The Wingham Advance-Times, 1974-01-31, Page 15•
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—Crossroads—January 31. 197447—
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Women.10n`�.
p�lt�c� an
INamen's Lib,
• CIIAUVINISIVt. What a beauti-
ful ten dollar word. And one that
has been so cheaply thrown
around lately since its revival by
ardent supporters and members
of the women's liberation move-
ment.
But, what many of these
bra -burning gals don't know is
that their magic word can also be
applied to thein. Well, . that's
equality, isn't it? The Webster's
New World Dictionary defines
"chauvinism" as "'unreasoning
devotion to one's own race, sex,
etc., with contempt for other ,
races, the opposite sex, etc,'" .
No mention that it is applied
onlyto men. Utilizing this defini-
tion,
fini-tion, Hitler was a chauvinist, the
Black -Panther Party iS chauvi-
nistic and women's libbers bre'
chauvinists. And maybe the' odd
man is a chauvinist.
Anyway, what I'm driving at is
this. The situation may arrive, or
perhaps. it is here, wherein we
have in this cornerour women's
libbers (alias chauvinists)" and in
that cornerpur men who fear for
their masculinity and consider
themselves quite superior to,
women (alias chauvinists);
So, when the gong starts the
boxing match, who is going to
take the beating? The referee of
course, because whether the
lucky person is male or female,
one of those crazy boxers fsRoing
to sneak in a few shots to the poor
sap! And to put it into practical
terms, you andit two peeple,who,
.lI atn:sure,,both.want to live. %.on
t giial'statb of nititual ads iiratin
of the opposite sex, are the
saps—the referees! .
The battle of the sexes is
age-old• and now, like anything
that comes into our modern state .
of affairs, it stinks of that com-
mercial glaze.
Not only are they trying to sell
the all -Canadian male a shaving
lotion that supposedly acts like an
aphrodisiac•that drives hordes of
young honeys to frantic despera-
tion, but they attract women to
the same product by showing that
if they buy it for their male
friend or husband, they will be
liberated aggressors, all.
And if that girl on television
comes out of her toll booth, tells
the guy to shove over and drives
off to the sunset scene by the lake
once more, I hope she loses her
job.
The battle goes on in all situa-
tions:
itua-tions: domestic, business and
others. But, Crossroads decided
to "look at the role 'of women in
municipal politics and extract
from the sampling of area women
who are actively involved in the
political scene, comments and
opinions on everything from dis-
crimination and female tokenism
in politics to men's and women's
magazines featuring nude cen-
trefolds.
You will meet Wingham's first
and only female councillor, a
Palmerston Woman who is the
first woman ever , to be on the
Wellington County Council, Lis -
towel's first female town council-
lor and Mount Forest's only
woman ori its municipal council.
A member of Mount Forest's
town council for three years, Ms.
Jean Leiper is highly critical of
the women's liberation move-
ment.
She says women should not be
on the defensive, and cited as an
example of the truly liberated
woman Ms. Pierrette Lafond, the
exotic dancer interviewed by
Crossroads last year. "To my
0 mind, she was really liberated, or
close to it, since no one is com-
pletely free. She does what she
wants to do and she stated she
has done male -dominated jobs
such as construction work and so
on, yet she doesn't make a big
deal out of it. Being your own
woman is important, not whether
you are better at something than
a man.
"Women's magazines with
male nude foldouts are garbage
and an insult to women.
"I think this, again, is a defen-
sive attitude taken by women to
more or less shout 'anything you
can do I can do be'tter'. It's
ehildish and I don't think women
like looking at male nudes like
voyeurs Or something,"
How about Playboy and other
P
men's .magazines?
"Those who take Playboy, seri-
ously are wasting their time and
thought about it."
LIBERATEp HOUSEWIFE:
"Who is there liberated," she
asks, "than a woman in terms of
'having time for herself? She
doesn'treally have to go out to
work unless the family is finan-
cially wanting, 'because her hus-
band is eicpeeted, by ,her and so-
ciety to go out for the money," .
