IWD: Meet Cathy Clarke
This International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting USC alumni and long-serving staff whose experiences reflect the depth and evolution of our organization. From former student leaders who carried their USC experience into their careers and communities, to staff members who have supported students behind the scenes, their stories demonstrate the important role women have played, and continue to play, in shaping student leadership, advocacy, and campus life. Student-led spaces are often where confidence is built, voices are strengthened, and future leaders emerge. By spotlighting these experiences, we aim to celebrate contributions that have not always been equally visible and to acknowledge the impact women have had on the USC’s growth and direction over time.
Cathy Clarke was the USC’s General Manager from 2008-2016 and is now Senior Administrative Officer for the Town of Norman Wells in the Northwest Territories. We caught up with Cathy to ask about her time with the USC:
Looking back, what are you most proud of from your time with the USC?
I am presently looking out my office window at the Mackenzie Mountains and the frozen Mackenzie River. Today it is -40 Celsius, (last week it hit -55 Celsius) the snow is white, white and the sky blue, blue, and though those may not be officially recognized colours they are official colours in the sub arctic. It is almost spring here, we are not ready for outdoor patio fare, but there is more light now and we feel hope that the days of 24 hours of light are going to happen again. And for dinner I am having roast muskox.
So different than the environment I lived while at the USC, yet so similar as well. I have carried with me a genuine love of working with young, brilliant, creative people from the USC to the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
My time with the USC taught me that my role in this life is one of sincere mentor with much to learn from those who are younger than me who still believe that an idea can be made real if you choose to look at what you can do rather than what you can’t do. When older people say “we’ve tried that before and it didn’t work” is not an acceptable way of making a dream project come to fruition.
Life in the Arctic is hard and sometimes hope is difficult to find when the community faces a new challenge every day.
Were there other women through the USC, mentors, peers, leaders, who had a lasting impact on you?
Each of my presidents and vice presidents taught me tenacity.
Emily Rowe who grew as one of the USC’s most gentle and classy presidents. When attacked by those on campus who had power she never lost her cool.
Jacqueline Cole who as VP Student Affairs often felt out numbered by male voices on the board, but learned that winning with a good solid and well articulated debate has nothing to do with gender.
Cara Inglis who was a force to be reckoned with as she productively fought for the rights of all students with their very diverse needs.
Carolyn Hawthorn who put a piece of herself into everyone on her team and the issues facing the USC at the time.
Samantha Krishnapillai who has successfully turned personal obstacles into being a very successful agent for change.
I could fill pages with the young people I learned from in my time at the USC!
I have chosen to continue to hire, mentor and learn from young talent here in the North and am rewarded every day with the same hope and tenacity I learned at the USC.
