International Women’s Day: celebrating achievements

Today is International Women’s Day, which, for over a century, has aimed to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. 

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is about inspiring inclusion, so OT sat down with a range of women working across optics to ask them about who and what inspires them.

OT asked: Who has most inspired you in your career and why?

Julie Mosgrove (JM), optometrist, retail director at Duncan & Todd, and chair of Optometry Scotland: Throughout my career in optics, I’ve been fortunate to learn from and be inspired by a variety of individuals. Seeing women in senior roles has been incredibly inspiring to me, uplifting my aspirations. Mentorship from experienced professionals, both women and men, has been invaluable in my journey, and I’m grateful for their guidance and support.

Lizzy Yeowart (LY), optometrist and What Lizzy Loves blogger: Dr Kate Gifford. She has brought myopia management to the fore and shared countless invaluable resources through Myopia Profile, the digital platform she co-created. I have it on good authority, that she is a very nice person too.

Nichola Mason (NM), dispensing optician and director at four Hakim Group independent practices: My inspiration comes from my family who raised myself and my brothers equally in a ‘can do’ environment. I was often told there is no such word as ‘can’t.’ Now I take inspiration from numerous successful colleagues who are just smashing life.

Mentorship from experienced professionals, both women and men, has been invaluable in my journey, and I’m grateful for their guidance and support

Rupal Morjaria (RM), consultant ophthalmologist at Newmedica Leicester: My most influential role models, who have shaped me into the ophthalmologist and woman I am today, are my mother, Kundan Morjaria, my brother, Rupesh Morjaria, and ophthalmologist Marie Tsaloumas. Their unwavering support and encouragement have been instrumental in my journey. 

My mother Kundan, with her remarkable work ethic and dedication, has been a guiding light for me. She balanced a successful career, supported my father's businesses, and prioritised our education, instilling in me the importance of hard work and determination.

Marie Tsaloumas, a retired ophthalmologist, left a lasting impact on me when I was a medical student, with her wise words: “Being a Greek Australian in the UK, I will have to work three times harder than everyone and 10 times harder than the men.” As a first-generation East African Indian, these words spoken about herself deeply resonated with me, reflecting the challenges and perseverance required to succeed in a field where representation may be lacking.

Furthermore, my brother, Rupesh Morjaria, an optometrist, sparked my passion for the field and inspired me to pursue a career in ophthalmology, where I found my calling and purpose. Together, these role models have shaped my values, work ethic, and passion for optics, driving me to overcome obstacles and strive for excellence in my career. Their guidance continues to inspire me as I navigate the challenges and opportunities in the field of ophthalmology.

Sally Litchfield, chief people officer at Hakim Group: My mum. My mum brought myself and my two sisters up independently, and she’s also the eldest of five siblings, so as well as looking after us she kept everyone else in line. She also loved work; she was an inspiration for me growing up.

I’ve also been lucky enough to have strong female role models who I have worked alongside and learn from daily, these are friends who are always there for support, encouragement and are happy to celebrate every achievement.

Sophie Holmes (SH), Specsavers audiology development manager: In my current team I am surrounded by amazing women, and it is all of them who inspire me. We are all at different stages of our lives and careers, and I find it so refreshing to work in a team that truly takes time to understand each other and support wherever possible. Challenges faced around menstruation, parenthood and menopause are not taboo and can be spoken about openly, which is something I find so empowering. 

Jess Baldwin (JB), Specsavers junior analyst: There isn’t one woman that has inspired me in my career, but I would like to mention that working in a global data team is inspirational as our gender split is 38% women/62% men, which is higher than many other teams I am aware of.

Together, these role models have shaped my values, work ethic, and passion for optics, driving me to overcome obstacles and strive for excellence in my career

We asked: What do employers need to do more of in the workplace to ensure equality and why?

JM: They need to regularly evaluate and adjust compensation structures to ensure equal pay for equal work, regardless of personal characteristics. Implement inclusive work/life balance initiatives that support all genders and support programs for employees facing personal challenges, such as illness or family caregiving responsibilities. Encourage collaboration and knowledge-sharing across diverse teams, providing opportunities for all employees to learn from and support each other's professional development.

LY: There is definitely more equality in the workplace than there was when I was a newly-qualified optometrist in the late 1990s. However, (and I must make it clear that I am generalising), it is most often the mother who has to juggle to balance family and work life. Working mothers spend an inordinate amount of time consumed with guilt for missing school assemblies and sports days. Then if they need to take time off work to care for a poorly child, they feel guilty for the subsequent chaos it causes at work, especially when patients and appointments are involved as they often are in our profession. It would be brilliant if employers were able to support working mothers to the best of their ability to reduce this guilt and subsequent stress. A less stressed woman makes for a much more productive worker.

