International Women’s Day – Meet Martyna Kujawska
As part of International Women’s Day coverage, we spoke with Lyreco’s National Delivery Centre Receiving Manager, Martyna Kujawska, about her role models, women’s empowerment and gender equality.
Why do you support women’s empowerment and gender equality?
It’s incredibly empowering to witness women supporting each other in their journey towards bravery. It’s high time for women to take charge of their lives and make decisions without fear holding them back. True freedom stems from our courage to step forward, seize opportunities, and take responsibility for our actions and that is why I always will be rooting for the brave women around me.
What progress have you seen on gender equality in your life and work?
I’ve observed that the most effective approach to promoting gender equality occurs in environments where individuals refrain from placing emphasis on gender altogether. When we prioritise a person’s skills and character, we naturally pay less attention to superficial characteristics. It’s truly inspiring to witness more women being recognised for their expertise, enthusiasm, and leadership abilities. We’re now being acknowledged as strong and capable individuals capable of pursuing any endeavour we choose, which offers tremendous hope and new opportunities for the younger generation of women.
What’s your International Women’s Day message?
“Be Vulnerable and Be Brave!” This is the message I hold dear for all women and girls. I’ve witnessed countless women underestimate the power of their kindness and vulnerability, mistaking them for weaknesses when, in fact, they are among our greatest strengths.
Too often, we neglect our humanity, especially in professional settings, opting to wear masks rather than embrace our unique skills. Despite our fears, it’s crucial that we summon the courage to proceed anyway!
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day holds special significance for me this year as it marks the celebration and launch of my Pioneers project: Workwear for Women. Through this initiative, I’ve had the privilege of meeting numerous remarkable women, including my project partner Deborah Berglund from Lyreco, Sweden. Their unwavering support and shared dedication have been instrumental in keeping my passion and motivation alive. Whether they’re women from Lyreco, our female customers, suppliers, and colleagues, we’ve all experienced the same frustration with unfairness and shared a common drive to address it. Witnessing how this important topic can unite us all has been truly inspiring!
Who is your female role model?
I constantly encounter female role models across various aspects of life, making it difficult to single out just one person. However, my Mom will always hold a special place as my first role model. She instilled in me the values of independence, ambition, kindness, honesty, and hard work as the foundation for navigating life. Women in my family have always exemplified resilience and bravery, fearlessly taking bold steps forward for the betterment of future generations. I consider myself fortunate to have been raised in an environment surrounded by supportive women who never stopped to believe in me.
I always admire women who are strong and brave to go further, be better, and reach higher. It doesn’t matter if it means climbing Mount Everest or balancing a full-time job with raising happy kids – it’s always impressive.
Numerous women at Lyreco serve as true inspirations, and I want to say a big THANK YOU to all of them for their unwavering support and kindness during my early journey as a female manager. If I ever become a great leader, it’s thanks to them.
