[Music] have you ever had something that just
have you ever had something that just
have you ever had something that just seems so far beyond your grasp but you
seems so far beyond your grasp but you
seems so far beyond your grasp but you never even dared to dream it one of
never even dared to dream it one of
never even dared to dream it one of those things that you just label this
those things that you just label this
those things that you just label this impossible well for me this is it this
impossible well for me this is it this
impossible well for me this is it this is Antarctica and it is the the coldest
is Antarctica and it is the the coldest
is Antarctica and it is the the coldest the windiest
the windiest
the windiest and the driest continent on the planet
and yet it is also this this fragile
and yet it is also this this fragile place of indescribable beauty and it’s a
place of indescribable beauty and it’s a
place of indescribable beauty and it’s a place that I never imagined that I would
place that I never imagined that I would
place that I never imagined that I would get to and I certainly never imagined
get to and I certainly never imagined
get to and I certainly never imagined that I would go there with 75 other
that I would go there with 75 other
that I would go there with 75 other women on the homeward van women in
women on the homeward van women in
women on the homeward van women in science leadership expedition last
science leadership expedition last
science leadership expedition last December and when I look at this photo I
December and when I look at this photo I
December and when I look at this photo I still remember that feeling of utter
still remember that feeling of utter
still remember that feeling of utter astonishment and an excitement it was a
astonishment and an excitement it was a
astonishment and an excitement it was a real pinch me moment for me because this
real pinch me moment for me because this
real pinch me moment for me because this isn’t something that I ever expected to
isn’t something that I ever expected to
isn’t something that I ever expected to do and if you’d known me as a little
do and if you’d known me as a little
do and if you’d known me as a little girl you wouldn’t have expected me to do
girl you wouldn’t have expected me to do
girl you wouldn’t have expected me to do that either
that either
that either and the reason is is because when I was
and the reason is is because when I was
and the reason is is because when I was a little kid I was an exceptional under
a little kid I was an exceptional under
a little kid I was an exceptional under achiever especially when it came to
achiever especially when it came to
achiever especially when it came to school I worked really hard but I’ve
school I worked really hard but I’ve
school I worked really hard but I’ve really struggled with school and also
really struggled with school and also
really struggled with school and also suffered from this massive lack of
suffered from this massive lack of
suffered from this massive lack of self-confidence and so I think it’s it’s
self-confidence and so I think it’s it’s
self-confidence and so I think it’s it’s fair to say I was one of those kids who
fair to say I was one of those kids who
fair to say I was one of those kids who just hated school and really the only
just hated school and really the only
just hated school and really the only thing that got me through it were
thing that got me through it were
thing that got me through it were recessed gym class and great friends so
recessed gym class and great friends so
recessed gym class and great friends so this photo of me that look on my face
this photo of me that look on my face
this photo of me that look on my face don’t let it fool you because it’s not a
don’t let it fool you because it’s not a
don’t let it fool you because it’s not a look of happiness because I’d brought
look of happiness because I’d brought
look of happiness because I’d brought home this wonderful school book as
home this wonderful school book as
home this wonderful school book as homework not at all it was actually a
homework not at all it was actually a
homework not at all it was actually a look of self-satisfaction because I just
look of self-satisfaction because I just
look of self-satisfaction because I just broke her to deal with my mom we’d
broke her to deal with my mom we’d
broke her to deal with my mom we’d agreed that if I read that entire school
agreed that if I read that entire school
agreed that if I read that entire school book from cover to cover and one night
book from cover to cover and one night
book from cover to cover and one night she’d give me a chocolate bar I know
she’d give me a chocolate bar I know
she’d give me a chocolate bar I know isn’t it awful like bribing your kid to
isn’t it awful like bribing your kid to
isn’t it awful like bribing your kid to do homework you know using chocolate but
do homework you know using chocolate but
do homework you know using chocolate but these were desperate times and frankly I
these were desperate times and frankly I
these were desperate times and frankly I was also you know as your early 1970s
was also you know as your early 1970s
was also you know as your early 1970s and I was part of the kool-aid
and I was part of the kool-aid
and I was part of the kool-aid generation so you know the whole idea of
generation so you know the whole idea of
generation so you know the whole idea of bartering books in chocolate bars I mean
bartering books in chocolate bars I mean
bartering books in chocolate bars I mean nobody back then a blink and I bet it
nobody back then a blink and I bet it
nobody back then a blink and I bet it right I mean this wasn’t sort of a
right I mean this wasn’t sort of a
