Gender and Women
in Civic Leadership

Gender and Women in Civic Leadership Archive

Documenting gendered leadership practices in local governance

Directed by Dr. Jacquetta Newman
Co-Directed by Dr. Shawna Lewkowitz

 

Supported by SSHRC, the Research Office of King’s University College, and the Departments of Politics and International Relations (PIR) and Social Justice and Peace Studies (SJPS) within the School for Policy, Law and Social Change (SPLSC)

 

 

That anticipatory stress is itself labour.”

Welcome to the Gender and Women in Civic Leadership Archive, a growing collection of stories, reflections, and research documenting how women and gender-diverse leaders shape civic life in London, Ontario, and the surrounding region.

The Gender and Women in Civic Leadership Archive brings together student research, community engagement, and the experiences of women and gender-diverse civic leaders from London, Ontario, and the surrounding region. Developed through an experiential learning course at King’s University College, the Archive documents how leadership is practised across municipal government, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, public institutions, and other parts of civic life. Each profile reflects a particular moment, relationship, and set of experiences, offering insight into how leaders understand community, public service, representation, and change. Taken together, the Archive creates an evolving record of local leadership while also highlighting the diverse pathways through which people contribute to public life.

About the archive

Search the Archive

Emotional Labour Social Reproduction & Care Gendered Accountability Leadership & Communication Institutional Conflict & Governance Intersectionality & Access
King's Changemaker Conference — 10 years Learn more
COVID-19 In London Ontario: Capturing the Local Experience Learn more

Featured Profiles

  • Teaching for Resurgence

    Jayden Wright

    Leadership is often associated with authority, formal positions, or political office. Yet many leaders shape their communities in quieter but equally powerful ways. Through teaching, mentoring, and storytelling, they create spaces where others can learn, question, and grow. During periods of political…

  • The Confidence to Lead

    Andrea Smith

    As my mentor, Helen Cole, founder of the Jean Collective: A Women In Politics Initiative, provided countless opportunities to learn about civic leadership — from attending professional conferences to participating in public events and community conversations. One of those experiences involved a…

  • An Ethical Philosophy of Leadership

    Lily Shearer

    For Patti Dalton, leadership is not defined by titles, authority, or personal ambition. As President of the London and District Labour Council, she understands leadership as an ethical commitment to use one's knowledge, skills, and privileges in service of others. It requires…