March 8, 2013, I was presented with a rose. It’s not everyday that an employee walks into the office with a handful of single roses.
“What’s this for?” I asked.
‘It’s International Women’s Day and these roses are for the women in the office to recognize how much I appreciate them.”
I was not the only woman in the office that was rendered speechless on that day. In Canada, it was not a big recognition. In fact, I had never had anyone say anything to me about this special day.
International Women’s Day was first observed in Europe in 1911. It didn’t gain larger recognition until the United Nations proclaimed a day for women’s rights and international peace in 1977, but not here in Canada.
Over the years I have served a few large corporations in a very male dominant industry. I was fortunate enough to work with some very progressive men, but the upper management were not so kind. Equal pay did not exist, and women worked harder than men to prove their worth.
And during that time, International Women’s Day was still not celebrated.
In the 1990s, Canada expanded to incorporate international women’s week but still, very little light was shined on recognizing the value of women.
Globally, we are not yet equal.
Today, being a leader in International Freight Forwarding, I have seen our industry welcome more women, and because of this, younger women become attracted to Supply Chain Logistics. Our conventions have a beautiful balance between individuals who focus on the business relationship and enhancing human connections.
PI Logistics is proud of the women in our company, appreciate our women partners, clients and suppliers and are so very grateful to the men who have always celebrated and supported us.
To all the women in my life, I thank you and celebrate you on March 8th and everyday outside of that.
Director/Coordinator – PI Logistics
Founding Member of GKF Network since 2018
New technologies, virtual platforms, breaking borders through a screen and a device… it all sounds so ideal, so perfectly aligned with our times. And honestly, we love it. But it’s also fair to say that, in many ways, we remain traditional. A little vintage. A little classic.
