This Saturday, March 14, five successful local women will visit VIU to share their stories. Hosted by the VIUSU, the conference is in its third consecutive year.
The event features activists, politicians and businesswomen, including Jean Crowder MP for Nanaimo-Cowichan.
“I think it is important for women to hear from others who have varied backgrounds so women can see what is possible.” Crowder said. “We need to encourage women to think of careers such as politics as viable options.”
Crowder, who has been an MP since 2004, inspires young women because of her long term on Vancouver Island that a political career can be successful.
Sydney Sullivan, VIU Students’ Union women’s representative, is excited about the women speakers, as they are diverse in their experience and culture.
One of the featured women, Lindsay Poaps, will be unable to attend this Saturday, therefore, the VIUSU filled the position with Sharie Molchan, President of the Women’s Business Network. Sullivan believes Molchan’s attendance “will add something different” to the activist-heavy line-up.
“We have two indigenous women coming,” Sullivan said. “It’s nice to show everybody else that indigenous women are just as powerful.”
On the list of women to speak is Simka Marshall. As Chair of the Canadian Federation of Students – BC, she is part of an all-female executive for the province.
“I don’t think that’s happened before,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan hopes that the Fight for $15 campaign will be mentioned and supported, a campaign created by the BC Federation of Labour to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour.
“[To] raise awareness that women still aren’t making as much as men in the same jobs,” Sullivan said.
The event is free for students and $10 for faculty and the public, lunch will be served after the conference. The lectures begin at 10 am in building 180, room 134.