right I mean this wasn’t sort of a typical thing in our household but it
typical thing in our household but it
typical thing in our household but it was a move of utter desperation by my
was a move of utter desperation by my
was a move of utter desperation by my mom who just needed to get me to
mom who just needed to get me to
mom who just needed to get me to practice my reading because reading
practice my reading because reading
practice my reading because reading didn’t come
didn’t come
didn’t come to me and in fact the learning in the
to me and in fact the learning in the
to me and in fact the learning in the classroom did not come easily it was a
classroom did not come easily it was a
classroom did not come easily it was a real challenge and I remember you know
real challenge and I remember you know
real challenge and I remember you know many Sunday nights where I’d cry myself
many Sunday nights where I’d cry myself
many Sunday nights where I’d cry myself to sleep at night because I had to go to
to sleep at night because I had to go to
to sleep at night because I had to go to school on Monday morning and you know I
school on Monday morning and you know I
school on Monday morning and you know I know you’re probably thinking well
know you’re probably thinking well
know you’re probably thinking well childhood jhamak dramas right I mean was
childhood jhamak dramas right I mean was
childhood jhamak dramas right I mean was it really that bad and the answer is yes
it really that bad and the answer is yes
it really that bad and the answer is yes it really was that bad for me
it really was that bad for me
it really was that bad for me imagine that you’re eight years old in
imagine that you’re eight years old in
imagine that you’re eight years old in your head school and are you sitting in
your head school and are you sitting in
your head school and are you sitting in class well that well the teachers going
class well that well the teachers going
class well that well the teachers going over the answers to the math columns
over the answers to the math columns
over the answers to the math columns that you’ve been working on and she’s
that you’ve been working on and she’s
that you’ve been working on and she’s asking students to share their answers
asking students to share their answers
asking students to share their answers and you’re sitting there thinking oh god
and you’re sitting there thinking oh god
and you’re sitting there thinking oh god is she gonna call on me and you’re just
is she gonna call on me and you’re just
is she gonna call on me and you’re just sitting there and your palms are
sitting there and your palms are
sitting there and your palms are sweating and your heart’s pounding and
sweating and your heart’s pounding and
sweating and your heart’s pounding and you just have this real sense of dread
you just have this real sense of dread
you just have this real sense of dread because you just know that this teacher
because you just know that this teacher
because you just know that this teacher is gonna call on you and the problem is
is gonna call on you and the problem is
is gonna call on you and the problem is is that you know that all of your
is that you know that all of your
is that you know that all of your answers are wrong and you would give
answers are wrong and you would give
answers are wrong and you would give anything for the teacher and all the
anything for the teacher and all the
anything for the teacher and all the kids in that class not to know that and
kids in that class not to know that and
kids in that class not to know that and so he sit there kind of staring down at
so he sit there kind of staring down at
so he sit there kind of staring down at your desk not looking at the teacher
your desk not looking at the teacher
your desk not looking at the teacher just their name you’d ask for what feels
just their name you’d ask for what feels
just their name you’d ask for what feels like an eternity just waiting to see if
like an eternity just waiting to see if
like an eternity just waiting to see if the teachers gonna call on you so
the teachers gonna call on you so
the teachers gonna call on you so finally the lesson is over I can
finally the lesson is over I can
finally the lesson is over I can thinking oh my god she didn’t call on me
thinking oh my god she didn’t call on me
thinking oh my god she didn’t call on me I just dodged the bullet but then the
I just dodged the bullet but then the
I just dodged the bullet but then the next day at school you have that same
next day at school you have that same
next day at school you have that same sense of a fear and dread because this
sense of a fear and dread because this
sense of a fear and dread because this time the teacher has asked the students
time the teacher has asked the students
time the teacher has asked the students to read out loud and you would give
to read out loud and you would give
to read out loud and you would give anything and I mean anything including
anything and I mean anything including
anything and I mean anything including that really hard one chocolate bar not
that really hard one chocolate bar not
that really hard one chocolate bar not to have to stumble across the words on
to have to stumble across the words on
to have to stumble across the words on that page and read to the entire class
that page and read to the entire class
that page and read to the entire class it was just something that I had a real
it was just something that I had a real
it was just something that I had a real sense of shame a bit because if all the
sense of shame a bit because if all the
sense of shame a bit because if all the other kids could do it why couldn’t I I
other kids could do it why couldn’t I I
other kids could do it why couldn’t I I mean have you ever had that that feeling
