Pearls and Politics - Online Exhibit

Ellen Anderson, Mayor of the Town of Blue Mountains 2003-2014

Ellen Anderson first ran for office at the urging of a friend. While Anderson initially lost the election, she was later called upon to replace a councillor who passed away suddenly. The following term, in 1988, she ran for and was elected Mayor of Thornbury, becoming the youngest elected female mayor in Canada until 2009.

Anderson feels women might shy away from politics because of the commitment it requires, another factor being the focus of municipal governments on infrastructure and land development – items which may be of little interest to many women.

Anderson brought a course to the area offered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to coach women on how to get involved in municipal politics. As Mayor, she emphasized the need to provide seniors and youth programs, blending new and established residents to better the community. Anderson believes that women excel at making quick assessments and moving forward with decisions, traits required by a successful Mayor.

Anderson retired from politics in 2014.

''I'm very active as far as trying to get women in politics. We need young women. Not that there's anything wrong with older women, but if we look at the balance of councils, we need young people to become more involved because we need their points of view so that we have a balanced council.''

Deb Haswell, Mayor of the City of Owen Sound, 2010-2014

Deborah Haswell served as Mayor of Owen Sound from 2010 to 2014. Prior to being elected Mayor, Haswell was a City Councillor, serving a term as City representative on Grey County Council.

Haswell was born and raised in Owen Sound. She pursued post secondary education at Conestoga College in Kitchener, earning a Social Services Diploma. Haswell is community minded and has a long history of volunteer involvement.

Her introduction to politics came with the first phase of ''The Big Dig'' (a construction project on downtown Owen Sound's pipe system). This was her initiative, and she felt it was necessary to revitalize the city's downtown.

Haswell considers time and money the biggest factors which deter women from entering politics. She noted that it is easier for women to be elected in their first term than it is in their second, suggesting there's a willingness to support female candidates but, once elected, women must prove themselves. Haswell believes women are strong communicators and mediators, who, due to gender inequalities, are sympathetic to minority and disadvantaged groups.

''Most of the women that I've met in politics are very driven in terms of wanting to get a job done. They just want to get it done and it's more the end goal than the means to get there. I think women bring a tremendous amount of knowledge, experience, and determination to municipal politics.''

Ruth Lovell Stanners, Mayor of the City of Owen Sound, 2003-2010

Politics are in Ruth Lovell Stanners’ blood. Her family tree features MPs, MPPs and mayors. Lovell Stanners spent time on the Police Services Board, which was a big step on her path to politics; ''Eventually I ended up as President of the Ontario Association Police Services Board and … I became very aware of how it is possible for one person to make a difference. And when I saw that I thought, 'Well, probably politics is the best vehicle to make change.'''

She aimed to develop Owen Sound as a healthy, vibrant community. She prioritized youth programming and inclusiveness while in office. Lovell Stanners believes that women have an equal chance in municipal elections, but do not run in equal numbers, which accounts for the imbalance in political representation.

As a mayor she established an ''open door'' policy and was very involved in the community. She considers the opportunity to represent the people in her area a gift.

''I take every opportunity to go to classrooms to talk ... to young people and let them see that a woman can do this ... any boy or girl should be able to look at any politician and say, 'Yeah, I can do that.'''

Sue Paterson, Mayor of the Town of Hanover - Currently serving

Mayor of the Town of Hanover

Sue Paterson joined Hanover Council in 2003 and is serving her second term as Mayor. Hanover is her hometown in which she’s lived for over 55 years, attending both its public and high school before beginning her career. For Paterson’s full biography, please follow this link: Hanover - Hanover Council

Paterson says that when she was growing up, her family was not political, but that politics were important, and they often discussed the rules and decisions that politicians made at different government levels. Her father, a World War II veteran, encouraged her to volunteer during local elections and with local community groups, and she became very involved with the Hanover Royal Canadian Legion. So much so that in 1994 she became the first woman and youngest person to be elected its president, representing its 700 members.

From there, she applied to join Hanover’s Planning Advisory Committee which sparked an interest in running for Council.

Paterson counts herself as fortunate that her role model, past Hanover Mayor, Kathi Maskell, has also been a mentor to her. Looking to someone who is “compassionate, diplomatic, and works for the public good [makes] a wonderful mentor” [see audio clip 1 below text].

