Innovation and technology can empower women and girls. Unfortunately, women are (still) underrepresented in fields like science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This year's theme for International Women’s Day, #InnovateForChange, is a call to action, asking everyone to harness the power of technology to create a more equal world. By removing the barriers facing women in STEM, the hope is to unleash new ideas and solutions that will transform societies and strengthen economies.

We would like to take this opportunity to celebrate our Bytown Railway Society Women, Minda Bojin, Felicity Harrison and (in memory) Helen Tucker

Minda Bojin

Minda has been a member of the society since the 1970s.  Minda has been involved with our public railway excursions in years past. Your best chance to meet Minda these days is at our monthly Program Nights setting up our refreshment services. Minda also is very active as the Steering Committee Coordinator and Newsletter Editor.with the Disability Advocacy of Eastern Ontario (DANEO). Minda professional career included being a Project Leader and Technical Advisor for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. and most recently as a Founding Partner for the Cahill Community Living Partnership.

Minda says "When I moved to Ottawa from Toronto in the early 70s BRS helped me a lot. I had been a member of UCRS and was thrilled to find like minded enthusiasts in Ottawa. Some members of BRS are my oldest and dearest friends."

Felicity Harrison

Felicity joined the society approximately ten years ago.  Felicity is a stalwart member of the society's Dirty Hands Club which is a group of volunteers responsible for railway equipment restoration. Felicity held a director position on our board in the past, and took the BRS training course leading to TSSA certification to operate the Shay steam locomotive.   If you attend our monthly Program Nights, you will be greeted by Felicity, rain, shine, sleet or hail (well maybe not hail) outside the museum's main entrance. Felicity's day job is as a Human and Organizational Factors Specialist for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Other volunteer interests include helping out at the Aviation Museum and Agriculture Museum on an as-needed basis.

Felicity tells us "I love learning about railway history from the extremely knowledgeable members of BRS, and appreciating this method of transportation that has had such an impact on the development of many countries around the world."

Helen Tucker (Memorial Tribute)

Helen was the Dirty Hands Club Founder and also held the Secretary position on the Society's board. Her work in an organizational role at the shop is remembered for she, as a professional engineer, was organized, methodical and analytical, as well as practical. She is also remembered for her equipment drawings and sketches and her accurate estimates of the material required fro complete a job. Helen had the ability to exchange quip for quip with the best of us. She was a real hit with the CP and Canadian Atlantic Railway officials and crews alike who were taken back at BRS's lady "fireperson" in the cab of 1201, and in CP's and CAR's bunk houses. Helen's professional career was as an Engineer with the Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). At the NRC, Helen was a co-inventor of a Valve, a Flowmeter and a Viscometer. Helen held three patents with her colleagues. Helen worked in diverse areas as Maglev systems, control systems for dynamometers, wheelchair stability experiments, and a major wheel and brake testing facility.