WOW: Politics and Leadership

How do you talk to kids about politics, feminism and women in leadership.  There are no two better women to guide us through this topic than Kate Graham, professor of political science, mom of a five year old girl and author of Govern Like a Girl and  Run the World Like a Girl , and Jess Macasaet, Windsor activist and mom of two busy boys. Don't worry, we talk about representation versus ideology....

Kristen Siapas, Leslie McCurdy and Anastasia Adams join us for our first current affairs panel.  We stray from urban planning to criminal justice to gender segregated schools.  Join us for a fun and interesting conversation that proves not all women think alike.   Please like and follow our podcast.  We also have a substack where we post useful show assets.  Subscribe to us at https://womenofwinds...

This week Melinda and Jessica talk about two important social movements in Ontario for women in elected office.  Women of Ontario Say No is a group of women pushing for changes to the Municipal Act to allow Councillors to be removed from office for serious acts of harassment.  Elect Respect is a project from Burlington that seeks to promote more civility towards and between elected officials.  We...

Linda McCurdy and Gemma Grey-Hall are two powerhouse women who have run for office in Windsor and Essex County.  We interviewed them live at Art Windsor-Essex on July 17.  Listen in on a rollicking but also frank discussion of what it means to run for office as a woman of colour.   We are grateful to Art Windsor-Essex for hosting our first live recording.   Please like and follow our podcast.  We...

No one epitomizes women in politics and the elbows up philosophy better than Sandra Pupatello.  Former Ontario Cabinet Minister and now Senator, Sandra took time out of her busy schedule to talk to Melinda and Jessica about why the economy is the most important issue for women today.  She also shared her experiences from being a young campaign aide to running for office and provides good advice on...

Three of Windsor's best campaign managers join us to share the secrets of running campaigns for women and by women.  Valerie Bonasso, Darcie Renaud and Pat Papadeas have run campaigns for municipal, provincial and federal candidates for over twenty years.  If you like political strategy, want to know the inside dope on how campaigns work or just like war stories, this episode is for you.  Bonus if...

Anne Jarvis is the doyenne of political commentary in Windsor Essex having spent a career following politics and politicians through the region.  She joins Jessica and Melinda to talk federal election, recounts, conservative sweeps and why women should run for office.   Please like and follow our podcast.  We also have a substack where we post useful show assets.  Subscribe to us at https://womeno...

Mayor of Lasalle Crystal Meloche was bitten by the public service bug early.  After watching her husband run unsuccessfully for Council she knew this was the job for her.  Representing young women and young moms was the driver to push her into politics.   Please like and follow our podcast.  We also have a substack where we post useful show assets.  Subscribe to us at https://womenofwindsorpolitic...

Please like and follow our podcast.  We also have a substack where we post useful show assets.  Subscribe to us at https://womenofwindsorpolitics.substack.com/

Lori Wightman is running for the NDP in Essex County.  She is one of only two women running in the region.  She had a good chat with Melinda and Jessica about being drawn to public life, running for election and whether women are just better at getting things done.  Please like and follow our podcast.  We also have a substack where we post useful show assets.  Subscribe to us at https://womenofwin...

Sherry Bondy, Mayor of the Town of Essex is a household name in this region.  She joined Melinda and Jessica for a fun and inspiring conversation about the work of being a rural mayor in challenging times.  She also let us in on a bit of the ELK Energy story.   Please like and follow our podcast.  We also have a substack where we post useful show assets.  Subscribe to us at https://womenofwindsorp...

Kelsey Santarossa was the youngest person ever elected in an Ontario municipality in 2018 when she ran in Lakeshore for the first time.  Melinda and Jessica talk about the challenges of not only being a woman but being a young woman.  Kelsey shares her incredible optimism for the future even in trying times.   Please like and follow our podcast.  We also have a substack where we post useful show a...

Although not an elected official herself, Helga Reidel is easily one of the most influential public servants in Windsor and Essex County.  As a senior executive and CAO at the City of Windsor followed by becoming CEO of Enwin Utilities, Helga has worked with polticians at every level of government.  Who better to have on our podcast to talk about what it takes to be a leader and how to make a good...

Jessica and Melinda talk about their overall impressions of the Ontario Election from the perspective of women observers and they reflect on the interviews with Gemma Grey-Hall, Tamara Stomp, Rachael Mills and Lisa Gretzky.  There are a few statistics at the beginning but hang in there, they are important later.   Please like and follow our podcast.  We also have a substack where we post useful sh...

In the final episode of our Ontario Election 2025 series, Melinda talks to sitting NDP Member of Provincial Parliament Lisa Gretzky.  Their conversation ranged from some of Lisa's formative experiences as a young woman to the value of being able to work across the aisle with other women from all parties.  She gives us an inside look into the work of being an MPP and some stories of making connecti...

In the next in our series on women running in the 2025 Ontario Election, we talk to Rachael Mills, candidate for the NDP in Essex.  Rachael, Jessica, and Melinda discuss whether women are more emotional than men in politics and calling critics in with equal parts kindness and reality.   Please like and follow our podcast.  We also have a substack where we post useful show assets.  Subscribe to us...

Tamara Stomp, Liberal Candidate for MPP in Essex County joins Melinda and Jessica to talk about how 42 years as a litigator and more than a decade on Kingville Council prepared her for her run for the county seat at Queen's Park.  As a politician and community activist she tells us how she was always driven by issues in the community and keeping her focus on what matters to the people.   Please li...

Gemma Grey-Hall is the NDP Candidate for Windsor-Tecumseh.  She and Melinda talk about how canvassing for Heart and Stroke as a child led to a life long enjoyment of talking to people at the door.  And how being a Black woman informs the work of running for office.   Please like and follow our podcast.  We also have a substack where we post useful show assets.  Subscribe to us at https://womenofwi...

Remember when Windsor, Ontario was the worst city to be a woman?  Melinda Munro and Jessica Sartori muse on whether things have changed and if so, for the better.   Join us as we talk about why we are creating this podcast and why we believe more women need to run for office.   Please like and follow our podcast.  We also have a substack where we post useful show assets.  Subscribe to us at https:...