For International Women’s Day 2025, I want to celebrate Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day 2025 of “Strength in every story” by sharing the life story of my mom, Emily Ferrara, reflecting profound resilience, self-sufficiency, and determination. Emily’s life offers a valuable perspective on the challenges faced by many women, past and present, in the pursuit of equality, independence, and the right to be heard.
From an early age, my mom taught me the power of perseverance combined with the effective use of humour to reframe challenges into opportunities. Her story exemplifies how women, through determination and grit, have navigated obstacles that often go unnoticed. Whether overcoming cultural barriers after immigrating to Canada or building successful businesses from the ground up, my mom’s life is a testament to the strength of women across generations.
Emily’s story begins in the Post-War Era in Sicily, Italy, where she grew up the third of four children, surrounded by traditional values. At 16 years of age, Emily graduated from a Professional School of Tailoring and Sewing and began instructing young women in the art of fine sewing over the course of the next decade. She recalls her childhood marked by a strong belief in male authority, particularly within the family. The expectation was clear: men held the power, and women were to submit to their decisions without question.
When asked about the “50+ years before” state of gender equality, Emily recalls: “My upbringing was shaped by a belief that a man was the absolute master, especially within the family. His decisions, whether right or wrong, were to be obeyed without a word. I don’t know when this began, but one thing I do know is that for a long time, women have fueled this foolish sense of power. It’s important to recognize that we are all equal, regardless of gender. For a long time, when I tried to express my opinions, they were silenced simply because I was a woman.”
During the late 1960s, Emily, along with her new husband, immigrated to Canada, seeking a new life. She landed in Dorval, Quebec, before moving to Ontario, where she would settle in the Greater Toronto Area. Emily learned a new language and navigated Canadian society, an experience that shaped her resilience and self-sufficiency.
Emily explained: “I was always determined to carve out my own path. Moving to a new country was daunting, but I had no choice but to adapt. I wanted to give my children a better life, and that meant building my own future.”
Eventually, Emily met a businesswoman in Toronto through a mutual friend. The businesswoman hired Emily as she was seeking a skilled person in the fashion and sewing field with whom to partner in opening a new boutique for custom women’s wear. With many sacrifices and determination, step by step, Emily kept working while raising a family without ever giving up. The boutique became renowned for its unique silk designs, and Emily felt empowered. She participated in fashion shows showcasing her handiwork and learned about the Canadian fashion industry. Her business success was due to her ability to partner and leverage her inner entrepreneurial spirit. Eventually, years later she moved on and opened a custom alterations business in Maple, Ontario, while still balancing family life and entrepreneurship. She ran her business single-handedly for many years all while embracing client service excellence and modern technology.
Emily’s post-retirement years have been marked by a deep satisfaction in knowing she created a meaningful life for herself, her family, and her community, including giving her three children an education and teaching them to respect themselves and others. In 2023, Emily became a Canadian citizen—a milestone reflecting both her personal accomplishments and her deep connection to the country she had called home for decades.
As I reflect on her life story, I realize how much it aligns with Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day 2025: Strength in every story. Her resilience and achievements prove that change starts with individuals who challenge norms, and persevere.
When asked what is her “50 years after” wish for gender equality, Emily responded with a simple yet powerful wish that: “Humanity is equal, regardless of gender.”
This International Women’s Day, I encourage us all to reflect on the people who have shaped our lives. Every woman’s story contributes to the larger quilt of women’s empowerment, and it is through sharing these stories that we can inspire continued progress.
Article for Mothers to Daughters, written by Annamaria Ananiadis in Richmond Hill Ontario March 8, 2025.
留言