COLUMN: Calling all leaders

A few weeks ago, I attended a conference with sessions focused on a wide variety of progressive policy ideas for local government.

I enjoyed many of the sessions, but one in particular stood out – Public Communication for Women. 

The session description was lengthy, but in a nutshell it acknowledged that women are still underrepresented in public policy debates, in the media and at elected tables. 

The session would create “a space for sharing experiences and to help one another to be more confident, visible and effective public communicators.”

For 90 minutes, a group of women of all ages representing various government bodies and policy organizations shared their stories in a safe space. 

The stories took us from laughter to anger, from frustration to sadness, and confirmed that our work to level the playing field is not done. 

As a woman with leadership roles in politics and business, the stories mirrored many of my experiences. 

The session also made me realize how important it is for me to pay forward the mentorship that I have received by becoming a source of support, advice or information for other women considering dipping their toe into political life or taking up another leadership role in our community, be it joining a task force, board, committee or becoming an advocate for social change.

When I threw my name in the mix for our last civic election, there were 20 candidates running for a council seat; five of them were women. 

The last time I checked, women in Squamish made up more than 25 per cent of the population.

Many women don’t run for office or take up a leadership position until they are asked. 

So if you’re a woman reading this, regardless of your age or culture or identity and you’re curious about leadership in our community, I invite you to contact me confidentially; let’s talk. 

I will share with you what I have learned and what I am still figuring out. I won’t pressure you, claim to have the recipe for success or tell you I have all of the answers, but you will have my honesty and encouragement. 

If you are a man reading this, then I invite you to share this article with the bright and talented women you know.

If I run again in 2018, I hope that I will be amongst a larger group of women who are advocating for a wide range of ideas and policies. 

Even if we don’t all win, our voices will be heard and we will be building the leadership capacity of women in Squamish. 

Contact me at [email protected] or 604-848-4976.