Two sisters from Salisbury have met their heroes as part of a Girls Takeover initiative by children’s charity Plan International UK for International Day of the Girl.
Orlaith, a 14-year-old student and aspiring astronaut, sat down for a one-to-one conversation with astronaut Tim Peake to talk about her dreams of one day working for the European Space Agency.
While Niamh, 16, an aspiring journalist, took over from Roula Khalaf, Editor of the Financial Times.
Niamh was welcomed by Roula to experience life at the helm of the FT during an unprecedented period of economic instability in the UK, geopolitical crisis and war in Ukraine. Niamh joined the daily news conference meetings, met one-on-one with Roula and learned about video journalism and audience engagement, including how the FT is working to attract more female readers.
Orlaith, said: "Tim is such an influential figure and he’s so inspiring to me because Space has always been a really big part of my life.
"As an eight-year-old I, like many, watched, enthralled, at the amazing images of his spacewalk from the international space station and his emotive descriptions looking down at earth from space.
"Meeting Tim was just amazing. It’s been really important to me to take part in this takeover for International Day of the Girl, because I don’t think there are enough role models for women in STEM. And I’d like to be that difference."
Tim Peake said: "I’m delighted to support International Day of the Girl. It’s been great to speak to Orlaith about her passion for Space and pursing a career in STEM.
"We’ve got to get the message out there, to young women in particular, that we as an industry desperately want your knowledge, your experience, your intelligence, your way of thinking.
"I have been lucky enough to achieve many of my dreams throughout my career, and I believe that all girls should be able to do the same – whether that’s here on Earth or up in Space."
October 11 marked the 10th anniversary of the United Nations’ International Day of the Girl. In celebration and recognition of the power of girls, Plan International UK supported girls across the UK to take over positions across the worlds of business, media, technology, and politics.
Niamh said: "Roula being the first female editor of the Financial Times is incredibly inspiring to me, and when talking with her I was able to understand what it takes to be an editor but also how the industry is adapting and constantly developing to better suit and attract women."
FT editor Roula Khalaf said: "Young women continue to face disproportionate challenges when having their voices heard in politics, media, finance and more. Taking part in this year's Day of the Girl was an important part of the FT's commitment to enhance gender diversity both as a business and in our reporting. It was a pleasure to welcome Niamh to the newsroom and hear her views on the global news agenda."
For more information about Girls’ Takeover, go to plan-uk.org/poweredbygirls
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