Celebrate International Women's Day with These Schools and Scholarships

March 8, 2023 is International Women's Day. Check out what some schools and scholarships are doing to support women!

Happy International Women’s Day! Every year on March 8, the world celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, as well as calls attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

Education plays a large role in addressing these issues. Did you know that since the early 1990s, women’s enrolments in undergraduate degrees is between 55%-58%, while master’s degrees have risen to just under 60% and doctoral degrees have increased to 45%? While more and more women are pursuing education to embolden, empower, and encourage themselves, how is the world of education supporting them? To help inspire and provide opportunities for women, check out what some schools and scholarships are doing:

$3,000 Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women in Trades

The Canadian federal government has created a pilot program to support women in apprenticeship programs by offering a $3,000 grant! If you self-identify as a woman, and you're a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person, you're not in high school, and you've completed your first year (or level) of training, consider applying before March 31, 2023.

Check out the scholarship for more information on eligibility criteria.

Canadian Women in Municipal Government Scholarships

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is offering five $1,000 awards for young women in secondary school and CEGEP to encourage them in their studies of women in politics and to support their community involvement.

If you contribute to your school’s leadership team or student council, take on challenges, and try to bring about change in your community, then this award is for you! Make sure you apply before the deadline of April 3, 2023.

Memorial University: women’s leadership conference creates student award

Memorial University’s second annual Reimagining Leadership conference on women’s leadership took place on March 2. This year’s theme was of Portraits of Courage and featured inspirational talks from Elizabeth Smart, who shared her story of trauma recovery after being held captive as a child; Sage Paul, an Indigenous fashion designer; and Perdita Felicien, a world champion and Olympian for hurdle racing.

At the event, a new award was created for a female student who exhibits the qualities the conference celebrated. The award was funded by donations and sales of jewellery and professional headshots at last year’s conference, raising more than $5,000.

NAIT: Next in Trades

NAIT’s Next in Trades is a series of events that encourages those underrepresented in the trades from all backgrounds and abilities to explore careers in the skilled trades industry. You’ll attend hands-on workshops in trades that interest you and get a glimpse into your future in that career. You can choose workshops for careers as a plumber, electrician, insulator, carpenter, autobody technician, and many more!

Explore your potential and discover your dream career in the skilled trades at one of these free events on March 18 and March 25.

Olds College: alumna establishes mentor program for women in turf

Thanks to a strong support system in the Turfgrass Management program, an Olds College alumna was inspired to help mentor and guide young women navigating a career in the turfgrass industry. After experiencing workplace harassment, Morgan Creighton founded Women in Turfgrass Management.

This mentorship program could not have been possible if it weren’t for her experience at Olds College. “The Turfgrass Management program at Olds College helped me in many ways,” commented Creighton. “The first being a great education. I was given the necessary skills to succeed at any job I applied to. The second was networking. The group of people that I went through college with have been my support system since day one. They are still people that I turn to. The third way was having a safe and inclusive learning environment. Being there gave me the confidence to succeed in this industry.”

Read more about Morgan Creighton’s story here.

Toronto Metropolitan University: Zone Learning network supports women-led startups

Toronto Metropolitan University’s Zone Learning network helps empower and support women-led startups to reach their entrepreneurial goals. TMU’s Zone Learning is a new form of experiential learning that allows students to pursue their entrepreneurial passions with one-on-one mentorship opportunities.

Check out the five incredible women who are blazing their own entrepreneurial paths with startups ranging from the world’s first jacket with swappable art, to a mushroom supply and farm company, to changing the way sex education is perceived in Pakistan.

Western University: Women in Engineering

The Women in Engineering club at Western University strives to create a supportive community for women in a male-dominated degree. Students can volunteer with STEM camps exploring engineering and coding basics for girls, recruit potential new students, and participate in the Big Sister/Little Sister program where first year female students can partner with an upper year student who acts as a mentor.

The Women in Engineering club hosts events with CEOs and industry leaders, offers supports for their peers, networks with Western Engineering grads, and offers school, career, and life advice and insight on the Women in Eng. podcast.

Take this day to reflect on the challenges you’ve overcome, the achievements you’ve made, and support the women in your life as you continue in your educational journey!