International Day of the Girl – Rogers Scholarship recipient Sarah Ray shares her story of inspiration

International Day of the Girl is a day to promote empowerment – focusing attention on the challenges girls face around the world, challenges such as education inequality. This year’s theme, “Our time is now – our rights our future” focuses on the investments needed to help propel the more than 600 million adolescent girls worldwide into the next decade.

Here at Rogers, we believe that all young Canadians should have the chance to reach their highest potential, and that’s why we’re helping remove financial barriers by investing in the next generation through Rogers Scholarships. Sarah Ray was the 2022 recipient of the Rogers Diversity in Communications Scholarship. Now in her final year of the Bachelor of Public Relations program at Humber College in Toronto, Sarah took the time to catch up with us and share what inspires her.

International Day of the Girl focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote empowerment – how do you think your generation of young females can make change possible?

I think that my generation of young females can inspire change through bravery and confidence in ourselves. For me personally, every time I’ve pushed through self-doubt and displayed courage, I’m able to see change and empowerment in myself that I never thought was possible. While working alongside the female-led communications at Rogers this summer, I felt empowered because I saw the opportunities available to me as a girl trying to make her way in the communications industry. When exhibiting determination and self-confidence, we can inspire change by allowing the women around us to see what’s possible for them too.

How have you helped drive social change in your community and school?

I believe that I’ve helped drive social change in my school and community by showing up and making my presence known. As a woman of colour, it’s important for me to make my voice heard in spaces where I don’t see people who look like me. When I was awarded the Rogers Diversity in Communications Scholarship it opened many doors for me, offering me not only financial support but also the ability to work at Rogers for the summer where I worked on meaningful projects and really felt like part of the team. This opportunity boosted my confidence and gave me invaluable real-world experience – and I hope it can inspire other girls who look like me to know that anything is possible for them, too.

Who or what inspires you to stay motivated and to pursue your goals and ambitions?

The inspiration that I get to stay motivated to pursue my ambitions comes from the women and girls around me. When I see one of my female classmates excelling on an assignment, securing a new internship, or simply finding their footing in our industry, I’m inspired to keep going. As girls who are trying to make our way into such a competitive field, I believe that when one of us succeeds we all do. 

All young Canadians should have the chance to reach their highest potential. That’s why we’re helping remove financial barriers and investing in their future. Learn more about our commitment to investing in our next generation here.