We’re celebrating the incredible women at Qualis ahead of this International Women’s Day. Meet Lead Gardener Joy Durrant and Gardener Mary Lewis, two women with more than 80 years of combined gardening experience.
As part of the Qualis Property Solutions Grounds Maintenance team, Joy and Mary maintain the communal areas around Epping Forest District Council’s housing and design, plant and maintain all the main flower beds across the district.
Joy’s journey began in 1978 when she started as a Saturday girl in a florist shop, eventually earning a degree in floristry and landing her first gardening council job. Mary, with her own formal qualifications, has managed a Homebase garden centre and worked as a private gardener.
Both women agree that from the start, they’ve always been welcomed and accepted in the gardening world. They’ve seen a positive shift over the years, notably with the disappearance of casual sexism and innuendo in the industry.
Even now, both Joy and Mary continue to thrive in their careers, with no plans to retire anytime soon. They take pride in mentoring the next generation, especially seeing Grace, Qualis’ newest apprentice, join the workforce and learn from their wealth of experience.
As Joy says, “It’s a rewarding career, one we’ve both really enjoyed.” And Mary adds, “We’re the power team—two strong women with loads of experience and the skills to get the job done.”
Ahead of this International Women’s Day, we celebrate women like Joy and Mary—leading with skill, experience and the strength to make a lasting impact.
Photo L-R: Joy and Mary
