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Behind every uniform is a story of perseverance and the people who shaped the journey. This International Women's Day, �黨��Ʒis profiling outstanding women in our community under the theme Give to Gain, celebrating how generosity, support, and collective action advance gender equality. We are proud to feature Kyla Alderson, a firefighting student at JIBC, whose story embodies resilience and a commitment to serving others. Her journey reminds us that determination can open the doors for those who follow as we celebrate the impact of women in our communities.

Where Her Journey Begins

Kyla describes herself as an unapologetically authentic individual who leads with empathy and a desire to positively impact others. During her time in the Firefighting Technologies (FFTC) program, she has been inspired by the women training officers and technicians who mentor and support students. She also credits her mother, who remains driven, accomplished, and kind while navigating a society where gender stereotypes and biases exist. The women in her life have played an important role in shaping Kyla's journey, giving her the aspiration to follow in their footsteps. 

Finding Strengths Through Uncertainty

While Kyla has long been seen as confident and driven, she has faced moments of self-doubt, especially early on when she questioned whether she was a fit for a career in firefighting. Those experiences also revealed the misconceptions that shape perceptions of women in the fire service. She challenges the idea that firefighting is defined solely by physical strength, emphasizing that the role also requires skill, awareness, adaptability, and teamwork. For Kyla, success comes from bringing her own strengths to the job and trusting the team. She takes life one step at a time, seeing challenges as temporary, and defines resilience as choosing to keep moving forward despite an uncertain path. 

Holding Onto Her “Why”

Therefore, Kyla carries forward a simple but powerful lesson: always return to your “why”. She believes that difficult days are often the moments that test how deeply committed you are to the life you want, and remembering why you started can make it easier to keep moving forward. Kyla’s dedication has also been recognized through the Jocelyn Roberts Memorial Award, which provides financial annual support for women pursuing careers in the fire service, with only three recipients selected each year. This achievement reflects her passion for this pathway and stands as a meaningful acknowledgement of her perseverance.

Looking Ahead and Giving Back

Kyla hopes to inspire young girls to see firefighting as a real possibility regardless of gender. She reflects on her childhood, when visiting fire stations felt like “playing make-believe” because she never imagined this career was open to her, which is why mentorship and visible role models matter. This is also why this year's International Women's Day theme, Give to Gain, resonates with her. She believes that by investing in one another through respect, support, and equal opportunity, we can build a more unified and inclusive future in firefighting and beyond.