Lieutenant Colonel Gwen Bourque and Major Gillian Dulle Inspire Confidence, Resilience and National Pride
Amidst a sea of gowns and bow ties at the Support Our Troops Gala held in Regina on November 5, Gwen and Gillian stand out not only because they don their full Army Mess Kit, but also because they account for a few of the handful of women in uniform.
A few weeks prior to the black tie gala, we were lucky to meet Gwen and Gillian in a more casual environment to talk about their experience as women in our Canadian Military. Although we knew that Gwen and Gillian were strong, tough women before our meeting, we were left inspired by their confidence and genuine nature.
As Gwen suggests, her role in the military requires confidence: "You know really we learn about discipline and if you’re not confident, people don’t really take you seriously so you have to be confident and know what you’re talking about," she says.
Gwen and Gillian have experienced challenges while serving, as both have deployed to Afghanistan; however, both women glow with pride as they talk about representing Canada. Gwen says, "It was such a great feeling to get out there, be able to represent Canada, and help other cultures. It was just a really exciting time because you really felt like you were making a difference."
As representatives of the Canadian Armed Forces, Gillian and Gwen offer their support to the partnered charities of the Support Our Troops Yellow Ribbon Pin, the Military Families Fund and Solider On. We are honoured to work with empowered women like Gwen and Gillian and think of them as we pin our yellow ribbons to our chests.
Natalie Spooner knows how to pump herself up. Whether it's telling herself she’s unstoppable or pumping breast milk for her baby in between periods of a professional hockey game, there doesn’t seem to be anything that can slow her down. It’s that kind of energy that makes her such a force on and off the ice and an integral part of helping get the PWHL to where it is now. Let’s get to know her.
Has hockey helped you affirm or realize any aspects of your identity or personality?
I started playing hockey at four years old so it's always been a part of my life, and it’s taught me a lot about hard work, perseverance, and dedication. I don't think I would be the person I am without this sport. A lot of my personality has probably come from the energy I get from the teammates I’ve always been surrounded by. The best thing about being on a team is how much fun you have with your teammates. I think that has played a big role in shaping who I am.
I started playing hockey at four years old so it's always been a part of my life, and it’s taught me a lot about hard work, perseverance, and dedication.
Why do you think it's important for women and girls to stay in sports?
Teamwork, dedication, hard work, and time management—there are so many skills you learn through sports that I think everyone uses in their daily lives. It's so important for girls to have those experiences. For me, sports were always a great release. I’ve always felt free on the ice and just had so much fun playing. There's a lot of stress in the world, so why not go out, play a game, and have a lot of fun?
Do you have any advice for young girls that are playing sports?
Believe in yourself. I think that that's the main thing. If I could go back, I would tell my little self to believe in myself and to know that you can achieve your dreams.
The other thing is that sports should be about having fun. I still remind myself every day to go back to thinking like that little girl who had so much fun playing hockey. That's what it's all about. So as long as you love what you're doing and having fun, it doesn’t feel like work. It's just fun.
What do you think the development of the PWHL means for young women and hockey in general?
It means a lot. Not only are we able to have a career playing hockey, but all of those little girls who watch us get to have the dream of playing professional women's hockey, just like any little boy would have.
Is there anything that you wish non-athletes realized about professional women's hockey?
I wish people knew more about all the amazing ladies that I get to play with and against. Before we had this professional league, there were ladies from all different walks of life: teachers, chiropractors, firefighters, police officers. Some women had full-time jobs and they would come and play hockey at night and be on the road all weekend.
This is the first year we’ve had a professional women's hockey league and we're able to make it into a career and have a salary. A lot of the ladies don't have to have side jobs or other careers now, and I think that’s amazing. It's going to help take women's hockey to the next level because everyone can focus on hockey and not have to worry about where their next paycheck is coming from.
This is the first year we’ve had a professional women's hockey league and we're able to make it into a career and have a salary.
What was your involvement in getting the PWHL started?
So in 2019, the CWL folded and we decided to come together, all the female hockey players, to create the PWHPA Players Association, and we ended up going on a Dream Gap tour. We played all across North America in all different rinks, and it was a great way to show there was a market for women's hockey.
From there we were lucky enough to get icons like Billie Jean King behind us. She’s one of the main people giving money. I don't think we could have gotten to where we are now without people like Billie Jean, Stan Kasten of the LA Dodgers, and Dana Halford. All of them really believed in the vision and we're just so lucky for their support.
What it was like to become a mother as a professional athlete?
