International Women's Day 2022

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #BreakTheBias, placing a focus on the actions we can take to level the playing field and move past existing gender biases. We spoke to some of the talented women of Red Carnation Hotels about what #BreakTheBias means to them, and their inspirational career journeys within our company. Together we can realise gender equality by calling out bias, discrimination and stereotyping wherever we see it. Tzveta Peneva-Ivanova, Executive Head Housekeeper at The Milestone Hotel & Residences What does #BreakTheBias mean to you? In the past, I have had male co-workers treat me differently because of my gender. I am breaking the bias by encouraging women to speak up about the obstacles they face and by not being afraid to confront issues head on. The more we educate others on this topic the better it will be for everyone in the long run. My Red Carnation Hotels career journey I started my career as an Executive Housekeeper at The Milestone Hotel & Residences in 2008. Since then, I have been juggling family and work life - this makes me feel even prouder of all I have achieved in both areas of my life. If you have strong determination, ambition, passion, love for all you do, and care for all around you, nothing stops you from achieving your goals and climbing the career ladder whilst having a happy family life too. Meronisa ‘Michelle’ Mohammed, Linen & Stock Supervisor at The Oyster Box What does #BreakTheBias means to you? If you look at today, compared to the ‘old school’, woman are more equal to men. Woman bring food to the table and work equal time. There shouldn’t be any difference between genders. Independence, freedom and respect are the pillars of gender equality. My Red Carnation Hotels career journey I started at The Oyster Box as a laundry hand when I was 25 years old. I got involved in linen, stocks and uniform which has led me to being a linen and stock supervisor today. To achieve this, I undertook further studies for my career. I now have 20 years’ experience in this team. In my spare time I help to improve my community, helping to raise funds to empower young people and to secure land to build new community spaces. Arjeta Arapi, Director of Food and Beverage at The Montague on the Gardens What does #BreakTheBias mean to you? I am the proud mother of two wonderful children and wife to an amazing husband. As women, society leads us to believe that you have to choose between your career and family life. #BreakTheBias means to me that anything is possible and that you can have both! My Red Carnation Hotels career journey My career journey began in hospitality 19 years ago when I started working with The Montague on the Garden as a waitress. Since then, I have ‘worked my way up the ladder’ to Director of Food and Beverage. I am truly honoured to be part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection where I always feel very supported and have been given some great opportunities to grow and develop. I can proudly say that in my department the management team is 50% male and 50% female. Michelle Vachha, Demi Chef de Partie at The Milestone Hotel & Residences What does #BreakTheBias mean to you? In my previous kitchen there was an idea that only women worked on pastry, because it was calm and quiet so it was fine for girls. When I started I didn't want to be put there, instead I wanted to prove myself in main kitchen. For me, a world free of gender bias would mean that everyone is treated according to their capabilities and not unfairly by their looks or their gender. I pledge to #BreakTheBias in the future by making sure everyone around me is treated with the same respect regardless of gender. If I see a woman being treated badly I will step in and stop it. My Red Carnation Hotels career journey I started at The Milestone under a different Executive Head Chef. I liked the company and the team dynamics, but only in the last two years have I truly grown as a chef under the current Executive Head Chef as he has pushed and believed in me and given me space to improve. Princess “Muke” Maphumulo, Head Banqueting Chef at The Oyster Box What does #BreakTheBias mean to you? Breaking the bias is showing that anyone can get the job of their dreams. Today, I am heading up my team in the banqueting kitchen, as did the previous woman before me. This would not have been the case in the past and we love this new direction. A world free of gender bias would be the definition of equal opportunity for all. My Red Carnation Hotels career journey I started at The Oyster Box when the hotel was officially re-opened in 2010. From then, I started in the banqueting kitchen team. Today, here I am, running the banqueting kitchen. All those double shifts paid off, I really love this job and love being a chef. I also came up with the prawn sauce for the prawn dish we serve, I love getting compliments on my sauce and great feedback from guests, organizers, wedding couples and from the team. Emma Mackey, Learning & Development Officer at Red Carnation HQ What #BreakTheBias means to me For me, a world free of gender bias would welcome everyone to express their femininity/masculinity in whatever way they choose. Often, barriers can emerge for women wishing to progress as a result of old-fashioned, ingrained ideas of how they should behave, look and assert themselves. It is time to throw that out and make room for more diverse thought. My RCH career journey Working for Red Carnation Hotels has been a joy from the very beginning. I joined the Graduate Management Programme back in 2018, where I enjoyed training and developing others which led me to join the Learning & Development team soon after. The best part of my role is getting to be a part of so many people’s career journeys and seeing them exceed expectations every