For more resources on this day, visit https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Maria is the Manager, Airport Support Services at the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport. She has been with Bouygues almost a year and half but have worked within the airport/airline industry for over 25 years in both Canada and

the United States. In her role at Bouygues, she oversees three different departments, and works closely with a diverse workforce.

How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
It is so important for women to empower each other, to help each other excel and succeed. With all the negativity in the world today, we need to focus on the positive, be an advocate for each other, motivate and build each other up.

What does International Woman’s Day mean to you?
International Woman’s Day to me is a day to recognize the strength and achievements of women of the past and present. It is a day where we band together honoring the women in history, those who have paved the way for the women of today.

International Women’s Day is a day to remember all that we as women have accomplished but is also a reminder of the many things we still need to do.

Janitor at Kelowna International Airport

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

Celebration of women, from young to old and around the world because we are all great, beautiful women!

What can men do to help achieve gender equality? Start with your daughters and wives. Support them on their journey of whatever they want to do in life, even if it’s a ‘man’s job’. Tell them they can do just the same and to never give up.

What women support and inspire you? It’s starts at home first, so my daughter, then out reaches to my husband’s mother and his three sisters. I have a few great close friends that will always support me, one super, wonderful co-worker and a younger but strong supervisor and then there is the WOS. It’s the Women of Steel, which is a group I’m

involved with that is associated with my Union. I joined some years back and have gotten to know some very strong, amazing women there.

How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
It’s extremely important because sometimes, and I hate to say it, but sometimes women can be the worst at doing so. To me, every women, from young to old is strong and beautiful and always has the power within to do whatever the heck she wants and we as women should support every need, want or desire that she may have because she will do the same for us.

Manager Custodial Services at YWG Airport. Almost three years with Bouygues with 10 years total at the YWG international Airport

What does international Woman’s Day mean to you? 

International Woman’s Day to me, is the celebration and acknowledgment of the women’s

movement past, present and future. Their achievements struggle and accomplishments.

How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
I feel very blessed to be working with the group of women that I do here in YWG international airport. Maria, Patty and Stephanie are supportive and are my cheering squad. We laugh, cry and support each other and we all bring different skills and experiences to the table. Having those relationships with these great ladies is paramount to my success.

What women support and inspire you?
My Grandma Mildred West was always my inspiration growing up. She road the rails when she was all of sixteen years old, during the great depression trying to find work to help support her family. When she was older, she married my grandfather and raised a family of four, also working at various jobs in cleaning, cooking and was also an active member in the local Canada Legion, helping people whenever she could. Grandma lived until 93 years old she was strong, funny and worked very hard.

Soft FM Supervisor at Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre

What does international Woman’s Day mean to you? 

International Women’s Day to me reminds me of a quote I believe from Mother Teresa “’I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” This is ever true in this time. I hope all the women in my organization and throughout the world remember we are moving just like the ripple. Together we are stronger and growing.

P3 Services Manager at the RCMP ‘E’ Division Headquarters.

What does international women’s day mean to you?

International Women’s Day is celebrating women and their global contribution to the society. A day of spotlighting on women’s achievements in a gender centric society, inspiring the future to shoot for the stars without fear of inequality or bias.

Custodial Supervisor at the Winnipeg Airport.

What women support and inspire you?

My daughter is my greatest source of inspiration. She has been through so much in the past year with losing the love of her life and has still managed to graduate from University as a Social Worker. She has also supported me with everything she has been through..

What does international women’s day mean to me?
It means a great deal to me. Women do not get recognized enough for the multiple hats they have to wear in a day. Women must remember how smart, and strong they are and what great leaders they are in sometimes male dominated industries. We can move mountains when we stick together and be one another’s support systems. It makes me sad how strong women always seem to be depicted as something other than being (strong) and how men feel threatened by us.

So here is to all the wonderful women I work with and in my life, who are brave enough to standup for what they believe in and move forward with their dreams.

What can men do to help achieve gender equality?
I think it would be nice for men to give women the respect that they deserve. Most women are wearing a lot of different hats in their daily lives along with being leaders in the workplace. Most women must work much harder than men to get to where they are in their careers. Bridging the gap in wages would also show that women are considered equals in the work.

How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
What it means to me is sometimes making the difference in having a good or bad day. I can talk to the women I work with and most of the time they can relate to what I am going through. Giving me advise on how they have dealt with something, this is a huge help. It means the world to me to have that kind of support in my workplace.

What does a typical day look like for you?
My day is usually an adventure. I never know what is going to happen and I like that about my job. I am never bored and always seem to get my steps in for the day.

What do you do at Bouygues?

I am the Operations Administrator at Bouygues located in the YWG International Airport. I support management for both the Airport Operations Support Services and the Custodial contract. I consider myself very fortunate to be surrounded

by such powerful, influential women that I get to learn from each day.

What does international women’s day mean to you?

International Women’s day to me is a day to reflect on all the achievements we have made. It is something we should all be very proud of!