International Women’s Day 2022

Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.
We can break the bias in our communities.
We can break the bias in our workplaces.
We can break the bias in our schools, colleges and universities.
Together, we can #BreakTheBias on International Women’s Day and beyond!

I’ve spent quite a bit of time over the past few weeks reflecting on what International Women’s Day means to me. I have had so many experiences over the past year, I’m finding it challenging to narrow in on a single launching point for this topic. I have a little more than a year and a half under my belt with the LOC and OGCA, and not once did I ever look back.

In that time, I’ve had the pleasure to meet, interview, work with, learn from, and shadow countless female safety leaders, trades women, and a magnitude of other construction industry professionals. Only two words come to mind when I think about the impact that they have had on me – Path Changing.

Why?

For starters, Women in Construction (WIC) week runs from March 6-11, and Sabrina Tropiano, Communications and Engagement Coordinator at OGCA, and I wanted to try something different. We decided to go out and meet some of these women. The weather was less than agreeable throughout February, but after several last-minute full day cancellations and countless updates, we met and interviewed 18 women across every corner of the construction industry. Here are their stories: Women In Construction Week (theloc.ca)

Every woman we had the opportunity to meet had a story, and they weren’t afraid to tell us. All we had to do was ask. A large number of these stories were inspiring and motivating, and others were so disturbing that I just wanted to hug them and thank them for having the courage to share. They also asked us why we were doing this. I was completely honest and expressed that we have an incredible platform and opportunity with OGCA and LOC to try and create greater awareness, and if we don’t use our voices and this platform to talk about women in the industry, what the hell are we doing here?

After the trailer video for WIC week was released, I received a text from one tradeswomen that we interviewed and she said “Thanks for doing this. I spent a long time trying to downplay being a woman in construction. It was easier. Lately I’ve decided that no, it’s not time to hide anymore … Then, here you come.” That simple text message gave so much insight into what needs to be done. Women in construction are here, and we aren’t leaving. We don’t want to be the one female on a jobsite; we want to be one of many. We want women to see other women in construction, and if this is their path, encourage them to follow it. We want construction, which has historically been a male dominated industry, to be inclusive and welcoming for women. We want to show women as valuable members of this industry, either in an office or on a project site.

Thank you to every woman who took part in this, to those who wanted to but we couldn’t make it work, and to every woman who we have yet to meet. It’s because of all of you that will continue to do this. Our thanks and gratitude to: Monique Cichton (GFL), Lina Savcheva (GFL), Tara Curley (GFL), Robyn Vandenberg (Timmerman), Tracey Mooradian (Eastern), Patricia Pereira (Kenaidan), Isabella Diego (Maystar), Kim Everton (Maystar), Alaina DeCaire (KAPP), Angela Ho (Maystar), Amanda Nagib (Graham), Emily Gardiner (Graham), Anna Colalillo (Alberici), Natasha Braganza (Maple Reinders), Natasha Caparelli (Modern Niagara), Dasia Morris (Modern Niagara), Magda Sabat (Pomerleau), Gloria Iglesias (Pomerleau), Alanna McMullen (Cooper Equipment), Katilyn Harman (Cooper Equipment), Lacey Barradas (Cooper Equipment), Alyssa McCormack (Herc Rentals) Kayleen Saunders (Advanced Forming), Amanda Maguhn (Advanced Forming), Vittoria Losiggio (Percon)

I will continue to proudly Support My Local Girl Gang. We are Resilient, Determined, Proud, Passionate, Fearless, Intelligent, Diverse, Unapologetic, Creative, Innovative, and damn good at what we do. Together, we will #BreakTheBias