Editor’s Note: In celebration of International Women’s Day 2024, GSAL United People’s Society (UPSoc) and The GSAL Journal held an internal competition open to all students in years 7-10. A range of strong entries were received and independently judged. Each author told a deeply personal and moving story in their own unique and inspired way. The judges commented that what was most apparent was the huge sense of pride that the authors felt towards their chosen family members. After much deliberation, Yu-Han (Year 8) and Tanishtha (Year 10) were awarded as winners, with Madeleine, Phoebe and Olivia (all Year 8) recognized as highly commended. CPD
WINNER – Yu-Han (Year 8 student)
Editor’s Note: The judges felt that this interpretation of the brief stood out in that the interview format gave a voice to the author’s inspiring woman – her mother. The author asked interesting and informative questions, the responses to which allow the reader to develop a real understanding of why the person is so inspirational. There is scope for the author to reflect more fully on the responses given, but overall the judges were impressed with the nature and style of this piece. Well done! CPD
Interview Transcript of me interviewing my mum:
Yuhan: Hi Mum, I am going to be doing an interview about why you are inspirational to me. So I am going to being asking you eight questions, just answer them the best that you can. So number one, what is your name?
Mum: My name is Qian Wu. [spells out her name]
Yuhan: Ok. The second question is where are you from?
Mum: I am originally from China so I was born in China but I came to this country when I was 19 years old. Now I have been living in this country longer than I lived in China
Yuhan: Thank you. What is your occupation?
Mum: I am a research scientist, working for the University of Leeds, so my job description involves doing research and at the same-time I also teach under-graduates and post-graduates in our faculty.
Yuhan: What inspired you to do your job?
Mum: I never imagined that I would become a scientist, but I think it all started when I did my under-graduates in a biochemistry course and I found it very fascinating. I think that it is also linked to a very good lecture I listened to and it inspired me to continue to do research. Then I, during my PHD, also did a very exciting research with a superb supervisor so I think that all the people I met on the way and all the projects I completed really inspired me to be a good scientist.
Yuhan: What are your most memorable achievements?
Mum: I think that my most memorable achievement is actually when I published my first research paper. I worked really hard because publishing a paper is one of the ways to showcase your achievements in your research and when I did it I was really proud of myself
Yuhan: So I am just going to add an extra question in here, have you ever won any science related prizes?
Mum: Yes. I have got two awards so far. One was in 2018, I was awarded the Early Career Research Award from the Biochemical society. In 2021 I got the UK and Ireland Women in Science Rising Talent Fellowship and I was the winner for the Life Sciences Category.
Yuhan: Ok. So what motivates you?
Mum: I think my motivation is very simple. I do think that being a scientist I can change the world a little bit with my research. It may not be dramatic change but I want to start with the ability to change the world. For example to change the way in which we understand our bodies and change how we can improve the treatments for certain diseases. That really inspires me but at the same time I am also inspired to encourage the next generation of scientists. This is part of my job as well, to nurture the younger generation of scientists.
Yuhan: Alright. How would you personally define success?
Mum: Success a very difficult word to define. I think that it is very subjective to everybody’s own definition. For me success should be a combination of achievements, personal developments and the service in which we contribute to field we are working in. I think that all three of them actually define success.
Yuhan: Last question now, what are your goals for the future?
Mum: My goals of the future are that now I really want to explore the research field that I am working in, which is to improve cancer treatments. We are constantly looking for better molecules, which we call drugs, that can target certain proteins and by changing how proteins work we can change how we treat cancer. That is definitely one of my goals for the future.
Yuhan: Thank you very much!
My mum really inspires me because she is always seeking to help others with her research. I believe that her work is for the greater good of everyone and the way she is willing to work long hours and experiment with different things to help change the lives of people she doesn’t even know really inspires me to do the same. She also won the UK and Ireland Women in Science Rising Talent Fellowship, which really proves to me that women are not second to men and that if you work hard you can achieve your dreams. People who strive to help other people always inspire me and I do believe that every single one of them should be appreciated. Its people like my mum who help society as we know it and inspire others to do so. I honestly don’t believe that I will someday become a scientist like her, but because of my mum I do strongly believe that jobs should always be to help others and change, even if just little bit, the world for the better.
