Posted on March 6: McMaster students redefining leadership

Why aren't more women involved in politics? What can be done to support women interested in running for office? Have there been improvements to encourage women to participate as student, community and political leaders?

Redefining Leadership, a one-day conference on Friday, March 7 in the council chambers of Gilmour Hall is providing a forum to discuss these issues.

The conference, co-hosted by MacWin (McMaster Womyn's Issues Network) and the MSU Gender Equity committee, will feature a keynote speaker and panel discussions allowing panelists to share their experiences and members of the audience to participate in the presentation.

“The speakers are all women who have all made outstanding commitments to their communities,” says Nicole Richmond, who co-organized the event with Helen Tewolde. “Each of the speakers we have seen at different events and have been truly impressed by, and felt that these are women who would provide both inspiration and insight to our audience.”

Keynote speaker, Sue Fraser, kicks off the day at 9:30 a.m. Fraser was MSU president from 1989-90 and is now a social justice lawyer.

Following Fraser's address, there will be a panel discussion co-hosted by Hamilton city councillor and community activist Andrea Horwath, and owner of Sampson Consulting and radio show host Cheryl Sampson. The topic for the morning's discussion will be perceived barriers to women in roles of leadership and the role of women in social justice and law.

The afternoon's panel discussion, which starts at 1:30 p.m., will determine possible solutions to the perceived barriers presented in the morning discussion. Co-hosting this discussion will be Evelyn Myrie, social development consultant and owner of Eman Fine Arts & Accents and Marie Bountrogianni, MPP and Liberal women's issues critic.

All sessions take place in the council chambers and the event is free. Everyone is welcome and lunch will be provided.

As part of International Women's Day on March 8, MacWin, in connection with the Students' International Health Initiative, is hosting a talk by assistant clinical professor in obstetrics and gynecology Laurie Elit, who will speak on her experience of working with women to improve quality preventative health care in Mongolia. Entitled “Sanbanuu: Working with Women in Mongolia”, the lecture and discussion will take place in MUSC, Rm. 314/315 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Also on Friday, the Vagina Monologues Group at McMaster will present, “The International Women's Day Fair” beginning at 10 a.m. in the MUSC Market place. The Fair will include various stalls and tables by various companies as well as on-campus McMaster clubs that cater to various women's issues. Events include the cutting of the Vagina Cake at noon. Later that evening they will also be presenting the play “The Vagina Monologues”.