#SheInspiresMe: Jenni Sidey-Gibbons

For this Calgarian scientist, the sky was never the limit.

By Alex Roberts

Figure 1. Jenni Sidey-Gibbons in her space suit (Valcarcel, 2018)

When it comes to inspirational people, some of the most inspiring are those that reach great heights at a young age. Someone who became a lecturer in combustion mechanics at the University of Cambridge by the age of 27, for example, or completed NASA’s astronaut training program that would make her one of only 4 active Canadian astronauts by the age of 29, would really stand out as an example of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Calgary-born Jennifer Sidey-Gibbons fits that bill, having accomplished both of those incredible feats as well as being an award-winning engineer all before the age of 30.

I am personally enthralled by the concept of space exploration, and I love that Canada and Canadians have had a remarkably important role in the international efforts in that field. Canada has contributed some incredibly brilliant minds to outer space, and our astronauts represent the very best of the best, having to undergo unbelievably rigorous selection processes and training programs that challenge every aspect of their mind and body. Seeing Canadians complete these challenges to prove themselves the type of person that humanity would want to represent us out in the universe makes me incredibly proud, and to have someone from this city, such as Jennifer (or Jenni), reach that same level of success only amplifies that pride even further.

On top of how astounding it is that anyone would complete the process of becoming an astronaut, Jenni makes it even more impressive because of how few women have achieved so much in what are typically very male-dominated STEM fields. Only 65 women have been to space, compared to 500 men, and while simply completing astronaut training doesn’t guarantee a spot on a space-flight mission, Jenni has positioned herself in the best possible place to get one.

Jenni Sidey-Gibbons also has a remarkable academic resume, having completed an honours bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from McGill University followed by a PhD in combustion engineering from the University of Cambridge in the UK. The former was accompanied by a research position that allowed her to study the behaviour of flames in micro-gravity in partnership with the Canadian Space Agency, years before she would be recruited by them in her current role. As a student myself, I find her achievements to be inspiring and proof that working hard towards your dream pays off.

Figure 2. Roberts, 2020. Infographic created using Canva.com. Biographic information source: (Canadian Space Agency, 2020)

I also find Jenni inspiring because she is both an example and champion of high-achieving women in science, a field which is frustratingly male-dominated and is regularly portrayed in media as being inherently masculine (Rose, 2019). Jenni Sidey-Gibbons is helping to break down barriers to women in space exploration and setting an example for everyone hoping to achieve their dreams at a young age.

That is why #SheInspiresMe.

References

Canadian Space Agency (2020, January 10). Biography of Dr. Jennifer (Jenni) Anne MacKinnon Sidey-Gibbons. Retrieved April 14, 2020 from https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts/canadian/active/bio-jennifer-sidey.asp

Rose, S. (2019, September 16). Fly men to the moon: Ad Astra and the toxic masculinity of space films. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/sep/16/ad-astra-movie-toxic-masculinity-brad-pitt-james-gray-sci-fi

Valcarcel, J. (2018). Jenni Sidey-Gibbons in her space suit. [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/astro_jenni/status/1022449141300056066

Women in Need and Menstruation

Menstruating is a monthly event with a monthly cost. But for those without much flexibility in their budget, menstruation gets complicated.

By Anna Bourgogne

Figure 1. Bourgogne, 2020. Image created using Canva.com

Have you ever paid attention to a few extra dollars on your monthly bills? I assume that the answer would be ‘no’, especially if it went towards the purchase of a necessity. Unfortunately, menstrual hygiene products can be the few extra dollars that women in need can’t afford. Today, I want to give you more information about the ways we can help women in need cope with menstruation more easily. This blog post will cover the following subjects:

  • The Financial burden
  • The vulnerability burden
  • Menstruation without a home
  • Menstruation complications

The Financial Burden

The most important issue of menstruation for women in need lies in the cost of feminine hygiene products. An interesting article revealed that the average Canadian woman spends on average $65/year on essential feminine hygiene products (Gurman, 2017). It might sound low to you, but that comes to a $5 average per month. Yes, it’s nothing, but for some, it is traded for a meal! 

Menstruation pads are part of the 12 basic items that the Women’s Centre constantly requires to adequately help women in need. Normally, you can drop off these items at their location, but with the current COVID-19 situation, they unfortunately had to close the Centre to preserve everyone’s health. You can read our blog post about donation boxes here. So, don’t forget to put a few feminine hygiene products in your donation box in the meantime until they reopen.  

I would like to dive into more details with this $5 average on menstruation hygiene products. It is only for the very essentials, by which I mean pads and tampons. It does not include medication for pain or hot water bags and chocolates to feel more comfortable. While we prioritize donating the most required items, it can be interesting to think about donating non-essential items, like hot water bags for example. They will be greatly appreciated!

