Know Her Stories

After a tour of the HMCS Winnipeg, Rachel Mielke and Amber Comisso got together over Zoom to have a chat about Comisso’s most recent mission, her unlikely career path, leadership, diversity in the military, and making it work in a demanding career.  "Women can do whatever they want and I can’t wait to get to a point where that’s not even part of the conversation anymore." Here’s their conversation:  Rachel: Tell me a little bit about how you got into a career in the Navy. Amber: Happenstance is probably the best description. I was at a university information night in Thornhill, Ontario and my mom had come along. I went to the first presentation and my mom branched off and when she came back she said, “Amber! You’ve gotta watch this presentation.” She took me to a presentation by the Royal Military College of Canada, and I said, “Mom, this is the Canadian military,” and she was like “I know, right? Isn’t it so great?” I was totally into drama in highschool. I was very artistic. I was almost the antithesis of a military mind. But, the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a smart decision. My four years of school would be paid for. I had a guaranteed job afterwards. I didn’t know what I wanted to be and the idea was exciting. I got excited to serve my country and to, as they say, “Join the Navy, see the world.” I think I was the first person from my highschool to go to RMC.Rachel: Given that you had an arts focus and you were into drama, one might assume you would go in for a few years, experience it, and then do something else. What has kept you with the Navy for 23 years? Amber: Originally, I thought I’d do my 4 years of school and my five years afterwards and that would be it. I always said I would leave when I was bored, but this work just keeps getting better. I was given an incredible amount of responsibility at a very young age. Out of RMC in 2001 I remember being on the bridge of the ship with over 200 people asleep and my job was to keep everyone safe and sound. That sense of leadership at a young age appealed to me; it’s a very dynamic career—it’s not a desk job at all—and every couple of years you’re basically learning a new job. I went from being on the bridge of the ship, to learning how to control the helicopter that accompanies the ship, to being the captain’s warfare advisor, to being second in command of the whole thing. It’s been an adventure and I’m still having a lot of fun, but what’s kept me here is the leadership opportunities. That, and the travel of course. Pre-pandemic, I was able to see so much of the world. During one job I got to go to 10 different countries in 2 years, which was just amazing.  "You have to have courage. If you’re looking at something and thinking, 'I don’t see it that way at all,' have the courage to put your opinion out there."  Rachel: What does a regular day on the ship look like? Amber: On operation neon, this last mission, our job was to enforce UN sanctions against North Korea from August to December. I’d wake up around 5 o'clock and have a nice quiet cup of coffee and about an hour to myself. After my coffee I’d go to one of two hotspots on board and try to figure out the pulse of the ship. I’d often go into the operations room and there was one cohort of sailors who’d really let you know how it was going. Then I’d see what everyone was saying in the machinery control room. Then breakfast. Operation neon was so dynamic. We’d basically get intelligence of where we thought these ships were smuggling oil, and then we’d launch the helicopter and follow ships. My job, as second in command, was to support the captain. So if he hadn’t slept very much throughout the night, he would give me control of the ship in the morning and get his head down while I helped the bridge team execute our intelligence mission. I’d always fit in a workout at around 4pm. I loved to ride the stationary bike on the upper deck because you could glance out at the ocean and see all the fishing traffic on that side of the world. Then it was dinner. After dinner, I’d usually try—somewhat unsuccessfully—to watch the movie we’d screen every night to try to get all the officers together to decompress. Life at sea is long hours. You’re working all the time because you live there. As I’d get ready for bed, the rest of Canada would be waking up and the emails would start coming in so I’d try to answer a few before getting a bit of sleep. That’s life at sea. It’s a lot about food and routine. Normally, the best part of the Navy is port visits. That’s when you get to see the world. On this mission, because of the pandemic, we were confined to the ship and the jetty. So we had to work hard to keep 254 people mission-focussed with enough rest and relaxation.  "My inclination in the beginning was to be silent. Now I realize that my diversity of thought is actually such an asset." Rachel: The space is, of course, very limited on board. I’m sure you’ve had gender-related obstacles that you’ve had to (or continue to have to) overcome as a woman in the navy. Can you talk to me about those? How did you get through them? Are there any female role models who inspire you or have inspired you? Amber: When you’re the only woman sitting at the table, you look at things differently. At the beginning of my career, I really hesitated to voice my opinion because it was so different from everyone else’s. The military is predominantly white and male. We’re trying to get beyond that, but that’s what the majority of the numbers are. Everyone around the table would be nodding and I’d be like “Wait a second, I see this totally differently.” My inclination in the beginning was to be silent. Now I realize that my diversity of thought is actually such an asset.As for role models, there are so many that came before me like Commodore Kurtz. It was just announced that she’s going to command the Royal Military College of Canada. She was a warship captain back when I was just starting out. Mentoring is very important. On the last deployment we had quite a few women on board, and what was encouraging was how inspired women in the junior ranks were to see women in senior positions of leadership and importance. These younger women want to see that it’s possible. That’s why representation is so important. They have to actually meet you and say “Yes, ok, Amber. You’re here.”  Rachel: I think a lot of the women who read our blog are in their 20s and 30s and at that stage where they’re trying to gain confidence in their voice and facing the same challenges you faced. They’re at the table, but they’re not feeling confident enough to speak up when their ideas are different because maybe they don’t look like everyone else sitting around the table. What helped you find the confidence to speak up when you knew that your ideas were so different from what was being said around the table?Amber: Well it has taken a while because you do feel like you’re wrong or crazy sometimes when you’re in a male-dominated field like the military. I actually had an admiral who said “You know what Amber? Your job is to make sure our meetings have representation.” He recognized that you can’t have an honest conversation unless there are different opinions at the table. To me that was a progressive, brilliant move. It takes effort to make sure your team is diverse, but the benefits are incredible. You have to have courage. If you’re looking at something and thinking, “I don’t see it that way at all,” have the courage to put your opinion out there. When I was at Staff college in Toronto I researched diversity and inclusion, and there is great research that shows that diverse teams often feel uncomfortable and awkward, but they’re proven to produce better results because they’re more interested in consensus. "I do hope that one day my girls (who are 10 and 6) will be able to look at my career and see that you really can be whoever you want to be." Rachel: A question I get asked alot is about balance, and you and I both know that there is no such thing as balance. You have to make choices. When you told me you hadn’t seen your family in over a year, I kind of went, “Wow. That’s a real sacrifice.” So my question is, how do you make it work? Not seeing your family for a year is not balance, but how do you make it work? Amber: I was really lucky that my partner understood what a career milestone it was for me to be appointed as executive officer (second in command) of a warship. I couldn’t have done it without him because he’s been at home by himself with the kids. He understands what I’m trying to do in the navy. When I got the job one of our first conversations was like, “Are you sure you can do this? This leaves you at home with the girls.” And he said, “We’re going to make this work.” A true partnership like that is important. He’s in the military also. He has his own career goals so we’re always trying to balance that. The biggest thing is patience. The kids have been very patient. When I deployed for 4 and a half months, I was very mission-focussed. I would call home when I could, but really I think they understood Mom was on a mission. I think you should fully commit yourself to whatever you’re doing. When I was home—it was only a couple of weeks—I poured myself back into my kids, and my marriage, and our home. You’re right, I really don’t think there is much balance, but I’ve tried to be more deliberate. If I’m on a mission, I’m on a mission. If I’m back at home, I’m back at home. I do hope that one day my girls (who are 10 and 6) will be able to look at my career and see that you really can be whoever you want to be. As a very short, petite woman in the Navy, I’m not what you think of when you picture a warship captain. That’s part of why I’m doing all of this. I hope they see that.Rachel: As someone who wears a uniform, to what extent do you consider fashion and accessories part of your identity? What clothes or accessories make you feel most like yourself? Amber: The uniform is very masculine. So whenever we went into port (pre pandemic) I would always try to dress up, and dress more feminine to feel more like myself. The military used to be very strict when it came to hair being tied back tight. Recently we’ve changed and adapted. It’s important for our younger generations. How they look is really important to who they are. I like seeing that people can wear ponytails with their uniform and have more variety when it comes to earrings and stuff. I’ve got a friend who’s deployed on the HMCS Calgary. She’s the executive officer as well and I saw her in one of their promo videos with her heels on, and I really liked that. Rachel: If you had to pick a favourite fashion house, designer, or brand, what would it be? Amber: Oh gosh. Ok, well I do have to say that I think your Sparkle Ball™ earrings are just like...happiness! I actually got a couple pairs for some of the younger naval officers that I mentor because I just love the sparkle, the shine, the brightness. Honestly, my favourite thing to do is go to a place like Marshall’s and hunt. I just love that. If I ever have any free time that’s what I like to do. I love the thrill of the find.  