International Women’s Day: Supporting the Next Generation

International Women’s Day is often a moment to recognise the achievements of women who have built careers, led organisations, and shaped their industries. That recognition matters. It highlights the progress that has been made and the people who helped make it possible.

This year, Raptor Environmental’s Director and Principal Ecologist, Mary Timms, attended the International Women’s Day Breakfast at Hillbrook Anglican School. The event brings together students, families and members of the community to hear from women working in law and advocacy who have dedicated their careers to supporting vulnerable people and improving access to justice.

Events like this are a reminder that the next generation is already watching.

Environmental consulting, like many science and technical fields, has historically been male-dominated. While that has started to shift over time, visibility still matters. When students see women speaking about their work, leading organisations, and contributing to their communities, it helps broaden what they believe is possible for themselves.

Mary has spent her career working as an ecologist, helping clients understand environmental constraints and responsibilities while protecting the natural systems that make places unique. The work often involves detailed field surveys, complex legislation and careful reporting, but at its heart, it is about stewardship. Ecology is concerned with how natural systems function and how decisions made today affect landscapes well into the future.

That long-term perspective naturally extends beyond the environment.

Supporting young people as they begin to think about their own paths is just as important as the technical work itself. School events that introduce students to professionals from different industries help make careers in science, law, and environmental management feel more tangible and achievable.

International Women’s Day provides a chance to pause and reflect on how far things have come, while also recognising that progress continues to be shaped by everyday actions. Sometimes that means mentoring a colleague, supporting early career professionals, or simply showing up and sharing experiences.

In the end, days like this are really about the next generation. If young people can see more pathways open in front of them, then we are moving in the right direction.