Wing’s International Women’s Day event an ‘incredible morning’ of shared stories, success
The once “square box” of work and life within the Canadian Armed Forces is taking on more flexible outlines, and an event held March 8 at 14 Wing Greenwood to mark International Women’s Day shows just some of the shape-changing happening as the CAF works to #EmbraceEquity.
14 Wing Greenwood Commander Colonel Jeff Davis congratulated organizers with the wing’s Defence Women’s Advisory Group, invited speakers and those in attendance at the Annapolis Mess for “enthusiasm, a message of togetherness… and a fantastic atmosphere.
“This was a team of people who shared very powerful stories, projects and the work they do – the message we heard is we are all trailblazers in one way or another, and it’s not about equality, but having the equitable power to succeed. It’s been a truly incredible morning.”
Sandra Snow was the first guest speaker, a not-unfamiliar face in Greenwood: she is currently the honorary colonel for 415 (Long Range Patrol Force Development) Squadron, but served a number of her 20 military years and then civilian years working here. She is also the mayor of Kentville.
“Equity – fairness – justice. Those are different from equality, as we don’t all start from the same place,” she said. “The hardest part is often how to start, and how to engage? I’m so proud of how far the Canadian Armed Forces has come: in 1978, when I joined, women did not fly aircraft. In 1981, I was the first woman of my trade to arrive in Greenwood.”
But, Snow said, she knows that wasn’t true: there was a woman posted to 14 Wing before her, a lesbian, and she was removed.
“That’s how things were done, and I have to acknowledge that she was first. The CAF then was very ‘square box,’ and we all had to fit in. I decided not to blend in. I stood out, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
Snow knows she made mistakes, leaving some “scorched earth” behind her as she learned her own leadership style – and learning it didn’t mean others’ leadership styles weren’t just as effective. She knows there were a number of leaders and supervisors around and above her that allowed her to develop.
“Now, in my ‘third job’ as mayor, I’ve found a lens and I’ve heard more voices. It wasn’t easy, but it’s amazing. We take a little piece of everyone with us, so use it. And, leave your own piece of yourself with others. Each and every one of us get to create that equity for the people around us.”
With more women veterans having made their way through the CAF, two other groups spoke about their work meeting their needs.
The Veteran Farm Project Society combines natural space where women may feel grounded with programs to help them develop and use tools to help their mental health, relationships and healing; along with addressing food insecurity, navigating Veterans Affairs Canada and other service providers, and finding a new role in a civilian world.
“We support female veterans transitioning: I needed that space, and I thought, surely, there are other women who needed it,” said Sergeant (retired) Jessica Miller, who founded the farm on 26 acres in Sweet’s Corner, outside Windsor, with her husband, Sergeant (retired) Steve Mergatroyd in 2018. “The needs of female veterans different from the needs of men,” particularly if they carry experiences of military sexual trauma.
Three women from the SPIRIT program, offered through the Free Spirit Therapeutic Riding Association in Aylesford, with Veterans Affairs Canada support; defined their goals to help female veterans find strength, pride, insight, relationships, identity and trust – SPIRIT. Through eight weeks of equine-based, experiential therapy, and incorporating peer support, discussion and understanding; FSTRA director Amy MacKay, Clannad counselling therapist Stephanie Townsend and clinical social worker and veteran Michelle MacIsaac combine energy to meet a gap in services for women veterans.
“We’re working on making the right fit – and that’s equity,” MacIsaac said. “We listen and pay attention to our participants’ unique needs, and we create. But – we can’t do this all on our own. We all need peers who understand us and will embrace us.”
Wing Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Proulx said, when he transferred into the Regular Force in 1998 as a water, fuels and environmental technician, there was one woman in his occupation. A STEM trade (science, technology, engineering, math), “that was troubling. Now, it’s almost at parity from a gender perspective – but it took 25 years.
“The Canadian Armed Forces – we’re not where we want to be, but we are making advances.”
