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Peninsula Kids
Home»Education»Inspiring girls : the importance of relatable role models
Education

Inspiring girls : the importance of relatable role models

Updated:March 22, 20224 Mins Read
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By Toorak College

We constantly hear that women need more role models and that one of the main reasons women aren’t choosing careers in science, tech and engineering is the lack of role models in these spaces. For young women, seeing truly is believing and relatable female role models not only encourages them to explore what’s possible but inspires girls to take ownership of their futures.

Over 50 years ago the draw-a-scientist study (DAST) was first conducted and only 28 of 5,000 students (0.06%) drew a female scientist. When it was repeated in 2018, 24% of the students drew a female scientist. While this is progress, it also confirms how entrenched gender stereotypes continue to influence society and how vital it is to continue to raise the visibility of female role models, particularly in fields long dominated by men.

Role models matter

Research shows that role models have an amplified benefit for women for three reasons:

  • role models represent and expand what women think is possible
  • role models inspire women to be more ambitious and aim higher
  • role models demonstrate the mindsets and behaviours of how to rise

Disrupting the feed

Numerous studies have shown that attitudes and beliefs can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including changes in an individual’s social environment. This notion was confirmed by a recent study by Cambridge University and The Female Lead which saw teenagers follow four inspirational women such as activist Greta Thunberg, actress and activist Jameela Jamil, athlete Serena Williams, and former US first lady Michelle Obama on Instagram.

By simply following four inspirational female role models, the teens’ social media feeds changed drastically to be more positive, more diverse and more aspirational with 93% of teen girls saying their outlook improved; they were experiencing higher self-esteem and found they were setting more ambitious goals for themselves.

If you are looking for female role models who can diversify your social media feed but don’t know where to start, The Female Lead has put together a comprehensive list for you.

Shining the spotlight on female achievement

Women tend to underestimate not only their abilities but their ambition, more than their male counterparts. This leads to women entering a race already behind with females less likely to put their hand up for opportunities and roles until they believe they are 100% ready. Hearing stories of women starting businesses or taking career risks empowers other women to back themselves and their ideas and to take a leap of faith.

In 2019 only 34 of the world’s top 200 universities were led by women and in the libraries of these universities, you will struggle to find many stories of women making history. Since the Nobel Prize was established in 1895, less than 60 women have been honoured with the prestigious international award. So when scientists Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier won the 2020 Nobel Prize in chemistry, it made headlines.

With statistics like this, it’s clear that the ripple effect of visible female role models – past and present – impacts not just our beliefs about women’s ability to rise or to hold power today, but what we project for female leaders in the future.

Empowerment and role models at school

In addition to well-known role models, students should have access to a diverse range of people who inspire them: peers, teachers, family and friends, members of the local community. Diversity matters, in all its forms as we each have different stories and pathways, personalities and perspectives, beliefs, and behaviour.

Inspired and armed with belief, girls will quickly see that anything is possible.

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2022

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Grab your cameras and hot choccies! Neon Fields returns to glow up Frankston! When the sun goes down it is time to gather family and friends and venture into Neon Fields. Beauty Park will once again be transformed into a colourful fantasy world where you’re invited to interact and play among the lights during this free event! —————————————————————————— #southsidefestival #neonfields #frankston #beautypark #visitfrankston #whatson #whatsonthisweekend #thingstodo #freeevent #photoops #lovepeninsulakids @southsidefestivalfrankston
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In July, Associate Professor Andrew Kornberg, Senior Neurologist at The RCH Foundation, will embark on a remarkable solo flight around Australia to raise $4.5 million for life-changing treatments for children with rare and complex conditions. Called Fly for the Kids, this one-of-a-kind fundraiser will help establish dedicated spaces, resources, and specialist staff at the RCH, making advanced therapies — including revolutionary gene therapy — more accessible to sick children across Australia. Andrew’s journey will see him revisit patients whose lives have been transformed by advanced therapies, putting real faces and stories to the incredible impact of this innovation in paediatric healthcare. You can learn more about the campaign here: https://flyforthekids.org.au @rch.foundation
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Breast Cancer Trials, ANZ’s largest oncology research group, is holding a ‘matched giving day’ on Thursday, 8th May where – for 24 hours only, donations from the public will be matched dollar for dollar by a group of generous supporters. Every dollar raised will be doubled to help fund clinical breast cancer research. How can people get involved: Donate online at breastcancertrials.org.au/givingday (this will go live On Thursday 8th May) Donate by calling 1800 423 444 Follow Breast Cancer Trials on socials and share their own stories, thanks and memories of their mums and mother-figures. @breastcancertrials
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One of my fave parts of Mother's Day, (other than the at-home day spa), is receiving these questionnaires full of funny answers, (and sometimes some hard truths), from my kids. https://peninsulakids.com.au/craft-whats-the-best-thing-about-your-mum/
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Today we received a gorgeous entry for our colouring in competition from a 75 year-old reader of Peninsula Kids magazine in the actual MAIL! 💌 This has made my day so much that I may have to pay the entrant a visit with a special prize for all their effort and for giving me a huge smile on a Monday! How’s that artwork?!?!?! 🤩 Have you sent your entry in? IG: Use Linktree in bio to download a copy. FB: check out pinned/featured post. 🧑‍🎨 @chocolate.grove —————————————————————————— #peninsulakids #peninsulakidsmagazine #colouringin #colouringincompetition #chocolate #chocolatehamper
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