NM: I think we have come a long way in the workplace, and I feel there is equality in my practices. However, I think more can be done generally to help mums wanting to return to work either with young babies, kids starting school, or when kids finish school and they want to restart a career.

Employers need more space for open conversation – never assume you know the issues or challenges. We should all be striving for equity, not just equality

 
SH: Employers need more space for open conversation – never assume you know the issues or challenges. We should all be striving for equity, not just equality, and this means truly understanding the challenges faced by the people in your organisation. We cannot create authentic equity without taking the time to get to the root of issues – putting ourselves in each other’s shoes. This kind of conversation creates the momentum needed for positive change and allyship.

JB: Listening – truly listening – and understanding. It’s so important to understand what it’s like from another's perspective. We all have unconscious bias and this is one way to remove it.

RM: Employers need to prioritise implementing policies and practices that promote gender equality in the workplace. This includes addressing systemic barriers that disproportionately affect women, such as inadequate support for breastfeeding mothers returning to work and challenges in negotiating part-time or flexible working arrangements. They should make concerted efforts to accommodate employees’ needs for flexible working arrangements, recognising that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be suitable for all individuals. In the case of the healthcare sector, it’s essential for organisations to recognise and address the unique challenges faced by women, particularly those in demanding professions like ophthalmology. This may involve implementing policies that support work-life balance, providing adequate maternity and paternity leave, and offering flexible scheduling options.

SL: It’s important to have a diverse workforce where individuals are able to be their authentic selves, regardless of gender. Creating this culture and environment enables individuals and businesses to thrive. But employers need to ensure they have some of the basics in place, including hiring for skill and behaviour, developing meaningful work/life policies and being open to exploring flexible contracts. 

My inspiration comes from my family, who raised myself and my brothers equally in a ‘can do’ environment

 

We asked: Can you share a moment that has made you feel proud to be a woman in optics today?

JM: I take pride in witnessing the increasing presence and contributions of diverse individuals in the field of optics and it motivates me to continue contributing to its progress.

RM: A moment that fills me with pride as a female in optics occurred when an article I wrote for OT several years ago gained international recognition, reaching even distant family and friends. Despite spending years training and pursuing an academic surgical career, the unexpected recognition of my writing reminded me of the impact and reach of my contributions to the field. This moment affirmed the value of my work and the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences within the ophthalmic community. It also highlighted the significance of representation and visibility for women in the field, showcasing our expertise and contributions on a global scale.

NM: I’m proud to see so many strong, ambitious women joining Hakim Group and either taking lead positions at HQ or taking the step into owning an independent practice. I love to see the belief that they can regardless of gender. This makes me proud of Hakim Group and of our profession.

It would be brilliant if employers were able to support working mothers to the best of their ability to reduce this guilt and subsequent stress. A less stressed woman makes for a much more productive worker

 
SH: I am so proud to be one of many females in our industry. We pave the way for young girls to thrive in this space. You believe you can be what you can see, so even just by being here we are inspiring more girls and women to take their first steps into optics and audiology. 

LY: I am starting a new role next month as medical science liaison (MSL) for EssilorLuxottica. Part of the interview process was a video call with Olga Prenat, its global head of medical affairs. She is academically brilliant as her CV will attest, but what struck me was how welcoming, warm and supportive she was. It’s great to see a woman in such a high-powered and respected role in the biggest company in our industry. There are four members of the newly-created MSL team, who all happen to be female. I met two of them last weekend at 100% Optical and they couldn't have been more welcoming and friendly. I am so proud to be part of this new team

SL: When I joined Hakim Group I met the most fantastic, ambitious independent practice partners, many of which are women, and it’s inspiring to see them grow successful businesses. I’m proud to head up the People team, working alongside business leaders enabling us to encourage more female optical leaders to come and join.

We asked: Who has most inspired you in your career and why?

JM: Seeing women in senior roles has been incredibly inspiring to me, uplifting my aspirations. Mentorship from experienced professionals, both women and men, has been invaluable in my journey.

NM: My inspiration comes from my family, who raised myself and my brothers equally in a ‘can do’ environment… Now I take inspiration from numerous successful colleagues who are just smashing life.

SL: My mum. My mum was an inspiration for me growing up. I’ve also been lucky enough to have strong female role models who I learn from daily. These are friends who are always there for support, encouragement and are happy to celebrate every achievement.

LY: Dr Kate Gifford. She has brought myopia management to the fore and shared countless invaluable resources through Myopia Profile.

RM: My most influential role models, who have shaped me into the ophthalmologist and woman I am today, are my mother, Kundan Morjaria, my brother, Rupesh Morjaria, and ophthalmologist Marie Tsaloumas.

SH: I find it so refreshing to work in a team that truly takes time to understand each other and support wherever possible.