Cornwall


<p>International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women as well as being a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. Here at Muddy Cornwall we are marking the day once again with an interview series of inspiring women across the Duchy, celebrating women&#8217;s achievements, how are we raising awareness about discrimination and what is being done to take action to drive gender parity.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Mel-CG-Social-Media-use-ONLY-1000x667.jpg" alt="Melissa Thorpe Quinn, head of Spaceport Cornwall, on the tarmac at the spaceport, located at Cornwall Airport Newquay, in Newquay, UK, on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Britain's first-ever space launch is on track to take place before the end of November, according to billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson, whose Virgin Orbit Holdings Inc. will undertake the mission. Photographer: James Beck/Bloomberg" class="wp-image-29835" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Mel-CG-Social-Media-use-ONLY-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Mel-CG-Social-Media-use-ONLY-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Mel-CG-Social-Media-use-ONLY-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Mel-CG-Social-Media-use-ONLY-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Mel-CG-Social-Media-use-ONLY.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Melissa Quinn, head of Spaceport Cornwall, on the tarmac at the spaceport.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tell-me-a-bit-about-yourself-your-background-and-what-you-do-and-how-you-came-to-do-this"><strong>Tell me a bit about yourself, your background and what you do – and how you came to do this?</strong></h2>



<p>I grew up in small town Canada, with an aspiration to see the world! I loved airplanes and the Night Sky, but never imagined I would be in the space industry. I studied Economics, and moved to the UK to do my Masters, where I went really niche into studying Aerospace Economics. I moved to Cornwall in 2010 and worked as a consultant at the airport helping the Council capitalise on the aerospace development opportunities on the airfield. In 2014, we were shortlisted, unexpectedly, as a potential Spaceport, I was moved onto the project and the rest is history!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tell me about a recent achievement which helps promote the IWD area of celebration <em>improving equality for women in tech</em>?</h2>



<p>On January 9<sup>th</sup>, 2023 we made history by launching a rocket to space from the UK for the first time ever. I am one of the first women anywhere in the world to head up a Spaceport for a launch, and I am proud of this achievement in such a male dominated industry.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Rocket-Hangar-1000x668.jpg" alt="team outside Spaceport Cornwall" class="wp-image-29837" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Rocket-Hangar-1000x668.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Rocket-Hangar-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Rocket-Hangar-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Rocket-Hangar-786x525.jpg 786w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Rocket-Hangar.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">You&#8217;ve been inspirational in celebrating smaller achievements while also acknowledging the truth of the overall project not being ultimately successful &#8211; have you any tips on how others can do this, pick themselves up and go again.</h2>



<p>I think showing vulnerability is a strength, and when something doesn’t go to plan, it is ok to say it hurts, but that you will learn from it and try again. On launch night when the rocket failed, I was gutted, but I had 50 + cameras in my face wanting to get my reaction. Part of me wanted to hide in a cave, but instead I was open, emotional but also optimistic which had even the most hardened journalist tearing up. How we handle failure is such an important lesson to learn, and by doing so, will allow us to grow as a species.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How do you and your team further the IWD themes in Cornwall? </h2>



<p>I encounter bias most days in this industry, as even though it is positively changing to be more diverse, I am often the only woman in high level meetings and briefings, and often kept out of conversations that happen on the side. Online I get trolled about my job, what I’m wearing and how I must be a bad mother! I definitely do not see men getting scrutinised on such a personal level.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Branson-Rocket-London-1000x666.jpeg" alt="team Spaceport Cornwall Rocket Branson London" class="wp-image-29888" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Branson-Rocket-London-1000x666.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Branson-Rocket-London-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Branson-Rocket-London-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Branson-Rocket-London-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Branson-Rocket-London-788x525.jpeg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/03/Branson-Rocket-London.jpeg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>As a team we get involved!  It&#8217;s all good putting statements up on social media, but unless you action something to help fight inequality or discrimination it is just talk. A few years ago we decided to use our Advertising budget to instead fund local organisations that support gender parity, like Tec Girls, and equality, like Cornwall Pride.  We also look at ourselves and how we operate, my team is 70% female, and we are purpose-led, with our filter of Space for Good. Which means making space up there a kinder place, as well as down here on Earth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">During the last two years day-to-day working life changed for some. Have you been able to continue any ideas into 2023? Or indeed anything you’d like to change?</h2>