time. Recently, I also joined RCH IDEA as one of the co-chairs alongside the amazing Scott Clinton and Trevor Baker O’Haire. As part of the IDEA committee, my aim is to ensure that we are championing diversity and providing equal opportunities in every aspect of the hotels. Laurence Villalard, General Housekeeper at Hotel d’Angleterre What does #BreakTheBias mean to you? I encountered bias at the beginning of my career. To challenge that bias, I had to go above and beyond to prove that I was the best person for the job. A world free of bias to me is a world of equality, open-mindedness, socialisation and acceptance of others and their differences. To break the bias in the future, we need to focus on people’s talent, skills and competencies – not their gender. We must act to change mentalities and make people realise that diversity is a powerful performance enhancer. My Red Carnation Hotels career journey I joined the Hotel d'Angleterre in Geneva, in February 2014, as Executive Housekeeper, so I discovered Red Carnation Hotels. A company that has always highlighted social, cultural and ethnical diversity. In my sector of activity the staff is mainly female but this has changed in recent years. To work within Red Carnation gives me the opportunity to share experience with staff with diverse backgrounds and it is so rewarding. Sizakele Khuzwayo, Public Areas Housekeeper at The Oyster Box What does #BreakTheBias mean to you? Woman and men deserve equal opportunities. There is no reason any job role should be ‘male’ or ‘female’, so we need to break down existing biases. Equal representation of both genders would be the goal to abolish inequality. My Red Carnation Hotels career journey I started doing elbow grease in 2015 (elbow grease is a public areas cleaner who works on the exterior of the hotel) before moving to back of house public areas in 2017. In my spare time, I am completing my LLB Law Degree. I am nearing completion of my degree, so my focus is to finish that and ultimately open my own law firm one day, focusing on Labour Law. My journey at Red Carnation is open ended and I am happy to seek opportunities across any department. Paula Carroll, Director of Sales and Marketing at Ashford Castle What does #BreakTheBias mean to you? Ultimately, it’s up to women to empower women and it's a question of women believing in themselves. I have always believed in myself and would encourage every woman to use their belief as their compass. A world free of gender bias would be a more inclusive world, where all God’s children matter. We must continue through education and respect to help change culture. My Red Carnation Hotels career journey It is an absolute privilege to be Director of Sales and Marketing at the legendary Ashford Castle, for over 25 years. I am proud to represent the wonderful Ashford family. My role is to connect our guests, clients and travel advisors with the operational team, in a smooth and efficient manner to ensure that each guest has a truly memorable experience. Our team are warm, compassionate, caring, genuine and enthusiastic about delivering and living the Red Carnation ethos. Arella Eira Warner, Degree Apprentice at The Milestone Hotel & Residences What does #BreakTheBias mean to you? I get the pleasure of working with so many fantastic female role models and colleagues that inspire me in my job. There have been times in my career that people have undermined my skills as a woman, but I believe that if I work hard and do the best job I can change people’s views of women in hospitality. My Red Carnation Hotels career journey I have been working for the company for two and a half years as a Degree Apprentice, where I started off at The Milestone as a Receptionist. I then joined the team at The Acorn Inn for 18 months as a general assistant. In September 2021, I returned to the Front of House team at The Milestone. Mihaela Burtea, Housekeeping Floor Supervisor at The Milestone Hotel & Residences What does #BreakTheBias mean to you? I have encountered bias in the past, but I try not to take it personally. Unfortunately, we will all meet with bias at some point - whether in a workplace or a family – the best thing to do is to challenge it and keep going. My Red Carnation Hotels career journey I started my career with Red Carnation in April 2008. I began my career working in The Rubens at the Palace hotel and Hotel 41 as a room attendant and stayed there for over a year. I was then promoted to floor supervisor, which is the position I have held for almost 10 years. After this, I transferred to The Milestone Hotel & Residences, and I am extremely happy to be part of this fantastic family. Morgan Williams, Pastry Junior Sous Chef at The Milestone Hotel & Residences What does #BreakTheBias mean to you? Gender bias is experienced all over the world in everyday life, from the home to school to the workplace. I was born and grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. Gender bias is particularly rife in my country of birth where, to a large degree, women are expected to be the main caregiver and take on the domestic duties - all while being subservient to their partner's needs. In many cultures, women are celebrated yet denied the opportunity of equal rights. To break the bias, we must continue to educate our children that we are all equal, and that women and girls are multifaceted and capable of being anything they want to be. We must break cultural cycles by raising strong, confident, independent women and affording them the same opportunities as their brothers. We need more female world leaders! My Red Carnation Hotels career journey I joined the Milestone Hotel & Residences in November 2021, so my career at Red Carnation is still in its early days. Every single person here is super friendly and encouraging. I feel very blessed to be part of such an amazing team.