On International Women’s Day, women ‘fights to be taken seriously’

A bus and truck driver has even said after 11 years that “struggles to be taken seriously” by some of its customers.

Andrea Allot, a driver and managing director of Ben Shaw Training in Burnley, has spoken to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day.

This year’s theme is ‘For all women and girls: rights, equality, empowerment’ with several women interested in sharing their stories.

The 43 -year -old man said: “Even to this day, people questions you because you are a woman and you are answering their questions.”

She said she is not offended because, unfortunately, “this is the world.”

“It shouldn’t be so, but at the end of the day I am in the world of man.”

Mrs. Allott said she enjoys the people who think she is a “helpless” who does not know what he is talking about.

“Then I leave and I am the examiner and I can drive all these (vehicles). I like them to see for themselves that women can do this,” he said.

Sophie Shah is a car apprentice technician who works in Preston and hopes to encourage more girls to consider a career as a mechanics.

He began his learning in Hi-Q Tires and Autocare earlier this year and said it is the best decision he has made.

“The men in the garage have really been supportive, they have helped me a lot,” he said,

“I have not been here so long, but even in my first weeks I felt at home, I think it is one of the best decisions I have made in my life.”

Samantha Pink has been bomber for 20 years, moved to the Firefighters and Lancashire rescue service in February as the highest rank firefighters of the County.

She said that she has changed a lot over the years to encourage more women to join the service.

Mrs. Pink has said that it is a “fabulous” role, but potential firefighters must “see it to be.”

“You have to have the models to follow so that other people can look at you and think that if she can do it, I can do it,” he said

“When I started 20 years I thought you had to be a bodybuilder and an athlete.

“You have these preconceived ideas about a traditional firefighter and it really is not.”

Grace Pye is a queen of the beauty contest with agricultural history. She is also studying a level mathematics and plans to continue the issue of the university.

She believes that more needs to help girls to realize that they can study a subject of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem).

“From an early age I always loved mathematics, when I entered my first class A mathematics, there were 30 students and only two of them were girls,” he said.

The 18 -year -old who was recently crowned Miss Teen Lancashire 2025 said she got into competitions to increase her self -esteem and trust.

“I tend to mention it every time I have interviews, I say yes, I am a queen of the beauty contest, but I am also this, I do not have to define myself as one or the other,” he said.

“Girls are really taught to worry more about their appearance than the power of their mind and I think it is a really key failure for women to enter any of the areas dominated by men.”

Becky Cartmell works at the air traffic control tower at Blackpool airport. She said that the number of women working in the aviation industry have increased over the years, but would like to see more female pilots.

“When I started in 2018 I felt that it was a role dominated by men, but I never felt out of place here, I love all my colleagues, it’s brilliant, it’s a good job,” said the 34 -year -old man.

“It is still unusual to listen to a female pilot frequently, but it is happening more, which is really pleasant.

“It is an absolutely fantastic career, I encourage any woman to even visit a control tower and see what we do. I encourage any woman to be a pilot, there is a niche out there and anyone can do it.”