The provincial committee has grown and prospered since that time and now has members on the executive from across Ontario and representation from every region. The result is that the NDP has excellent policy on women's concerns and has achieved parity on all party committees and the executive. In the most recent election, an affirmative action program was in place for women candidates and minorities. And in Ontario, a record number of women (11) are members of the Cabinet.

Running for Office
After the federal election of 1974 WPA friends urged me to run for East York Borough Council. I wrote my own literature with much editing from my committee. I asked for help and criticism of my public speaking and I knocked on doors. I will always remember the first door of that campaign. A man opened the door and seeing the leaflet in my hand said "Politicians! You're all alike" and slammed the door in my face.

I learned firsthand the difficulties facing women candidates running for office. I could not afford to take time off from work so I would finish a full day's work at the daycare centre, rush home, grab a bite and go out for two or three hours of canvassing. I was exhausted when election day came. My committee consisted of WPA members, riding activists and friends from my local Ratepayers' and Residents' Association. We finished the campaign with 20% of the vote and no debts.

In 1978 I retired from my work with small children. I missed them but looked forward to all that wonderful time to use as I pleased.

I looked at the possibility of getting a university degree but I did not think I could mix depth of study with political action. I took a weekly morning class in creative writing and even here politics invaded, for my stories often had a feminist theme.

Now as a senior citizen I became a member of Voice of Women (VOW) and learned to demonstrate, to write letters to MPs and to petition. I knocked on doors with one petition and was surprised to hear a woman say "Yes, I agree with that, but I'll wait to talk to my husband before I sign".

In my work with my riding association I have served as president, membership secretary and as provincial council delegate. At provincial council I looked at provincial budgets, debated strategies and attended policy sessions. I have become comfortable with a microphone, leading workshops and speaking to groups. Had I chosen a university course I wonder if I would have become familiar with all the issues that concern us as people - as women - or if I would merely have achieved a greater depth of knowledge in English Literature or history? Through political action I have learned people.

Vi Thompson, born in 1913, former daycare worker, has spent the last twenty years working in women's organizations and in the New Democratic Party.