| If
I can do it so can you
Eleanor fights odds to win degrees
Fife Branch's Eleanor Hagget is thought to be the first
woman UNISON activist to graduate from Stirling University
with an MSc in Industrial Relations.
For Eleanor, the success last month is the culmination
of a long road which started with anger at prejudice against
women workers with children.
"I left school to joint the WRNS and qualified in
school of accountancy. When I left and joined local government,
that's when the prejudices began", explained Eleanor.
"I was only qualified via RN certificates, I was a
woman and I had two little children.
"So despite asking to go on day release I was always
refused for various reasons like, how would I manage to
study with two little children."
This was before Eleanor was an active trade unionist but
these obstacles only strengthened her determination.
"Eventually I negotiated flexi-leave and studied
for HNC in Community Development and Economics", said
Eleanor. She then applied for funding for an honour degree
at the Open University but was refused.
She lodged a grievance which was eventually upheld by councillors
and she went on to achieve a BSc Hons in Applied Sociology,
leading to more qualifications and eventually the MSc.
"This was all done initially as a protest however
I did move it on as I enjoyed the studying and learning
and found it very challenging particularly with a family,
full time work and trade union activities", said Eleanor.
In addition to her academic success, Eleanor went on to
become branch service conditions officer, welfare officer,
chair of UNISONScotland Welfare Committee and delegate to
the Local Government Committee. She was also elected to
the Scottish Committee, the top lay structure in Scotland.
Eleanor's advice to everyone is, "For anyone, male
or female with a family, do not be put off learning. It's
not about being clever, it's about being determined to succeed
and willing to work hard and you'll do it.
"Neither is it about age. After all I started in my
early thirties.
"After all, if I can do it, so can you".
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