WHY MENTOR HER?
Research shows us that womxn are less likely to run given that:
Womxn are disproportionately responsible for care-giving and domestic labour.
Womxn often feel like they are unprepared for candidacy and elected office, citing a lack of skills and/or experience.
Womxn experience a disproportionate amount of sexism in political culture.
Womxn in Canada outspend their male counterparts in political campaigns due to extra incurred costs, including childcare and housework.
Womxn are less likely to receive donations and/or have access to financial networks in comparison to their male counterparts.
Men disproportionately benefit from incumbency.
All of these challenges are amplified for BIPOC, low-income, womxn, and those with additional marginalizing factors.
Research also shows us that women gain more social capital as a result of affiliation with high-status mentors who are able to provide advice, training, access to influential networks, and resources needed to succeed as a candidate.
Mentor Her is designed for:
Those who identify as womxn
Someone who is interested in learning how to increase their political engagement and considering political candidacy.
A diverse representative of the Calgary community, providing the opportunity for womxn with Indigenous, visible minority, racialized, and LGBTQ2S+ backgrounds to participate in the program.
Mentor Her Participants will:
Be mentored by a diverse group of incredible womxn who currently hold, or have held, elected office
Be placed in a small group alongside other participants for an intimate experience
Be expected to attend all four, 90-minute, (virtual) mentorship sessions, with an option to attend a fifth session specifically designed for racialized womxn (schedule is available below).
Learn more about the intricacies of:
Fundraising
Campaigning
Inspirations and Motivations
Navigating media and public life
Addressing microaggressions, and more
Be encouraged to maintain relationships with mentors upon completion of the program