The early days of forestry were dominated by the shanty boys cutting Canada's endless forests. It was no place for a woman. Gradually the emphasis shifted from mining trees to managing them, from needing brawn to using brains. As a result, forestry professionals were on the increase, and women began entering the field.
The first wave of women to enter the field of forestry were research scientists working in laboratories. Beginning in the 1920s and 1930s, women such as Clara Fritz, Mildred Nobles and others were conducting forest-related research.
For many years, lab work remained one of the few areas open to women. Even in the mid-1950s, when Thérése Sicard graduated as a professional forester, women were not welcome in the woods.
Today, more doors are open to female foresters. Francine Dorion, for example, is about to become the chief forester of a major company. But even so, women in her field are far from commonplace, for females make up only 5-8% of foresters.
Women in Canada's corporate boardrooms are another minority. But more than 20 years ago, Guylaine Saucier was making a name for herself as president and CEO of a forest company. Today Diana Blenkhorn, president and CEO of a lumber bureau, is doing much the same thing.
Slowly women are fanning out through all forestry occupations, from planting trees and fighting fires, to teaching in universities and forming policy in government departments. However, their numbers are small. Many of the women in decision-making positions are still relatively young, and their time has yet to come.
The State of Canada's Forests report looks at six women, from Canada's first female timber pathologist to today's foresters and business leaders, who have earned a place in the male-dominated field of forestry. This handful of specialists represents a growing and impressive group of women making their mark in forestry.