ANGLEC’S WOMEN IN STEM – 2019 WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION

This year ANGLEC will be joining in the celebration of International Women’s Day/Month for the first time by featuring the stories of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) related posts/functions at ANGLEC and promoting the official IWD theme for 2019 #BalanceForBetter.

GETTING TO KNOW HER

Larricia  Lacorbiniere,  

Larricia originally hails from the beautiful island of St.Lucia (Millet, Castries) but has lived in Anguilla for over 5 years. She is bilingual, speaking both French patios and English fluently and in addition to the hobbies listed below, she enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family.

At ANGLEC Larricia currently serves in the capacity of ANGLEC’s sole female Heavy Equipment Operator, a post she finds challenging but enjoyable. In her time outside of work she is a dedicated fiance and new mother to a beautiful baby girl. She spends her weekends as a busy young entrepreneur; the proud owner/operator of Lucians Bar in The Valley where she finds joy in socializing and meeting new people.

As a young woman, Larricia was a star Cadet on the path to becoming a police officer in St. Lucia. However, in 2001 she applied and was accepted into the British Army, an accomplishment that came with much prestige and celebration. But as the time drew closer for her to depart from St. Lucia, she realized that something was missing. Her heart wasn’t in it. So even though it was a great opportunity, she decided to follow her passion to be a truck operator. Though her decision was a difficult one to make at the time, she’s proud of her choice. She believes firmly in being an advocate for change and uses her life experiences as motivation to strive for excellence and encourages others to do the same.

1. What is your favourite song?

I don’t really have a favourite song, I love music though. I can’t tell you the names of songs or all the lyrics but I love the instruments and beat lol.  If I had to choose one song it would be Kassav’ – Swio.

 2. What is your favourite hobby?

Dancing and reading (motivational books).

 3. Who was your role model growing up and why?

I have two, my grandmother and my father. My grandmother taught me everything, she raised me from the time I was about 4 and I love everything about her. Just watching her living life, I’ve grown to admire her more and more because she’s tough but very kind and patient.

My father is deceased now but he took such great care of me with my grandmother and I know that he loved me. Til this day people say that I am just like him, my work ethic, my attitude and drive, everything. He was a great role model for me.

4. What was your favourite subject in school?

Social Studies.

5. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?

Lasagna.

6. What is your favourite part about your job?

Getting the job done! Completing the task makes me feel like the day has been productive. If my job isn’t complete, I feel incomplete lol.

7.What would you say is the hardest part of your job?

The hardest part of my job is just others making things more difficult than they need to be at times.

It’s also difficult to not feel appreciated for your hard work, especially as a woman. I think if I was a man, certain things would be less frustrating to accomplish and less difficult overall.

BALANCE FOR BETTER WITH Larricia 

The official theme for International Women’s Day 2019 is “Balance for Better”. Balance for better means fighting for more gender-balance in the world.

1. Why do you think gender-balance is important?

To me it is important because women are almost always underappreciated. If you think all the way back to when women stayed at home it’s been this way. If we were to flip the script and send men home, though they may treat women like the work at home is “easy” they would have a hard time and still not get certain things done. So, I oppose the idea that gender-balance isn’t important and fully support the fight for a more gender equal world.

More balance means appreciation for what women and men bring to the table.

2. In your opinion, how could men and women work together to create a more gender balanced world?

I think we (men and women) need to stop putting limitations on women. We also need to be more supportive and less judgmental of women who choose to step outside of the “norm”. Let’s say for example someone comes to get a job for a digger derrick operator. If it is a man and he makes some mistakes it wouldn’t really matter and most people would assume that he’s having a bad day. The assumption wouldn’t be that he just can’t do the job. But if a woman in the same situation were to make a mistake or two, it would be seen as her being incapable more often than not.

People would be more likely to limit her or question her ability based on bias instead of thinking that maybe she just made a minor error, needs more time or help. To be a woman and be taken seriously you almost have to be perfect. I think society and men need to look at women as talented and skilled outside of their gender. A woman is as capable as a man in many fields if given the opportunity. Women should be empowered to be more than housewives, if that’s what they choose.

