TGt Meets...Dawn Palmer from Dawn Palmer Coaching - IWD

Wednesday 8th March is International Women’s Day - and the theme this year is #embraceequity. Dawn Palmer, the owner of Dawn Palmer Coaching answers some interesting IWD questions...

Where is this business/company/organisation based?

Bournemouth however work with clients over quite wide area and zoom calls

If you have a team – do you have a gender mix? Are there challenges in achieving this? What are they?

I generally work alone, I learned long ago having been based in a ‘maverick’ team in an HR Department . . a gender mix along with ages and so on can be incredibly stimulating and create learning for all

What does #embracequity mean to you?

It means women have indeed and rightly ‘made their mark’ as independent, focused, capable as well as nurturing people .. it also highlights the need for men to be recognised as some face intolerable problems coping with women who lack the integrity and personal ethics to act well

In which of these areas do you support women? As a woman or as an ally?

• Women and Sustainability
• Women & Wealth/Money
• Women & Work/Business
• Women In Tech
• Women in the Arts/Creative sector
• Women and Health

Or do you feel strongly about any of the above themes? Please choose one and tell us why?

I have had the privilege of chairing women's networking Groups over a wide area in the southwest for quite a few years and touched on several of the categories listed. I feel strongly women who truly understand what it takes to be a successful woman generally are supportive, considerate, and mindful of other women in their professional life

Which women have inspired you over the last year generally? Why?

I admire my daughter, she has continued to build and promote her sole trader business, showing commitment, dedication and a real sense of wanting to offer the best service she can to her clients (which are mainly four legged as she has a Dog Walking/Boarding business)

I admire several celebrity women who are not afraid to ‘be themselves’ and take chances with the roles they choose and how they handle the media .. Helena Bonhom Carter .. immediately sprang to mind

Which local women have inspired you in the last year? Why?

A number of the women I meet at The Boardroom Network, they are willing to share, encourage and listen .. all very special qualities

What do you think are the biggest issues facing women this year and beyond?

The ongoing adjustment of the work/life balance, the diary juggling and logistics of family .. it doesn’t just end as children grow up. Being able to work from home and it not be perceived as ‘less of a job’

Why do you think it's important to have an International Women's Day?

I think recognising the strengths in people generally is always a reason to celebrate, for women it marks what they have indeed overcome since Mrs Pankhurst made herself heard for example. I also think it is important to have a fair overview of the many roles being a women embraces during her lifetime and they respect they all deserve.