<p>Due to being so operational, we have been on-site for most of the past two years. However we have not avoided the marathon of Teams calls most days! Virtual meetings have allowed us to keep in touch with our overseas clients more efficiently as well as working from home from time to time saving in commuting emissions. I still believe being together as a team, in the office frequently, and think working from home isn’t always the best for relationships, communication, mental health or productivity. I am also very wary of unnecessary meetings, just because Teams is so convenient!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Do you have any role models? Who are they?</h2>



<p>My husband Ben and his ongoing tenacity as an entrepreneur in hard times, and my Mom, who supports us endlessly,  will always be my two main role models. </p>



<p>My right hand at Spaceport is Dr. John Paffett, an OG in the space industry, a huge champion of me, and also just a very genuine human.  This year I have met so many new people, including Princess Anne, who was whip smart, funny and kind, I love how she presents herself. </p>



<p>I also just met Janet Petro, Director of Kennedy Space Centre who is so inspirational as not just a female leading in launch, but someone who is aware of what needs protecting here on Earth. Outside of the industry I really got to know some amazing journalists this year, and I admire Peggy Hollinger from the FT, Rebecca Morelle from BBC, and Lyse Doucet from BBC, who are telling some really technical and tricky stories with a female lens.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What’s your favourite Cornish beach / view?</h2>



<p>I am so lucky to live near the Coast and I do not take it for granted. I love the ruggedness of the North Coast and the views from Droskyn across Perranporth is hard to beat.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/Perranporth-beach-pool.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-23880" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/Perranporth-beach-pool.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/Perranporth-beach-pool-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/Perranporth-beach-pool-720x479.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/Perranporth-beach-pool-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/07/Perranporth-beach-pool-789x525.jpeg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What do you do in Cornwall to make the most of living here?</h2>



<p>In the lead up to launch last year, I had no life and sadly did not make the most of anything! Now we have launched, I am so committed to getting out in our beautiful county every day in one way or another, I definitely missed it! We got a dog last year, and along with a very bouncy 7-year-old daughter, we hit the beach and the dunes to burn off energy. I love a coastal path run (walk…).  In the summer one of our favourite things as a family is hunting down secret coves and taking snorkels to see what we can find.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favourite cafe/ restaurant / shop?</h2>



<p>Ben and his team run an incredible café at Eco Park, Canteen. I am biased, but wow I have never tasted flavours like it!. We also love pizza at Black Flag on the weekend, brunch at our friend’s café called Three Little Birds in Falmouth, and Anna at The Pig in Harlyn Bay is so welcoming and supportive. </p>



<p>Some local businesses that get my vision and have gone above and beyond this year include Leap, Halo PR,  Logical Choice, Eden Project, Bad Wolf Horizon, Ryan Mackfall, Gemma Lessinger (the artist who did our two story clean room piece!) and Tregothnan. They are world-class businesses, but also kind people that believe in me.  </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2019/11/Screen-Shot-2019-11-25-at-17.30.15-720x480.png" alt="tregothnan camelia maze" class="wp-image-17175" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2019/11/Screen-Shot-2019-11-25-at-17.30.15-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2019/11/Screen-Shot-2019-11-25-at-17.30.15-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2019/11/Screen-Shot-2019-11-25-at-17.30.15-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2019/11/Screen-Shot-2019-11-25-at-17.30.15.png 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption>Tregothnan Camelia Maze</figcaption></figure>



<p>This is part of an ongoing series of conversations with Melissa Quinn, you can read the first and <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/melissa-thorpe-spaceport-cornwall-uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">second parts here</a>.</p>



<p><a href="https://spaceportcornwall.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>spaceportcornwall.com</em></a></p>


Muddy Meets: Melissa Quinn, Spaceport Cornwall

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