Join Alexa McDonough, Mount Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, for a multi-partisan panel discussion on women’s equality in the political realm.
A joint initiative among the Mount’s Department of Political and Canadian Studies, Fair Vote Nova Scotia and Equal Voice, this panel will explore whether electoral reform would help promote political equality for women.
“The world of politics has often been described as an ‘old boys club’ wherein a ‘glass ceiling’ has significantly limited the advancement of women,” says Dr. Michael MacMillan, Professor and Chair of the Department of Political and Canadian Studies. “Our panel offers a distinguished group of successful women politicians who can assess what is needed to change this picture.”
While women have made dramatic advances in elected public office in Canada, the fact remains that women hold a much smaller share of those offices relative to their make-up of the population. Currently women account for approximately 23 per cent of both the Nova Scotia Legislature and the federal House of Commons.
Dr. McDonough is a passionate advocate for women in politics. She was the first woman to lead a recognized political party in Canada when she was elected leader of the federal New Democratic Party (NDP) in 1995.
Joining Dr. McDonough will be:
* Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Member of Legislative Assembly for Lunenburg West (MLA). She was a Cabinet Minister in the previous Progressive Conservative government. She has held positions such as the Status of Women Minister, Seniors minister and Immigration minister.
* Megan Leslie, NDP Member of Parliament, Halifax, is devoted to helping communities in need around Halifax. Her commitment to social justice has earned her many awards including the Muriel Duckworth award for raising consciousness of women’s issues and feminism in the legal community.
* Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, is a dedicated environmentalist and has contributed to the creation of several national parks. Ms. May has also worked to negotiate for pollution control measures in the province. In 2006, she was named one of the world’s leading women environmentalists by the United Nations.
* Diana Whalen has been a Member of Legislative Assembly for Clayton Park since 2003. In addition to being Deputy Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, she is critic in the key areas of Finance and Immigration, as well as the Advisory Council on the Status of Women.
What: Women in the House: Does Gender Equity Require Electoral Reform?
When: Wednesday, October 14th, 3-5 p.m.
Where: Multi-purpose Room, Rosaria Student Centre, Mount Saint Vincent University
Reception to Follow
-30-
For more information contact:
Akiko Lovett
t. 457-6439
c. 441-0505