5 Steps to Encourage Political Involvement For the Girls In Your Life
As we celebrate International Women's Month, it's important to remember that empowering young girls to get involved in politics is crucial to creating a more equal and representative society. While politics can seem intimidating and overwhelming, we can all take a few simple steps to encourage girls to get involved and make a difference in their communities.
1. Start Early
Encouraging young girls to build their leadership skills early on can be a great way to set them on the path toward political success. One way to do this is by encouraging them to get involved in student government or extracurricular activities that promote leadership and community involvement. This can include clubs that focus on community service, student council, or even sports teams where they can develop teamwork and communication skills. By starting early, girls can gain the confidence and experience they need to become successful leaders later in life.
2. Highlight Role Models
Girls must see other women in leadership roles to visualize themselves in those positions. By being a role model, you can inspire young girls to get involved in politics and make a difference in their communities. This can include sharing your own experiences and stories of success and introducing them to other women in leadership roles who they can look up to. By showing girls that women can be successful in politics, we can inspire them to pursue their own goals and dreams.
Here are just a few to get you started:
The Right Honourable Kim Campbell - Canada's first female Prime Minister (1993-1994), also served as Minister of National Defence and Minister of Justice.
Jody Wilson-Raybould - Former MP and Minister of Justice, an advocate for Indigenous rights and reconciliation in Canada.
Chrystia Freeland - Canada's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, a champion for free trade and international trade agreements.
Rosemary Brown - First Black woman to be elected to a Canadian provincial legislature (1972), a champion of women's and minority rights, and instrumental in the creation of Canada's multiculturalism policy.
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon - Former Canadian diplomat and Inuk leader who was appointed as Canada's first Indigenous Governor General; an advocate for Indigenous rights and reconciliation, as well as climate action and environmental protection.
Looking to be inspired by northern ontario women? Check out our blog series on the women who ran for council in the 2022 ontario municipal election.
Natalie Labbee is a councillor in Greater Sudbury.
Lindsay Koch is a councillor in Kenora.
Kelsie Van Belleghem is a councillor in Kenora.
France Bouvier is a councillor in Cochrane.
Justine Mallah is a councillor in North Bay.
Donica LeBlanc is a School Board Trustee for the Lakehead District School Board in Thunder Bay.
Julie Ann Bertram is a School Board Trustee in Zone 1 for the Near North District School Board in West Nipissing.
Kathy Hamer is a municipal councillor in McDougall, Ontario.
Judy Kosmerly is a School Board Trustee in Area 3, Wards 5 & 6 for Rainbow District School Board in Greater Sudbury.
Catherine Kiewning is a Councillor in Dryden.
Barbara Manson is a councillor in Kenora.
Leslie (she/her) is excited to be running for City Council in Ward 9. She is a lifelong Sudburian: educated in Greater Sudbury, she also raised her family in the city and was employed in public service for over 30 years. She comes from a family of entrepreneurs who have always been immersed in business and keen to help Sudbury grow in the right direction. She is a tireless advocate working in the field of Social Services and is presently a Patient & Family Advisor at Health Sciences North and the Chair of the Northern Initiative for Social Action (a Peer Lead Organization of persons with lived experience of mental health challenges/mental illness). The Northern Initiative for Social Action is member-driven and offers meaningful and useful programs, and believes in active recovery rather than passive dependence on community services.
Marie (she/her) was first elected and began her journey as a trustee in 2018. Her background and experience in community leadership and engagement lend themselves to an understanding of the importance of advocacy and governance. The past four years have provided her with a better understanding of the framework in education at the local, district and provincial levels.
Leah (she/her) retired two years ago after 33 years in education. She has worked for Lakehead Public Schools, three regional school boards, and the Ministry of Education in various roles, including teacher, principal, superintendent, Student Achievement Officer, and Thunder Bay regional manager for Field Services. Many of these roles allowed her to work with different staff and students across Northwestern Ontario. Those work opportunities provided Leah with not only a local perspective but a regional and provincial one. As a Trustee, she believes she can bring that breadth of knowledge as the elected board of trustees participates in making decisions that would benefit all schools and their communities. She remains committed to quality education and would love the opportunity to be a voice of education experience for the community at the trustee table.
