In This Section
2008 SIUW sees a record turnout!
July 23, 2008
The 2008 Western Regional Summer Institute for Union Women, held at the University of Victoria July 9-13th, saw a record number of women participate in a program designed to increase women's participation in politics.
This year's Institute, "Women Behaving Politically: Organizing for Change", brought over 210 participants from California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia to discuss key issues and strategies for the many elections taking place in the next 16 months.
At the opening plenary, keynote speakers Carole James, BC NDP Leader, and Sharon Grosfeld, Executive Director of the Women's Leadership Forum of the Democratic National Committee (Washington, DC), brought the message from both sides of the border that women can influence political decisions through their participation at all levels, from the ballot box to holding elected office.
"Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History" featured a panel of progressive women in politics, in both elected political positions (Democrat and New Democrat) and elected union leadership roles.
The program ranged from skills-building courses such as member-to-member organizing and campaign communications, to discussion and strategizing around some of the key political issues, such as health care, the Employee Free Choice Act (US), immigration and others. With every course and workshop facilitated jointly by BC and U.S. facilitators, participants got a look at issues and politics from both perspectives. It was very clear that our similarities in the issues women face far surpass our differences. Women's economic inequality is a key issue for women in both countries.
The high enrolment and success of this year's Institute also shows that women understand and embrace the important role they can play in shaping policies, running for office, organizing their workplaces and getting more active on the political scene.
The 2009 Western Regional Summer Institute for Union Women will be held August 11-15th at UCLA in Los Angeles, California. Watch your mail early in 2009 for more details. The next SIUW for BC women will be held in 2010.
To see photos from 2008 SIUW click here.
Related content:
