When we start something, even the smallest thing, can have a great impact in someone’s life. Children and young people are very open to the world. They are sponges, with humongous hearts. In the world today, it is not possible to shelter children from the not so good things, that come with the great stuff. Society, as a whole and each individual share the responsibility of listening to young people, to give them a place to express themselves, to allow a safe and respectful environment, where change can happen.
Those who are the older ones, the founders of today’s society – with all its mistakes and fallen dreams, need to share too and to be listened to. It is crucial that their own knowledge and views about the world they see, is shared. This often comes with huge struggles, as they try to understand and to adapt to change. For the older generations, change doesn’t come easy, doesn’t come fast, and often, it doesn’t come at all.
Change happens with reciprocal sharing and respect, which requires a great deal of trust and giving. The Gallery of the Portuguese Pioneers, is an open space to share, to listen, and it is a safe arena for all to discuss, and shelter ideas and projects.
We share with you the comments of some of the young girls present at the event, celebrating the International Day of the Girl, Child.
Humberta Araujo, Curator
“I am so honoured to have spoken at the Portuguese Pioneers Museum. To speak alongside such wonderful women and to such amazing students, was a truly special experience. As a Luso – Canadian girl, it was my strong, Portuguese, female role models who empowered me to do the work that I do. It was their pieces of wisdom and the positive examples they set for me, that aided me in becoming the person I am today, for which I am so grateful for. I am so glad that there are opportunities like this for young Luso girls, to empower them and encourage them to make positive change in the world.
To be asked to be a part of the panel speaking to the students was such a humbling experience. To share my work with the girls and show them the importance of persevering through the obstacles that you may come across was so important to me because I want to inspire them to be leaders in our community as well as the global community. I could see the girls very engaged in the speeches, and I hope we left a positive impression on them that will help mold into the powerful Luso – Canadian women that I know they will become. The atmosphere was one of hope, empowerment, and inspiration that day, and I hope all the girls left with those same feelings.”
Chiara Amaral
https://www.facebook.com/chiara.picao
“Participating in the International Girl Child day at the Gallery of Portuguese Pioneers was a tremendous experience and honour. I was inspired by the other influential female speakers and their stories have encouraged me to enhance my community contributions. I also believe the event was an amazing opportunity to hear about the interests and aspirations of young Luso-Canadian girls. In the future, I hope to create a few programs that encourage young girls to pursue occupations in non-traditional sectors such as engineering. Moreover, I hope to increase female participation in sports because I believe physical activities can help girls feel more confident about their abilities. Sports can also enhance a girls’ resilience thus allowing them to overcome obstacles they encounter in life.
I would like to thank Humerta Araujo for including me in the event. I hope the Gallery will be able to host the event annually because it would be beneficial for many female Luso-Canadian students.
Meaghan Pereira
https://www.facebook.com/meghan.pereira.7
“The International Day of the Girl, Child was an opportunity for girls and women to meet and discuss our concerns about gender inequality. Together we considered the roles of women in the past, present, and future. As an example of our future, we had the young students from Novos Horizontes Portuguese School visit. They pleasantly surprised the women of the previous generations by already knowing their specific dreams — most of them traditionally reserved for men! We met future veterinarians, soccer players, neurosurgeons, teachers, and more.
The guest speakers took turns talking about their own experiences. Our individual and social achievements could not be possible without also mentioning the accompanying struggles. Some were internal, such as mental and/or physical health issues. Other struggles were external, such as being told not to do something because of one’s gender. We concluded that a lot still needs to be done to make the world fairer for girls and women.
I gained new role models by listening to everyone’s inspiring speeches. Thank you to the guest speakers for that. Thank you to Meaghan Benfeito for being an excellent role model to girls everywhere, especially Luso-Canadians. Finally, thank you to D. Humberta Araujo and the Gallery of the Portuguese Pioneers for recruiting us to examine the goals we’ve achieved despite our barriers, and for expanding our minds and networks so we can help other girls continue the challenge of the women before us.
O Dia Internacional da Menina foi uma oportunidade para meninas e mulheres se encontrarem e trocar experiências e preocupações sobre a desigualdade dos géneros. Juntas consideramos os papeis de mulheres no passado, no presente, e no futuro. Como exemplo do nosso futuro, estavam presentes jovens estudantes da Escola Portuguesa Novos Horizontes. Elas surpreenderam as mulheres da geração anterior, por já saberem o que querem fazer no futuro – a maior parte das carreiras que querem seguir, estavam tradicionalmente reservadas aos homens! Conhecemos futuras veterinárias, jogadoras de futebol, neurocirurgiãs, professoras e mais.
