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Canadian Navy Now Boasts Turbaned Sikh Woman Sailor

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Ottawa, Canada

Master Seaman Wanda McDonald has become the first Sikh woman to wear the turban while serving in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

McDonald, a Sonar operator based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, joined the RCN in 1997 and became interested in the Sikh faith three years ago.  After deciding to take Amrit, she sought and obtained permission to wear the turban on duty.

When McDonald -- an active and dedicated member of the Maritime Sikh Society -- made her request to wear the turban, the World Sikh Organization was consulted and its legal counsel, Balpreet Singh, provided information relating to the significance of the turban to Sikhs.

The Canadian Forces now allow both Sikh men and women to wear turbans and the Sikh articles of faith while serving.

McDonald has now been given permission and has begun to wear her turban full time while on duty. 

She said on October 29, 2014: "As the first Sikh woman in the Royal Canadian Navy to be approved to serve while wearing a turban, I feel fortunate to be given this opportunity. Military service is a very rewarding career, and I hope that my example will inspire other Sikh-Canadian women to follow this path; to be able serve their country without worrying about having to compromise their identity as a Sikh.”

WSO President Dr. Amritpal Singh said, “It is another milestone for Sikh-Canadians to see a Sikh woman proudly serve her country in the Canadian Forces while fearlessly being allowed to follow the teachings of her faith.  We congratulate Wanda for this achievement and the Royal Canadian Navy for making it possible. This is another example of what makes Canada great and makes us proud to be Canadians.”


October 30, 2014
 

Conversation about this article

1: Bant Singh (New York City, USA), October 30, 2014, 9:41 AM.

Wanda ji, I congratulate you for being a trail blazer and a great role model and inspiration for Sikhs around the world. WSO, congratulations are in order to you as well.

2: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), October 30, 2014, 10:26 AM.

Ms Wanda Kaur joins the glorious company of the likes of the female airline pilot from Texas who also wears her 'cotton crown' to work!

3: Gurinder Singh (Stockton, California, USA), October 30, 2014, 10:49 AM.

My heartiest congratulations to Wanda ji for standing tall as a daughter of Guru Gobind Singh.

4: Kulvinder Jit Kaur (Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada), October 30, 2014, 11:50 AM.

All I can say is "Balley Balley!" Master Seawoman Wanda Kaur McDonald, you are truly an inspiration to the many aspiring Sikh women who want to join the Royal Canadian Navy.

5: Balbir Singh (Srinagar, Kashmir), November 03, 2014, 3:27 AM.

Such accomplishment is always attained by the rarest and most daring people. Congratulations, Harkiran Wanda Kaur ji. You have shown to the whole world that with determination and will power, you can bring down all barriers.

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