Minister congratulates Women Interested in Networking

Sandra C. Kelly, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, today extended congratulations to the Women Interested in Networking organization for successfully staging the "Women and Community Leadership" dinner and discussion in Harbour Grace.

"The evening provided a wonderful opportunity to discuss women and their leadership opportunities in communities," said Minister Kelly. "Michelle Haire and her committee did a wonderful job of bringing together a diverse group of women for the event. It is obvious that women in this province are concerned about the political direction of their communities and they want to play a role in the decision-making process. Women are realizing that their leadership is an important part of the social, political and economic success of their communities."

One hundred and twenty women attended the evening session at the Harbour Grace RecPlex. The event was organized to address the low numbers of women who are coming forward to run for election in the area and to encourage other communities across the province to do the same. Michelle Haire introduced the evening by saying women�s perspectives are not better than men�s, they�re just different. She stated that these different perspectives need to be heard at decision making tables across the province.

"It was a truly inspiring evening," said Minister Kelly. "I hope that it has a long term impact on the number of women who come forth to run for elected positions and the support they receive within their communities. I hope women across the province will look at the example set by the women of the Trinity Conception area this past evening and establish their own action groups to encourage women�s participation in municipal and school board elections. I also encourage women across the province to put their names forward for various public service boards and commissions as their leadership is important as we move forward as a province."

In addition to Minister Kelly, four speakers (Joyce Hancock, president of the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women; Gladys Mercer, councillor, Town of Carbonear; Dianne Whalen, mayor, Town of Paradise; Kathy LeGrow, president, Canadian School Boards Association) addressed the gathering and described their personal experiences within electoral processes.

During the evening, copies of the booklet �A Woman�s Manual on Organizing an Election Campaign,� prepared by the Women�s Mentoring Program Advisory Committee and reprinted by the Women�s Policy Office, were distributed to women in the audience. The booklet was designed to aid women who wish to run for municipal and school board elections. This document is available to women across the province who might be interested in running for municipal and school board elections in the province and can be obtained by contacting the Women�s Policy Office at (709) 729-5009.

Media contact: Janice Lockyer, Communications, Women�s Policy Office, (709) 729-5730.

2001 06 13                                                           4:05 p.m.