Conestoga alumni Clarice Ward has been named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 for 2021, by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN). Ward’s dedication to encouraging women to join the trades industry and guiding them through it, has inspired women that now find themselves with a hammer in hand at Conestoga.
Ward had taken the Women in Skilled Trades and Carpenter Apprenticeship programs at Conestoga, leading to an interest in being an advocate for inclusion in the construction industry.
In Ward’s email to Spoke, she shared the following on how it felt to be named Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 2021.
“It is an incredible honour to have been named Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100. The women selected are making such a difference within their industry and communities so to be named among them was truly such a privilege. There are many ideas of what is considered powerful. My view is that being powerful means having the confidence and ability to make a meaningful impact on one’s surroundings. Each individual must unlock their own potential. A powerful person holds their hand out with keys such as mentorship or sponsorship, so others have the support to realize their own potential.”
Ward also shared her advice to other female trades students at Conestoga.
“The construction industry is enormous. The skilled trades might be the right path for you for a lifetime. This is great because our country needs high achieving tradespeople, however, do keep your mind open. Many people started in the trades and followed various paths such as entrepreneurs, management, health & safety, and industry association leadership to name a few. I believe the possibilities are endless in the construction industry and there is room for exponential personal growth.”
What is Journalism?