When I was in early grade school, my best friend was a young boy named Jamie that lived at the end of the street. It was mostly a friendship of convenience since we were within walking distance of one another, but we did enjoy playing imaginary games and talking about our future with one another too. Until one day when I came home in tears because I told Jamie I was going to be a firefighter when I grew up and he told me that only boys were allowed to be firefighters.

Our society has come a long way since my childhood days, but misconceptions and prejudices like the one I faced as a child still crop up in surprising places. My sister, upon completing her schooling as an electrician with top marks, wasn’t able to obtain a degree because no company would offer her an apprenticeship. A fellow school friend with a passion for hockey had to fight for years for a place on the boys’ team because all the other girls her age were playing Ringette instead. Instances like these are why I’m such a big fan of the Always #LikeAGirl campaign. [Read more…]