Tag: Karla MacFarlane

"We Rise: Women in Politics" is a panel discussion presented by Cape Breton Voices and Equal Voice Nova Scotia at the New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation at 6 p.m. MacFarlane, 48, said once she was elected, she found her physical appearance was constantly under scrutiny. "The type of thing that has recently happened in our party happens in any profession." 'Passionate' vs. 'emotional' Kendra Coombes, a 29-year-old Cape Breton Regional councillor and a co-organizer of the panel, recalls the first time she discussed the role of women in politics with her mother at the age of 11 or 12, after seeing a campaign sign bearing the face of her aunt, Helen MacDonald. MacDonald was equally pleased when, years later, Coombes decided to run for municipal council. "We discussed how hard it was going to be," said Coombes. She's one of three women on the 12-member council. "I believe that all women are natural-born leaders. Brenda Chisholm-Beaton feels that responsibility as the first female mayor in Cape Breton. But gender-based or not, when I became the mayor, I really wanted to create a more level playing field." The attached note from her friend said: "My daughter just proclaimed that she's sitting on her mayor's chair, and she's very hard at work, and she is very excited to help all kinds of people in her community.