‘When there are no ceilings, the sky’s the limit’. (Hillary Clinton)

This quote speaks a thousand words, there are no limits to what women, and in particular, rural women, can achieve when faced with challenges in their communities. The role of rural women driving change within their communities has changed as society sees a large increase in the number of women taking up the reins in community and corporate management and leadership. Not only do they work alongside the ‘tough blokes’ as they say, but women in these rural communities are also the ones that go home and do what they must to keep the family life running.
Gone are the days when the woman’s lot in life was to cater at the local race meeting, whereas now the rural woman may well be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the race club or even a jockey. Dated perceptions about rural women sees them labelled as wives and mothers that are confined to the domestic sphere around them, when they are the ones who are the effective leaders within the community and can affect a cultural change to make the community a more sociable place to be. 

In today’s society rural women are the foundation of good wellbeing, which leads to a positive change, not only within their families, but in their community, workplaces and beyond. By doing this they are not only building resilience for themselves but becoming role models to young women and youth in society. They selflessly play part of family counsellor and confidante as they provide the shoulder to cry on
during the drought or latest plague. They stand tall (because they’ve seen it all before) and they provide the glass half full outlook that is needed to move forward. 

First-hand evidence of this I witness every day from my mother, who inspires me and pushes me to get through the challenges thrown at me, all while being kept busy herself. Not only does she work full time as an administrator at the school, but she has a part time business earning extra money for when I need to go to boarding school next year; she looks after the house, yard, and animals. On top of that, she volunteers for a number of clubs who can’t fill executive positions; she ensures I can attend sporting events, including state events; she chauffeurs me around; she picks me up when I’m down; she picks her friends up when they are down; all while operating on 5hrs of sleep per day. She is my biggest supporter in anything I do. She embodies the living soul of the rural woman and she is one of many where I live, in rural and remote Queensland. 

My argument validates that as well as being role models in society, women also play important roles in the rural economy as farmers, wage earners and apprentices. Not only that, rural women are also counsellors; confidantes; doctors; politicians; teachers; psychics; party planners; limo drivers; plumbers; decorators; research assistants; librarians; bankers; tactical operation managers; logistic managers; gardeners; head chefs and detectives. Over time women, especially in rural communities, have evolved not only with a voice but are now some of the biggest leaders in the local and political governments. They also continue to face challenges head on and have compassion for their communities.
Women are the glue that holds a community together.