October 11th is International Day of the Girl Child 2021! We are recognizing some of our employees who are going the extra mile to support and empower young girls. 

J.D. Irving, Limited

Reid MacPhail is a Project Administrator with our Corporate Communications team, and a Leader with the 3rd Rothesay Brownies within Girl Guides of Canada. Last year, Girl Guides of Canada in the Saint John region was short on leaders and Reid stepped up to help out! "After participating through my school years, I was still very connected to the women I had met along the way. I was approached by a friend to help out and jumped at the opportunity."

Reid participated in Girl Guides from ages 6 to 18 and is happy to be volunteering to help grow young minds as an adult. "I got involved because I think the lessons through guiding and the connections made are so important to young girls. I like teaching the girls and helping them discover new things. It is always nice to teach while also just allowing the girls to be kids."

Thank you, Reid!

Atlantic Towing

After a year without sports, we were proud to sponsor the Paradise Soccer Club's U9 girls' team as they returned to the field this summer! We wish them the best in achieving their goals on - and off - the pitch as the season comes to a close and players return to school.

Thank you, Matt Sturge, Atlantic Towing Manager of Offshore Health and Safety, for sharing this image!

RST Sunbury

Sound your horns, we have a future trucker in the cab! Kendall, daughter of RST Company Driver Fonce Gillis, loves sitting in the driver's seat and enjoys helping her dad clean the truck. She also rocks the trademark RST hat.

Having been nationally and regionally recognized for its diverse and inclusive culture, RST Sunbury is committed to empowering women in the transportation sector. It's employee resource group, Women Driving Forward, helps connect women - not only in trucking, but across a range of transportation companies - to learn, grow and share experiences. In the three years since its creation, the group has seen remarkable results.

Thank you for sharing, Fonce! #FamilyRoadTrip #WomenDrivingForward

Irving Shipbuilding

Holly Walters is a Quality Control Inspector at Halifax Shipyard, as well as a Mentor in the Techsploration program.

What is Techsploration and what does it offer girls?

“Techsploration is a program that empowers young women to explore careers in science, trades, engineering, and technology that they may never have considered. The program also helps them understand the significance of high school math and science in relation to their future careers.”

Briefly explain your involvement in Techsploration?

“My involvement in Techsploration is that of a Group Role Model/Mentor. I had the privilege of being assigned to a schools Techsploration group and bringing those students to work with me for a day to show them what I do as a Quality Control Inspector, as well as introducing them to other women in STEM (Science, Trades/Technology, Engineering, and Math’s) here on site and giving them a quick glance at the many opportunities and career paths available.”

What made you get involved?

“I attended high school in a small town in Newfoundland. I had a few ideas of things I would like to do post-secondary, but I didn’t know who to ask or feel like I had the support to find the next step that would have been best for me.  When I heard about this program, I thought about how my grade 9-year-old self could have benefited from an amazing program like this and couldn’t wait to get involved.”

Thank you, Holly!