I first knew Olivia Chow the same way a lot of people outside of Toronto did, as Jack Layton’s wife. I worked for Jack, in the leader’s office, for several years and I met Olivia a few times. Over those years it became apparent that Olivia was a force to be reckoned with and I started wondering about her history – how did this women get drawn into politics. I knew she had been a city councillor in Toronto before becoming an MP, and I knew that without Olivia there would have been no Jack Layton as we knew him, but that was about it.
When I got an email about Olivia’s book, My Journey, I made a mental note to pick up a copy, and when I was out one day last week running errands hearing her interview with Jian Ghomeshi on Q sent me straight to the bookstore.
You want an example of a kickass woman? Olivia Chow is most certainly a good one.
An immigrant to Canada, Olivia got interested, got involved and worked hard to change policies in Toronto’s school board, Toronto city council and now Parliament. She is an example of what a woman can do when she finds an issue that fuels her.
Truth be told I always found Olivia intimidating when I was working on the Hill. She’s demanding and you don’t waste her time. More and more over the years I’ve come to see the power and strength she demonstrates, and though this book I get to know how she became the woman that she is – a fine example for other women who see a need for change and want to make it happen.
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