By Shilpa Shah
What an uplifting event for a Saturday (7) afternoon. One that touched my soul. A true celebration of women, perfect timing for International Women’s Day.
Whilst the world at the moment seems like a gloomy place with all that’s going on, it was good to be grounded and, in a room, full of positivity. This event revived my soul. It allowed me space to be comforted and reflective.
Seeing so many women and a couple of male allies introducing people to each other, chatting with each other, listening to an inspiring panel and listening to a fireside chat from the co-a made me reflect on how powerful and important networks can be.
The afternoon started with an opening speech from Komal sharing why they started the Female Pharmacy Leaders Network. We were the first to hear that the network is being formalised into a CIC so that it can remain sustainable for the future. Komal shared a favourite quote of hers “Be the change you wish to see in the world” (Gandhi)
Gisela Abbam - GPhC chair keynote speaker followed. She shared her reasons for taking the role as chair of the GPhC. Gisela shared a quote from Sheryl Sandberg, “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence."
The event venue in London. Shilpa Shah
Gisela also shared how helpful her pharmacist was back when she was a new mother.
We then had the opportunity to listen to an amazing panel “Women who lead by giving” chaired by Harpreet Chana, with an impressive panel of Yasmin Karsan Digital Clinical Safety Officer & NHS Clinical Entrepreneur; Tase Oputu chair of English Pharmacy Board RPS Associate Director Medicines Value and Performance; Ruby Howarth BPSA publications officer; Janice Perkins Executive Chair CPGM and Pharmacy Consultant; Alison Hemsworth Founder and chair of pharmacy technician international and Independent Consultant; and Sukhi Basra IP pharmacies, pharmacy contractor, VC NPA.
The panel shared who has lifted them up in their career. Yasmin started the conversation by sharing that at every step of her career and outside her career she’s had people to lift her up - from her parents, her husband to her PhD tutor Claire Anderson.
Tase was once a manager to someone who said she could do much more in the EDI space. This was at a time when this wasn’t the norm. The Pharmacy Technician suggested that Tase and she put together an event for Black History Month at the RPS.
This kickstarted something so amazing and important. Tase and her colleague organised an event with the RPS. The Pharmacy Technician gave Tase confidence to speak up, to be heard and to start a movement. Through that one person seeing something in her spurred her on and allowed her to have the confidence to put herself forward for the English pharmacy RPS board and she is their first black female chair.
Ruby, a second-year student, wrote a piece about the Female Pharmacy Leaders Network that was published, and this made her realise she had a voice and that she could have an impact. Many people have lifted her up, Tase, Martina and others who have all had a cumulative effect. Ruby spoke about still being so early on in her career and how she is confident that so many people will spur her on in the future.
Pharmacist, digital clinical safety officer, and co-founder of the FPLN, Komal George addressing the audienceShilpa Shah
Janice has worked in community pharmacies her whole life. She has had many senior roles in different organisations. Janice shared how she has worked with some fabulous male executives, some who have been indifferent and some not very nice at all.
It was a female executive leader, not a pharmacist, who made sure they took the time to understand what was important to Janice as a Superintendent. She was a listening ear, which helped on so many occasions. This made me think that sometimes (a lot of the time) we just need someone to listen.
Alison, a pharmacy technician, shared her experiences. She had two managers, one of whom was a pharmacy technician, and she provided Alison with an opportunity to pursue a degree.
The second person was a manager who enabled Alison to go to training sessions. Previous managers had only sent Pharmacists to training sessions not Pharmacy Technicians. These interactions have had a strong impact on Alison’s career.
Sukhi talked about having a “tribe” of people who have lifted her up. As the first female Vice Chair of the NPA in 104 years - Reena Barai supported her to apply to be on the board. There is a burden of being the first but hopefully not the last.
It was lovely to get a shout-out for myself from Sukhi. I loved how Sukhi talked about standing on the shoulders of her tribe as they lifted her up. She wants to pay it forward.
The other point that resonated with me was Sukhi saying let’s celebrate being us, not because we are of colour or because we are woman. Let’s normalise just being us. This is something I have been thinking about over the recent days. As women we don’t always want to be the first or the best, we just want to be one of many.
The discussion moved on to how the panel members lift others.
Yasmin shared that social media is what so many people use, so she uses her platforms to support others, and her DMs are always open to all.
Tase talked about the RPS mentoring platform, which has helped many people. Tase also gives career advice in schools about pharmacy. She conducts mock interviews for students in secondary schools. Supporting future generations will drive change.
Ruby creates a safe space for anyone approaching her.
Janice does little things every day that may make a difference. She often sends things to people, such as a job or a training opportunity. I have experienced that myself recently when I was looking for a course, and Janice sent me one she knew about. Janice is generous with her time, seeing herself as a catalyst.
Alison has coached and mentored a lot of people. Often, these are people who perhaps don’t realise they need coaching or mentoring. She would often reach out to people that have put something on social media.
Sukhi shared how she often goes into a situation thinking she has lots, but then comes away having learnt more from them. She also shared how we must look after ourselves, so we don’t suffer burnout.
The audience asked some questions. Temi asked, “Why we are still having to change things and still be recognised for being a woman and one of colour”. This is something I think about a lot and it’s not right that we have to do it, but I know I do this for the future generations of women so that they hopefully won’t have to.
A section of the audience at the FPLN's 5-year celebration.Shilpa Shah
Ewura-Adjoa asked, “What keeps you motivated?” The panel mentioned you often just brush yourself off and start again when things get tough. Nothing is easy or plain sailing.
Think about progress. It’s not a race is it better than it was before? Are we moving in the right direction? Progress is what is important, not perfection.
We then listened to a fireside chat with the founders, chaired by Lila Chohan.
Komal, Reena and Harpreet shared why they studied pharmacy and what drives them to help others. They shared one sentence or one word that they wanted people to take away.
Komal said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” If we live like that change will happen.
For Reena, it was “balance” (there’s no such thing as work-life balance), the balance is in you. The network gives me a safe space to help other women. It gives me balance. Giving back for me is what creates balance, she said.
Harpreet said, “Impact. Leave the world in a better place for when you’re gone”.
In her closing remarks Reena said a heartfelt goodbye to Harpreet, who is leaving.
The pride shone in her eyes, as she spoke about starting something small five years ago that has evolved into this wonderful tribe. Women empowering women.
This was a brilliant way to celebrate International Women’s Day, and I can’t wait until the next one!
(Shilpa Shah is the CEO of Community Pharmacy North East London)