mean have you ever had that that feeling
mean have you ever had that that feeling that sense of shame where there was
that sense of shame where there was
that sense of shame where there was something that you feel like you should
something that you feel like you should
something that you feel like you should be able to do it but you can’t and you
be able to do it but you can’t and you
be able to do it but you can’t and you desperately don’t want the people around
desperately don’t want the people around
desperately don’t want the people around you to find out well that’s what school
you to find out well that’s what school
you to find out well that’s what school was like for me in the 1970s and this
was like for me in the 1970s and this
was like for me in the 1970s and this was back in the days when they didn’t
was back in the days when they didn’t
was back in the days when they didn’t really diagnose learning disabilities
really diagnose learning disabilities
really diagnose learning disabilities what they did was they put you into
what they did was they put you into
what they did was they put you into remedial classes for extra work which
remedial classes for extra work which
remedial classes for extra work which basically meant that they just piled
basically meant that they just piled
basically meant that they just piled more the same work on top of you in the
more the same work on top of you in the
more the same work on top of you in the hopes that well maybe she’ll get it what
hopes that well maybe she’ll get it what
hopes that well maybe she’ll get it what didn’t I assign say
didn’t I assign say
didn’t I assign say that the definition of insanity was
that the definition of insanity was
that the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over again
doing the same thing over and over again
doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result
and expecting a different result
and expecting a different result well this is what remedial classes were
well this is what remedial classes were
well this is what remedial classes were like for me it was it was just more
like for me it was it was just more
like for me it was it was just more frustration about learning but it was
frustration about learning but it was
frustration about learning but it was also a daily reminder of my inability to
also a daily reminder of my inability to
also a daily reminder of my inability to achieve and it just made me feel really
achieve and it just made me feel really
achieve and it just made me feel really stupid now I know I’m not the first kid
stupid now I know I’m not the first kid
stupid now I know I’m not the first kid to ever struggle with school but for me
to ever struggle with school but for me
to ever struggle with school but for me it was especially discouraging because
it was especially discouraging because
it was especially discouraging because the only thing I ever wanted in life was
the only thing I ever wanted in life was
the only thing I ever wanted in life was to be biologists I don’t know why but I
to be biologists I don’t know why but I
to be biologists I don’t know why but I absolutely love nature and I remember
absolutely love nature and I remember
absolutely love nature and I remember when I was 2 years old I started
when I was 2 years old I started
when I was 2 years old I started collecting insects in our backyard here
collecting insects in our backyard here
collecting insects in our backyard here in Ottawa and that’s funny because I
in Ottawa and that’s funny because I
in Ottawa and that’s funny because I think my parents thought this was just a
think my parents thought this was just a
think my parents thought this was just a phase that I was going through and you
phase that I was going through and you
phase that I was going through and you know I have to say 50 years later I’m
know I have to say 50 years later I’m
know I have to say 50 years later I’m still collecting insects in my backyard
still collecting insects in my backyard
still collecting insects in my backyard so I think it’s you know we’re past the
so I think it’s you know we’re past the
so I think it’s you know we’re past the point of this is just a phase but more
point of this is just a phase but more
point of this is just a phase but more than anything I wanted to be a biologist
than anything I wanted to be a biologist
than anything I wanted to be a biologist but how do you do that how do you go to
but how do you do that how do you go to
but how do you do that how do you go to university to become a biologist when
university to become a biologist when
university to become a biologist when you’re struggling so badly in school at
you’re struggling so badly in school at
you’re struggling so badly in school at such a young age I mean for me that the
such a young age I mean for me that the
such a young age I mean for me that the dream just wasn’t gonna happen but then
dream just wasn’t gonna happen but then
dream just wasn’t gonna happen but then something changed for me when I kicked
something changed for me when I kicked
something changed for me when I kicked grade five I had this wonderful teacher
grade five I had this wonderful teacher
grade five I had this wonderful teacher at artstreet public school here in
at artstreet public school here in
at artstreet public school here in Ottawa his name was mr. Salter and he
Ottawa his name was mr. Salter and he
Ottawa his name was mr. Salter and he was a science net he just loves science
was a science net he just loves science
was a science net he just loves science especially biology and was so cool he
especially biology and was so cool he
especially biology and was so cool he actually built a beehive in our
actually built a beehive in our
