One phenomenal Richmond kindergarten teacher has been been nominated for Metro Vancouver YWCA Women of Distinction Award, and the airport authority is also up for honours in the employer category for its committment to diversity and inclusion.
According to a news release, the awards honour honour those who contribute to the well-being and future of the community.
Catering to Richmond’s youngest learners
Marie Thom, a teacher consultant with the Richmond School District, was nominated for her work with Early Learning and StrongStart.
StrongStart is a series of free drop-in programs offered at some schools in the city for parents and children five years old and under.
“It puts them at ease,” Thom said. “It really welcomes families into school setting prior to kindergarten. They get a sneak peek about what school is all about.”
There’s an Early Childhood Educator onsite for each StrongStart program, and they lead parents and kids through games, rhymes and activities like finger plays. There are also fun things in the classrooms for kids to play with like play dough and sand boxes.
She spearheaded the program about 10 years ago when the Ministry of Education was looking for what to do about schools with empty classroom spaces due to declining enrollment. She’s proud of the early learning programs she’s helped build, and only wishes there were more of them.
“I really feel fortunate the more we really celebrate childhood,” she said “It’s a really special time for children and families. And we want to make sure families know there are supports out there in Richmond.”
YVR recognized for advancing women, minorities
The Vancouver Airport Authority as a workplace was also nominated for its commitment to getting women, visible minorities and people with disabilities hired and on track for leadership positions.
“We're quite honoured to be recognized . We are very proud to have an inclusive workforce,” said Michele Mawhinney, vice president of people & sustainability.
She explained YVR has a number of programs targeting its women employees, including Women in Management, a meeting that happens a couple of times a year where there are discussion on topics like resiliency and powerful presentation skills.
There’s also a mentorship program that pairs up senior women employees with vice presidents.
“It's a great way for women to connect with other women in the organization that they might not normally have contact with. And it provides them with an opportunity to have some candid conversations, some open dialogue,” Mawhinney said.
For women in more junior positions, there are Women’s Development Circles, to prepare them for advancement.
During her time at YVR, Mawhinney has seen the number of management positions held by women grow from about 31 per cent in 2012 to 44 per cent in 2019.
“My philosophy is that you have to be deliberate. And you can't assume that you will move the needle or reach your targets by taking a passive approach,” she said.
The airport authority also has a friendship agreement with Musqueam, and hired an Indigenous relations manager. They actively try to fill jobs with Indigenous applicants, and often contract Musqueam-owned businesses to help with jobs around the airport, such as invasive species management, Mawhinney added.
“We believe that talented employees will choose an employer that values diversity,” she said.
The 36th annual Metro Vancouver YWCA Women of Distinction Awards ceremony will be held on May 13 at the Parq Vancouver.
