We Rise by Lifting Others: Why Sisterhood Matters More Than Ever

Judith Gillespie takes to the stage at SistersIN 2026 Celebration event to share why sisterhood matters more than ever today

By Judith Gillespie CBE - Chair of the Chief Executives' Forum, former Deputy Chief Constable, PSNI and member of the inaugural Garda Policing Authority for five years.

For much of my policing career, I found myself in rooms where I was the only woman at the table.

At the time, some people saw that as progress. “We’ve got a woman here now,” they would say, as though that alone was enough. But I never accepted that view. How could any one person represent the full breadth of women’s experiences, perspectives and ambitions? True progress is not about one seat at the table, it is about ensuring there are many, and that others feel empowered to take them.

That belief sits at the heart of why initiatives like SistersIN matter so deeply. They are not just about inspiring young women, but about building a culture where women actively support and elevate one another.

One woman’s progress should not be at the expense of another’s

Throughout my career, I learned that success is not a zero-sum game. One woman’s progress does not come at the expense of another’s - in fact, it strengthens us all. Yet too often, women can be overly critical of each other or view each other as competition. I witnessed that at times, and it is something we must consciously move away from. Instead, we should be each other’s advocates, offering encouragement, sharing opportunities, and celebrating achievements.

Sometimes, the smallest actions can make the biggest difference. A kind word. A message of support. A moment of recognition. These things stay with people far longer than we realise.

There were moments in my own career when confidence did not come easily. Leadership can be isolating, and self-doubt can creep in at any level. During one particularly challenging period, I kept what I called a “happy envelope” in my drawer, which was a collection of notes, emails and messages from people who had taken the time to say that something I had done had made a difference. On difficult days, I would read them as a reminder of purpose and impact. But it also reinforced something else: the importance of doing the same for others.

Confidence is built through preparation

Confidence, I came to understand, is not something you are simply born with. It is built, and one of the most effective ways to build it is through preparation. Many times, I walked into rooms filled with strong personalities and senior figures where it would have been easy to feel intimidated. But I knew I had done the work. I had read the papers, understood the detail and prepared my arguments. That preparation gave me the confidence to speak and often, it gave others the confidence to do the same.

Of course, culture plays a critical role too. 

One lesson I carried with me throughout my leadership journey is that what you permit is what you promote. 

If inappropriate behaviour, language or attitudes are tolerated, they quickly become embedded. But when they are challenged, respectfully and consistently, standards begin to shift. That matters not just for those in the room, but for those who will follow.

I was reminded recently of how early perceptions can take hold. While volunteering with a primary school reading programme, I spoke to a young girl who told me she could not be an astronaut because “that’s a boy’s job.” It was a simple comment, but a powerful one. In that moment, there was an opportunity to challenge that belief, to leave a different impression. It reinforced for me how important it is that young people see, hear and experience positive examples of what is possible.

Every contact leaves a trace

There is a principle in forensic science that every contact leaves a trace. I believe that applies far beyond policing. Every interaction we have, whether in the workplace, at school or in everyday life, leaves an impression. We all have the ability to make that a positive one.

Perhaps the most valuable advice I have ever received is to be true to your values. In life, you will face difficult decisions and challenging moments. But when you are clear about what you stand for, and when you are true to your values of integrity, compassion, courage professionalism and kindness, those decisions become easier to navigate.

SistersIN creates something incredibly important: a space where confidence can grow, where ambition is encouraged, and where support networks are built. It reminds us that none of us succeed alone. 

Behind every achievement is someone who offered encouragement, opened a door or simply said, “you can do this.”

Now, it is our responsibility to do the same for others.

Because when one woman rises, she should never rise alone.