Women with entrepreneurial aspirations should pursue their business dreams, despite any naysayers they may encounter. That was one of the main themes of a panel discussion that followed the screening of the documentary Dream, Girl at Quest University on Jan. 26.
The film, which was executive produced by Cheryl Wheeler, a Whistler-based entrepreneur and artist, tells the stories of a diverse group of U.S. businesswomen and what inspires them to reach for the top.
Following the film, four of the Sea to Sky Corridor’s female leaders took to the stage for a panel discussion in front of a mostly female audience of about 50.
Kim Stegeman-Lowe, president of Squamish Terminals, Squamish Nation educator and ambassador Alice Guss, professional facilitator Catherine Rockandel and Jill Korstrom, a life coach and pilot, spoke of what inspired them to go into their chosen professions and some of the obstacles women in business still face.
Stegeman-Lowe said the dissolution of her parents’ marriage when she was a child and growing up without her dad inspired her to strive in her career.
“I didn’t have my dad to grow up with so I have this fear of abandonment, really, and that is what has driven me. That and just knowing what my strengths are and how can I contribute to the various pursuits in my life,” she said, adding she always knew she was adept at administration.
Korstrom added what catapulted her at 40 from a career in marine biology to being a business woman, was giving herself permission to do what her heart wanted regardless of what others thought was a good career for her.
“It is a great career, it could be someone else’s calling… but after 17 years as a marine biologist I realized that I have a passion for the ocean. I don’t have a passion for studying fish – and I was released,” she said.
“I didn’t have to keep doing that for a living.”
Korstrom said it is important women design their lives, not default to what is expected of them.
Though the four women said they don’t define themselves in their day-to-day lives by their gender, each had experienced situations where others did.
“In 2017 it is unfortunately still an issue, for sure,” said Stegeman-Lowe, adding sexism can manifest in the waiter assuming a male will be picking up a cheque at a restaurant or in a boardroom of mostly men glossing over her idea but then embracing the same idea when it is said by a male colleague moments later.
Guss recounted a similar tale of being stereotyped when a male employee hit her car, but when the RCMP arrived they assumed she was the employee and the man was her boss.
All four women said young women who find themselves in situations in business where they face sexism should speak up and point it out.
Sometimes, Stegeman-Lowe added, it is just a matter of educating others that what they are doing is sexist.
Rockandel said it is important for women in business to find allies.
“There are men and women that can be allies,” she said.
“If there are men that are allies, that are very supportive of a woman’s career, then you need to actually speak to them… about this issue and explain what is going on and how you felt intimidated.”
She also advised young women starting out to find or create a support group of likeminded women.
“Those groups are full of women who have experienced just this kind of thing and they can give you great advice,” she added. “Together you are more powerful and you will make a difference.”
For more on the film that inspired the panel discussion go to dreamgirlfilm.com.
