At ICSA, International Women’s Day (IWD) is not just a celebration on March 8th, but is seen daily through the leadership, presence, and positivity of the women in our community. Rooted in the events of March 8, 1917, it honours the women in Russia who went on the “Bread and Peace” strike, IWD was officially adopted by the United Nations in 1975. Since then it continues to raise awareness and promote women’s rights worldwide. Locally at ICSA, IWD is celebrated through student-led events, with the encouragement and participation of various staff members. This day also gives us the opportunity to appreciate the stories of two women who teach at ICSA: Eliane Diakite and Alisa Cooper.
Madame Diakite, from Côte d’Ivoire, is a French teacher at our school. She has been teaching since 1983 and began her journey at ICSA in 1998. She left the school in 2003, returned in 2008, and has been here ever since. Meanwhile, Ms. Alisa, from Canada, is a math teacher at our school. She has been teaching for eighteen years and has just started working at ICSA this year. She has faced challenges in her career, but through them she has also had leadership opportunities that allowed her voice to be heard—such as serving as a DP Coordinator, being part of a school leadership team, and participating in committees that led division-wide initiatives.
Career Paths
Madame Diakiate’s career path has been overall positive. She stated, “I wouldn’t say that I came across any problems, but at the beginning, when I got married and had a baby, it was difficult to balance.” For many women, there is an expectation to manage everything for their family while also working professionally. Society often creates an image of success for women where they are constantly working for others. Madame Diakite’s advice is to not to let either your career or personal life take complete precedence, but instead to seek balance so you can be happy in both.
On the other hand, when Ms. Alisa first applied to university, she recalls that, “there was still a strong stereotype that elementary teachers were female and that male teachers were more likely to teach in upper school.” Over time, schools have begun to recognise the value of diversity in role models at every grade level. Although progress is being made, STEM fields and certain leadership roles still lack representation for women. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024, women make up less than one third (28.2%) of the STEM workforce. Both Madame Diakite, and Ms. Alisa have led a successful teaching career, yet they both present different ideas about societal expectations for women, through balancing family and work, and also how stereotypes affect different fields.
Perspectives and Advice
Madame Diakite’s mentality in the workplace is to be respectful, straightforward, and independent. She has led her career in this way and, as people say in Côte d’Ivoire, “Ne mets pas le sable dans l’attiéké de ton voisin.” (Don’t make things difficult for other people.) For her, earning the respect she and others deserve comes simply from doing what needs to be done with integrity.
Working as a math teacher in a field that is still viewed as male-dominated gives Ms. Alisa a unique perspective on the importance of equity in the workplace. “It’s important for students — especially girls — to see women teaching, leading, and excelling in math and other STEM areas. Representation matters.” By breaking stereotypes and allowing women to pursue their chosen path without prejudice from society, we create a community where everyone feels represented. Although both of their stories are so different, IWD provides a connection.
Madame Diakite provides a clear example of a successful career and life. She manages her life in her own way and stays true to her beliefs by always staying respectful, no matter what reaction she receives. Her story can serve as a guide for aspiring teachers and curious students on how to find happiness and balance throughout life. IWD is the perfect day to highlight and celebrate all women, but as Madame Diakite said, “It’s not that day only. It’s every single day.” Similarly, for Ms. Alisa, teaching has been a very rewarding experience. As a teacher, Ms. Alisa values making voices heard, and IWD is a meaningful moment to recognize and amplify women’s voices. For those considering this profession, she advises, “Teaching is incredibly rewarding, but it is also very demanding. It is not a career you choose if your primary goal is financial gain.” Together, both women show how the values behind IWD should be celebrated everyday, not just on March 8th.
Both Madame Diakite and Ms. Alisa have unique experiences that provide insight into the teaching profession as women. They both advocate for their voices to be heard and represent women in education across disciplines—from language to mathematics. Their stories allow us, as students, to reflect on the progress and change women have created over the last century.
Celebrating IWD is about recognising the women around us and acknowledging how they impact the ICSA community through leadership, representation, and dedication.
