NCWIB x Acadia x Women's History Month!
- ncwibcanada
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
To end off this year's Women's History Month, NCWIB has partnered with 5 student groups across the entire country in order to highlight their achievements and work to promote women in their respective fields!
ACADIA WOMEN IN BUSINESS
The Acadia Women in Business Society, AWIBS, was founded a year and a half ago by an incredible team of ten driven women. We were disappointed to discover there was not a celebratory event commemorating International Women's Day on campus. This discovery led to a spirited conversation about our desire for a female community in our program. We learned Acadia was one of the only schools in Atlantic Canada without a women in business society. We saw this space as an opportunity to make a real difference, and from that, AWIBS was born.
The Acadia Women in Business Society has become a community of over 50 women, and those who identify as women, across 7 programs, making us the largest society in the business school as of today. This is proof that impactful things happen when women uplift each other.
AWIBS was founded on two central goals: to provide personal, academic, and career mentorship to women by women and to create lasting memories and friendships between them. Throughout this past year and a half, we have hosted events aimed at achieving both of these ambitions. We are beyond proud of the community we have created within Acadia University.
What is your society's social issue focus and in what ways have you been involved?
Much like other Universities around the country, the Manning School of Business is starkly male-dominated. AWIBS was created to combat gender inequalities in the business realm by providing female-identifying students with professional development, and connection with current businesswomen. These initiatives not only help address the gender gap in business but also significantly boost the employability of female students. We believe the best way to learn is through the women who have paved the pathway for us emerging leaders and strive to provide them with platforms that bridge the next generation.
How do you feel student involvement in these social issues can impact change?
Without the eager drive for change from our generation, progress made by the women before us and the potential for better, will be lost. We need students to continue to open doors and "take up space" to push toward a world where women in positions of power is the norm.
Why is female representation so important in every boardroom?
Female representation in boardrooms is vital to business development and success. Women provide diversity of thinking through their unique and lived experiences that differ from men. Furthermore, our insight brings dimension to the conversation and ensures businesses are leading equitably. Women in leadership positions actively promote the pipeline of young women climbing the ladder within organizations.
Favourite female business icon and why?
We find this a difficult question to answer because of the abundance of inspiring females who have directly and indirectly impacted our society. Countless women have redefined what it means to be a leader in the business world, and we continue to be inspired by those who have made space for women in this industry.
Biggest self-advocacy tip:
Be tenacious. To us, self-advocacy is not just about standing firm in the face of opposition, but also about continuously building confidence, articulating your goals clearly, and seeking out allies who believe in your ideas. The ability to persist despite criticism or rejection, and to learn from these experiences, is critical to achieving growth and success. Whether advocating for new business ideas, or in our case, creating a new society, tenacity allows you to stay true to your mission, navigate obstacles, and inspire others to support your journey.
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