A WOMAN IN AGRICULTURE WHO LEADS AND INSPIRES OTHER FEMALE FARMERS

Sheena Paulus, a dynamic presence in Philippi, embarked on her entrepreneurial journey by establishing Tri Toad Nursery. Her passion for fostering community development and effecting positive social change naturally led her to tackle barriers to gender equality.

As a mother of three daughters, Sheena balances her career and family life through effective time management, and seeking support from her professional and personal circles. Setting boundaries and prioritising self-care are crucial for maintaining wellbeing. Support from family, friends, and professional mentors is invaluable, while practices such as regular exercise, mindfulness, and quality family time are crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Sheena draws inspiration from various female leaders and community builders whose resilience and vision have shaped her approach to leadership and social impact. Their influence underscores her belief in the importance of human rights, social justice, and community-based solutions for achieving sustainable peace. Her advice is to remain resilient, seek mentorship, and value one’s unique perspective.

Networking has played a significant role in her career, exemplified by her community-building project through Tri Toad Nursery, which united diverse groups to tackle local issues. Building connections through active participation in professional associations, attending conferences, and engaging in community service is crucial. Key networking skills include effective communication, empathy, strategic thinking, integrity, adaptability, cultural awareness, staying informed about global issues, advocating for gender equality, and a commitment to ongoing personal development.

Sheena takes pride in hosting a series of sustainability events through Tri Toad Nursery, which brings together diverse stakeholders to tackle food security and gender equality. These events foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration, leading to actionable strategies that improve local food systems and promote gender-inclusive policies. Witnessing the positive outcomes of these initiatives reinforces her commitment to social impact and community building.

For gender equality to flourish, systemic changes are essential, including policies that support work-life balance, mentorship programmes for women, and diverse hiring practices. Challenging and transforming cultural norms that impede women’s advancement in male-dominated fields is also crucial. Encouragingly, there is a growing trend of greater female representation in leading change, indicating a positive shift towards gender equality.

Sheena envisions more inclusive policies, greater female representation in leadership roles, and enhanced efforts to tackle global challenges through collaborative and community-based methods. The future of women’s leadership in diplomacy appears promising, with more women taking on key roles and influencing global policies. Continued advocacy for gender equality and mentorship will be vital in sustaining this progress.

Driven by her commitment to creating positive change, addressing social injustices, and inspiring future female leaders, Sheena remains passionate about her work. Staying aligned with her purpose and taking time to recharge are crucial for her wellbeing in this demanding and challenging field.

With her bright future ahead, we eagerly anticipate Sheena’s upcoming empowerment initiatives!