People of Georgian: ‘Eye-opening’ experiences spark manager’s passion for equity work

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The Georgian community is full of unique, inspiring perspectives —and we’re sharing them as part of an ongoing series.

People of Georgian: Meet Aisha O’Connor

There were two moments in my life that sparked my passion for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

The first is my coming out story.

Being a queer woman growing up in in a small, pretty much rural area in a Catholic family, I experienced a lot that helped me rediscover who I am and how I fit in.

A person wearing waders stands in the middle of a pool of cranberries and throws some up into the air. — *Aisha is Manager, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, at Georgian.*

Even now, I am often mistaken for a heterosexual woman, so I’m always grappling with how to navigate my identity in personal and professional spaces.

I am forced to out myself over and over due to assumptions being made about who I am. I present in different ways in different spaces. I constantly need to evaluate if a space is safe for me or not. It can feel like I’m constantly redefining who I am.

At times, I’ve had to revalidate that I’m a part of the queer community because I don’t fit within certain expectations or stereotypes of what a queer woman looks like.

Two people sit on the ground in a snowy forest and cheers champagne. — *Aisha, right, and her wife, Grace.*

Aisha immerses herself in Indigenous community

The second time that sparked my passion for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging is when I was able to connect with an Indigenous community in Northern Quebec.

I was the first-ever female gym teacher in this very small community only accessible by plane or train.

It was early on in my professional life, and going into it I naively felt I had a decent knowledge of Indigenous history, but this was an opportunity to be immersed in a community.

Two people stand at the top of a rocky hill overlooking a sprawling landscape.

Using sport to inspire

It was incredible working with those students.

When I showed up, many young girls wanted to be active but felt judged in that space, to the point where some were failing because they just didn’t show up.

Eventually, more of them started taking part in class, going to the weight room after school, and we finally got a women’s basketball team. I coached the women’s and men’s teams, and we were able to take them to a tournament. That was cool.

A person in a softball uniform swings a bat while playing in a game in front of a crowd on bleachers. — *Aisha got a sports scholarship at a U.S. postsecondary school.*

A person wearing a volleyball uniform holds a volleyball on a court during a game. — *Aisha was a postsecondary athlete, playing volleyball and softball.*

‘Honoured’ by experience in remote community

In that community, I also saw different mental health struggles and a variety of other issues come up in the community, such as limited access to health and well-being services.

A doctor would fly in once a week, and there was only one nurse and one counsellor to support the entire community.

This experience opened my eyes to my own lack of knowledge and understanding around inequities. I was honoured at how generous the community was to embrace me as a guest. Having that experience be an early part of my career and personal learning journey was inspiring.

Two adults each hold a child in their arms while standing in front of a dinosaur backdrop. — *Aisha, left, and her wife, Grace, love being aunts.*

That’s been something I’ve held near and dear to my heart, and it continues to inspire me to connect with Indigenous community members and other communities.

How can I show up for them with humility and compassion? I’m learning every day.

Now, through Georgian’s Centre for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, I feel passionate about working with students and employees to ensure that we are holding ourselves accountable to make the college a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

This role is giving me lots of opportunity to have really meaningful conversations with people and slowly inspire change, and that brings me joy.

Aisha O’Connor, Manager, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging.

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