International Women’s Day 2023
Every year on 8 March, International Women’s Day is celebrated across the world. IWD marks an important call to action for accelerating gender equality, and is also a time to acknowledge the achievements of women, together with all those who are inspiring change, both globally and locally.
In 2023, the IWD theme is #EmbraceEquity. Here at Mentone Grammar, we value diversity and the unique contributions each student brings to the classroom. We believe that an equitable education allows for a brighter future, ensuring that all students can achieve their full potential, irrespective of their individual differences. We aspire for every child to feel safe and for their differences to be addressed and celebrated.
We are incredibly proud to be a coeducational school, and we value the contribution the women in our community make to our School every day.
We have incredible female teachers, professional staff, and board members who work tirelessly for the School and for the education of our young people.
Our female students, leaders, alumni, and parents are all exceptional in their own way and represent a growing generation of strong, capable, confident women who are driving change and breaking the glass ceiling for women and girls.
These incredible women stand tall on the shoulders of those who have gone before. Looking through the pages of our history, we have many influential women like Jessie Isabel Margaret Were, without whom, our School may not have survived beyond 1933.
Mary Jones, wife of Headmaster Keith Jones, dedicated herself to supporting the School in so many ways for over 23 years, and Bessie Johnson who was an outstanding educator, took on the role of Acting Headmistress at a very challenging time for the School and was instrumental in establishing the Kindergarten.
Today is about highlighting some of these extraordinary women, past and present, but importantly reflecting on the road ahead, and the purposeful action required by all people to achieve gender equality.
Positive changes can be made, not only for women and girls but for our community as a whole. Together, we can shape a world where every person has equitable opportunity… and it starts with you!
Happy International Women’s Day 2023!