3. How do you find ways to thrive in a male dominated field?

I think always being motivated, and having strong self motivation especially will help you ignore any negativity and doubt and remain positive. I have had many experiences where being in a male dominated field has been hard, but my motivation and belief in myself kept me strong. One experience that stands out to me involved a man trying to knock me down on the street, because I was hired for an operator job instead of him.

It taught me that if I wanted to do this work it was about being more than being good at it. You really have to love it and have a deep passion because it can be very difficult. Without that drive it’s so easy to want to give up.

I was in St. Lucia at the time and it was earlier in my career as an operator. I was on a job interview with 3 men who also applied for the position. They took us all to a job site and asked us to dig a hole etc. After the evaluations, myself and 2 of the other men were successful. I was very happy to have made it through and immediately left the site walking to visit a relative in the area.

However, the man who was not hired was so enraged that when he saw me walking on the road he swerved to try a and hit me with his vehicle. I was shocked. I heard later that he couldn’t believe a woman could get an operator job over him and that he was saying terrible things all because I a woman. Working in a male dominated field isn’t always that way but that’s something I will never forget and it shows why gender balance and equality is important.

4. How do you achieve work/life balance as a working woman?
   

Well, outside of work I own a business, and I am a new mother so I try my best to get some time for my own comfort. Some people are morning people, others are night owls, you have to find your time and make a schedule that works for you.

I use my first 4 days of the week to do my though household things like mopping, deep cleaning, meal prep, any other heavy tasks. I get all of that done in the early hours of the morning during those days. And then I can relax and not worry about those kinds of things for the rest of the week, that gives me peace of mind to handle my work at ANGLEC and prepare for my weekend to be dedicated to my business.

It’s like exercise, the beginning is always hard lol. But getting going gets easier, just keep your schedule, write everything down, get help when you need it. You have to dig deep, but it can be done.

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION

1. Would you encourage other women and girls in Anguilla to pursue STEM related jobs, if so why?

I would, because everyone has a passion and if you love a STEM subject or type of job you should never let anyone stop you from doing what you want or getting what you want.

3. What would you say to young women who may be interested in the STEM fields? Do you love it? If so why and why do you want to do it? Once you establish those things, that’s where you’ll find the motivation in hard times. Then the next step is getting your education, you must work hard and stay focused. What helped me was being determined to succeed. Remind yourself of all the reasons why you need to reach your goals. Put notes up in the bathroom so you see it, in the kitchen so you see it and I guarantee you in no time you’ll get it done and find fulfillment.
4. What would have encouraged you along your journey as a young woman interested in STEM?
   
   Having others to believe in me, that would have given me that extra push. I wanted to be an operator from the age of 14 but I was discouraged by most persons except for my father. It was a very difficult time for me but I started training to be an operator right after high-school at age 17, everyday without pay from 7:00am. Some guys close to my family had a trucking company and they took me with them everyday and trained me on real job sites. If I didn’t have that experience, even though it was hard and they man I worked for was strict, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.I would tell any girl interested in STEM or male dominated work to look for people in your community to guide you. Find people who are doing what you want to do and learn. Friends, or those outside of your family circle can be great sources of support as well.
5. What would you encourage, educators, parents and guardians to do to ensure the advancement of young women in STEM related studies?

I would say, they need to keep a close eye on the kids and see where the passion is. Sometimes kids aren’t even aware that they are good at certain things or have a true passion for something. Also, don’t let your own biases or desires as an adult or caregiver get in the way of helping a child develop as an individual. If your child is different, never discourage him or her. Some children take longer to do things, others display talents and interests different to expectations but every child deserves a chance to grow and feel supported, safe and loved.

Thank you for your support, this is our final feature in the STEM Women’s Day campaign. For more information on IWD click here. Want to see the rest of the stories? Visit www.Facebook.com/AnguillaElectrcity