A POPULAR event at the Liberal Convention in Calgary was the ‘‘Judy LaMarsh Brunch.’’ The crowd numbered about 1,000 as delegates remembered a giant figure from party history. Judy, to put it simply, was a presence: gregarious, bright, unique and in awe of no one. At one point, during this brunch, the emcee asked the crowd how many in the room had ever met Judy LaMarsh. Those of us who had numbered no more than 100, It was startling. For most of the people there, it was as if this overpowering figure of the 1960s and 1970s had work- ed in another century. Such things make one feel old. The leadership candidates all addressed the LaMarsh function. When candidate Sheila Copps spoke, she mentioned that she had recently met a woman from another chapter of history, Eflen Fairclough. From 1950-53, Mrs. Fairclough was the only female Member of Parliatzent. In 1957, when John Diefenbaker appointed her Secre- tary of State, she became the first woman ever to sit in the federal cabinet. At 85 years of age, she met the rambunctious Likeral, Sheila Copps. wee Many women have now made their mark in politics. In British Columbia, Grace McCarthy has been a powerhouse, an influence as profound as that exerted by Flora MacDonald within the Con- servative Party during the past 25 years. If you like the sound of a shov- el grating on a sidewalk, or chalk scraped the wrong way ona blackboard, you’ll be soon romanced by the voice of Liberal Leader Carstairs of Manitoba. The deputy premier in British Help’s at hand HELP’S AT Hand, a_ weekly North Shore Information and Volunteer Centre feature, answers questions about and discusses such topics as government policies and programs, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxation and public services. Answers published in this col- umn are intended only as a gener- al guide and should not be applied to specific individual cases without further consultation. werk Question: I am a 26-year-old single female. Since I moved here from Ontario, I bave really missed the company of my two nieces with whom I used to spend quite a bit of time on weekends. I have heard of an organization called Big Sisters which I think may help me get in touch with some other lite girl who might enjoy my company. How do I find out more? Answer: To become a Big Sister you must be a woman over the age of 20 and without young children of your own. You must be willing to make a commitment to spend at least five hours a week with your little sister over a min- imum one-year period. Every volunteer candidate at- tends training sessions in lay counselling and communication skills, and is invited to attend Big Sister support groups and workshops. If you would like to become in- volved, Big Sisters of B.C. (Lower Mainland) holds regular informa- tion and volunteer training ses- sions. Call their office at 873-4525 for more information about dates and times. Columbia today, in everything but title, is Transportation and High- ways Minister Rita Johnson, v-ho brings bushels of wisdom and common sense to the cabinet table. Only the premier, and perhaps her longtime friend Jack Davis, wields more clout. There was a period of tokenism when it came to appointing women to cabinet office. Any woman would do, just for ap- pearances. Leaders soon learned the converse of the old bromide, “‘behind every good man is a good woman.” The converse should have been ‘‘behind every insuffer- able buffoon, there is...?" We've grown through the tokenism stage and we have discovered not only a pool of tal- ent among women, but also a suf- ficient number who demonstrate that any single digit iQ has a chance to succeed in politics. (Ask Brian Mulroney if he’s seen Suzanne Blais-Grenier lately?) eee There is at least one lady in pol- itics today — a native of Port Alberni, B.C. — who has the tools necessary to be as great as, or greater than, those who have already secured a distinguished place in history. She ascended from rookie parliamentarian in 1988, through the Ministry of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, to become Justice Minister of Canada in February, 1990. It’s too soon to say how far Kim Campbell will go, but her boss has not only heaped honors upon her, the political responsibil- ity may prove insurmountable. She has been made the senior political minister for British Col- umbia, bypassing three ministers © open lines ¢ and a caucus of members who all have far greater seniority in parliament. She now controls patronage and political activity in a province where the party is running a poor fourth in the polls, behind the Liberais, the NDP and the Reform Party. And Justice Minister, amid the ongoing agonies of the abortion debate residue and her gun control legislation, leaves very little time for political activity. kek Only the valiant survive the travails and humiliation of poli- tics, determinedly in search of a better day. {n £986 at Whistler, Kim Campbeli was a lonely candidate for the Social Credit leadership. Even though her most faithful supporter was the outgoing premier, Bill Bennett had only one vote to offer. Her resume was and is im- pressive, A political science graduate from the University of British Columbia, she syent four years studying Soviet government at the London School of Economics. Upon return to Vancouver she lectured in political science at UBC and Vancouver Community College. While finishing ier Jaw degree at UBC, she was electe:! to the Vancouver School Board and she served a term as chairman. After serving her articles as a lawyer, she went to Victoria as Executive Director of the Office of the Premier. “hatever her motive in running —— perhaps no more than to in- crease her public profile — Kim Campbeli’s leadership campaign was dignified, honest and distress- ingly ill-considered. After all the candidates spoke to the delegates, ! was with Bill \) > sunday * Consumers Distributing * Zellers * Super Valu Safeway Shoppers Drug Mart > wednesday ree * Woolco “7 i * Cal-Van Sve * Lumberland * * Woodstop Save-On-Foods > friday * Y.Franks Lens Crafters if you miss any of these flyers call North Shore News Distribution 986-1337 * delivered to selected areas only 9 ~ Sunday, July 8, 1990 - North Shore News Bennett. The Premier asked: **Wasn't Kim great?” | agreed, but [ wanted to add, ‘‘but ... what was the point?’' He knew. His pride was too genuine to deprecate. When the votes were counted, she came fast. Later, her dignity intact, we walked together from my makeshift radio studio. | mumbled something about better days ahead, little realizing how prophetic the pleasantry would prove to be. eee A recent thrill for her, building upon her London education and a facility with the Russian language, was the meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev. ‘*These are exciting times,’’ she said. Everything depends upon politi- cal survival, but you get the im- pression that we have only begun to hear about Kim Campbell. A Place To Go When You're Pregnant And Need Support: | GIRTHRIGHT| a Cail 987-7313 » Free Pregnancy Test « mB 225 Lonsdale in Vancouver Mosth Vancouver 687-7223 NESHIKE Bicycles of Distinction | AT A I's 926-6242 1852 MARINE DR. WEST VAN = : Toys, Hobbies, Trains oe ‘AMBLESIDE | TOYS 'N HOBBIES 1425 Marine Dr., West Van. 922-3512 7} UP TO 60% OFF & | from $99 4 DEPT. 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