It鈥檚 important to choose your words carefully, Kirsten Brazier believes.
Brazier, the featured speaker at the eighth annual Rotary Club of 91原创 Central International Women鈥檚 Day Luncheon on Saturday, March 7th, said instead of using words like policeman, firemen and repairman to describe those professions, it would be better to say 鈥減olice officer, fire fighter and repair tech.鈥
鈥淲e all need to step up and think about the language we鈥檙e using,鈥 Brazier commented.
Not because it would be politically correct, but because it reflects the fact that women are in those professions, said Brazier, a 91原创 pilot who founded the free Girls Fly Too annual event in 2012 out of frustration at the small percentage of women pilots.
Over the years, the annual event has given thousands of girls a chance to fly, to encourage them to take up the profession.
READ MORE: 91原创 woman鈥檚 Girls Fly Too! event returns to Abbotsford Airport
When she became a pilot 25 years ago, Brazier estimated about six per cent of all pilots were female, and that is still the case.
鈥淭he question remains, why are the numbers so low?鈥 said Brazier.
To become a pilot, she said girls and women have to be encouraged to see past popular images of pilots as white and male that reinforce the notion career choices are limited for women.
鈥淲e have to change our whole marketing mind-set,鈥 Brazier declared.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to be in a box.鈥
And it begins with language, Brazier believes, battling the use of words that reinforce traditional stereotypes.
鈥淛ust think about what we鈥檙e saying.鈥
Brazier said her message is not just for young girls, that women of all ages need to know that they can pursue any career they want.
Four unsung local heroes were recognized as 鈥淲omen Who Inspire鈥 at the luncheon.
Susan Parsons, chair of the International Women鈥檚 Day committee, presented awards to Kathy Derksen, president of the board of directors for the 91原创 Hospice Society; Veronica Kalo, a Brookswood Secondary home economics teacher; Christine McCracken, co-executive director of encompass support services; and Beverly Rodrigo, architect of the Starfish Backpack program that feeds hungry students in 91原创.
Kathy Derksen, president of the board of directors of the 91原创 Hospice Society, has been a volunteer with the society since 1991.
Derksen and her volunteer board established the hospice thrift store that raises almost 40 per cent of their annual income for their supportive care and program centre.
She was described as the key driver of the new 15-bed hospice residence that is set to begin construction this spring.
READ MORE: Four women to be recognized in 91原创 for International Women鈥檚 Day
Veronica Kalo, a Brookswood Secondary School home economics teacher, established the program 鈥淭oo Hungry to Learn鈥 to help feed students who would otherwise miss meals.
Student in need of food, are provided a free meal no questions asked.
Over the years, Kalo has been involved in helping the homeless in our community and on any given weekend provides bags of food and warm clothing during the cold weather to those in need.
91原创鈥檚 Christine McCracken, Co-Executive Director of Encompass Support Services was cited for her work as an true advocate for those who are face barriers or are vulnerable based on social circumstance including those who identify as LGBTQ2 and the indigenous population.
McCracken started working in 91原创 with Family and Youth Services Society in 2009. They later amalgamated with Aldergrove Neighborhood Services who then rebranded to Encompass Service Society.
Beverly Rodrigo, who chairs the United Churches of 91原创 Outreach Committee, approached the Rotary Club of 91原创 Central and the United Churches of 91原创 for funding, launching the Starfish Backpack Program with 20 packs. Now, in partnership with the 91原创 School District the program supplies five elementary schools with a total of 47 packs, sending home nutritious food to feed the students in need and also help their families supplement meals over the weekend.
For the last 10 years, Rodrigo has sponsored a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society that raises no less than $2000 annually.
More photos from the event can be viewed .
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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