As convidadas falaram sobre as suas experiências, e concluímos que os nossos ganhos, ao longo dos tempos, não seriam possíveis sem lutas. Algumas foram internas, como problemas de saúde mental e/ou física. Outras lutas foram externas, como quando lhes era dito que não poderiam fazer algo por serem mulheres. Concordamos, que muito ainda tem que ser feito para tornar o mundo mais justo para meninas e mulheres. Eu ganhei novos modelos a seguir ao ouvir os discursos inspiradores. Obrigada a todas as convidadas por isso, mas um agradecimento especial à Meaghan Benfeito, por ser um excelente exemplo para as meninas de todo o mundo, especialmente às lusodescendentes. Finalmente, obrigada à D. Humberta Araújo e à Galeria dos Pioneiros Portugueses por nos proporcionarem esta oportunidade e fórum, para juntas examinarmos o que realizamos até agora, apesar de todas as barreiras, que se nos têm sido apresentadas, e de abrir ainda mais as nossas mentes e alargar as nossas “networks”, de modo a termos melhores bases para continuar e a ajudar outras meninas, a ganhar coragem para seguir em frente.”
Catarina-Raquel de Oliveira Gomes
https://www.facebook.com/crog94
I’ve been told that in order to be successful, you need one person to believe in you. The truth is no one will believe in you…more than you have to believe in yourself. This year, I had the pleasure of celebrating the International Day of the Girl by encouraging young women to stay hungrily ambitious, preach creativity, and dream big but not impossible dreams.
In a case of mine, coming from a very introverted background and having zero industry connections to kick off from, no one could piece together that I wanted to be a singer/songwriter/performer. So as I continued to share my story with all the girls seated around the room, it came down to simply this- introverts don’t need to stay introverted. Starting from the bottom means you’re aiming for the stars, but never forgetting your beginnings. And you don’t need a backup plan, Plan A all the way.
Thanks again for having me be a part of the event.
Sabrina Soares
https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaSoaresMusic/
“No sábado passado, dia 21 de outubro, nós fomos à Galeria dos Pioneiros Portugueses, ouvir a Meaghan Benfeito falar sobre a sua experiência como atleta e sobre a sua vida”. – Tiago Barros
“A Meaghan é luso canadiana porque tem avós portugueses. Ela estava na Galeria para comemorar e falar sobre o Dia Internacional da Rapariga. Gostei muito de a conhecer porque nunca tinha conhecido uma atleta olímpica e eu gosto muito de ver os Jogos Olímpicos.” – Hugo Alexandre
“A Meaghan explicou-nos a importância de ser uma menina e de como podemos ajudar as meninas para fazerem tudo o que elas querem. Ela falou do desporto dela, e das dificuldades porque às vezes ela passou e como queria desistir, mas continuou, e disse-nos que nós devemos continuar mesmo que seja difícil.” – Julia Oliveira
“ A Meaghan é uma atleta olímpica, lusocanadiana e já ganhou três medalhas para o mergulho dos 10 metros. Ela é um modelo a seguir para as atletas novas e para as raparigas de todas as idades.” – Fábio Mota
“A Meaghan ajudou-nos muito porque ela sabe que ainda hoje é difícil ser uma menina neste século. A Meaghan também disse que foi difícil chegar onde está hoje, não só porque dá muito trabalho, ela treina muitas horas todos os dias, mas também porque é uma rapariga.” – Katarina Vieira
“A Meaghan é muito simpática e talentosa, ela já recebeu três medalhas de bronze. Eu gostei muito de ouvir as histórias que ela contou e também fiquei muito inspirada pelo talento e trabalho dela.” – Daniela Mota
“Na Galeria dos Pioneiros Portugueses, nós falámos com uma atleta Olímpica, a Meaghan Benfeito, ela representou o Canadá e já ganhou medalhas olímpicas. Ela ganhou uma nos Jogos Olímpicos de 2012 e 2 em 2016 nos Jogos Olímpicos do Rio.” – Francisco Ferreira
“A Meaghan contou-nos a sua história. Ela disse que devemos fazer o que gostamos quando formos adultos. Ela mostrou-nos as medalhas que ganhou nos Jogos Olímpicos. Elas eram pesadas. Apesar dos grandes feitos que já fez, ela é uma rapariga modesta. Eu gostei muito desta visita de estudo, a galeria foi muito interessante, e foi uma honra conhecer a Meaghan. Ela ensinou-me que o sucesso é uma escolha, ela será uma grande inspiração para mim, para o meu futuro”- Christopher Jardine
Alunos/as Escola Portuguesa Novos Horizontes