Als Gals: Breaking Barriers
We say that behind every great man, there is a great woman. That’s the problem: behind.
We all want to think that equality has been attained in Quebec, but numbers don’t lie. In 2017, a man’s salary was still, on average, 20% higher than a woman’s.
20%. In 2017.
You can argue that those who decide to work in industries like ours knowingly choose to pursue a career in a male-dominated world. So tough luck, girlfriend.
We argue that we choose to break barriers.
Every day, at the Alouettes, we promote our men – OUTSTANDING men – who grind all year-round to be the best version of themselves on the field, at home and in their communities.
Today, however, is about highlighting the challenges and the accomplishments of those who do a lot of the heavy lifting – some literally – in the background. Today is about the incredible ladies who’ve carved their place in the exciting (testosterone-filled) world of football.
Meet a few of the Als gals.
Sara, the Tough Chick
Her strength: If the guys can do it, she can do it too. Sara’s strength IS her strength, mental and physical. Setting up tailgates, driving tractors, lifting LED screens, pushing a stage onto the field – for 24 straight hours – is a regular day on the job for her. Does she think any other woman could do it? Certainly not. But not any other man could do it either.
“I have long felt like I had to go the extra mile to prove that I’m just as capable as the rest of the group. I enjoy it though. I’ve been told to yield my place before, but I just took it as a challenge. I know I’m just as strong as the guys, I’ve proven it time after time, so they know it too now.”
Azmina, the Consummate Pro
Her first love: “I started working here when I was 22 years old. I was still in school. I had to justify why I was there, why I was taking decisions. Still, after six years, whenever management changes, I feel the pressure to prove that I still belong here.”
Az never lost her spot as a Corporate Partnerships Director. The team’s major sponsors trust her. To them, she represents stability. She’s outgoing, charismatic, beautiful, but if Az has stuck around for so long, it’s because she knows darn well what she’s doing.
“I’m passionate. I love the Als with all my heart. That’s what allows me to face challenges. That’s what keeps me going.”
Heather, the Mom
Her story: Heather became an Alouettes fan – or should we say the epitome of an Alouettes fan – in the 1960s, when her mother passed on her passion for the team and the sport of football. Now, Heather is perpetuating the tradition by taking her granddaughters to the stadium.
“My older granddaughter comes to some of the practices with me. She’ll throw footballs with Eric Deslauriers, she wears her Logan shirt. So, there you go, there’s another female fan.”
Heather has been bringing treats to the guys at practice once a week for the past seven years. Swing by the Olympic Stadium during the season and you might just be able to get your hands on one of her delightful brownies.
Stephanie, the Guy’s girl
Her pride: The balancing act never actually stops. Being responsible for the travel logistics of a group of high character men can also lead to conflictual situations. One of the biggest challenges is to get them to see, in a professional light, that you’re there to help them, not to take care of them. And how to you get that recognition?
“Something as simple as driving the guys around… I’ll drive the truck with one hand and they’ll get the biggest kick out of it because you’re a chick driving with one hand. When I parallel parked that Chevy Tahoe, they would not stop talking about it.”
Yeah, it’s paradoxical. A woman should not have to do (what is considered) a manly thing to be saluted by her male colleagues, but in this business, becoming one of the boys is often a synonym for accomplishment.
Heather, the Superhuman
Her fight: Eight years of waking up at 4:30 a.m., being at the gym by 6 a.m., training in the morning, afternoon and evenings, coaching boot camps at lunch, teaching fitness classes to young girls after school, getting home by 10 p.m. and doing it all over again. Seven days a week. That’s what it takes for a woman trainer like Heather to be taken seriously by the football community. Actually, it takes time, hard work and, well, men endorsing you.
“I’ve been through enough in my life, being an athlete myself, to know that if I stopped doing what I was doing, it would be like letting my detractors win. I want to break the labels and stereotypes that are out there. I know it’ll be hard, but I also know that it’ll help the next generation of females.”
Heather has proven that she was more than capable of whooping butts – ask Tyrell Sutton, Stephen Adeloku or ex-Alouettes Ky Hebert, S.J. Green and Brandon Whitaker. So much so that she’s now converting the doubters. See for yourself; get inspired by checking out her IG account @mccurdy86 or book a workout with her at Club Sportif MAA.
Annie, the Hall-of- Famer
Her advice: Annie has been with the organization for 22 years. Her role within the organization changed several times, but her determination was never shaken. She’s heard it all and seen it all. When she’s around the table, her voice is among the ones that resonate the loudest. It wasn’t always like that, however.
“When I started in 1996, there were barely any women in the organization. I spoke in meetings and the guys would say things like “Oh there goes the female talking!” Regardless of those comments, I was never afraid to take what’s mine and to voice my opinion. That’s how you climb the ladder.”
Sidney, Little Miss Do-It-All
Her path: Being an ex Alouettes cheerleader may seem glamorous to some, but when you’re a young woman trying to build a career, it usually means that you have to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. Stereotypes are difficult to break and, unfortunately, judgement can come from everyone, women just as much as men.
“When I think about it, I realize that the people who’ve judged me the most are women. I hate to say it, it shouldn’t happen. We should come together and help each other reach new heights.”
Sidney retired from the cheerleading squad this year and now does a tremendous job working for the Alouettes Foundation. She’s a strong, high-character gal. Not everyone has her confidence. Not everyone can get passed the negative comments. Ladies, it starts with us. Be kind to one another. Lift. Each. Other. Up.
Shout out to all the Alouettes superwomen that were not introduced in this article: Joanie Martin, Pamela Rondeau-Chabot, Jennifer Perkins, Elyssa Porlier, Fanny Girard, Una White, Caitlin Bell, Brittany Loncar, Nathalie Brai, Elise Vandoorne, Maria Bidas, Nathalie Lavoie and Eveline Lépinay;
To the Montreal Blitz;
And, of course, to the mothers, wives, daughters and girlfriends of our players and coaches.
This article was entirely created, written and produced by women.
From left to right:
Geneviève Bouchard, Production Coordinator and Photographer
Émilie Desgagné, Creative Lead and Writer
Marine Didierlaurent, Digital Strategy
Cynthia Cianciusi, Photographer
