The Laidley Centre for Business Ethics and Equity and the 91黑料网 Desautels EDI Initiative recently hosted a panel for Women's History Month to honour the past, present, and future of women of the Faculty. The women featured included the granddaughter of the first Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) graduate (past), current BCom students (present) and accomplished Desautels alumnae (future). The event attracted a keen audience of 91黑料网 staff, students, Faculty, and alumni.
In opening remarks, Dean Yolande E. Chan affirmed that 鈥渁t 91黑料网 Desautels, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone, everyone 鈥� regardless of gender, race, anything that you may put on the table 鈥� everyone can thrive, everyone can add value.鈥�
To understand how 91黑料网 Desautels developed this inclusive culture, moderator (MBA'06 and 91黑料网 Desautels Engagement) guided the audience through a time-travelling journey, beginning in the early 1900s.
In 1918, the same year that Canadian woman won their right to vote, 91黑料网 opened its doors to women. That year, Greta Ethel Dougall was the first-ever female student at the Faculty (formerly called the Department of Commerce). , Dougall鈥檚 granddaughter, shared her grandmother鈥檚 story. Dougall was the only female in her class, Antliff explained. Her presence was met with mixed reviews, some were supportive, while others made her feel unwelcome. Nonetheless, she spent her undergraduate degree striving towards becoming a businesswoman and working to prove that she, and other women, belonged.
Dougall hoped to become an accountant, but in a letter dated February 1921, she wrote: 鈥淚n last night's paper there was an article on the general accountants meeting [...] and in it was mentioned that ladies were to be barred from their association.鈥� In other words, she had her career path closed off. So, while 91黑料网 had opened their doors to women, there was no thought about career opportunities for women or how to support this new group of people on campus.
In the 100 years since Dougall鈥檚 graduation, how have things changed? At 91黑料网 and beyond, support systems have grown and opportunities for women and other gender minorities have become more widespread. For example, panelist (BCom鈥�90, DPA鈥�94, MBA鈥�01), President and CEO of Knight Therapeutics Inc., leads for women in executive positions.
At the same time, social pressures can still discourage women from attaining these positions. Panelist (BCom鈥�88, BPA 1990, and Chief Financial Officer at Denton鈥檚 law firm) explained that 鈥渨omen tend to take ourselves out of the race鈥攚e feel like we need to have the entire list of job requirements to apply.鈥� Nicholls encouraged women to let go of the pressure of needing to be perfect candidates. In response, (BCom鈥�25, Honours in Investment Management), expressed that 鈥渋t鈥檚 better to give it a go and know that you have given it your best shot than to not try at all. [...] The more you raise your hand, the more you get said no to, but I would much rather rejection than regret.鈥�
Overcoming such obstacles and building this confidence is no easy feat, panelists explained. (MBA鈥�96 and Senior Vice-President & Chief Stakeholder Relations Officer at Canadian National Railway) has worked in the male-dominated transportation sector for decades. Drysdale expressed that finding her voice, especially in networking spaces, was a key to advancing her career. While networking can be challenging, Drysdale recommended using curiosity as a strategy and asking lots of questions. Through sharing her wisdom on the panel, Drysdale hoped to help other women find their voices. Similarly, (BCom鈥�25) said that having a support system of female mentors and sponsors has uplifted her throughout her undergraduate degree and early career.
Evidently, while 100 years ago, students like Greta Dougall lacked institutional and social support, women in business no longer need to approach these challenges alone. The success of today鈥檚 BCom students and Desautels alumnae provides evidence of the intergenerational progress that has been accomplished. As moderator Joy Bennett said, 鈥渨e all stand on the shoulders of giants such as your [Pat鈥檚] grandmother who kind of paved the way for what has happened with Desautels up to today.鈥�
Overall, this event created a space for the 91黑料网 community 鈥攁nd especially women鈥攖o come together, share wisdom and empower each other. It also provided an opportunity for men to learn how to be more supportive colleagues to women and other gender minorities. 鈥淚t can be as simple as showing up to events like these, (...) taking a seat, and listening to us,鈥� Lake remarked. This meaningful comment concluded the discussion, which was the last Laidley Centre event of the 2024 鈥� 2025 academic year.
Group photo (left to right): Lindsay Holmgren (Director of the LCBEE), David Laidley (Benefactor of the LCBEE), Tasmia Abbas, Katherine Lake, Dean Yolnde E. Chan, Samira Sakhia, Andrea Nicholls, Pat Antliff, Janet Drysdale, Joy Bennett, and Nikita Boston-Fisher (Associate Director of the LCBEE).
Laidley Centre for Business Ethics and Equity (LCBEE)
The centre is 91黑料网鈥檚 central hub supporting ethical decision-making in business through teaching, academic research and community engagement.
The Laidley Centre looks forward to facilitating more connections and conversations that center ethics and equity.