Rachel: There’s a lot of talk about the military wanting to recruit more women. Are there specific skills or talents that women bring to the table that you’ve witnessed?Amber: Women lead differently. We’re very invested in collaboration and consensus, and we lead with a strong sense of empathy. On deployment I felt like I was Mom to 254 people. That’s how I am. I like to nurture. My leadership style is very nurturing, and I think there’s value in that when a ship sets out in the middle of a pandemic and you’re not quite sure what the world is going to look like. We didn’t really have a lot of answers to give the crew because it was everyone’s first time deploying in that kind of environment. If you look at the median age (of the people on board) they’re young. They’re in their twenties. They’re experiencing life for the first time in their military career so I think you need that compassionate, nurturing aspect that women can naturally bring to the table. Not to say that men don’t or can’t do that. They certainly can. I would just say that my nature was to nurture and mother a little bit. Probably because I’m a mom myself.  "Empowerment to me is to know what you know very deeply." Rachel: Tell me a little bit about what empowerment means to you? Amber: Empowerment to me is to know what you know very deeply. It was only recently in my career I’ve been able to settle into myself and come to terms with who I am and how I lead. Empowerment to me is to lead authentically. For a long time I tried to fit that mold of a classic military officer—cold, stoic, unemotional. But I realized that’s not who I am. Embracing my emotional side helped me lead more authentically. Empowerment is knowing your strengths and weaknesses. Knowing “This is how I lead. I’m an empathetic person. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m artistic.” Rachel: You have two daughters. Is life in the Navy or Military something you’d encourage them to do? Amber: I think the military is great when you’re young. It’s such a grand adventure. It gets more difficult when you have a family. There’s a lot of moving. There isn’t a lot of predictability. I’m hoping that I’m fostering resilience in my kids with all these changes, but I’m excited to see who they’re going to become. I just want them to know they can do anything. Mom and Dad are both in the military so if they decide to continue in that tradition, great. The biggest thing I want them to know is that there is no traditional role for women. Women can do whatever they want and I can’t wait to get to a point where that’s not even part of the conversation anymore.

Paulette Senior is the President and CEO of the Canadian Women's Foundation. In 2016, Paulette joined the Canadian Women’s Foundation as President and CEO after a decade serving as CEO of YWCA Canada. She is a nationally recognized thought-leader on gender equity, women’s empowerment and leadership. We talked with Paulette about her crucial work with CWF, the effects of the pandemic on gender-based issues, great literature for understanding our times, and how tights are a big help in this moment.   "We want to provide women, vulnerable women, girls, and gender-diverse folks with the support they need to thrive."  Can you talk a little bit about your work with The Canadian Women’s Foundation? I’m privileged to be a part of the Canadian Women’s Foundation. It’s been an incredible institution within the women’s sector. We’re actually celebrating our 30th anniversary this year. We raise money and fund organizations that are doing grassroots work around various aspects of gender equality. We combat gender-based violence, support women’s economic prosperity, address skill-building needs, support girl’s confidence and self-esteem, and help girls combat negative messaging they receive about their bodies and abilities. We also promote women’s leadership in various aspects of society. So those are the main areas where we try to raise money and acquire grants. Doing that for thirty years has really been a mission of the Canadian Women’s Foundation. One of our founding mothers was the late but great Rosemary Brown from Vancouver, and one of her infamous sayings is “Until all of us have made it, none of us have made it.” We approach our work with an intersectional lens, a gender-based analysis lens, and a social justice lens. We want to make sure all of us have the opportunity to make it, to fulfill our goals and missions. We also make sure Indigenous women, Black women, and racialized women have a voice through the work we do. Our work is fueled by committed folks like Hillberg & Berk. Companies and individuals who recognize that investing in gender equality benefits all of us, and their generosity feeds into the generosity we’re able to provide. We see these as critical investments. What do your days look like? And what do you find rewarding about this work?One of the things I like about this work is I don’t have a typical day. My personality doesn’t align very well with routine (laughs). I like doing a bunch of different things that contribute toward the same goal. For example, today I just got off a phone call with the advisory committee for the charitable sector. That’s a government-appointed committee that I sit on to look for ways and means to address barriers that might prevent charitable organizations from doing their work effectively. That could be through policies, or regulations that need to be changed. I try to reduce those barriers and make it easier for organizations to serve their communities. That’s an example of a policy table. I also sit at other policy tables that develop and create plans for gender equality, or strategies to end gender-based violence in Canada. I like that. That’s an important part of the work because it’s systemic. I also do a lot of media interviews. As we approach International Women’s Day, interviews become more frequent. Tomorrow I’ll be doing a national syndication for CBC radio. My work is also about setting the strategic priorities, visions, and goals for the foundation. Making sure we’re not just setting those goals but always aligning our work towards the mission and vision of achieving gender equality. I spend a lot of time with my colleagues and senior leadership team figuring out our path forward—whether that is budgeting, checking in to make sure everyone within the organization is ok, and doing a lot of virtual events.  "We’ve proved ourselves as conveners, supporters, and critical voices for the women’s sector, the gender equality sector." The pandemic has increased gender inequality in a few areas. We’re seeing women disproportionately encounter job loss and economic pressure, there’s been increased gendered violence, and women are also more likely to be exposed to stressful, dangerous conditions on the frontlines. Can you talk about what CWF is doing to lessen the burden of these rising inequalities?  I don’t think there has been a time like this in a long time. The pandemic has really had a negative impact. We’ve been responding to the gendered impact of the pandemic in multiple ways. At the grassroots level we’ve worked hard to get emergency funding to organizations that serve women, girls, and gender-diverse people in communities throughout the country. Some of these organizations are shelters, some are sexual assault centers, others are organizations that provide services to women living in low income. We’ve worked hard and out of that work (and our partnership with the government) we’ve been able to secure over 30 million dollars that we’ve distributed to organizations across the country. It’s an emergency response to the pandemic. We’re still in the throes of distributing that money, but we’ve proven to ourselves, the government, and others that this is a critical role for us to play as The Candian Women’s Foundation. We’ve proved ourselves as conveners, supporters, and critical voices for the women’s sector, the gender equality sector.We’ve also done a couple of things to rebuild after the pandemic. We know that Canada needs to have a fundamental shift. So what we’ve said is “Normal was not good for everyone.” It wasn’t very good for Indigenous folks, for Black and racialized folks, for gender-diverse people, and trans folks. So we’ve created some papers in collaboration with other women’s organizations that focus on resetting normal. Instead of going back to normal we’d like to create a new normal where everyone can thrive, and work toward ensuring policies are reset. We want to provide women, vulnerable women, girls, and gender-diverse folks with the support they need to thrive. What are the things we need? A livable wage, affordable and accessible childcare, response to community need, affordable housing in every part of this country but especially for vulnerable groups, and we need the wage gap to be addressed. The wage gap continues to be an issue. We need to address issues around leadership, and when we talk about women’s leadership we’re talking about the spectrum of women so all women can have opportunities to lead as they wish to do so. In the spring and summer we were able to pivot quickly and raise emergency dollars which brought a lot of new folks to the work of the foundation, and then we were able to distribute those dollars. But as we go forward, as the vaccine gets distributed and the virus recedes, and we start to think about recovery—what does recovery look like? We want folks to work with us, to engage with us, to support the kind of recovery that benefits all of us, and we ask that folks will go to our website because we’re focussed on investing in gender justice. We also ask people to send letters to their government representatives to invest in three key areas that will make an impact for women, girls, and gender-diverse people as we recover from the pandemic.  "Instead of going back to normal we’d like to create a new normal where everyone can thrive, and work toward ensuring policies are reset." Who have you drawn inspiration from recently?I would say that it’s not one person. If I look from BC to Newfoundland, I see these amazing women who are leading the public health response to the pandemic. I am so lifted and inspired by them because it’s the first time we’ve seen women’s leadership shine for all Canadians to see, and at one of the most critical times in our lives over the past hundred years. There has really been a tremendous display of women’s capacity to lead us through such a stressful time and keep us safe during a pandemic. So I would say all those women are an inspiration. The women who are visibly leading and keeping track of our progress, and encouraging us to be kind, and being calm in their delivery of these messages every single day. But I’m also inspired by the women who are not as visible but still working just as hard because we depend on the essential services they provide that we need to survive. It’s not one woman, it's these women we see and know and also the ones we don’t see and don’t know who are working so hard behind the scenes.  Say you could choose a short (mandatory) reading list for adults in Canada, what books would you put on it? Why? Books have become even more important to me lately. Whether I’m walking, need a change of pace, or just something to help me fall asleep. All of the above have become very important in terms of the books I choose to read. I don’t think I’ve done enough of that over the years but the pandemic has really shown me what I’ve been missing. In my organization we have taken on a knowledge-building journey on the issues we are addressing around justice and equality. There are a couple of books that we read, discussed, and learned about with each other. One is called Decolonizing Wealth by Edgar Villanueva. It’s a great book that is so pertinent to the work we are doing within the philanthropic space. And the other one is So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, which is another great book to take on now because—as the Black Lives Matter movement and the Indigenous rights movement and other equality movements have taken the stage over the past year—it’s important to take on some learning. Sometimes it gets a little tiring to be the source of knowledge for folks. It’s important that we take personal responsibility around our own learning and then have conversations. So those are the two books I’d recommend. One is about my organization and the other is really about talking about race, and not being afraid to talk about race. Are there any great books for kids you’ve found that help introduce ideas of gender inequality? Or gender diversity? I love this question. On our website we have a list of books that we recommend. There’s one called Little People Big Dreams (ages 5-8) that’s a good one. Another one I think a lot of girls would appreciate is Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky. That’s probably for pre-teens. There’s a good one for kids called, All Are Welcome, or there’s another one called Happy in Our Skin, which really gets to the issue of the intersection of race and gender. There’s another one called Just Ask, which encourages young people to ask the tough questions they may be troubled by. Then Girls Resist, which is about girls' activism and leadership, which are areas we work in. I also think Desmond Cole’s book, The Skin We’re In, which came out last year is always a good book to read.  If you could change (or eliminate) one policy or law in Canada what would it be?I think it’s more about enhancing and not necessarily about eliminating, and I think [the pandemic has shown] the critical need for a national action plan on gender-based violence. I believe it’s needed more now than ever because we’ve seen gender-based violence increase worrisomely during the pandemic. Quite frankly I shiver to think about what we’ll uncover as we come out of the pandemic. Folks have called it a shadow pandemic. As the pandemic grew the issues of gender-based violence increased along with it. So I’d love to see [an action plan] in place and I know that there's a commitment from the current federal government because I’m at the table for those conversations, which is important. I want to make sure that we see that through because it’s so critical. It’s really about saving lives.    How do you relax after a difficult day? Do you have any self-care practices that help you recharge and get ready for this important work? I find exercise is important to me, but I’m also finding it very important to be outside. I have never been a winter-loving person but this year I’ve appreciated dressing up as warm as possible and going for walks—to get some fresh air in my lungs. Sometimes I walk with a friend and we’re able to get caught up. I live alone so having company is important and being in conversation is important. And, yeah, exercise however I can get it. If I have to stay inside I have a bike that I use. When I had to cancel our meeting earlier—that was really about taking care of myself and my mental health. I realized I’d worked something like ten straight days and I needed a break. My body told me that. I think I also have to set an example within the organization. So it’s not just about physical health. It’s also about mental health. They affect each other. That’s an important thing to focus on. My day off made a world of difference; it rejuvenated my mindset. And I can tell you I haven’t done that in a long time [laughs]. And so I’m still celebrating two days after taking that day.  Are there any pieces of clothing or jewellery you find meaningful or empowering lately?Well, first of all, I was on the Hillberg & Berk website today and I ordered a couple of International Women’s Day pins. The Venus Pins. And they’re beautiful! They’re beautiful and inspiring so I’m awaiting their arrival. But I’d also like to say thank god for tights [laughs]. Thank God for that element in fashion where I can sit down and make sure my upper body is dressed for business but my lower body is as comfortable as ever. I’m finding that very empowering because at the end of the day it just allows me to completely unwind, yet feel comfortable and not have to be performative in any way.

No more pencils, no more books, no more teacher’s stylish looks? We beg to differ! This week on The Look, we’re featuring Holly Horvath. (You might know her as @teachme_style on Instagram.) We chatted with Holly about style, teaching, jewellery tips, influencing, and her passion for helping solve food insecurity in Regina. Holly’s pursuits often intertwine and influence one another in a way that makes it easy to see why she's so influential as a teacher, lifestyle blogger, and passionate member of her community. Now get your pencils and notepads ready because school is back in session with Holly Horvath! "When I am well educated on a particular subject and I get to speak about that it makes me feel empowered. I love feeling smart. I think knowledge is so classic, sexy, and never goes out of style." H&B: As a lifestyle blogger a lot of people look to you for influence and inspiration, who do you look to for inspiration? Like most people, I find inspiration from a variety of places: my friends and coworkers, people I follow on Instagram, magazines, etc. In fact, the other day I was at the grocery store and saw an outfit I loved so I went home and put it together on a hanger for the next day!!What’s the hardest but most rewarding thing about lifestyle blogging? I would have to say the hardest thing is balancing full time teaching, blogging, and all the other things that life brings... relationships, family, friends, the dog, the gym, groceries... haha you get it! The most rewarding part hands down is the relationships I have built through the platform. I have been able to connect with people all over the world I would not have ever met — it's pretty special!  What’s the hardest but most rewarding thing about teaching? This is a hard question there are so many highs and lows when it comes to teaching ESPECIALLY now. Like anything, there are more challenges with teaching now than ever but it also makes those 'aha' moments even better. Challenges include masks, social distancing, and essentially learning a new style of teaching to keep everyone including myself safe. The reward has not changed, for me teaching has always been about relationships with my students. Has lifestyle blogging helped you as a teacher in any unexpected ways? Or has teaching helped influence your blogging? It actually has. It has allowed me to connect with so many other teachers! Connecting with other teachers means sharing resources and ideas — I am a big believer in collaboration over competition. I am ALL about sharing ideas and resources.  Do you talk to your students about your life outside teaching? If so, what do they think of it? I don't — they will sometimes bring up my Instagram saying that their parents follow me but I just have the same response, "Oh, that's nice." How do you want people to feel when they look at your Instagram or blog? It is important to me that people feel like I am relatable. I never want to portray that my life is perfect. I hope to inspire people but in a relatable way, if that makes sense.  Why is style still important during a pandemic? I think style is a reflection of yourself and it's important not to lose that. It's easy to get into a slump but if you're going to, make sure it's a cute slump! Are there any social causes you’re passionate about?  Lately my eyes have been opened to the food insecurity in our city. I have been trying my best to donate what I can and help spread the word about the Regina Community Fridge.Can you share a hot jewellery tip with us?  Hmmmm, I would say that mixing metals is okay! So many people ask me if it's ok to do and I say yes!! What makes you feel empowered? Knowledge. When I am well educated on a particular subject and I get to speak about that it makes me feel empowered. I love feeling smart. I think knowledge is so classic, sexy, and never goes out of style.

