Meghan’s birthday video

[Greenlittle]

I like the idea and I like the video. (Not that keen on the big desk) And I though MM looked...alive!

Not sure who the other woman was. But there was good chemistry.

I would agree with Meghan needing to take extreme caution not to unwittingly promote the idea that it’s not the system that’s broken, but women themselves that need to be better or just play the existing system better. However, going by her own story, she is someone who has immense self belief and part of the issue with returning to employment after a career break/children/reduncancy is confidence.

I get that the mentoring idea is tailored, but I do think there could be a greater reach with this if the 40+ women were able to do sector specific (free) webinars/training, accessible to many more women.

'do think there could be a greater reach with this if the 40+ women were able to do sector specific (free) webinars/training, accessible to many more women.'

Yes. Make is more useful! A 40min mentoring session just sounds so wholly inadequate. A way to put one's name on the me me me list without so much any actually practical help.

part of the issue with returning to employment after a career break/children/reduncancy is confidence.

I agree - and this would make sense if the project were for everyone. Many men have also lost their jobs recently and also suffer from loss of confidence. But she has made it about women. She points out that women are disproportionately affected, and then offers to help them improve themselves. The suggestion that the reason for inequality is that women are not good enough is a bit ugh imo.

@hangonamo

Yet somehow you think Meghan should somehow he doing something that's going to address the inequality for women issue. Lol your crazy!

If that's aimed at me, you can see if you read my posts that I repeatedly say I don't think that solving inequality is Meghan's responsibility. My criticism of this project is that by getting involved in the issue of women's unemployment without even mentioning it, she is reinforcing the idea that women don't succeed because they're not good enough, that if they could just be improved in some way, they'd be in work. It's a shame when a woman with such a high profile makes systemic change for other women less likely.

Lol how self absorbed must you be to think it was about you, I didnt mention you. Your really something

@JaniieJones

'do think there could be a greater reach with this if the 40+ women were able to do sector specific (free) webinars/training, accessible to many more women.'

Yes. Make is more useful! A 40min mentoring session just sounds so wholly inadequate. A way to put one's name on the me me me list without so much any actually practical help.

So what practical help have you been giving to women....

@Dreamstate

You said: Those bleating on about how inequality needs to be sorted out and will mkse a bigger difference

That was me. Not sure it's particularly self-absorbed to recognise a reference to my own post.

But if going for "Lol your really something" is easier for you than addressing the point, crack on.

I do think confidence is a major issue. Self doubt is a bigger killer than actual failure often.

Mentoring is a massive positive. Everyone is aware of systemic issues. I mean, gender equality was a big thing in my mum’s time, and that’s decades back. It is hardly a surprising and unknown thing. I don’t think Meghan needs to point it out.

Honestly I don’t know of a single person who thinks women’s networks for mentoring means or perpetuates that structural inequality doesn’t exist. And somehow diminishes the push for equality.
I get the self-promotion criticism. But I cannot really get this nit picking on what about structural racism. Ah she talked about A but not B. Or Is she mentoring...oh it was for 39 minutes not 40. What a hypocrite. I mean, really?

Bitching about Meghan seems to be an occupation with some folks, I don't know where they find the time really, very sad though

very good point you make above Hangonamo "reinforcing the idea that women don't succeed because they're not good enough, that if they could just be improved in some way, they'd be in work. "

I'm sure that's not the intention, but it skims the surface of an issue championing "concern", whilst at the same time managing to point in entirely the wrong direction.

It inadvertently puts pressure on individuals to feel they should be "successful".

Something more along the line of better work place rights for pregnant women etc in the US would be a good starting point and genuinely earn some kudos. But no, always seem to be another "word salad " (never used the phrase myself, but don't want to disappoint those prejudices upthread on where I might get my "thinking" from

As said above, Rashford's initiatives - a problem highlighted alongside a solution (structural change is called for).

If H&M want to highlight a problem that has a solution the US can work towards (the country, not saying M&H have to do the leg work)- but highlight something that steps on some of those systemic toes of their "friends", then I'll be interested.

However, I can only see this mentoring initiative as empty gesture politicking. It's a "look at me" doing some "good". Good people do good without checking the audience noticed and waiting for the round of applause

'So what practical help have you been giving to women....'

Whats that got to do with anything! I haven't added myself to the look at me public list of 'mentors' have I?!

