For International Women's Day, celebrate these 3 essential workers from Waterloo region

For International Women's Day, CBC Kitchener-Waterloo is highlighting some of the women in Waterloo region who have been working the front lines as essential workers throughout the pandemic.

For Heidi Fuentes, International Women's Day is a day to reflect and to celebrate. 

"What makes International Women's Day such an important day is that it's a day where we, who identify as women, have the moment and time to reflect on our journey. Our past, present, and future," she said.

"It's time that we see ourselves as a big community of women and it's really empowering to see the resiliency within all of us and International Women's Day is a day to celebrate who we are."

Fuentes is currently working at Grand River Hospital as she completes her Master's in social work in April. She's also a mother of two young children.

She said she's been driven to help others ever since her family immigrated from Nicaragua, and hopes social work will be a way for her to give back to her community.

"I'm always trying to help people feel like their voices are heard and ensuring that there's always an opportunity for action and always an opportunity for hope," she said.

'It's nice to be recognized'

Sepideh Samandari says working with the residents at the Village at University Gates long-term care home is like being alongside her grandparents again.

Samandari works as a recreational aid and that means organizing activities for the residents. That includes helping them connect with family virtually, exercises, games and socializing over tea.  

She says with limited family members allowed in the long-term care home, residents and staff have become each other's family throughout the pandemic.

Samandari said she's printing out colouring pages for International Women's Day to give to the residents who love to colour. She plans to hang the pages on different floors of the Village at University Gates so staff and residents can see.

"It's one day that everybody is focusing on women and women's work and their importance in society," she said. 

"It's nice to be recognized and to know our value."

'I am a proud mom'

Lina Shubair says she celebrates women every single day through her work as a pharmacist.

"A lot of patients approach me because I am a woman," she said. "Women have specific needs and specific questions, so they feel more comfortable speaking to me about it and addressing their concerns. I feel happy that I can help these women."

Shubair owns Faircare and CDE Pharmacy in Kitchener. She said it hasn't always been easy during the pandemic, especially at the beginning, but her patients keep her going on those tough days.

She hopes her role as a pharmacist helps inspire younger generations and her children — especially her teen daughter.

"I'm a proud mom and I wish to make an impact in her life and I hope she takes all the opportunities she gets in her life," Shubair said. 

"She has a special place in my heart."