Bringing to light the stories of trailblazing women

VIU Education grad Haley Healey writes books about boundary-pushing women

A desire to share the stories of extraordinary historical women led VIU Education grad Haley Healey to become a published author in 2020. Four years later, the high school counsellor by day, author by night has published five non-fiction adult and children’s books highlighting boundary-pushing women as well as a fiction novel featuring a strong female protagonist.

“Women are underrepresented in history books and history in general,” she explains. “I was inspired to discover their accomplishments and resilience and thought other people might be also.”

Healey’s first book, On Their Own Terms: True Stories of Trailblazing Women of Vancouver Island, was a BC bestseller for numerous weeks. Her Courage Rises, which tells the stories of women in BC and the Yukon, was a BC Yukon Book Prize nominee in 2023. Here’s more of her story.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m a high school counsellor and author. I enjoy cycling, hiking, all things books and being outdoors with my husband, daughter and our husky.

Why did you choose VIU for your teacher education program?

I was an outdoor education instructor at Strathcona Park Lodge and met a teacher who attended VIU’s post-baccalaureate program. While hiking up to Bedwell Lake with their class and another instructor, they had great things to say about the program. When I investigated the program more, it sounded like a great fit for me. Plus, VIU’s campus is beautiful and Nanaimo has lots of trails and wilderness not far away.

Can you share a highlight of your time at VIU?

My cohort was a fabulous group of people with a variety of secondary education focuses. I also enjoyed getting on outdoor adventures, both with VIU’s outdoor recreation department and with friends.

What have you been up to since graduating?

A few weeks after graduation in 2011, I stepped off a plane in Old Crow, Yukon – a Vuntut Gwitch’in community in the northern Yukon. I taught Grades 7 to 9 there and then taught PE on the west coast of Vancouver Island. After completing my master’s degree in counselling psychology I started working as a high school counsellor in Nanaimo.

What do you like most about your job as a high school counsellor?

There’s so much variety as a high school counsellor. No day is the same and it’s fast paced. I strive to make a small difference in students’ days and to help them out as much as I can with their high school experience.

You’re also a published author. What motivated you to start writing?

After a hiking trip on the Hesquiat Peninsula, my hiking group toured Ada Annie Rae-Arthur’s garden, also known as Cougar Annie’s Garden. I was amazed at the life she lived and her backcountry garden, mail order nursery and post office. I wanted to learn more and tell others about her life and other women’s lives whose stories hadn’t been told. These stories are told in my first book, On Their Own Terms: True Stories of Trailblazing Women of Vancouver Island.

Your books focus on inspirational female role models who challenge gender norms and excel in different occupations. Why did you want to write about this?

Women are underrepresented in history books and history in general. Women were doing amazing things here on the Island and all over Canada. It’s been exciting to shed light on some of their accomplishments and even hardships. I was inspired to discover their accomplishments and resilience and thought other people might be also.

Her Courage Rises was a BC Yukon Book Prize nominee in 2023. What was it like to receive that kind of recognition?

I was thrilled and honoured when Her Courage Rises: 50 Trailblazing Women from British Columbia and the Yukon was nominated. I got to meet some other great authors, which was exciting. I also got to speak to some high school classes in Golden, BC, about book writing which was a lot of fun.

What impact are you hearing from readers?

Readers seem to enjoy hearing about the lives of diverse women whose stories haven’t been told. Some readers have told me that after reading my books they’ve felt inspired to do something they’ve been putting off or to go after one of their goals. Many readers enjoy learning the history of places that mean something to them on Vancouver Island or the Yukon.

What’s next for you?

This spring, two children’s books I wrote will be released as part of the Trailblazing Canadians series (Heritage House Publishing). They are Jennie Butchart: Gardener of Dreams and Elizabeth Quocksister: Keeper of History. Then in fall 2024, I’m excited to release another children’s book through Heritage House about an adventurous cat crossing Vancouver Island and meeting local plants and animals along the way.