Give to Gain: Rady Faculty honours women on International Women’s Day

By Danica Hidalgo Cherewyk

Each year, International Women’s Day (IWD) invites the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences community to reflect on the women who shape learning, leadership and care across its colleges.

For Kagowa Kuruneri, director of the office of equity, access and participation, the day is about celebrating womanhood in all its dimensions.

“It's when our multifaceted traits and identities are acknowledged: our strength, capacity to love deeply, our ambition, kind-heartedness, confidence and determination,” Kuruneri said. “We are tender, passionate, successful, motivated and unstoppable. It's about uplifting ourselves and inspiring each other to embrace all that we are and stand fully in our power and resilience.”

IWD has been celebrated globally on March 8 since 1911, recognizing women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements. This year marks the 115th anniversary.

The 2026 theme, Give to Gain, prompted Rady Faculty members to reflect on its meaning and how their colleges and departments advance gender equality.

Kuruneri said the faculty gives to gain by fostering participation.  

“This means dismantling barriers that limit engagement and creating environments where diverse perspectives drive richer dialogue and innovation,” she said. “When we invest in inclusive spaces, we strengthen our collective capacity for excellence and transform our institutional culture.”

Rooted in culture and care

For Tamarah Singh, a third-year medical student in the Max Rady College of Medicine, IWD is both celebration and responsibility.  

For Singh, Give to Gain means acknowledging the quiet weight many women carry—balancing demanding professions with caregiving, emotional labour and family responsibilities.

“Institutions advance gender equality when ambition does not require silent sacrifice,” Singh said.

“As a South Asian woman in academic medicine, I often reflect on what it means to be fully seen—not just as competent or accomplished, but as someone navigating traditions and professional spaces that haven’t always included women like me. IWD affirms that women can pursue high-impact careers while honouring culture and community.”

Singh said mentorship through her B.Sc. Medicine research played a pivotal role in her development.  

“That mentorship was a form of institutional giving,” she said. “In return, I produced award-winning research that will represent our institution internationally. When institutions invest in women early and meaningfully, they cultivate leaders who lift others and strengthen the academic community.” 

Built on ‘courage, sacrifice and strength’

Wintana Mokonnen, a third-year respiratory therapy (RT) student in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, said IWD honours her lineage of resilient Eritrean women.

“They served in the 30-year war and made significant advances through their struggles,” she said. “Their courage, sacrifice and strength laid the foundation for women like me to pursue our dreams.  

“As the first woman in my bloodline to attend university, I am constantly aware of the privilege and responsibility I carry. I hope to inspire young girls to believe their aspirations are valid, powerful and possible.”

She said gender equality is embedded in her program’s learning environment.  

“In clinical and academic settings, there is an emphasis on collaboration, mutual respect and shared leadership,”Mokonnen said. “RT has evolved significantly, with more women stepping into critical care, leadership, education and research roles.”

Equitable academic and research opportunities

For Nasiba Ahmed, a PhD candidate in the College of Community and Global Health, IWD is a moment to reflect on progress and ongoing responsibility as a doctoral trainee and woman of colour.  

“It represents the importance of representation and equitable opportunities in academic and research spaces,” she said.

At the George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, where she is based, Ahmed said equitable access is a core value.  

“All trainees are encouraged to take on leadership and volunteer roles, helping us gain hands-on experience in organization, communication and collaborative leadership,” she said. 

Challenging the norm

For Fleur McEvoy, director and instructor in the College of Nursing’s bachelor of midwifery program, IWD is a reminder of the work still needed—“challenging pay inequities, underrepresentation in leadership, misogyny and violence against women and girls.”

She said the Rady Faculty and UM embody Give to Gain through respect, education, protection, access and growth.

“A great example is the WISDOM program, which offers mentorship for women in science,” she said.

In the College of Nursing, McEvoy said students are encouraged to engage with research—from informed consumers to lead investigators.  

“In 2021, the college launched the bachelor of midwifery program,” she said. “Midwifery supports women’s sexual and reproductive autonomy and empowers informed decision-making in fertility, contraception, pregnancy and childbirth.”

Women ‘can be strong and athletic’

Lara Denbow, a second-year doctor of pharmacy student in the College of Pharmacy and UM Bisons track and field athlete, said IWD reinforces the importance of inspiring girls and young women not to limit themselves.  

“It’s important to show how multifaceted we can be: strong and athletic, feminine, academic, altruistic and innovative—while balancing personal lives,” she said.

“It’s important to offer equal opportunities across genders and provide role models. This allows younger generations to dream beyond conventional careers and life paths while giving them the supports needed to achieve these goals.”

Gender equality is a shared success

For Sophie Chen, a fourth-year dentistry student in the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, IWD is about celebrating women’s individuality and the diverse experiences that shape our communities.  

“True inclusion exists when women are not just in the room, but influential within it,” she said adding that Give to Gain calls for generosity that supports shared success. 

She said dentistry has shifted significantly from its male-dominated history, with strong female leaders now shaping curriculum, research priorities and clinical excellence.

With many dental cohorts now majority women, she said the shift signals meaningful transformation.  

“When we create environments where women feel welcomed and supported, we see the results of collective giving,” she said. “Gender equality requires generous leadership and shared advancement. When we give intentionally, we multiply success—for women, for our professions and for society.”