Happy Woman’s History Month!
This International Women’s Day 2025, I had the distinct pleasure and honour of sitting down with the Happy Women’s History Month
This International Women’s Day 2025, I had the honour of sitting down with the incomparable Colleen Douglas for a thoughtful and revealing conversation that spans my 40+ year journey of service—across politics, community development, and national leadership.
It’s not something I’ve done often. For years, I deliberately stepped away from the spotlight of mainstream interviews. The portrayal of my story was too often reshaped to fit narratives that did not reflect my truth. But today, we’re in a different time. With more platforms available for genuine and unfiltered conversation, I felt it was time to open up on my own terms.
This interview marked a significant personal moment, but more importantly, it gave me the space to speak directly to the people I care most about — my community. Here are just a few key themes we explored that I’d like to share with you:
1. Embracing the Power of the Long Game
This wasn’t just a reflection on past titles or positions. Instead, it was a conversation about growth. About what it means to remain committed to service across four decades, regardless of whether you’re in the spotlight or behind the scenes. I’ve learned that longevity in leadership isn’t about holding power, but about earning and re-earning the trust of the people you serve. That takes time, and it takes humility.
2. Leadership Rooted in People, Not Politics
I believe that real leadership is relational, not transactional. My work, particularly now in West Rural St. Andrew, is about building bridges, not just talking points. We discussed the tangible ways that development must meet people where they are: from education and employment to infrastructure and access to land titles. These aren’t abstract issues; they are the daily realities of my constituents, and they require consistent, thoughtful action.
3. Lessons from the Journey—and What Comes Next
I spoke about the challenges. About the battles fought quietly and the moments of resilience that defined my career. I did not speak about them because they were grand, but because I refused to walk away from difficult spaces. That kind of grit has shaped the leader I am today. And as I stand again, ready to serve, I do so not with nostalgia, but with renewed focus. The job isn’t done.
This International Women’s Day, I stand in gratitude for all the women who have led with conviction and paved the way for others to rise. I also stand grounded in my commitment to serve West Rural St. Andrew with clarity, compassion, and courage.
Thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s keep moving forward together.
If you’d like to watch the full interview, you can find it here: Joan Gordon-Webley Interview with Colleen Douglas
