IM Group Women in STEM – How we can all be better allies!

March 23, 2021 -  Defence Stories

On 8 March, IM Group Women in STEM (accessible only on the National Defence network) celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) with their event, Better Allies: Promoting a Diverse Workforce. They hosted acclaimed author and speaker on inclusive workplaces, Karen Catlin.

Karen, a former Adobe executive, saw a decline in gender diversity in her field. As she climbed the corporate ladder, she noticed the people around her became less diverse. As a result, she began advocating for underrepresented groups in the workplace.

Being an ally for underrepresented groups is critical in creating a culture of diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. It can be difficult to know how to be a better ally, but Karen provided four great tips to get you started:

1. Get to know people from underrepresented groups.

Make an effort to get to know colleagues who are not like you. Many of us have “just like me” networks, professional networks where everyone looks the same and has similar backgrounds. These types of professional networks limit diversity by affecting who we hire and who we trust. Expanding your networks to include people from underrepresented groups will open new perspectives and ideas. 

2. Amplify and advocate in meetings.

Speak up for your colleagues from underrepresented groups in meetings. Often times, they can be interrupted or not given credit for their ideas. In these situations, be sure to advocate for their suggestions and provide them with room to speak up. This will help create a culture of credit, where everyone feels valued and heard.

3. Use more inclusive language.

Be more cognizant of the language you use day-to-day. Ask yourself, is this term gender inclusive? If the answer is no, consider using another term. Does it have negative historical connotations? If the answer is yes, find a better phrase to use. For example, use the term “folks” instead of “guys” when addressing a group.

4. Sponsor them.

Try to sponsor your colleagues from underrepresented groups with everyday actions. It can be as simple as sharing their career goals with decision-makers, or recommending them for high profile, long-term assignments and speaking opportunities. Endorsing your colleagues publically is another great way to sponsor them. This helps with credibility among peers.

This was the second departmental event for IM Group Women in STEM. They are a group of women dedicated to creating a new and more equitable narrative of what it means to work in STEM on the Defence Team. Through events like this and additional coaching and mentoring programs, they hope to continue to build, empower, and inspire women in their STEM careers at DND/CAF.