actually built a beehive in our classroom it was really amazing because
classroom it was really amazing because
classroom it was really amazing because it was a wooden frame and I had a
it was a wooden frame and I had a
it was a wooden frame and I had a honeycomb that was sandwiched between
honeycomb that was sandwiched between
honeycomb that was sandwiched between two panes of glass and he was little
two panes of glass and he was little
two panes of glass and he was little pipe that was connected to the outside
pipe that was connected to the outside
pipe that was connected to the outside so the bees could come and go and I was
so the bees could come and go and I was
so the bees could come and go and I was mesmerized by that thing I would I would
mesmerized by that thing I would I would
mesmerized by that thing I would I would sit and stare at it and watch the bees
sit and stare at it and watch the bees
sit and stare at it and watch the bees come in and do their little waggle dance
come in and do their little waggle dance
come in and do their little waggle dance and I just thought this teacher was so
and I just thought this teacher was so
and I just thought this teacher was so cool because we use in the classroom Wow
cool because we use in the classroom Wow
cool because we use in the classroom Wow I realize now that yes he was an
I realize now that yes he was an
I realize now that yes he was an exceptional teacher but it wasn’t just
exceptional teacher but it wasn’t just
exceptional teacher but it wasn’t just about the bees it was because he was the
about the bees it was because he was the
about the bees it was because he was the first teacher who who recognized I was
first teacher who who recognized I was
first teacher who who recognized I was really struggling with school and rather
really struggling with school and rather
really struggling with school and rather than just send me back to those remedial
than just send me back to those remedial
than just send me back to those remedial classes he did something else he linked
classes he did something else he linked
classes he did something else he linked my learning to something that I was
my learning to something that I was
my learning to something that I was passionate about he linked my learning
passionate about he linked my learning
passionate about he linked my learning to my love of nature and so by doing
to my love of nature and so by doing
to my love of nature and so by doing this that shy little kid just wanted to
this that shy little kid just wanted to
this that shy little kid just wanted to be a biologist so badly started to enjoy
be a biologist so badly started to enjoy
be a biologist so badly started to enjoy learning for the first time I started to
learning for the first time I started to
learning for the first time I started to enjoy learning in the classroom and has
enjoy learning in the classroom and has
enjoy learning in the classroom and has that happened my self-confidence
that happened my self-confidence
that happened my self-confidence increased and what as my self-confidence
increased and what as my self-confidence
increased and what as my self-confidence increased my my ability to kind of slog
increased my my ability to kind of slog
increased my my ability to kind of slog through those tough learning challenges
through those tough learning challenges
through those tough learning challenges grew and so over time those feelings of
grew and so over time those feelings of
grew and so over time those feelings of fear and dread and an anxiety bit about
fear and dread and an anxiety bit about
fear and dread and an anxiety bit about school began to fade I mean it’s
school began to fade I mean it’s
school began to fade I mean it’s interesting because I actually sort of
interesting because I actually sort of
interesting because I actually sort of grew to learn to love learning and as
grew to learn to love learning and as
grew to learn to love learning and as that process happened something else
that process happened something else
that process happened something else happened as well it became gritty I mean
happened as well it became gritty I mean
happened as well it became gritty I mean I still struggled but as my
I still struggled but as my
I still struggled but as my self-confidence grew my my kind of
self-confidence grew my my kind of
self-confidence grew my my kind of determination to kind of slog through
determination to kind of slog through
determination to kind of slog through those challenges and keep going until I
those challenges and keep going until I
those challenges and keep going until I finally got it until I finally figured
finally got it until I finally figured
finally got it until I finally figured things out it started to brew as well
things out it started to brew as well
things out it started to brew as well and don’t get me wrong there were still
and don’t get me wrong there were still
and don’t get me wrong there were still tons of challenges and failures along
tons of challenges and failures along
tons of challenges and failures along the way but something else happened I
the way but something else happened I
the way but something else happened I became resilient for some reason I was
became resilient for some reason I was
became resilient for some reason I was no longer afraid of failure it didn’t
no longer afraid of failure it didn’t
no longer afraid of failure it didn’t bother me and so the first for the first
bother me and so the first for the first
bother me and so the first for the first time in my life I studied actually step
time in my life I studied actually step
time in my life I studied actually step it outside my my comfort zone and do
it outside my my comfort zone and do
it outside my my comfort zone and do things that I normally would not have