It takes quite a bit of planning to start a family and then come back to sport. I had to time my pregnancy. So after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, we wanted to start a family, but I had set a goal I wanted to be back playing in the next world championships. Luckily, I got pregnant right away, and it all kind of went smoothly and I was able to achieve that goal. But it also meant that while I was playing hockey, I was still breastfeeding.
So you were playing at this high level while you were still breastfeeding? Can you tell us about that?
It was definitely a challenge. The time commitment that breastfeeding takes was one of the things that surprised me most about being a mom. I was able to bring him with me to most of the places I went because my mom would come along, too. But being away from him for games and practices, I had to get really good at being able to pump in the locker room or between periods. I had some pretty discrete pumps that I could just slip on in the locker room with the girls. I thought it was super funny when my teammates would look over and I’d be there pumping, and then either sending milk up or putting it in the fridge for after the game.
When you're a high-performance athlete, you're trying to power through and so forth. Maintaining your milk and making sure you're drinking enough and eating enough was a struggle. During the world championships, we were in some pretty intense games. So that was hard, but I was able to make it through.
Being away from [my son] for games and practices, I had to get really good at being able to pump in the locker room or between periods.
You were back playing hockey four months after you gave birth. What are some of the things that you didn't anticipate would impact your career as a professional athlete?
I came back four months postpartum to play my first hockey game in the PWHPA to give myself a chance to get ready for the World Championships, which were around the five-month mark. There were so many unknowns going into pregnancy and training afterwards. I don't think I realized how much my body changed because it happened so slowly.
I came back four months postpartum to play my first hockey game in the PWHPA to give myself a chance to get ready for the World Championships.
You kept skating until you were 36 weeks pregnant—what was that like?
I just loved getting out on the ice and I think the rink was where I felt the most normal, before and after giving birth. It felt like some type of normalcy to go out there and get back to being with my teammates. Life as a new mom can be quite isolating, so to have my teammates around me again was really freeing and so much fun. It made me feel like myself again.
How did you deal with the hunger, exhaustion, and sleep deprivation that pregnancy can cause?
So I found when I was breastfeeding, I was definitely eating way more every time I woke up in the night to feed. I also drank excessive amounts of water. Even when I was pregnant, I was so thirsty. I don't think I've felt that type of thirst before, but I just had to make sure I was eating whenever I was hungry and fueling my body.
Is there anything else you want to share about your experience becoming a mom and having a career as a professional athlete? Were there any emotional impacts or unexpected challenges?
When I became a mom, I did feel my priorities shift. Before, my whole life was built around hockey. And I would say I was a very selfish person in a sense. I was so committed to my training and that was really all that mattered. And then I had this baby that needed me and that I had to care for.
When I would have to go away for games and bring him with me, my mom would come, but I still felt this sense of guilt when I was leaving him to go on the ice. At the same time, I knew this was what I needed.
So there was some learning to do there and some new balances to find between my love for hockey and my love for my baby. My baby takes priority, but I was able to find a pretty good balance between being a mom and coming back to play the sport I love.
If you’re having a challenging time or need a confidence boost or something like that, are there any things you say to yourself?
I tell myself to be unstoppable, and I just picture myself being so dominant. I literally just tell myself “Be unstoppable.”
We noticed you like to play in your Sparkle Balls™ and other H&B jewelry. Why do you find yourself drawn to it?
I remember when I got my first pair of Sparkle Balls™, I just loved the way I felt in them. It’s the same way now with my pearl Sparkle Balls™—I just feel really good whenever I wear them. They're my go-to's, and I have to wear the biggest ones.
I remember when I got my first pair of Sparkle Balls™️, I just loved the way I felt in them.
Do you have any advice for women in general?
My advice for women would be to chase your dreams. No matter what. I can't say it's going to be easy. It's probably going to be difficult and there's going to be lots of twists and turns. But in the end, it's definitely worth it. You'll remember the journey more than the destination.
Chase your dreams. No matter what.
By: Carter Selinger
For Skylar Park, family is a big part of success. Her father is her coach, her brothers are competing to get into the Olympics, and in total 16 members of her family have black belts in taekwondo. Her family’s generational commitments to the sport are part of what has made Skylar’s achievements in taekwondo so special. We chatted with the 2023 Pan American Games champion about the upcoming Paris Olympics, mentoring young athletes, gender equality in taekwondo, and what it’s like to get your period right before a gold medal match. Let’s get to know her.
Are there any moments you've experienced while competing that have felt especially significant to you? Things that you look back on as either lessons or turning points?
