Happy International Women's Day 2023.
This year's theme is Embrace Equity.
What "Embrace Equity" means to me is that we, as women, can do anything.
I think there's possibilities, potential and opportunities, and it's limitless.
I encourage you to embrace the path before you, to take on the challenges
that you see along the way, to push yourself, to push others around you, and to really
see the possibilities of what lies ahead.
Equity is the road to equality.
To get there, we have to think of other world views, other mindsets, and other perspectives.
Advice that I would give to my younger self would be to be more confident,
to take more risk, and to believe in myself and to learn how to swim.
Everything you do furthers the cause of equity locally
and in your own direct community and beyond.
I think it really is about a way of seeing your purpose in your life.
Don't ever question whether an opportunity is only
available, particularly if the position has been held predominantly by men historically.
Don't ever do that. Embracing equity means making conscious decisions that you can take
on any challenge or opportunity.
Embracing Equity, to me, means creating a fair playing ground, creating equal opportunity.
It's about inclusion, diversity. It's about creating opportunities so everyone can excel
to showcase their talent
without being limited, or feel like they’re limited.
Always take that opportunity to say yes, learn new things, meet new people
because you never know what doors will open up when you say yes.
Equity, to me, means inclusion and belonging.
Embracing Equity means being a woman who understands
the value of having the power to do what they want to do.
The advice that I would give to my younger self is be brave.
You have every right to be there.
Your views are valid, your experience is relevant.
A lot of times as women, we don't necessarily think of putting ourselves forward.
So thinking of yourself as maybe you're the best person for something is a great mindset to have.
What I would say to my younger self is pay closer attention to those women.
Their kindness, their caring, their compassion, their dedication, their commitment, their perseverance.
And what I would do is listen, learn, seek their counsel and their wisdom.
The advice that I would give to young women going to college
is the same advice I give to my daughters, and that is that be patient with yourself, explore what's out there.
You can explore all of the different options out there, and it's never too late to change your mind.
My advice for young women entering post-secondary:
be brave, be fierce and collaborate.
Find mentors and champions in your female faculty, administrators.
Look for those leaders in your everyday experience.
I would give the advice I think my professor gave me is: You're right where you're supposed to be.
It can be very challenging, it can be very hard, but know that you are
capable, know that you have what it takes to succeed.
And I would say take time to network, take time to know
your community and take time to know yourself as well.
I think this International Women's Day is particularly exciting here at Humber because we
are marking this day with our first woman president, Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan.
And I know for me, last year when we got to hear the announcement about her appointment,
I was just so excited to be working somewhere where we are actually seeing somebody shatter another glass ceiling.
Happy International Women's Day.