No place like home: A farm girl’s journey to resilience

Last November’s Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference welcomed keynote speaker, Kim Ulmer, RBC Regional President for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, and Western Ontario.

Amid her responsibilities of curating positive experiences for both business and personal banking clients, Ulmer’s heart remains rooted in the vast expanse of Manitoba’s fields and boundless skies, where she makes her home alongside her husband and son.

Ulmer’s presentation, reflecting on her journey from the rolling hills of Saskatchewan to the vibrant cityscape of Sudbury and the awe-inspiring tundra of Canada’s north, echoed the sentiment that indeed, there is no place like home.

Hailing from the farming landscapes of Melville, Saskatchewan, Ulmer said her upbringing instilled in her the values of family, friendship, and the profound connection to the land. Like Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz,” she embarked on a transformative journey that began amidst the golden wheat fields of her youth, ultimately leading her down her own metaphorical yellow brick road.

When Kim Ulmer looks back on her days of growing up in rural Saskatchewan, she realizes her most important lessons were learned at home.

“There really is no place like home. When Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz whispered those immortal words, she knew what she was talking about,” Ulmer said, during a presentation that included listeners from all walks of life and agricultural backgrounds.

“All it took was a perilous adventure filled with witches and wizards and flying monkeys for Dorothy to realize that. There’s a reason why a book that was written just over 125 years ago, and a film that followed 39 years later still resonates deeply within the world. And if you are like me, I watch it every Christmas and drive my husband absolutely bananas.”

Drawing inspiration from the L. Frank Baum classic, she explained the symbolic and historical depth within the beloved tale.

”The Wizard of Oz isn’t just a children’s story, but more of a reflection of the political themes of its time. Embedded within the book are allegorical representations of real-world figures and movements, particularly Populism, a political ideology prevalent in the 1890s Midwest.

This movement was led by William Jennings Bryan, who accused the bankers of the time and the railroad barons of oppressing farmers and industrial workers.”

“Oz” is a nod to the abbreviation for ounce, symbolizing gold, a standard of wealth. Dorothy, hailing from populist Kansas, represents the common person. Her companions – the Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman, and Cowardly Lion – symbolize the agricultural, industrial, and political classes, respectively.

Through their journey along the yellow brick road – representing the gold standard – the book critiques the promises and shortcomings of political leadership.

“Ultimately, Dorothy’s unintentional defeat of the Wicked Witch of the West with water, reflects real-world issues such as drought and the struggles of farmers. The Wizard’s departure in a hot air balloon signifies the “hot air” of political rhetoric, leaving the Scarecrow – representing farmers – to govern Oz, while the Tin Woodsman assumes control in the East, mirroring a shift away from Wall Street’s influence. Meanwhile, the Cowardly Lion’s return to the forest symbolizes Bryan’s electoral defeat.”

Transitioning from the literary realm, Ulmer reflected on her own journey of self-discovery and professional growth, drawing parallels between her own experiences and Dorothy’s journey, and how each challenge and milestone shaped who she is today.

“I was that farm girl growing up in rural Saskatchewan with dreams of being in far off places and learned the importance of my meaning through my own personal journey,” she said.

When the time came to go to college, the anxiety set in.

“There were huge expectations. I did what I always do, I stopped, I reflected, took stock of what is around and within me. My mother instilled in me a very strong sense of values, compassion for others, and a survivor’s instinct. Growing up in a rural setting provided me with several role models on what it means to live a life that’s authentic, one with humility and one with transparency.”

And the education she gained from life experience and formal education granted her the knowledge and the skills to proceed.

While her placements with RBC provided her with experience in the world of work, the tornado of change kept spinning. When that twister touched down on her own personal Oz, she set out on a journey where she learned many lessons that were comparable to Dorothy’s journey.

“The very first of these lessons came early in Dorothy’s life when she decided to be open to the advice of others, which was to follow the yellow brick road. Opening yourself up to advice is important on anyone’s journey. Vibrancy is truly born out of collaboration.”

Unexpected growth can be found in seeking the mentorship of others, she says. “As well as dealing with the unknown. I was someone who early on said, ‘I’m a prairie kid. I’m a farm kid. I’m not going to Toronto.’ Until one day, it actually happened, and we moved to Toronto as a family.”

It was through that difficult family decision that she found an unexpected road to follow, a road that would lead her home again, and to opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible had she not taken that journey.

“I find that by remaining open, I ensure that I am not wearing blinders that are going to restrict opportunities ahead of me. Never hesitate to stomp out your own path. As it was with my career, there are many times when you need to tap into your inner Fleetwood Mac, and “go your own way”. You must find your own method. Trust your instincts. Keep your values close, and most importantly, believe in the unlimited potential of you.”

In The Wizard of Oz, even Dorothy strayed from the path occasionally. She found herself in a field of poppies and fell asleep, leaving her and her friends exposed to an attack of the Wicked Witch of the West.

“When you venture out on your own, you may stumble or find yourself in a slump, or even just stuck,” Ulmer said, quoting another children’s author, Dr. Suess, who wrote, “Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.”

“I also subscribe to what Winston Churchill said, ‘When you find yourself going through hell, just keep going.’ Trusting in the idea that your own personal capacity may be limitless is the key to keep thriving and prospering.”

In her concluding remarks, Ulmer offered five guiding principles, reflecting her journey and the wisdom she gleaned along the way.

1. Continue to find meaning in everything you do. Reflect on your higher purpose and let it guide you each, and every day.

2. Be prepared to stomp out your own yellow brick road.

3. See relevance in your life, through continuous learning with an open heart, and courage that will always help lead you forward. Remember to find rewards for efforts within you, and not from things or people around you.

4. Avoid looking to wizards to fix your problems and stop listening to the witches in your brain, who seek to discourage you with their noise. Listen to these wise words of the wonderful Wizard of Oz, who said to Dorothy, “Always believe in who you are, and let no one stand in your way.” Let that be your “somewhere over the rainbow”.

5. When you get home, click your heels together three times, and think of the footprints that you continue to leave in this world, and think about the people you care about every day, to help you remember there is no place like home.