Angela (she/her) is a serial entrepreneur and community hype woman. In 2019, she was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by Northern Ontario Business. In 2020 when the pandemic struck, she chaired an initiative to bring lunches to children in geared-to-income housing and was awarded by TD Canada Trust for doing so. Angela was recognized as 1 of 6 recipients across North America for the TD “Thank You” program for her commitment to her community. Her business, The Breakfast Pig, has been awarded and written about across Canada.
Julie Ann (she/her) is a parent of 3 children attending schools within the NNDSB. Her background is in the arts, as a musician and writer. She has been running a business in West Nipissing for over ten years and sits on a few volunteer committees in her small community of Field. She believes that strong and progressive communities begin with a strong and progressive public education system.
Marilyn (she/her) is a widow, retired nurse, and licensed real estate agent. She has been on many committees over the years. She simply wants to help the people of Thunder Bay.
Born in Sudbury and raised in Blind River, Natalie has spent most of her adult life living in various small communities across northern Ontario, making a difference and enhancing the quality of life in those communities by giving her time, talents, and leadership over the last 28 years. She is the proud mother of two young adult sons who live in Greater Sudbury and is the Assistant Manager at a non-profit organization that enhances the quality of life for Older Adults ages 50 or better! Natalie's extensive resume includes diverse experience working for two municipalities, the public, private and non-profit sectors and as an entrepreneur. She has chaired and contributed as a Board Member for over two decades in various sectors. She has volunteered for countless organizations and spearheaded many successful grassroots community projects. She was also elected and served on Municipal Council in Manitouwadge from 2010-2014. Growing up in Blind River, her parents taught her that being of service to others is one of the best things you can do to improve your community. They made it clear to Natalie through their actions and encouraged her to seek opportunities, saying, “If something needs to be done, you can’t wait for others to do it. It all starts with you!” Since relocating to Capreol from northwestern Ontario in 2014, she’s known for Coordinating the Capreol Santa Claus Parade and recently taking the reins in bringing Capreol Days back for everyone to enjoy, which was a tremendous success.
Stacy is a mom of 3 children who is currently working for the Office of Graduate Studies at Laurentian University. She also holds the office of the Dean of Residence at Thorneloe University. Stacy is also passionate about her community and has sat as an Executive Member for the Ward 10 Community Action Network and a founding member of the Ward 1 Kingsmount/Bell Park CAN. She served as President of the Greater Sudbury Kinette Club, sat as a member of the Conseil d'éducation catholique at École St. Denis, volunteered with Sole Hope, and served as Vice-President for the United Nations Association of Canada - Sudbury Chapter.
Kelly Fettes aims to offer the fresh perspective of a community-minded parent with a goal to advocate for students actively and prepare them to thrive and grow. Her perspective is important in the quest to improve the school experience, making it work for all students, parents, teachers, and partners alike. Kelly has served on a number of volunteer boards, including Little Lions Waldorf Daycare, Leadership Thunder Bay, and most recently, the Thunder Bay Country Market. These commitments have included executive designations (President & Vice-President) and Director at large. She is an active volunteer who strives to improve this community, donating her time to several community initiatives. Currently, Kelly is employed as an Administrative Officer at Lakehead University, where she utilizes her superior skills in staff, client and stakeholder relationships and provides her expertise in administrative procedures and protocols.
Justine Mallah has over eight years of experience in community outreach, political engagement, and health promotion. Justine works in mental health and is the chair of the Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee of Nipissing, co-chair of the Gambling Harm Reduction Partnership of Nipissing and Parry Sound, and a member of North Bay’s Terry Fox Run Planning Committee. Justine is a dedicated supporter of the arts and has facilitated workshops for Art Fix and redeveloped the Gateway Theatre Guild’s website. Before moving to North Bay, Justine managed a charitable organization called Meagan’s Hug, which has raised over $5 million for research into childhood brain tumours. Justine has a Master of Arts degree in Communication and a Graduate Diploma in Health: Science, Technology, and Policy from Carleton University. After her schooling, Justine completed a course in Spain focusing on community development under Dr. Bengt Lindstrom, a leading researcher in the field. In this course, Justine gained tools to help cities identify what is really working (the strengths) and to build, promote, and maximize these strengths to create more community.