"I thought, 'There has to be a place in the conversation about loving your skin colour. There has to be a narrative about how we are more than our trauma. We are more than the experiences that have been put on us.' So I started shifting my poetry into that."  Peace Akintade is an African-Canadian poet, public speaker, actor, model and Saskatchewan's Youth Poet Laureate for 2020-21. She currently lives in Saskatoon. We talked to Peace about her background, style, jewellery, and themes of identity and love in her poetry. H&B: Love, self-love, race, and identity are consistent themes in your poetry. In poems like “Rainbow” you say “I am the pancake that was left on too long, but I’m the gingerbread cookie that came out just right.” Given that February is often associated with both love and Black history, can you talk about the importance of self-love and how it has influenced your perspective on race and identity? A lot of my poetry has to do with Black love and Black joy. When I first came to Canada (from Nigeria at age 12) it was hard for me to practice self-care and self-love because I was introduced to what racism could truly be for the first time. Coming to a new country and suddenly having this different perspective of your skin colour as a young impressionable teen—I spent a lot of years not wanting to be Black. Around 2018 (when I started getting really into poetry) I went to a poetry festival, and I saw so many Black poets and they were all talking about trauma, racism, and ways their skin colour has put them down. And as I sat there, I felt suffocated, it was alarming to have all these problems put on you by multiple people talking about it every single day. So I left that building and when I breathed in the fresh air I thought, “There has to be a place in the conversation about loving your skin colour. There has to be a narrative about how we are more than our trauma. We are more than the experiences that have been put on us.” So I started shifting my poetry into that. Yes, we need education and awareness about our history, but we’re also humans who experience joy. That’s when I started talking about Black joy and Black love.  The reason I wrote that line is because it’s how I saw myself—as a pancake that was left on too long. Something not good enough to eat. But then I thought, “Gingerbread is the same colour, and everybody loves that colour. That’s the exact colour of gingerbread you want to eat." So that line really is all the years of me reshaping how I saw my skin colour.   "Being able to personify my skin colour with the earth, it being the same colour, and it being loved, it’s a way for me to feel I can love myself."  In another excerpt from Rainbow you say, “I was kissed by the sun before I was born and will return to earth to blend with nature. My body will begin a new cycle. My colour will always continue to be seen.” There is a loving, accepting, almost familial presence coming from nature in this passage. There’s also a kind of permanent reassurance in that “your colour will always continue to be seen.” Has a love for the natural world inspired your work?Yes, definitely. I like to say my type of poetry is personification. The line “The sun kissed me” is an expression of how I like to think about nature. Nature is so forgiving, and it’s so much a part of us. It feels like a presence that will always be there. Whenever I feel I’m not grounded, I like to go outside in my bare feet and just stand there and be like, “Ok, the earth is still here. I am still here.” It grounds me. I spent a lot of time in nature back in Africa. We’d always go running in bare feet. We’d walk up hills, jump off trees, and that’s how we lived our life daily. When I stand on the ground outside now, it’s an expression of homesickness—missing feeling a part of earth—and yet I feel reassured because the earth will always be there for us. Being able to personify my skin colour with the earth, it being the same colour, and it being loved, it’s a way for me to feel I can love myself. That connection that we have—even with the trees, being the same colour—it makes me feel like there is a place in the world for us. We all love to identify with a colour that makes us feel good. That’s the kind of thing that I think of whenever I put nature into my work. Being grateful for it and putting it into my work so it’s a part of me permanently.    Do you feel a similar kind of love, reassurance, and inspiration coming from your family? Or your ancestors? And if so, what ways do you reconnect with them? It’s been a strange journey with my family. I can talk about my ancestors. All of the stories we are told when we’re young are about bringing honour and respect to our ancestors. We’re part of a lineage. This is one of my favourite quotes: “We are standing on the shoulders of giants.” That’s something they told kids straight from birth in our village. In our culture, names are so important because the grandparents and great grandparents pick the names too. When I go back home everyone has a different name for me because they want me to be a part of their life too. That helps form a connection and a community that really looks out for you. That feeling of togetherness and similarity has really influenced my poetry. Sure our ancestors haven’t dealt with all the problems we have today, but history has a way of repeating itself so we can always find some kind of connection with them. And if we look back and think of ourselves as part of a lineage of strong, powerful people that gives me a sense of purpose. It’s sad to lay in bed and think “Why am I here?” When I think about that question, I think, “I’m here because my great, great, great grandpa decided he wanted a goat farm. That’s why I’m here. That gives me purpose and I want my great granddaughters to get that same sense of purpose when they think of me. My family is really about love and we have a strong bond because we have no other family here. Everyone else is back home in Nigeria so we just have each other. Sometimes we’ll just sit on the floor and have a picnic in our living room. We'll put blankets on the floor and food on the floor and we’ll just eat from the same plates because that’s the kind of bond we really want to preserve in our life. We have each other, we have our ancestors—it’s a way we can move forward with strength.   “Looking back and thinking of ourselves as part of a lineage of strong, powerful people gives me a sense of purpose.” “I’m not part of the colours of the rainbow, but goshdarnit both ends of the rainbow will always touch me.” This is another great piece of perspective. The earth that you align yourself with, where people might not be looking, is actually in closest contact with the rainbow. It’s almost connective tissue. Can you talk about what inspired this line?That line was inspired by asking myself, “How do Black people see themselves?” A lot of people talk to me about lines in this poem, and they’ll say “I see myself as wood, or I see myself as the grass,” and that’s how they remain themselves. So for me, rainbows are a very important symbol—they mean peace, comfort, promise. When I hear people talk about themselves no one talks about themselves as colourful, or spontaneously flamboyant. They all have this grounded, down-to-earth way of thinking about their skin colour. And it made me think, we don’t think of ourselves as taking space. We’re always trying to be in the corners, out of sight, making space for other people. We don’t see ourselves as the rainbow—the most striking thing—so I thought how can I connect those two worlds? That’s when the line “both sides of the rainbow will always touch me” came to me. I hope it inspires other Black youths, children, and adults to see themselves as part of the rainbow because we are. They always talk about what’s at the end of the rainbow. Well...? [Laughs.] So that’s what inspired that line.  The Black Lives Matter movement asked our society to confront racial inequality last summer. Obviously, we still have a long way to go, but have you (personally) noticed any signs of progress? Or lack thereof?Honestly, I do feel like there has been progress. And I really like saying that because it’s been a very challenging journey being a Black artist in Saskatoon because there are not many other Black artists. Most people don’t proudly talk about themselves as artists, but for about five years now I’ve been able to proudly say “I am an artist, that’s who I am, deal with it.” And now other people have started coming up! The reason I started writing and performing is because someone took that step to say that there is a place for us, which is so great. But, it also leads to other issues. One thing I’ve dealt with a lot is tokenism. Lots of people will ask me to join stuff because they want to check a box for diversity. That’s why February is one of my busiest times. That’s when people will come to me. There have been a few companies who say that they want to change, they call me to perform, and then they put me all over their web page and Instagram and then that’s it. I feel like in order for us to go forward as a society it needs to not be about, "how many Black people can I put on my page?" Race should not be the first reason for wanting to know someone’s work. That’s why I really love this approach where you watched some of my poetry and you came with feedback and we were able to have a conversation about it. That’s progress. That’s beautiful progress. You came with the work and then we started talking about colour. That’s a good indicator of progress. Is there any jewellery that helps you feel empowered when you’re performing your poetry?Mmhmm. Rings. I love rings. A bunch of rings like my whole hand is always filled with rings. They’re always the—I like to say—obnoxiously giant ones. It seems like it’s back on trend to have those small round gold ones, but I like going to vintage stores and getting those big pearls. When I’m wearing rings it makes me feel like I’ve got a glove of armour on and my hands are just full of jewellery.  That’s gotta feel cool when you’re holding the mic too. Oh my gosh, yes! And the sound they make when they click together. I just love it.    