Whaleathon: running for the ocean

British long-distance runner and marathon world record holder Paula Jane Radcliffe will be heading the pack at this year’s annual ‘Whalethon: Run or Walk for the Ocean’. Entrance is free and fun is guaranteed!

Paula Jane Radcliffe

Paula Jane Radcliffe is a three-time winner of the London Marathon, three-time New York Marathon champion and 2002 Chicago Marathon winner. She is the fastest female marathoner of all time and has held the Women’s World Marathon Record since 2003, with a time of 2:15:25.

The Whaleathon: Run or Walk for the Ocean is organised by The Animal Fund, a non-profit marine conservation association listed in both Monaco and France with a focus on protecting and saving dolphins and whales from pollution, overfishing and maltreatment.

Participants have the option of taking part in the 1K or the 4K run/walk on Saturday 23rdMarch. Meeting point is the Stade Rondelli in Menton and entrance is free. For more information visit the website or email info@theanimalfund.net

8 reasons why Monaco women rock … and not just on March 8

Happy International Women’s Day from everyone here at Monaco Life.

In this series of interviews conducted by Monaco based association She Can He Can, we hear from some of Monaco’s leading ladies who continue to inspire us.

Anne Eastwood

Anne Eastwood, Monaco’s first Ombudsman

What really matters to you? As a woman and as a lawyer, I’ll answer in two words: fairness and justice. Anything unfair deeply hurts me. Primarily, this is what motivated my professional choices. I haven’t loved anything more about being a lawyer than that of defending what seemed right to me. It is also something that convinced me to join the National Council when I returned to Monaco. Here I was able to practice law, on the legislative side this time, by shaping things from within the rules of how we live together. I also get to experience the pertinence of this Montesquieu proverb: “something is not right because it is law; but it must be the law because it is right.

This concern for justice – and justness – has always prevailed for me. Today it makes sense in my mission as High Commissioner to protect people’s rights and fight against discrimination. Serving my country in this role is a great opportunity. But I also think that everyone, whether man or woman, in the position they occupy, has a duty to act at a certain level to make our society fairer, more vigilant to the needs of others and committed to the importance of solidarity.

M Carmen Madrid ID 2

Mary Carman Madrid, Commercial Director of the Helicopter Division at Avinco SAM

What has been the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome in your field as a woman/woman of colour? Working in a male-dominated industry has never been easy. It requires extra efforts to gain recognition and respect from peers in the industry or even from customers. You want to be judged by your work and not by the way you look.

During the early years of my career, I was confronted by sexual harassment, situations that were very destabilising, but over the time I have learned to manage those and move on. Now, I do not tolerate any situation that makes me feel uncomfortable and I am not afraid to tell anyone to stop, whenever there is an inappropriate attitude or situation.

I believe that self-confidence is extremely important in scenarios like these; a strong mind-set can give us the strength and motivation to overpass any difficulty and prove to our challengers they are wrong. Of course not all has been negative, I have always been very lucky to be surrounded by colleagues and mentors (women and men) who have always believed in my capabilities and me.

Cinzia Coleman

Cinzia Colman, Founder of Prix Femme de l’Année, Monte Carlo

To the girls reading this, what advice would you give them that you too needed when you were younger? This is a piece of advice that I received from my parents, especially my father who always encouraged me to follow my own path. You must have courage and you must always try to give the best of yourself. Also, it is important to be well prepared: if you are well prepared, you don’t need be afraid. You must not be afraid to ask questions, to start something and to dare to be different. He told me it’s normal to hear “no” more than “yes”, but you have to persevere. If you don’t ask, if you don’t try, you’ll never get there. Being prepared and being courageous are two key things that you need to move forward.

Lindsay

Lindsay Mackenzie Wright, Assistant Director, Head of Staff and Student Well-Being at the International School of Monaco

What really matters to you? Happiness and contentment means knowing that I am fulfilled, both personally and professionally. It means that the little things in life matter, that the flaws are irrelevant. It means that I give kindness to others and show compassion. It is important for me to think of others, before I think of myself.

Making a difference through my work really matters too. To know that by an interaction, intervention or words of advice, that I have impacted a student in some way. It is important to me that my students know they are supported, listened to and respected. To make a positive difference in someone else’s life, by looking beyond one’s self. That everyone else knows, that the perceived ‘imperfections’ are totally irrelevant in fulfilling one’s life.

tiffany cTiffany Cromwell, Australian professional cyclist

What has been the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome in your field as a woman/woman of colour? Trying to make a career out of competing in sport as a woman is an obstacle in itself but as a woman in cycling, a hugely male-dominated sport, there have been many hurdles to face to be able to make a career out of it.

I’d say the biggest is the huge disparity and inequality between men and women, from the money to the support and sponsors, and from the professionalism to the coverage – in almost all aspects of the sport really.

We train just as hard as men, give so much of our life to cycling, make many sacrifices and take it on as a full-time job but get far less than the men putting in the same amount of work and dedication. A minimum salary at the men’s top side of the sport is similar to many of the top female cyclists, plus on the women’s side there is no minimum salary.

