Resilience. We hear it often, but how do we truly define it? It’s not simply the ability to withstand hardship—it’s the quiet strength that allows us to bend without breaking. It’s the grace with which we adapt, the wisdom we gather from our scars, and the courage to rise each time we fall. It’s the quiet knowing that, no matter how heavy the weight of the world feels, we can always keep moving forward.
In conversations with four incredible women—Gnavik, a bakery owner; Saraï, a farmer; Raphaella, a mining professional; and Augatnaaq, a textile artist—I learned that resilience is not a singular experience. It is a personal journey, shaped by the landscape of our work, our struggles, and the quiet moments that test our strength.
The stories
I want every order to feel unique, like a small edible piece of art.
Gnavik Bhujun
Gnavik’s journey into baking began as a way to explore her creative side while still working in politics. What started as a hobby quickly grew into Glaze and Frost, a business born from her love of both baking and artistic cake design. Initially baking for friends and family, she soon realized the demand was there, and the potential to turn her passion into something bigger was within reach.
For Gnavik, the most fulfilling aspect of running her bakery is seeing the joy her cakes bring to her customers. Knowing her creations are part of their special moments makes all the hard work worth it. She also values her business’s creative freedom, allowing her to experiment with new recipes and designs.
Women have always been essential in every line of work, whether on stage or behind the scenes. We all have unique abilities and strengths, and it’s crucial to harness everyone’s talents to achieve our goals especially in a community.
Saraï Côté
Saraï’s journey in farming has been shaped by the rhythms of the seasons and the traditions passed down through her family. Early on, tasks like butchering were something she was kept away from, but as she grew older, these responsibilities became a natural part of her role. When she was first asked to clean the chickens, she felt uncertain and overwhelmed. Doubts crept in, and she questioned whether she could handle the responsibility. However, she found a deep appreciation for the process through time and reflection. Raising the animals with care and respect gave her a stronger connection to them, and she learned to honor their lives. This experience taught her the importance of not just the result, but the deeper values of compassion and care involved in the work.
Saraï also recognizes the extra challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, where respect can be more difficult to earn. She has learned to work smarter, choosing her battles wisely and asserting her knowledge when necessary. Her experience in farming and her community has reinforced her belief that women’s contributions are sometimes overlooked, but their strengths are essential to success. She emphasizes the importance of building communities that leverage everyone’s talents.
Working on the farm has taught her a lot about perseverance. The unpredictable nature of farming, from bad weather to equipment failures, has required constant adaptability and creativity. For Saraï, resilience is about staying focused and finding solutions together, no matter what obstacles arise.
I have learned to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. To do this, I first had to assert myself, build stronger self-confidence, and constantly remind myself of why I was here.
Raphaella Amoussou
Raphaella has faced several obstacles as a Black immigrant woman in the mining industry, including biases, racial stereotypes, and subtle discrimination. These challenges can be discouraging, especially in an industry where diversity remains limited. However, she has learned to transform these experiences into opportunities for growth. By asserting herself, building her self-confidence, and surrounding herself with supportive people, she has found ways to stay motivated and keep moving forward despite the difficulties.
Passion plays a key role in what keeps Raphaella going. Her love for her field and ambition are constant sources of strength, and the support from her loved ones has helped her push through tough times. She also emphasizes that relationships—whether with friends, family, or a broader community—are crucial to providing emotional and moral support during challenging moments.
In the mining sector, a field historically dominated by men, Raphaella believes that more women, especially women of color, can succeed with the right support. This includes education, inclusive policies, and a collective shift in mindset.
For me, sewing has been the constant that keeps me connected to my roots. Through creativity, I can feel close to my family, my culture, and my heritage, no matter where I am. It’s my way of preserving that bond, even while living down south.
