Resources

October is a powerful month for reflecting on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in aerospace, as it aligns with Women’s History Month in Canada, Islamic Women’s History Month, and Women in STEM Month. These observances highlight the intersectional challenges faced by women—particularly Muslim women and women of color—in a historically male-dominated industry. With women representing only about 24% of the aerospace workforce and even fewer in leadership roles, the need for systemic change is evident. Celebrating the achievements of women like Roberta Bondar, Julie Payette, and Elsie MacGill is crucial, but the focus must also shift to addressing the institutional barriers that hinder greater diversity. To create a truly inclusive aerospace industry, efforts must go beyond tokenism and tackle the unique challenges that women and other underrepresented groups face.

One of our esteemed 2024 WIA Canada Speakers, Shelli Brunswick, has just published an amazing article for The Forbes Technology Council. In her work, she explores how space technology extends beyond our universe to impact sustainability here on Earth significantly.

Next Month on June 16th WIA will be celebrating World Neurodiversity day 2024. To draw the attention to the important contribution of this community to the workplace, we present our members a short article that not only reminds us of the definition of Neurodiversity, but also how we can help make workplaces more neurodiversity-friendly.

Inspiring Future Aviators Manasa’s story motivates other young women to pursue their dreams in aviation. Her ...

Feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks and deadlines is common, especially when juggling multiple responsibilities. ...

Aerospace is a fast-paced, heavily regulated industry that offers an environment of high risk and high reward. My story in aerospace started two years ago when I transitioned from law enforcement. Moving from one high risk, high stakes industry into another, I wasn’t sure what to expect. With over 17 years of program and project experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, I was excited and a little nervous about joining a one-hundred-year-old aerospace start up.

In preparation for our WIA Canada session of the 19th of September, in August we are reading the book “Leading Our Way: How Women are Re-Defining Leadership”. In this book, Gaia van der Esch discovers what leadership can look like and how each one of us can become a catalyst for change.

Women’s sports is attracting more and more sport fans and with this popularity brings large business opportunities. For us in Canada, PHWL’s inaugural year was a resounding success. The season has wrapped on the debut year of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and all signs point to success on and off the ice. (Spoiler alert: The Walter Cup was hoisted for the first time by Minnesota.) The first year saw six franchise locations (Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa and Toronto) suit up and consisted of a shortened 24 game regular season due to a late season start in January 2024.