Paterson believes that there's still an under representation of women in all levels of politics, citing her own Council as an example (she is the only woman of seven members).

“Women make up half the population, so they should be equally represented. Representation is the core basis of democracy. Accessible, affordable and quality childcare is just as important as pay equity.
And without those two, you're not going to see a lot of female representation in politics. The pandemic has brought this to the forefront because if anyone had to stay home to look after the kids, it was women, as they still tend to have lower paying jobs. We need to do better on this.”

She says it’s important that women are represented because they have different perspectives than men and they tend to highlight positive impacts - especially those relating to women's work, finances, and equality under the law, especially for those that need assistance.

When asked how to encourage women to enter politics, she recommends volunteering with organizations to see what it’s like to be part of a team and then applying to local committees where you can learn about processes, policies, procedures. She suggests talking to other women to find out what it is really like to be a member of Council. Paterson also says that it’s important that a person’s whole family is clear on what’s expected of a Councilor and buys into the decision, because they will undoubtedly be involved too. Participating in community events, and communicating with and listening to your friends and neighbours to find out what’s important to them is critical to success. She warns not to underestimate the time it takes to read all the local news, social media, and Council and committee packages to keep up to date on what’s happening and the issues that are going to affect your community [see audio clip 2 below text].

Her goal for being a part of Hanover and Grey County Council has been to serve the community, provide good leadership, plan for the future and make Hanover and Grey County a welcoming community that offers a good lifestyle for everyone.

After the effects of Covid-19, Paterson sites core issues like affordable housing, food security and substance use as ongoing challenges for local government. Even communication about these issues requires follow through. Important issues may be communicated through several different mediums, but people are so busy, that it’s difficult to know how to draw attention to important issues discussed at Council to make sure people are informed.

As for Paterson’s greatest reward in politics, she cites helping people, and says that as long as you respond to people (good or bad) they feel heard, which make things understandable and maybe just a little bit better [see audio clip 3 below text].

Overall, Paterson says that the Mayoral role is challenging, but also hugely rewarding for her.

As for words of wisdom if you are thinking of entering municipal politics, find a positive role model and ask questions, ask yourself what you are passionate about and what skills you have. Volunteer - join a municipal committee and then decide if politics is for you. Last, decide if you want to serve your community to provide good leadership, then plan and build for the future.

Christine Robinson, Mayor of West Grey 2018-2022

Christine Robinson’s political aspirations began in her youth. Naturally curious about politics and how things worked, she had many discussions with her mother and grandmother about how political decisions shape and influence society and how political decisions can help or hinder people’ lives.  The idea that she could improve society really appealed to her, so she pursued an undergraduate program in political science and became an intern for a local municipal government. After graduating, she was hired on full time within their clerk’s department [see audio clip 1 below text]. Robinson ran in the 2014 municipal election for Mayor of West Grey, and in 2018 she succeeded in winning the seat. For Robinson’s full biography please follow this link: Council - Municipality of West Grey

She sites Agnes McPhail as a role model from whom she draws strength and inspiration, recognizing that McPhail’s determination to always do her best in the political arena allowed her to attain achievements and make an impact at a time when there were very few women in politics.

Robinson is a big believer in the power of mentorship when a young person shows an interest in politics. Early in her career, she herself learned from mentors in order to gain opportunities and experience in the field. She says her mentors assisted her in developing a framework for good governance and decision-making and taught her that developing relationships based on respect is of utmost importance.

Recognizing the other women she serves with on County Council she says, “It's bold steps to enter that political arena, articulate how you're going to make a difference to the community, then get elected.”

She feels it is important to encourage more young women to enter politics, citing that “Women approach leadership from a different lens [that bring] a new perspective to the role. And certainly one that reflects society right now in 2022 when the future is really important.”

On the benefit of more women at the local government level she states, “I look forward to a day where the discussion does not need to be on gender balance or diversity [when] people around the political table are fully representative of the community they are representing.”*

Robinson believes that the number one challenge for women entering politics today is lack of awareness of where to look for information and how to network. [see audio clip 2 below text] She says the best way for established politicians to help young women entering politics is by stressing how important local government is and recognizing their interest and qualities and mentoring them, the way she was when she started out. She encourages young women thinking of entering politics to join at the committee level to observe the decision-making process and understand the commitment involved – “Easy steps, but steps that have major impact.”

