The International Day of the Girl was established by the United Nations in 2012 and is recognized as a day to acknowledge girls and their rights, education, and opportunities.

Skills Ontario offered a series of online events and challenges to celebrate this special occasion from October 4th-11th.

Students at Marymount Academy seized the opportunity to learn about women in the trades and participated in the following challenges put on by Skills Ontario:

• Industrial Sector Welding (i.e. Popsicle Stick Playgrounds)
• Service Sector (i.e. Paper Dresses)
• Construction Sector (i.e. Marshmallow Towers)

The week ended with a virtual conference, For Girls, By Girls! dedicated to empowering girls through relatable and engaging content. For Girls, By Girls provided viewers with the opportunity to hear from girls in elementary and senior elementary to discuss their perspectives of how they perceive the skilled trades and technologies. Keynote speaker Kyara Cabrera Fong, Auto Body Technician Apprentice and Panel Leader Courtney Chard, Pipe Welder led the conference.