Sharing an interview we did with friends Sage & Clare for International Women's Day 2023.
Who are you and what do you do?
Hi there! I’m Natasha, Creative Director and Co-owner of Nursery Furniture brand Ubabub. We’re also the Australian distributors of popular US nursery furniture brand Babyletto. We design, produce and distribute nursery furniture and nursery decor, for the modern parent. I’m also mum to four awesome kids!
This year’s #IWD theme is: Embrace Equity. What does this mean to you?
This is such an exciting theme. Women (and all marginalised groups) have always been striving for equality, but there is a recognition now that equality only takes you so far – what is needed is equity. I think the difference is huge. Equality means everyone gets the same opportunities, and while there is still a long way to go on that front, it doesn’t address that everyone is starting from a different baseline. Equity means everyone gets what they need, specifically, for their own success. It means understanding the challenges and obstacles women face, then acknowledging and addressing their specific needs, so they too can thrive. There is a great quote “Equality is giving everyone a shoe. Equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits.”
How can we all work towards this goal? And what are some examples of ways that you live by this outlook in every day life?
I think embracing equity begins at home and inspiring change in the minds of our children. Teaching our kids the value of empathy and kindness is a great place to start. Encouraging them to understand and empathise with people’s individual circumstances opens up avenues for them to help empower those around them and champion fairness. It enables them to learn that not everyone starts from the same playing field and some need extra help to get to where they need to be in life. We also motivate our kids to be inclusive at every opportunity.
We teach our children that people come in all shapes, sizes, cultural backgrounds and genders. Inspiring our kids to embrace diversity by sharing success stories of people of all ethnicities and genders – we recently watched the incredibly inspiring ‘True Spirit’ movie together, about Jessica Watson the youngest person to ever sail solo around the world – definitely recommended family viewing! We’ve also been big fans of the book series ‘Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls’ reading these to our kids since they were young. Our family were also big fans of the TV Series ‘Love on the Spectrum’, that followed the lives of young adults with Autism seeking to find love. A brilliant series that opened hearts, minds and attitudes, enabling us to share and discuss the concept of empathy.
It’s our responsibility as parents to make ourselves aware of biases and challenge the stereotypes that our children might encounter in everyday life – teaching them to call things out when they see inequity. We strive to reassure our kids that it’s OK to be different and encourage a culture of acceptance at home. Our three girls aged 11,13 and 16 all play Aussie Rules girls football and love it and I’ve helped create advertising campaigns for our local club’s girls footy campaigns over the past 4 years helping them push through gender stereotypes and enable new perceptions and possibilities.
What women inspire you and why?
I am lucky to be surrounded by so many inspiring women. Starting with my own family.
I look to women who are comfortable in their own skin, who own their idiosyncrasies, and use them to their strength, never apologising for being different. Women who are willing to listen and support without judgement and who genuinely champion other women.
Oh and I love those women around me who just know how to let it all go and have FUN!!!
What’s the most valuable lesson an important woman in your life has shared with you?
"Horseshoes are better than circles.
Leave space.
Always leave space.
'Horseshoes of friends' are greater than 'Circles of friends'
Life can be lonely. Stand in horseshoes".
(Glennon Doyle - Untamed)
I love this quote about always leaving space for others to join you in your quest for an incredible, abundant life.
I have also been leaning into the concept of rest over the past few years and how powerful that can be in balancing energy within the body, mind and spirit.
Here’s a new favourite poem I want to share by Donna Ashworth on this, I hope you love it too.
UNSTOPPABLE
Unstoppable they called her
but I saw her stop
I saw her stop many times.
Sometimes
I thought she had stopped for good
but no
she always found a way to resurrect.
Rise again.
Not the same
never the same.
Each time a little more determined
and a little less vulnerable.
Unstoppable they said
but I think
it was the in the stopping
that she found her power.
