International Women's Day: Local ladies leading the way
We spoke to five women in sectors that are traditionally male dominated about the struggles, the wins, and their inspirational words to others hoping to follow their footsteps.
Last updated 8th Mar 2022
What do a rugby ref, a computer games producer, a sports reporter, a civil engineer and a farmer have in common?
They all work in industries in which male staff, more often than not, significantly outnumber women.
This International Women's Day, five women have answered questions about their careers, and all admitted that there have been many times when they were the only woman in a workplace, on a site, at a livestock market and so on,
They spoke out to act as role models for other women who fear entering their respective sectors.
Rugby referee Sara Topping is one of a handful of women officiating men's games in Ulster.
A former Magherafelt and Ballynahinch player, she went into refereeing upon her injury induced retirement from the game.
Sara says apart from accidentally called Sir a few times by players, there has never been any negativity directed her way from players, coaches or spectators.
She wants to remove any misconception that this would be the case for a female referee, and is encouraging other young women to consider picking up the whistle.
Civil engineer Aoibheann Gormley told Downtown/Cool FM that she first wanted to work in the industry on a site visit with her father when she was about five years old.
The Ballycastle woman said that upon seeing boxes of elevenses stacked in the break room, she thought that engineers were paid in biscuits and vowed that this was therefore the job for her.
Aoibheann says that often she is the only woman on a site, but says that times have started to change thanks to various drives to increase the participation of women in STEM subjects.
Aisling O'Reilly says her whole life has been centered around sports, but she did not realise that broadcasting was a viable career choice for her for many years, because of the fact there was very low visibility of women in the sporting media when she was growing up.
Now a full time reporter for Off The Ball, Aisling hopes that other little girls are aware that they can be whatever they want to be, as long as they put the work in!
In North Antrim, a young farmer is one of few women working in agriculture.
Aine Cassley, 23, works at the livestock market, has her own flock of sheep, has studied bio veterinary-science at Harper Adams, and has spent several seasons working in artificial insemination.
Deeply passionate about animals and the outdoors, Aine says that any other woman who feels the same way should feel comfortable working in farming.
Computer games producer Caoimhe Roddy has opened up about working in the industry, as well as the struggles of girls gaming recreationally.
The Magherafelt woman, an award winning producer for Chucklefish in Manchester, says that some male gamers do not make online gaming a safe space for women, which often leads to girls concealing their identity and pretending to be boys instead.
Read more:
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