I recently listened to the podcast by Jake Humphrey and Damien Hughes with Dame Stephanie Shirley. She shared a fantastic amount of humility and positive thoughts in the podcast. I have started to look a little further into the participants that appear on the podcast and those that shape my practice.
My 3 learnings from the podcast
- In patience there is hope
- I am glad I was worth saving – live each day to the fullest
- over 40 % of the successful people in business are refugees, the drive is lifelong
Here is a little around Dame Stephanie Shirley – Steve.
Dame Stephanie Shirley is a trailblazer, an entrepreneur, and a philanthropist. Her life and work have been nothing short of remarkable. Born in Germany in 1933, Stephanie was sent to Britain in 1939 as part of the Kindertransport program, which rescued Jewish children from Nazi Germany. She was adopted by a British couple and grew up in the city of Leicester.
Despite being a bright student, Stephanie faced many obstacles in her education due to her gender. She was not allowed to study mathematics or physics at school, as they were considered male subjects. She instead pursued her interest in technology by studying at evening classes and later at university.
After graduating with a degree in mathematics, Stephanie began her career as a computer programmer. However, she quickly realized that her opportunities for advancement were limited due to her gender. In 1962, she founded her own company, Freelance Programmers, with the aim of providing employment opportunities for women in the male-dominated field of technology.
Freelance Programmers was a groundbreaking company that allowed women to work from home, which was virtually unheard of at the time. Stephanie’s innovative business model allowed her to employ talented women who had left their jobs due to marriage or motherhood. The company grew rapidly and became one of the largest software companies in the UK. In 1996, it was acquired by the IT services company Logica, now part of CGI.
Throughout her career, Stephanie has been a passionate advocate for gender equality in the workplace. She has spoken openly about the challenges she faced as a woman in technology and has campaigned for greater opportunities for women in STEM fields. She is also a generous philanthropist, donating much of her wealth to causes that she is passionate about, including autism research and women’s empowerment.
In recognition of her achievements, Stephanie was awarded a damehood in 2000 for services to the information technology industry. She has also been awarded numerous other honors, including the Churchill Award for science and technology, the Women in Business Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Computer Weekly Lifetime Achievement Award.
Stephanie’s story is an inspiration to women and men alike. Her determination, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to social justice have made a lasting impact on the field of technology and on society as a whole. Her legacy serves as a reminder that with hard work and perseverance, anyone can achieve their goals and make a difference in the world.
Listen to her on The High Performance Podcast Here
Thanks for reading
James