As for goals, Robinson believes that being Mayor of West Grey and a County Councillor has allowed her to reach her current goal of being part of a larger group of people that want to make a positive difference in people’s lives [see audio clip 3 below text]. She says that her future goal is to continue to serve the people of West Grey and Grey County residents, and that it would be her honour to serve as Warden of Grey County, if the chance arose.

She is most proud of being part of the decision-making process of the work that Council has accomplished in the last three years along with the professional County staff, and seeing the positive impact and the progression of what those decisions mean to the communities of Grey that improve residents’ lives. She is also thrilled that people find her approachable, to such an extent that (before the Covid-19 pandemic) if she was seen in her yard, people felt comfortable enough to drive up and chat about their concerns.

On the subject of youth encouragement, she often recognizes young people for their accomplishments and tells them that “You can affect a change or be that change for your community… younger people have an opportunity… and it's a really rewarding position to have [in order to] to help one another.”

On Robinson’s “off days” she and her husband Scott, raise, train, and show horses from their 50-acre farm in West Grey on Grey Road 4 in the former Bentinck Township.

* At the time of this interview, five of Grey County’s 18 councilors are female and four of the nine member municipalities are represented by females that hold a mayor or deputy mayor position.

Arlene Wright, Grey County Warden 2010 & 2011, Owen Sound Deputy Mayor 2014–2018

Arlene Wright was the second female Warden of Grey and the first Owen Sound Warden since the reincorporation of the City in 2001. Wright was elected as Owen Sound Councillor in 2003 and 2006, having prior experience with the Grey County School Board and Owen Sound Police Services Board.

She encourages female politicians to take the initiative: ''I've always believed that if you think there needs to be some changes that you better get in there and try to do something about it.”*

When Wright considered running for Warden, she felt there was a lot to live up to, but the Mayor and fellow councillors encouraged her to run, and to her surprise she was successful. She started her first year as Warden intending to improve relations between Grey County's municipalities so that representatives can work as a team for the good of the whole.

''I have a very strong feeling that what's good for one is good for all. What benefits the City of Owen Sound is a benefit to the whole area, and what benefits Chatsworth benefits Owen Sound. So, we need to think in sort of global terms about our County and realise that if we want a strong County, then we need a strong Hanover and we need a strong Meaford, and we need a strong Dundalk, and we need a strong Owen Sound and Georgian Bay, but we all have to be in there together and that's what we all have to work for.''

*Sun Times article, September 17, 2009

Nellie McClung, Women’s Rights Advocate, 1873-1951

Nellie Mooney was born on a farm near Chatsworth in 1873, the youngest of six children. In 1880, the Mooney family moved to Manitoba as homesteaders. There, Nellie wed Wesley McClung, and raised five children. By 1896, as a teacher and author she championed a variety of causes ranging from rural life, the plight of immigrants, and conditions in cities and factories. Nellie also directed her energies to prohibition and women's suffrage. She was an active advocate through the First World War, the Depression, and the Second World War. She gave speeches, called recitals, and became a prominent lecturer. McClung was a prominent speaker for the Manitoba Liberal Party and was elected to the Alberta Legislature in 1921.

Federally, in 1927, along with four other prominent women, she initiated the ''Person's Case'', requesting an interpretation of ''person'' under the British North America Act of 1867. The Supreme Court found that ''person'' included women, thereby making women eligible for appointment to the Senate of Canada.

A stamp was issued to honour her in 1973 and her name appears on a plaque outside the Senate Chamber in Ottawa. South of Chatsworth, a cairn marks her birthplace and honours her as a lecturer, legislator, teacher, writer, and ardent activist for women's rights. Nellie McClung passed away in 1951 in Victoria, BC.

''I am a firm believer in women - in their ability to do things and in their influence and power. Women set the standards for the world and it is for us, the women of Canada to set the standards high.''

Influence of the Second World War

Although the right to participate in municipal politics came to women at the end of the First World War, women would not begin to take council positions in Grey County until the onset of the Second World War. With so many men overseas, women began to fill political roles originally held by men. The patriotism and enthusiasm of the times encouraged both men and women to do what they could for their country, including political pursuits.

