"I had no opportunities at home in Japan. My world opened up when I got to Canada."

I didn’t realize it was possible to raise a family and have a thriving career

- Yuka Yamada

WHEN I WAS A KID IN JAPAN IN THE EARLY '90S, my kindergarten teacher asked my class what we wanted to be when we grew up. I told her that I wanted to be a bride. I don't remember what the other girls said, but I can guarantee that none of the five-year-old boys proclaimed their dreams of becoming a groom. In my country, there's a strong emphasis on maintaining what we call "social harmony": you're expected to be agreeable and never express a dissenting opinion. These norms are especially pronounced for women and girls, who are usually meant to be quiet caretakers, often responsible for domestic tasks.

I grew up with two brothers in a suburb outside Tokyo. My mom worked part time while we were young so she could take care of us. She often asked me to help cook and clean, but my brothers weren't expected to lift a finger. My dad, an engineer, was strict and rarely home: he left for work around 6 a.m. and rarely returned before 10 p.m.