Girls Inc. announces Shreeya Patel as youngest Women of Inspiration nominee

Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta named 18-year-old Shreeya Patel as the youngest nominee recognized in its Women of Inspiration (WOI) Series on January 15.

“It’s an honour to win this award,” Patel said in an interview with YMM Parent. “It just motivates me to keep being resilient in the pursuit of my passions. I am ecstatic to be considered an inspiration to the youth of this region, and it is a milestone reached while I’m embarking on a journey of impact.”

According to the Girls Inc. website, the WOI Series’s goal is to recognize women throughout the Wood Buffalo region who inspire others, break new ground or old barriers, and help create change. The Series also aims to show local girls positive role models who live within their communities.  

Patel teaches girls how to code at Operational SMART Program in 2019. Photo courtesy of BrainSTEM Alliance

Patel has made strides in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field through her involvement in an all-female technology organization Queens In Code. 

Her efforts have empowered young women to pursue technology in the Wood Buffalo region and throughout Canada. The STEM trailblazer is also Vice President of the non-profit organization YouthComputing. 

Through her involvement over two years, she has helped organize YMM’s Annual Hackathon: Community Code Day, Fort McMurray’s First Entrepreneurship Conference and Pitch Competition: Launch Wood Buffalo, and numerous Fireside Conversations with decorated STEM professionals from all over the world. 

Patel has also visited elementary schools throughout Fort McMurray to present various emerging technologies during STEMpower, and hosted an open house at Westwood Community High School for youth to explore technology in an interactive, engaging fashion during the Fuse event.

Besides technology, she is a leader in her community. Through her involvement in the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Youth (MACOY), Patel has helped organize a Youth Health and Wellness Conference and recognized other exceptional youth throughout Wood Buffalo by working on YMM Parent’s Top 20 Under 20 project. 

She also inspires and educates young women through her spiritual involvement in the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) non-profit cultural organization. 

Patel also promotes healthy lifestyles for Albertan youth through Alberta Health Services’ Nutrition Youth Advisory Panel. Additionally, the leader is co-captain for both varsity volleyball and basketball at Westwood Community High School.

To young women and girls throughout the region, Patel advised them to “keep your reservoirs of confidence full and strive for more experiences regardless of the stereotypes and stigmas that surround them. Pursue what your passions are to the fullest extent.”

To learn about Girls Inc. of  Northern Alberta’s Women of Inspiration 2020-2021 Series and its programs, go to www.girlsincofnorthernalberta.org.

About the author

Tanisha Kadia

Youth Writer

Tanisha Kadia is a grade 12 student at École McTavish Public High School. Born in India, Kadia moved to Toronto when she was two years old. Kadia and her family have called Fort McMurray home for over a decade.

Kadia is profoundly involved in extra-curricular activities at her high school, including announcement broadcasting, musical theatre productions and peer tutoring. She is also on the Student Council, Robotics Team, Breakfast Club and the Leaders in Environmental Advocacy and Protection team. Additionally, she plays the clarinet for both the concert and jazz band.

As a member of the Mayor Advisory on Council and Youth's General Assembly and the Alberta Health Services Youth Advisory, Kadia places her passion in the community by volunteering at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre and various other establishments and organizations in Fort McMurray.