Ellen has spent her entire career in education, beginning as an elementary teacher and then continuing in the classroom and special education. She was the president of the local Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and an ETFO Provincial Executive Member. She advocated locally, provincially, and nationally for LGBTTQI+ students’ rights and safety. Ellen was on the Project Advisory Panel for the Egale First National Survey on Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia in Canadian Schools. She is co-chair of Diversity Thunder Bay (DTB), chair of DTB Education Committee, volunteer for Birds Canada, and a founding member and past co-chair of Thunder Pride. She is the recipient of the ETFO provincial Humanitarian Award, the ETFO President’s Award, the Thunder Bay Mayor’s Hero Award and the Thunder Pride Visionary Award. Her passion is education and children. Her love is her family and friends (and dogs and nature). She pledges to help whenever she can.
Yuk-Sem Won is a Labour Law litigator, Part-Time Faculty Member at Confederation College specializing in Business, and has a background in Education. She has raised her family, established her career and has over 30 years of volunteering and governance experience, including the Thunder Bay District Labour Council, TBay Business Women’s Network, Accueil francophone, TBay Chinese Canadian Association, and the Orange Abinoojiinh Movement for Residential School Survivors. She has never been able to ‘just wait’ for change to happen but chooses to invest time and energy to be a part of the change she wants to see. This is the foundation of her community leadership and interest in politics. As Neebing Ward Councillor, she wants to bring her experience, knowledge, and advocacy skills to city council. She appreciates the non-partisan structure of municipal politics, focusing on collaboration and respectful advocacy for the needs of the people, economic development and the community's well-being.
Lisa Vezeau-Allen grew up in Sault Ste. Marie. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Laurentian University in 1991 and attained a Not-for-Profit Management postgraduate degree in 2006 from St. Clair College. Her work experience is varied: she instructed in Communications at both St. Clair College and Sault College, supported the Big Brothers Association of Sault Ste Marie in a fundraising role, as well as led organizations in a Director capacity (including Sault Youth Association and the Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie). She was Director of Development for the YMCA of Boulder County in Colorado. She was elected to City Council in 2018 and is involved in various committees and boards in her capacity as Councilor, including; SSM Police Services Board, Downtown Association, Finance Committee, Social Equity Committee, Accessibility Committee and others. In the latter part of 2019, she founded and is Board President of Grocer 4 Good Ability Development Program, a social enterprise committed to programming and paid employment for persons with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, other intellectual disabilities and those facing other employment barriers. Lisa joined her first Board of Directors at 18 and has over 25 years of experience in the Not-for-Profit sector. She believes in community, the joy of giving back and the strength of collaborations.
Johanne has lived in North Bay for 60 years. She was raised by blue-collar parents who instilled strong work ethics, integrity, commitment and reliability. She has devoted over 50 years of community volunteerism, including 23 years of board experience. She had a 37-year career in the sewing industry as a patternmaker, business owner and national sewing educator. Since retiring in 2014, she has had the pleasure of serving on city council 2018-present. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, spending time with family, and taking advantage of all that North Bay offers.
Annelise Iacoe has been married Rico for over 41 years. She is a mother to two daughters named Annetta and Emilie. She is blessed with three grandchildren (Drew, Abby and Presley). She has been an educator for over 42 years. She retired as an elementary school principal seven years ago, but she continues to teach literacy to children in both English and French.
Tammy was raised in the beautiful community of Elliot Lake. She was a part of the first pride committee formed in Elliot Lake. She has a background in finance and management. She holds a first-level management degree from the Retail Council of Canada.
Before retiring, Donica worked in education for 33 years in various roles; teacher, Vice Principal, Principal, Supervising Principal, and Special Education Officer. Her first years were spent working in outlying communities; the remainder were with Lakehead Public Schools. The experience in outlying communities supported her in developing an understanding of the educational needs of the Indigenous People. She has been part of many committees, for example, the Early Childhood Education Committee at Confederation College, a member of the Board Of Directors at Communities Together for Children and the Lakehead University Achievement Program Committee. She has two children who went through the Lakehead Public School System and Lakehead University and are now contributing to the healthcare workforce in Thunder Bay. Donica believes that with her diverse background in Education, she can be a strong voice for the community.
Evelyn has extensive and diverse experience in municipal government. She sat on three municipal governments from 2006 to 2018, with three mayors. She also sat on Rayside Balfour Council, from 1989 to 1994. She was a high school teacher for 33 years. As a councillor, she worked with groups and individuals to meet goals. Some of her successes as a council member are Villa St. Gabriel, the Therapeutic/Leisure Pool in Azilda, the 4-laning of MR 35, the Revitalization of the Donovan, and Park improvements in the Ward. Since 2018, she has been working with Abbeyfield Canada to provide affordable housing for older adults. She is also the Co-Chair of the Compassionate City.
