Biff
My name is Biff (short for Elizabeth) Ward. I am a self-employed management consultant and a writer. 2020women excites me with its focus on collecting and sharing stories and dreams of women's lives because my experience of the women's movement since the beginning in 1970 is that it is the sharing of our own experiences that empowers women to identify what needs to be done next and to then work out how to get it done. This is sometimes called policy development and strategic planning - and applies whether it happens at an individual or group level.
I was born the eldest of two in Sydney. I am aged 66 and it feels excellent. I'm engaged with life, have many interests and love being seen as a bit of an elder, a woman of wisdom. I started making my own choices very young, thanks to a wonderful father. I've had two other names but reverted to my original name when I was 31. I've traveled a lot in Australia and SE Asia. I have four grandchildren, including two next door: the greatest delight of my life.
My special talents are designing and delivering interactive training, writing, enthusiasm, reading and theorising about the big picture. Many people say that my home is ‘peaceful' which I like very much. In my next life I will be a bush rally driver - and then go home to a very peaceful place.
My dreams for 2020 women
- An end to rape and sexual and domestic violence
- Women's voice in the decision-making about climate change and sustainability of our resources
- Closing the gap for Indigenous women
- Engaged interaction between Islamic and non-Islamic women
- More and more avenues for creative/artistic expression
My advice to women of the future is to remember:
- As long as one woman is oppressed, we are all oppressed
- The personal is political
- Sexism and racism hurt everyone: males are made lesser by them and the potential for full connection by all of us is diminished
- Trust your gut reactions
My proudest achievements
- Writing the book Father-Daughter Rape in 1984
- Being the main driving force behind the Women’s Camp at Pine Gap in 1983
- Having three fabulous grown-up children
The important people in my life
My father, Russel Ward
Growing up, 1942-62 in his presence. He was a high school teacher and then a historian academic. He was also a lefty, and extremely interested in current affairs from a humanitarian point of view. He taught me about emotional intelligence: that children can relate to did something hurt your feelings? He also taught me that respect for young people is the most empowering thing you can give them, and that you listen to the underdog if you want to know what is really going on. Lastly, he gave me a gusto for life.
Bob Barnard, my English lecturer at UNE, 1961-2
Bob taught me that teaching can be most effective when the teacher takes a definite point of view and argues for it, rather than trying for a phony objectivity.
Mace Boston, my co-counselling teacher in Adelaide in the late 80s/early 90s
Mace taught me that:
- humans are innately good and everyone is doing their very best at every point in time
- people only do bad things to the extent that they have been hurt and their brains are carrying that hurt, and
- unconditional positive regard will allow people to heal from almost anything.