Meet Some Inspiring Women Advancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the women and girls who are contributing to a better, more inclusive Canada. This year’s theme is Through Her Lens: Celebrating the Diversity of Women. NSAA is celebrating by recognizing the inspiring contributions of some of the women in leadership roles at partner organizations who work tirelessly to advance equity, diversity and inclusion for all. Join us in celebrating their stories below.

Stephanie Gill, Project Coordinator, YWCA Shift Change Program

Stephanie is the Project Coordinator for the YWCA Shift Change Program, an initiative that encourages and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion of women and gender diverse people in the skilled trades. A recent graduate of Dalhousie’s Social Work degree program, Stephanie has 10 years of experience working with sexualized gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace, and she has been instrumental in helping build a network of industry partners supporting women in the trades through the Women in Skilled Trades Agency Network (WiSTAN), an initiative funded by the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.

A mixed heritage woman raised by a single mother, Stephanie understands many of the challenges marginalized people experience, and she attributes her passion for helping others to her mother’s resilience and her own personal experiences. In bringing awareness and understanding of her work and research, Stephanie envisions positive change to policy and legislation to protect women and gender diverse people in trades and believes change will come through “creating an intersectional lens that centers the voices of Black, Indigenous and racialized women and gender diverse people and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities.”

Omolara Ogunbosi, Executive Director, Africadian Empowerment Academy

Omolara Ogunbosi is the Executive Director at the Africadian Empowerment Academy (AEA). The AEA, formerly known as East Preston Empowerment Academy, is a community-based organization that promotes equal access and provides opportunity for people that are underrepresented in the skilled trades through a Red Seal Refresher Preparatory and Skilled Trades Development program, an initiative funded by the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency. 

Born in Nigeria, Omolara has over 20 years of experience working with African communities in Nigeria and Nova Scotia and is passionate about helping “community members rise above their challenges and maximize their potential in fulfilling their life dreams.” Driven to help her community, Omolara obtained a Master’s degree in Education (Lifelong Learning) and is currently enrolled in a Doctorate program that focuses on strengthening the relationship between community-based organizations and the communities they serve. Omalara also mentors girls and youth within her community, and she is a firm believer that everyone has something to contribute to society. Her guiding philosophy is that “whatever help or support I can give to you now, at the point of your vulnerability, I need to do that.”

Mohja Alia, Manager, Employment and Bridging Program, ISANS

Born in Palestine, Mohja Alia spent most of her life in Jordan and Kuwait where she worked across a variety of industries. In 1997, Mohja moved to Nova Scotia with her husband and children and sought the support and services of the Metropolitan Immigration Settlement Association (MISA), known today as the Immigration Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS). Mohja immediately “fell in love with the place” and began volunteering to help other immigrants in their journey to settle in Nova Scotia. From volunteer to Employment Counsellor, Team Lead and today a Manager, Mohja oversees ISANS’ Employment and Bridging programs.

ISANS works collaboratively with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency through a Work-based Trades Practical Assessment Program to support Immigrant tradespersons to prepare for employment in their field. Mohja feels the program has “made a huge difference to grow the trades for immigrants” and fondly says that she keeps a suitcase full of thank you cards from clients. “I feel good about how happy those people are because I know that they are contributing to the community.”

Vivian Dixon, Program Director, Women Unlimited

Vivian Dixon is an African Nova Scotian who calls both Whitney Pier and New Glasgow her home. Vivian is the Program Director with Women Unlimited and she has been instrumental in advancing women’s participation in skilled trades and technology careers for the past 15 years. Women Unlimited is a 14-week pathway program at NSCC that empowers diverse women to explore trades and technology programs and pursue specialized post-secondary education and careers. Vivian says her work with Women Unlimited “is about breaking down barriers and providing women with access and equity.” 

Vivian has a MSW in Social Work and has a long-standing history working in government and social enterprise supporting under-represented and marginalized communities to gain access to employment programs, education, and meaningful work. “My passion is staying connected to people and to grassroots organizations in the communities,” says Vivian. 
 

Tracey Johnson, Trades Coordinator, Aboriginal Peoples Training and Employment Commission

Tracey Johnson, a Mi’kmaq woman from the Elsipogtog First Nation community, is the Trades Coordinator with the Aboriginal Peoples Training and Employment Commission (APTEC) at the Native Council of Nova Scotia (NCNS). The NCNS is the self-governing authority for the large community of Mi’kmaq/Aboriginal peoples residing off-reserve in Nova Scotia throughout traditional Mi’kmaq territory whose goal is to serve, advocate and represent their community.

Tracey has worked for the NSNC for nearly 30 years in various positions. She currently manages the APTEC Aboriginal Trades Project funded by the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency. The project’s focus is to work with potential employers, agencies, organizations, and potential partners to promote, attract and retain Aboriginal participation within the designated trades of the Nova Scotia apprenticeship system. Tracey is motivated by helping clients realize their potential and seeing their success come to fruition. Much of this success has led companies to create inclusive workplaces, not only for Indigenous individuals, but for other underrepresented groups as well. “It’s gotten to a point now where companies are reaching out to us and asking what they can do to be more inclusive,” says Tracey.
 

Photo L-R: Stephanie Gill, Omolara Ogunbosi, Mohja Ali, Vivian Dixon, Tracy Johnson