Augatnaaq Eccles
Augatnaaq’s journey into art was influenced by her family’s strong artistic presence, including her grandmother, father, and relatives who were all skilled in their craft. Early on, she struggled with impostor syndrome, unsure if she had the same abilities as those around her. But as she began creating art and working on deeply meaningful projects, she started to find her confidence. Through the process of sewing, she could connect with her heritage, honor her culture, and understand the deeper meanings behind her work.
Augatnaaq believes that for women, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, resilience is not about having the perfect skills or connections—it’s about pushing through self-doubt and embracing the process. Opportunities, like the one given to her by a fellow artist, were pivotal in helping her move forward. This connection allowed her to see that even in moments of uncertainty, there’s always room for growth and support from others.
She also emphasizes the importance of community support and giving back, noting that women from marginalized groups should lift each other up and offer opportunities when they can. Networking and creating chances for others are integral to creating pathways for success, especially when facing barriers. For Augatnaaq, resilience also means not letting setbacks define you, continuing to create and put yourself out there, even when it feels like things aren’t moving as quickly as you’d hoped.
Can you share a moment in your journey when you had to push through a major challenge? How did you overcome it?
When challenges arrive, they demand something of us—patience, strength, and sometimes, even grace. So how do we confront these moments? What does it take to keep moving when the path feels so unclear?
Gnavik (Bakery Owner)
For Gnavik, resilience is not about rushing through the storm but finding a rhythm in the chaos. As a solo entrepreneur, the weight of multiple roles—baker, marketer, customer service rep—often felt overwhelming. But in the midst of it all, she found clarity.
“One of the biggest challenges of running Glaze and Frost alone has been wearing multiple hats at once. There were times when the workload felt overwhelming, especially during busy periods with multiple custom orders. I remember a particular weekend when I had several large orders due, while also needing to create social media content to keep my business visible. To overcome this, I had to refine my time management skills—batching tasks, setting realistic deadlines, and automating parts of the business where possible. I also learned to set boundaries with orders to ensure I didn’t sacrifice quality or burn myself out.”
Her journey was a reminder that resilience is not about endless struggle—it’s about creating a balance. Amid the whirlwind, Gnavik found peace in organizing, refining her process, and knowing when to say no. We can all learn that resilience is not always about endurance—sometimes it’s about finding the quiet in the storm.
Saraï (Farmer)
Saraï’s definition of resilience is about embracing discomfort and understanding the lessons within it. Her challenge was a deeply personal one—overcoming her initial resistance to cleaning chickens, a task that felt daunting at first. But through it, she found a deeper connection to her values.
“There was a moment when I doubted myself and my ability to keep pushing forward. It happened when I was first asked to clean the chickens. I felt overwhelmed and unsure if I could handle it. But I took a deep breath and reminded myself of the respect and care we had always shown our animals. I focused on the bigger picture and the values we upheld. Slowly, I got more involved and eventually found a sense of appreciation for each bird and the fact that they gave their lives for us.”
In that moment, resilience wasn’t about rushing through the discomfort—it was about sitting with it. Saraï showed me that resilience is not a quick fix. It’s not about brushing aside discomfort; it’s about allowing yourself the space to grow through it, to find purpose even in the toughest of tasks. In her story, resilience is quiet reflection—an understanding that growth comes from within.
Raphaella (Mining Professional)
In the harsh world of mining, Raphaella’s resilience has been shaped by more than just the rigors of the job. As a Black immigrant woman, she faced bias and subtle discrimination. Her challenge was to assert herself in spaces that seemed to question her worth at every turn.
“As a Black immigrant woman, I have encountered biases, racial stereotypes, and even subtle discrimination. This can be discouraging, especially when trying to establish yourself in an industry where diversity is still limited. However, I learned to turn these challenges into opportunities for growth. I had to assert myself more, build self-confidence, and constantly remind myself of my value. It was crucial not to let external judgments define my worth. I surrounded myself with like-minded people who supported me and helped me stay motivated.”
