WORKING women of today have a lot to thank Joan Bielby for.
This month she was honoured for services to women by being named a companion of the Queen’s Service Order (QSO) in the New Year’s Honours.
“I’m thrilled to be receiving this,” she told the Times.
“It is nice to be honoured for the work I’ve done over the years in my profession and for women.”
Mrs Bielby has been a member of the International Business and Professional Women (BPW) and the New Zealand BPW for several decades.
Over the years she’s held a variety of positions including constitution chair, resolutions chair, international parliamentarian, and national president.
She also established the Tamaki branch of the BPW and in 1992 it made her a life member.
Mr Bielby organised the 17th International Congress held in Auckland in 1985 and is notable for her understanding of the rules of procedure and constitutions within the organisation.
All this despite not really wanting to be involved from a committee point of view in the beginning.
“I remember a friend of mine inviting me to attend a meeting in Panmure about establishing a new club and I was a bit reluctant and didn’t really think it was my scene.
“Well the next thing I know is I’m on the committee and it’s gone on from there really.”
The organisation has lobbied government and presented submissions and advice on a range of issues over many years including equal pay opportunities for women, matrimonial property and paid parental leave.
“The issue of pay equality was an interesting one for me personally because as a pharmacist, pay inequality was not something I had experienced myself.
“Obtaining parity was a big step, but sadly the gap continues to widen today.”
And she says some women have become complacent because of the work groups like BPW have done.
“They expect that they are being paid the same but they forget that a lot people had to fight to get the conditions some now take for granted.
“It’s important that more work is done by the women of today.”
Not content with national and international wheeling and dealings, Mrs Bielby also operated her own business, opening Elstree Pharmacy in Glen Innes in 1961.
At the time was one of the first women to own her own pharmacy, remaining in the profession for more than 40 years, only recently retiring, although she does do some locum work.
Mrs Bielby has also been a member of Soroptimists International of Auckland for more than 20 years and has held all offices, including councillor of the South-West Pacific Federation.
“I had been away and they’d rung to see if I wanted to become involved in Soroptimists.
“To be honest I was already pretty busy but my husband said yes for me and the next thing I’m on committees!”
She is involved with Pacific Women’s Watch New Zealand, was instrumental in establishing the Women Asia-Pacific Regional Council in 2004, and is involved in the New Horizons Trust.
In looking back Mrs Bielby is pleased that organisations such as BPW and Soroptimists are recognised as organisation of authority on issues, rather than just tolerated.
While it is she recognised for her commitment Mrs Bielby says she’s had a fascinating life meeting inspiring and fascinating people and being involved in making a difference in people’s lives.
“From being in Argentina when president Peron died to coordinating a project collecting wool to send to refugees in Bosnia – I’ve got a huge amount of satisfaction out of it.”
