To mark 2018 International Women’s Day, NCWQ is profiling an impressive women each day in the lead up to the 8th March. These featured young women are past NCWQ Bursary Recipients, and have demonstrated incredible leadership, success, community service, intelligence and commitment to their personal and professional passions. In today’s feature, past bursary recipient Rebecca Masterton shares her thoughts.
To learn more about the bursary program, keep an eye on our website in the coming month or two.
What were the benefits to you in being a 2017 NCWQ bursary recipient?
Well, firstly and foremost it gave me the opportunity to meet and network with other amazing women through NCWQ and the Soroptimists which I have now become a member of. My bursary also gave me peace of mind knowing I could pay some bills and take my son on a little holiday, a luxury we couldn’t afford in the past. I want to be a good role model for my son and by showing him what you can achieve and also win from hard work and dedication was the best example of success at the time for me to show him.
What are your goals for this year?
My goals for 2018 are to continue being an active volunteer within my community; in particular with my Soroptimist work, to continue passing my subjects at university (so far 0 fail rate), and continue improving mine and my family’s health & well-being.
My sister and I are also fighting for law reform, and if successful will positively change the lives of women going through international family law cases.
Griffith University News wrote an article about my sister and I and our crusade to help victims and survivors of domestic violence:
Lastly, we will also be in the Gold Coast paper ‘Sun’ tomorrow regarding this cause too.
What is your personal mantra or self-talk that you use to keep yourself on track in pursuing your aspirations?
Well, I have a few personal mantras but some are:
- I have been given endless talents which I must utilize every day.
- My ability to conquer my challenges is limitless; my potential to succeed is infinite.
- I wake up today with strength in my heart and clarity in my mind.
- What goes around, comes around, always pay kindness forward.
- I am grateful and blessed every day for good health, a happy heart and the love and support of amazing family and friends.
Who have been your most significant woman role models?
My role models are my best friend and big sister Gina, after overcoming bullying at high school and dealing with health issues more recently, she has become a Lawyer, has been employed in some of the busiest law firms in the world in Las Angeles, and is on her way to receiving her PHD in the Law.
And my mother Christina, who began as a young mother of 17 and without much help, raised 5 children while dad worked long hours. She had 5 kids under 8 and gave us all the love, support and kindness that 5 children could ever need and continues to do so.