City of Brantford hosts inaugural Women in Governance: A Candid Conversation

BRANTFORD, ON – Today, the City of Brantford hosted the inaugural Women in Governance: A Candid Conversation event, featuring a panel of distinguished guests who shared their experiences navigating the political arena and inspiring stories of overcoming challenges and obstacles they faced.

Brantford City Councillors Linda Hunt, Mandy Samwell and Rose Sicoli were joined by other panelists including; Emily McIntosh, initiator of The Women of Ontario Say No, Erin O’Hoski, Deputy CAO of the City of St. Catharines, Natasha Salonen, Mayor of Wilmot and Diana Huson, Town of Pelham Regional Councillor, Niagara Region. The event was moderated by local award-winning community influencer and owner of Tasty Road Trips Inc., Jan Vilaca.

The event provided an opportunity for members of the community and City of Brantford staff to continue a conversation beyond International Women’s Day, about the challenges women in government face and how to overcome them. For those unable to attend in person or live virtually, the event was streamed to the City of Brantford’s YouTube channel and is now available for viewing by anyone interested in gaining insights into the experiences of the inspiring women in governance who participated in today’s discussion.

The City’s Let’s talk about inspiring inclusion project page is still open for participation at letstalkbrantford.ca/Inspire-Inclusion. This platform offers an opportunity for the community to engage in a conversation about how the City, businesses and local organizations can do more to inspire inclusion in Brantford. Get involved by telling us your ideas for making Brantford a more inclusive community. 

Quotes

“What we saw today was that, when women in government come together, we create a powerful network of support and solidarity. By hosting events that celebrate our accomplishments and address our shared concerns, we not only uplift each other, but also strengthen the fabric of our communities. Thank you to all the City of Brantford staff and fellow panelists who helped make this inspiring event possible. It is an important conversation that we need to continue.”
-Ward 1 City of Brantford Councillor Rose Sicoli

“As women leaders in government, it’s essential for us to come together, share our experiences, and support one another. By providing an opportunity for events like Women in Governance: A Candid Conversation, we can share our successes, challenges and experiences to pave the way for meaningful change and inspire future generations of female leaders.”   
-Ward 4 City of Brantford Councillor Linda Hunt

“We are thrilled by the response to this inaugural event. Empowering women isn’t just about breaking barriers; it’s about creating opportunities for collaboration, mentorship and advocacy. We look forward to hosting more events like this and fostering a more supportive community where we can learn from each other to create positive change.”  
-Ward 5 City of Brantford Councillor Mandy Samwell

Photo Caption:

From left to right: (Back row) Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis, Panelist Emily McIntosh, Panelist Erin O’Hoski, Moderator Jan Vilaca, Panelist Diana Huson, Panelist Natasha Salonen, Panelist Mandy Samwell, Panelist Rose Sicoli. (Front row) Panelist Linda Hunt

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Media Contact: 

Maria Visocchi: Director, Communications, Community Engagement and Customer Service
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca

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