Embracing My Roots: The Journey of Black Hair and Self-Discovery

From the crowns of Nefertiti to the braids of Beyoncé, Black hair has been the epicentre of identity, resistance, and beauty throughout history. This intricate relationship Black women have with their hair isn’t just superficial—it’s a reflection of culture, societal pressures, and personal journeys.

Growing up, my hair took the form of an Afro, a symbol of the Black is Beautiful movement. Its simplicity was its power. However, like many Black women, as I transitioned into different stages of life, so did my hair. Wigs, weaves, braids, you name it—I’ve experimented with them all. And while these choices reflected evolving fashion trends, they also mirrored the societal pressures faced by Black women to conform to mainstream ideals of beauty.

In a world where sleek, straight hair is often seen as the epitome of sophistication, Black women have, for centuries, navigated the intricate path between conforming for survival and expressing their true selves. Historically, our hair textures were ridiculed, with descriptors such as “nappy” used as derogatory terms. Weaves and wigs, for some, provided an escape from prejudice and allowed a degree of assimilation. For others, they were simply a means of artistic expression and convenience.

Yet, as I transitioned from one hairstyle to another, there was a quiet undercurrent of detachment—a feeling that I was losing touch with a vital part of myself. It became evident that my hair journey was less about fashion and more about finding my identity within and outside of the Black community.

The natural hair movement, which has gained momentum over the last decade, isn’t just about rejecting chemicals or extensions. It's about Black women reclaiming their narrative, celebrating their heritage, and dismantling beauty standards that have long excluded them.

Today, I’ve come full circle, returning to my short afro. This decision wasn't just about aesthetics; it was a homecoming. Embracing my natural hair isn’t a rejection of wigs, weaves, or braids, but rather an embrace of my authentic self. It’s a declaration that my Blackness, in its most raw and unaltered form, is beautiful.

In my journey, I've learned that every Black woman’s relationship with her hair is deeply personal. Whether we choose to wear our hair natural, braided, weaved, or wigged, these choices weave intricate tales of our lives, struggles, joys, and discoveries. Our hair isn't just hair—it’s a canvas of our stories.

To every Black woman reading this: Your hair, no matter how you choose to wear it, is a testament to your strength, resilience, and beauty. In a world that often tries to fit us into boxes, may we continue to defy, redefine, and above all, remain true to ourselves.

Why does talking about Women’s experience in mining hit a nerve?

Recently we shared an article by McKinsey that spoke about why women were leaving the mining industry. We have shared this article a few times, and each time we do we get a big response from both women and men, both sharing support and annoyance at the article. As we watch people comment, repost, and like and can’t help but wonder ‘why does this topic cause such a reaction?

Let’s start with our thoughts on some of the opposing comments we receive. These tend to minimize the impacts on women by stating retention is an everyone problem not just women, so why focus on just women? We also receive comments that straight out deny the idea that women have any challenges in the industry and we all just need to take ‘take five’ or that this is all ‘rubbish’. 

The great resignation is happening across the board and mining is no exception. However when women only represent between 8-14% of the global mining population, and we see similar statistics of new female grads coming into the industry, we can’t ignore when women are not retained or recruited in ways that speak to their experiences and needs. 

We aren’t here to debate whether this is a challenge. We already know this is a problem and fast enough action is not happening to plug the holes of women leaving the industry. 

We know women experience higher amounts of harassment, gender discrimination, and assault, especially at site based or remote working sites. We know that proper PPE was not available to women until very recently causing health and safety challenges for women that men don’t usually have to face. We know that maternity leaves still impact women at a high rate by roles not being held, demanding work schedules not being conducive to new mothers, and being passed up for promotions due to being off while on leave. There is also a very real ‘boys club’ across all levels of our industry. Protectionism, patriarchy, and straight up sexism exists, and women face the consequences of this club on a daily basis.

So when we see research like the McKinsey report, the Everyday Workplace report by Rio Tinto, and studies by MiHR we nod along in agreement, because this news is not new for most women. Yet there is still resistance in accepting this data as fact. 

If there is one thing that we notice is that challenging the status quo requires bravery.  People feel that they may find retribution or place themselves in harm's way when they speak out. There is a tiredness around speaking about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Yet the problem persists. Individuals often need to be empowered by senior leadership to speak up in support.  This means that senior leaders, including Executive Leadership and C-suite members, need to begin to interact more with posts that call for change, and better yet, require action to take place within their organizations to enable change. 

We know that if we fight for gender equality, men win too.  Men can take time off for paternal care if we get longer parental leave.  Men can also play more of an outward role in parenting, family care, and simply being able to voice when they need time away. Equity is a win for everyone. Furthermore, we know that we can achieve more if we attract all genders into mining.  If we open spaces for everyone, we can attract talent away from companies such as Google and Microsoft.  