A lot has improved since I started and I do it because I love cycling, but it is frustrating how much we need to fight and speak up to try and make change happen. We are currently in a big time of change and the gap is slowly reducing in the disparity, but there is still such a long way to go. (Photo: Instagram tiffanycromwell)

Chanterria McGilbra

Chanterria McGilbra, Founder and Executive Director of Prancing Ponies Foundation

To the girls reading this, what advice would you give them that you too needed when you were younger? My advice is to listen to your intuition more than anything and anyone else – it won’t be easy in a world where everyone wants to see numbers and factual proof of why a decision is being made but stay true to who you are and what you know. If you manage to do this, you will consistently move toward your life’s greatest purpose and live the life of your dreams. I promise.

Laetitia ShecanHecan

Laetitia Mikail, International Legal Consultant at Moores Rowland

What has been the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome in your field as a woman/woman of colour? Being asked in job interviews about baby plans and family life (thankfully, not by my present employer!). When looking for a job in my late twenties / early thirties, I have been asked on a number of occasions about my personal life during the interview process. It is perfectly unethical but potential employers are generally wary of hiring a woman of childbearing age to get around issues of maternity leave and child care when a woman returns to work – they would rather hire a man to get around those issues. This form of employment discrimination is highly detrimental to women striving to achieve success in their career and profession.

norikoNoriko Katayanagi-Bonafede, international business consultant in Monaco, connecting companies in Japan, Europe & the US

To the girls reading this, what advice would you give them that you too needed when you were younger? Wherever you go, before adjusting to new environment, try to find yourself first.

No matter what other people may think of you, you need to know who you are. That can be a lifelong journey, but you will be sure of yourself in any situation.

To learn more about the amazing work of She Can He Can, visit their website or head over to their Facebook page!

This article first appeared in Monaco Life in March 2018.

Monaco pushes to boost maternity leave

Maternity leave in the Principality may soon be increased from 16 to 18 weeks. The Monaco Government revealed on International Women’s Day that it was pushing for the increase.

The Prince’s Government released a statement on 8th March saying that it has recently shared with the National Council a bill that would extend maternity leave by two weeks.

It follows an earlier request by the Economic and Social Council that the Department of Social Affairs and Health should implement the bill as soon as possible.

Once the bill has been voted on, the increase will apply immediately to private sector employees and eventually to civil servants and public officials.

Athletes en route to Abu Dhabi

A group of athletes from Monaco is currently on its way to Abu Dhabi to compete in the Special Olympics World Summer Games. They’ll be one of 170 countries to take part and will be looking to beat Monaco’s last medal haul of 23 in Los Angeles.

© Manuel VITALI / Direction de la Communication

Aimed at people with intellectual disabilities, the Special Olympics takes place every two years, alternating between the Summer Olympic Games and the Winter Olympic Games. More than 7,000 athletes will be taking part in this edition in the United Arab Emirates from 14thto 21stMarch.

Representing the Principality of Monaco will be 25 athletes and eight coaches. They’ll be competing in seven different disciplines: cycling, swimming, athletics, table tennis, tennis, horse riding and judo. There are 29 disciplines in all.

“This delegation is composed of regulars at major competitions but also promising newcomers,” said Marco Muratori, head of the delegation. “The goal is to achieve great performances, and it is hoped that the medals will follow. One thing is certain: they all want to win!”

Four years ago, the Principality won 23 medals including seven world titles at the Los Angeles Games. The Monegasque delegation set off on Friday to the UAE and will participate, initially, in an educational and cultural program that will allow them to discover Abu Dhabi.

© Manuel VITALI / Direction de la Communication

A few days before the big departure for Abu Dhabi, the Monegasque delegation received some important backing from staff and the U19’s at the Academy of AS Monaco. After a unified football match, Frédéric Barilaro’s protégés gave the athletes the prize money to be used for the Special Olympics World Summer Games. It is part of the Connecting Values initiative that was established by AS Monaco three years ago.

This year, the Monegasque delegation will be dedicating their medal wins to Philippe Calmes, the first SO Monaco athlete, who passed away in September 2018. The initials of “Philou” will appear on the athlete’s t-shirts in addition to the partners’ logos.

The Special Olympics is an international organisation created in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Schriver, the sister of US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. It promotes the practice of sport for the intellectually handicapped. In the Principality, Special Olympics Monaco was created more than 35 years ago by Mireille Calmes.

Monaco Disease Power annual gala

Preparations are underway for the annual Monaco Disease Power Gala, which will be taking place at the Yacht Club of Monaco in April.

Monaco Disease Power President Muriel Natali-Laure with HSH Prince Albert in 2017

For the past 12 years, the Monaco Disease Power association has facilitated many projects for children and adults with autism and mental disability, as well as their families.

Among their achievements is the creation of the Centre Aéré, construction and opening of the respite accommodation facility ‘House of Amelie’ in 2013 and its extension in 2018, the implementation of the Rally of the Heart, and the organisation of the first Monegasque Conference on Autism and Mental Disability in 2017.

Under the patronage of S.A.S. Prince Albert II,  Monaco Disease Power only receives funding from donations.

The annual Monaco Disease Power Gala will be held at the Monaco Yacht Club on 23rd April 2019.