Join other Minerva BC alumni on June 16 for an evening of cheer, camaraderie and fun conversation at John Fluevog Kitsilano! Whether you took a program ten years ago or just recently completed one, this is an opportunity to find community and connection with like-minded women and youth looking to uplift one another.
We are so grateful to partner with John Fluevog to host this event. Known for their unique shoes, the partnership is made all the more fitting with their Big Presence collection that takes inspiration from daring and influential women like Angela Davis, Viola Desmond, Malala Yousafzai, Boudica, Sahle-Work Zewde, and Emmeline Pankurst.
We caught up with Bloom program alumna Raydah Cadion to hear how her Minerva experience has informed her leadership practice, and which story from the Big Presence line resonated with her.
Meet Raydah | Bloom alumna, 2023
Raydah moved to Canada from the Philippines in 2021, and worked as an Educational Assistant at a local school. In her current position, she works with newcomer moms to help prepare their kids for entry into kindergarten. Having been a stay-at-home mom for several years before coming to Canada, this role challenged Raydah as she felt she didn’t have the confidence or skills to enter into a leadership position.
But, wanting to push herself out of her comfort zone, she thought to herself, “Why not? The only thing I can do is my best.” Wanting training that could help her in her new role as a HIPPY/CNC Coordinator, she joined the Bloom program through the Mothers Matter Canada.
Through the program, participants complete the Clifton’s Strengths assessment to better understand what their unique strengths are and how they show up. Raydah received the theme of ‘Harmony’ as a top strength – something that surprised her as she hadn’t placed much importance on relationship-building as a key skill of good leadership. However, it prompted a realization that strengths show up in different ways that aren’t necessarily tied to measurable results in the workplace. For Raydah, the program’s focus on values and strengths aligned with her personal goals.
“For me, I’m very eager to learn and I constantly want to improve myself, and my age is not a hindrance. I always want to learn new things and I always leave room for what more I can learn, how I can be better.”
As part of Minerva’s Alumni Advisory Committee, Raydah finds inspiration and community in hearing the stories of other alumni. Seeing the potential of women and youth participants in Minerva’s programs excites Raydah, especially when thinking of how much more they can accomplish in their personal lives and careers when they feel empowered.
The story of Viola Desmond
Viola Desmond was a civil rights activist who challenged racial discrimination. In 1946, she refused to leave the segregated Whites-only section of the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, and was subsequently arrested and jailed overnight. Her courageous refusal provided inspiration to later generations of Black communities in Nova Scotia and in the rest of Canada.
For Raydah, the design of the Malala and Zewde shoes stood out to her, but the story that resonated with her the most was Viola Desmond’s. As an immigrant herself, Raydah spoke to her experiences of coming into a new space with the awareness in the back of her mind of “I am different here, how will they see me?” She admired the courage of Viola Desmond to stand up against racism, and connected Desmond’s actions to the idea that sometimes it takes a leader to stand up and the rest will follow. Regardless of the nature of actions, whether done out loud or in silence, the impact is still felt in communities and people strive to emulate that courage.
When reflecting on Viola Desmond’s story, Raydah drew connections to her own leadership style – believing that leadership doesn’t need to be loud or outspoken. It can look like opposing racial discrimination in 1946 Nova Scotia by silently refusing to leave a space, and it can look like leaning into one’s love of building relationships and connections when uniting a team in workplaces.
Step into connection with other Minerva alumni
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet and forge new connections with Minera alumni like Raydah on June 16 from 6 – 8pm at John Fluevog Shoes Kitsilano.
If you’re interested in purchasing a pair of shoes from the Big Presence collection, or a different pair of Fluevogs, 50% of proceeds from shoe purchases that evening will go towards Minerva BC to help more women and youth find their leadership identity.
