womenscampaignschool.org

From the moment I joined the Canadian Women Voters Congress in 1997, the Women’s Campaign School was a priority. As Canada’s first nonpartisan school of its kind, the purpose was, and still is, to boost the number of women in elected office. Through the encouragement and organizational support of then Congress president Audrey Paterson, I attended the 1998 Women’s Campaign School at Yale University. I brought back Yale’s curriculum which the women of the Congress then customized for Canada. For the next five years Joanne Silver, as School Chair and I, as President and Past President of the Congress, literally devoted our lives to making the School successful. And it was all worth it. The Women’s Campaign School remains, for me, the most rewarding project of my life. Witnessing the transformation of women from day one to graduation is truly remarkable. Even the incredible success rate of graduates that ran in 2008 elections – with over 60% being elected doesn’t do justice to the changes, learning and new found confidence that each individual takes back to their lives. Many graduates work on campaigns behind the scenes or participate on boards – all contribute in positive ways to their communities. With still only 22% of women in elected office across Canada, all School graduates are critical to the slow, but certain changes that will eventually produce an equal playground of decision making amongst our elected officials. Congratulations to the outstanding women of the Canadian Women Voters Congress as they continue to run the School and make this exceptional contribution to Canada.
Charlene Brisson
Women’s Campaign School Founding President,
Canadian Voters Congress