The Vulnerability Burden

While the concept of monthly menstruation itself is already not a walk in the park for all women, imagine adding it to a state of vulnerability, financial distress, and uncertainty about your professional future. Suddenly, this minor inconvenience turns into hell. If we can help women by giving them just one less thing to worry about, it can make a huge difference! This week, we want to focus our donating actions on menstruation specifically. Don’t forget to add a few boxes of pads and tampons to your donation box!

Additionally, it is important to understand what type of side-effects women may face monthly, to better understand the burden that it becomes for a woman in need. For instance, a woman who faces extreme menstrual cramps might not be able to attend work, and if she works on contract, the economic losses can be very heavy.  

Figure 2. Bourgogne, 2020. Infographic created using Canva.com.
Statistic source: (Holland, 2018).

Menstruation Without a Home

Homelessness and menstruation is a relatively overlooked subject. Though all women in need do not face homelessness, not having a home makes menstruation even more complicated for many. 

I remember when I stumbled upon this video talking about the way homeless women cope with their period. Not only was I horrified by how challenging it can be for vulnerable women to have one more burden to deal with, I was also upset with myself for not thinking about this need earlier! 

This short video will help you gain a better understanding of the way homeless women cope with their period. It follows a few homeless women who explain how they cope with menstruation on the street in New York when they can’t afford to buy adequate products. Believe me, it changed the way I view menstruation for women in need forever. 

Menstruation Complications

Besides feminine hygiene products, it is important to mention that there are period-related illnesses and complications that exist. Here you can see the most common ones: 

Figure 3. Bourgogne, 2020. Infographic created using Canva.com.
Statistic source: (Holland, 2018).

As you can see, these complications can be very disrupting and even dangerous physically and emotionally. While it is important to donate basic items, it is also crucial to give women all the resources they need to deal with menstruation complications, as a woman in need might not have the opportunity, knowledge, or enough time or adequate healthcare to consult a doctor. Helping women also requires providing them with an easy path to take care of their health if they need to.  

The Women’s Centre has a list of health services for women, and you will find a selection below of the ones that apply to women’s health. Helping women goes beyond material items, and you can also help by recommending any of these institutions to women who might need them. It is important for all women to know when and where to seek medical advice, and to be educated about potential health issues that might arise with menstruation. 

Here is the list of resources from the Women’s Centre of Calgary:

These resources will help women not only with menstruation complications, but women’s and sexual health in general.

Menstruation, or Lack Thereof

While I have spent the most part of this blog article explaining how much of a burden menstruation can be for women in need, missing a period is sometimes not wanted either! Therefore, I wanted to bring to your attention another basic item that the Women’s Centre needs, and it is pregnancy tests. Don’t forget to add a few of those to your donation boxes if you can… They might come in seriously handy! 

To learn more:

References

Bustle (2016, October 18). How do homeless women cope with their periods . Youtube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABch4VYOJZ0

Gurman, E. (2017, June 16). How much do Canadian women actually spend on tampons and pads each year? Chatelaine. Retrieved from https://www.chatelaine.com/living/how-much-do-periods-cost/ 

Holland, K. (2018, November 28). Menstruation: facts, statistics, and you. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/facts-statistics-menstruation#1

Women’s Centre. (2020). Resources. Get Assistance. Retrieved from https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/get-assistance/resources/

Tips for Working from Home in Social Isolation

As we navigate our new at-home realities and transition into unconventional workspaces, it’s important, perhaps more than ever, to maintain a regular schedule.

By Katrina Hertzer

Since most of us are making transitions to working from home during the Covid-19 outbreak, please find a few suggestions below to help you adjust to your situation.

We’re all in this together!

Figure 1. Hertzer, 2020. Infographic created using Canva.com

#SheInspiresMe: Rona Ambrose

No lip-service from this women and girls advocate.

By Sabrina Kooistra

Figure 1. Rona Ambrose (Wyld, 2017).

Youngest female Cabinet Minister in Canadian history. Former leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Business leader and innovator. Tireless advocate for women and girls. 

Rona Ambrose has set a lofty precedent. 

Among her many attributes as a politician and businesswoman is a revolutionary contribution to the Canadian legal system. This piece of legislation will have profound long-term impacts and will undeniably improve the approaches the Canadian court system takes to sexual violence cases.

Sexual violence is a sensitive topic and it deserves sensitivity from the legal system. 

