Celebrating Déise women in business: Be your own woman this International Women’s Day!
Éadaoin Carrick, President Waterford Chamber, with Eve Reynolds, Catherine Moore, Mary Frances Ryan and Mags Kearney, Waterford News & Star, who attended the International Women's Day networking breakfast at the Viking Hotel. The event was sponsored by PTSB, with the support of Waterford Local Enterprise Office and Waterford News & Star. Photo: Joe Evans
Writing the introduction to our Women in Business supplement has become somewhat of a tradition for me now in the . It is a wonderful honour for my words to feature alongside so many inspiring women within these pages.
I greatly admire these women, who play pivotal roles in so many Waterford businesses, their impact forming a crucial part of countless economic success stories, sending out a positive ripple across the city and county.
I’ve been working in the Waterford News & Star for 17 years now, and have seen so many fantastic changes across Waterford as a result of the input, the imagination and the vision of women.
A woman who has been behind a project that continues to break new ground, and which is a little gem on Waterford’s tourist trail, is Maria Kyte – who helmed Waterford Suir Valley Railway for 25 years. Maria recently announced that she is moving on from WSVR, and we wish her a wonderful new chapter – possibly involving some epic train journeys!
Why I choose to mention Maria here is because she is handing on a fantastic legacy. WSVR is in the process of a project that will eventually see a heritage steam locomotive once again traverse the historic railway that goes from Kilmeaden to Bilberry, a project made possible due to the gifting of the engine by the UK’s National Trust.
This, in turn, is due to the wonderful amenity that has lovingly evolved under the guiding hand of Maria, and which has come to be valued beyond our shores.
It is not surprising that numerous television travel presenters have beaten a path to experience this unique experience, right on our doorstep.
Maria’s fingerprints are all over every aspect of this delightful business, which Waterford people have taken to their hearts, and which is enjoyed by so many visitors to the Déise.
There are many more women like Maria – breaking new ground in Waterford, whether at the forefront of our industries, our university, within our local authority, our chamber of commerce, and our small and medium enterprises.
If you attend a business after hours event, you get a sense of what these women have in common. A captivating enthusiasm and a willingness to share those nuggets of wisdom and knowledge they have accumulated on their journeys.
You will also, no doubt, encounter the women of the Network Ireland Waterford branch. Indeed, if you see their stand at an event, make it your business to go over and have a chat. These women are champions of their fellow Déise females in business, and delight in building women up wherever they can.
Alongside the networking, come the friendships – which evolve from a collaborative, nourishing environment, which has been nurtured by women in business in Waterford.
We have something very special here in Waterford among our businesswomen.
If I am to finish this with any of my own wisdom, as a woman in middle-age, it would be to listen to your own voice, to give yourself the consistency of backing the woman that you are – you have come so far thanks to the two feet in the shoes under you, and the path you have carved.
Women have too long dallied under the shadow of imposter syndrome. If you look back, feel pride and a sense of achievement. Looking forward, trust that the very same woman who did all that is capable of brilliant things to come.
Be your own woman - Happy International Women’s Day!
