Celebrating International Women’s Day

Today is International Women’s Day, celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

Throughout March, we have been showcasing the women of Thame Town Council in our weekly newsletter, and today, we thought we would shine the spotlight on Thame’s Town Clerk, Mandy Sturdy.

Firstly, tell us a little about yourself – where were you raised, schooled, and what is your connection to Thame?

I have lived in Oxfordshire for most of my life and came to work in Thame at Lord Williams’s School in 2008, moving here in 2010 when I fell in love with Thame during a very snowy winter. I worked In the facilities team at Lord Williams’s School for over 14 years until I joined the Town Council in 2021.

What do you consider to be your greatest contribution/achievement, and why?

Contribution – The physical improvements to Lord Williams’s School during my time there. Successful funding applications resulted in many improvements from new windows and roofs, upgraded science labs, classrooms and kitchens to a new 10 classroom block which will improve the teaching and learning for years to come.

Personal Achievement – Completing the Race to the Stones 100K ultra marathon along the ridgeway I have grown up under – a few years ago now but a reminder of what is possible if you put your mind to it – and say yes to crazy friends.

What is your vision for Thame? How would you like to see the town evolve over the next 10 or 20 years?

I would like to see Thame establish a vision and strategy that everyone agrees to and results in our vibrant town staying just that, with greater visitors to a greener Town Centre . Within that strategy, a communication method that allows the residents to easily access the information they want.

Who is your shero (woman you regard as a hero), and why?

Edith Egar – she is a 97-year-old American psychologist who survived the Holocaust. Listening to her podcasts and reading her books is enlightening, humbling and inspiring in so many ways. She is proof of just how powerful your own mind can be.

What is the greatest advice you have ever received or lesson you have ever learned?

That your greatest power is that you have a choice in how you react to situations. From breaking your favourite ornament or being cut up on a roundabout – how you choose to react is exactly that – your choice. This also links to a wonderful saying that being and staying angry at someone is like taking the poison yourself and expecting them to die.

How would you like to be remembered?

As someone who is kind, who has inspired a few people along the way to see that they had greater potential than they thought.