By introducing the “Judicial Accountability Through Sexual Assault Law Training Act,” which requires judges to complete sexual violence training, Ambrose hopes that this critical bill will “[support] victims of sexual assault and [improve] our justice system” (Connolly, 2020). Inspired by a number of high-profile sexual assault cases, Ambrose put the private member’s bill forward to put an end to court room experiences that are unfeeling and dehumanizing toward sexual assault victims. 

As YYC for Women continues to support the Women’s Centre of Calgary, we are reminded that sexual violence disproportionately affects women and girls– women and girls who live in our neighbourhoods, work in our workplaces, and study in our schools. It takes more than paying lip-service to advocacy to support those left broken by sexual violence. 

I truly admire Rona Ambrose’s fierce advocacy for women and girls and especially victims of sexual violence seeking justice from our court systems. It takes brave, committed leaders to not only inspire change, but to create it. 

That is why Rona Ambrose inspires me.

References

Connolly, A. (2020). Rona Ambrose’s judicial sex assault law training bill gets 2nd shot as Liberals retable. Global News. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/6504372/rona-ambrose-judicial-sex-assault-law-training-bill/

Wyld, A. (2017). [Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose] [Photograph] CBC.ca. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/world/year-in-pictures.html

Women’s Centre Covid-19 Update

Transform your social distancing spring cleaning into an opportunity to give.
Donation box with clothes and books on table in the room Stock Photo - 108766565
Figure 1. Sereziny, n.d.

In light of the current health situation, the Women’s Centre is closing from March 16 to 20 to minimize the spread of the virus and keep everyone safe. Unfortunately, it means that there will be no possibility for donations during that time. You can learn more about these measures here.

As a consequence, we need to postpone our drive for success until cases of coronavirus decrease in the province. Yet, it does not mean that we should not think about donating! It is a great time to purge through closets, look around your habitation, and start a donation box. We have two blog articles for a list of basic items that the Women’s Centre always needs, and suggestions of items that will help women in search of a job.

Beyond donations, we want to emphasize on the growing needs of vulnerable women in these difficult times. The current health crisis is challenging for all of us, but even more for individuals who do not have a job security that could allow them to self-isolate peacefully, or to look after their children. It is crucial that we all take into consideration these factors and try to help as much as possible!

For this reason, we decided to turn our “drive for success” into a “donation box week”, starting today, until march 21st. The challenge consists in making the prettiest donation box, and of course, filling it up as much as possible! The donation boxes should spark joy, so have fun with color, glitters, and drawings! More importantly, make sure they overflow with needed items.

Identify us on Twitter with your works of art, and we will retweet them!

As soon as donations can resume, we will all donate our beautiful (and full) boxes!

References

Nirad. (n.d.). Donation box with clothes and books on table in the room [Photograph]. 123rf.com. https://www.123rf.com/photo_108766565_donation-box-with-clothes-and-books-on-table-in-the-room.html

Dress for Success: Helping Women in Poverty Succeed in Job Interviews

As we know, first impressions count- especially in the job hunt.

By Sabrina Kooistra

Figure 1. Nelson, n.d. Graphic: Kooistra, 2020. Created using Canva.com

Every morning, we have the opportunity to share with the world a bit of who we are through our appearance. What we wear, how we choose to accessorize, and how we choose to do hair and makeup is reflective of our individual personality, mood, goals, and sense of self. 

Susan C. Young, Positive Impact and Change expert and author of the 2017 book The Art of Preparation: 8 Ways to Plan with Purpose & Intention for Positive Impact, argues that “how we each present ourselves to the world, by way of our appearance, attire, behavior, and speech, all send messages on our behalf.”  

For twenty-something women, like myself, a wardrobe full of clothes and a drawer full of cosmetics to choose from is merely standard; we take for granted the fact that for many individuals, this not their reality. For women with little income and even less disposable income due to dependency on abusive partners, divorce, or homelessness, directing funds to beautify oneself can be seen as frivolous and potentially irresponsible. Suddenly, shaping one’s appearance to send a positive and impressive image to the world becomes a challenging, frustrating, and disheartening endeavour.

In many cases, the path to financial security and independence also rests upon personal appearance. As we know, first impressions count, especially in the job hunt. For many homeless women and women with little income, fashioning a great first impression for an interview (literally) can be a challenge, but it might be a woman’s ticket out of homelessness or an abusive relationship. 

Indeed, organizations, such as the Women’s Centre of Calgary (with the support of donations from generous individuals), help women find the right clothes and the right personal care products to give them the impression and confidence they need to get the job and, ultimately, find financial security and independence. The trouble is, when many of us think of donating to help women less fortunate than us, we neglect to think of what we can donate to empower these women: donations to make women feel beautiful and strong and capable. As Susan C. Young says, “few places are more important for dressing appropriately than the workplace, where a professional appearance is crucial,” (2017) perhaps even more so than your work experience.

