What has been the biggest challenge you may have faced as a woman in your chosen career and how did you overcome this?
E: One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my career was balancing the demands of working in a busy boarding school alongside raising a young family. Boarding life doesn’t fit neatly into a 9-to-5 schedule, and at times it felt like I was being pulled in two directions.
To overcome this, I made the decision to move fully into boarding, which allowed my family to become part of the school community. Instead of separating work and home, we were able to bring them together. That change made a real difference - it meant I could continue doing a job I love while keeping my family at the heart of it.
And what has been a highlight of your career so far?
E: One of the defining highlights of my career has been when our Combined Cadet Force contingent was selected to represent the North of England at the Remembrance Day service in London. As Contingent Commander, it was an immense honour to lead the cadets as we marched past The Cenotaph - a moment of profound pride and reflection. Taking the salute from His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales made the occasion even more memorable!
What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
E: I would tell my younger self to have more belief in herself sooner. Confidence doesn’t come all at once but is built through experience and making mistakes. I’d remind her that she doesn’t need to have all the answers to move forward, and that we grow most in the moments that feel most uncertain.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing women in the workplace today?
E: Although conversations are moving in a positive direction and opportunities have expanded significantly, women still often face unconscious bias, unequal expectations and the pressure to prove themselves repeatedly. There is also the ongoing challenge of balancing professional ambition with family responsibilities, which often disproportionately affect women.
Ruby, what are you currently studying for at school?
R: I am in the first year of my GCSE courses in English, Maths, Science, Latin, Religious Studies, Physical Education and History.
What are your ambitions for when you leave school?
R: My passion is sport. I would love to be involved in one of the following fields: physiotherapy, sports media, sports law or sports psychology.
If you could add one woman to your history or science curriculum to learn about, who would it be and why?
R: I would say Emmeline Pankhurst because she helped achieve equal voting rights for women in Britain and I would like to learn more about the Suffragette movement.
Emma, what inspired you to volunteer for the CCF?
E: As a PE teacher I have always loved giving students the opportunity to thrive outside of the academic environment. Having been a cadet myself, I understood the opportunities and qualities that the CCF can bring to young people and I felt strongly about contributing to something that empowers young people to challenge themselves and discover their potential.
What are your hopes for any future female CFAVs?
E: I hope that they see the CCF as a space where they can truly belong. My hope is that they see females in leadership positions already and feel confident stepping into similar roles, bringing their perspectives, strengths and individuality with them.
What is one thing that you’ve learned as a leader?
E: That it is not about having all of the answers. It's about working together as a team, listening, being consistent and setting the example.
What would you say to any females reading this, who are considering volunteering for the CCF?
E: You do not need to be a particular kind of person to be a great CFAV. Different skills, experiences and personality are all valuable. Volunteering with the CCF will sometimes be a challenge, but it will also be massively rewarding - through personal growth, friendships and seeing the impact you have on young people.
Ruby, what do you enjoy most about being a CCF?
R: I have been in the CCF for two years and since I have become an NCO, I really enjoy the leadership aspect of it. I also enjoy fieldcraft such as Fighting in Built Up Areas (FIBUA) and Training in Built Up Areas (TIBUA) training.
What made you want to join?
R: CCF is compulsory for year 9 students at Rossall and I really enjoyed it especially after going on Army Camp towards the end of year 9 and that’s what made me want to stay on and become an NCO.
What is the most rewarding part of being a CCF cadet?
R: The most rewarding part of being a cadet in the CCF is teaching others and watching them improve because of my help. I really enjoy showing someone how to do drill and then seeing them get better and more confident each time. It’s a great feeling to know that I’ve helped someone succeed.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you both?
E: It is a time to celebrate the progress women have made.
R: A time to appreciate the sacrifices women in history have made to allow women today to get the opportunities they do.
What positive progress have you seen for women in your workplace/volunteering space?
E: The number of women taking positions of command. I am the Contingent Commander for our Army section and the Officers Commanding (OCs) for both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy (RN) section are also female. There has also been a fantastically positive shift in female numbers both amongst staff and also cadets who choose to stay on. In fact, for the first time this year, the number of girls outnumbers the boys who want to attend the annual CCF camp. This is because we have had wonderful senior girls take on NCO roles and they are an inspiring presence for the younger cadets.
What are you passionate about outside of work and volunteering/school and cadets – what are your hobbies and what do you enjoy doing?
E: Both Ruby and I love walking in the Lake District and playing Hockey for our local club.
What do you do to stay grounded, especially when you are so busy?
E: We both like to make sure we take time to pause and make space in the day, no matter how little, for ourselves.
Do you have a mantra you live by?
E: Life moves quickly, so I believe in making it count - not just through achievement, but through how we treat others. My mantra is to embrace each day with purpose and intention, and to lead with kindness.
R: Life is for living not surviving. Time is the only currency you can’t get back so make the most of every day!
Finally, if you could have lunch with any woman in history, who would it be and what would you want to talk about?
E: I would choose Florence Nightingale because she showed that compassion is not weakness but a strength. I would ask her how she kept her determination when faced with resistance and doubt, and how she balanced kindness with the courage to confront outdated systems and instigate real change.
R: Queen Elizabeth I. I’d ask her about the challenge of being a woman in leadership, not married, with no children at this time in history. To compare how different it is being a woman in the 1500s to now. I would ask her how people reacted to her defeating the Spanish Armada – especially because women were expected to be gentle and weak.
A huge thank you to Emma and Ruby! It is wonderful to learn about your time together in the CCF and your hopes for the future.
If you would like to find out more about becoming a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, please click here to find out more information.
