Editor,
Page A8 in the Letters section of last week’s Peace Arch News was a fascinating depiction of how far we’ve come as women, and where we still need to go to truly experience equality.
Janis Lowe took us on a journey through the decades of her life, illuminating the discrimination she and so many other women had to overcome in their fight for basic equality.
Fiona McDermid’s letter accused the female elected officials, who recently shared about the painful harassment they face, of creating a false sense of victimhood, “spinning” issues to further their housing agenda. From my perspective, these women are not pushing an agenda, they are doing their jobs.
Megan Knight, Michele Partridge and Elaine Cheung did not author the 2023 B.C. provincial legislative policies that require White Rock to create more homes for people. Because of the B.C. Homes for People Action Plan, all of the province is under obligation to expand the housing units available in their municipalities. The “strong commitment to densification” Fiona claims these women hold does not spring from some diabolical architectural vision they wish to impose on White Rock, it stems from density being the literal only solution available to create the 8,816 additional housing units needed in the next 20 years in a city that spans 16 blocks.
Perhaps this trio of elected females has become the face of change because they are, in fact, change.
They are women in politics, and as we can surmise from Janis’ journey, that change is significant, recent and absolutely necessary. In the 1950s women were expected to stay at home. Now in Canada roughly three in 10 elected officials are women, but unfortunately if they speak out about the misogyny or racism they endure, they are told: “Ladies, if it’s too hot in the kitchen, get out.”
Make no mistake, these three women are not in a kitchen, but yes, they have bravely chosen to face the fire.
To Megan, Michele and Elaine — I hope my words are a bit of salve in response to last week’s burning dismissal of the valid and inequitable challenges you face as women in politics. Personally I hope that one day we live in a world where kind-hearted humans such as yourselves, regardless of gender, can serve your community without attack.
Thank you for showing up for White Rock and thank you for being the change that I wish to see in the world.
Julie Mortensen, South Surrey