Just do some good celebs, lovely. No need for the constant light shining on yourselves though.

@JaniieJones

'So what practical help have you been giving to women....'

Whats that got to do with anything! I haven't added myself to the look at me public list of 'mentors' have I?!

Just do some good celebs, lovely. No need for the constant light shining on yourselves though.

Well you on a public forum botching about how someone starting up a mentoring initiative is pointless and isn't going to help. Thst what she is doing won't help, so we'll what are you doing...clearly naff all then. At least she is doing something

Plenty of companies have internal mentoring networks or its encouraged to find a mentor 🤔 so its hardly a pointless thing otherwise all these companies would have them either so mentoring does help

meant to say "systemic structural" toes

I've been a mentor more than once, and I've been mentored myself.
No idea how it can be dismissed as worthless.

I don’t know of a single person who thinks women’s networks for mentoring means or perpetuates that structural inequality doesn’t exist. And somehow diminishes the push for equality.

I don't either. As I said before, the mentoring is not the problem, it can be very useful. The problem is someone with a very high profile identifying that there is a problem with women's unemployment and then offering to improve women so that they can get jobs, without acknowledging that this is not actually the solution.

It perpetuates the idea that women don't succeed because they're not good enough, not as good as men. It also reinforces the idea that inequality is a problem for individuals to solve, and not the responsibility of government. I don't think this has been done deliberately, but I do think it's a big mistake. All they had to do was talk about systemic inequality, make the point that women are disadvantaged because of the way society and employment works, not because they are worse than men in some way. Maybe commission some work on it, describe the lobbying that they're going to do, start a big movement or whatever. And then say, that's our goal, but it's going to take time. In the short term we're going to try and help individuals by blah blah blah. Someone with a profile as high as Meghan's could have done something amazing. But instead, a big opportunity missed, and the message that we are out of work because we are not good enough.

Why do you some people have a problem with a. Woman saying look at me? Are women not allowed to be confident and assert their space?

I think if Cortez was in UK, Piers would have a meltdown and become a puddle

Why does Meghan need to join the dots together for you? Are you incapable of doing it on your own?

Meghan is good enough just as she is and whatever big or little good she does.

Are you enough for you and are you doing you own little good?

She is not on this earth to solve all the problems of humanity. Be happy in yourself and let her be.

Jealousy and hatefulness are not good features.

She has every right to be on this earth and to promote herself and her causes. She does not need your permission and acceptance. She is thriving despite your hatred.

What’s also laughable is how the Brits try to follow her ever move even if she left the country you did not want her in. There is also a desperation for her to visit the country. Why? She was not welcome. The Dailymail make up hundreds of inane articles about her with many of them pining for her to accompany Harry on this visit or that visit back to the UK.

I hope she never comes back. Reminds me of how the crowd at Indian Wells booed the Williams family. In the end they were begging for Serena and Venus to play there again.

Have boundaries and cut off toxic people, media, countries, whatever. They are usually sad and inadequate. We would all feel better for it if we enforced boundaries.

Spend time building your own life instead of unsuccessfully trying to tear down Meghan Markle. How is your relation? Your job? Your charity work, etc? Focus on them and leave other people to live their lives. You don’t like her? Ignore her and get on with your life.

Oh and she looks really beautiful at 40. She is blessed with genes that allow her to avoid early onset of wrinkles and avoid jowls. You know what I mean.

'Plenty of companies have internal mentoring networks or its encouraged to find a mentor'

Oh you misunderstand! Yes yes mentorship at work is all very useful and constructive of course it is 🙄.

My issue is The List. The Public List. Why?! You maybe need to look up virtue signalling because this is it in spades.

Why not a public list? The more publicity, the more the initiative might catch one and spread. And more women helped.

And if it helps Meghan become the compassion queen, well so be it. No skin of my back.

Excellent post @MrsMayJune 👏👏👏

And yes, I know exactly what you mean you being blessed with genes 😏😉

Oh come on, if the list hadn't been made public then the same people going on about it would've been demanding to know who'd signed up to be a mentor!

Oh dear, are women with jowls less worthy, @MrsMayJune ? If that is the case no wonder so many women over 40 are f*d. You seem to be promoting the idea that only beautiful women have the right to be players. Those less lucky in the looks ratings should butt out and stay out of sight. No mentoring for porky, jowly folk - only gorgeous people deserve to make it.

That is not remotely what @MrsMayJune said 🙄