things that I normally would not have
things that I normally would not have done even they lose the risk that I can
done even they lose the risk that I can
done even they lose the risk that I can fail and it’s interesting because I
fail and it’s interesting because I
fail and it’s interesting because I remember back to my grade 13 chemistry
remember back to my grade 13 chemistry
remember back to my grade 13 chemistry teacher who said to me don’t bother
teacher who said to me don’t bother
teacher who said to me don’t bother applying to university you’ll never make
applying to university you’ll never make
applying to university you’ll never make it don’t waste your time and I didn’t
it don’t waste your time and I didn’t
it don’t waste your time and I didn’t say a word to him but in my own mind all
say a word to him but in my own mind all
say a word to him but in my own mind all I could think of was yeah just watch me
I could think of was yeah just watch me
I could think of was yeah just watch me and I’m happy to say that I ignored his
and I’m happy to say that I ignored his
and I’m happy to say that I ignored his advice and I went on to graduate from
advice and I went on to graduate from
advice and I went on to graduate from Carleton University with a honours
Carleton University with a honours
Carleton University with a honours Bachelor of Science in biology and then
Bachelor of Science in biology and then
Bachelor of Science in biology and then I went on to do masters and then a PhD
I went on to do masters and then a PhD
I went on to do masters and then a PhD and so I went from that from a person
and so I went from that from a person
and so I went from that from a person who just felt like they’d never
who just felt like they’d never
who just felt like they’d never accomplished anything in life to
accomplished anything in life to
accomplished anything in life to somebody who just refused to give up and
somebody who just refused to give up and
somebody who just refused to give up and so that little kid who was just
so that little kid who was just
so that little kid who was just terrified to give an answer to a math
terrified to give an answer to a math
terrified to give an answer to a math problem in class went on to do things
problem in class went on to do things
problem in class went on to do things that she never imagined pause
that she never imagined pause
that she never imagined pause I am so lucky because I actually
I am so lucky because I actually
I am so lucky because I actually achieved my dream of becoming a
achieved my dream of becoming a
achieved my dream of becoming a biologist I was a university professor
biologist I was a university professor
biologist I was a university professor and a research scientist and a career
and a research scientist and a career
and a research scientist and a career that I just absolutely loved I was also
that I just absolutely loved I was also
that I just absolutely loved I was also part of a team at university well for
part of a team at university well for
part of a team at university well for pioneered something called DNA barcoding
pioneered something called DNA barcoding
pioneered something called DNA barcoding it’s now a global research initiative
it’s now a global research initiative
it’s now a global research initiative and it’s amazing because it’s given us a
and it’s amazing because it’s given us a
and it’s amazing because it’s given us a tool now to inventory the diversity of
tool now to inventory the diversity of
tool now to inventory the diversity of life on earth using short DNA sequences
life on earth using short DNA sequences
life on earth using short DNA sequences and most recently I created my own
and most recently I created my own
and most recently I created my own environmental education organization
environmental education organization
environmental education organization which is focused on connecting people
which is focused on connecting people
which is focused on connecting people especially young people to nature and
especially young people to nature and
especially young people to nature and this is the thing that gets me out of
this is the thing that gets me out of
this is the thing that gets me out of bed in the morning but it’s also my way
bed in the morning but it’s also my way
bed in the morning but it’s also my way of paying it forward and I hope maybe
of paying it forward and I hope maybe
of paying it forward and I hope maybe inspiring just a few young people much
inspiring just a few young people much
inspiring just a few young people much the way that mr. Salter inspired me all
the way that mr. Salter inspired me all
the way that mr. Salter inspired me all those years ago so what did I learn from
those years ago so what did I learn from
those years ago so what did I learn from my my childhood journey well I learned
my my childhood journey well I learned
my my childhood journey well I learned that not only is struggle good I think
that not only is struggle good I think
that not only is struggle good I think it’s necessary I mean it’s hard I mean
it’s necessary I mean it’s hard I mean
it’s necessary I mean it’s hard I mean so often it’s accompanied by failure and
so often it’s accompanied by failure and
so often it’s accompanied by failure and who likes to fail you know put up your
who likes to fail you know put up your
who likes to fail you know put up your hand if you love that feeling of falling
hand if you love that feeling of falling
hand if you love that feeling of falling flat on your face yeah I haven’t seen
flat on your face yeah I haven’t seen
flat on your face yeah I haven’t seen any hands going up it’s awful it feels
any hands going up it’s awful it feels
any hands going up it’s awful it feels terrible and frankly can just suck but I
