February 2024 Membership Newsletter

Mark your calendars!

Our annual UTWSA LeadHERship Conference is going to be on March 9th! Get ready to be inspired and empowered!

Why Attend?

Get Inspired: Join us as we shine a spotlight on outstanding women who have shattered barriers, made waves, and showcased excellence in their respective fields. This conference is your chance to witness firsthand the remarkable achievements of women who are paving the way for the next generation of leaders.

Featured Firm Representatives: You will have the chance to speak with industry professionals at our 2024 UTWSA LeadHERship Conference! During the networking sessions, the reps will be sharing their personal education and industry insights as well as talk about what it’s like working at top companies.

Build Meaningful Connections: The conference is not solely about sessions and workshops; it is a great opportunity to meet high-achieving students like yourself. Connect directly, and explore opportunities for mentorship, internships, training, and more. Treat it as a space to kickstart your future!

Past Panelist Companies

Who were the significant women of colour whose voices were drowned by white men in the field of healthcare?

For many years, women and people of colour were not welcome into the medical sector, and their contributions were left unacknowledged. However, many Black women have made a significant impact on health, medicine, and policy, serving as important inspiration for new generations of empowered women of colour.

Dr. Jocelyn Elders

Dr. Elders first joined the army and then entered into medical school at the University of Arkansas in 1956, where she had to sit separately with the school staff during meal times due to racial segregation. By 1961, she become the chief resident of the university, overseeing the all-white and all-male residents and interns. By 1978, Elders become the first person in Arkansas to be board certified in pediatric endocrinology. In 1987, Bill Clinton, who was the president at that time, appointed Elders as the head of the Arkansas Department of Health, which she oversaw till 1992.

During this time, Elders advocated for greater sexual education, nearly doubled the amount of children’s immunization, expanded the state’s prenatal care, and increased home-care options for the chronically or terminally ill. In 1993, Clinton appointed Elders as the U.S Surgeon General, however, she was forced to resign after 15 months due to her controversial views on distributing contraceptives in school and promoting masturbation as a healthy way of expressing sexuality.

Mary Eliza Mahoney

Mahoney was the first professional Black nurse to work in America. She graduated from the New England Hospital for Women and Children Training School in 1879, where she was 1 of 3 people to complete the 16-month program (out of 42 people). Mahoney spent most of her next three decades working as a private nurse due to the difficulty in finding a job as a Black women. She become renown for her compassion and efficiency in her work. Later, she worked as the director of the Howard Orphan Asylum for Black children in New York. After more than 40 years of working as a nurse, Mahoney went on to campaign for women’s equality, and was even one of the first women to register to vote in Boston in 1920. For her contributions to civil rights and medicine, Mahoney was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1993.

Erika Hart

Erika Hart was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in 2008 at the age of 28. When she attempted an image search online for Black women who had undergone a double mastectomy, she came up blank. Thus, Hart decided that she would make herself an empowering image for Black women with breast cancer by attending events in topless outfits and posting on Instagram depicting her body post double

mastectomy. Hart describes herself as a “kinky, poly, cancer-warrior, activist, sexuality educator and performer.” She focuses on amplifying the voices of queer, trans, Black, Brown, and femme people through her activism and academia. In 2017, she made a powerful speech called ‘Who Is This For?’ at the Philadelphia Women’s March to remind people that cis and trans women of colour cannot be an afterthought in the women’s movement. Currently, Hart works as a professor at Columbia University’s School of Social Work, so stay tuned for her upcoming work!

source: www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/artciles/1138032/black-women-health-heroes/

Date: February 28, 2024

Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Location: William Doo Auditorium

45 Willcocks Street, Toronto , ON

Event: 50 Years of WGSI at UofT

Website: uoft.me/wgsi50-toronto

Our Communities

Discover the sense of community within UTWSA as we unveil two exciting initiatives! Dive into the world of networking within the UTWSA LinkedIn Group and build connections in our Discord Community.

UTWSA Alumni Network

Whether you're a student, recent graduate or seasoned professional, engaging with the UTWSA alumni network on LinkedIn provides a multitude of benefits that assist in advancing your career including the following:

Professional & Personal Development

The UTWSA alumni network can provide you with access to a diverse group of professionals.

These alumni who have already navigated the professional world can help you gain insight, advice, and mentorship to accelerate your own career growth.

It will also keep you informed of discussions, webinars, and workshops tailored to your interests, helping you stay updated on industry trends and new skills.

These can also expose you to different perspectives, helping you grow personally and broaden your horizons.

Strengthened Network Connections

The UTWSA alumni network allows you to strengthen your professional connections. You can connect with fellow alumni working in various industries, which can be invaluable for networking and job hunting Having a strong network can provide you with access to job referrals, recommendations, and collaborations that can help you in your career. You'll have the opportunity to engage in social events and community activities with your fellow alumni.

UTWSA Discord Community

Exciting news! The UTWSA community space is now live and open to all members, providing a supportive online space for you all to connect, learn about upcoming UTWSA initiatives, and enjoy fun events such as study sessions or game nights

Need a study buddy or coursework assistance?

Join our study sessions for collaborative learning. And for those looking for anyone to share their unique interests with, our channels are dedicated to sharing hobbies which provides the perfect opportunity to build lasting friendships!

