This is my mum. She is and will always be the most important influence and supporter of everything I have done, do and will do. Here are some of the great qualities she’s shown me.

This photo shows her working at Ford Motor Company as an interior designer for cars. If you look at the other photos taken at this time there is one noticeable fact. There are no other women designers present. This was her first job out of university.

This brings me to the first thing that she taught me. Focus on what you want and not what the world is telling you what you want or need to do with your life. She lived in a male dominated world despite that she showed the world that she could do the same work and do it brilliantly.

She says she wanted to be a biologist but a tutor thought she should just apply to do a polytechnic course

A university tutor told her something that she taught us.

Learn to design anything, for anything in anything.

Mary Louise Joan Harris

Written by Kristien Harris