INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Medicine Hat full of success stories
The importance of mentorship, the progress made — but challenges still faced.
It’s what women from the Hat reflected on with the News as March 8 marked International Women’s Day.
“I’m always excited when I see the new generation of women who are so strong and so sure of themselves. Those of us that went before them hope we made a difference,” said Karen Charlton, a former school board trustee, who has had a 37-year career with the City of Medicine Hat.
Charlton started her career with the city years ago in child care, but has since held a range of positions such as co-ordinator of childcare services, managing 911, and now serving as the public services commissioner.
Charlton says she appreciates the opportunities she’s had with the city — having always felt valued, and having a lot to contribute.
“It’s about being positive, and confident, and being resilient,” she said about being a woman pursuing a career in the public service — advice she says goes for men as well.
The creativity, teamwork and challenges are part of why Hatter Tara Williams picked business as a career.
But when she started out years ago, she was often one of the few women at the table.
“That’s challenging. You have to really work hard to earn respect and earn some credibility — which is warranted — but when there’s no one else like you at the table, it’s hard to see yourself fitting in there, especially when you’re young,” said Williams, owner of React Consulting, and a business instructor at Medicine Hat College.
This has really shifted over the years, she said, with young women having a lot more role models, mentors and people willing to invest and help them.
“There are way more strong women now that are in significant positions,” she said. “And I think the perspective for most of them is they will take other young women under their wings to help them.”
“I think that one of the biggest things is having support from other women,” said Petra Mauerhoff, CEO of the Shortgrass Library System. “I think women can be such strong allies for each other in that respect, and that when you are someone in a leadership position who has the ability to make a difference for someone in an entry level position, or a new graduate coming into the field.”
Mauerhoff herself got a boost into management early in her career, and since then has felt it her duty to provide mentorship and intern programs to help those starting out on their careers, especially women.
Support and respect is one of the big things Sara Lewans has experienced as the only female lawyer in Medicine Hat practising solely in criminal defence law.
“It’s a very small bar and we all get along, and there’s tremendous respect on both sides,” said Lewans, who was called to the bar in 2014, and moved to the Hat to become a partner in a local firm.
Criminal law has been her passion since day one of law school, she said, and she’s found great support from mentors, and respect from colleagues.
Another fortunate part of working here, she said, is her clientele for the most part takes her advice and doesn’t second guess her just because she’s a woman.
Despite the positives, there’s still challenges.
Williams pointed to the issue of violence against women, while an IWD news release from the Alberta Federation of Labour highlighted how the province still has a 60-cents-on-the-dollar pay gap.
“It’s one thing for a man to be assertive and speak their minds, and it’s a whole other thing for a woman to do the same thing,” said Mauerhoff, saying women are perceived differently. “You have to be able to find just the right tone, while at the same time trying to not be constantly apologetic about what you’re saying and demonstrating your capabilities and knowledge on the subject matter.” One challenge for female criminal defence lawyers is maternity leave, said Lewans, as taking time off brings the challenge of rebuilding a client base once you return to work.
The financial burden of maternity leave — alongside low pay and long hours — were some of the top reasons that a study released in 2016 by the Criminal Lawyers’ Association found women leave criminal law practice at a significantly higher rate then men.
But they see having women having their voices heard as important.
“We have very different perspectives than men, we’ve had different experiences,” said Williams, adding that this goes for age, culture, religion and more. “I think with diversity comes greater decision making, and greater respect and empathy for people.”
It’s about “honouring the gifts people bring to the table,” said Charlton. “Everyone has a different kind of approach ... the diversity makes decisions better.”