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Students and Faculty Participate in Women in Politics Community Event

Women In Political Engagement: A Roadmap event draws attendees from across the community

Betsy McGregor poses with Trent students (from l to r) Diane Therrien, Charlotte Caza, Sara Ostrowska, Zara Syed, and Adrienne Sultana
Betsy McGregor poses with Trent students (from l to r) Diane Therrien, Charlotte Caza, Sara Ostrowska, Zara Syed, and Adrienne Sultana

At an important community event aimed at sharing the experiences of and advice for women in politics, Trent University faculty and students played an important role as both speakers and attendees.

The January 25, 2014 event, entitled “Women in Political Engagement: A Roadmap,” was organized by the YWCA. The goal of the event, which attracted over 60 women from across the community, was to pass on experiences of women who have run for electoral office to women interested in running for office as well as supporting female candidates.

Dr. Nadine Changfoot, acting chair of Political Studies at Trent, co-chaired the event with Lynn Zimmer, YWCA executive director, and a number of Trent students participated in a panel discussion, providing perspectives on why youth don’t get involved in the electoral arena, even while they are involved politically in their communities. The students also shared their thoughts on what needs to change to increase youth engagement, both in the community and within the University. 

Curve Lake First Nation Chief Phyllis Williams opened the event, and shared her wisdom of experience, and asked that First Nations women be in the minds of engaged women. Dr. Anita Vanderbeld of Equal Voice spoke about Canada’s lower position globally for numbers of women elected. Throughout the day, past and present political candidates also shared their experiences of running, while local media representatives and Cammie Jacquays a professor in the Business Administration program at Trent, spoke on what makes a good story when covering elections. Betsy McGregor, local Liberal federal candidate, shared the strategy and process of her first nomination campaign in a moving photo journal. Finally, there was the opportunity for participants and up-and-coming politicians to practice answering the questions, “I’m running because…,” or “I’m supporting her because…”

Participants at the event spoke highly of the experience. One attendee said: “The channels for change hit home for me being a younger woman, highlighting how important it is to make women and politics a priority in the future.”
 
Photo caption: Betsy McGregor poses with Trent students (from l to r) Diane Therrien, Charlotte Caza, Sara Ostrowska, Zara Syed, and Adrienne Sultana


Posted on Thursday, January 30, 2014.

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