Liza Morris, Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Aunty, Friend, Fearless Leader, Mentor and Proudly Woman, Regional Manager, Bryte Western Cape, IIWC President
Inspiration has come from many people and events in my life, and visualising my Great Inspiration is picturing myself in a beautiful art gallery, standing in the middle of an exquisite art installation made up of different forms of art depicting inspirational women.
They are different in size, colour, texture and content. Some are large, others are small, some are powerful, others are loud, some are gentle, others have loads of detail and some are complete razzle dazzle but together they are woman.
My journey to being the woman that I am started in a home that taught me that I could be anything I truly wanted to be. My mother and father were my twoprimary influences in my formative years, although they were physically different, there was no inequality in their teaching and they were equals in their love, care, knowledge, strength and in their passion for wanting to inspire me to be the best that I could possibly be.
“Free the child’s potential, and you will transform her into the world ”
I attended a large all-girls school, so I was surrounded by a very diverse group of women from an early age. The most important lesson I learnt was that diversity added depth and colour, it was far more powerful than the same.
“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different“ – Coco Chanel
I then studied fashion design and the absolute creative beauty I encountered from my teachers and the women I attended with, was something that I will always cherish.
Creativity is an ongoing process. When I first started my role, I found a quote in a magazine that resonated with me. It said, “ Use your imagination.” I cut it out and taped it on my computer monitor. Sixteen years have passed and I am still reminded daily that the success of our company is founded on being open and receptive to creativity and the inevitability of change.” – Cyndie Martini, president and CEO, Member Access Pacific
My career has been enriched by the many women who have been generous enough to share not only their knowledge, guidance, mistakes and experience with mebut also their passion and strength – this has not just been only in their words but their actions too.
“Wathint’Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo’ – You strike a woman, you strike a rock
Some of the most powerful lessons I have learnt from the women I have had the privilege to work for and with are;
- Show up authentically – bring the true you to the party
“Doubt is a killer. You just have to know who you are and what you stand for” – Jennifer Lopez
- Know what your life purpose is
“Knowing what must be done does away with fear” – Rosa Parks
- You get what you negotiate for
“Woman asking for raises should not only know their value, but they should ask with the confidence that they’re helping the company be successful” – Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
- Being a woman is your strength
“When you embrace your difference, your DNA, your look or heritage or religion or your unusual name, that’s when you start to shine “ – Bethenny Frankel
- Be passionate about everything you do – then it will be about life balance not work/ life balance
“No one changes the world who isn’t obsessed.” – Billie Jean King
- Continuously learn, develop and grow
“Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement” – Golda Meir
- Care – start with selfcare so that you have the capacity