terrible and frankly can just suck but I
terrible and frankly can just suck but I really think that failure is one of the
really think that failure is one of the
really think that failure is one of the ways that we develop those things that
ways that we develop those things that
ways that we develop those things that allow us to succeed in life and I think
allow us to succeed in life and I think
allow us to succeed in life and I think from my own personal experiences I
from my own personal experiences I
from my own personal experiences I believe that the recipe for success
believe that the recipe for success
believe that the recipe for success involves three important things and when
involves three important things and when
involves three important things and when we combine those important things it can
we combine those important things it can
we combine those important things it can actually allow ordinary people to do
actually allow ordinary people to do
actually allow ordinary people to do extraordinary things those three things
extraordinary things those three things
extraordinary things those three things are passion grit and resilience to me
are passion grit and resilience to me
are passion grit and resilience to me passion is the fuel that propels us
passion is the fuel that propels us
passion is the fuel that propels us forward and it motivates us to take
forward and it motivates us to take
forward and it motivates us to take chances because we want to accomplish
chances because we want to accomplish
chances because we want to accomplish something so badly we’re willing to risk
something so badly we’re willing to risk
something so badly we’re willing to risk failure to do it Brandon grit is the
failure to do it Brandon grit is the
failure to do it Brandon grit is the thing that keeps us trying and it won’t
thing that keeps us trying and it won’t
thing that keeps us trying and it won’t let us give up no matter what
let us give up no matter what
let us give up no matter what but resilience is really important too
but resilience is really important too
but resilience is really important too because it’s our ability to bounce back
because it’s our ability to bounce back
because it’s our ability to bounce back it’s our ability to recover from failure
it’s our ability to recover from failure
it’s our ability to recover from failure and to get back to being pretty again
Sir Edmund Hillary
Sir Edmund Hillary said that you don’t have to be a hero to
said that you don’t have to be a hero to
said that you don’t have to be a hero to accomplish great things you can simply
accomplish great things you can simply
accomplish great things you can simply be an ordinary chap sufficiently
be an ordinary chap sufficiently
be an ordinary chap sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals and
motivated to reach challenging goals and
motivated to reach challenging goals and I really believe this I think if you’re
I really believe this I think if you’re
I really believe this I think if you’re passionate enough about something you’ll
passionate enough about something you’ll
passionate enough about something you’ll risk failure to do it but I think
risk failure to do it but I think
risk failure to do it but I think there’s another really important point
there’s another really important point
there’s another really important point to make here and that’s that it’s not
to make here and that’s that it’s not
to make here and that’s that it’s not just the chaps it’s us girls too we can
just the chaps it’s us girls too we can
just the chaps it’s us girls too we can accomplish great things and I think we
accomplish great things and I think we
accomplish great things and I think we need to do a much much better job of
need to do a much much better job of
need to do a much much better job of inspiring and encouraging and and
inspiring and encouraging and and
inspiring and encouraging and and motivating young girls to dream big and
motivating young girls to dream big and
motivating young girls to dream big and to become extraordinary I also worry
to become extraordinary I also worry
to become extraordinary I also worry though that I think society today has
though that I think society today has
though that I think society today has has removed the opportunity for
has removed the opportunity for
has removed the opportunity for challenge and struggling young people I
challenge and struggling young people I
challenge and struggling young people I think when everybody’s a winner nobody
think when everybody’s a winner nobody
think when everybody’s a winner nobody fails and everybody gets a medal just
fails and everybody gets a medal just
fails and everybody gets a medal just for participating are we setting the bar
for participating are we setting the bar
for participating are we setting the bar too low and are we removing the
too low and are we removing the
too low and are we removing the opportunity for kids to become gritty
opportunity for kids to become gritty
opportunity for kids to become gritty and resilient I think so and I worry
and resilient I think so and I worry
and resilient I think so and I worry that by doing this we also remove the
that by doing this we also remove the
that by doing this we also remove the opportunity for kids to go from ordinary
opportunity for kids to go from ordinary
opportunity for kids to go from ordinary to extraordinary this is one of the
to extraordinary this is one of the
to extraordinary this is one of the defining moments of my life as a
defining moments of my life as a
defining moments of my life as a biologist who is so impatient about
biologist who is so impatient about
biologist who is so impatient about nature to be sitting here on Deception
nature to be sitting here on Deception
