Helen Clark: Shattering Glass Ceilings and Championing Equality for Future Generations
Helen Clark: A Trailblazer’s Journey
Throughout her illustrious career as a Member of Parliament, Prime Minister, and a top official at the United Nations, Helen Clark has been a pioneer for women’s rights. As we approach International Women’s Day, she shares her insights with Siena Yates on making her voice heard and her aspirations for the generations to come.
An Idyllic Upbringing: The Foundation of Equality
Imagine a world where being a boy or a girl doesn’t matter—where toys, clothes, language, school subjects, jobs, chores, hobbies, and games are not gendered. A world where children of all identities can live freely, choosing who they want to be and what they want to do. This might seem like a distant dream, but it was a reality for Helen Clark growing up in the 1950s in rural Waikato.
Helen, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, was raised on a farm in Te Pahu with her parents, Margaret and George, and her three sisters. Reflecting on her upbringing, Helen recognizes it as “quite a lucky break.” In an era where boys typically accompanied their fathers and girls their mothers, Helen and her sisters got to do everything together. This early experience shaped her belief that women can achieve anything they set their minds to.
Education and Role Models: Shaping a Future Leader
Helen’s early education took place in a small rural primary school where expectations were equal for all students. She later attended Epsom Girls’ Grammar School in Auckland, an institution with high expectations for achievement. Throughout her university years, many of her role models and mentors were women, including her mother, Ruth Butterworth, Dame Marie Clay, Dame Judith Binney, and Ann Trotter. These influences instilled in her the belief that she could do anything, a mindset she hopes everyone can grow up with.
From Rural Life to Global Leadership
Helen’s journey from a rural farm to global leadership is a testament to her determination and the values instilled in her by her parents. Her political leanings were shaped by her parents’ active involvement in the community. Her mother was active in women’s groups, and her father was involved in Federated Farmers. These early experiences laid the foundation for Helen’s future endeavors.
Helen’s close relationship with her parents is evident. She recently spent time in Waihi Beach caring for her father, George, who is about to celebrate his 99th birthday on International Women’s Day. Despite her busy schedule, Helen finds time to support her father, demonstrating the strong family values that have guided her throughout her life.
A Lifetime of Achievements and Continued Dedication
Helen’s career is marked by numerous achievements. She entered Parliament in 1981 at the age of 31 and became the first woman to lead a major party to electoral victory in 1999. She served as New Zealand’s first female Prime Minister to achieve successive terms and later became the first and only female administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Even after leaving the UNDP in 2017, Helen has shown no signs of slowing down. She continues to work with and chair numerous boards, committees, and organizations worldwide. Her current roles include working with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), the Lancet Commission, the World Economic Forum on Health, Women Political Leaders, and the Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness and Response.
Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations
Helen’s journey has not been without challenges. Transitioning from high-profile roles with extensive support to working independently has required her to prioritize and manage her commitments carefully. However, her passion for her work and her belief in the values instilled in her from a young age continue to drive her forward.
As we look to the future, Helen’s story serves as an inspiration for future generations. Her belief in equality, her dedication to her work, and her commitment to her family values are lessons that transcend time and place. Helen Clark’s journey is a testament to the power of determination, the importance of family, and the belief that anything is possible.
For more information on Helen Clark’s work and achievements, you can visit the United Nations Development Programme website.