Which is why YYC for Women is doing a “Dress For Success” drive from March 15th-21st to help low-income Calgarian women confidently take hold of their financial futures– and have the tools to do so. Below is a list of 4 items we are kindly asking you to donate to the Women’s Centre of Calgary:

1. Gently used business attire (eg. blazers, dress pants, blouses, scarves, heels or flats): Quite simply, these are interview must-haves. The first thing an employer sees is an interviewee’s clothes making it the first opportunity for judgment. Providing a low-income woman with an interview-appropriate outfit will show an employer that she is professional, takes the job seriously, and is eager for a job offer. 

2. Mascara: Statistics show that, in general, women who wear makeup are more self-assured in their abilities, making a tube of mascara a powerful tool. Feeling beautiful is one of the easiest ways to boost a woman’s confidence levels. Employers look for confidence in candidates and mascara is a simple and easy-to-apply cosmetic that aids women in feeling confident and professional. Indeed, beauty equals confidence, and confidence equals success.

3. Hair dye: A largely overlooked item, hair dye gives grey haired women a renewed sense of youth. For women who have been out of work for a prolonged period of time it may be daunting to re-enter the workforce and be faced with young competition. Touching up grey hair will give women the boldness and self-assurance they need to feel confident and qualified in an interview. And for women whose hair has not yet greyed, hair dye might be the touch of revitalization a woman needs to feel confident in her appearance.

4. Basic personal hygiene products: For homeless women, supplies to shower and brush teeth are not as easy to come by as they are for you and I; however, in the pursuit of employment, smelling and looking clean are essentially non-negotiable. By providing supplies such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrushes, and toothpaste, women will not have to worry about personal hygiene as a barrier to earning employment. And, even more so than makeup, feeling clean is the easiest way to build a woman’s confidence. See our personal hygiene donations list if you need some ideas.

For low-income Calgarian women seeking employment with little of their own resources, the prospect of employment may seem out of reach. We hope that through our Dress for Success drive, we can help struggling women transform their financial situations and their futures– one tube of mascara at a time. 

P.S. Be sure to tweet a picture of your donations with the hashtag #DressForSuccess!

References

Nelson, H. (2018). Grayscale photography of four women wearing clothes [Photograph]. Pexels.com. https://www.pexels.com/photo/grayscale-photography-of-four-women-wearing-clothes-1065081/

Young, Susan C. (2017). The art of preparation: 8 ways to plan with purpose & intention for positive impact. Goodreads.com. https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/57779558-the-art-of-preparation-8-ways-to-plan-with-purpose-intention-for-posi

Living With Domestic Violence: Calgary’s New Normal

Engaging in conversations about domestic violence can help those who suffer in silence find their voice and begin a path to recovery.

By Katrina Hertzer

Figure 1. Jayne, 2017.

Do you know someone who has personally experienced domestic violence? It’s likely that we all do. With Calgary’s economic downturn, stress levels are at an all-time high and coping with that stress can trigger instances of abuse with tragic consequences for the women and children in our community.

What is domestic violence? Domestic abuse is described as incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence. It is most commonly experienced by women. 

According to the Calgary Police Service, six out of twelve homicides in the first half of 2019 were believed to be domestic. Our province is home to the third highest domestic violence rate in Canada. 

So what can we do? 

Aside from immediate responses to law enforcement authorities via 911, experts advise that sometimes the most important thing we can offer is an empathetic ear. Knowing the signs of abuse and offering support for those in need are key.

Within Alberta, the Connect Family and Sexual Abuse Network at 403-237-5888, is an excellent resource for those impacted by sexual violence. If you or a loved one is in need of immediate assistance, please dial 911 or 211 for help.

Engaging in conversations about domestic violence can help those who suffer in silence find their voice and begin a path to recovery. Let’s help our friends, family and neighbours get the assistance they may need.

References

Jayne, K. (2017). Woman crying [Photograph]. Pexels.com. https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-alone-black-and-white-blur-568021/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels

Smith, A. (2019, June 24). Police tackle epidemic of domestic violence in Calgary. Calgary Herald. https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/behind-the-scenes-police-tackle-epidemic-of-domestic-violence-in-calgary/

We are your YYC for Women team!

We are four students studying rhetoric in online environments at the University of Calgary under the supervision of Dr. Tania Smith from the Department of Communication and Media Studies.

