Fredericton woman speaks at UN HeForShe event in New York

A Fredericton teenager shared the stage with presidents, prime ministers and movie stars in New York Tuesday night.  

Nineteen-year-old Anya Forestell was invited to speak at the second anniversary celebrations of HeForShe, the UN-sponsored program that promotes gender equality for girls and women by including men and boys in the global campaign.

Forestell received the program's impact scholarship last year. She studies astrophysics at the University of Waterloo.

The event's guest speakers included Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and actress Emma Watson.

"It was nerve wracking but very fun," said Forestell who stopped midway through her speech and announced that she was nervous.

"[Emma] Watson who was sitting in front row said, 'you're doing great'. That helped me get back on track."

Forestell said throughout high school she didn't experience blatant gender discrimination, but that changed once she arrived at university.

"It is often subtle, hidden in the low percentage of females enrolled in STEM, veiled behind words like, demanding, bossy and overbearing--qualities which when presented by men would be perceived as strength, confidence and fearlessness," she said before taking a breath and sighing on stage.

"I saw how few women were in those fields. It's discouraging. But it's starting to change, little by little we are making a change."

She said the program gave her confidence to run for vice president of the her university's physics club twice and by doing so bumped up female membership to nearly 50 per cent.

"We still have a long way to go to reach equality in STEM," she said. "But I hope women have the confidence to pursue their passion no matter what they are… and that all women and girls will feel not only respected but welcomed and valued in whatever field they choose."

Editor's Note: Anya Forestell is relative of CBC News New Brunswick host Harry Forestell.