Ms. Leiper added, however,
that there is a tremendous
amount of need and 'room for
elasticity in the running of the
household.', ti
"We -should be able to balance
the two age-old stereotypes of the
breadwinner and the housekeep-
er until we reach equal opportu-
nity for both. 1 think marriage
should be an equal partnership."
Is hers? "My husband is here a
good. deal of the time 'with the
kids and myself and this is the
most important thing, I think. It's
not really whether he shares the
housekeeping duties or net,
although he can make his own
supper or help -out with washing
the dishes, but it's being a good
father and husband that really.
counts. And tha.tcomes about by
having his attention, not just his
help. with everyday chores.
That's secondary."
Her husband,. Doug, emerges
from his study for a moment to
take a break from marking. his
. tti`ide� .. Y`ioirs• Mr. Leiper is a'
uw sr .1ea4••F� r *-s ;�4
1'65E1ier- at Mount PP rest and
District High School.
How does he view his wife's re-
sponsibilities on council? "I think
it is extremely good for our chil-
dren (they have three, aged 6 to
"12) or anybody'% t see their
mother become active lin com-
munity affairs. It sets a good
example for them so they can: be-
come community -minded and
make contributions."
"The situation has changed for
many women," says Ms. Leiper,
"and day care centres have
helped them do it,"
She admits that the age of
working mothers and population
growth control may have its ad-
verse effects. "I don't know if it is
a good thing, totally, because I've
met many young people who
don't, want to have children as a
result' of our .modern-day atti-
tudes towards families.. What will
happen, then, to the family unit?
"If women's lib has done any-
thingaelse, itat least has gained
public attention to a problem.
In its extreme it is a perver-
sion of a good idea."
If it isn't working ;practically,,
however, how do women change
their roles and .gain equality in
job and domestic situations?
"Individually. Changing the
role of women is up' to each
woman, if she Wants change. If
she doesn't then she'is happy; and
that is what the whole thing is
about anyway. Change will not
come about through banding
together and hating men or burn-
ing bras. It • will come through
perseverance, willingness to
prove, mainly to ourselves, that
we are capable .of handling jobs
that have traditionally been male
dominated, and strongindividua-
listic characters and qualities.
``What is basically boils down
to is betterment of your own
person, whether in professions or
households and whether you are'
male or female. That is quiet,
strong change and that is the best
way to bring .about satisfactory
evolution."
I
MAR -PUFFING DAME:
`Stereotypes are a sad lot, . but
can they be avoided? After all,
don't they hatch from miscon-
ceptions, ignorance, illusions and
other assorted evils? In politics
probably the biggest stereotype
has been the image of a female
politician sucking away on cigars
and shouting orders; a huffy,
loud, aggressive dame.
"I don't think you can avoid.
stereotypes, male, or female,"
expresses . Ms. Leiper.
"Itriage is the biggest 'seller in
politics and I think the best
example of that is the„way Nixon
was packaged up and` presented
to the American people in thelast
election.
"People are more discriminai
now in their -choice, of candidate,;'
They have access to most of
facts. Whether they use them or
not, I don't know. hitt, when you
have a Watergate, you becor
cynical about the whole politica')
ring and this may be the reason:
why the electorate is scrutinizing
issues more 'arid more.”
SLIGHT DISCRIMINATION:
"I wouldn't say I have been
subjected to discrimination be1,1
cause I am a female ion counol
although there has been the odd 1,
time when it .watt evident seine j
people would rather see a man in
my place."
When Ms. Leiper was running
for election there was an elderly
woman who' supported her and
made her a promise she would
get as manly of her own friends as
possible to vote for her. "There'
was one, though, who told .this
lady that she wouldn't vote for a,.,.
young girl who had long hair
half -way down her back. She said
she just couldn't do it." •
Laughingly, she adds, "Some
people are`just a bit leery aboutit.
woman councillor, especially a
young woman councillor:"
- Lie another instance a man had
phoned after she was elected a
asked to speak to Councilll
Leiper. "My husband answered
the phone and the man said, 'Are
you Councillor Leiper?' My
us,baqdsaid, ► m Wire rs tl'1e''
councl tore an e' tailor` an-
swered, 'Oh no, I didn't know I
had to speak to a woman'."
