For International Women's Day, we spoke to the Women of The Baton on what it means to be a woman, what fuels their creative process and how the world can be a better place for women
Name:
Elom Sorkpor
Position at The Baton:
Graphics Designer
What is one thing you would like to see change for women in the workplace by 2030, and what role can we play in making that happen?
More women standing up for what they deserve and actual rules and regulations in place to help them.
How do you balance the demands of your career, personal life, and faith, and what advice would you give to other women striving to do the same?
Still figuring this out tbh but mostly, I depend on God. I always go back to God to tell him if I'm overwhelmed or when something is not aligning with the vision.
Also, I'm learning to speak to people. Nuture and grow the relationships God has placed around me.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self starting out in this field, what would it be and why?
Nobody starting out really envisioned the end really but keep going because you'll grow, make mistakes and learn.
As a woman in a creative field, how do you use your creativity to challenge stereotypes or redefine roles for women?
Speaking up for what I think is wrong.
How has the support of other women impacted your journey, and what advice do you have for building strong female networks?
Yes the support of other women have helped me. Be open to new people and always seek to improve yourself. People always talk about getting better for your partners but not so much in friendships.
Who is one woman (in history or contemporary times) you admire for her strength and resilience, and why?
Right now, it has to be Sen Natasha Apokti. There's so much injustice in Nigeria for women and to see all that she has gone through, yet she refuses to keep quiet.
Name:
Dolapo Olaopa-Thompson
Position at The Baton:
Media Strategist and Content Writer
What is one thing you would like to see change for women in the workplace by 2030, and what role can we play in making that happen?
By 2030, I'll like to see a huge reduction in the pay gap that exists between women and other genders. I'll also like to see more women given greater responsibilities like leadership and managerial roles not just because the company is trying to be "inclusive", but because these women are smart, hardworking, and can EARN such responsibilities.
How do you balance the demands of your career, personal life, and faith, and what advice would you give to other women striving to do the same?
How I balance it is by trusting God. I rely so much on God to help and strengthen me do all that I'm doing excellently. An advice I'll give to other women striving to do the same is to have rigid structures in place (serious accountability partners, tasks and reminders, etc.) and trusting God for strength and energy everytime.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self starting out in this field, what would it be and why?
Be audacious. The worse anybody can tell you is a NO. Just open your mouth and try.
As a woman in a creative field, how do you use your creativity to challenge stereotypes or redefine roles for women?
One major way I use my creativity to challenge stereotypes or redefine tones for women is through pouring back into women and young girls. I understand that the voices of young women like/or younger than me have been silenced for a very long time, so I take every chance that I can get to mentor, help, and amplify their voices. I always give girls opportunities. I plug them to everything I see that will help them thrive. No gatekeeping for my girls.
How has the support of other women impacted your journey, and what advice do you have for building strong female networks?
My women (sister, friends, family) have helped and held me. In the words of Rudy Fransisco, they save my life everyday. There's no part of the journey that my life is that I've not had a woman play a major role. I'm thankful and grateful for every one of them. My advice for building strong female networks is to first pray to God to give you great sisters (not necessarily biologically), and then try to be there for them as much (and even beyond) as they are for you.
Who is one woman (in history or contemporary times) you admire for her strength and resilience, and why?
My mother. I admire her so much for being bold about her decisions in an era where women weren't expected to.
Name:
Olusoga Ayodola
Position at The Baton:
Media strategist and Content Writer
What is one thing you would like to see change for women in the workplace by 2030, and what role can we play in making that happen?
I would love women to embrace their uniqueness and live life to the fullest knowing that whatever noble thing their eyes can see, they can handle with their hands.
How do you balance the demands of your career, personal life, and faith, and what advice would you give to other women striving to do the same?
Balance can be a vague concept because, in reality, it often implies that one area must suffer for the other to thrive. However, I see my life as a whole flowing from a single source but expressed in different ways. The same principles guide my life, whether in my career, faith, or personal relationships.
Discipline, diligence, focus, grit, and motivation are not compartmentalized or applied in varying degrees; instead, they form the foundation of everything I do. This perspective allows me to approach my career, faith, and personal life with a sense of wholeness because nothing is secondary.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self starting out in this field, what would it be and why?
I would tell her to embrace it wholeheartedly, without hesitation or doubt. Words are powerful tools for shaping narratives, and if she wields them well, she holds the capacity for great influence. Every word must be intentional, every story purposeful because the impact she can make is limitless.
As a woman in a creative field, how do you use your creativity to challenge stereotypes or redefine roles for women?
Creativity is the literal "think outside the box", "see outside the box", or "act outside the box". My tools are words and I challenge stereotypes and women roles by helping women see themselves for who they truly are; beautiful and perfectly designed! What a man can do, he should. You are a woman who does what a woman can do; beautifully and excellently!
How has the support of other women impacted your journey, and what advice do you have for building strong female networks?
