Kaisha Thompson, Law’16, a long-time advocate for women entering the political arena, has caught the attention of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). She is the recipient of its 2015 Mayor Andrée P. Boucher Memorial Scholarship.
“It's truly an honour!” exclaims Thompson about winning an award named for the former Quebec City mayor who was a leader in Canadian municipal politics and a role model to women. “I'm excited to continue mentoring young women interested a career in politics and, of course, putting my law degree to good use by working to elect more women.”
The annual scholarship, worth $3,000, is awarded to the female university student who submits the best essay on women in politics. Thompson’s winning paper addressed the ambition gap, a theory that discusses why more women do not enter politics.
“As someone who’s always been interested in politics, I wanted to focus on why other women avoid it,” she says. “I started working in politics when I was in high school. It’s been an important part of my life and, whenever possible, I encourage other women to consider getting involved.”
In campaigns for female candidates over the years, Thompson has taken on different roles, including social media assistant, Election Day volunteer, and senior campaign advisor. Then, in 2014, Thompson herself won an elected position: Treasurer of the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario). Her election, to the two-year term position, made her the youngest person in the organization’s history to sit on its executive.
At a council meeting on Jan. 26, the City of Kingston recognized Thompson’s achievement. The next day, Mayor Bryan Paterson welcomed her to City Hall, where they discussed her current efforts in helping refugee resettlement in the Kingston community and her future career goals.
“I know the political process and commitments intimately so I’m going to be strategic when, if ever, I run for office,” she says. “My focus right now is on my legal career, which begins with articling for the Attorney General of Ontario.”