Women in Canada are dynamic leaders, achieve very high levels of education and business experience, and are successful in all sectors. And yet we remain underrepresented and underutilised at a female to male ratio of 1:5, on corporate boards in Canada. I was reminded of this fact while visiting with a few classes this week, as I watched our girls articulate opinions, debate ideas and discuss political agendas.
In particular, I had the opportunity to visit with a grade ten class where the students were studying in keeping with the Harkness philosophy, developed at Philips Exeter and designed to promote collaboration and equitable participation from all members in the analysis of a text. The students were assembled in small circles to discuss significant literary themes and complex characters, as depicted in John Knowles’ novel, A Separate Peace. (Knowles was also a graduate of Philips Exeter). Their insights were intriguing and the high level of analysis was a nod to both their ability and the careful guidance of a gifted teacher. Our girls develop into articulate young women, and it is our hope for them that they will belong to a cohort of women who participate in all levels of private and public governance.
