Congratulations Vivianne Simon! You have shattered the glass ceiling!
On March 9, 2023, History was made when Vivianne Simon, the first woman of colour to hold such a position, and the second woman to become a service representative, was acclaimed to the position of Business Representative at IAM District 78.
Vivianne’s career started in the healthcare sector at the Ukrainian Canada Care Centre, wherein she helped organize her workplace, eventually becoming the Chief Steward.
She later went on to get involved in a mentoring program at her workplace, under the guidance of her mentor Kim Valliere. She appreciates and acknowledges the IAM’s mentoring program role in her professional development.
As a lover of truth, fairness, knowledge and equity, the IAM provided the platform she needed to actively promote these values, through the various committees like the Women’s Committee, Human Rights Committee and the Workers of Colour Committee.
Vivianne Simon has shown us through her shining example, that Women of Colour, can break barriers and overcome challenges. The Union’s strength in Knowledge and Solidarity is the perfect medium and breeding ground to give members an opportunity to grow, create opportunities for advancement for the individual and group, advocate for their rights without fear of reprisal and have the perfect work/life balance necessary for every individual.
Vivianne hopes to see many more women, and women of colour, join her on this incredible journey of representing the members of the IAM.
Kudos to you Vivianne Simon!
I end with a quote from the quintessential, powerful black woman, the First Lady Michelle Obama ” I am coming down from the mountaintop, to tell every young person that is poor and working class, and has been told regardless of the colour of your skin that you don’t belong, don’t listen to them. They don’t even know how they got at those seats.”
