*Emma Collier was there with her camera for allaboutshipping
Seafarer Amelia Busby wasn’t sure she’d make it to the LISW Women Together launch at all. When a last-minute window opened for her to step off the boat, she had nothing party-ready to wear, so she came in her seafarer’s boots, trousers, and polo shirt. No one thought twice about it, and that was the point. For Zoe Upson, this is exactly what sets Women Together apart.
Women feel comfortable to come as they are because the community doesn’t have external expectations built into its culture. As Cynthia Worley, the Global Digital Ambassador of Sedna, a friend of Zoe’s and one of the earliest members, put it: “This is an organization where we show up as our authentic selves. We’re meeting where you are right now, and we are helping you to be where you want to be tomorrow.”
London International Shipping Week’s sold-out launch event of the new Women Together membership took place at Jo Malone. Guests were welcomed with engraved bottles, vouchers, hand massages, headshots, and of course prosecco and canapés. The new membership now offers both corporate and individual levels. Zoe’s goal is to push more corporations to inspire real change, rather than just slapping on pink or marking one day a year for their female employees. For individual members, it’s about continued education and empowerment with common challenges like imposter syndrome, negotiating skills, and building a LinkedIn profile, alongside events where women can actually relax and enjoy themselves.
Zoe and Cynthia both hope that Women Together can also entice women from other industries who might otherwise face barriers to entering shipping. “There is experience across a multitude of industries that are relevant within our own,” Cynthia points out. “Fresh sets of eyes and integrating skills gained outside shipping are very important when you’re working with connecting the world and the global supply chain.” Zoe adds that shipping still has enormous space to grow in data, intelligence, systems and AI – all areas where outside expertise is needed.
Rather than centering on individual achievement, Zoe says there’s an infectious energy in Women Together to elevate and celebrate each other’s wins, whether you’ve been in the industry for 20 years or just two weeks. She may have been the force behind its beginnings, but it’s the women themselves who have shaped the community. With the new membership, she’s eager to see their influence grow even stronger.
This also includes widening the definition of success. “Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone, and that’s totally okay,” she says. “The world also needs incredible operators, charterers, and people in trade finance. Many of the members are mothers too, making sacrifices including time with their kids, and carrying guilt around that. Having a community of women who can empathize, offer support, show up to your events, or even just like your LinkedIn posts, whatever you need, makes it so much easier to navigate.”
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