January Newsletter

© Kontsevoy & Lauretsky

Bell Let’s Talk Day 2024 LeadHership Conference Our Communities Meet our Intern

mental wellness month

JANUARY 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.

1

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

2

BELL LET’S TALK DAY 2024

Moving Mental Health Forward

Bell Let’s Talk Day is happening on January 24th, 2024.

It is an annual awareness campaign about mental health and is held to encourage Canadians and people worldwide to talk and take action. It means to reduce the stigmas surrounding mental health and urges awareness and consideration to support people getting the help they need.

Bell Let’s Talk reports to be built on 4 key pillars: 1. Fighting stigma 2. Improving access to care 3. Supporting world-class research 4. Leading by example in workplace mental health

3

It is suggested by research that women’s mental health is likely to be affected more compared to men due to biological differences in the brain.

Physical and emotional stresses for women have also been said to be created from pregnancy, motherhood, menopause, infertility, discrimination, violence, and many additional factors.

Gender and race intersectionality has also been observed to cause additional mental stresses.

Mental health concerns are often found to be stemming from racial discrimination, conscious and unconscious biases, and microaggressions.

As students, we know the start of a new semester is also a stressful time that requires adjustment.

It is vital to take care of your

mental wellbeing for mundane tasks and especially studying. Ensure that you are taking breaks, time for yourself, and reaching out to family and friends (and utilizing other resources such as Bell Let’s Talk) if you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, etc.

We encourage you to take part in the Bell Let’s Talk Day happening on January 24th and to spread the word to friends, family, and peers!

If you are seeking funding, take a look at the Bell Let’s Talk: Get Funding page linked below. https://letstalk.bell.ca/get-funding/

Available Resources on the Bell Let’s Talk website: The Bell Let’s Talk website has many available resources they they organized into categories for quick and easy access, including resources for: 1. Adults 2. Youth and Children 3. Culturally specific resources 4. Family and caregivers 5. Integrated youth services 6. Seniors As well as other helpful links. See below to learn more: https://letstalk.bell.ca/tools-and-resources/

4

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:

5

Professional & Personal Development

Strengthened Network Connections

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.

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.

Click here to join!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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!

6

S POTLIGHT:

FLASHnGLOWCO

Leila Belal Founder

FLASHnGLOWCO, 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 at-home 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, proudly offering:

1

AT HOME ADVANCED IPL LASER HAIR REMOVAL HANDSETS Equipped with the latest filtration technology for Smooth Glowing Skin

3 IPL HAIR REMOVAL

HANDSET WITH ICE COOLING TECHNOLOGY A new design with cooling technology to transport you to a salon like experience right from the comfort of your own home

7

2 LED LIGHT SHIELD

MASKS

Uses NASA technology clinically demonstrated to smooth fine lines, kill acne-causing bacteria, and promote healthy glowing skin.

USE CODE “UOFT50" for $50 off 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)

@flashnglowco

8

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

Submit Your Ideas Here!

9

MEET THE MEMBERSHIP TEAM

01

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

Arina Chelyadinova

possible!

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

02

03

04

05

Yi Lin

Veronica Luo

Aniqa Javed

Chidera Uduji

VP of Membership

VP of Membership

Membership Manager

Membership Manager

10

Get to know your UTWSA executives by following us through a typical day as a University of Toronto student!

I DAY IN THE LIFE SERIES

F OLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

11

For More

SNEAK PEEK OF THE SERIES

02

01

03

04

05 12

© Anna Kövecses

THANK YOU

For Reading

BECOMING A MEMBER 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

13