Kat Mercer: Here’s to all the crazies

Sydney-based creative director and copywriter Kat Mercer dedicates this poem to all the women in advertising for International Women’s Day.

Here’s to all the crazies.

To all the brave women who dare enter this boy’s club.

And to all those who stuck it out.

Here’s to all the mums juggling kids and a career, in an industry not supportive of it.

And those who decided to leave it and never come back.

Here’s to all the lady directors who’ve had to work twice as hard to get there as their male counterparts.

And those still trying to get there.

Here’s to every woman with big enough balls to join a creative department full of them.

And those who showed them when they got there.

Here’s to all the women who created something only to be slammed by someone called Anonymous.

And here’s to those who didn’t read them and kept creating.

Here’s to every single woman doing the same job as their male colleague for 14.6% less.

And those doing something to try and equalise it.

Here’s to the mums who told their interviewer they were a mum, when it cost them a job.

And those who lied about it to get one.

Here’s to all the women who have been called a bitch for standing up for themselves.

And those who backed them up, when no one else would.

Here’s to all the women who’ve spoken up about harassment.

And those about to, who fear losing their jobs.

Here’s to the “me toos,” the “we cans” and the “I’m going to do it anyways”.

And here’s to all the women who have been called crazy.

Keep up the good work.