by Lara Gladych –
Seaside Magazine wants to live up to our slogan of being “the voice of the Saanich Peninsula,” so, in every issue, we’ll be asking people to answer a question. We’re looking for responses from all ages and across the diverse neighbourhoods that form our community.
This issue sees us celebrating women at Seaside. March 8 is International Women’s Day, and this year’s campaign theme is #PressforProgress. As such, this month I asked people: what would progress in our community look like for you, or alternately, what progress would you like to see in our community around the issue of inequality?
This question, for me and for all of those I spoke with, required some rumination. It’s a heavy question during these days of heightened awareness about sensitive issues – for both women and men – around interactions, expectations, abuses, and tolerance between the sexes.
Not everyone I approached was willing to speak with me, and some quite sternly declined to comment, one even citing that I didn’t want to know what he had to say. Women I spoke with repeatedly acknowledged that this is a scary time for men to speak out on topics relating to women, for fear of condemnation should their remarks be misinterpreted.
I’m pleased to say that everyone I spoke with agreed that here in our community, there’s no perceived inequality between the sexes, and that rather than speaking of progress yet to be made, people wanted to comment on the state of things as they are.
“I think that women are well represented and there are some strong business women here. You only have to look at the magazine to see it,” says, Mike, 76, with a nod to Seaside.
“I find, especially with the senior population, where there are proportionately more women than there are men because women live longer, that in organizations or churches, women are more involved partly because they have to be,” comments Judy, 79. Her friend, Jane, 76, agrees, and adds that “the volunteer part of this community is very well represented by both men and women, but mainly women. I think that women are well represented in the business community, too. A lot of women own the businesses in town, are involved in the financial realm, are doctors, dentists … .”
Harry, 83, says with a sincere smile that he doesn’t see an inequality. “I think the men are down a little bit. There certainly have been more women coming onto Council .” His wife, Doreen, 82, adds a profound thought: “For my generation, we’ve never had the chance to think we’re equal, even though we are.”
I meet Kim, 29, and Alison, 47, who are visiting from the mainland for a dance competition. “Because we’re in such a chick industry there aren’t many boys in the first place,” says Alison. “Boys get paid more to them in,” according to Kim. Alison adds that “equal pay would be desirable for doing the exact same job.” Clearly this is frustrating. Alison continues: “When we go to conventions, the teachers will be like: ‘Let’s get all the boys out on the floor!’ and there are 100 girls in the room, and seven boys get to have the individual attention. How about we go: ‘Let’s get all the blonde girls on the floor,’ or ‘Everyone born in November, on the floor.’ Why does it have to be ‘Let’s get all the boys on the floor?'” She realizes the reasons that people want to highlight the males, but sees the hardworking females falling to sidelines in an unfortunate manner in these instances.
I speak with Christina, 52, who is a local business owner. “You’ve got Donna in charge of the BIA, and you’ve got Susan there as well. I find a lot of the business owners are women in our community. A lot of these shops are owned by women or run by women. I think women seem to be well represented here. I think the environment here is such that it allows women to be successful, and to do whatever they want to do. I’ve never come across any issues where I’ve felt that because I was a woman anything was different for me.”
Kristin, 35, feels similarly. “I don’t see any apparent difference in my world. I’m not saying that others do not. I have not seen an inequality, and I feel fortunate to live in a community where women are valued.”
Moving along, it’s a frigidly cold day, so I pop into one of the local realty offices to see who might be in to answer my question. Terry, 52, also feels fortunate to live where we do. “Professionally speaking, I am judged by my abilities. It has nothing to do with my gender. I have never been overlooked for a man based on the fact that he is a man and I am a woman. I have never felt that, fortunately. My business is based on quality, and what I can do for you, how I can best help you achieve your goals. It’s more about a personal connection, not a gender identity.”
One of the last people I speak with is Julie, 50, who says she has recently had this very conversation with friends. “Men and women are not equal physically, but we are equal in so many other ways. It all balances out.” #PressforProgress, and embrace the progress made.
