International Rural Women's Day: Michelle Ruddell
Michelle Ruddell is Chairperson of the Rural Support Trust National Council and a dairy farmer, bringing both governance experience and a strong understanding of the realities facing rural families. Her work is focused on strengthening rural communities and ensuring support is there when people need it most.
Rural Support sees people at some of the hardest points in rural life. What have those experiences taught you about rural communities?
No one is immune to the challenges of rural life. We all face similar challenges albeit weather, financial pressure, relationship pressures, family pressure, changing economic environments - but what I have learnt from all of this is that our ability to work through the pressure is different for each and every one of us; depending on many life factors at the time.
We talk about having a tool box of mental health strategies to help us get through tough times, and this idea validates that we need different options at different times in our life to deal with the hard times we face - no one size fits all, no one size fits anybody actually.
What this has taught me about rural communities though, is that with timely support, targeted resources and social connection, rural communities can support each other and they do.
Rural people are practical and generally just get on with it, and Rural Support is not a hand out, it's a hand up of wrap around support for individuals, their families/whanau and their business.
What pressures are rural women carrying that might not always be obvious from the outside?
I didn't grow up in farming, so the idea of being a rural woman was exciting until the reality hit me head on!
The pressure of being a rural woman changes depending on the age and season you are in.
I still face pressure now, 20 years later, that I have to navigate and work out how I get through it.
This question has me stop and reflect why the pressures are not always obvious, and I think for me it comes down to the emotion we carry as the woman of the house and the business.
And not wanting to come across as 'not coping'.
It is a very traditional view that I am taking here (rightly or wrongly) but I have always recognized my role and my part in our business is mostly at home with some farm work.
I shared a story at a ladies long lunch I spoke at about 'the marriage counselling needed after a visit to the runoff'.... all the woman in the room knew exactly what I meant .... with many sharing "How hard it is at times" and "We understand and feel the same".
So the pressure a rural woman carry's, I believe is reflective of the 'role' we see ourselves filling in our home, our relationship, our family, our business and if we have the energy, in our communities too.
That's why it is unseen - because it is how we choose to show up, and then get stuck in.
This pressure is cumulative, often we feel undervalued and we can't just switch off from as we live and breathe our home, our business and our family 24/7 - there is no leaving work and shutting the door.
Leadership in Rural Support can be very different from corporate leadership. What does good leadership look like when people are struggling?
Leadership is always about the people, the values and the actions, not the position or title.
Good leadership is about being vulnerable, sharing who you are with people, building trust, being authentic, humble and take people with you.
This to me is being inclusive, always having a growth mindset, being compassionate and understanding that there is always more than one way to do something.
I have an analogy that has always helped to steer my leadership and it works in all areas - when people are struggling, they want support, they want to see different ways of doing things, they want to see them in action and they also want to know what doesn't work. So rather than trying to 'get everyone on the bus together' ... get everyone on the journey together instead.
Offer different 'minivans' for people and they can move at what pace suits their circumstance with their trusted people, and together we are all moving in the same direction with the same overall 'Why' - to be well supported and healthy as we navigate life and work through our tough times.
What gives you confidence in the resilience of rural communities?
Let's get rid of the word resilience, and let's change the language to be positive and forward thinking.
What gives me confidence that our rural communities will thrive through adversity ....it is our people.
Rural Support is an amazing network of rural people helping rural people and their communities to thrive. We are here to show how communities can thrive through social connectedness, sharing of kai and being together in their local safe space.
These basic tools are the foundations for our rural communities to build on, grow from and continue to be the best they can be.
I see part of our role is bringing in the thinking, the resources and the people to help make it happen.
What does being a rural woman mean to you in 2026?
This is the hardest question of them all....
To me, being a rural woman in 2026 is to be confident in your sharing your voice, confidence in your decisions and confidence in yourself.
We are role models for our daughters, nieces, each other and being a rural woman is about being proud of where we have come from and what is still possible for the future.
A rural woman in 2026 is unstoppable - we just have to ensure we stay true to ourselves and our family/whanau.
What is the one thing you would change for rural women tomorrow if you could?
One thing I would change for rural woman tomorrow is to give every rural woman the confidence and belief in themselves and to champion each other!
What’s your rural superpower, the skill, quality or instinct you rely on most?
My rural superpower.....The authentic, humble and compassionate qualities that I live everyday - I know I am enough!
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