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?
Joyce Murray, former New Westminster B.C. Liberal MLA and Cabinet Minister, is the person who encouraged me to run for office after I worked on her 2005 campaign. Joyce inspired me with her leadership, intelligence, experience, hard work and integrity. Her incredible determination and grit gave me confidence that I too could achieve great things. Joyce taught me that politics is a noble and worthy pathway to serving my community.
As a young girl growing up, when did you first notice that sexism existed? Explain.
My very progressive parents instilled in me the idea that I should resist gender norms and believe that I could be anyone I wanted to be. A child of the 1960s, I grew up with a sense of empowerment and boldness that I carry with me to this day. I do not take my gender empowerment for granted have had a strong interest in gender studies my whole adult life.
Did that change your view of the world? If so, how?
My awareness of sexism has guided many of my decisions is life and most of all caused me to reject the concept of rigid gender-based “roles” and behaviors. I am keenly aware of the adverse impact of judgmental, narrow, and pejorative gender stereotypes. We should resist orthodox positions of what women should or should not be doing in their careers and families.
When have you encountered sexism while running in this race and how have you dealt with it?
When you run a campaign sometimes you get mean and negative comments. That includes sexist comments. But you can't take it personally. We all want to make sure that our kids and grandkids are set up for the brightest future we can give them. That's what you have to keep in mind and work towards.
Do you think Christy Clark is treated differently by the media because she is a woman?
Absolutely. There is a false narrative in our public discourse that women on the left are fighting for women’s rights whereas women on the right are merely the puppets of powerful men. It’s this pure sexism that may explain why John Horgan’s suggestive leering and voyeuristic comments during the first leaders debate have not been more roundly condemned by the media. Horgan’s sexism towards Clark should have disqualified him immediately.
What single item in your party’s platform would make the biggest improvement in women’s lives in B.C.?
I think the best way to champion the advancement of women in B.C. is to have women in positions of leadership, which one of the many reasons why I support Christy Clark and one of the reasons I am running for political office.
How have other women supported you in your life? And how has that made a difference for you?
There are many trailblazing women in my life who I have looked up to as examples of courage and fortitude. This has helped me to take on risks and great challenges in the face of many hurdles and obstacles. I was particularly uplifted as a contributor and compiler of the 2012 book Grace Grit and Gusto: Profiles of Remarkable Royal City Women about 40 incredible women, past and present.
