Cheryl Robinson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 30/03) - Women searching for encouragement to join politics heard from three veterans of the Yellowknife political scene recently.

The Business and Professional Women of Yellowknife hosted a gathering for women interested in politics.

A panel featuring MLA Range Lake Sandy Lee, Coun. Wendy Bisaro and Catholic school board member Mary Vane shared experiences, addressed concerns and gave support.

"I was one of those people that had running for office on my 'never to do' list," Lee recalls.

Lee said the encouragement of a friend sparked her decision to run for Range Lake seat at the legislature.

Bisaro agreed that support is key for women entering politics.

"We need to encourage other women. Women have a bigger support net than they think they do.

"It's just a matter of asking. But we don't ask enough," Bisaro said.

Bisaro said she isn't bothered by being the only female on city council.

"I've never felt that I don't belong. It's neither a pro or a con, it's just a fact that I'm the only woman."

There were just two women on the previous eight-member Yellowknife council.

Being able to afford the costs of campaigning were other concerns raised by women who attended the meeting.

Lee said she enlisted the support of friends to finance her campaign.

"You can certainly run a campaign on a minimal amount of money," Bisaro added.

When it comes to making decisions and having to face people that disagree with them, all three panellists said they stick to their beliefs.

"If you're fair and you've done your homework, then when you make a decision and someone disagrees with you, well maybe they should run for your position," said Vane.

Vane suggests women who think they would like to become politicians begin by joining organizations.

"It gives you the confidence to do more," she said.

Trying to figure out what is blocking women from entering politics, Lee pointed out that she knows many women who work in high-stress jobs and still manage a family.

"Politics is certainly not a 9-to-5 job, but I really don't think it has much more stress than any regular stressful job," she said.

Lee said that making a difference in people's lives is her reward.

"Look at the good work we do. Do you really want to leave that for all the men to do?" she said.