WHEN Jill Higgins was growing up, she knew she was not respected as much as her male counterparts.
“I come from a generation where women are second rate,” she said.
Mrs Higgins (74), of Madeley, said the increasing popularity of International Women’s Day was important to support women to “stand on their own two feet”.
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READ NOWShe believed many women, particularly those who were older, needed to build confidence in their abilities, something she had found through volunteering.
Mrs Higgins formerly worked for the City of Stirling and Town of Cambridge in customer service and started volunteering for Stirling after she retired about 12 years ago.
She said the City afforded “total respect” to her as a volunteer, where she delivers Meals on Wheels weekly with her husband and meets aged care residents as part of the Community Visitor Scheme.
As well as earning equal respect, Mrs Higgins has built a happy life in retirement around giving back.
“It gets you out of bed every morning,” she said.
“It just keeps you mentally alert. You can only sit and watch TV for so long.”
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