Sophie
“I think being a woman means lifting as you climb.”
Sophie is someone whose happiness stems from the little things - like making someone laugh, or enjoying a warm cup of coffee. She is passionate about learning as much as she can, and sharing that knowledge with the world. One of the biggest learning experiences she has endured has been the pandemic. This was an opportunity to slow down and listen in, and also to reevaluate. She came to many realizations in this time, including ending relationships that were no longer serving her. Now she is more content than ever. Sophie is determined to leave a positive mark in the world, which she does through education, awareness and by elevating and empowering those around her. Meet Sophie. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
S: I am Sophie McDonaugh. I just turned 21. I live in Ottawa, Canada and I am entering my fourth year of University.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
S: I would say that I am outgoing and funny, and I love to make people laugh and to make people feel comfortable.
All I want to do with my time on Earth is learn as much as I can and to share what I have learnt with the world, and try as much as I can to positively impact as many people as I can.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
S: I think my favourite thing is that I can find the joy in very small things and that brings me a lot of happiness and I am able to share that happiness with others.
I love a good cup of coffee, a walk, a soft blanket - just the simple things in life and I am glad to have found that at a very young age.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that has defined you or made you stronger?
S: Hmmmm. I would say that this pandemic has taught me to let go and slow down.
Not really a story but having my world come crashing down and taking my distractions away forced me to look inwards and evaluate my life and I made a lot of big life changes.
I broke up with a partner of 2 ½ years and let a lot of friends go that I realized were draining me rather than filling me. I think it gave me the opportunity to ask myself the hard questions of who I want to be and where I want to go.
I am grateful I got to live at this time as it fundamentally allowed me to strip away all the distractions and I wouldn’t have come to these realizations for at least 5-10 years.
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
S: I think I would say, somehow, everything just works out. Life is funny like that, you spend a lot of time worrying but nothing is that serious and there is no point getting stressed about the small stuff as it will totally be ok.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
S: Interesting! I think being a woman means lifting as you climb. I think as a woman, I shared these experiences of being frightened in the streets and being belittled in the workplace. Of course there is the glory but also the hardship. So being a woman means as you climb and break barriers, you lift other women with you so you are growing and working together.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to them if they were here now?
S: Well my Mom inspires me. My Mom has shown me that kindness always wins and I would just say thank you for always believing in me. I am grateful she pushed me and my sisters so much in school to work hard and I don’t think I would be here, where I am, if she hadn’t believed in me from such a young age. It is a gift to have educated parents as they set you up for success and shape your world view.