Articles of Interest
People write things. We respond to some of what they write.
Commemorating a Trailblazer – Submitted by Eva Martinez
Last month, the Royal Canadian Mint released a commemorative loonie honouring Elsie MacGill – a pioneering aeronautical engineer and women’s rights activist who redefined what was possible for women in Canada. As reported by the CBC’s Emily Fagan, Elsie was:
“the first Canadian woman to graduate with a bachelor's in electrical engineering in 1927, the first woman in North America to graduate with a master's in aeronautical engineering in 1929, and the first Canadian woman to practise as an engineer in 1938. In 1929, she contracted polio. Although MacGill was told by doctors that she would never walk again, she regained mobility with the use of two canes and continued her pursuit of a career in aeronautics. She accepted the role of chief engineer at the Canadian Car and Foundry, where she designed the Maple Leaf II biplane. During the Second World War, she pioneered a new, modular construction system that allowed the factory to produce over 1,450 Hawker Hurricane aircraft — a feat that led to MacGill being celebrated in a comic book story, Queen of the Hurricanes.”
Using the Talent Crisis to Help Propel Forward the Discussion on Diversity in Aerospace – Submitted by Ginelle Johnston
Using the Talent Crisis to Help Propel Forward the Discussion on Diversity in Aerospace: With the continued effects of a post pandemic economy further exacerbated by the exit of the baby boomer generation from the workforce, we are seeing the largest talent crisis...
Powerful Beyond Measure – Submitted by Nancy Barber
Whether you are a Formula 1 fan or not, the name Sir Lewis Hamilton is likely a familiar name for you. The Greatest Formula 1 Driver of all time, the 7-TimeWorld Champion with 103 race wins, has faced tremendous adversity since he was a kid getting bullied in the playground. Lewis, at the age of 38, is so much larger than Formula 1, and an individual who inspires me daily. Many know Lewis’s accomplishments on the track, but not necessarily his accomplishments off the track.
How to Respond to “So, Tell Me About Yourself” in a Job Interview – Submitted by Silva Bianchi
So…tell me about yourself.” Answering correctly this question may seem trivial and we are tempted to just orally re-present our resume or LinkedIn Profile . However, that is already well known by the interviewers and It may not add the value we seek. In this interesting article , the author explores smart ways to ace this ice-breaking question.
Women are Burnt Out – Submitted by Rebecca Hatton
“Frankly, women are hanging on.”
In the article, The state of burnout for women in the workplace by McKinsey and Company, this is the one sentence that stuck out. Being a woman in corporate has always been tough, being a woman in general has always been tough, however external forces, such as a pandemic, has shifted the perception unlike anything seen before. A whopping 42% of women report being burned out.
The Eyeopener – Need for More Female Representation in Aerospace Engineering Submitted by Wintta Ghebreiyesus
Many women in Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) aerospace engineering program say better representation is needed at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Wintta Ghebreiyesus, an aerospace engineering PhD candidate has done her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering at the university. She estimated that in her time at TMU, women generally made up between 13 to 20 per cent of students in the program.
The Present and Future of Women at Work in Canada
As WIA-Canada prepares for our upcoming Book Club this fall, I have been reflecting on some of the articles we read and discussed at last year’s book club.
Men, Stop Calling Yourselves Allies. Act Like One.
Submitted by Silvia Bianchi Many people called themselves allies of an underrepresented group, like women. However, do they really know what it means to be an ally? This very interesting article explains what being an ally is all about. The authors of the article...
Great Mentors
Submitted by Silvia Bianchi and Eva Martinez In March 2022, Women in Aerospace Canada proudly launched a new initiative – a formal mentoring program building on the teachings of the Evoke Consulting Advancing Women in Aerospace Leadership Training Part II, Module...