Today, the Mount; tomorrow the Hill

Mount Saint Vincent University hosts the 6th annual political campaign school for women

Joanne Bernard receiving her campaign school 'degree' from MLA Marilyn Moore and executive director Stephanie MacInnis-Langly (left).

Joanne Bernard dives into a political career after taking the campaign school at Mount Saint Vincent University the weekend of October 15^th.

Bernard was born and raised in Halifax. She has wanted to be in politics since her undergraduate degree.

"I always knew I would run for public office," says Bernard. "But because I was a single mom, the time was never right."

She, along with 75 others, attended campaign school for women. The school is run by the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women. The group was eclectic, with ages ranging from undergraduates to women in their golden years.

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Campaign school students and participants applauding their colleges during the closing ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 16.

Some, including Bernard, had been on welfare, while others had worked in and around politics, including one woman who had managed the baby sitting room for Pierre Trudeau's office. One woman introduced herself saying, "I am a CEO of an investment company-my five children."

This is the sixth annual campaign school. Bernard has wanted to take the school for years, but her duties as a working mother have always made attending difficult. She's finally joined at an interesting political time. Women's role in politics has been highlighted with premiers recently elected in British Columbia and Newfoundland, and the upcoming Halifax municipal election in 2012.

The school teaches social media techniques, networking skills, and the nitty gritty of a successful campaign strategy. By making and presenting a mock campaign, students learn how to navigate the campaign process. But some may think this entire concept is outdated. That campaign school promotes sexism by separating women from men, and saying they need to be taught.

For Stephanie MacInnis-Langly, the executive director of the provincial Status of Women advisory council, the school addresses a need that women have - but most men don't. The school teaches practical skills, but even more, it's about getting women thinking about politics as a viable career. The anomaly of women in politics is demonstrated with the Chronicle Herald calling 2011 the "year of women." MLA Marilyn Moore, who spoke at the school On Oct. 14, wants this designation every year.

More than that, while women make up 52 per cent of Canada's population, only 23 per cent of elected officials are female.

"When we don't see ourselves in the face of our elected officials, it is hard to visualize ourselves as those leaders" says MacInnis-Langly.

The school gives these women "the opportunity to see themselves as candidates." It changes the way women see themselves, and thus changes the way society sees women.

Bernard understands the limits women have in much the same way. They don't lack the skills, but rather the frame of mind to see themselves in politics, she says.

Bernard hopes to run for the upcoming municipal ridding in Dartmouth North. There are currently nine women on the Halifax Regional Council out of 24. She brings with her a support system, a network of contacts and friend to help her begin her new career.

"Women have the ability in many ways to erase the partisan at some level." Bernard says. "To support each other in a holistic way."

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