When the BBC announced that Jodie Whittaker would be the new Doctor Who (the first woman to take the role in the history of the franchise), social media lit up.
Their rallying cries of it not being authentic, breaking canon (amongst other things) sparked enormous debate about a woman becoming the 13th incarnation of the regenerating Time Lord.
“It’s Doctor Who, not Nurse Who” was one of the phrases being bandied around.
But guess what? Whittaker is here to stay, and has earned massive praise from all corners, including from previous actors who have played the iconic role.
Walls are made to be broken down, in cinema, in sport and in business. Whittaker is the latest trailblazer to smash her way through these walls where the perception is a role can only be filled by a man.
Here are some notable Australian examples of women inspiring the next generation of leaders to be successful in any business they turn their hand to.
Maile Carnegie – Break the stereotypes.
Former CEO of Google Australia and current group executive of digital banking at ANZ
In her previous role as Google Australia boss, Carnegie was responsible for strongly advocating for flexible working arrangements to allow for more women to enter the tech industry.
Carnegie is the opposite of the stereotypical banker (who has been predominantly male in the the past).
“I understand at some level that I need to dress like a banker so I will metaphorically put the grey flannel suit on,” she said. “But at my core I’m a girl from North Epping (in Sydney’s northwest) whose parents are teachers.”
Carnegie strongly believes in the future the Big Four will be reduced to the ‘Big Two’’. She feels that that ANZ will be one of those left standing through strong innovation, including working with those that may also be in league with their competitors.
Raelene Castle – Go where no woman has gone before.
CEO of NRL club Canterbury Bulldogs
Castle will depart Belmore at the end of this season after four years in one of the most stressful positions in Australian sport.
Rugby league has long been the domain of men, but the governing body has been making strong strides to change that with women officials and the Women in League round.
Castle embodies the changes sweeping through the locker rooms of the NRL, taking the helm of one of the game’s heavyweights in a period where the club made two grand finals.
“She’s taken us to a place we haven’t been,” Bulldogs board chairman Ray Dib said.”Since her appointment, female membership has gone to 38 per cent of new members. Two years ago, it was 23 per cent. She’s been a great coup for our club.”
Katie Page – Build an all-inclusive work culture.
Harvey Norman CEO
Harvey Norman is one of Australia’s great corporate success stories. And CEO Katie Page has been there since day one, when there was just a solo store operating.
Today, there are hundreds across the country and it is her leadership that has been a driving force behind Harvey Norman’s success.
And she wants to see more Australian tech companies create roles that appeal to women to deliver their strengths to the industry.
“I have just come back from Silicon Valley and there are so many women there working in technology,” Page said. “The key is to make the roles enticing to women in senior executive positions. Design roles that will appeal to women.”
Julie Bishop – Push through against the grain.
Australia’s Foreign Minister
While Labor’s Julia Gillard holds the distinction of being the first woman to be Australia’s Prime Minister, the strength of coalition heavyweight Julie Bishop cannot be understated.
The traditionally male-dominated world of politics is starting to shift towards parity, with 43 women now holding positions as MPs in the Federal lower house.
But that is still just 28 per cent of the overall number of elected officials, something Bishop—the only woman in cabinet today—wants to see change.
“The challenge I have set for myself is to do the very best I can to make it easier for those who will follow me,” she said. “I feel that responsibility every day.”
You can follow more inspirational stories of Australian women in big business on the ZACK Group LinkedIn page.
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