THE founding body of the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA-UK) recently celebrated four decades of progress at a gala at International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London.
Leading personalities from the maritime world congratulated WISTA-UK on its achievements, and the elevated status of the UK association was underlined by support for the black-tie event from some 140 members and guests.
WISTA-UK secretary Bridget Hogan invited one member each to speak about one of the four decades since a group of women met for a Christmas lunch in London and decided to formalise the network.
That initiative has grown into the international WISTA grouping, which includes more than 1,800 members in 30 countries.
Jean Richards, of Quantum Shipping Services, recalled the reluctance of the Baltic Exchange, through which much shipping business is done in London, to admit female members; and when it did, "it was again a gesture".
Said Ms Richards: "All the business was done not on the trading floor, but in the bar, and you could not even do a deal because the bloke did not want to buy you a gin and tonic."
Ms Richards said Baltic Exchange was still "not very pro-women".
Maria Jose Lima, from Oporto in Portugal, said that she became a WISTA-UK member in 1986, after meeting one of the founding members, Margaret Llewellyn.
That meeting was followed by an invitation to attend her first WISTA Conference in Madrid. She gladly accepted "and still recall that I thought the speakers were awful".
Over the years the original concept was revamped, she said. "I have to thank WISTA for all that I have learned during the various conferences; and even now being retired I still have a passion for WISTA."
Ms Hogan said she had been touched by the way her many colleagues had supported the industry. She recalled the significance of the first international endeavour that marked the 25th anniversary of WISTA.
She was to produce a shipping calendar together with Joanna Meadows (now in Singapore) and Maria Dixon. The calendar was promoted as a way of raising money for IMO children's charities.
"We saw this as a way of helping WISTA move forward, and we had a massive response from all over the world," said Ms Hogan.
Talking of WISTA's growth in the decade beginning 2000, Sue Terpilowski of Image Line PR, recalled that she was invited to a WISTA meeting by a lawyer "and had my suspicions right from the start" but "I have had a fantastic voyage, and have met so many people 'round the world".
WORLD SHIPPING
12 August 2014 - 10:17
Women's International Shipping Association marks 40th anniversary
THE founding body of the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA-UK) recently celebrated four decades of progress at a gala at International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London.
WORLD SHIPPING
12 August 2014 - 10:17
Women's International Shipping Association marks 40th anniversary
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