February is Black History Month, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities, who have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity. Throughout February we will be highlighting and sharing the stories of Black staff, students, members of our Board of Governors as well as alumni. Stay tuned to the Diversity blog and RRC Polytech’s social media to learn more about members of our College community.

Tanya Hansen Pratt, CET, Instructor, Mechanical Engineering Technology at RRC Polytech

As an engineering technologist, I’ve always worked in male-dominated spaces with very little diversity. I spent many years of my career before coming to RRC Polytech being the only woman and only person of colour in my department. My lived experience has always been vastly different from that of my coworkers. I am reminded daily of my female-blackness, whereas their male-whiteness rarely crosses their minds. Microagressions, sexism, and racism have been common occurrences in my life, so I’ve learned to navigate the world as a person who is constantly othered.

As an instructor, I hope my presence as a woman of colour does two things: First, I hope I can add to the diversity of thought and experience among the staff at the college to provide the best possible education for our increasingly diverse student body. Secondly, I hope my presence gives our students permission to be their authentic selves. There is someone out there, maybe in my classroom or maybe someone thinking about attending RRC Polytech, that sees me and sees a little bit of themselves, and it helps them stand taller and stronger knowing that someone else has walked the path in front of them and made it a little safer to follow along exactly as they are.

Tanya Hansen Pratt

Read Tanya’s full story here.