The Power of Our Voice - Women and Politics

CWBN invites you to our September event, The Power of Our Voice, where we will hear from Maeve Maguire — Former BC Caucus Chief of Staff; Elected North Cowichan Councillor and Sonia Furstenau — Former BC Green Party Leader; MLA about Politics, Values & Your Voice.

What makes this pairing so right for a CWBN audience is that Maeve and Sonia don’t approach politics the way politicians do. They approach it the way we do — through values, through relationships, through asking “why” until you get to something real. Their core message is one that will resonate deeply with our members and guests: that your feelings about what’s happening in your community are not a weakness. They are your values speaking. And those values deserve a seat at the table.

They also bring something rare: they have been inside the room, and they came out not cynical, but more committed to change. For women in our network who feel frustrated, disengaged, or simply unsure where to begin, that perspective is exactly the kind of grounded, honest leadership we are built to celebrate.

Our Guest Speakers

Maeve Macguire — Former BC Caucus Chief of Staff; Elected North Cowichan Councillor

Maeve has worked inside BC’s political system at the highest levels — as caucus chief of staff she was immersed daily in the bills, debates, and decisions that shape public life. She has also sat at the council table in North Cowichan, experiencing firsthand both the power and the limits of how local government engages its community. What sets Maeve apart is that she left that world with her eyes wide open: she knows what works, what doesn’t, and exactly why so many people feel shut out of a system that’s supposed to represent them. She speaks about politics not to promote a party, but to dismantle the barriers that keep women from showing up and owning their voice.

Sonia Furstenau — Former BC Green Party Leader; MLA

Sonia served as MLA for Cowichan Valley and led the BC Green Party — a journey that took her from local school board advocacy to the floor of the legislature. Like Maeve, she arrived in politics driven by values and a belief that democracy should mean something real to ordinary people. Together, Maeve and Sonia co-founded the Community Assembly Network, built on the conviction that the way we currently engage the public in civic decisions is broken — and that it can be done better, through deliberation, shared values, and genuine community voice.

Your Ticket Includes

• A beautifully prepared buffet dinner (Please email us at info@cwbn.ca to let us know if you are gluten free, dairy free, vegan or have other allergies that the kitchen needs to be aware of.)

• Engaging in networking opportunities

• Inspiring words from our guest speakers, Maeve Macguire and Sonia Furstenau

  
  

Event Theme

To make the evening extra special, our theme is Power (wear an outfit you feel powerful in!). As always, the theme is optional, and you can wear whatever you like. We encourage you to wear something that makes you feel fabulous!

Event Sponsor

A heartfelt thank you to our event sponsor, Host Bookkeeping Systems.

At Host Bookkeeping Systems, they believe numbers tell a story and they help business owners understand theirs. Based in the Cowichan Valley and serving Canadians nationwide, they provide monthly bookkeeping, financial reporting, and Virtual CFO services that give business owners clarity, calm, and the confidence to make smart decisions as they grow.

They are proud to sponsor this event because informed women make better decisions in their businesses and in their communities. When women understand the systems around them, financial or political, they lead with greater confidence and impact. That is a future they are happy to invest in.

This Month's Giving Back

This month, we'll be supporting the local non-profit, Cowichan Women Against Violence. They are looking for the following items, which you can bring to our event to donate:

Waterproof Jackets and Raincoats 

Umbrellas

Pyjamas (xs-xl)

Sweatpants/ Legging (xs-xl)

Toques 

Bath Towels, Facecloths, Tea towels, Dishcloths

New in package socks & underwear (xs-xl)

You can also help support them by participating in our 50/50 draw (tap only).

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Grab your ticket soon - seating is limited! Tickets are on sale until the end of the day on Friday, September 11th.

*We want to see you in this room of incredible women! If the cost of the event is prohibitive for you, please contact us at info@cwbn.ca.