Women’s History Month – Team Mintridge Marks International Women’s Day at Newham College
Women’s History Month – Team Mintridge Marks International Women’s Day at Newham College
March is Women’s History Month. Why do we celebrate women's history month?
As Today’s Madeline Merinuk suggests, throughout Women's History Month, we celebrate the contributions of women. While it's important to celebrate women's history during the other 11 months, too, during March we can remember the sacrifices made by women, for women to help make the world, a more inclusive place.
One of the questions posed at the end of Alex Wallace and Marilyn Okoro’s Presentation to the Health & Social Care students at Newham College on International Women’s Day reflects just that.
“Marilyn, have you felt the pressure throughout your athletics career to represent black women in a way that few others have been able to?”
Marilyn answered with such honesty and explained that she felt it a privilege to be granted the opportunity on the world’s greatest sporting stage, the Olympic Games. Together, we will break the bias.
The support, the desire to learn and the non stop fun was felt throughout Marilyn Okoro (Olympic 4x400m Bronze Medallist and Alex Wallace’s time at Newham College as we celebrated women supporting women (Alex is the founder of our registered charity, The Mintridge Foundation). This was instilled even from before the programme began as the programme has come about because of Newham’s Leanne Rowland meeting Mintridge’s Alex Wallace through the Women’s Sport Collective powered by Sky Sports; an inclusive, collaborative network for women working in the sports sector with an ambition to see a gender equal sports industry.
Alex spoke about her experiences as a female in sport and the long road to finding something that works for her as an individual when it comes to exercise. Through perseverance, others can find theirs too, whether that be in a team, at a fitness class or simply donning your trainers in your own time! This Girl Can Activity Finder is a great support for helping people with this. Alex went onto share how much sport has given her professionally as well as personally; networking, job opportunities, it has been endless – sport has the power to change the world!
Recently transitioning out of elite sport, Marilyn spoke about reframing perception of exercise now that she is PRO – TIRED. She has had the most extraordinary career with huge success but now exercise is for enjoyment and fun, Marilyn’s new normal is the same as everyone sat around her!
After some brilliant questions, the presentation was followed by a This Girl Can Taster Festival and were Alex and Marilyn in their element or what?
Basketball?
Smoothie bikes?
Badminton?
Cup Pong?
Goodies?
It was great to give female students and staff across the college the opportunity to come and try activities in their own time and in a way that they wanted to, a theme that filtered from Marilyn and Alex’s presentation. What is success for you? What works for you? We know that this will continue far beyond International Women’s Day!
Thank you to everyone for involving us, particularly Leanne. Now the big question is, when can we return for more fun and games?
The Mintridge Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to enhancing life skills in young people through sport. We provide a support network for young people by harnessing the power of positive sporting role models. The Mintridge Foundation assists young people of all ages, abilities and physical capabilities to develop confidence and resilience, and creates awareness of the importance of mental and physical wellbeing through sport.
Our team of Ambassadors - Olympians, Paralympians and other professional sports stars from over 20 sports, both team and individual - work with young people in schools, clubs and academies across the UK. Starting with visits including assemblies, coaching clinics and classroom sessions tailored to each organisation’s requirements, our ambassadors can then provide one- on- one remote mentoring in a safeguarded environment, delivered via technology to build a lasting legacy for individuals.
The Mintridge Foundation’s successes demonstrate the incredible power of sport; from a mentee’s selection to represent Great Britain in their chosen field to enabling disabled children to find confidence and happiness just through participation. Understanding life after sport, we also support our Ambassadors in their transition from active sport to the next stage of their careers.
If you would like to understand more about our mentoring programmes with elite athletes and how they can support the young people at your school or club, please contact Katie Smith.
If you are considering supporting the Mintridge Foundation as a business, organisation or as an individual, head to our SUPPORT US page below.
The Mintridge Foundation
Unit 4, Shieling Court
Northfolds Road
Corby
Northants
NN18 9QD
Tel: +44 (0) 1536 447106
www.mintridgefoundation.org.uk
