It’s certainly never happened in New Westminster before. Perhaps, it’s never happened in B.C. before. The three candidates representing the three major political parties in B.C. running in this city are all women. Does this make a difference? Should it make a difference? We asked the three candidates some questions about gender in politics and in their personal lives. Candidates were limited to 70 words per answer.
Who is (or was) a role model who inspired you to enter politics, and why was she inspiring?
Dawn Black and Carole James are courageous, passionate and principled leaders who are committed to making life better for people - not driven by self-interest. I am also inspired by countless women who contribute enormously and remain unrecognized. Women who educate our children. Care for seniors. Women who start a small business. Female first responders. Newcomers who have had to overcome huge obstacles. I am in awe of them all!
As a young girl growing up, when did you first notice that sexism existed? Explain.
For me, it was watching my mother confined by traditional expectations of women in the family - and seeing the toll that took on her. I have had the opportunity to take on challenging careers and raise a child. My mother didn’t have those choices. And there are many women still who have so much to contribute, but are limited by low wages, lack of childcare, education or other barriers.
Did that change your view of the world? If so, how?
I began working for women’s equality in my late teens – and I haven’t stopped! Equal pay. Child care. Violence against women. LGBTQ rights. Racial equality. Harassment and bullying in the workplace and in schools. These are issues that have been at the heart of the work I’ve done for many years.
When have you encountered sexism while running in this race and how have you dealt with it?
New Westminster has a long tradition of electing strong women like Anita Hagen and Dawn Black. I think as a community there is a lot of support for women to lead. I am much more concerned about tackling the barriers that many women in our community face. Low wages. Lack of affordable child care. Caring for aging parents and children without the support and services they need.
Do you think Christy Clark is treated differently by the media because she is a woman?
You can’t turn sexism off like a light switch, so I think all women in politics face a double standard whether we like it or not. However, the B.C. media has dropped the ball in holding Christy Clark to account for so many of her terrible policy decisions, decisions that have hurt women and families in our community and across B.C.
What single item in your party’s platform would make the biggest improvement in women’s lives in B.C.?
We will bring in a universal, safe, quality, affordable child care program. Childcare advocates have worked on this plan for years, consulted widely, learned from other places, and put together the best, most practical system that will work for BC families. Right now families are paying what amounts to a second mortgage for childcare, or many women are not able to return to work because they just can’t afford it.
How have other women supported you in your life? And how has that made a difference for you?
I treasure all the women who have mentored, supported and challenged me. Rosemary Brown taught us that it’s not enough for women to break through the glass ceiling as individual symbols - we need to change the system for everyone. I have broken through a lot of doors in my life, but I’ve also worked to continually break down barriers, open doors and make life better for all women.
