Local Veteran Shares Her Stories
Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret.) Susan Beharriell visited Mr. Dave Downer’s Grade 10 History classes last week to share experiences of her 35 year military career. She is involved with The Memory Project, a program and speakers’ bureau of sort that connects Veterans with schools across the country, creating a forum for them to share their stories and play an active role in remembrance.
Ltd. Colonel Beharriell described her remarkable career as part of the first group of females permitted to take the same basic officers training program as males back in 1974. She then became the first female to be accepted into the military intelligence branch, one of the first female co-pilots of the CF-18s in the 1980s, the first female to be posted as an analyst to NATO, and the first female deputy commander of military intelligence to NORAD in Colorado (during September 11, 2001).
She explained what it meant to be in the military during the Cold War, especially intercepting Russian bombers who were testing Canada at the edges of its territorial air space.
The second part of her talk was equally fascinating as she shared the trials and tribulations of breaking into the male-dominated domains of the military, the Officers Corps and military intelligence. This was an eye-opener for our students who have grown up in a world where much of the overt sexism that Ltd. Colonel Beharriell experienced has disappeared.
She told numerous stories to highlight how you can overcome adversity with determination and perseverance. She also interjected humorous anecdotes which kept the students engaged.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
