HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
In honour of International Women’s Day, we are celebrating and featuring each of the inspiring women on our team. We asked them to share their responses to these 4 questions:
1) What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
2) What is one piece of advice that you have been given by an important woman in your life or an inspirational quote from another woman that resonated with you?
3) Who is a woman (or women) that inspires you and why?
4) What is a piece of advice you have for another woman starting out in her career (perhaps in the financial services industry)?
If you haven’t yet had a chance to meet all of the women on our team, you can learn more about them here.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Sammi: It’s a day to celebrate women, of all cultures, backgrounds, shapes and sizes, and it’s a day to take a little extra time to give love to the women in your life who motivate, encourage and love you.
Kelley: International Women’s Day is a celebration of the shared responsibility to continue to push for gender parity, and a reminder that everyday actions compound into progress.
Cindy: This is an opportunity to recognize all the wonderful women in our lives and their accomplishments. This day also means spreading more awareness around gender inequality and discrimination that unfortunately still exist in many ways.
Katie: To me, International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate women in your life, old, young and in-between. To celebrate accomplishments, hardships, and everything women endure all while being boss babes who rule our world, our families, and our most meaningful relationships in life. It’s a day to honour the women who raised you to be exactly the wonderful person you are today. It’s a day to love ourselves and each other for who we truly are – the ones who do it all and then some.
Leanne: To me International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate all women – age, race, culture, religion. Women have so many roles in our day –this is a day to recognize all that we accomplish with strength, resilience, wisdom, and compassion that add to one life or the life of so many.
What is one piece of advice that you have been given by an important woman in your life or an inspirational quote from another woman that resonated with you?
Sammi: That I can do anything I put my mind to, and don’t let anyone tell me otherwise
Kelley: “Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” – Serena Williams
Cindy: “There is no limit to what we, as women can accomplish.” – Michelle Obama
Leanne: “Start as you would like to finish”
A woman (or women) who inspires you and why?
Sammi: I have 2 people who come to mind:
Kelley Doerksen; she’s an incredible boss & mentor and she makes being a working mom look easy! She has really encouraged me to find my confidence in not only my career, but in my personal life too, and I value that and her so much.
Stephanie Payne; she’s been my best friend since we were 4 years old and she is one of the strongest women I know. No matter what life throws at her, she keeps her head held high and tackles it with such grace, positivity and strength.
Kelley: I am in awe of Katalin Kariko. Her story is one of decades worth of resolute tenacity, optimism and courage. Her contributions to science and the world will be felt for decades to come.
Cindy: My mother and my two older sisters have all been huge influences on my life. I am lucky to be surrounded by so many strong, hard-working women who aren’t afraid to take chances and pursue their dreams.
Katie: I am truly lucky to have incredibly inspiring women all around me at work and in my personal life. However, I would have to say the most inspirational women in my life are my two sisters. They’re both single moms who have been through some very tough times, but have overcome so much and have raised truly incredible children while still making some pretty impressive progress in their careers. They inspire me every single day.
Leanne: My mother – she was a wonderful human being and showed me love unconditionally
What is a piece of advice you have for another woman starting out in her career (perhaps in the financial services industry)?
Sammi: Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. If you’re being challenged, that means you’re growing, you’re learning and then soon enough, you will become unstoppable
Kelley: Find some mentors, they don’t need to be other women necessarily, but find people who will build you up and keep your optimism and enthusiasm high. This industry is challenging, but one of the most rewarding careers you could choose. Very few careers allow you to stand by your clients as they move through the good times and the hard times of life. It’s a meaningful career, best developed with other people by your side who share your philosophy.
Cindy: Try new things and get out of your comfort zone! Listen and learn from those around you and never be afraid to stand up for yourself and ask for what you want.
Katie: Be passionate about what you do, be authentically yourself and never let anyone decide for you whether you can or cannot do something. You can do whatever you put your mind to.
Leanne: Be confident in yourself – you can accomplish anything you set your mind on.