#IWD: Lisa Stewart

Linda Barclay Isles

Friday 8 March 2024

International Women’s Day 2024 – #InspireInclusion 

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to champion the power of women’s voices and drive positive change.
 
We spoke to women across the the University who all have one thing in common – an unwavering pursuit of equality. We asked them why they thought it was important to mark IWD, who inspires them and what they love about being a woman.

Lisa Stewart, HR Business partner and Peppy champion 

Is there a woman who has inspired you personally or professionally?

I am surrounded by women who have inspired me. My family means the world to me and is filled with strong, independent, confident, successful women. My gran is 88 and the leader of our family, widowed in her early 40s and raised 5 hard-working, amazing daughters while working 3 manual jobs. My mum raised me as a single parent and has continually encouraged me to be the best version of myself, to be kind, considerate, fearless and to trust my own judgement. She has dedicated her life to me and is still my biggest champion.

Two of my closest allies are my cousins (raised like sisters). Both leaders in their field of work and incredible mothers to their two children. Everyone needs their “go to person”. Someone who makes you feel safe, someone who tells you the truth, someone who can lift you up in moments of self-doubt and insecurity (we all experiences these from time to time!). They are my people who inspire me in ways that I am truly grateful for.  

I have been raised by all of these amazing ladies to work and train hard, be myself, be disciplined and focused, and reap the rewards, something that I want to ensure that I instil into my two young daughters.   

What did you want to be when you were young?

One of my passions in life is swimming. It has been a huge part of my life from the age of 4 and still is today from coaching on poolside and recently joining the club as a swimmer after almost 20 years out of the pool! As a young athlete, my dream was to become an Olympian. I didn’t quite reach this goal as other interests drew my attention away from swimming at University (study obviously 😉) however I did represent Scotland and compete against (and beat) a commonwealth champion so that is an achievement that I am very proud of.  

I also wanted to be a midwife at one point. I like to meet new people and have a desire to take care of people so I think this was the main attributes that interested me to this type of role. (The baby cuddles would have been a plus too!) I would say however that the main attributes that drew me to a midwifery role neatly align to HR too (apart from the baby cuddles of course!).

What you love about being a woman?  

 Our resilience and adaptability to cope when things get tough. It amazes me how strong we can be despite challenges that life throws our way. I suffered post-natal depression with my daughter in 2016. It hit me like a train wreck. I felt like a shell of my existence. I felt lonely despite being surrounded by people. With medical and work-related support, guidance from those amazing ladies I have mentioned above, and sheer strength to overcome my ill-health, I got better and feel like I have come out the other side stronger, bolder and more confident.

Do I still feel not good enough at times? Yes. Do I overthink stuff? Yes. Do I like myself all of the time? No. But does this define me? Absolutely not. It is normal. I am a loving, passionate, organised, hard-working, recently turned 40-year-old female ready to take my 40s head on and smash my personal and work-related goals.