Beach Drive is now home to plaque commemorating three of Oak Bay's past leaders.
On International Women’s Day, residents and members of Oak Bay council gathered near Queen’s Park to celebrate Frances Elford, Susan Brice and Diana Butler – the only women to have served as mayor in the district’s 119-year history.
“Commemorating women in leadership is essential because it acknowledges their contributions, inspires future generations and reinforces the importance of diverse perspectives in decision-making,” said Oak Bay Coun. Hazel Braithwaite, who attended the March 8 event. “Historically, women have been underrepresented in leadership roles, so recognizing their achievements helps to normalize and encourage female leadership. It also provides visible role models, showing young girls and aspiring leaders that they, too, can step up and make a difference.”
Today, gender inequality persists in Canadian municipal politics, according to research from the University of Calgary – in 2023, women made up 31 per cent of elected municipal representatives in Canada, while just 22 per cent of Canadian mayors were women.
The three leaders celebrated on Saturday serve as role models to all those looking to pursue a career in politics. Elford broke ground as Oak Bay's and Greater Victoria's first female mayor, holding the position between 1970 and 1973. Brice became mayor over a decade after Elford in 1986. After four years as B.C. United MLA, she would go on to become a Saanich councillor, where she continues to represent that community after 20 years. From 1991 to 1996, Butler was Oak Bay’s most recent female mayor.
Brice and Butler were among those in attendance at the event. Elford died in 2002, but a relative was there on her behalf.
“By honouring them in this way, we make sure that we are also creating role models and examples for other people who are coming up behind who might feel like they're finding it hard or difficult for any reason,” said Mayor Kevin Murdoch.
