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About Shirley
My Journey...
Early Signs
It all worked out
Being a girl
In my very early teens, a great-uncle of mine nicknamed me "Gypsy", because of my penchant for, among other things, hoop earrings, little imagining, I am sure, that most of my life would indeed be spent traveling the world.
I do that for work, wisdom-gathering
and pleasure.
Shipping was our family business.
I had wanted to go to sea and be
a ship’s captain. I could swim before I could walk.
My mother said a hard, "No."
Being a girl
It all worked out
Being a girl
My father was a politician. I thought I would join him on campaign platforms and podiums various. "I'll be good," I said. I was an excellent speaker even when I was very young. "You would, actually, and you are," my father agreed,
but he still said, "No."
I asked to go to university in the Caribbean, our home region.
Both of my parents said,
"No. Off to England you go."
Turns out parents do often know best.
It all worked out
It all worked out
It all worked out
Over the course of my journey, a veritable odyssey at times, I've endured some very hard lessons and losses, laughed at myself and with others – a lot! – and cried for myself and others at least as much.
I came through intact.
Mostly!
I've met some wonderful teachers and enjoyed some great successes.
I am proud of my accomplishments and I love the work that, "No!"
has made me do.
Along the way...
I have written books, papers and news articles, spoken in schools, parliaments, conference rooms and coffee shops, explored history - and fashion and food! - and trained women in places as different as Italy, Zambia, Venezuela, Guyana, Nigeria, China, Bangladesh, the United States, Jordan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Montserrat, among many others.
In 2015, the members of the CPA, the UK-based 100+ year old Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, elected me Vice-chairperson, to help lead their work among the 180 parliaments across the 53 countries which comprise the membership, and the almost 3 000 000 000 (three billion) people they serve.
Through it all, I have been a relentless advocate for women's sovereignty, security, leadership and power.
Now...
My work is expressed through thought leadership and advocating for women in life, leadership and politics.
I teach women how to find the path that leads to their highest, deepest, most powerful self.
My work, therefore, includes being Founder of the House of Power, Host of The Power Table podcast, convener of The Sovereignty Circle, co-chair of the Montserrat Conference, and editor of Wisdom, Folly and Fabulous Shoes.
I am also a sailor, dancer, hiker, fashion enthusiast and shoe devotee who fully utilises every aspect of my life and experiences in the work that I do.
I know that when women lead, societies flourish.
"It is possible to do great things from a small space."
Tunde Onakoya - Nigerian Chess Champion
Some of my work over the years
“Women’s leadership is not optional. It is essential for building the world we all deserve.”
— Shirley Osborne
Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.
Arundhati Roy - War Talk