There have been so many. There have been times when I've won that boosted my confidence. I've also had some really big losses that have taught me so much and allowed me to come back even stronger. In 2016 I won the Junior World Championships on home soil. My whole family was in the crowd. It was super special. It was the first time that I competed on the world stage and I was just so excited to show the world what I could do. I'd been doing taekwondo since I could walk, mainly with my family. My dad's my coach, and I train with my brothers and cousins. So I felt like I was just coming out of nowhere and trying to shock everyone and see what I could do. That was a very special feeling.
Another big turning point in my career was the Tokyo Olympics. For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of going to the Olympics and winning a gold medal for Canada. I was so excited for my first Olympic Games, but I didn't end up performing as well as I wanted to. There was a lot of heartbreak that went along with that. But the lessons I learned through that experience have allowed me to become very successful leading up to the Paris Olympics. So it's been really exciting.
Can you tell us a little bit about what you're most excited about for the upcoming Olympics?
Yeah, I have now officially qualified for the Paris Olympics. I think I'm just excited to be back in the Olympics in such a special place. It’s something that I've dreamed of for so long. I did it in Tokyo, but it wasn't quite a normal Olympics per se. There were no fans and my family couldn't be there.
I know I've worked hard since Tokyo, and so to be in Paris as a stronger athlete, a more confident athlete, and to have my whole family there will be really exciting.
Has sport helped you affirm or realize any aspects of your personality or identity?
Taekwondo is a sport but also a martial art, and I think there are so many aspects of confidence, discipline, and respect grounded in its principles. As a woman, I’ve been able to gain so much confidence through a combat sport. You learn how to defend yourself.
Sport is such a powerful tool, especially for young people. There’s the determination you get, the ability to work hard, to work with others. There are so many things that sport brings to us as athletes and as people, and I think that's why I love taekwondo so much. When I was young I was very shy. At taekwondo schools there would always be an awards banquet and a dance afterwards. Everyone would always be dancing and trying to get me to dance but I was too shy. But then, when I was seven years old, the night that I achieved my black belt at this awards banquet, I was on the dance floor all night and they basically haven't been able to get me off the dance floor since then.
As a woman, I’ve been able to gain so much confidence through a combat sport. You learn how to defend yourself.
Why do you think it's important for women and girls to stay in sports?
I'm very passionate about young girls staying in sports. Sport has given me so much in my life.
I now have the ability and the honour to coach young girls in taekwondo. On a daily basis, I see what sport brings them—how much confidence it gives them, and how many tools they learn from it and bring into their everyday lives. Seeing that transformation in them, the same transformation that I went through as a young girl, is really special.
I'm very passionate about young girls staying in sports. On a daily basis, I see what sport brings them—how much confidence it gives them, and how many tools they learn from it and bring into their everyday lives.
Can you share a bit more about your experience mentoring young women in taekwondo?
Yeah, I think it's been an honour for me to have the opportunity to coach so many young girls and young women, in the sport that I love. I'm 24, and so having that experience of having gone to an Olympic Games and competed internationally for a long time, there are so many lessons that I can teach them. One of the biggest things is just showing them the confidence they have within and teaching them how to bring it out and carry it into everything they do in their lives.
It’s also important to remind them that not everything is as perfect as it seems and things don't go smoothly all the time. I think as young athletes or as young people, we think that the road to success is always a straight line and everything's going to go according to plan perfectly. But they need to understand that things don't always go your way. Sharing some of the setbacks that I’ve had with these young women, how I've overcome them, and how they've made me stronger in the end is very beneficial. And hopefully, I'm helping them get through their hard times and come out stronger.
What's it like competing at a high level when you're dealing with everyday things like getting your period?
Getting your period while competing is something that isn't talked about enough at all. I competed at the Grand Prix in Taiwan in September of last year and it was my first time winning a Grand Prix, so it was super exciting. But in between the semifinal and final match, I got my period. My stomach was cramping so bad.
And I think on the broadcast, even here, when I go back in between the rounds to talk to my dad, I'm like, “My stomach hurts so bad.” I'm trying to tell him and he's like, “You’re fine, you’re fine. Like, you can do it.” I ended up finishing the match and winning the semifinal. And so I had to go up right away again to compete in the final.
So they wanted to keep me in the holding area downstairs. But I was like, no, like I have to go upstairs to see my doctor. And so they finally let me through and I went with my doctor. And so she had me lying on the ground. I think I had like 5 minutes. And so I was lying on the ground while she had my feet up in the air and was putting ice straight on my stomach. So I was freezing. Then she gave me Tylenol or something to help with the pain. And then she was like massaging, pushing on my stomach. I don't know what she was doing, but it was chaotic and she kept telling me to eat crackers.
