Day 3 – Walking and Talking About Gender Equality (and water as a human right) with My Dad

My dad joined me for my 6km walk on Day 3. That would be an unusual sight if I were a girl in Tanzania, walking to fetch water for my family.

He shared a fascinating story about my grandmother (his mom), who was truly ahead of her time. In the early 1950s, she attended St. FX University and graduated with a degree in dietetics. At a time when few women pursued higher education, she traveled from Nova Scotia to Toronto and Ohio for internships, and had a long career as a hospital dietician while raising nine children. Her journey was remarkable and highlights the importance of education in advancing gender equality. I know that she would be supporting me and encouraging me in this initiative!

I am incredibly lucky to have had strong women throughout my family as role models. My great-great grandfather (my mom’s dad’s grandfather) went to Dalhousie Medical School in 1900 so that his twin sister could attend.

This is the class photo of Dalhousie University’s Senior Class in Medicine of 1900, with caption below written by my grandfather:

“The graduation photo of my maternal grandfather (L.B.W. Braine, 2nd row) from the Halifax Medical College, Dalhousie University, Class of 1900. There is an interesting family anecdote on how my grandfather came to study medicine and become a GP doctor. His sister, my great aunt Winnifred (W.B. Braine, top row), had her heart set on becoming a doctor, but in Victorian era Halifax with its social climate of male dominance this was next to impossible even to consider for a woman. My great grandfather who was manager of the Merchant Bank and a pillar of society, decreed that the only way she could enter Dalhousie Medical College was if her brother also attended with her. Thus, it was that the two siblings studied together and both became medical doctors, with Winnifred becoming one of the first woman doctors to graduate from Dalhousie University. Winnifred went on to marry classmate W.P Reynolds (bottom row) and they moved to Montana to practice medicine in a Wild West mining town. My grandfather practiced in Chester, Annapolis Royal and Glen Margaret.” ~ David Clark

These stories remind me of the importance of supporting gender equality and the incredible impact education can have on our lives. Just as my family members overcame societal barriers to pursue their dreams, the women in Tanzania are striving to do the same. By providing access to clean water and education, we can empower them to break through these barriers and achieve their full potential.

I am inspired by my family’s legacy and am determined to follow in their footsteps. My goal is to become a pediatric allergist, helping children navigate a healthy and productive life with food allergies. Maybe I will even graduate from Dalhousie Medical School like my great-great-great-aunt.

I also want to acknowledge my dad. His support for my mom’s work in Tanzania and his encouragement for my sister and me to be whatever we want to be has been invaluable. His belief in us and his dedication to gender equality inspire me, even before I could name it.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Happiness Run so far! Your donations are helping me work toward my goal of purchasing a NanoFilter Water Centre and providing employment to a woman in Tanzania. I think I have fixed the donation button on my blog, but if you’re having issues and wish to donate, please try clicking here.