International Women's Day - with Lord Lieutenant Elaine Grieve and Vice Lt Dr Sarah Scarth

For International Women's Day, we've gathered a few thoughts from Orkney's Lord Lieutenant Elaine Grieve - the first woman in the role in Orkney - and her recently appointed Vice Lord Lieutenant, Dr Sarah Scarth.

Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenants are the representatives of the Crown for each county in the United Kingdom. Men or women of all backgrounds, they are appointed by The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister. They represent the Queen at functions and ceremonies in the county, from military visits to citizenship ceremonies and celebrations of wedding anniversary and birthday milestones with local families. “We’re almost always around in times of joy – and some solemn occasions too. But we’re also here to help the community celebrate their good work and achievements through formal awards.”

Elaine, whose professional career was built on teaching and then with the Council's Education service, as well as time as the Council's Assistant Chief Executive, says the role is a huge honour - and one she might not ever have arrived at had it not been for people throughout her life urging her to ‘take the plunge’:

"At each juncture in my career all the way to becoming Orkney's first female Lord Lieutenant, each leap I have made has been because somebody tapped me on the shoulder and said: "You'd be good at this."

Elaine - who has also Chaired the Orkney Folk Festival, been a director of the Pier Arts Centre, the St Magnus International Festival and Orkney Housing Association, and Vice-Chair of Voluntary Action Orkney – has this advice for women on their international day:

“Self doubt is the demon you need to suppress. Make sure you listen to the other voice who says 'you can do this'. Don't ignore it when someone says you'd be good at a particular challenge - they are saying it for a reason! Speak to someone who has made that jump, and don’t be afraid of asking for help."

Sarah, a well-known Orkney born and bred GP, agrees: "I think in the past when there were fewer women in positions of power and prominence that asking for help was more difficult.

“But now as women we can all pull each other up.”

Sarah has recently been appointed as Training Programme Director for ‘Rural Track’ North of Scotland General Practice training. She says perfectionism is “really dangerous” – as both a threat to women’s self esteem and the potential they hold: “Good enough is good enough. It’s important to not to compare yourself to others, and to make time for yourself - friends, families networks are all so important."

Elaine says, despite the inroads, there is still much work to do when it comes to equality: “There are still stereotypes and unfair burdens to address. The fact that there is an International Women's Day is testament to the fact that women are still striving to be recognised as equal to the task - even if that is in slightly different ways.”