Interview: Annabel Bowles on the importance of International Women’s Day

Verse caught up with UniSA student and 2019 Co-Head Editor of Verse, Annabel Bowles, to discuss the importance of International Women’s Day.

When Annabel isn’t galavanting an unfamiliar place or studying hard between Flinders and UniSA, you’ll find her taking aesthetic photographs, reading, and occasionally freelancing. Did we mention she just spent two months backpacking South America?

What does International Women’s Day Mean to you?

International Women’s Day is always a welcome reminder of how bloody fantastic women are, as well as how much more we deserve. Political representation, equal pay and employment opportunities, safe domestic environments, greater access to sanitary healthcare, a takedown of the patriarchy; just to name a few simple requests.

But for me, it’s mostly a day of reflection and inspiration. In past years, I’ve also found some light entertainment in The Advertiser opinion pieces that argue International Women’s Day is irrelevant.

Can you recommend our readers women they should be following?

There are so many that come to mind. Febriana Firdaus and Sophie McNeill are two of the most courageous journos’ I know of. On the more creative side of things: @florencegiven for her infectious confidence, @bellawhitts for the grooviest art coming out of Adelaide, and @bethellenwilkinson; the mastermind behind my favourite publication, Lindsay.

What are you currently studying/working on?

I’m in my final semester of a Bachelor of Journalism & Professional Writing/Bachelor of Arts (International Relations). I also study Indonesian at Flinders. In my spare time, I’m probably exploring an unfamiliar place; backpack, camera and a dog-eared book in tow. Sometimes stories will materialise from my travels, but only if the words come naturally. I try not to put too much pressure on myself to produce creative work.

Where can readers find more of your work?

After travelling through South America for two months and jumping straight into my final semester, I haven’t freelanced for a while now. However, @annabel_jane on Instagram is where you can find my photography and a link to my underwhelming portfolio of written work. I have a lot in the backlog which will hopefully make its way on there one day!

Words by Annabel Bowles
Photography by Poppy Fitzpatrick