Tracey (she/her/elle) has won numerous leadership awards, has taken many leadership courses, and has been asked to speak for Leadership Thunder Bay. She has lived experience along with years of volunteer work throughout the community. She co-founded a women’s hand drum group years ago which is still going strong — so much so that recently, the group was asked to open for a live event in the city this past summer. She is a mother, grandmother, friend, ally, advocate & candidate. She has also run in federal and provincial elections.
3. Make it Accessible
Politics can seem like an exclusive club, but it doesn't have to be. By making politics accessible, we can encourage more young girls to participate and make a difference in their communities. This can include encouraging them to attend council meetings, engaging with their local representatives, and asking questions. Girls must know that their voices matter and that they have a place at the table. By providing them with the tools and resources they need to get involved, we can help them become successful leaders and advocates for change.
4. Highlight the Issues
Young girls are more likely to get involved in politics if they see the issues they care about being discussed and addressed. We can encourage girls to speak up and take action by highlighting the issues that matter to them. This can include encouraging them to attend rallies or protests, writing letters to local representatives, or even running for office. By giving them the tools and resources they need to make a difference, we can empower young girls to become advocates for change and help create a better future for all.
What are 5 books girls and their parents can read to empower them to become advocates for change:
"I Am Malala" by Malala Yousafzai: In this memoir, Malala shares her incredible story of standing up to the Taliban in Pakistan and fighting for girls' education. Her bravery and determination are truly inspiring and show young readers that even the smallest voices can make a big impact.
"The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas: This powerful novel follows the story of Starr Carter, a black teenager who witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend by a police officer. The book addresses important issues around racism, police brutality, and activism, and encourages young readers to use their voices to fight for change.
"Rad Girls Can" by Kate Schatz: This book features 50 real-life stories of young girls and women who have made a difference in the world. From activists to scientists to athletes, these stories are sure to inspire readers and show them that anything is possible if they work hard and believe in themselves.
“Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Inspiring Young Changemakers” by Rebel Girls. A collection of inspiring stories featuring extraordinary young women who are making a difference in the world, including well-known figures like Greta Thunberg and up-and-coming changemakers like inventor Vinisha Umashankar and poet Alexandra Huynh. Each story is accompanied by a bold portrait created by young female and nonbinary artists.
“Govern Like a Girl: The Women Who Became Canada’s First Ministers” by Kate Graham: Thirteen Canadian female politicians, including one Prime Minister and twelve Premiers, are highlighted in this book. The stories of their childhoods, political careers, and differences from male politicians are told to inspire future female leaders.
5. Celebrate Success
When girls get involved in politics and make a difference, it's important to celebrate their achievements. This can include recognizing them publicly, providing them with opportunities for growth and development, or simply congratulating them on a job well done. By celebrating their successes, we can build their confidence and inspire them to continue making a difference in their communities. This can also encourage other young girls to participate in politics and contribute to the world.
Celebrating success for girls in politics can also involve engaging the community. This can be done through public events, such as panel discussions, town halls, or networking events showcasing girls' political accomplishments. By involving the community in celebrating their success, we can build a sense of pride and unity and inspire others to participate in politics and make a difference.
TL;DR
Encouraging young girls to get involved in politics is crucial for building a more equal and representative society. We can achieve this by providing role models, making politics accessible, highlighting issues, and celebrating success. Let's work together to inspire girls to make a difference in their communities and create a brighter future in politics.Disclaimer: By clicking and purchasing any of the products linked in this post, we may earn a very small commission.
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We talk about the importance of empowering young girls to lead and encouraging them to get involved in politics. By providing role models, making politics accessible, highlighting issues, and celebrating success, we can inspire girls to make a difference in their communities and create a brighter future in politics. Let's work together to build a more equal and representative society, where every girl has the opportunity to be a leader!
Our members of parliament, members of provincial parliament, and municipal councillors have a unique job requirement—they must cast a vote on issues that affect their constituents, and try to vote with that in mind. They're not mind-readers. They can only vote based on the information they have. This is why it's important that you contact your political representative to let them know how you feel about whatever is at stake.
We need everyone to start realising that these women are leaders and that their training on our community organisations are as valuable as the traditional experience and background we would normally look for in our politicians.
Consider joining a municipal board to positively impact your community and gain valuable leadership experience. The application process is open to anyone, regardless of background or experience. Don't miss the chance to get involved and make a difference.