Each year International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. The first International Women’s Day was held over 100 years ago in 1911. Thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women’s groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day.
All around the world, IWD represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater equality.
This years theme is Make It Happen, encouraging effective action for advancing and recognising women.
Throughout this week leading up to IWD, we will be featuring some of our inspiring female speakers on our NSBlog.
Today we feature Evanka Osmak, Co-Host of Rogers Sportsnet Central.
What does ‘Making it Happen’ mean to you and how have you implemented it in your career to date?
Making it happen means formulating a plan and setting it in motion. Most importantly is seeing it through to the end, no matter how many stumbles and how much hard work it requires.
There are so many times it would have been easier to just give up on television broadcasting. I had no contacts, no experience and a ton of rejection letters. Instead I kept working on my tape. I kept contacting news directors. I used the letters as motivation until eventually I got one that was accepting. No matter how low my confidence dropped I kept knocking down doors until I made it happen.
Gender-specific challenges you’ve faced in your chosen career?
The obvious challenge in my career, sports broadcasting means I’m working in a male dominated field, talking about mostly all male sports and to a predominantly male audience. It seems to be a challenge I gravitate towards. I was one of a handful of women in my engineering graduating class and one of the first girls to be admitted to a formerly all-boys grade school, Appleby College.
What advice would you give a young female in your industry today?
Be yourself and read everything. You can never be over prepared for either.
Who was your female role model & why/how did they empower you?
There have been a lot of women who have helped me along the way, personally and professionally. One woman that can never be thanked enough is my mother.
What change in societies approach to gender equality are you most proud of?
At Sportsnet there’s no discrimination between male and female broadcasters. We’ve all earned our right to be there and are treated as equals.
What is the biggest issue facing women in your industry today?
There are still no or very few women doing play by play and colour commentating. I would love to see (and hear) more women in this role.
For more on Evanka, and how she can inspire your audience check out her Speaker Profile.
Other Speakers featured in our Hot Topics: International Women’s Day Include:
What does ‘Making it Happen’ mean to you and how have you implemented it in your career to date?