OUR FREDERICTON WOMEN ARE HIGH ACHIEVERS

THE DIALY GLEANER

EDITORIAL

04 JUNE 2012

You’ve come a long way, baby.

Yes we have, and don’t call me baby.

That is the new mantra of some women these days.

While there is still a lot to be done on the whole issue of equality, we want to celebrate the accomplishments of some of our local women today. We are proud of them.

Last week one of our own residents was named to the Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants list for 2012. Indian-born Madhu Verma of Fredericton was in Toronto to receive the award from Canadian Immigrant magazine. The award is sponsored by the Royal Bank of Canada.

Ms. Verma is a founding member of the Multicultural Association of Fredericton. She became an activist for new immigrants out of desperation. When she arrived in Fredericton in 1963 with her professor husband, the reception was rather frosty.

“I faced social isolation and antagonism from some of the local New Brunswick community that was averse to gracefully accepting the foreigners to become Canadian citizens,” she said. “This racial disdain was so intense that my husband and I were unable to buy land and build a house.”

We are both ashamed of that situation, and inspired by Ms. Verma’s tremendous determination to do something about it. Many more recent immigrants have felt the warmth of welcome here, and that can be linked to Ms. Verma’s hard work to change attitudes.

Just three weeks ago, we were treated to the election of three women to Fredericton city council. For the past four years, Marilyn Kerton sat alone as the only female politician directing the business of the city. She’s not alone anymore.

While we welcome all new politicians, we’re particularly happy to see three women directing policy. As we know, men and women think, decide, react and lead differently. It’s not that one gender is better equipped than the other. It’s simply that having a good selection of both genders at the table fosters a more diverse discussion.

Finally, last week we welcomed television star and entrepreneur Debbie Travis to the city. This housewife and mother of two grown boys built an empire and a brand for herself after she arrived in Canada with her husband.

Ms. Travis was in the city to speak at an entrepreneurial workshop, invited by Beth Crowell who runs Mayday Fine Print Inc.

Ms. Travis is an author of nine books, a syndicated columnist, product designer, television star, decorating expert and television producer.

It’s been a good month for women in Fredericton, with the election of three female councillors, an award for Madhu Verma and the visit from Debbie Travis. We’ve been treated to some impressive wins and some inspiring stories.

It’s encouraging to see so many outstanding women accomplishing so much. We hope that both directly and indirectly, their example will inspire other women — and girls — to aim high.

These female stand-outs in our community, and beyond, have worked hard to reach their goals, and we hope their example will result in many more to follow.