This month is Women’s Month and we are celebrating all women! With National Women’s Day falling on the 9th, we are celebrating the achievements and spirit of women throughout the month of August. Get to know the incredible women behind The Fry Family Food Co, Debbie, Tammy, Hayley and Stacey.
DEBBIE
What was your dream job as a kid and why?
I always dreamed of living on a farm and working with animals – I love the open spaces and just couldn’t see myself fitting into a corporate world.
Which woman inspires you and why?
Thuli Madonsela – she lived through the struggle in South Africa, educated herself and then stood up for the people by not being afraid to tell the truth.
What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?
I personally think this is one of the most challenging times for women in the world! A time when roles are changing and blending in more with men’s roles – a very different world to the one our grandparents grew up in.
What would you say to your 15-year old self?
I am proud of myself that in a time when there were few vegetarians/ vegans and coming from a “meat-eating” family that I never waived from my meat-free diet.
What message would you like to share with women this Women’s Month?
Love yourself, be proud of who you are and take time out to enjoy quality “me” time.
TAMMY
What was your dream job as a kid and why?
When I was 5, I wanted to be just like my mom. I thought she was amazing!
Which woman inspires you and why?
The truth is that all women inspire me. I have met so many incredible women and it never ceases to amaze me how many beautiful qualities women have. My mother played an integral role in my life, as did my sisters, my “grannies”, my amazing friends, people I have met along my life journey.
What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?
To fight the corporate world and the propaganda, to expose the truth of big industry, to fight hard for what’s right, and then to go back to being women again. To be so tough and then so soft – this will be challenging!
In your opinion, how do the principles of equal women’s and men’s rights align with vegan principles?
It’s about equality and respect. Men and women should be treated as equals, as should every creature that walks the earth. It’s about living a value-led and principled existence and standing up for what’s right. Human rights and animal rights are both rights!
What would you say to your 15-year old self?
Love and accept yourself for who you are – you are the perfect you.
What message would you like to share with women this Women’s Month?
Find yourself a woman mentor that is older than 85 and ask her for advice. Her wisdom may astound you.
The answer I got:
Indulge in the things that are the most important to you. Don’t strive for success, strive for happiness. Forget the to-do list and make a to-don’t-do list instead. Spend an extra 5 minutes every night cuddling your kids.
I am working on applying these to my life!
What inspired you to start the self-defense and functional fitness program, Tough Love?
This poem:
“She is a woman, she is mother, a daughter, a wife, a sister. She is a person, she is strong, smart, crafty, passionate and generous. Cooking barefoot is one of several superpowers. She is action, emotion, devotion. She has hope, beauty, power, she has a brain and she knows how to use it. She gives you life, she gives you respect, love, gratitude, she believes in you. She will nurture you and fight for you. She deserves nothing less from you.”
My motto is – “if you can, you should!” – I know I can help women in South Africa by empowering them with self-defense skills and so I try my best to do this.
HAYLEY
What was your dream job as a kid and why?
Anything to do with serving people, I have always loved looking after and nurturing people, I am not sure why it is – just who I am I guess.
Which woman inspires you and why?
No one woman, in particular, I am inspired by women who are fearless in living their personal truths. The ones that know who they are and are not afraid to own it. Women of today have great pressure to be perfect… the perfect mother, always present and patient; career-driven, while also maintaining a perfect home, and let’s not forget the perfect body, a good sense of style, and last but not least a good social media presence! I am inspired by the ones who don’t pretend to get it all right, the ones who are clear on their priorities and work hard to maintain those.
What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?
I guess similar challenges to my generation… maintaining balance and choosing what is important to them rather than striving for it all. Defining their concept of success (not society’s idea of success) and then working towards that.
What would you say to your 15-year old self?
Do not follow societal norms, follow your heart, do not do what is expected of you but rather what truly resonates with you, scares you and excites you. Think clearly about what success looks like to you. This is easy to say now – but I doubt my 15-year-old self would have listened. Some things you can only learn with time and living.
What message would you like to share with women this Women’s Month?
Support one another in a real and authentic way; share your hardship stories openly so that you may give people the gift of learning from your experience; be vulnerable, this allows people to connect with you on a deeper level; learn to be with yourself and listen to your heart – meditation is a great way to achieve this. Find joy, by noticing the things around you, the sunset, the warm sun in winter, your daily cup of coffee, a stranger’s smile, all of it! Have fun, having fun keeps us alive too much adulting does not!
STACEY
What was your dream job as a kid and why?
Growing up I always wanted to be a vet because I absolutely loved animals and could think of nothing better than working with them all day.
What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?
I feel like communication would be a big challenge for the younger generation as technology and social media have taken over. I often see a group of teenage girls out at dinner and they are all on their cellphones. I think we need to focus on human interaction and face-to-face communication as nothing beats this.
What would you say to your 15-year old self?
I would say, don’t stress about the small things. There are so many obstacles that you have to overcome throughout your lifetime so just take it one day at a time. Tomorrow is a new day.
What message would you like to share with women this Women’s Month?
Be bold and humble. Do not be ashamed of what you stand for and what you believe in.