In order to better understand how rhetoric can be utilized to optimize online environments, we were tasked with identifying a cause we are passionate about. We unanimously agreed to address local women’s issues by focusing on how peer support can improve the financial, physical, mental, and emotional well-being of women in our communities. 

In order to utilize our knowledge of rhetoric and draw attention to such a critical issue, we established a non-governmental organization model which we have called, “YYC For Women”, that seeks to serve the diverse needs of women in our city through companionship and support.

Meet our team

Sabrina

My name is Sabrina and I am a third year student pursuing a double major in Communication and Media Studies and History. I grew up on a small farm outside of Calgary, but moved to the big city in the fall of 2017 to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree. When I am not busy studying, you can find me playing piano, cross stitching, or writing. 

I see immense value in mentorship. Having strong women mentors in my life has certainly shaped me into the person I am today by offering me guidance and support when I needed it the most. I hope that “YYC For Women” will help connect women in the city of Calgary with women who understand what they are going through and who truly care about their wellbeing.

Katrina

Hi, my name is Katrina. I’m currently studying Media and Communications at the University of Calgary. I enjoy meeting new people and understanding the relationships we have to our environments and communities. In my spare time I enjoy sewing and patchwork which incorporate my Navajo heritage and love of modern quilting.

Anna

Hi! I’m Anna. I am a 3rd year communications student at the University of Calgary, also minoring in Russian. I grew up in France but moved to Calgary a couple of years ago. I like meeting people from other cultures and backgrounds than mine. Many men and women that I have met during my life have allowed me to witness and acknowledge certain challenges and needs women face everyday. As a result, I am convinced that “YYC For Women” will be an empowering platform for women.

Alex

Hi, I’m Alex, a third year Communications and Media studies and International Relations major. I’ve lived in Calgary my whole life, which has led me to recently get involved in local non-profit organizations, mostly concerning human rights and environmental causes. Between my mom, my friends, and many teachers, women have played a huge role in my life and a lot of women are personal heroes of mine. Through them, I have come to understand the ways in which women are disadvantaged in our society, and I want to commit myself to helping the people suffering in the city I grew up in. Through “YYC For Women”, I believe we can make a real difference in the community and in the lives of those who need it.

Our Mentor, Dr. Tania Smith

Dr. Tania S. Smith, Associate Professor Department of Communication, Media and Film, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary.

E-mail : smit@ucalgary.ca 

My Office: 302 Social Sciences 
Phone: 403-220-7774 
Mailbox: SS 320 (Department office)

Mailing address

Department of Communication, Media and Film, SS320 
University of Calgary 
2500 University Drive NW  
Calgary, Alberta 
Canada T2N 1N4

Making Your Donation Count: 12 Basic Items for Women in Need

$10 goes a long way with this list of essentials for the Women’s Centre of Calgary.
By Sabrina Kooistra
Figure 1. Nirad, n.d. Infographic Kooistra, 2020. Created using Canva.com

Non-profit organizations, such as food banks and shelters, often run short on certain essential items. Indeed, any donation is welcomed for its potential to improve the life of an individual in need, but what if you could optimize your donation to have the greatest possible impact? We all want to ensure that our donations count and that what we donate will have a lasting effect on the people we seek to help; however, when we are not the ones in direct contact with individuals in crisis it can be hard to determine what is truly needed. 

In the pursuit of serving the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged women in our city, we looked to the Women’s Centre of Calgary. As we at YYC for Women seek to serve the needs of the Women’s Centre of Calgary, we want to share the list they created that highlights what items they are presently in need of. This way, we and other interested donors will be able to shape our donations to have the greatest possible impact on the lives of women– women who live without the essentials I and other women take for granted. 

Below are basic personal care essentials that will have a universal impact:

  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Body wash
  • Deodorant
  • Feminine hygiene products (eg. pads, tampons, sanitary napkins)
  • Toothbrushes
  • Lotion (hand and body)
  • Face care products
  • Toilet paper

Items that benefit children, specifically:

  • Diapers (size four and up)
  • New, unwrapped toys

Miscellaneous items for every day

  • Gift cards for grocery stores
  • Plastic and reusable bags (new and used)

Note that many of these items are incredibly inexpensive to donate, some costing as little as $1. You don’t need to worry about finding big, expensive items to donate, because at the end of the day, items like toothbrushes and body wash can go a long way. Sometimes we forget that when it comes to donating, the simplest of things can have a major impact. So can you imagine the impact a mere $10 could have on the lives of Calgarian women and children living in poverty? 

References

Nirad. (n.d.). Colourful toiletries on the cupboard [Photograph]. Canva.com. https://www.canva.com/photos/MADerlx7hOg-colorful-toiletries-on-the-cupboard

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