Leaders in Conversation with Anni Townend is the podcast in which leaders weave together the threads of their life, sharing their leadership stories; the people, places and experiences that have shaped them, their values, beliefs, passion and purpose to encourage and inspire you to be even more confident and courageous in your leadership.
ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
I had the joy of being introduced to Gail through a previous podcast guest, Karen Dobres who told me what a wonderful guest Gail would be, and that she had written a book, a memoir about her life and leadership called Made in Whittingham Street
In our conversation Gail shares her story of leading with courage and gratitude, and offers insights into:
- The importance of not only finding your cause, your purpose, but of always being true to it, and to yourself.
- How staying true to your dreams, your hopes and aspirations really matters and that it is this which gives courage to and inspires others to follow their dreams and to stay true to them.
- Knowing what you believe in and having faith can give you the courage to keep going, and gratitude for what you have, and help reconcile challenges.
GAIL'S THREE ENCOURAGEMENTS TO LEADERS:
- Be sincere and honest. Always be true to your cause.
- Never give up on your dreams. Inspire others.
- Have faith in what you believe in
Connect with Gail:
X: x.com/GailNewsham
Website: www.dickkerrladies.com
To listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend go to my website, www.annitownend.com
A big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the wonderful production and marketing of the podcast.
To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website www.annitownend.com, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn. I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.
ABOUT GAIL:
I left school at fifteen and went to work in a shoe factory. I have no formal qualifications to speak of but I think I’ve done ok. I’m just an ordinary lass who has been fortunate to do some extraordinary things. I suppose I have a strong belief and a tenacity to get things done.
Saving and recording the history of women’s football and of the Dick, Kerr Ladies became her mission - highlighting the courage of the women to play and to challenge the injustice of the ban on women in football.
Passionate about saving the legacy of DKL, and keeping true to their story. In their Centenary year we achieved the First Blue Plaque in the World for women’s football 2017. Memorial to DKL at PNE 2017. First ever National Women’s Walking Football Tournament 2017. Plaque on Ashton Park in Preston in 2021, where DKL played their first match after the FA Ban of 1921.
Always been proactive in helping the game grow when nobody gave tuppence for us. I served 12 years on the Management Committee of North West Women’s Regional Football League from 1981-1993. Chief fundraiser for my own club, organising Fancy Dress Treasure Hunts and many other initiatives. Founder and organiser of the Lancashire Trophy in 1986, an International Women’s Football Tournament with teams from Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Eire, Scotland and England, all taking part over the years.
Proud to have served in the Women’s Royal Army Corps. Took part in the Remembrance Day Parade in London in 2016, honouring family who took part in/lost in WW1, and my dad in WW2. Proud to wear his medals.
Proud of my Memoir, Made in Whittingham Street. I’ve been lucky in my life, I’ve met a lot of people who I never thought possible, and I count my blessings on a daily basis. The theme of the book I suppose is Courage, my Mum in particular, Injustice and Reconciliation, that in the end, everything works out. Well, it has for me and I am very grateful.
