Empowered Voices

This inquiry explored the issue of the under-representation of women in local politics in Alberta.
Drawing on action-oriented research, feminist work, and intersectionality, this project addressed
the research question: "How might the Alberta Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism, and Status
of Women (CMSW) support female candidates in the 2021 Alberta Municipal Elections?"
Participants in this inquiry were women who ran for office in the 2017 Edmonton Municipal
Election. The opinions and experiences they relayed suggested that these women faced multiple
challenges during their election campaigns, the greatest of which revolved around difficulties in
fundraising, being a new candidate, and building a team of skilled and committed volunteers.
Recommendations for the sponsor, CMSW, were (a) to help women candidates overcome the
fundraising challenge and (b) to revise the content of the Ready for Her resource guide according
to women candidates' need and hosting events relevant to them.
Key words: women in local politics; under-representation; women in leadership; Ready
for Her online resource guide; Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women;
Women in Alberta politics.