Winnipeg women offer advice, encouragement to their younger selves through letters

The realities of everyday life during the COVID-19 pandemic have been deeply felt by women.

While the unemployment ratefor women in Manitoba last month dropped to 7.3 per cent from 9.4 per cent in January 2021 there arestillgaps between how men and women are experiencing job loss and household pressures.

CBC Manitoba reached out to female community leaders in our province earlier this month, on International Women's Day, and asked them to writeletters that offered advice and encouragement to their younger selves.

Sharing these letters on social media was a way for women to help others who might be struggling to cope during COVID-19.

These letters were originally shared onCBC Manitoba's Facebook and Instagram accounts. We've compiled them here, along with biographies submitted by the authors.

Diane Roussin:Lean heavily into courage

Lean heavily into courage to get you through rough waters

3 years ago

Duration 1:36

Diane Roussin is an Anishinaabe community leader from Skownan First Nation and director of the Winnipeg Boldness Project. Diane is one of six women who wrote letters of reflection to their younger selves for International Women's Day.

A proud member of Skownan First Nation, Diane Roussin is an Anishinaabe community leader passionately committed to the pursuit of mino bimaadiziwin (the good life) for all families and children.

She is currently the project director of the@wpgboldness, a social innovation initiative that seeks to create large-scale systems of change for children and families in Winnipeg's Point Douglas neighbourhood.

Michelle Gazze: Your path is going to look different

Your path is going to look different from others and its completely OK

3 years ago

Duration 0:30

Michelle Gazze represents deep Guyanese roots in Winnipeg and is an active volunteer lending her support to the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM), Rising Stars Foundation and as a board member with Lupus Canada. She is one of six women who wrote letters of reflection to their younger selves for International Women's Day.

Michelle Gazze is a community-driven leader. From career development to communications, shehas over 10 years of experience leading community engagement initiatives for non-profit, private and public organizations.

Born in Winnipeg and representing deep Guyanese roots, she is passionate about maintaining her self-identity while creating environments that support inclusivityfor new Canadians through her volunteer work with the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba, the Rising Stars Foundation, and as a board member with Lupus Canada.

Sana Mahboob: Focus distractions delay success

Focus. Distractions delay success

3 years ago

Duration 1:01

Sana Mahboob is a senior communications officer with Western Economic Diversification Canada and holds a bachelor of science from the University of Manitoba. She is an avid community advocate who sits on various national and international boards. Sana is one of six women who wrote letters of reflection to their younger selves for International Women's Day.

Holding a bachelor of science from the University of Manitoba, Sana Mahboob serves as the senior communications advisor with Western Economic Diversification Canada.

Thanks to the influence of her parents and brother, she is an avid community advocate,serving on various local, national and international boards ranging from philanthropy, sports, youth and information technology.

As an immigrant to Canada, Mahboob brings a diverse perspective and passion to everything she does, professionally and personally.

Yijie (Jennifer) Chen: Growing up on food rations

Growing up on food rations in a world where you are not allowed to speak your mind

3 years ago

Duration 0:52

Yijie (Jennifer) Chen was born in Nanjing, China, and moved to Winnipeg in 2009. She is the is president of the Women of Colour Community Leadership Initiative and is an elected school trustee for the Winnipeg School Division. She is one of six women who wrote letters of reflection to their younger selves for International Women's Day.

Yijie (Jennifer) Chen is a trustee for the Winnipeg School Divisionand president of the Women of Colour Community Leadership Initiative.

She was born in Nanjing, China and moved to Winnipeg in 2009 to study for her master's degree in kinesiology. She is passionate about advocating for underrepresented populations.

Cissie Liu:Never feel ashamed, nevertry to conform

Never feel ashamed, never try to conform

3 years ago

Duration 0:45

Cissie Liu immigrated to Winnipeg when she was one year old. Her family organized the Manitoba Great Wall Performing Arts events highlighting Chinese culture for Winnipeggers. She lives in the U.K. and sits on the National Infrastructure Commission - Young Professionals Panel. She is one of six women who wrote letters of reflection to their younger selves for International Women's Day.

Working in regulatory policy and economics in the U.K. energy sector, Cissie Liu also sits on the U.K.'s National Infrastructure Commission's Young Professionals Panel, where she spearheads their diversity and inclusion initiatives on infrastructure.

She grew up in Winnipeg, where her family immigrated when she was one year old,prior to pursuing her undergraduate degree in Ottawa. She misses the glorious prairie summers with her family and friends the most.

Sandra Altner: Turn anger into creativity

Turn anger into creativity

3 years ago

Duration 0:52

Sandra Altner is the CEO of the Womens Enterprise Centre of Manitoba, which supports business ownership goals for women in the province. She is one of six women who wrote letters of reflection to their younger selves for International Women's Day.

Sandra Altner, the CEO of the Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba, is a certified executive coachand a fellow of the Canadian Association of Management Consultants.

She is also a founder and board member of the Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada, a national organization that supports initiatives serving women entrepreneurs in every region of Canada.