Education
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From leaves to blessings
Aside from being an eternal topical balm for various conditions ranging from fingernail fungus to discomfort in diabetic feet, to UV-damaged hair and lice, henna and its benefits transcend practical function. In one particular example, henna application now exists as a meaningful Indian tradition to celebrate marriage and beautify women. Courtesy of quzi ikram haq Across several cultures in South Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East, henna, or mehndi in Hindi, has been applied to the body for over 5,000 years, according to St. Thomas University (STU). For their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, henna leaves have since been “used for medicinal purposes and applied to the skin to treat…
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Three female politicians making a difference in Ontario
The women pushing significant and positive change for the province and its citizens. It wasn’t until the 1900s that women became involved — marginally — in this realm. In fact, it took until 1921 for the first woman to be elected into the House of Commons in Canada. As a result, female involvement in politics remained limited and/or discounted for a long time, ensuring that, until very recently, women who wanted to be leaders of change in their communities could not do so. Today, women can vote, join political parties and even be elected into office. In June 2022, 47 women and non-binary people were elected to the Ontario legislature,…
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The Sullivan decision: A misinformation catastrophe
Find out why you shouldn’t believe everything you read on the internet In May 2022, the Supreme Court of Canada issued their decision on R. v. Sullivan. As inflammatory headlines hit the newsreels, the court was met with an uproar of backlash from women’s rights groups and feminist advocates. Anger, fear and resentment proliferated as misinformation on the decision spread like wildfire across all social media outlets. So, what was the Sullivan decision? R. v. Sullivan refers to two separate cases, R. v. Sullivan and R. v. Chan. They both required the court to decide whether voluntary intoxication could be used as a defence for criminal acts in Canadian courts.…
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Girls interrupted
Enhancing communication skills and addressing being interrupted Communication is a fundamental skill to have in the workplace. In fact, a 2022 CNBC article states that communication is the number one soft skill desired by employers with over 6.1 million jobs listing the skill. An essential ability of a good communicator, and a woman, is knowing how to address interruptions in academic and professional contexts. Constant interruptions can be a disheartening experience for many women. It may even impact their presentation abilities and discourage some from contributing to discussions. Below are tips to enhance your presentation and discussion skills and the best ways to address interruptions. Presentations You will likely have…
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Eight Ontario Scholarships Available for Women
A look at scholarships female students can apply for Many scholarships offered in Ontario often go unused because students do not apply for them. Some of these scholarships are specifically curated to empower and encourage women to apply to their dream schools. From sports to engineering, here are eight scholarships available for women studying in Ontario. Hydro One Women in Engineering This Hydro One scholarship is offered to women seeking education and wishing to pursue a career in engineering. In addition to a cash award of C$5,000, recipients of the scholarship are also awarded a paid 12 to 16-month developmental position with the company. 10 scholarships are distributed to women…
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First in her field: 7 women who paved the way in Ontario
Canada is and has been home to many outstanding women. Ontario has an extensive list of women who are recognized as the first to work in their selected fields. Below is a list of seven innovative Ontario women. They have paved the way for the women of today. Agnes Macphail Agnes Campbell Macphail was the first woman elected to the House of Commons in 1921. That was the first year women were able to vote in a national election. She was also one of the first two women elected as Members of Provincial Parliament in the Ontario legislature in 1943. Macphail played an important role in the passing of Ontario’s…
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Free online courses to expand your breadth of knowledge
Post-secondary institutions have a lot of barriers, such as financial limitations or scheduling conflicts. Women continue to make up the majority of university enrollment, yet employment and parenthood can prevent further education. The cost and intense schedule of university is not realistic for everyone. No matter your level of formal education, there are courses available to you outside of the traditional university setting. Here are several online courses available in Ontario. You can complete them at your own pace, in your own time, and they are all free of charge. Gale Courses You can take Gale courses with a library card from any Ontario library. Anyone who lives, works or…
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8 Ontario organizations empowering girls in STEM
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are male-dominated fields -- it’s time we encourage girls to participate
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Women-focused trade initiatives on the rise in Ontario
Skilled trades tend to be considered a male-oriented field, but the province of Ontario has a number of programs designed to encourage women to work in the sector. Working in trades is often perceived as “a man’s job” or a career path not suitable or geared towards women. This has led to less women going into the field or considering it as a career option. Statistics Canada found that women make up only four per cent of the Ontario trades sector while men make up 95 per cent. To address this disparity, the Ontario government and other independent organizations have developed programs that provide opportunities for women in trades. These…
