Celebrating International Women's Day

#ChooseToChallenge this International Women's Day. 

Choose to Challenge can mean a lot of different things to different people. At Fisherman's Market, we're choosing to challenge gender roles so we've asked our store managers what it's like to be a female working in a predominantly male industry.

Gina Fedora

​How long have you been working as a fishmonger? 

I’ve been selling fish for 35 years. I started working part time in Regina when I was 15 years old and going to school. I then took over running the retail shop after graduating at 17. From there I was at Granville Island for 20+ years. I  then landed here in Kamloops and have been with Fisherman's Market for over 8 years.

What does it mean to you to be working in a male dominated industry?

What it has meant, more than anything, is hard work. When I started in this industry, women weren’t even really allowed on boats! I had to work two, sometimes three times harder, than my male co-workers for up to 30% less, and then was expected to clean up afterwards. Not to mention dealing with all of the #MeToo type of stuff.

I think I was able to rise to the challenge because I loved my job and was raised with a ‘failure is not an option’ work ethic, and the belief that we are all created equal. In the end we can only really be judged by our actions. Respect is earned, not given.

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Katie Budd

How long have you been working as a fishmonger? 

I have been a fishmonger for 8 years and have commercially fished since 2000. 

What does it mean to you to be working in a male dominated industry?

​In regards to fishing, when I was younger it was pretty exciting, the shock factor of being a kid out fishing. 

When I became a commercial fisherman, being a woman carried its own novelty that was exciting to be a part of. My skippers always had my back when folks would ask if I was a cook or a cleaner and you could see on peoples faces the changing perspective of who was allowed to be a “fisherman”.
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As I transitioned into being a fishmonger, my mentor was Gina Fedora, a name renowned and a reputation that supersedes the norms. Being a part of a shifting perspective in regards to capabilities and boxes that women are put into is one of the most rewarding aspects about my job. Flash forward to today and the women that are in positions of management and the men that work as respectfully as they do throughout this company, I feel, is a huge testament to moving forward in this industry and shedding limitations that are put onto societal norms that we cast aside and thrive within.

Equity feels so much more attainable in an industry that is so typically male dominated. I will say it sure feels good in 2021 to be a part of a group of people that hold each other to the highest standards of respect when it comes to doors being open for all walks of life .

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Jessi Wall

​How long have you been working as a fishmonger? 

I have been a fishmonger with Fisherman's Market for going on four years. I didn't come from a fishing background like some of my peers here, instead I came to this role as a professional cook. 

What does it mean to you to be working in a male dominated industry?

​I landed at Fisherman's Market as a fishmonger after having cooked professionally in kitchens primarily staffed, run and owned by men. When I consider my experiences working as a woman - at 6ft tall and heavily tattooed - I generally got treated more like one of the boys. But I never was able to shake the idea that in order to be considered a true equal, I had to work hard and always keep my emotions at bay. At some points I was working two jobs in a day, with a toddler back at home, an apartment to keep clean, a partner to spend time with and STILL felt like I had to say yes to every new ask. When I was promoted up the ranks, the assertiveness and perfectionism that got me these roles, was suddenly considered bossy nagging. Sometimes, it feels like you can't win.

My advice to women in similar positions is that if your passion happens to be a male dominated career path, let your determination guide you and most people will see you for your worth.

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Emmas Tsao

​How long have you been working as a fishmonger? 

I have been a fishmonger since 2018. I trained under Katie Budd, our West Vancouver store manager.

What does it mean to you to be working in a male dominated industry?
 
I am proud to be working in a male dominated industry. I grew up in Asia (Taiwan) and I used to go to the wet market with my mother on weekends as a kid, I always loved watching all the fish monger ladies slaying seafood. It is certainly the most interesting job I have ever had, and will always be my favourite being a fishmonger. 

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Trish Whetstone

​How long have you been working as a fishmonger? 

I've been a fishmonger for a year and a half. Prior to that I worked at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery in Steveston BC producing educational events focused on the history of the commercial fishing industry in BC.

​​What does it mean to you to be working in a male dominated industry?

​While fisheries has the presentation of being male dominated, I like to lean into the history of women playing and active role in the industry. Much of the time, both in historical and modern contexts, people think of men as the fishers. However, there is always more going on behind the scenes. In the 1600's to early 1900's, women were the primary on land fish handlers and processers of fish, particularly salt cod, which was a huge industry and trade driver at the time. In 1700s France, fishwives (female fishmongers) were the only people of common class who were granted free permission to speak to the king with criticism without being reprimanded. And in BC fish canneries from the 1800's to early 1900's, women of various cultural backgrounds made up a substantial part of the workforce.

​While the industry may have the face of a rugged, salt swept male, women have undeniably always been active equals in the building and success of fisheries worldwide. I don't personally see it as male dominated, I see it as male facing, but that is changing with more women/trans/non-bianary  folx actively participating in the industry on and off ship, and becoming more vocal about their roles.

Being in an industry that the public sees as predominantly masculine is quite a lot of fun. You get to challenge perspectives, educate and pioneer the sharing of knowledge of an industry that has always had women integrally woven into its tapestry.