Innovation-Nov-Dec-2023

Members of the current Women in Engineering and Geoscience, from left, Katie Au, P.Eng., Chair, Dr. Azadeh Koohzare, P.Eng., Vice Chair, Alice Liang, P.Eng., Treasurer, and Bobbie Adams, P.Geo., Events Coordinator. P hoto : D avid B uzzard

B ack in the early 1990s, it was rare to see a woman working as an engineer; only 2.2 percent of the engineering professionals in Canada were women. Women had few role models, mentors or even colleagues to share experiences. So, when interest in uniting women who were engineers and geoscientists grew across the country, professionals in BC gathered to discuss options. At Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s annual conference in 1991, it was decided to create a specific volunteer division within the organization to focus on increasing the number of women in the professions. This was the birth of the Division for the Advancement of Women in Engineering and Geoscience (DAWEG). Karen Savage, P.Eng, FEC, president at Horizon Engineering who was one of the founding members of DAWEG, says the response was enthusiastic. Of the approximately 300 attendees at the conference, 55 signed up to take the group to the next level. “It was the first time in BC that women in engineering and geoscience had come together,” she says. “It was uplifting and empowering.” Another initial member, Lianna Mah, P.Eng., Vice President Business Development at Associated Engineering Group, remembers the first meetings. “It was an amazing time because, for many of us, we worked in organizations where there was only one or two of us, and we were able to come together and share ideas. Even to find each other was amazing.” She adds, “We became peer support and found role models within each other. Having that collaboration with each other helped us to stay in the professions, which was very hard at the time.”

Over the years, the number of women in the professions has crept up slowly; currently, women make up 14.8 percent of the professional engineers in BC, similar to the Canadian figure of 15.03 percent (Engineers Canada). Globally, it’s 16.5 percent. In geoscience, women make up about 25 percent of the profession in Canada. The founders of DAWEG–which later became Women in Engineering and Geoscience (WIEG) and next year takes on an expanded role under Equity, Diversity and Inclusiveness (EDI)– recognize their initial goals remain vital. DAWEG TO WIEG TO EDI The focus of DAWEG was on mentorship and school outreach programs, as well as advocacy and networking, in efforts to attract more women to the professions and to reduce attrition. Specifically, DAWEG worked on incorporating engineering and science information in schools from K-12, including scientists-in-schools programs and teaching kits. There were advocacy initiatives, university recruitment, career fairs, and mentoring events. In Vancouver in 1998, the group hosted the national conference for the Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology. “We celebrated the successes of each other and empowered each other to achieve great things,” says Savage. However, it was tough breaking into new territory. “When we were young and taking on these initiatives, there was backlash,” admits Savage. “We trod very carefully because everything we were doing was the first time many of our male colleagues had seen a woman do it.”

INNOVATION

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

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