You’re also a model. Do you find fashion and modelling influence your poetry or vice versa? Yeah. I actually just started modelling this year. It’s really about creating community and being able to relate to someone like the photographer or client. I don’t go to a shoot as a model. I go as a person that wants to talk to you and achieve a dream that you have, a vision that you have. That approach has influenced my poetry because it’s all about learning people’s experiences, and that inspires me to write more poetry about their lives, about their dreams, about their visions. I’ve found that when photographers and make-up artists are working they often talk about their lives and you get to see this ambitious, vivid, vision they have in their head. It’s nice to see it pour out of them. It’s nice to see that light in their eyes. I’m just like yeah! YEAH! There have been shoots where it’s supposed to be like an hour, but we ended up having two hours of just discussion, and at the end of it the photographer was like, “Oh my gosh, we were supposed to do something!” I’ve gained so many new friends this year from having this title of a model, which is such a strange relationship to have, but I think of it as just another opportunity to talk to people.  "It’s all about learning people’s experiences, and that inspires me to write more poetry about their lives, about their dreams, about their visions."  Can you talk about someone you don’t know who you love?The poet laureate of Edmonton, Nisha Patel. I saw her in Toronto and she has the brightest, determined energy and vision for her life. The way she does storytelling and the way she brings community into everything she does is really inspiring. I was having like a fangirl moment. I was in front of her and I could talk to her but I didn’t. I just stood there and watched while she talked to someone else about organizing poetry festivals. Poetry festivals are where so many poets go to get inspired. I’ll go back to a high school in Saskatoon to perform, or speak to the students, and I’ll bump into a grade 8 student and they’ll be like, “I went to this poetry festival and now I think I want to be a poet.” And I’m like “Yes! Go for it!”  "It’s all about learning people’s experiences, and that inspires me to write more poetry about their lives, about their dreams, about their visions."   Can you talk about a friend or family member you love? I have this friend Micah. It was my birthday yesterday and I don’t really celebrate my birthday. I haven’t had a birthday party since I was like thirteen, and I just turned 19 yesterday and Micah rounded up friends and they came for a safe socially-distanced gathering in my driveway. And that kind of care, like she just loves to care. She called me one day and said, “I’m on Skip the Dishes and I’m just going to send you over a pizza.” That’s her love language. One of the things that is amazing about our friendship is that we first met when we were passing each other on the street. She complimented me on my performance in a rendition of Romeo and Juliet, and I told her she’d make a great Juliet. We just randomly complimented each other as strangers. And then, three months later, I was running an errand for one of my closest friends, and she sent me to her house, and Micah was there! And she was like, “Wait a minute. You’re the person from the street!” We coincidentally ended up in the same room together. It’s been a year since then but it really feels like the universe aligned. It’s the kind of friendship where you can care a lot and not worry about the other person getting weirded out.What colour makes you feel empowered?Gold. It just feels so in tune with itself. It knows that you want it, but it just stays back. It doesn’t reach out to you. It doesn’t demand your attention like a diamond. Gold is standing in a place and allowing the world to come to it. I love that energy and that self-confidence. That’s how I aspire to be. Peace is looking forward to getting back to travelling and performing, but for now, she is doing poetry readings online. If you'd like to see one of these readings (or want updates on what Peace is up to) follow her @s.ole.peace on Instagram for details. "Gold is standing in a place and allowing the world to come to it. I love that energy and that self-confidence. That’s how I aspire to be."  Writing: Carter Selinger  Images: Molly Schikosky Photography

"I want to share my story in hopes that it might encourage women to go see their doctors or to request an early pap. It’s easy to hold difficult experiences close, put them behind you and try to move on, but I’ve found sharing my story to be a cathartic experience. And I just hope that it can make a difference for another woman out there."  In January of 2020, Rachel Mielke received a cervical cancer diagnosis, which set her on an onerous personal journey toward recovery during a year of global suffering. During this trying year she was able to find respite in simple things like deep breathing, journaling, and juicing. Family, support networks, and second opinions were also instrumental in guiding her through some incredibly difficult decisions.  “Things in life happen for you. They don’t happen to you.” Rachel often circles back to this quote when talking about her diagnosis, and it’s easy to see why she values this perspective of things “happening for you.” After all, this journey brought her closer to her advocacy work, helped her re-evaluate her work-life balance, prioritize her health, and make the big decision to move her family to Victoria. This experience gave her a sense of urgency and clarity about the changes she wanted to make in her life, and she executed those changes in a way that proves that times of great difficulty can also be times of great opportunity.    What was your initial reaction to the news? Is there anything you’d want to impart to someone who is going through that process of receiving a diagnosis?  So there are a couple steps before you get to a cervical cancer diagnosis. First you have an abnormal pap, and then you see a gynecologist and have a biopsy done. So, obviously, there were indications that cancer was a possibility. Still, it came as quite a shock because throughout those steps, I was constantly being reassured because it was my first abnormal pap. After I got the news about the abnormal pap, I talked to so many women who’d gone through the same thing, and I’d learned that an abnormal pap can mean many different things; it doesn’t necessarily mean cancer. I was also reassured by the fact that it took almost 8 months for me to get a biopsy. I thought, “Well, gosh, they wouldn’t let this much time pass if it was something really serious.” In hindsight, I think I would’ve been a bit pushier and tried to get things moved along quicker.  When I did get the cancer diagnosis last January, one thing I wish I would’ve done is taken someone with me to the doctor because receiving that news alone was really difficult. I wish I hadn’t driven away from that doctor’s office by myself. I was in such a challenging head space. So, for every subsequent appointment, I took a notebook and my husband because I found the appointments so emotionally intense. It was hard for me to rationally receive information. I had to write everything down and then discuss the appointment afterwards with my husband when I was able to better process the information. What kind of treatment did you receive? What stage of cancer was it?  Fortunately it was caught very early, but when I was first diagnosed there was a period of time (several weeks) where we had no idea how bad it was. I had started going to the doctor because I’d been feeling unwell for almost a year. So when this diagnosis came up, I immediately went to the worst case scenario. Those first few weeks were really challenging. When you have cervical cancer, step one is an in-person exam where they see if they can feel or see anything. The doctor didn’t see or feel anything so she thought it was early, but the diagnosis is not definitive until you have a hysterectomy. I had to wait about six weeks in between diagnosis and surgery. Six weeks without a definitive stage diagnosis. That was really hard.  The next step is an examination by your oncologist. The oncologist  does a procedure  called a LEEP where they take about half of your cervix. It’s a quick little procedure that you’re fully awake for, and my doctor hoped that since it was at an early stage, they’d remove the cancer with the LEEP. Unfortunately, after the procedure, there were some differing opinions among  the pathologists in Regina about whether they’d gotten it all and they decided to send the LEEP results for a second opinion. When the second opinion came back, they found they hadn’t gotten all of the cancer. That was obviously more scary news because there’s just so much you don’t know. The next step was a hysterectomy. My doctors gave me an option: “Do you want to keep your ovaries, or do you want us to take them?” My initial reaction was “take it all.” But, honestly I had great advice from a family member who is a physician, and one of my friends (a gynecological pathologist) who was able to send me a lot of information and say, “New information has come out, Rachel. There is a very small chance that this has invaded your ovaries at this stage, and there are more risks of taking your ovaries.” So that was a big decision to take or leave my ovaries. My surgeon seemed more on the side of taking it all out. And of course you want to take your surgeon’s guidance, but because we had that second opinion, I had the time to make the decision to keep my ovaries. That’s a big deal, especially for bone and heart health. So again, I feel fortunate to have had those conversations and perspectives. The pathologists disagreeing on my report and sending it for a second opinion meant my surgery was delayed a month. That month gave us the time and information I needed to make an educated decision about whether or not to keep my ovaries. Throughout my experience I learned you really have to challenge the process and ask questions and get perspectives from other medical professionals. Don't take your diagnosis, prognosis or treatment at face value without asking a lot of questions and seeking a second opinion. Every patient has the right to ask for a second opinion whether your doctors think you need one or not. "If there is one message I’d really like to stress, it’s that every woman needs a pap and young men and women should be getting the HPV vaccine." Pap tests are awkward at best. For some, they’re quite scary. Is there anything you’ve learned that has helped make them less daunting? My experience with paps is that I’ve always had them regularly. My perspective is, “If I’d been born a hundred years ago this technology wouldn’t be available.” We’re so lucky to have these tests! So as inconvenient or uncomfortable as a pap may be, it’s just such a small price to pay compared to what you go through with cancer. And that’s what a pap is for, it’s to detect it early, and if you can catch it early you can treat it so easily and prevent invasive, devastating other treatments that you’ll need if a cancer does progress.  