This October, Golden, along with the rest of British Columbia, will head to the polls. Residents will vote for mayor, town councillors, school trustees, and regional district representatives. While the election is still five months away, it is never too early to start thinking about what we want from our local government and who we want leading the next chapter of our community.
Last Wednesday, I had the privilege of sitting down with Connie Barlow, Joy Guyot, Kristi Cooper, and Karen Cathcart for a discussion about women in local politics.
The discussion was held at The Island Restaurant and was open to the public. Organized by the Golden Women’s Resource Centre, the event created a welcoming atmosphere with refreshments and childcare available for parents who wanted to attend.
The conversation centred on the experiences of women in local politics, the challenges they face, the sacrifices they make, and the reasons they continue to serve. It was also a call to action, encouraging more local women to become involved in civic life.
“I noticed and respected the women that I saw doing things, and I thought, I’m going to be one of those women,” Cooper shared.
Each panellist spoke about the moment they realized they wanted to get involved in local government.
“What inspired me to run for local government was to give back to my community and provide that service element to our community,” said Cathcart, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District representative for Golden and Area A.
For Barlow, the decision was rooted in family.
“It was for my community and for the children and families.”
She explained that she had always encouraged her daughters to try new experiences and step outside their comfort zones. Eventually, she realized she needed to lead by example.
“As an adult, we don’t push ourselves out of our comfort zones a lot because we don’t have to… And this was a push out of my comfort zone.”
Being a woman in local politics is not always easy. Women often face a disproportionate amount of criticism, whether through social media comments or encounters with frustrated residents in everyday settings. In a small town, those interactions can feel especially personal.
“Someone said to me the other day, you need thick skin and a sense of humour to be in local politics, and that’s true,” Cathcart shared.
However, a sense of humour is not always enough armour. Several panellists spoke about times when criticism, both online and in person, cut deep. Some shared that their spouses and families also felt the impact.
So what is the solution?
Cathcart suggested that sometimes it can be as simple as sitting down for a conversation.
“If they’re really agitated, here’s what I do. I say, ‘Let’s meet and have a coffee.’ And I’m not afraid to do that… when you explain why your decision was made, and the way it was made, usually they are fine with that.”
Another major topic of discussion was representation and the importance of ensuring that council reflects the community it serves.
“They’d never had an equal amount of women on council, and that really bothered me,” Guyot explained.
For Guyot, representation extended beyond gender. She also became the first openly gay person elected to Golden Town Council.
“Council should represent the people of the community. I believe that if you’re not represented, they’re not going to think of you when they make the decision.”
To me, Guyot’s comments captured why local politics matters and why it is important for everyone, not just the politically minded, to consider their role in civic life. Many people assume they are the wrong type of person for politics. Yet if everyone who does not fit the traditional mould decides not to participate, who will be there to advocate for the needs and perspectives of the entire community?
One of the most powerful moments of the evening came when Cooper spoke about the importance of stepping up rather than waiting for others to act.
“Don’t wait for somebody to help, you are somebody… I’m just a believer in collaboration with women, municipal politics, and how it works together. If we care about that, we have to participate or support the people who do. We are the somebodys.”
This election season, make your voice heard. Whether that means putting your name forward for council or casting a ballot for candidates.
