Creating Awareness Through Stories That Inspire Change.

Dedicated to advancing conversations around sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, sexual assault, survivor empowerment, healing and social justice.

Dawn Ottman

Captain Dawn Ottman is a retired Officer of the Canadian Military. During her career in the Armed Forces, she served as a Radio Technician, an Instructor, a student of Royal Military College (where she graduated from as Canada’s first female Space Scientist) and as a Satellite Engineering Officer. Later, she went onto a civilian engineering career at Motorola as they developed the Iridium Satellite System.

A Voice for Awareness, Healing & Change

My journey is deeply personal. It has shaped the work I do and the stories I tell. I believe in the power of speaking up, supporting survivors and working together to build a world rooted in dignity. respect and equality for all.

Amplify Voices

Creating space for survivors and communities to be heard and believed.

Educate & Empower

Sharing knowledge and resources to promote healing and prevention.

Drive Change

Advocating for policies and cultures that protect and uplift.

Unwelcome

Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, Sexual Assault, and Rape in the Canadian Forces

Captain Dawn Ottman joined the Canadian military in 1978 when she was 18. Canada was for the underdog – and Ottman, having spent her childhood in poverty and protecting her sister from bullies – was both an underdog and a champion of them herself. She happily put her life on the line for her country.

From the beginning, Ottman endured harassment and insults for being a woman. After one early incident, she went to the military police. She was told no one would ever take her word over that of the officer. Determined to excel, Ottman rose through the ranks and became Canada’s first female space scientist. Still, the abuse continued.