One thing I found out was in Saskatchewan there is only a 52% uptake in the pap program, which means a lot of women are opting out of getting a pap, which is very worrisome. [Check your provincial guidelines for screening procedures.] The stories of women who have been diagnosed with advanced-stage cervical cancer are just so heartbreaking and unnecessary. If there is one message I’d really like to stress, it’s that every woman needs a pap and young men and women should be getting the HPV vaccine. Is there anything that you discovered along the way that helped you get through these procedures? Maybe things that helped your mindset, or approach, or forms of self-care before and after the procedure that you found helpful?  I’d been working with a business coach for several years before I was diagnosed and so having that resource was certainly helpful. Had I not had him, I would’ve reached out to a counsellor or psychologist. The day I received the diagnosis, Keith, my coach, actually encouraged me to go through an exercise of journaling my thoughts and feelings out onto the paper and facing a worst-case scenario. He thought it was important that I go to that point mentally and emotionally in the first days of my diagnosis so that regardless of the outcome—I was mentally prepared. That was an incredibly challenging exercise. I actually burnt that journal after the cancer was gone as a celebration of that chapter coming to a close. I’d also say that journaling every day was one of the most powerful tools I came across. It took the worst thoughts and anxiety I had over my diagnosis and the impending surgeries and gave me a safe place to put those thoughts. Obviously the support of my family and friends and professionals and getting as much information as I could was vital. But, for the emotional side, journaling and the Wim Hof breathing technique was very helpful when the anxiety was so overwhelming. There were times when I was in such an intense emotional state and my husband would suggest, “Let’s do Wim Hof breathing.” And that would bring me out of that state quickly. It was also important to connect with as many people as possible who had positive stories related to cancer. Just knowing that these women were out there was really helpful in those first few weeks.  After a diagnosis, you just experience this overwhelming lack of control. For me, as a CEO, I’ve spent my life feeling in control of my destiny. Experiencing this utter loss of control was especially challenging. One thing that I could focus on doing was juicing (laughs). Juicing helped my mental state—just the process of getting those fresh organic vegetables and chopping them and juicing them, and then chugging that terrible stuff back—it helped get me through the months after my diagnosis. And I do think it helped my body get stronger. "The diagnosis forced me to step back and ask myself difficult questions and make changes in my life, and for that I’m in a better place." What would you say to a person who is nervous about getting tested? The provincial guidelines for Saskatchewan are if you’ve had consecutive normal pap tests you don’t require a test for another 3 years, and those are the guidelines that I was following. You can still develop cancer in that three-year window. If you don’t feel well, don’t just say, “Oh the guidelines say to get tested every three years. I’ll wait until then.” No, go sooner! Don’t wait. Nobody is going to advocate for you. You have to get tested and ask questions, challenge what they tell you, and get a second opinion. If you feel like something is off, go sooner. You don’t need to wait three years if you aren’t feeling well. Especially now, with the pandemic it’s so easy to say: “I don’t want to go because of Covid,” and put it off and I’d just like to encourage women not to do that.  For many women cervical cancer treatment affects certain biological processes that are synonymous with femininity. Some of the surgery and radiation therapy can trigger menopause, or eliminate your chances of getting pregnant. In what ways do you think femininity and womanhood transcend these more traditional, biological associations?   I want to make this very clear that these are my own personal feelings about my journey because views on masculinity and femininity are so individual. But if there is anything that this journey taught me it’s that there is so much more to masculinity and femininity than the biological. I believe that men and women both possess a feminine side and a masculine side. I had to have a hysterectomy, but I’d had children already so I didn’t find that the operation had a big impact on how I felt about myself. When you come to this potentially life-threatening diagnosis—and this realization that there are these parts that you might have to sacrifice in order to move forward, for me, the parts became less important. They became something I had to say goodbye to, but it didn't change how I felt about my femininity. But, if this had happened earlier in my life, and I’d lost the chance to have children, I think that would be challenging.  "The journey of life is to feel this wide range of emotions—we allow ourselves to feel them, and we can come to each other for support."  I know women’s advocacy is a big part of your life—within and outside of H&B. How has your diagnosis affected your work in that area? I’m the co-chair of Women Leading Philanthropy, an organization that funds transformative healthcare initiatives led by female physicians. This past year one of the funded projects focussed on physiologic mechanisms underlying ovarian follicular waves during the menstrual cycle. One side of it was menopause, but the other side was helping women who have had a cervical cancer diagnosis begin to harvest their eggs almost immediately as opposed to delaying their cancer treatments while waiting for the next egg release cycle.  So my passion for this work—I mean, I was passionate before—but now I’m so passionate because when a woman who is of childbearing age has a cervical cancer diagnosis, quite often that could mean she won’t be able to have kids. It’s different for everyone but that is a risk potentially. Of course as women, our femininity transcends our ability to bear children but what is so important to me is that women have the ability to have choices. You mentioned that everyone has a masculine and feminine side. Did you find yourself more in touch with either side throughout this journey?  Yes. Someone once told me that things in life happen for you, they don’t happen to you; that can sometimes be a difficult perspective to accept when you’re going through something like cancer. But, after looking back, I see that what I went through gave me the opportunity to be vulnerable and, honestly, I had to be vulnerable to survive it emotionally because it felt so crushing at times. I had to be willing to talk about it and open up to people. I needed to cry a lot. Those are all things I don’t normally find myself doing, but they were powerful healing tools and human connection requirements. When I look at who I am today versus who I was a year ago, I feel like I’m much more in touch with my feminine side and really thankful to be on this journey to embrace both sides fully and without judgement.  If I need to cry, I just do that and I’m not afraid to show that side of myself to my children. So when they see Mommy cry they know it’s normal and it's ok. We’ve normalized that behaviour. The journey of life is to feel this wide range of emotions—we allow ourselves to feel them, and we can come to each other for support.  How does a diagnosis like this affect your life and work? Your family?  When you look at an experience like this as something “that happens for you” then you’re kind of given a blank slate. I wanted to take the time after my diagnosis to step back and re-evaluate every aspect of my life—my work, where we lived, and time spent with my children, husband and extended family. After re-evaluating, I decided to embark on a series of changes. We made the decision to move to Victoria to be closer to several members of our family. I challenged myself to step back from my work a little bit and find more time to spend with my husband and my children. My health has become my number one priority and that change has been a lot of fun. I have all of these passions that I never knew I had. I found out that I love mountain biking! I can’t wait to go out on the weekend and bike around a mountain, mud and all. It’s fun, challenging and empowering! It has helped me gain back confidence that I lost going through this journey. Before, I might have thought, “Oh it's a bit frivolous to take three hours to go mountain biking,” but now I realize that time makes me a better mom, wife, and CEO. Prioritizing my health has set a good example for everyone. It’s important for my mental and physical health and it’s been super empowering to give myself permission to make that a priority in my life. There’s been a remarkable change in how I feel. I haven’t had this much energy since having kids (chuckling).  