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‘All-woman conversations are different’ – Ten years of Women in Sustainability
When Rhian Sherrington dreamt up the idea of bringing together women working in environmental sustainability, she was unconvinced anyone would be interested or even understand the concept.
“I was really challenged over including the word sustainability in the title, as I thought ‘noone knows what that means’,” she told Bristol24/7. “I think it’s testament to how much things have changed that it’s far from the case now.”
Ten years later the Women in Sustainability (WINS) Network has gone global, with bases in 11 locations across the UK and hubs in Frankfurt and New York at its pre-Covid heights.
is needed now More than ever
The spark of the idea for a ‘powerful global community of women, leading with heart, resourced by nature, shaping society’s green transition,’ was ignited in Bristol back in 2014.
“It’s a very special place for me due to its creativity and vibrant, cutting-edge green heart,” said Sherrington, who has lived in the city for over 16 years.
Sherrington – pictured speaking at a Network event – says women in sustainability face a ‘triple bind’ of barriers, as well as the typical mental load of juggling work, extra caring and domestic responsibilities most women cope with – photo: WINS
Cut to today, and Sherrington is busy writing the first WINS impact report and organising its tenth anniversary celebration, which features a special guest turn from pioneering plastic pollution campaigner and City to Sea founder Natalie Fee who will sing her first single Daughter of Nature live for the first time.
“Holding our Ten Year Anniversary celebration in Bristol with Clockwise, who now host our bi-monthly WINS Cafes, felt a lovely way to thank everyone who enabled us to begin our journey here and who continue to support us,” said Sherrington.
As she gears up for the event, Bristol24/7 asked Sherrington to explain the origins of the Network, where it’s going and what she’s learnt along the way.
What inspired you to start the WINS Network?
“Humans have a need to belong. When we don’t feel we belong, we can’t offer our best work or be the best version of ourselves in the world.
“Sustainability remains an area with a poor diversity record, and incorporates sectors where women are very much in the minority. Even where women are more prevalent, they still face barriers varying from cultures where unconscious bias limits their ability to progress and lead, to open misogyny and sexism.
“When I left my environmental career to set up a coaching company, I joined a local women in business group. This opened my eyes to the fundamentally different nurturing environment that can be created when women are in the majority.
“I was curious as to whether there would be any appetite for a unique learning community where women working on delivering the Global Goals would enjoy coming together to connect, grow and share. Over 60 women turned up to that first meeting so I guess it was necessary and we’ve gone from there.”
The tenth celebration is open to people of all genders who are interested in the Network’s approach. The event includes keynotes from the Climate Outreach deputy CEO and a Regenerative Business mentor – photo: WINS
How is the industry different for women and what does the Network offer them?
“Women working in sustainability face what I call a triple bind and the WINS Network is unique in supporting women to find their way through it.
“The first bind is the ‘authority gap’, which prevents women from experiencing equity in leadership and impact.
“Then, these women are talking about ‘sustainability’ which even today still feels like pushing a boulder uphill in some businesses which haven’t yet cottoned on that every job is now a sustainability job and impact-led businesses are the future.
“Finally, they are humans who fully understand the impact and urgency of the climate emergency and the poly crises we face – a huge emotional and mental burden to carry.
“These last ten years have shown us that conversations in an all-woman environment, whilst not necessarily better than those in a mixed environment, are certainly different.
“These spaces are not just psychologically safe: importantly, they are courageous. You need to be brave to say things aren’t working for you, and that you need support. And often those things can’t be said ‘in work’ or when there isn’t anyone there to listen.
“We also focus on how to be heart-led, resourced by nature. We weave in feminine leadership perspectives alongside a regenerative approach which looks at how living systems and natural principles can resource and steer our work, to keep us resilient and thriving in the face of big challenges.”
What were your hopes when the Network began?
“I felt that bringing like-minded, values-led women together for deep sharing and learning could have more impact than 121 coaching.
“I actually never set out to create a network! I personally have had to work hard at being comfortable at networking – which is why, I think, I really looked into how you co-create and facilitate spaces where people feel they can belong.
“Looking back now, I realise that having a very clear vision for WINS meant I was able to attract some incredible people to it. I feel most proud that I was able to translate my passion and sense of purpose into something that others felt they wanted to be a part of. Fostering partnerships, collaborating and finding the ‘win-win’ remains a deep place of joy and focus for me today.”
What drives you to do this work?
“The deep belief that we won’t solve today’s poly-crises without addressing the imbalance of true diversity and inclusive leadership and this disconnection from nature that is blighting our attempts to turn the ship around to a sustainable and thriving future for all.
“That, alongside a belief that we sincerely do not need to do this alone and by listening to that ‘longing for belonging’ (or ‘hireath’ in Welsh) we can find communities that truly nurture and support us to be our best selves and do our best impact-driven work.”
The WINS Network Tenth Anniversary Celebration takes place at Clockwise on October 10 from 6-9pm. Find more information and book tickets at womeninsustainability.net/event/celebrating-10-years-of-women-in-sustainability-network
All images provided by the WINS Network
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