Ever have those experiences that fill a bucket you didn’t know needed filling? Enter the Working Mother Experience! On Blue Monday this year, Enbridge’s FEMINEN Calgary ERG group held an event for working mothers and their allies. As the FEMINEN lead on the event, I experienced many beautiful parents share their visual representation of what it means to be a working parent. The event inspired the WIL Alberta Chapter to highlight the first of many posts about amazing women leaders in our province. Below we will introduce you to the Working Mother Experience (WME) through a power of seven interview.
First, let’s introduce who is behind The Working Mother Experience (WME):
- Morgan Craig-Broadwith, Executive M.B.A. Candidate, M.Sc., Founder and Creative Director
- A working mother since 2016 she has three amazing small humans, a side hustle, a few passion projects, and a full-time gig in downtown Calgary. Morgan likes to move. She’s committed to finding a way to connect and share the stories with other working mothers and cannot wait to hear and share yours.
- Angela Anderson-Blunt, M.A. Communications Director
- Angela is a mom of two beautiful kids and has worked in public relations and communications for over 15 years. In 2017 she and her husband moved the family from the city to a gorgeous mountain town, maintaining their dream jobs in Marketing, practicing their crafts, and raising their babies in an idyllic bubble of nature and adventure.
- Amanda Langbroek, B.Mgt, Artistic Director
- Amanda, mom to two darling daughters, has worked in Marketing & Events since 2007, and has recently partnered with her husband to start their own design agency. They took this leap to align with their goal of being more available to their kids as well as more creative and supportive to their Calgary community.
Q1: Why did you start the working mothers experience?
WME: During the summer of 2020, I had a cognitive download of sorts – an image or series of images of what it means and feels like (to me) to be a working mother. It was preceded by a fairly challenging time at work and a patronizing comment from my then boss – it awoke my creative spirit, and I knew I needed to capture it visually.
From that moment, I went to work and explored a variety of mediums. Nothing ever worked out exactly as I had visualized it. While frustrating it was a very cathartic experience.
In 2021, I had another cognitive download where I realized I needed to expand my experimentation with art and the expression of this experience as a working mother to others; I wanted to build a community and see and hear the stories of other working mothers around the world.
It’s not an easy role and while there are commonalities, each working mother’s experience is so uniquely different. This is why I launched the project – to see and hear the voices and experiences of working mothers from around the globe.
Q2: What is your vision for WME in the next 1-5 years?
WME: Art, and more art! Seriously though, we want to collect 250 pieces of original art from around the world. While we would love to see this happen within 5 years, we know it’s going to take time. And honestly, that’s OK – you can’t rush creative expression!
We also want to expand into workplaces and partner with non-profit groups to make this opportunity as accessible as possible to all working mothers.
Q3: What would you say is the most satisfying aspect of this initiative?
WME: I believe there are two:
- The experience for the artist during the creative process
- The connection and community that comes from participating in the project
While each artist has shared the challenges associated with creating their unique piece of art, they have also shared the immense emotional and spiritual reward of doing the art. Many artists then decide to participate in the podcast and share the details of their journey and their piece. Some complete their piece in a group environment. Both options create the space for artists to further share their experience and connect with other working mothers. As such, I believe it is both the individual and collective experience of being involved in this project that make it immensely satisfying for both the participants and the WME team!
Q4: Tell me more about the PodCast – what have you experienced or taken away as a result of interviewing amazing women?
WME: The podcast is one of the most fun things I’ve ever done. It has connected me with women in India, the US, Canada, Sweden, and Australia. It has opened new channels of communication between the WME team and the artists – giving us a small taste of who they are, where they live, and what they believe in. Every time we connect with a new artist, we learn something not only about them, but about the collective experience of being a working mother – the joys, the pain, the deep sadness, the profound happiness, and reward. It’s amazing to discover the intricacies of each painting, many of which one misses at first glance, and to hear the unique journey of getting to the creation stage. Further, it’s assuring to know that the experience of working mothers has many commonalities, regardless of where you live and work. This, to me, helps to create a strong and lasting sense of community.
Q5: How have you driven inclusiveness as not all women are mothers and not all parents are women (e.g., single dad’s)?
WME: As we dive into workplaces, we know that workplaces will be challenged to have an event solely for working mothers. While we would love workplaces to carve out and protect time and space for this group, we know that inclusiveness is critical for team / company learning and cohesion. As such, when we host workplace events, they are open to all, regardless of whether you are a parent or not.
At our first event, we welcomed two working fathers who created beautiful pieces of original art. In hearing their story, one quickly realizes that working fathers have their own unique challenges. Giving voice to these challenges is important and we are excited to see where it goes.
Q6: How have organizations embraced this initiative and what is something you would love to see more companies do?
WME: We are in our infancy in partnering with workplaces and are immensely grateful to Enbridge being our first client and welcoming us into their workspace. The event was an absolute success with close to 20 staff coming together, painting, sharing, and having fun building community. We added 12 new pieces of original art to our online gallery and better yet, built relationships with incredible men and women who, like so many, are trying to find the right balance between parenting and working.
The WME team would love to see more workplaces host an Unleash Your Inner Creative session and / or a workplace installation showcasing the employees’ art. We believe it is a truly unique way to bring staff together, explore a shared experience in a different way, and build lasting community.
Q7: What does your virtual event look and feel like as a participant?
WME: A virtual event enables organizations and workplaces to connect their members or staff across the globe – something more and more companies are seeking post-pandemic.
Our virtual session is very similar to our in-person session featuring a brief overview of the science behind creativity and innovation and its importance in the workplace and home and, most importantly, the opportunity to walk away with a complete or at least, started canvas showcasing what it means to work and parent.
The only real difference with a virtual session is that participants are responsible to get their own art supplies, from a list we provide.
Check out the Working Mother Experience’s Art Gallery!
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