a what are the realities of work and
families. Sharon said "1 want to how would I cope." Gillian said
get married and have kids but I "I want to find out what problems
want the qualification first women have at work and whether
because having a family could sexist attitudes are still a barrier
hold me back." Several of the in some jobs."
girls pointed to their own Talking to the girls I was
mothers' experiences. Paula impressed by their realistic
START explained, "1 like my approach to the future. They saw
AT independence but I might have no reason to limit their ambitions
CURTAIN DREAM children later and sçttle down. because of their sex and they were
My mum had me when she was already aware of the problem of
38 HAVELOCK STREET 17 and I think she would have juggling work and family. In the
SWINDON preferred a career first." April edition of The Link the girls
There was general agreement from Greendown will be taking
on looking after children when over this page to report on the
T ELEPHONE 513701 they are young. Gillian said "I'd 'It's Women's Work' exhibition.