Women and girls are already leaders – they are water protectors
For International Women’s Day, Dr. Kelsey Leonard, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Waters, Climate and Sustainability, and professor in the Faculty of Environment, reflects on the solidarity and support she receives from the women in her Shinnecock community, why it’s important to uplift women in academia and what advancements she would like to see in the future.
Estimated time: 2 minutes
Have you ever experienced a moment of solidarity or support from other women that profoundly impacted you?
I don't think I can boil it down to just one moment of profound solidarity and support in my life. As a Shinnecock woman, I come from a matrilineal society where moments of women supporting women are inherent to our culture and survivance, but in more recent years, I've been very fortunate to learn from grandmothers and aunties who are water walkers and through their prayers and vision for protecting water I find strength and purpose in my work and belonging.
How do you support or uplift women in your field?
I think it's important to celebrate the achievements of women and girls in our lives, no matter the size of those accomplishments. We need more celebration, joy and laughter in our world. So, for me, it's been important to build community and safe spaces where we can celebrate our wins and also find time to honor and learn from our mistakes.
At the start of my PhD in 2015, I was working at the confluence of water science and governance, and I was asked about other Indigenous women scientist role models who I admired. And at the time, I found it difficult to share names of individuals who, like me, were working to advance Indigenous science and uplift our communities. I found it challenging not because these women and girls don't exist, because we do exist. We exist and we work to nation-build every day. But perhaps it was because our stories too often go untold. So, I committed myself to starting to build a list, an "honor roll" as one media outlet called it, of Indigenous women scientists who are world builders. Today that list is in the hundreds and 7 generations from now I'm sure it'll be in the thousands, if not millions. In fact, it already has been, is, and will be. It's just about perspective and how we choose to not only uplift but recognize the intergenerational hidden stories of women and girls among us.
What changes or advancements would you like to see in support of gender equity in your industry or community?
Women and girls are already leaders. We are water protectors. My hope is that future changes or advancements for the protection of water will recognize and empower those existing leaders, unsung heroes, those who persist, resist and remain ever hopeful.
International Women's Day happens every year on March 8 to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. The day has occurred for well over a century, with the first gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, the day belongs to all groups collectively everywhere.
