Wednesday is International Women's Day, a day to celebrate the achievements of women and bring to light challenges in equality they still face.

Shannon Penner works as a welder in Steinbach and says she enjoys working with her hands, figuring things out through trial and error, and has experienced some challenges working in a male-dominated career field.

"For the most part, at work, I haven't [experienced resistance]. There's been the odd guy that's given me grief, but school was the hardest. You've got to learn how to be tough right away. Because they'll go at you right away because they think it's weird, they think it's odd, they think you should be a nail tech or something like that, some girly thing."

Penner says not getting offended easily, being able to laugh at yourself, and joke back are ways she has learned to reduce resistance and gain respect from her fellow co-workers.

Dr. Rebecca Dielschneider, assistant professor of biology at Providence University College says she fell in love with science from a young age because of the mystery, awe and complexity it brings. She notes she has seen how women who work in a science-related career field face different challenges than men.

"Science itself has actually shown that if a female is listed as the author [of research], with a very typical female name, and if a very similar research finding was published with a very typical male name as the author, people just tend to believe research published by men more than research published by women. So, that certainly has been a hurdle but has really motivated me more than hindered me. Motivated me to show that women can do just as much as men."

Dielschneider has focused on immunology and cancer biology in her studies and says she has been able to be involved in a lot of research, many discoveries, and worked towards advancing the fields of medicine.

She notes when she has felt resistance she has learned the best course of action is to rise above it, don't get stressed out, and believe you have the capability to achieve great things.

"I would encourage young women to just follow their passion," notes Dielschneider. "If their passion is science, then go for it. Don't let a male-dominated field scare you. Just look at that as an opportunity to follow your passion, your dream. If you want to be a scientist, go for it."

International Women's Day started in 1908 when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay, and voting rights.