International Women's Day 2023 - Maxine Hinds
To celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2023, Forsters is delighted to be releasing a series of Q&As with some of our partners and employees who go above and beyond to champion equity across our business.
We hope they will provide an insight into what drives those individuals who are really pushing the equity agenda forward.
Our first Q&A in the series is with Maxine Hinds, our IT Service Desk Manager. Maxine shares her experience of working in a male dominated industry as a woman and how she has overcome inequity in the workplace:
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a mother of three and grandmother of six. I love to cook and see people happy when eating the dishes I’ve made. I can be adventurous; I have abseiled off London buildings, climbed Mount Toubkal in Morocco, Nordic ice fishing and husky sledging. I have even been a contestant on a TV cooking show, needless to say I didn’t win as I’m answering this question. I’m a good listener. I love going to the theatre and to concerts; the London O2 is my spiritual home and I need private box now! I’m always smiling.
2. How does this year’s theme of Embrace Equity resonate with you?
It resonates because if we all work together, we can make a positive change, embrace each other and see each other as one. Out of many - One People
3. Have you ever experienced being treated inequitably in your career? If so, how did you move forward from it?
A male manager told me to listen to him, because practically he knew best, and my opinion and experience didn’t matter to him. I knew what I knew, and that the proof would be by showing him what I knew and how my experience has helped me to achieve where I am today. I decided not to shout and throw the toys out of the pram because that wasn’t going to change his view with words, and by retaliating I would be seen as the aggressor and not him.
4. Tell us about your most inspiring female role models (whether at Forsters, clients, or beyond).
Maya Angelou and my grandmother both faced a life of adversity, racism, and prejudice but they never gave up achieving their goals and taught others that they too can do it!
5. What has been the highlight of your career?
During my management career winning an industry award along with my team for the services we offered to the business. It is nice to be recognised for the work you do to support others.
6. What is the best advice you have been given?
Do the best you can until you know better, and then when you know better do better!
7. What message would you send to young women today?
To never give up, always look within, do better, be better. Treat everyone with respect and integrity. Many have come before you to pave the way so don’t waste the opportunities now given to you – you’ve got this.
8. What do you think are the most effective steps men can take to help achieve gender equity in the workplace?
Listen, understand, empathise and if something isn’t right call it out, speak up. Just because that’s how it has always been, if it is wrong break the cycle, be a leader.
9. Have you seen progress in gender equity, and equity generally, over the course of your career?
Yes, IT is a very male dominated environment. Heads of, or CIO are mainly men but of late, women are breaking through the glass ceiling and they too are now leaders and sometimes of teams consisting of only men, especially the Technical Manager roles in the industry. In my first management role, I had a team of 15 men and as people moved on within the team or left, we noticed more applications from females and the team dynamics started to change. More women are working within the IT industry across all roles.
10. What is your biggest hope for the future in the field of gender equity?
We all work together to make the change. Everyone can play their part and work together to embrace inclusion, unity, and harmony.
11. What benefits do you feel working at a firm with a gender balanced partnership?
That everyone can succeed. You have inspiration, you will see yourself in others, and can succeed.
12. Do you think of embracing equity at work, and pushing forward the equity agenda, falls equally on both genders? If not, what impact do you think this has on women?
Yes, it falls to both genders to make it work, to share and teach others. Be a leader. Everyone must be working together to achieve the same goal.