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On December 12, 1921, Edmontonians went to the polls and elected their first female councillor — Izena Ross. In the past century, only 30 women have followed in her footsteps. And, only one has reached the mayor’s chair. Co-hosted by Stacey Brotzel and Kim-Ann Wilson, Searching For Izena: ‘Unwomanly’ Stories of Female Leadership at Edmonton City Hall tells the largely untold stories of trailblazers like Izena. It’s a political journey filled with many twist and turns that you won’t want to miss. A political journey that matters now more than ever. Join us as begin Searching For Izena.
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
1989 was a high water mark for women working hard to shatter the glass ceiling at Edmonton City Hall. Not only did Edmontonians elect their first female mayor (Jan Reimer), but they also elected for the first time an equal number of women and men to serve on council. We talk to Reimer, still the first and only woman elected to lead Edmonton, about the highs and lows of her mayoralty and her experience wading through the deep-seated sexism and misogyny that confronted her every day. We also hear from two former Reimer staffers — Kathy Vandergrift (Edmonton’s first female chief of staff to a mayor) and John Brennan — about the behind-the-scenes efforts to support a female mayor during this wild, tumultuous and sometimes hilarious time in Edmonton’s history.
Guests: Jan Reimer, Kathy Vandergrift and John Brennan
Music by: Lyra Brown
Art by: Deanna Bains
Searching For Izena is a year-long grassroots project organized by YWCA Edmonton, Parity YEG and several past and present Edmonton City Councillors. Thanks to our sponsors the Edmonton Community Foundation and the Edmonton Heritage Council. Thanks also to the Edmonton Public Library, Edmonton Archives, the Adams Agency and Ryan Jespersen for their help bringing this project to life. For a full list of supporters and more info about the project, head to: searchingforizena.com
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