In 1938, Jean Honsinger was elected Alderman to Owen Sound City Council, serving until 1943. During her tenure she was a member of the Board of Works and the Benevolence Committees as well as Vice-Chair of the Fire and Light Committee. The primary concerns of Owen Sound in her time were curtailing gambling, enforcing stricter laws on business licensing, and petitioning the upper levels of government to raise the marriageable age from 14 to 16, a movement with strong support from the local Council of Women who believed girls were marrying too young, at times below the legal age of 14.

In the year following Honsinger's election, Jesse Gardiner took post as a councillor in Meaford. Gardiner served on Meaford Town Council from 1939 to 1947 and eventually ran for mayor. She was defeated by a narrow margin, and the honour of being the first female mayor of both Grey and Bruce counties would go to her colleague, Alice Clement. Clement became a councillor during the same period as Gardiner, starting in 1942 while the end of war was not yet in sight. She served as Chairman of the Welfare and Hospitalization Board for fifteen years before taking on the mantle of Mayor of Meaford in 1957.

Between 1942 and 1945, Audrey (Lemon) Rutherford served as an Alderman of Owen Sound where she chaired the Benevolence Committee. In 1943, Hazel M. Pedwell was elected to council in Thornbury, where she served for five successive terms. Ultimately, the majority of the early female councillors of Grey County did not continue to hold office once the war ended; however, there were women like Clement who would choose to remain in politics following the war, while others would eventually re-enter the field at a later date.

Community Ties & Modern Challenges

Community Ties

Community organizations inevitably overlap with municipal politics, as the spirit of participating and giving back to the region are hallmarks of each.

Alice Clement was an avid member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, determined to keep Meaford a dry town. She acted as local President and County President for many years and was awarded lifelong membership by the organization for her efforts.

Owen Sound councillor Velma Mitges was a founding member of Owen Sound Little Theatre and was involved in other local organizations such as the Grey-Bruce Arts Council and the Women's Hospital Auxiliary throughout her life. In the interviews conducted for this exhibit, the majority of interviewees cited extensive involvement in community affairs before and after election.

Lois Urstadt had considerable experience with the Bluewater Women's Institute, having held leadership roles up to the ''Area'' level of the organization before declining to pursue a provincial position. In addition to this, Urstadt was involved with the Rockville Home and School Club, her local church, and the Arthritis Society.

Arlene Wright was a member of the Grey County School Board for sixteen years, an Owen Sound Police Services Board member, and Chair for the Georgian College Campus Community Resource Team. She was also a provincial education commissioner and served on the Board of Directors for the Owen Sound Attack hockey team.

Carol Lawrence served on the Board of Education and the Board of Governors of Georgian College for many years.

Ruth Lovell-Stanners was another Owen Sound politician serving on the Police Services Board, starting as a secretary and ending up president of the Ontario Association Police Services Board.

Deb Haswell spent time on Owen Sound's Downtown Improvement Area Board of Managers, Owen Sound Chamber of Commerce, Festival of Northern Lights board, Health Services Board of Directors, and Harbourfront Committee.
 

Modern Challenges

Even in the modern era, many challenges remain for women participating in municipal government. Balancing home, work, and political life is perhaps the greatest challenge. Several local female politicians agreed that financial compensation is insufficient to cover the cost of childcare required to attend council functions, making political appointment feel more like ''an elaborate and demanding volunteer job.''* One interviewee suggested that women balancing family and politics have a greater challenge than men, given the primary care role that women often fill in the home. The most popular solution offered by interviewees to overcome these challenges was to keep a tight schedule and always know what needs attention at what time.

These challenges, however, are not insurmountable. Ruth Lovell-Stanners and Ellen Anderson each chose to pursue politics as single mothers with careers. Both stated that despite the difficulties, it can work so long as one chooses to make it work.

Carol Lawrence addressed the benefits and detriments to family life generated by her involvement in municipal politics:

''I started when my kids were young, very young, and ... probably there's things I missed with them that, had I not been in politics, I would have done ... on the other hand, I was able to bring different things to them … and I had a broader vision and broader knowledge. And it's really helped me through my life and through my life with them as they've grown up.”

*Deb Haswell interview for exhibit, 2010.