It has impacted my journey by allowing me morph into the better version of me. I have been privileged to have incredible women in my circle who continually encourage me to be better. Strong female networks thrive on genuine love, where there is no room for negativity or competition.
My advice? Be the kind of woman you would want in your own circle. Offer unwavering support, love wholly, and let your counsels be invaluable. When you embody these qualities, you naturally attract a network that reflects them.
Who is one woman (in history or contemporary times) you admire for her strength and resilience, and why?
Chioma Ifeanyi-Eze, a professional accountant and business consultant, is a woman I deeply admire for her strength and resilience. Her skill, depth, and insight into her work are profound. Despite earning numerous awards from school and beyond, she never underestimated the power of marketing.
She carved a niche for herself in accounting and remained committed to it, building a name through sheer consistency and determination. Her success is one for the books because it is a testament to the power of strength and resilience.
Name:
Peace
Position at The Baton*:
Content lead
What is one thing you would like to see change for women in the workplace by 2030, and what role can we play in making that happen?
The stereotype and biases Creating content that shares women stories.
How do you balance the demands of your career, personal life, and faith, and what advice would you give to other women striving to do the same?
Whatever I do starts with God, so I’d prioritize on what’s important and focus on it, I will always make time for myself because at the end I am what is important. My advice will be that just be kind yourself nothing beats that.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self starting out in this field, what would it be and why?
It’s okay not to get it all figured out Don’t rush, Do your very best, Do it better, God is watching, The people are watching It definitely fall in place in His time. The need to be the next and popular content creator can be overwhelming and comes with a lot of pressure and at the end of the day you just keep getting sad when you keep comparing.
As a woman in a creative field, how do you use your creativity to challenge stereotypes or redefine roles for women?
My content communicates that the way people view whatever you do should not define you life, in whatever you are doing Be you.
How has the support of other women impacted your journey, and what advice do you have for building strong female networks?
My aunt and sister has been my biggest supporter I started following my aunt for surprise job while awaiting for admission then her brand grew and it became an event company which I still work in, during those period I found my love for being in the creative space, creating video content is still my biggest love . Be around people that inspire you Be around people that will push you it be the best version of yourself .
Who is one woman (in history or contemporary times) you admire for her strength and resilience, and why?
That will be my Aunt/Boss ADEWUMI Victoria Oluwanifemi The CEO of Eventsbyavo company She studied law( we all know in Nigeria that’s a lot),she was a make up artist at some point, went to law school, started as a surprise company whilst job hunting, got a job as a lawyer in real estates and also in a tech company by the way she was planning events all this period Then decided 2023, to go full into the event industry She just knew giving up isn’t an option And she’ll always get the Job done.
Name:
Oluwapelumi IKUOMENISAN
Position at The Baton:
Media Strategist and Culture writer
What is one thing you would like to see change for women in the workplace by 2030, and what role can we play in making that happen?
By 2030, I want to see workplaces that are safe and secure for women. Workplaces with strict policies and solid legal security against any form of harassment or abuse.
Right now, the role we can play to ensure this is to lend our voices to cases of harassment, until the victim gets due justice.
Harassment is evil. Its not of God and we can't be quiet about it.
How do you balance the demands of your career, personal life, and faith, and what advice would you give to other women striving to do the same?
My faith is priority. I treat it as a glass ball. IT MUST NOT DROP.
The trajectory for the other areas of my life flow from my fellowship with God.
In both my career and personal life, I strive to allocate my time and energy in a way that prioritizes what demands it most, while ensuring that other areas of my life are not neglected. I also use daily and weekly schedules to track how I divide my attention, helping me stay on top of both my career and personal goals, and monitor my progress over time.
I advice that other women make God priority and strive to build their lives around him.
Also, plan and allocate your time. It might not be easiest at first, but with time, you'd get used to it and see that it's worth it.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self starting out in this field, what would it be and why?
Write. Write again. Write some more.
Consistency and Repetition birth mastery.
As a woman in a creative field, how do you use your creativity to challenge stereotypes or redefine roles for women?
I tell and encourage the telling of stories that challenge harmful patterns of thinking, reject extreme stereotypes, and emphasize healthier representations.
Through these narratives, I also seek to highlight the values and ideals that align with the wisdom in scriptures, offering a more grounded and positive perspective on what should be considered the norm.
How has the support of other women impacted your journey, and what advice do you have for building strong female networks?
In the midst of their counsel, I've found wisdom that has carried through decisions and prevented me from making or repeating mistakes.
Community is everything, and in the right community, you'd find wisdom.
Take your social network very seriously and guard it jealously.
Who is one woman (in history or contemporary times) you admire for her strength and resilience, and why?
God has blessed me with many strong and resilient women but for this purpose, I want to spotlight my mum. She is proof that there is never a time when tenacity and resilience will not yield great reward.
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