Mr. Speaker, this is International Women's Week, a week in which we take time to reflect on the progress made in advancing women's equality. This past Friday, March 5, over 250 participants did just that at the first annual Women in Politics Conference in Windsor which was hosted by my provincial colleague, Sandra Pupatello, and me.
The conference was dedicated to the memory of Shaughnessy Cohen and this event was sanctioned by the area school boards. Students from high school, college and university from across Essex County, the city of Windsor and Chatham participated in a one day forum to encourage young women to become involved in our political system.
Guest speakers included the Hon. Dianne Cunningham, Lyn McLeod and Marion Boyd who spoke to an enthusiastic crowd at the Fogolar Furlan Club on the role women can and do play in politics. Keynote luncheon speaker Robert Fisher, anchor for Global News , gave a fantastic account of his experience with women politicians, and our media panel included the Ottawa Citizen 's Jane Taber.
A special thanks to our student organizers and corporate sponsors and to the principals, teachers and students who recognized the importance of our message through their participation. The conference participants took a step forward in the advancement of all women.