The caller was about to hang up
when Ms, Leiper took the phone.
"He finally told me what he '
wanted and we straightened it
out, but at first 'it was obvious he
felt more relaxed talking to a
man about political problems."
ON HOSPITAL BOARD:
Before running for council Ms.
Leiper was on the Louise •
Marshall Hospital Board for
three years. Prior to moving to
Mount. Forest she studied general
MS. ELSIE KARGES: "There must have been a lot of men voting for me or 1 wouldn't
' have gotten U':"
• MS. JEAN L E I PE R: "Women's Iib is a perversion of a good idea."
arts with English and Economics
at the University of Western'On-
tarso in London, and worked
briefly at the atomic energy plant
in Chalk River.
While on council she has' been
involved in the day care entre
committee, the zoning commtt-
tee, parks committee and the
conservation authority commit-
tee.
Concerning, her work in conser-
vation she says, ''I would like to
see a park developed close to
Mount Forest very soon. It would
serve other communities as well
because no. single community can
afford it on its own. It would have
to be a joint venture."
She is keenly interested in the
town's growth. "I would like to
think that Mount Forest will grow
a bit faster than it has in the last
40 years. If we look closely at
future growth it can be done
sensibly and in a controlled
manner so that good living stan-
dards grow side by side with the
population."
She believes that the rural resi-
dents of Mount Forest's area are
"as important to this town as .the
people who live within the town
limits. The rural and townspeople
have to work together for the
betterment of the town and its
area."
What is her advice to women
who want to become involved in
community life and be con-
sidered equal in domestic and job
situations`? She points to a copy of
the Desiderata, which hangs in
her kitchen. "This is the best ad-
vice to anyone in any human
relation. 'Co quietly amidst the
noise and confusion'. Do your job,
try hard, and stay off soap
boxes."
A WORTHWHILE CAUSE:
Two years ago Ms. Elsie
Karges was looking for some-
thing "worthwhile to do". She
found it. She became the first
woman councillor in Listowel and
now is in politics to stay.
"Once you get involved you
have to stay in for at least more
than one term. It takes a year or
more before you can make a con-
tribution because there is so
much to learn."
His being a woman made it
more difficult for her on council'?
"1a've' experienced virtually
no,dis�crimination on council. The
members have been very good.
We all speak independently and I
am certainly given equal time to
state my point of view."
Will Canada have a woman in
the post of Prime Minister? "We
haveso few female candidates in
the'\;House, so there is very little
chance: If there is not a large
•'number elected then there .is not
much choice." '
Ms. Karges expressed hope
that more women would run for
election at all political \levels
"because I think if the right
woman comes along, she will be
elected, regardless of her sex.
"I think if a woman is elected,"
she says, "it is, because the
people feel she can make a
contribution, not ,just because
they want to have one woman up
there to make it look good."
She adds, "That was my feeling
when the people supported me."
Were her supporters mainly
women? "There must have been
a lot of men voting for me or I
wouldn't have gotten in."
Ms. Karges does not have
many problems juggling.. her
family life with her council work.
Her three sons, ranging in age
from 17 to 21, are old enough now
that she can devote much of her
time to working.
She admits that she has been
more community -minded than
politically oriented and believes
her community work has helped
her on council. "But, political
work is my first responsibility
now."
That politics is her life now is
evident, scanning over her work
on council in the last two years.
She has worked diligently and
devoutly on a traffic study
;'because certain corners show
no right 'of way for drivers.
Hopefully, the study will be itn-
plemented soon."
She also hopes to have a bypass
constructed so that trucks "won't
have to travel through. the down-
town section a\nd add to the traf-
1it problem here. They also have
to make a difficult turn at the
light and at times are forced to
drive partially on the sidewalk to
get around the corner.
