Outstanding Women on the Frontlines: Dana Bowden
The Tema Foundation is proud to kick off International Women’s week by highlighting some of the phenomenal, driven and passionate women working towards healthier mental health. Welcome to our second year of our Outstanding Women on the Frontlines Series!
Today we are pleased to introduce Dana Bowden, Director, NS Department of Justice, Victim Services.
Dana has spent 24 years in Justice, with impressive positions ranging from a Correctional Officer, Probation Officer, Investigator of Public Safety for Cyberbullying, Manager of Special Initiatives for Victims (Victim Services), and rounding out the past three years as Director of Victim Services.
Recently, Dana has begun work with the Tema Foundation after signing on as a Peer Support Advisor for the African Canadian Women in the Public Service of Nova Scotia. Recognizing that mental health can be affected by experiences faced on the frontlines, Dana makes an effort to practice self-care and support her colleagues and staff’s wellness.
“Early in my career mental health was taboo and was not discussed or acceptable to discuss. People suffered in silence. Now wellness and mental health is recognized as important in addressing the needs of employees. There is so much more support available for employees.”
Blazing a trail for African Nova Scotian Women in the Public Sector
In her tenure, Dana has been a trailblazer and inspiration for many African Nova Scotian women. She was one of the first African Nova Scotian female Correctional Officers in Nova Scotia to work exclusively with males. Dana was also the first African NS Manager and Director in Victim Services. During her time with Canada's first Cyberbullying unit, she was one of five original investigators hired for the position, and the only African Nova Scotian. It was in that position that she was the first Cyberbullying Investigator to take a file to the Supreme Court and be granted an Protection Order under the now defunct Cyberbullying Act in Nova Scotia.
“When I entered Corrections 24 years ago, I was one of a handful of Correctional Officers who worked in the male units of the Correctional Facility. There were both staff and inmates who initially treated me differently than some of my colleagues. I would say I certainly had to work a lot harder to gain their respect than my male colleagues.”
Celebrating women and their important contributions to Society
Dana views International Women’s Day as an “opportunity to recognize and pay tribute to the amazing contributions and work of women in our professional and personal lives that have and continue to pave the way for the women in our younger generations to thrive. it's always such a great reminder of the importance of women and our daily contributions to society.” She’s proud to say her mother taught her that she can do anything that she may choose to with some hard work and a positive attitude, and that she’s still her greatest role model today.
For young women on the frontlines seeking advice on entering the industry, Dana shares her words of wisdom:
“There are going to be some difficult days and some great days, that is a reality. Focus on your goal. Ensure you have a good network of support to lean on. This work is not easy and can take a toll without you even realizing it. Celebrate even the smallest of achievements!”
Taking time for self care
In her busy schedule, Dana ensures that she makes time to care for her mental health – even if it’s as simple as keeping your body moving so you have space to clear your mind. “I have worked daily exercise into my routine, ensuring I get an average of 13-14 thousand steps a day, so that I am not idle. This allows me to turn my brain off at times so that I am not overthinking.”
When Dana isn’t on the go, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 30 years, sitting in a room together watching mindless tv shows, enjoying their hot tub and playing board games. She does also enjoy having dinner with friends occasionally, but really appreciates and values her ‘alone time’ to refuel.