What change looks like

Never underestimate what a small group of committed women can do.

Her Seat at the Table grew from a simple premise: women are more likely to participate in political and civic life when they understand how the system works, can see a place for themselves within it and have access to the relationships and supports that make participation possible. Over the past year, we have had the privilege of helping carry that work forward.

One of our most visible goals is to encourage more women to consider municipal politics and put their names forward for elected office and there are encouraging signs. To date, four women have entered races for Brandon city council, and another is seeking election to the Brandon School Division board of trustees. No women have yet entered the mayoral race. With nominations still open, we sincerely hope more women will step forward.

Their decisions to run are entirely their own, and we make no claim to them as an outcome of our work. The current numbers simply tell us there is progress to recognize and considerable work still to do. All of this also reminds us that counting names on a ballot is an incomplete measure of success.

Over the past year, Her Seat at the Table has hosted events, secured community grant funding and created opportunities for women to learn about their community, the electoral system and the many ways they can participate in public life. Women have told us they know more, feel better connected and have a greater understanding of how and where they can participate.

Those outcomes are less visible than a name on a ballot, but no less important. A woman who attends an event today may seek elected office years from now. She may become a union steward, join a community board, advocate before council or help another woman run. Or, perhaps most importantly, she may begin to imagine herself differently in relation to leadership and public service.

The seeds planted today will grow on different timelines. We are already seeing signs of that growth beyond Brandon, with women and organizations in Dauphin and Winkler seeking our advice and mentorship as they consider similar initiatives in their communities.

And the work, here in Brandon continues. At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, we will host Pull Up a Seat, a candidate support school created by women, for women interested in running for office — and those who want to support them. It moves beyond “Should I run?” to the practical question of “How do I do it?” Registration closes Aug. 26.

Increasing women’s participation in political life takes more than a single event, organization or election cycle. It requires the knowledge, networks, confidence and opportunities that allow women to see themselves not simply as observers of the decisions shaping their communities, but as people who can help make them.

That is what change looks like before it shows up on a ballot.

TRACY BAKER, MEGAN FOSTER, LOIS RUSTON, WENDY BULLOCH and CORA DUPUIS

Her Seat at the Table leadership team

Brandon