Aside from her work on the
traffic problem, Ms. Karges is
chairwoman of the protection for
persons and property committee.
,During her time in the position
she has had one third of the
town's street lights replaced with
new mercury vapor lights and
has doubled installations. "We
had been putting in 30 lights per
year and we stepped it up to 60,
which should complete the job in
six or seven years rather .than
thirteen or more."
The March of Dimes is another
worthwhile area in which she has
taken an active part. The one
night blitz for donations was held
January 28. "I am on the finance
committee, so I took the coin col-
lectors around to businesses 'to
see if they could be left there for
donations,and on the night of the
march I assisted with the collec-
tions."
With all of her other activities,
she also volunteers to help the
meals -on -wheels program in Lis-
towel. "The program allows for
dinners to be taken to shut-ins
five days a week, and 1 assist one
day per week."
How is a woman to be success-
ful in politics? "You should ex-
pect to be treated as an equal and
you will .be treated as such; but
you have to work hard, be up on
issues, and do your homework."
Does a , woman have to try
harder to gain equal status? "1
haven't found any disadvantage
in being a woman in politics. I
just hope, more women seek elec-
tion, because it is just a matter of
dying forit and if we get enough
effort from women, we'll have
our rightful place in the political.
scene."
She added that anyone running
for e'Tection to political office
"has to accept the fact of possible
defeat, whether that person is a
woman or a man. That's a fact
that cannot be denied and no
candidate should get cold feet
over it."
SOME RESENTMENT:
Wingham's first and, so far,
, only woman town councillor Ms.
Marg Bennett believes some
women "resent my being on
council a little bit."
She was voted into council ten
years ago and has been a council-
lor ever sirice, going to bat for
every member of the town re-
gardless of their sex.or financial
status. "The ones who make the
thousands every year really don't
know what it's :ike for the little
guy to get by, end since we are
spending money belonging to
both classes we have to consider
very carefully what is done with
it and make sure everyone can
benefit from it."
She splits up her time between
being chairman of the council's
finance committee and office
manager at the Winghain and
District Hospital.
Her job, she says, is the prime
reason she hasn't thrown her hat
into the -ring for the mayoralty.
"If I wasn't working I would love
to be the mayor, but my political
ambitions go • no further than
that."
Her husband Roy, who, has
been chairman of the PUCfor the
past five years, views her work
on coincil with • "pride"_ The
couple has three children but the
youngest is 14 so "there is no
conflict between my 'work and;
council duties and my family."
Ms. Bennett does not think
Canada will have a female Prime
Minister because "I see no one
coming into that area.
"I don't, think the position of
Prime Minister is the place for a
woman," she adds.
She would • like to- see more
women running for political
office, but "I wouldn't particu-
larly want to see another woman ,
on this council. I think you can
get too many and that is not good
either, because women definitely
think differently on issues than
men."
. Ms. Bennett is against the
women's liberation movement
because "I think a man should
still be the one to, for instance,
open doors for a lady, pull out
chairs for her to sit on and be
chivalrous."
She accused the movement of
"damaging women because it
has gone too far in a ridiculous
vein." 6'
Ten years ago she wasn't espe-
cially welcome on council be-
cause she was a woman: Has the
situation changed? "It has
changed from the beginning
.when I don't think they wanted
any woman on council. Now, I
think I have the respect and ap-
proval from both the electorate
and my fellow councillors."
How did she do it? "I think you
have to go into a job like that, or
any job, for that matter, with an
ease and an obvious desire to
learn and absorb the atmosphere.
You have to constantly be
learning, then grow gradually
into the position 'until, if you are
very lucky, ;• ':'Q you like a
glove."
ON COUNTY COUNCIL:
As well as being deputy reeve
of Palmerston's town council,
Ms. Lou Logan is the first woman
to be elected to the Wellington
County Council and she keeps a
schedule guaranteed to allow for
at least one hour of 'sleep per day.
She attends two regular meet-
ings of Palmerston town council,
plus special Meetings and com-
mittee meetings and then there Is
her work on the county count
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