Don't miss out on our upcoming events or the excitement of our latest newsletter

Plus, you will be able to discover valuable professional opportunities within our Alumni Network, all conveniently accessible on our Discord! So, join the conversation, stay connected, and make the most of your UTWSA membership

Moreover, as part of our broader mission to foster a thriving community of women, the UTWSA Discord server is designed to be a supportive space where every member is valued and empowered. This space is not just a server; it is a dynamic environment where we celebrate each other's achievements, share experiences, and interests, and uplift one another on our unique journeys

Hence, we warmly invite you to join us on the server! Your presence is crucial as we strive to collectively maximize the potential of this space. Thank you for helping shape the future of our community!

SPOTLIGHT:

Messages from the Co-Founders:

Stephanie Tien:

My advice for women at UofT who are interested in entrepreneurship is to utilize the resources that we have available to us as students and alumni of the university. There is an incredibly supportive community within UofT Entrepreneurship and the incubators there. They can provide support in the form of funding, workshops, networking and more, which are all very helpful in starting a business. I would also encourage women to pursue entrepreneurship even if they are unsure or intimidated — many industries are male-dominated and it can feel intimidating to get started but becoming an entrepreneur and starting my own business has really helped to build my confidence in myself and my experiences. Entrepreneurship provides invaluable career and life skills.

Kristina Knox:

My advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs is to remember that entrepreneurship looks different for everyone. It’s easy to believe that every successful entrepreneur had a one-track focus or their company was an overnight success. I think it’s important, especially as women, to challenge these stereotypes and know that you can start your business whether you ’ re in school, starting your career, or any life stage. You can make entrepreneurship work for you and your life.

SPOTLIGHT: FLASH GLOWCO

nFLASHnGLOWCO, a Canadian-based Health & Beauty company, was born from a powerful idea: to empower everyday women and help them feel confident in their own skin. This mission drives their commitment to providing accessible solutions for safe and effective hair removal in the comfort of your home. Their journey started by collaborating with an international manufacturer, renowned worldwide for their excellence in IPL systems. This partnership enabled them to bring the FLASHnGLOWCO IPL Handset to life, a device designed and rigorously tested for athome hair removal. They have since harnessed the latest clinical standard technology and incorporated it into the FLASHnGLOWCO IPL Hair Removal System, ensuring that you can achieve salon-quality results without the hassle of hidden costs, upgrades, or the need for refills. Say you can say goodbye to the inconvenience of shaving forever. What makes their story even more inspiring is that FLASHnGLOWCO was founded by one of our very own University of Toronto students!

Founder LeilaBelal

During the pandemic, I realized I wanted to sell self-care products when I noticed it became harder for a lot of the women around me to keep up with their self care when salons were closing. My goal was to make it more affordable and accessible for women to receive the same treatments from the comfort of their own homes. This led me to the idea of selling at-home laser hair removal devices and LED light therapy face shields. This is where I started Flashnglowco.

To my fellow female students who are looking to start a business, I know balancing academics and entrepreneurship can be super challenging, but if you have a unique idea that you’re passionate about, that by itself can take you so far. Trust your instincts, and know that you have the ability to succeed in both worlds.

I would also encourage anyone to look at people around them and to think about just one thing that can make certain experiences for them better/easier, and start from there!

-Leila Belal (Founder/CEO)

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SPOT LIGHT:

Women Entrepreneurs

Do you know of any entrepreneurs within the University of Toronto or beyond?

The UTWSA monthly newsletter is embarking on an exciting new initiative. We're dedicated to shining a spotlight on women-owned businesses, not only at the local level but also on a national scale.

Locally, our aim is to showcase businesses owned by UofT students or alumni, as well as those run by members of the public in Mississauga, Scarborough, and Toronto We want to celebrate and promote these enterprises that contribute to the local community and economy

On a broader national level, we're equally enthusiastic about highlighting women-owned businesses from various provinces and territories across Canada. This initiative underscores our commitment to supporting and empowering women in entrepreneurship, and we're excited to share their stories and successes with our readers.

Stay tuned for these inspiring features in our upcoming newsletters!

© Lisa Luison Valentino

MEET THE MEMBERSHIP TEAM

We're the creative force behind the monthly newsletter and utilize various professional media to ensure students stay informed and engaged with the organization. Keep an eye out for our curated content throughout the year!

Meet Arina, our First-Year Intern.

Arina’s favorite study spot is either Robarts or the UC Library and a fun fact about her is that she would like to learn as many languages as possible!

She is hoping to utilize this internship opportunity to meet new people and connect with people who have similar interests and passions.

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Arina Chelyadinova

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Chidera Uduji Membership Manager

Aniqa Javed Membership Manager

Veronica Luo VP of Membership

Yi Lin VP of Membership

GettoknowyourUTWSAexecutivesbyfollowingusthrough atypicaldayasaUniversityofTorontostudent!

DI AY IN THE LIFE SERIES

SNEAK PEEK OF THE SERIES

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THANK YOU ForReading

BECOMINGAMEMBER

Ensuring your ongoing access to our invaluable newsletter & exclusive content is as simple as becoming a member.

By joining our community, you will continue to receive full access to our insightful newsletter and stay updated with all our initiatives

Don't forget to follow @uoftwomens on Instagram, where we regularly share updates about our efforts to advance gender equity.

Thank you for tuning in & we look forward to connecting with you in next month's newsletter!

© Anna Kövecses