Mississauga woman a trailblazer in Ontario construction industry [Video]

A Mississauga seniors’ residence is celebrating the achievements of a trailblazing woman.

Mary Smith is credited as Ontario’s first-ever female construction safety inspector at a time when women rarely had roles in the industry.

Smith, 90, now lives in Mississauga in the Erin Mills Amica Senior Lifestyles residence. This Saturday is International Women’s Day, and Amica shared her story.

Born in Toronto, Smith’s father was a scientist and the family moved to Jamaica and lived there until Smith was about seven years old, she told INsauga.com.

Later, Smith got married, moved to Ottawa. The couple had six children, all girls, she said.

But as her girls grew, Smith wanted a change and also funds to help support the family. Smith answered a job ad for a “Girl Friday” (a type of administrative assistant) for a demolition company, Teperman and Sons Ltd., in 1971 and got the job.

Her responsibilities grew …