WINNER – Tanishtha (Year 10 student)
Editor’s Note: The judges were particularly impressed with the way in which the author built suspense and creatively used language to share their inspirational woman – their grandmother – in vivid detail. The sense of determination is palpable, and the author skillfully and sensitively communicates the cultural challenges faced at that time. This is a story of hope, of resilience and determination to succeed, a timely reminder of the value of hard work and sacrifice. Well done! CPD
When consulting the Oxford Dictionary, I was given eight definitions, the first of which being:
Woman [ˈwʊmən] Noun an adult female human being: A drawing of a young woman” · “a jury of seven women and five men” · “she stormed into the women’s final undefeated”
Let me introduce you to the most fantastic woman, I have ever had the pleasure of meeting:
Born in a secluded village in Odisha – 1946, Geeta Devi’s life took a dramatic turn when she decided to pack her bags and venture into the unknown territory of Patiala, Punjab, 1790km away from home. At the age of 20, with no formal education, and barely a word of Punjabi to her name, she took a leap of faith, driven fiercely with the aim of providing for her family, and carving a path to a better future.
Arriving in Patiala itself brought a whirlwind of challenges for Geeta, socially and financially, including the daunting task of finding a job. Refusing to be reduced to a simple house maid, she decided to flip her life upside down, by spending what little money she had, in getting an education. Yet naturally, this was an issue as well. A young, unmarried woman, spending her time and money in school rather than finding a husband, was enough of a disgrace for her to be hated by the entire community. Nevertheless, with nothing but determination and faith to guide her, she completed a degree in the one thing she had struggled with most: Punjabi.
Elated, she immediately began the hunt for a job. Now married and supported by her husband, she landed a spot as a Punjabi teacher in a tiny district school near her home. The school quickly became her second home, and the students were like her own children. Occasionally, she even had groups of kids knock on her door! Of course, she would never let them leave without a fresh glass of lassi, and lovely hot aloo parathas. Devi Ma’am, lovingly known as Aunty was a growing favourite.
50 years later and after 3 decades of working, Geeta Devi is happier than ever! She lives in the same house, and regularly goes out for chai with her friends. She has long since been welcomed to the area, and is fluent in Odissi, Punjabi, and Hindi. She spends her time going on long walks, visiting the Mandir, and learning English so she understands better when she comes to England for visits.
Looking back at the definition, I think being a woman is different for everyone. For Dr Saswati Nayak, it was being my mother. For Geeta Devi, it was to ensure the generations ahead of her could get the opportunities she never had, to strive for success – not for personal gain, but for her family.
So dear Daadi,
This is my thank you, for all the sacrifices you’ve made, and suffering you’ve endured to shine a light that I am certain will keep burning.
Your loving Natuni
Notes
Lassi – a sweet Indian yoghurt-based beverage that is commonly consumed in Punjab
Aloo Paratha – A type of Indian flatbread, usually eaten with butter and stuffed with potatoes (aloo). It’s typically consumed in Punjab.
Daadi – Paternal Grandmother (Hindi/ Punjabi)
Natuni – Granddaughter (Odia)
Mandir – Hindu place of worship / temple
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Madeleine (Year 8 student)
To celebrate international women’s day I am writing an inspiring story of a woman who is brave, clever, amazing and should be celebrated and included on this motivational day. This is about my Gran, Marjorie Boorman.
Marjorie (my gran) and her husband John (my grandad) had just retired and decided to travel the world. They saw exotic animals in Africa, walked the Inca trail in South America and enjoyed the culture of Asia. The two of them were having the time of their life with each other and didn’t have a care in the world. When they came back to their home town of Tadley, in England, everything felt like it was coming together and their life felt complete. Both of them loved each other and had fun with the friends around them.
One day everything changed. It was reported that John, at the age of 69, had a heart attack and unfortunately died in 2015. Marjorie’s world had been flipped upside, now she no family around her and felt much alone. She told me, “After John passed, times were hard and I felt very alone, my house felt empty and I felt isolated.” As her son lived in California, USA, and her daughter lived up in small village in West Yorkshire called Boston Spa, which was five hours away, Marjorie felt very alone. It was hard for her to be social, she told us, because she didn’t have her partner by her side. Therefore she decided to start a new life for herself.
