The province of Saskatchewan has a diverse group of spirited women creating change across the prairies every single day. Regardless of identity, faith, culture, class or occupation women in Saskatchewan are making a difference at, local, national and international levels. Today women and girls are involved heavily in industry, sport, and humanitarian efforts. Driving at the heart of what we are as a province.
Today – on International Women’s day, we explore the stories of three influential Saskatchewan women.
Regina’s Muna De Ciman – is very often the first smiling, beaming face newcomers to our province see. She has been instrumental in aiding Saskatchewan’s newest residents. De Ciman has been a lifelong volunteer – sitting on numerous boards, and working with organizations responsible for the aid of this province’s most vulnerable.
Muna’s story – is not unlike many of the stories shared by the women she helps.
De Ciman came to Canada from Sierra Leone 28 years ago. Quickly seeking a path to higher education, and volunteerism. Muna made herself a fixture in the community, and she did so by extending a hand.
Muna De Ciman is a lifelong advocate and volunteer.
Photo Credit: Muna De Ciman
“It is my responsibility and my duty to make sure when people arrive in Regina, I am there to help them reintegrate into the new culture. If they fail. I fail. Because I was not there to help them in their journey.”
When she left Africa – De Ciman was hopeful that someone was waiting in Canada to ensure that she was successful. Today that hope she once carried, drives her work.
“I am there to help people in whatever way they need.” De Ciman helps newcomers with everything from grocery shopping, to transportation and education.
“It is important that I am able to lead these people through what I call “the wild wild west”, these people need guardians”
Muna’s upbringing showed her that life is about “us”. The concept of community. “If I am to rise up as a woman, I must help others. When you empower women and raise them to a better place, you don’t only change the woman. You change the family, you change the community, you change the country as a whole.”
Much of De Ciman’s work is centered on working with youth. A subject that she feels especially strong about.
“When you raise young women, they see the world is about them. I tell young women I work with – to go out there and make “good trouble”. When you make “good trouble”, gone are those days where you are only seen and not heard.”
From the world 0f volunteerism on a grand scale – we move to an individual who has helped strengthen women and girls – by leading through example, and teaching the art of self defense.
Kim Delesoy has been fighting for the empowerment of women and girls over the last 30 years, literally. Delesoy is a black belt in the martial art of Kempo – and founded Regina’s Spirit of the Dragon. A martial arts studio that has been recognized for the impact it’s made on youth in the city of Regina. She is an inspirational woman moving through the ranks of the martial arts world at a time when it was dominated heavily by men.
“The change in the last 30 years has been amazing. We have so many more female role models. Young girls now – when they say they want to join martial arts it’s not even given a second thought. When I started it wasn’t considered a “girls” sport.”
With an ever changing landscape – Delesoy faced her own pathway full of opposition and adversity. Today she says that young girls are more likely to quit activities like martial arts, due to societal pressures, and a lack of confidence. Adding that the only way to keep young women in the sport is to build them up and show them that they are worthy of the accolades and the time.
“Martial arts is no longer completely male dominated. It still is a little bit, but women are marking their spots.”
Kim Delesoy of Founded Regina’s Spirit of the Dragon, and works to empower young women through sport.
Photo Credit: Kim Delesoy
A major part of Delesoy’s work involves teaching bully defense classes with the Spirit of the Dragon studio, alongside instructing some of the province’s brightest young martial artists from a place of respect for the sport, and each other.
Delesoy’s words for young women who are facing the same challenges, and adversity she once faced are poignant.
“Most girl’s need to sit back and realize what their value is. Most girls don’t understand that they are as good as they are. They need to be confident and believe in themselves.”
One driving factor behind Kim Delesoy’s work is seeing the end result of training in the martial arts for young girls.
“Seeing the progress and growth. the confidence that get’s built with young girls. It can have such a huge impact on their lives.”
Kim’s focus has been on promoting young girls in the sport – helping them to not fall into old stereotypes and boxes.
being given the title of “inspirational woman” is something Kim embraces with modesty and a call to action for others in her role.
“It’s a huge honor whenever says something like that. It seems unnecessary – and I would hope that every woman who has the opportunity, would want to inspire young girls and help them to grow to be stronger and more independent, confident women.”
To enroll for classes at Spirit of the Dragon – visit their website here.
The good fight for women and equity continues not just on Saskatchewan’s martial arts mats, but in it’s boardrooms as well.
In 2007 Rachel Mielke founded Hillberg and Berk – a Saskatchewan based company that has been working to bring “sparkle” into the lives of women the world over. Mielke’s work has been worn by celebrities, Olympians, strong confident women across the country – and notably the late Queen Elizabeth.
Mielke became an entrepreneur out of the University of Regina – at a time when it wasn’t common place for women to start their own business ventures.
“When I first started my company, there were very few people getting into business. Fast forward 16 years later – the landscape has changed. Entrepreneurship is the future of our country, and it’s exciting to see women getting into business and attacking problems, in business or society and attacking that through entrepreneurship.”
Mielke encourages young women to consider the challenges of business, often primarily based in fear and self doubt.
Founder and CEO of Hillberg and Berk – Rachel Mielke
“We need to refocus our relationship with failure, really knowing and understanding that it’s all part of the journey. make peace with that from the outset.”
She adds that if you have a passion for business or an idea – go for it.
“The world needs more innovation, it needs more entrepreneurs – don’t let fear stop you from trying.”
Hillberg and Berk has donated more than a ten million dollars to women’s organizations. They are committed to sharing 20 percent of their annual profits with charitable organizations.
“We want to use our platform to not only spread messages and talk about important things, but we also want to support these organizations in tangible financial ways.”
Hillberg and Berk is tackling hard to discuss and often “taboo” women’s issues for International Women’s day. The campaign is encouraging customers to “get explicit” and talk about issues that are sometimes looked at as taboo or uncomfortable. You can find a link to the campaign here.
“These messages tie so many women together in so many different ways,” one focal point of the campaign is a restorative tattoo artist. Shaughnessy Otsuji has been working with women who are undergoing chemotherapy and have lost their hair. She tattoo’s eyebrows, contributing to the confidence of these women as they go through this process. Otsuji has been growing her techniques and working with women on restoring and replacing nipples lost during mastectomies on restructured breasts.
“She started this work to reconstruct nipples, and her work has evolved. It’s so incredibly detailed and beautiful. In our campaign she talks about the confidence that it gives back to women. We’re featuring “boob studs” as our main product.”
As a cancer survivor herself – this cause is particularly close to Mielke’s heart.
The campaign Milke says is about more than the product – it’s about sharing conversations that have made women feel shame through history, not wanting to talk about things that aren’t openly shared.
“We’re pulling back the curtain, and featuring women who share openly, and have made amazing careers doing so.”
Mielke adds that it is important for us to support local female entrepreneurs. Supporting those who are building, and supporting local programs and charities is more important now than ever.
De Ciman, Delesoy and Mielke – three names pushing forward in the province. Affecting change, and lifting up women.
De Ciman adds one more important point. It’s important that women and young girls know they are not alone in the province with the need for ally ship being more crucial than ever before.
“Be there. Ask questions. Be honest. Fight the good fight. Go out there an make good trouble for these women. For change to come we need allies. We need them to tell us to go out there and fight, and if we fall down – they’re going to catch you. ”