Instead of reading McKinsey articles focused on women leaving mining, let's work towards a goal of having McKinsey articles written about male allyship in mining and the increase in retention and recruitment we could see across the board.

Insights from Industry Allies: Men's Feedback on Femina Collective

In the captivating mining world, where challenges and opportunities intertwine, Femina Collective is a vibrant community within the natural resource sector, driven by a shared mission to empower and elevate women. Our focus is clear: to bring more women into the industry and champion their journey toward equity and inclusion.

Our efforts to promote women's representation in the Natural Resource sector have received tremendous support from men working in the industry. The positive feedback we have received indicates that we are moving in the right direction. Let us all unite to empower and support women in this sector and continue on this path toward progress and equality.

In this blog post, we invite you to hear directly from these supportive men as they share their thoughts and reflections on the transformative role Femina Collective plays in promoting gender equality and empowering women. Their feedback shows our commitment to empowering and uplifting women in this traditionally male-dominated field. We’ve created questions and stories about empowerment, support, and collective growth within the natural resource sector. This story inspires us all, regardless of gender, to embrace change and create a more inclusive future. Join us as we delve into the voices and experiences of both men and women who champion the cause of gender equality in mining and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.

Recognizing the Power of Community and Collaboration

First, we asked them to share their thoughts and views on Femina Collective.

Kevin D’Souza, Chief Sustainability Officer at Resource Capital Funds &
Femina Collective Advisor

Kevin said he appreciates the unique space Femina Collective offers within the mining industry. He acknowledges that the collective is more than just a platform for venting frustrations; it fosters allyship and constructive support. Kevin emphasizes the importance of shifting the focus from individual accomplishments to personal fulfillment and the collective impact that Femina Collective can have on women's lives and careers. By providing a safe environment for sharing ideas, challenges, and experiences, the collective enables women to find camaraderie and support amidst the industry's unique demands.

Driving Positive Change and Empowerment

We asked them, “Do you believe Femina Collective is creating and making a difference for women in the industry?”

Steve Virtue, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for
SmartCentres REIT

According to Steve , Femina Collective is influential in shaping a progressive future for the natural resource sector. He commends the dedication and commitment of the collective's leaders and supporters, recognizing that meaningful change within the industry would be easier to achieve with their inspired leadership and focus. Steve believes Femina Collective's engagement structure and commitment to driving positive evolution will continue pushing the industry forward, benefiting shareholders, stakeholders, and employees.

Amplifying Voices and Fostering Inclusion

Then we asked, “If someone asks you, ‘What is Femina Collective?’ - what would be your response?”

Mike Mayhew, Founder of Mayhew Performance Ltd.

Empowerment. Community. Progress.
Mike highlights the importance of Femina Collective as a safe and professional platform that empowers women in the natural resource sector. He acknowledges the challenge of competing for corporate dollars but emphasizes the unique value that Femina Collective brings. Mike raises the crucial aspect of inclusivity, ensuring that the collective serves as an allyship space where all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, feel supported and represented. Femina Collective's commitment to diversity and its focus on sharing ideas, challenges, and successes can help raise the voices of Black, Indigenous, and people of colour within the industry.

“The Femina Collective” is a network of strong, experienced, professional women in natural resources. By becoming a member of the program, will allow your company to engage with industry-like-minded experts around the world by creating a “safe” and “open” transparent platform for professional women to share ideas, challenges and real-life experiences.”

This year, Mayhew Performance Ltd. provided support for The Femina Collective Scholarship. We are grateful for their significant efforts in providing opportunities for young women entering the natural resource sector.

Building a Supportive Network and Inspiring Growth

Finally, we asked, “What do you hope to see Femina Collective become and grow into?”

Aaron Steeghs, VP of Health & Safety, Environment, and Communities at IAMGOLD Corporation

Aaron recognizes the transformative power of Femina Collective in providing a supportive network for women in the mining industry. He highlights the importance of mentorship and the opportunity to collaborate and share experiences within a safe environment. Aaron envisions Femina Collective expanding its influence by partnering closely with boards, executive teams, and HR departments to foster an organizational culture that embraces diversity. He believes that as the cultural shift occurs, Femina Collective's work will benefit organizations, shareholders, and communities while solidifying its position as an essential business strategy.

The heartfelt feedback we received from these remarkable men in the mining industry and natural resource sector speaks volumes about the transformative power of Femina Collective. It serves as a testament to the profound impact we can have when we come together as allies, embracing a shared vision of equality and empowerment. Their voices echo the importance of creating a nurturing space where women can thrive, find fulfillment, and contribute to the industry's collective growth. With the unwavering support of these male allies and the continued expansion of Femina Collective, we are charting a new course toward a future where all voices are heard, valued, and celebrated.

Together, we can break barriers, shatter glass ceilings, and build a mining industry that is genuinely inclusive and prosperous for all.