Meet 4 young women from Nova Scotia making waves in their fields

For years, Grade 12 student Shabad Kaur questioned her decision to concentrate on the sciences.

The team ambassador for the Canadian Association for Girls in Science, and student at Halifax West High School, said her family didn't know how to respond to a girl who wanted to study technology.

"In my community there was a lot of stigma, stereotypes surrounding going into sciences, like computer sciences," Kaur told CBC Radio's Mainstreet on International Day of the Girl.

Kaur said while young men at family functions were often asked what they planned to pursue at university, she was never asked that question.

"All of that kind of tied into me doubting myself and not having the confidence to go ahead with my passions."

Kaur was one of the speakers at an event at the Halifax Central Library on Tuesday organized by the non-profit N.S. Girl that brought together girls and young women between the ages of 12 and 25 years old.

Mainstreet spoke with four young women who took part in the event to hear how they define success, and what barriers they've encountered along the way.

Jahtaya Skeete is the 13-year-old owner of Taya Ties, a tie-dye apparel company she started during COVID-19 lockdowns. 

Dejhani Allen is the 20-year-old owner of Culture Dance Movement who also runs Brawta Jamaican Jerk Joint with her family.

Damini Awoyiga is a Grade 10 student and spoken-word poet and writer.

Listen to their full interview with host Jeff Douglas:

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.