Georgian student to attend celebration of women’s right to vote

March 29, 2017

Hunter Markle, a student in the Advertising and Marketing Communications program at the Barrie Campus, is one of only 107 young women invited to participate in A Remarkable Assembly – Celebrating 100 Years of Women’s Right to Vote in Ontario at Queen’s Park on April 12.

“As a 23-year-old woman, I am grateful for the rights that we have won, but I am mindful that full equality has not been achieved,” said Markle, who is also Vice President of External and Equity with the Georgian College Students’ Association (GCSA).

“I am also astutely aware that as a cisgendered, white-identified woman of middle-class standing that I have a lot of privilege within a Canadian colonial context, which means that I have a responsibility to use my voice to help contribute to a larger, sustainable change at the national, provincial and community level.”

To celebrate the 100^th anniversary of women’s right to vote in Ontario, women between the ages of 18 and 30 were invited to apply to take part in the event. Applicants had to demonstrate leadership and a commitment to and enthusiasm for active citizenship, democracy, governance and parliament through a written paper that answered the question: What does Emily Murphy’s quote, “Leaders today as never before” mean to them, as well as provide a letter of reference.

One woman from each electoral district in Ontario was chosen by the Legislative Assembly to attend the full day of activities. Markle will represent the Barrie-Innisfil riding currently held by Liberal MPP Ann Hoggarth.

The event will give participants the opportunity to meet prominent Ontario women and members of parliament, gain a behind-the-scenes experience of parliament, and network with like-minded women from across the province.

“I am excited for the insight and perspective I will be gaining from esteemed Ontario women and members of parliament that I can bring back as the student representative on the Board of Governors this year,” said Markle. “I am looking forward to meeting other young women and the conversations we will have, seeing what they’re doing on their campuses and communities, allowing their work to inspire me more.”

Markle will be a full-time student in Georgian’s Fundraising and Resource Development program in the fall. She joins Leah Fearman, another Fundraising student who was one of only 337 women across Canada chosen to participate in the International Women’s Day March on Parliament Hill on March 8.