'You can do more than you think you can': Lieutenant-Colonel driving military cultural shift
Lieutenant-Colonel Rhonda Matthews is still adjusting to the attention she's been getting as Parade Commander at the Nova Scotia International Tattoo.
But the Tattoo honour is just the latest in the Cornerbrook, N.L., native's 25-year career in the reserves.
"I have seen more of the world than I ever thought possible because of my career in the military," said Matthews. Including deployments to Afghanistan, where she helped build alliances.
"Business leaders, politicians, community leaders, and women's groups," she said.
And Rwanda -- where she was part of a United Nations training team that had helped the African nations continued rebuild after the 1994 genocide.
Earlier this month, she earned her highest honour yet.
"This is something I've been looking forward to my entire career," said Matthews. "Up until now, it's been a white male dominated field."
With no less than a dozen current or former top officers embroiled in allegations of misconduct, Matthews sees an opportunity to make an immediate difference.
"Culture change is more than just being in the room. Culture change is having that voice," she said.
Matthews adds she hopes the shift can highlight strength within other women.
"I have met women, some who are in uniform and some who are not, who have said, 'Wow, I can't believe you're there,' and I often say to them, 'You have more strength than you know,'" Matthews said. "You can do more than you think you can."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.