Media: Rosemary Ganley - Women in politics share their stories in new book by Peterborough author

Originally published in the Peterborough Examiner on September 25, 2019.

By Rosemary Ganley, Special to the Examiner

Over the past three years, I've often caught sight of Betsy McGregor of Lakefield, who was federal Liberal candidate in 2008 and 2011 in Peterborough, hard at work in one corner of the Planet Bakery in the Trent Athletic Centre.

She started at 7 a.m. and, during the day, toiled amid books, papers, her phone and computer, taking breaks for food and for fitness upstairs. It was a huge labour of love to interview and record the insights of 95 Canadian women who had ever run for office, at all levels of government, successful or not. There was the job of finding pictures, getting permission and enlisting a publisher.

She did it all.

The result is a handsome 243-page volume, attractive to look at and to pick up, called "Women on the Ballot: Pathways to Political Power" (Plum Leaf Press). In brilliant colour, and in their own voices, 95 women tell remarkably frank stories. They are from all provinces and territories, and all political parties They describe their motivations, their experiences, their hard work, their disappointments and defeats, and their resilience.

Their stories span a 50-year period in Canada, from 1968 (Hazel McCallion) to 2018.

It should be in every high school across the country, in every public library, university and college; in women's studies courses, political science, civics and history. It is a lively and relevant reference book to be promoted among girls and women considering politics, and the general reader, too.

Recent public research shows that women have not reached a critical mass in public positions and remain disadvantaged in Canada. In the House of Commons, women are at 26 per cent. The present government makes heroic efforts to right the balance with its gender-equal cabinet, but other levels have not stepped up, nor have public attitudes changed fast enough. In many cases today, women candidates are sacrificial lambs, given unwinnable ridings and less money for campaigns than male candidates.

The book has collected page after page of appealing and diverse faces: Canadian women who have run in elections.

It is a rich sampling of powerful, personal stories. The process of entering politics is demystified. The women speak frankly about the toll on family life, the financial and career sacrifices, and the fatigue. In these times, online harassment and even threats need to be heeded and dealt with.

I hail Betsy McGregor's work, her assiduous research and numerous cold calls to politicians' homes and offices, her vast knowledge of personalities in Canada and her vigour in bringing the book to completion.

Full disclosure here: In 2010, I ran for a city council seat in Northcrest and was defeated by two men. So I appear in a minor way in this volume.

But it is not just tactics and tools. There is practical advice for girls and women contemplating the next step. Many women look at a certain policy — for example, cutbacks to health, education or social services — and say: "That's it; I'm running."

McGregor gives advice on getting training and attending non-partisan training schools, either in person or online, such as the ones offered by "Equal Voice."

Twelve local women are featured in "Women on the Ballot," including Maryam Monsef, Linda Slavin, Diane Therrien, Sylvia Sutherland, Barb Jinkerson, Kemi Akapo, Mary Smith and Kim Zippel. There are 37 MPs, four Indigenous leaders and six mayors.

"Women run for purpose, not power" McGregor says. "They need to slay the dragon of doubt. There is no job description for politics."

McGregor maintains that in a campaign, 90 per cent is actually out of the local candidate's control. It has to do with the brand, the leader and the policies being promoted. "Only 10 per cent is you."

I waited too long, in my 70s, to run for office. This book will assure that hundreds of other women start early. And finish strong.

Reach writer, activist and teacher Rosemary Ganley at rganley2016@gmail.com.