Claire was in good hands so I flitted about chatting to some of my heroines who were attending the lunch – Diane Abbot, Norma Heyman, Joan Armatrading, Esther Rantzen, and Sheila Hancock who informed me that people also told her that we looked alike!
Our table was alongside Tina Turner and Margaret Thatcher who both also received awards. Claire sat on my right and a Commander in the Metropolitan police sat on my left. She was SO glamorous. I am not going to name any names, but the table’s subject matter was too enticing not to mention. So what did this cluster of female high achievers discuss? Well, firstly hairdos. What was the best low maintenance style that was also feminine and fun? The answer remains open and we agreed to reconvene next year. Secondly, if and how much surgery Tina has had, did we approve and under what circumstances we would go under the knife. Thirdly, what was the minimal amount of makeup we wear at work? On this there was complete consensus – lipstick, though most of us had chewed it off by coffee break. Lastly, how did we deal with an all male board, work unit or group of employees who did their best to undermine our input and dismiss our efforts simply because we were women? The responses were truly remarkable but one lady confided that her chairman had informed everyone that he did not like pink; it was tarty, especially pink painted toenails. Since then she has secretly worn luminous fuchsia toes to every board meeting and has now initiated a Pink Day when all the directors, including the men, have opted to wear the offending colour.
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