Happy International Women’s Day!
As I look around at those in my circle, in my personal life and my work life, I am surrounded by incredible, smart, empowered women. This is an exciting period in history – a time when women are truly encouraged to stand up and be heard.
I think about the women who inspire me — past and present — and I feel blessed.
My mother was a strong woman who ensured her 3 daughters had the courage to speak our minds, to believe in ourselves and to understand the need to be educated so that, no matter what might happen, we would always be self-sufficient.
My 12-year old daughter is an inspiration for me as well. Through her eyes, I realize this younger generation doesn’t see roadblocks of the past. They are leaders of social change and believe they can do and be anything. My daughter allows me to pass down all the lessons and wisdom I gleaned from my mom and to realize the importance of being an exemplary passionate, compassionate and fearless woman.
My wife is another important influence in my life. She believes every woman should have a voice and a place to speak their truth. Her brainchild — Women Talk — provides women with a safe space to share their stories and, in turn, empower other women and their communities.
We’ve come a long way, but there’s still much work to be done! We must work together to be the force of change, to honour those who came before us and to continue to pave the path for the young women who will follow.
LISTEN: Alberta Premier Rachel Notley joins The Morning News on International Women’s Day
We heard that very message in the words of Premier Rachel Notley on The Morning News Friday, who says her mother was an enormous influence on what would become her course in life. Yes, her father was a trailblazing politician, but her mother was her inspiration.
“My mom was such an incredible part of our life,” the premier said. “My mom was an incredible social justice activist.
“What I learned from her is if she had a strong opinion, she would just march into a room — it didn’t matter how many people in that room were with her or not. And oftentimes I’d see her march in with her teeth gritted, with a very strong position on a matter and have a very ‘take no prisoners’ attitude,” Notley said.
“As an adolescent in a small town, you can imagine I sometimes found that a bit embarrassing. But when I got a little bit older, I realized that was a tremendous example.”
Rachel Mielke, founder and CEO of Hillberg and Berk says International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the incredible things women are doing, but it’s also an opportunity to recognize the impact women have 365 days of the year. She says her mother is her number one influence, but there are many others who’ve been part of her journey.
LISTEN: Rachel Mielke of Hillberg and Berk joins The Morning News on International Women’s Day
“There are so many women along the way whose shoulders I have cried on, whose shoulders I have stood on and who have stood side-by-side with me,” Mielke said Friday on The Morning News.
“In business, there are good days and there are really hard days. And you need those incredibly supportive women to pull you through those days — and men, too. I have had incredible mentors and do have incredible male mentors, but I have had some very, very special relationships with incredible women in my life.”
Mielke says women have a unique view of the world, we need to own our stories and share our powerful messages.
Together, the women – and men – we walk amongst embody the slogan for International Women’s Day 2019: #BalanceForBetter. As we push for gender equality around the world, we must work together, to lift each other up and bring balance to the boardroom, the chambers of government and the classroom.
With balance and equality, the possibilities are endless!
“Here’s to strong women….may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.” –Unknown
Sue Deyell is the co-host of The Morning News with Gord Gillies & Sue Deyell, and can be heard weekday mornings on 770 CHQR.
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