A few months after her husband had died, she decided to pack up all her things and leave the town which held so many memories to her. After some thought, Marjorie decided to move closer to her daughter and her family in West Yorkshire. In 2015, she had found a house in the village of Boston Spa and moved in straight away. Being in a house all by herself felt even more alone in Boston Spa because she didn’t have any memories so decided to get herself a companion in the form of a dog. Now she felt as if she had a purpose and could walk along the riverside not feeling alone and as if she didn’t belong. Molly, her dog, helped her enjoy Boston Spa even more. Her love for walking also helped her make a stamp on the community as she started a walking group in Boston Spa called, ‘Walking for wellbeing’. This group helped her make friends which would last a lifetime. This group did not only help her but lots of other people in the community. Marjorie then decided to also start a scrabble group, a theatre group and a book club which is how elderly people around the village united.
This story is very inspiring and has helped other widows in the community be more social and make friends, this is why it should be celebrated for International women’s day. This made Marjorie feel, “I feel proud of my journey, happy I could inspire many people.” I am so proud that my Gran had this very inspiring story.
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Phoebe (Year 8 student)
My mum, Hannah, is a Dermatologist (Doctor of the skin). She was born in Whiteabby, Northern Ireland, and she is the middle child of three, an older sister who is a GP in Scotland, and a younger brother who is an anesthetist In Northern Ireland. My mum grew up in the time of The Troubles, which was a violent conflict in Northern Ireland between Republicans and loyalists. It was often hard to get to school because it was in the Centre of town, which was a very exposed area that attracted conflict and antagonistic behavior. Another disadvantage that my mum had to face was that she grew up in a small town near Belfast and going from a small town to a big city alone can be overwhelming and sometimes scary.
She first went to Dundee University in Scotland and studied dentistry so that she could be a maxillofacial surgeon. To be a maxillofacial surgeon you need to be qualified in dentistry as well as medicine. After working as a dentist for four years, she started to study medicine. She studied medicine at Leeds university and later decided to change from Maxillofacial surgeon to a General Practitioner. After working as a GP, she decided to specialize in Dermatology. She now continues working as a consultant dermatologist at Chapel Allerton hospital in Leeds. I am proud of her because she did a lot of training for a long time but never settled for a job her heart was not in. She persevered and now does a job she loves; she has even inspired me to want to become a doctor too.
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Olivia (Year 8 student)
I have decided to do my International women’s day essay on my mum, Neluka Dunning. She has always been my role model and I wish to pursue a life like hers when I am older. I hope to take on her wonderful aspects like her kindness, selflessness, loyalty and many more! My mum has given my older brother and I the best life, she dedicates her time to helping us wherever she can. Since being a child, she has always striven for success, this is something that I try to implant in my daily life so one day I can achieve my dreams.
Growing up, my mum lived in Swansea; she was born there and lived there until the age of 23 when she moved to Leeds with my dad for work. She lived a working class life in a family of seven with three sisters, one brother and my grandma and grandad. Unfortunately, my grandad has a stroke so my mum was always helping him and doing her best to support the family as well as her mum who also took great care of my grandad. Even though my mum moved to Leeds, my family and I always go to Swansea to visit my grandma and grandad. She stays in contact with them and is always making sure that they are happy. In school, my mum always worked immensely hard. She entered different competitions and was always looking for new ways and improvements in order to work towards her academic goals.
My mum has always had a passion for helping people and sharing her kindness. Although my mum was born in Swansea, my grandma and grandad both came from Sri Lanka and the beautiful country held a special place in my mum, grandma and grandad’s hearts. Unfortunately, in 2004, a tsunami took place in Sri Lanka, heartbroken, my mum did not think twice at the opportunity to volunteer in Sri Lanka and help to restore the place and support the people who had experienced the terrible natural disaster.
My mum’s later life includes many achievements. One of her most amazing journeys is her work life; my mum’s first ever job was working a part time shift at Selfridges at the age of 17. After that, my mum was a sales and marketing manager for a French company, which meant that she spent quite a bit of time travelling around Europe and exploring new places. When my mum had my brother, and I she decided to have a career break in order to take care of us. My mum eventually decided to start a new job and buy the Zip yard Leeds. Since then, she has grown the business and now she owns the franchising business for the UK.
In conclusion, I believe that throughout my mum’s life she has been the best version of herself. She has always encouraged me and that is all I could ever ask for.
The GSAL Journal 