Sparking Women’s Leadership: How to Step Into Politics and Shape Policy
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
CFUW Ontario Council AGM workshop, Women in Politics: Challenges and Opportunities
Written by Karyn Standen, Member, CFUW Perth & District
When women step into politics, communities change. Policies shift. Voices long overlooked finally get heard. That message rang loud and clear at the recent Women in Politics Workshop held at the May 2026 CFUW Ontario Council AGM. Three remarkable leaders — Joy Lachica, Bonnie Clark, and Emma Harrison — shared their journeys, their challenges, and their advice for women ready to make their mark. Their stories were different, but their message was unified: women belong in every room where decisions are made. And not only do they belong — they are needed.
Did politics find you, or did you find politics?
That was the opening question for the panel, and it sparked three powerful stories of purpose, courage, and community.
Emma Harrison: “It hit me like a freight train.”
Emma Harrison, Member of Parliament for Peterborough, didn’t grow up imagining herself in federal politics. She grew up on a farm, played women’s field lacrosse for Team Canada, and learned early that community s
upport makes big dreams possible. That support shaped her — and it planted the seed of giving back.
But it was the birth of her daughter, now 18 months old, that pushed her into public life with unstoppable force. “It hit me like a freight train,” she said. She felt a fierce responsibility to protect the future for women — including her own little girl. When she was acclaimed to Parliament, she called it “the joy of a lifetime.”
Emma’s story shows how personal experiences can become political motivation. Women don’t need a perfect résumé to run. They need a reason — and often, that reason is deeply personal.
Bonnie Clark: “We need to have each other’s backs.”
Bonnie Clark, Deputy Mayor of Otonabee South Monaghan, has been breaking barriers for nearly half a century. She was the first woman elected to her township’s lower council — 46 years ago. At the time, she recalls, the expectation was simple: “When a woman got married, she got a washer and dryer, and the man got a farm.”
But Bonnie grew up with a mother who shattered expectations. Her mother imported and exported cattle around the world and was known as “the hardest working man.” Bonnie was never made to feel inferior to her brother, and she carries that confidence into her leadership today.
Her message to women was clear: “We should be cheerleaders together for women.” Politics is tough, but it’s easier — and more joyful — when women support one another.
Joy Lachica: “Moving the needle toward sustainable change.”
Joy Lachica, Second Deputy Mayor of Peterborough and councillor for Town ward, brings the perspective of an educator, an activist, and an immigrant. With a Filipino father and an Ontario born mother, Joy grew up between cultures and carried that awareness into her 25 year teaching career.
Cuts to education pushed her into community activism, and activism led her to politics. She is inspired by the global women’s movement and deeply aware of how underrepresented women remain in Canadian politics.
What drives her? “Moving the needle toward sustainable change.” Joy reminds us that politics isn’t just about winning seats — it’s about shifting systems.
How women can influence policy — starting now
The workshop’s public Q&A session turned into a masterclass on political influence. The message was empowering: you don’t need to be elected to shape policy.
Here’s how women can start making change today:
Use public delegations. Speaking at council meetings — many of which are live streamed — is one of the most powerful advocacy tools available. Your words become part of the public record.
Bring solutions, not just problems. Politicians respond best when community members come with ideas, not just concerns. It shows leadership and builds trust.
Join local political committees. Groups like CFUW can influence policy by participating directly in municipal committees, advisory boards, and consultations.
Copy the ministry or council office. Bonnie Clark shared this practical tip: when writing to a politician, copy the relevant ministry or council office. It increases accountability and speeds up action.
Why women’s voices matter
Throughout the workshop, one theme kept resurfacing: women bring different experiences, different priorities, and different solutions. When women step into politics — or even into political conversations — the agenda shifts. Issues like childcare, education, health, safety, and equity rise to the surface.
And when women support each other, as Bonnie urged, the impact multiplies.
Your voice belongs in the room
Whether you’re considering a run for office, thinking about joining a committee, or simply ready to speak up at a council meeting, the message from Joy, Bonnie, and Emma is unmistakable:
Start where you are.
Use what you know.
And don’t wait for permission.
Women change politics — and policy — by showing up.
And the time to show up is now.
Comments