Raphaella’s resilience is not just about endurance but about resistance—resisting the voices that try to diminish your worth and embracing your place in the world. She taught me that true strength comes from within, from knowing that you are worthy no matter what others may say. Her resilience is about finding empowerment through community, surrounding yourself with those who will help you rise higher.
Augatnaaq (Textile Artist)
Augatnaaq’s path to resilience was one of self-discovery—learning to see herself as the artist she truly is. Despite growing up surrounded by skilled seamstresses, she struggled with impostor syndrome. Her moment of transformation came when she was recognized by her peers.
“I feel like sometimes it doesn’t feel like I’m an artist. But when people started reaching out to me to have my work displayed in exhibitions or even in a museum, that’s when I began to think, ‘Wow, people actually like my work. This is crazy!’ I got invited to be part of artist cohorts, and I realized, ‘I’m being asked to join spaces with these amazing artists—maybe I am one of them.’”
Her reflection is a gentle reminder that resilience isn’t just about pushing through hard times—it’s also about allowing yourself to accept your worth. Augatnaaq’s journey proves that resilience is about embracing your own identity, even when you don’t fully believe in it yourself. Her art became a bridge to her deeper self, and through it, she found the courage to step into her light.
How do you define success in your journey?
For each of these women, success was not just a destination but an evolving process. It was about fulfillment, impact, and staying true to themselves. Success was found in the small victories, the meaningful moments, and the ways they touched others’ lives.
- Gnavik: “Success is about creating something that brings joy to others while also sustaining myself.”
- Saraï: “For me, success is feeling connected to my work and knowing I’m making a difference.”
- Raphaella: “It’s about standing my ground, breaking barriers, and knowing I belong.”
- Augatnaaq: “Success is when I create something that truly reflects my culture and is valued by others.”
What advice would you give to others facing adversity?
Each woman had her insights on how to navigate life’s toughest moments.
Gnavik (Bakery Owner):
“Never underestimate your worth and dare to leap, even if everything isn’t perfect at the start. Entrepreneurship is a continuous learning experience, and every challenge will make you stronger. Find your niche, focus on what makes you unique, and surround yourself with people who believe in you. And most importantly, be patient and persistent—success comes with time and dedication.”
Saraï (Farmer):
“If I could give advice to other women facing tough challenges in their work or personal life, it would be to pick your battles intuitively. Not every conflict or obstacle is worth your divine energy & time. Focus on what truly matters to your soul and aligns with your values and goals. By choosing your battles, you can conserve your essence for the most important challenges, you’ll be more effective and overcome them. Choose what makes you feel fulfilled. Choose what makes you smile.”
Raphaella (Mining Professional):
“The biggest lesson about resilience that my work in the mining industry has taught me is the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges—whether physical, mental, or emotional. In this field, every day brings its share of obstacles… For all women, this lesson is particularly relevant. Resilience is not an innate trait but a skill that can be developed. It means seeing failures as learning opportunities, getting back up after every setback, and never losing sight of one’s goals.”
Augatnaaq (Textile Artist):
“One, or probably you’re a lot more capable than you tend to give yourself credit for. I think is a big one… to give yourself grace and you don’t need to do everything all the time, all at once. It’s okay to rest, it’s okay to be easy on yourself and to reach out to other people when you need it, because people want to support you.”
These four women remind us that there is no single “right” way to be resilient. Whether it’s:
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Gnavik’s practical action—taking imperfect steps forward,
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Saraï’s energy conservation—choosing which battles are worth fighting,
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Raphaella’s perseverance as a skill—learning and growing through challenges, or
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Augatnaaq’s self-compassion and community—leaning on others while honoring your own pace
Resilience is as unique as you are ;)
My advice? Just start. Don’t wait for perfect conditions—progress begins with the first step. And when obstacles come (as they will), remember: never give up on your dreams. Like these women, you’ll find your own way to rise, adapt, and keep moving forward.
Now—what will your resilience look like?