So, we had 5 minutes to figure it out. And then they called me up, and I had to be ready to fight. I was in so much pain, which, to be honest, might have helped a little bit because I wasn't even thinking about being in the final of the Grand Prix.
But as soon as I stepped on the mat, I was able to kind of fight through the pain of my cramps. I think that’s something a lot of female athletes go through, and it isn’t talked about a lot.
Getting your period while competing is something that isn't talked about enough at all.
Can you talk about the history that this sport has in your family?
My parents run a taekwondo school in Winnipeg, which is where my whole family lives. My dad started taekwondo in Korea, which is where he was born. His family immigrated to Canada when he was eight years old and so they lived there and still live there today. In 1993, my dad, alongside my grandpa, opened up the doors to the Town Park Academy, which is our taekwondo school. And so my whole family grew up there. My mom started training there, and that's where she met my dad. They got married and started running the school together. So, yeah, there are 16 black belts in my family, and nine of us are women. It's super cool and very empowering to have strong female role models in my life who are black belts too. We all get to share this sport we love so much together.
It's super cool and very empowering to have strong female role models in my life who are black belts too. We all get to share this sport we love so much together.
Your father is your coach and your brothers are also competing in taekwondo. Does having so many family members competing in the same sport complicate things? Or is it a source of comfort to have them there with you?
It truly is incredible to be on this journey alongside my dad as our coach and my two younger brothers. But there are challenges as well. On the days when training is not going so well, or you have a bad competition, driving back home with your dad and your brothers, the car ride is not the best. And then when you get home, and you're still sitting across the table from each other, it's not the most fun.
Aspects like that make it hard sometimes. And being a 24-year-old girl and spending this much time with your dad isn’t typical. But I'm so grateful for the time we spend together, what we've been able to achieve together, and what we're still striving to achieve.
How does gender equality show up in taekwondo?
I think we're very fortunate in the sport of taekwondo because it is very equal, whether you're male or female. The prize money is the same. The opportunities are the same. The competitions are the same. A lot of times if you ask people, they’ll say the women are more exciting to watch than the men. I hope to be one of those women who are exciting to watch.
How does it feel to be the first person in your family to go to the Olympics?
It's an honour. It's been a dream in my family for a really long time. My grandpa had a dream to go to the Olympics in cycling. Although nobody knows where that comes from because he didn't even cycle.
My dad was a speedskater, but taekwondo has been in my family for at least four generations. I'm the first to go to the Olympics, but hopefully not the last. My brothers are coming up as well, and the goal is for all three of us to be there one day.
To become an Olympic athlete requires a ton of work and dedication. Is there anything you’ve had to let go of in exchange for your pursuit of this dream?
You know, I think as athletes, we all sacrificed so much to be able to compete at the top of our sport and hopefully step on top of the podium. There are times when you miss events or things with your family or friends. There are things you miss out on daily. But if you have a goal and a dream to achieve something great, there have to be sacrifices that come along with it. And if your dreams are that strong, then I think it'll be worth it in the end.
If you have a goal and a dream to achieve something great, there have to be sacrifices that come along with it. And if your dreams are that strong, then I think it'll be worth it in the end.
By: Carter Selinger
Whether as a basketball player, coach, mentor, or entrepreneur—Keesa Koomalsingh knows how to pivot. Actually, she describes pivoting as one of her greatest strengths on her path to removing barriers and providing unprecedented support to female athletes of all ages. Keesa is changing the landscape of women’s sport in Canada. Let’s get to know her.
Can you tell us a bit about HoopQueens?
HoopQueens is a nonprofit organization made for female basketball players. We’ve changed the narrative for women's basketball across the country by creating Canada’s first paid women’s basketball league. But it’s a lot more than that—HoopQueens is an ecosystem for women in sport. We’re creating a pipeline of support for athletes at the elementary, high school, post-secondary, and pro level.
We’ve changed the narrative for women's basketball across the country by creating Canada’s first paid women’s basketball league.
Are there any moments you've experienced either as an athlete or entrepreneur that have felt especially significant—things you look back on as turning points?
When I tore my ACL I didn't know who I was after. That injury changed my perspective on how to deal with life. I had to figure out a different path, and just pivot. Now I feel like pivoting is my biggest strength as an entrepreneur and the founder of HoopQueens.
When I tore my ACL I didn't know who I was after. That injury changed my perspective on how to deal with life, figure out a different path, and just pivot.
