International Women’s Day is today (March 8th, 2017), and we’re here to celebrate Surrey’s women and girls who are getting.things.done. From celebrating fellow women by giving them a platform to share their stories, to dominating sport, or even blessing the city with art, Surrey has some incredible women making Surrey a wonderful place for women to work, stay, play, and flourish. So we’re giving a little shout out to our past TruePeople who just happen to be strong, smart, and powerful women, be sure to click on their names to learn more about their projects and passions.
Business has long been associated with suits and ties, but Surrey’s women are changing that perception. Natasha Raey has spent her life as a Surrey resident and is the founder of SheTalks, an annual conference that features real women sharing their raw authentic stories for 8 minutes each, and provides a safe space for women to connect, engage and learn, held right here in Surrey. SheTalks just celebrated its third anniversary of sharing women’s trials and triumphs. Another woman dominating in business, however this time it’s on the airwaves, is Nira Arora. Host of Virgin Radio 94.5’s Early Morning show Jonny, Holly & Nira, and long-time Surrey resident, Nira takes pride in telling listeners she lives in Surrey, and is heavily involved in supporting Surrey charities and businesses.
Candice Radcliffe has been enriching Surrey’s arts and culture for around seven years with Crescent Beach’s Beach House Theatre. Bringing wonderful productions like family friendly Tales of King Arthur, and The Heart of Robin Hood, Candice is the Creative Director and vision behind these adorned performances on Surrey’s beautiful beach, covered by many art lovers and bloggers. If you’ve ever Googled what to do in the Lower Mainland one Friday evening, chances are you’ve been brought to a Miss604 blog post. The woman behind BC’s incredibly popular blog is Rebecca Bollwitt, a Surrey native who has an incredible knack for knowing EVERYTHING that’s going on in the region.
Athletics are another arena that Surrey’s women are taking command of. Kyla Benz represented Canada at 2016’s WBSC XV Women’s World Softball Championship at Surrey’s Softball City, earning themselves a bronze medal in the global tournament. When she’s not competing on the diamond, Kyla volunteers in local youth sports to help the next generation develop their skills. While Kyla has reached one of Women’s Softball’s biggest tournaments, all eyes are on up-and-comer Kienna Stephens, selected as an RBC Training Ground Winner and identified as a potential future Olympian in the sport of rowing, Kienna, a long-time Surrey resident, is hard at work training for the Olympic Games.
Surrey’s women are doing big things, and working hard to put women on the map in the world of business, arts and culture, and sport. We’re absolutely THRILLED to see local blog Our Happy Place launch their Surrey Girl Project later this month to flip the phrase ‘Surrey Girl’ on it’s head, and give Surrey’s women and girls the recognition they deserve.
**Photo of Natasha Raey