Campaign School for Women Begins This Weekend

More than 50 Nova Scotia women will learn how to navigate a campaign or run for elected office through a series of hands-on workshops at this weekend's sixth Campaign School for Women.

The school, hosted by the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women and held at Mount Saint Vincent University, will feature female political leaders. Marilyn More, Minister responsible for the Status of Women, MP Megan Leslie, MLA Kelly Regan, Marlene Wells, an organizer, Janet Fryday-Dorey, a member of an executive, and many others will offer advice and counsel based on their own experiences.

"More than half of Nova Scotians are women, yet fewer than one quarter of our elected leaders, whether on the municipal, provincial or federal level, are female," said Ms. More. "If we're to increase the number of women in leadership, we need to increase the number of women running for elected office."

The idea for the campaign school came from Nova Scotia women who, during a series of Status of Women political skills workshops in 2002, said they wanted more information about the nuts and bolts of running.

"The campaign school is about providing women with a realistic picture of what's involved with running your own campaign," said Stephanie MacInnis-Langley, executive director, Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women. "The school's speakers and workshop leaders are trailblazers who are well positioned to inspire our future women leaders."

For more details on the school, go to www.women.gov.ns.ca .

The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women is committed to increasing the participation of women in decisions that affect their lives, families and communities. One way women can realize equality, inclusion and empowerment is through direct political involvement.