It’s often said that we learn the most in times of great struggle. Do you feel like this journey has given you some wisdom? Or a valuable new perspective on life? Without a doubt. As challenging as going through this was—and it pretty much went from one crisis to another with cancer in January, and then surgery in February, and then Covid in March—I sort of thought, “Oh my gosh, how much more can I handle?” But again all of those things were open doors for our family to re-evaluate where and how we were living. The most important thing throughout this has been the chance to refocus. I do think that there was a tremendous amount of learning that came out of this whole experience. I feel grateful for where I am today versus where I was 12 months ago. The diagnosis forced me to step back and ask myself difficult questions and make changes in my life, and for that I’m in a better place. I’m also extremely thankful that my cancer was found early, and that I didn’t require any cancer treatment after my hysterectomy. So many women are not so lucky; their journeys will look very different from mine. But knowing that early detection is so critical to a positive outcome, I want to share my story in hopes that it might encourage women to go see their doctors or to request an early pap. It’s easy to hold difficult experiences close, put them behind you and try to move on, but I’ve found sharing my story to be a cathartic experience. And I just hope that it can make a difference for another woman out there.   If you’re looking for access to healthcare support, including pap testing, please follow the links below for cervical cancer screening information by province. If you’d like to help improve visibility, awareness, and availability surrounding pap testing and the HPV vaccine, consider donating to organizations like Planned Parenthood or The Federation of Medical Women in Canada.  Saskatchewan  Manitoba Alberta  British Columbia

"I believe feeling good in your own skin starts with self love. Self love can be really hard sometimes, but I truly believe that practicing being kind to yourself, and seeking out resources can help everyone become better at owning who we are." It's an earring party, and you're invited. Influenced by the lives and styles of women we admire, The Look was created to celebrate what the incredible women in our community are thinking, doing, and wearing. Inspired by Amara Haywood, this edition of The Look features earring stacks — from subtle studs to statement hoops. Advocate for body positivity, racial equality, and women's rights, Amara is one of our H&B style muses. She inspires us with her fashion sense, creative layering techniques, and use of personal style for embracing self-love and expression.   H&B: What's the key to a successful earring party? How do you layer your earrings? My current jewellery style is everyday maximalist with simple gold pieces. I always start with my first holes, and decide what my “feature earring” will be – whether it’s a hoop, statement earrings or stud. My second holes usually takes a supporting role, and I look for different shapes, stones and metals that will complement my feature earring. My third hole is always the cherry on top. This earring is typically small and simple, but complements the two other pieces.  What's your go-to earring look? As of right now, the charm hoops in gold with the pearl charm have been an everyday essential for me. The pearl is detachable, and the hoop alone is the perfect everyday gold hoop. You can pretty much always find my gold Clara Hoops in my second holes as they are an everyday staple. From head (or ears) to toe, describe your ideal fall outfit. My favourite part of dressing for fall is layering different textures. My ideal fall outfit would include a silky midi skirt, a graphic t-shirt (usually featuring one of my favourite bands), a knit cardigan, a leather jacket (in case I get too cold), paired with a pair of ankle boots. I love my accessories, and am usually wearing a headband or hat, and of course my favourite Hillberg & Berk pieces, which is currently the Beryl Herringbone Choker, Charm Hoops and the Petite Pearl Hoop Earrings.  What social cause are you most passionate about, and why? Narrowing this question down was difficult, as I think we have all learned a lot about different social causes. 2020 was an eye-opening year for many people, myself included. But the core cause in my life has been the feminist movement. Growing up with strong women, it was always instilled in me to have a passion for female empowerment, which developed into a genuine interest in the social and political movement. Throughout my education in University, I was exposed to feminism which sparked my participation in community events as well as local and online activism. This grew into an interest in different branches of feminism and how they relate to my world, including the body positivity movement, racial equality and women’s rights.  What's your favourite thing about fall? To put it simply – everything. Canada can have some crazy weather, but fall temperatures are always the most comfortable for me. The colours are amazing, and nature always puts on a show in the autumn months across the country. And of course, Halloween. In October you can always find movies like Beetlejuice playing in my house. Any tips for feeling good in our own skin? What works for you? I think as women we can be really critical of ourselves, but I believe feeling good in your own skin starts with self love. Self love can be really hard sometimes, but I truly believe that practicing being kind to yourself, and seeking out resources can help everyone become better at owning who we are. For me, I am really aware of the language I use when I am talking about myself, specifically my body and take time to reflect through different methods when I am being critical.  When do you feel most empowered? I feel the most empowered when I am connecting with other women. I am lucky to be surrounded by such influential, and passionate women in my work life, friendships and family.    

“I write for the same reasons I practice law: to use my voice for positive change.”  In light of Person’s Day on October 18, we’re getting political with Paula Ethans, a human rights lawyer, writer, and feminist reform advocate based in Winnipeg. In this Q&A, we chat with Paula about what the iconic Person’s Case did (and didn’t) do for Canadian women, why she’s never wanted to be “just a lawyer,” and how we can use social media and personal style to create positive change.  H&B: Can you tell us a bit about the person’s case and why it matters? The Person’s Case, Edwards V. Canada, was a constitutional ruling in 1929 that established the right of women to be appointed to the Senate. It’s called the Person’s Case because it was a challenge to the interpretation of the Constitution—then known as the British North America Act—that didn’t consider women to be “persons.” The Act referred to “persons” being in the Senate, and this case determined that women were “persons,” too.  This case cleared the way for women to serve on public bodies, including the Senate, and to be in important decision-making positions, but I think it’s also important to talk about what this case wasn’t. This wasn’t a cure-all or a picture-perfect feminist act. Members of the Famous Five [the group of women who pushed the case forward] supported the eugenics movement and compulsory sterilization of those considered mentally deficient—they were overtly racist and ableist. So I think it’s important to acknowledge that, while these Canadian feminist heroes helped some women for sure, they harmed others. It’s not enough to just celebrate this day in history; we also have to interrogate it.  Why did you decide to become a lawyer, and specifically a human rights lawyer? I’ve never been able to imagine myself in a career that wasn’t serving others. I decided to go to law school specifically to become a human rights lawyer because I wanted the law to be one of the things in my tool belt to help advocate for justice. That’s why I don’t identify as just a lawyer. I’m a writer, a poet, an organizer—and a lawyer. I’m using all these channels for advocacy.  Can you explain what you do as a feminist legal reform advocate? Feminist legal reform is, in its simplest terms, pressuring governments and courts to change laws and policies that adversly affect women or other marginalized communities. This can look like many different things: starting a petition, forming a coalition, writing open letters to governments, or acting as an intervener in a constitutional case. I work with a women’s legal NGO called NAWL (National Association of Womens and the Law) that’s been around for decades fighting laws that harm women. I’m a reseracher for various projects and, in particular, I created and facilitated a workshop called A Feminist Guide to Social Media and Activism, which is about helping students and organizations use social media as a tool to enact change.  Any quick tips for using social media for change? First, don’t be intimidated by it. Just do it, get on, make an account on Twitter, start a TikTok page, make a website—just create a presence. I would also say that, especially when you’re getting started, you should be doing a lot more listening than talking. One of the benefits of social media is that you get to hear perspectives you wouldn’t encounter in your daily life. I have learned so much from following Indigenous land defenders, trans activists—people I might not come in contact with on a daily basis but whose perspectives have really informed my feminism and how I advocate for social change. How does your law practice intersect with your writing life, and vice versa? Almost all of my writing is on social justice issues, so it’s directly connected with me being a human rights lawyer. Most people are intimidated by the law because it’s very inaccessible. So I love taking a complex topic—let’s say Canada’s migration policy—and translating all that legal jargon into a few straightforward pages that someone can digest and then go talk about with their friends and family. I write for the same reasons I practice law: to use my voice for positive change.  What’s a social issue you’re particularly passionate about right now? I’m very passionate about highlighting and fighting against the racist structures of law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and the prison industrial complex. It’s just in so many more facets of our lives than we notice. I’ve identified as an abolitionist for years, but as conversations about defunding the police have gone into the mainstream in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, the advocacy around this issue has really gained momentum. Every human rights issue is so deeply intertwined that, if you’re passionate about one, you kind of have to be passionate about all of them. But given our current political climate, I’m throwing all my weight behind abolition. How does your personal style intersect with your professional life?  