Happy Mother's Day!
Beautiful cards, flowers, and big hugs were likely given out yesterday in honour of Mother's Day. It's a day where we can give thanks to the incredible women and guardians who are a part of our lives.
For this year's Mother's Day we wanted to honour and celebrate mothers' who work in the trades and the mining industry. It's hard work to do it all - work, family, life - and so we wanted to share with everyone some of the incredible women who are making it happen. Covergalls interviewed four superstars on their thoughts on motherhood.
MEET ALLY
1. Please introduce yourself!
My name is Ally, I go by NotYourAverageEngineer_ on social media. I am first and foremost a mother, but also a wife, engineer, skier and climber.
2. What does being a mother mean to you?
My family is everything to me, whatever I do, it's for them.
3. If you could give a piece of advice on motherhood for others out there - fellow parents, colleagues, friends - what would it be?
My son is the best thing to ever happen to me, it's so hard being a parent, especially one who sometimes works long hours. However, that makes me cherish the time I do have with him and make sure I stay present during it. I encourage working parents to set work boundaries. Having the courage to say "no these are my working hours" is such a privilege I know but I hope someday that if enough people demand that kind of thing, the construction industry may start to catch on to it. Of course there are concessions (we will probably never work a standard 8 hour day) but we also need better balance in order to keep the work force happy and efficient.
4. What are your thoughts on maternity wear for industrial jobs?
I work in road and bridge construction, because hi-vis gear is always made with men's bodies in mind, it has never fit me well. As far as working pants, I think the industry has come a long way in the last 5 years for general workwear for women, but I don't think I have ever seen anything meant for a pregnant body in hi-vis or workwear in general. I chose to simply size up when needed.
5. Any other things you wish to share about your experiences as a mother in celebration of this mothers day? No pressure if nothing comes to mind!
I was such an anomaly when I was 9 months pregnant on a construction site, it was extremely hard, but it also proved how tough women are. We can and continue to do hard things, we won't be stopped.
MEET STELLA
1. Please introduce yourself!
I am the Vice president for Sales & Support for MacLean Engineering Northern Ontario Operations. We are a proud Canadian owned company that specializes in designing and manufacturing mobile equipment and innovative technology solutions for hard rock mining. When I am not working I am all about spending quality time at the cottage with my family and friends enjoying the simple things that mean so much.
2. What does being a mother mean to you?
The simplest answer is that it is everything. Being a mother has been the most important journey of my life. I have been graced with a love so pure and a bond so deep it is beyond words. I am ever aware of my responsibility to be a healthy and whole person so I can raise my daughter to thrive and face the world independently. When I became a Mother I understood my real purpose.
3. If you could give a piece of advice on motherhood for others out there - parents, colleagues, friends - what would it be?
Cherish the time and be grateful for all the stages of parenthood. It is a though time speeds up faster once you become a parent. In my mind I can see an hour glass that was once moving so slowly you could barely notice it then I had my child and the speed increased. I just wish I could slow it down.
4. What are your thoughts on maternity wear for industrial jobs?
I wish the option was available when I was pregnant. Wearing industrial clothing that is not made for a woman is already uncomfortable add pregnancy to that and its just awful. I can remember having to go underground when I was six months pregnant and I had to wear clothing that was several sizes larger to fit around my baby belly. I looked and felt like a clown and I'm pretty sure that the very loose fit is a safety concern. The pants and the shirt were several sizes too big for me but I had no other options.
5. Any other things you wish to share about your experiences as a mother in celebration of this mothers day? No pressure if nothing comes to mind!
Being a parent must come first so supporting parents in the workplace helps to create healthy, happy and productive businesses and people. I would like to celebrate our industry and companies like Covergals that are striving to create an inviting and inclusive space for women. I am grateful to my employer MacLean Engineering who has created an environment that supports both career and family to happily co exist together.
MEET KAYLA
1. Please introduce yourself!
Hello, my name is Kayla. I am a Buyer with Komatsu Mining in Lively, Ontario. I thoroughly enjoy working in the mining industry - there is so much to learn and things are very fast paced! When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, my husband, my little girl, and being outdoors with my horses and dog.
2. What does being a mother mean to you?
Everything. I didn't know exactly how much I wanted to be a mom until I became one. My daughter lights up my life and I hope to raise her to be a strong and powerful woman, yet kind and nurturing.
3. If you could give a piece of advice on motherhood for others out there - parents, colleagues, friends - what would it be?
It's not always perfect and it's not always easy. You will get tired, you will lose your patience, you will lose your freedom. But, as hard as it can be, it is so rewarding. Nothing warms the heart more than your child running up to you with total excitement, just to be held in your arms. Mothers are everything.
4. What are your thoughts on maternity wear for industrial jobs?
LOVE IT! There is nothing like it and even a pregnant woman wants to feel confident in PPE that fits properly.
5. Any other things you wish to share about your experiences as a mother in celebration of this mothers day? No pressure if nothing comes to mind!
Being a mother is a blessing, no matter how that child became yours. Happy Mothers Day to all the hard working mommas out there! You're doing an amazing job!
MEET ANDREA
1. Please introduce yourself!
I’m Andrea Davidson. I am a 309A construction and maintenance electrician in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada and I have been a mother for about two months now.
2. What does being a mother mean to you?
Being a mother means being a role model, guide, and protector. To take care of my boy (and any future kids) by equipping them with the skills and knowledge in order to thrive by demonstrating through my own actions how to work and play hard. Showing them how to be their authentic selves by letting go of who I was, embracing who I am now and recognizing how many more times that may change throughout our intertwined lives. Leaning into the change without losing my identity outside of “mom”.
3. If you could give a piece of advice on motherhood for others out there - parents, colleagues, friends - what would it be?
Community over competition. Use your community of other mothers (real friends, internet friends, sisters, your mothers, etc) to bring each other up! Remember what works for one family may not work for everyone, so share advice but more importantly share encouragement with one another.
4. What are your thoughts on maternity wear for industrial jobs?
I found it incredibly hard to find and the size inclusivity was disappointing. As a larger gal, I ended up wearing regular maternity clothes and found myself sacrificing pockets and durability in order to accommodate my growing belly.