nature to be sitting here on Deception Island in Antarctica surrounded by
Island in Antarctica surrounded by
Island in Antarctica surrounded by 250,000 chinstrap penguins I had my
250,000 chinstrap penguins I had my
250,000 chinstrap penguins I had my camera out and then I’m photographing
camera out and then I’m photographing
camera out and then I’m photographing them on their nests and committing eggs
them on their nests and committing eggs
them on their nests and committing eggs and and then this little fella wandered
and and then this little fella wandered
and and then this little fella wandered up and we had a conversation this I I
up and we had a conversation this I I
up and we had a conversation this I I don’t even have the words to tell you
don’t even have the words to tell you
don’t even have the words to tell you how I felt at this moment or what this
how I felt at this moment or what this
how I felt at this moment or what this experience meant to me all I can say is
experience meant to me all I can say is
experience meant to me all I can say is that this is where passion printed and
that this is where passion printed and
that this is where passion printed and resilience got me that same photo was
resilience got me that same photo was
resilience got me that same photo was actually featured in a blog post by a
actually featured in a blog post by a
actually featured in a blog post by a wonderful organization called 1 million
wonderful organization called 1 million
wonderful organization called 1 million women and it was a it was an article
women and it was a it was an article
women and it was a it was an article about three of us from that homeward
about three of us from that homeward
about three of us from that homeward bound women in science leadership
bound women in science leadership
bound women in science leadership expedition and it was about how each of
expedition and it was about how each of
expedition and it was about how each of us in our in our own way was leading the
us in our in our own way was leading the
us in our in our own way was leading the fight to protect the environment and I
fight to protect the environment and I
fight to protect the environment and I have to say that you know when I think
have to say that you know when I think
have to say that you know when I think back to those struggles as childhood
back to those struggles as childhood
back to those struggles as childhood struggles and all the drama and you know
struggles and all the drama and you know
struggles and all the drama and you know although there was those nights where I
although there was those nights where I
although there was those nights where I cried myself to sleep I never thought
cried myself to sleep I never thought
cried myself to sleep I never thought that they would lead me to something
that they would lead me to something
that they would lead me to something like this before I leave you I want to
like this before I leave you I want to
like this before I leave you I want to introduce you to mr. Salter my grade 5
introduce you to mr. Salter my grade 5
introduce you to mr. Salter my grade 5 teacher and I’m not sure where he is but
teacher and I’m not sure where he is but
teacher and I’m not sure where he is but I am so happy over here here he is to
I am so happy over here here he is to
I am so happy over here here he is to say that he is here in the audience
say that he is here in the audience
say that he is here in the audience today
it was fantastic a couple of months ago
it was fantastic a couple of months ago we met and I had the opportunity to
we met and I had the opportunity to
we met and I had the opportunity to thank him in person for all he had done
thank him in person for all he had done
thank him in person for all he had done for me as the most amazing teacher back
for me as the most amazing teacher back
for me as the most amazing teacher back in 1975 I mean I really think that
in 1975 I mean I really think that
in 1975 I mean I really think that teachers like him only come along once
teachers like him only come along once
teachers like him only come along once in a lifetime and so I am phenomenally
in a lifetime and so I am phenomenally
in a lifetime and so I am phenomenally grateful because I never realized that
grateful because I never realized that
grateful because I never realized that the help that he would give me 42 years
the help that he would give me 42 years
the help that he would give me 42 years ago would impact my life in such a
ago would impact my life in such a
ago would impact my life in such a significant way so thank you very very
significant way so thank you very very
significant way so thank you very very much
and finally to the folks out there who
and finally to the folks out there who are struggling I just have one message
are struggling I just have one message
are struggling I just have one message and then ease don’t give up
and then ease don’t give up
and then ease don’t give up brilliant Brit throw your resilience and
brilliant Brit throw your resilience and
brilliant Brit throw your resilience and keep trying because I really and truly
keep trying because I really and truly
keep trying because I really and truly hope that you too will one day have the
hope that you too will one day have the
hope that you too will one day have the opportunity to look back on your life
opportunity to look back on your life
opportunity to look back on your life and see what you’ve accomplished and
and see what you’ve accomplished and
and see what you’ve accomplished and think wow who knew
think wow who knew
think wow who knew thank you very much
thank you very much
thank you very much [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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