Like everything, I think style is political. Our make-up, jewellery, fashion—these are ways for women to affirm our autonomy, to put our money where our mouth is, and to showcase what we support. Fashion is a way for us to present ourselves to the world in the way we want to be seen. It’s also a way for us to be allies, and to fight against things like worker exploitation and climate crisis. We can actively choose to support Indigenous creators. We can actively choose to support Black-owned businesses. We can make the move to reject fast fashion. Lastly, we can literally spell out what we believe! My aunt is an artist and I love to screen-print shirts with her, often with a political message.  Do you have any advice for young women pursuing a career in law or justice advocacy? There are countless tips and tricks for navigating law school, or landing an internship with the UN, but I think the most important thing for people interested in advocacy is to know what moves them. Whatever makes your blood boil—work on that. The form in which we work—as a journalist, lawyer, social worker, politician—will always be trickier to pin down, and it might even change. But the content should be more clear. Work on what moves you, what makes you get out of bed, what makes your heart pound—out of excitement and out of rage. If you don't have your whole body behind your advocacy, it can be hollow, so make sure you pick the field with care. Writing: Mica Lemiski Images: Supplied

From 2019-2020, H&B participated in a social entrepreneurship project to bring meaningful work to a women’s collective in Mandalay, Myanmar. Alongside these artisans and our partners, we worked to design and manufacture a new Sparkle Ball™ colour: Shimmer  How it began Empowering women has always been at the heart of Hillberg & Berk, but we wanted to take things a step further by giving a group of talented but systemically impoverished women the resources necessary to empower themselves. We partnered with the Ostro Foundation and Fair Share Myanmar to create jobs and a positive work environment for a collective of women in Mandalay, Myanmar. The task at hand? Creating Sparkle Balls™ in a brand new colour. The colour story Once in Myanmar, we brainstormed with our new team and collectively decided on a light, slightly-iridescent gold—a colour inspired by a natural facial cosmetic called Thanakha. Many women in Myanmar prize Thanakha for its aesthetic value and sun-blocking properties. Several women in the collective wore it daily!  From her hands to yours Each Shimmer Sparkle Ball™ has been handcrafted by a talented woman artisan. The creation process, which involves hand-placing Swarovski crystals into gold clay, takes incredible attention to detail. From the start, these women were up to the task. After a series of lessons with us, they began to make Shimmer the reality we hoped it would be. About the workplace We prioritized a positive working environment with proper tools and equipment, regular nine-to-five weekday hours, fair pay, regular breaks, supportive employers, and freedom to express religious identity. These conditions are human rights and should never be sacrificed for the sake of profit or convenience. It’s not revolutionary; it’s just right.  About the artisans Each woman in our Myanmar collective was hired by husband and wife team Raihan and Thuzar (the co-founders of Fair Share Myanmar). They selected these women based on potential and need: each came from a highly vulnerable, systematically-impoverished community where low pay, long hours, unsafe working conditions, and high levels of debt made it extremely difficult for them to properly care for themselves and their families.  Social impact There are innumerable social and economic benefits that come to communities who place women in positions of economic independence and agency. The Myanmar Project was a way to kick-start those benefits and to rethink the way businesses “do good” in our world. Instead of giving these women goods or money, we gave them a business model, and with that, a chance to do meaningful work in their communities. We reversed the traditional business model of investing in profit first, then donating it back to communities.  Why wear Shimmer? To support women’s economic independence To bridge a global connection  To celebrate cultural difference To empower women you don’t know To empower women you do know To empower yourself. Click here to shop Shimmer.

Meet Kam Bahia: High school teacher, founder of I Am: H.E.R., a workshop program focussed on empowering teenaged girls, and one of the amazing women that inspired The Look. Influenced by the lives and styles of women we admire, The Look was created to celebrate what these incredible women are thinking, doing, and wearing. Featuring stylish chain pieces, these designs are inspired by real women in our community, like Kam, and we hope wearing them serves as a reminder to always embrace your own authentic look.  We asked Kam everything from how she incorporates these designs into her everyday style to why she feels it's important for brands to represent everyday women, and even her favourite skincare tips. Get to know her, and her bright personality, below! H&B: What do you like most about wearing jewellery chains?Kam: They make me feel beautiful but with the minimalist, carefree look. They don’t take up much space on my skin, they don’t overshadow my entire neck line, but yet somehow still make a loud, radiant statement. The dainty look is what I am drawn to; a gold or rose gold chain choker. I feel like the chain speaks for itself and for the woman wearing it, she says, “I am gentle, I am kind, but look out world, I do indeed shine!!!” And the world NEEDS our unique glow!  What outfit (clothes and accessories) makes you feel most like yourself?High-waisted jeans or pants and just a plain white T-shirt with sneakers. I grew up playing soccer, so I am most comfortable in sneakers. And as for accessories, a single dainty chain choker and dainty rings. When it’s time for a girls night out, I will substitute my sneakers for platform sneakers to really take it up a notch! Why do you think it’s important for brands to feature everyday women as models? The appeal of the real, is SO real. In a world that is evolving every single day, with that comes the evolution of the word, “beauty." I think we are in a time that we have to learn to redefine the word “beauty." Models are used to promote a product, and they do so flawlessly. But I believe when you share “regular” customers wearing a product that they love and willingly associate themselves with that brand, those images just breed an organic, and just as flawless, image and feeling of beauty. It’s just a natural extension of marketing, but it’s coupled with women who are believing in and supporting these brands because that brand makes HER feel beautiful. And truthfully, if a woman feels beautiful emotionally, spiritually, mentally, socially, and physically, she is literally unstoppable! What’s your wake-up ritual like?First foremost, I take time doing my daily devotional. Gets me in the right mindset. From there, I am ready to tackle the day. In my months off, I will head straight into a workout. For the months I am working, it's right into the shower and getting ready for work. On my drive to work, I drink a hot water with lemon and listen to my favourite podcasts. What’s your top skincare tip?Don’t cringe…but soap (hand soap or body soap bar) and warm water. Stems from my mother who was born and raised in India and that’s all they used and that’s how I was raised. Why break the generational routine, right?!It’s Sunday and you’ve got no plans. How do you fill your day?I put in quality time with my distant siblings, also known as Netflix, Crave,  and Amazon Prime. Can’t have them feel too neglected!What’s something you’re obsessed with that most people aren’t?Herbal Essence shampoo and conditioner. Also, in saying that, I am also obsessed with showering. I take 2-3 showers a day, and I wash my hair everyday…sorry to all the hairstylists out there. You’re the founder of “I Am H.E.R.” Why is providing tools to support young women and build their confidence something you’re particularly passionate about?Every decision we make is rooted in our self-worth. Unfortunately, our youth are facing an epidemic of self-doubt. It is our responsibility as an older generation to nurture and empower the younger generations. I am dedicated to having young females realize their full potential through encouragement and self-belief. If we can cultivate positive change in our younger generations’ lives, they in turn will then model positive change to others around them. What ingredient do you use most in your cooking?Garlic powder!What advice would you give to girls or women struggling to make peace with their bodies? Is there a piece of wisdom that has helped you personally?Out of 7+ billion people in the world, not one other human being has the same body as you. Not one other woman in this world has the same curves as you, the same skin as you, the same smile as you. I have curves, I have a butt, but with that, comes cellulite and stretch marks. But I wouldn’t give up any of that to share the same figure with any other woman who is absent of those things. In fact, in order to have the butt I love so much, I had to get stretch marks and cellulite, so in a way, dare I say I'm actually thankful for those features. We truly are unique creatures. Our world NEEDS our uniqueness. Our uniqueness in our bodies, our shapes, our skin, our languages, and everything in between. Each woman’s uniqueness should be defined as perfection. Because there really is nothing else out there like it. There is no one else out there in this world like me or you, actually THINK about it, cling onto those words. THERE IS NO ONE IN THIS WORLD LIKE YOU!! How incredible is that?!