1989 was a high water mark for women working hard to shatter the glass ceiling at Edmonton City Hall. Not only did Edmontonians elect their first female mayor (Jan Reimer), but they also elected for the first time an equal number of women and men to serve on council. We talk to Reimer, still the first and only woman elected to lead Edmonton, about the highs and lows of her mayoralty and her experience wading through the deep-seated sexism and misogyny that confronted her every day. We also hear from two former Reimer staffers — Kathy Vandergrift (Edmonton’s first female chief of staff to a mayor) and John Brennan — about the behind-the-scenes efforts to support a female mayor during this wild, tumultuous and sometimes hilarious time in Edmonton’s history.
Guests: Jan Reimer, Kathy Vandergrift and John Brennan
Music by: Lyra Brown
Art by: Deanna Bains
Searching For Izena is a year-long grassroots project organized by YWCA Edmonton, Parity YEG and several past and present Edmonton City Councillors. Thanks to our sponsors the Edmonton Community Foundation and the Edmonton Heritage Council. Thanks also to the Edmonton Public Library, Edmonton Archives, the Adams Agency and Ryan Jespersen for their help bringing this project to life. For a full list of supporters and more info about the project, head to: searchingforizena.com
Part 10: Eight
Part 9: A Special “Searching For Izena” 2021 Election Guide
Part 8: The “Lost” Stories
Part 7: What If
Part 6: Enough
Part 5: Mom
Part 4: Zero
Part 2: Sex, Tea Parties & Cigarettes
Part 1: #30 & #31
Trailer: Searching for Izena
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