Agree to Disagree: Old Boys Club

Growing up in Montreal, shortly after the sexual revolution of the sixties, I didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of gender inequality.

In my world, men and women were the same. In my eyes, they were equals. Sure, ladies were not as physically strong as gentlemen and some roles were defined according to genders– women cooked, men fixed things–but never was I told that I could not pursue a certain career or do a certain thing because I was a girl. I guess I was lucky that way.

My father was a strong business man and it was only logical for me to follow in his footsteps. From the minute I registered my first company, back in 1994, I knew I was born for entrepreneurship.

After a while, I realized that being a woman in a man’s world can be rather challenging. Still, it wasn’t something that interfered with my work. I was good at selling myself and my abilities and got plenty of work.

But then, I moved to Cornwall and entered the media industry.

I hate to admit it but this town is an “old boys club” to a level that I have never seen before. And the old boys are pulling the strings. They stick together and support each other. It’s quite commendable, really. Us ladies should do more of that.

I understand competition. It’s a small town and we’re all competing for the same advertising dollars. But I don’t get intimidation.

Over the past five years, I’ve heard so many stories from people stating that they were told not to do business with us and I’m still debating if it’s because we are women or if it’s because we are in the media industry.

This paper has been called “glorified blog”, unprofessional, “not really a newspaper”, amateurish and wannabe. Personally, I’ve been mocked, publicly humiliated, told to go back to school and said to not be able to spell my own name by some of my male counterparts, but that’s ok. I’ve been called worse by better people.

International Women’s Day is coming up March 8th. This is a day to celebrate women, a day to look back on history and how far we’ve come along when it comes to women’s rights. It’s a day to show the world women are strong, women are powerful.

Mai-Liis and I, the “Seeker Chicks”, are so excited to be throwing the “Ultimate Girls Day in” in honour of women’s day. We have partnered with wonderful women in business to offer you a true day of pampering. “Sex with Sue” McGarvie will be our main speaker, there will be free massages, manicures, pedicures, hair curling, braiding, etc. In addition to many smaller door prizes, our grand prize for the day will include a breakfast, lunch and dinner, flowers from floral expressions, a spa day at above and beyond, an overnight stay at a local hotel and much much more. Come to the Civic Complex on March 6, from 10am to 4pm to get a chance to win this “Queen for a Day” package.

Let’s make this event the biggest, the baddest, the most attended event in Cornwall history. Maybe then, the old boys will have not other choice than to acknowledge the power of women.

“If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman” -Margaret Thatcher