The Victoria Print Network is set to release a series of interviews online in order to promote awareness of successful women working within the print industry.
The network, launched in March of this year by Kelly O’Sullivan, aims to promote gender balance within print, empower women working in the industry and advocate for the sort of flexible working practices wanted by working women and mothers.
The online community, which already has close to 100 members, seeks to achieve its aims by celebrating female success stories within the sector and by expanding awareness of female role models and their accomplishments. One of the ways this is being done is via the aforementioned interviews, which will be released monthly, and will provide exposure to women working within the industry.
Ms O’Sullivan, who has over 20 years of experience in the industry and is print management controller at Sainsbury’s, was inspired by Emily Faithful, who worked as a printer and typesetter in 19th century England. Ms Faithful founded the Victoria Press print factory, where provided training and employment to young women . The Victoria Print Network was named in honour of her company.
‘I know how difficult it can be for women working in a male dominated industry,’ Ms O’Sullivan told Digital Printer. ‘I wish when I first started that I’d had someone to talk to about things I struggled with. I hope the network can help a new generation of women succeed in print.’
In order to achieve this aim Ms O’Sullivan and the network are working with the BPIF to develop mentoring relationships. ‘Going forward mentoring is something I am very keen to encourage,’ Ms O’Sullivan continued. ‘For some people this might mean regular, scheduled meetings. For others it might just be a case of having someone you can call up and say, this happened today…
‘But it is definitely important for women, particularly younger women or those just entering the industry, to have access to success stories and examples of female achievement.’
The network has already held two successful round tables to investigate what issues women in the industry face. ‘One of the key issues which is often brought up, but where very little is ever done is flexible working,’ Ms O’Sullivan continued. ‘This obviously impacts men as well as women, but it is especially important for working mothers. Yet when people ask if they can work flexible hours, a four day week, or Fridays from home, they are all to often just met by incredulous stares.’
One thing the network is not about is causing division between the sexes. ‘All the evidence suggests that those companies which strive for gender balance see a benefit for their bottom line,’ Ms O’Sullivan concluded. ‘Tackling the imbalance we currently see in print, especially in sales, will benefit us all, male or female.’
If you are interested in the Victoria Print Network, be sure to join the Linked In community and check out its upcoming interviews. Men are, of course, welcome to join as enthusiastic advocates of gender equality. Future plans include, but are not limited to, networking events, mentoring schemes, podcasts and webinars.