Why do you think it's important for women and girls to stay in sports?
I think it’s important for us to just keep doing what we're excited about. Sports teach you many transferable life skills that can be applied to so many different areas of life. When people embody that sisterhood and concept of being on a team, great things happen; you meet so many new people and canform incredible, lifelong friendships.
Do you have any advice for young girls in sport or just women in general?
Believe in yourself, have confidence, and don't be so hard on yourself. We can be so hard on ourselves and so critical of how we look, how we think, and how we act. Sometimes we don't give ourselves enough praise, especially with all of the barriers we face in society. So, my advice is to simply be positive.
Are there any things you say to yourself when you need a confidence boost or when you’re having a challenging time?
What I say to myself now is, “You’re unstoppable. You can do it. You started Canada's first paid women's basketball league. You can do anything you put your mind to.” I just like to remind myself of the skills I have.
What led you to create HoopQueens?
When I came back for the summers as a university athlete there was no place for womento play basketball. I had to jump in with the guys, and I was often the only girl. As well, growing up, I only had male coaches and mentors. They were amazing and a big part of my success today, but I didn't have that older sister figure in the basketball community to look up to and ask questions. I wanted to be that for the next generation, and to create an ecosystem of support for women's basketball.
Have you noticed a shift in the sport of basketball and the players that you deal with in Toronto since you started the league?
We’re heading into our third season this year, and there’s definitely been a big shift. If athletes don't have an option to play overseas when they graduate, they really look forward to playing in our summer league. That means the most to me because it just didn’t exist when I was playing. A lot of these players haven’t gotten to play in front of family and friends in a long time. So that’s really cool too.
Sometimes I just can't believe that I started this organization that means so much to the community.
What role do you think community plays in the success of female athletes
Community is everything for female athletes. It's the cheer in the stands, the comforting words after a tough game, and the shared victories that make every win sweeter. In the rollercoaster of highs and lows, having a community means you're never alone. It's the teammates who become sisters and the fans who become family. We fall in and out of love with the game, so our support systems play such an important role in the success and trajectory of our careers.
The theme for International Women's Day this year is “Inspire inclusion”. Can you share a little bit about what this idea means for the work you're doing in your community?
Inclusion is about making sure we all have opportunities regardless of our many differences . Our junior HoopQueens program is one of my favourite things. It’s a skills and development program for young girls ages 5 to 14. And it’s also cost-free because when I was an athlete that was always an issue with not being able to get to every practice or a game, or couldn't afford shoes, or uniforms and things like that. We get gas cards for parents and partner with Footlocker and Nike so we can provide shoes if need be. We do all that so kids can just step on the court, play, and have fun. We don’t want kids worrying about barriers.
We focus on the introductory skills of basketball, but that's only about 10% of it. Basketball is what I use to get everyone in the room. I want to teach young girls about life, relationships, education, and how to balance all those things. I just want to show young girls how to succeed on and off the court and teach them to have the confidence to be the queens that they are.
With young women and basketball these days, it can often feel very transactional. It’s all about winning or getting a scholarship. I want it to be about sisterhood, having fun, and the life skills that basketball teaches you. My main thing is just trying to be the change I wanted to see growing up.
I just want to show young girls how to succeed on and off the court and teach them to have the confidence to be the queens that they are.
How have your personal experiences influenced the way you teach?
When I was in university, I went through a really bad relationship. It shifted my personal experience and my confidence. When I started HoopQueens I really wanted to build support for young girls that are in university, and high school because that's when those relationships typically start. That’s what started the mentorship side of our program. I want to let these girls know about setting boundaries, building healthy relationships in your life, and discovering what a healthy relationship looks like.
When we spoke earlier, you talked about the importance of recognizing intersectionality. Can you tell us more about that?
As Black women, we're in the trenches and we don't want to fight anymore. We don't want to be seen as tough women anymore. We want to be able to walk into a room and feel respected without having to say what we do and what we've done. Sometimes I feel I have to prove myself for people to respect me in a conversation. This is why it’s important to talk about intersectionality and how every woman can play a role in lifting each other up. A lot of Black women feel like, to be in certain rooms, we have to code switch, or we can't be ourselves because we're not welcome in the space. There’s a lot of imposter syndrome that comes with that.
As Black women…we want to be able to walk into a room and feel respected without having to say what we do and what we've done.
Is there something you would say to people experiencing that kind of imposter syndrome?
If you don't feel like you belong somewhere, then create your own space. That's what I did. Just create your own room and let people gravitate towards you.
By: Carter Selinger
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