Today marks International Women’s Day, and the Southeast has a lot of women to celebrate. Becky Cassidy is one of these women.  

Cassidy is a part of many organizations in the area that celebrate and support women, as well as supporting the community. On top of her community commitments, she is a dedicated mom, wife and business owner.  

She is the Chair of the Southeast Women of Distinction Award, a volunteer with Estevan Minor Hockey, Colon Cancer, and a leader for an Estevan Ukranian refugee committee.  

The Southeast Women of Distinction Awards is a point of pride for Cassidy, as it highlights all the great women in the area, both past and present.  

She said the Trailblazer Memorial Walk celebrates women who have pushed through barriers in the past to allow women to do things they weren’t able to do in the past.  

“I do feel that southeast Saskatchewan’s done a really good job of helping, you know, by fostering mentorship and collaboration among women, helping lift them through organizations and nonprofits and even awards banquets like the Southeast Women of Distinction Awards.” 

Previously known as the Women of Today Awards, the Women of Distinction awards were reimagined by Cassidy and her good friend Tanya Andrist.  

“Supporting women is crucial for fostering gender equity and creating a more inclusive society,” said Cassidy. “So, we decided to continue it on and so we brought together a bunch of women that we felt would really lift up other women.”  

Cassidy is also currently the Stakeholder relations lead at Saskatchewan Women Building Futures. This is a nonprofit organization that helps women who are unemployed and underemployed get training and employment in trades that are typically underrepresented by women.  

The program has been running in Alberta for about 25 years and is now expanding into Saskatchewan.  

A program is currently underway at the BHP mine at Jansen. The Journey to Trade Program will be starting in Regina in May.  

She explained that this program allows women to learn trade skills to start entry-level positions in the trade industry.  

“When women support each other, they amplify each other's voices, experiences and achievements leading to greater representative representation and recognition and traditionally underrepresented spaces for women.” 

Cassidy was born and raised in Saskatchewan and firmly believes that women in the southeast have strong voices, that continue to grow and make changes.  

“I think that the whole community, all genders really see the desire to lift women and empower them. And when women see other women succeeding and thriving, they’re inspired to pursue their own goals and their own aspirations and their sense of solidarity and camaraderie.”  

Cassidy has drawn inspiration in her own life from her mom, who always pushed her to do her best, and pushed her to believe in herself.  

“I really think living an authentic life and doing what you truly believe in and what you really love is so important, and my mom has always instilled that value in me.”  

She said International Women’s Day is an important day and that everyone should take the time out to celebrate the women around them. Whether it's friends, colleagues or family members.  

“I think that it’s important that we take the time that day to really lift each other up and celebrate each other.”