Celebrating International Women’s Day
At Sea Smart, we recognize the importance of International Women’s Day and celebrate the achievements of the incredible women in our team.
What is International Women's Day?
International Women's Day (IWD) is marked annually on March 8th. It is a worldwide celebration of women's social, economic, cultural, and political accomplishments. It's also a time to raise awareness of the progress made toward achieving gender equity and the remaining work to be done.
The origins of IWD can be traced back to the early 20th century. It emerged from the activities of labour movements in North America and Europe and reflected a growing call for women's equal participation in society. The first International Women's Day gathering was held in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, where over a million women and men attended public events to show their support. Other countries began to observe and celebrate this day in the years that followed¹.
Our amazing all women team!
On this International Women's Day, we would like to recognize and appreciate the incredible women on our team who make Sea Smart happen:
Dr. Elaine Leung - our Executive Director and Founder
Kanchan Lal - our Managing Director
Talia Damas - our Program Coordinator
Megan Bourassa - our Administrative Coordinator
And last but not least, our amazing all-female Board
Their unwavering dedication and hard work are the reason Sea Smart continues to inspire and educate today's youth about the importance of protecting our oceans and the environment.
Dr. Elaine Leung - Executive Director & Founder of Sea Smart
Why is inclusivity and representation important?
The theme for this year's International Women's Day is to "Inspire Inclusion". This theme highlights the importance of diversity and urges us to break down barriers and challenge stereotypes. The campaign also encourages us to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life². It is particularly important that we amplify the perspectives of BIPOC women (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) and those from marginalized communities. By creating space and elevating the voices of women who have been historically excluded and face additional barriers, we can ensure that all have equal access to opportunities.
In Canada, women make up less than 25% of the people employed in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers³.
There are several reasons, why women face barriers to STEM careers including:
STEM fields are often perceived as masculine domains, a stereotype that has profound effects starting from early education and can lead teachers and parents to underestimate women’s abilities, even as young as preschool.
The lack of female role models in STEM also plays a significant role. The scarcity of representation of women in STEM fields extends to books, media, and popular culture, and this lack of representation is even more pronounced for Black women⁴.
Why do Sea Smart run Girls Only* Summer Camps?
At Sea Smart, representation matters. We strive daily to break gender barriers by staffing a team of women from diverse backgrounds, supporting women-led initiatives, and by encouraging girls to pursue careers in STEM through our Girls Only* Summer Camp program.
Sea Smart’s Girls Only* Summer Camp engages girls in STEM from a young age and ignites their curiosity in STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). As there is a vast underrepresentation of girls in science-related fields, we aim to address this issue by creating a safe space for girls to learn STEAM knowledge. Our camps are designed to boost confidence and cultivate a sense of belonging. Furthermore, we introduce our campers to female role models, such as our incredible Founder and Marine Biologist, Dr Elaine Leung, to inspire and empower them and to show them that there is a place for them in STEAM fields.
*We embrace an inclusive definition of “women” and “girls” that includes people who identify as women, girls, trans, gender queer, gender non-binary, Two-Spirit, and gender questioning. An inclusive environment means all participants feel safe and supported, however they may identify.
Conclusion
International Women's Day is a time to celebrate women's accomplishments and raise awareness of the work that still needs to be done to achieve gender equity. At Sea Smart, we are dedicated to breaking down gender barriers and promoting inclusivity and representation in STEAM fields. We take pride in creating safe and inclusive environments for all individuals and strive towards building a more equitable future for all.
