Female leaders rise to occasion in response to COVID-19 pandemic, says author

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — It’s their time to shine. An author and podcast host is talking about how women are leading the charge in the war against COVID-19.

“These are women leaders that are getting the job done really well, certainly during unprecedented times,” she explains.

In her recent book, Fearless: Girls with Dreams, Women With Vision, Janice McDonald profiles more than 100 female leaders, many with unique stories about overcoming challenges.

“I think of Jody Thomas, our Deputy Minister of Defense,” says McDonald. “She says, ‘Don’t change yourself for anyone else. Being kind doesn’t make you a pushover. Be curious. Be opinionated and be who you were meant to be.'”

McDonald says B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam are good examples of that.

“I think it’s really exciting to see that kind of leadership in the face of uncertainty and, frankly, a difficult way forward. Tam is coming under that constant fire, questioning her loyalty. She’s working so hard and certainly in a time when the information is constantly changing as well.”

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Then there are international examples like German Chancellor Angela Merkel and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

“[Merkel uses] science to explain how the government had done the lockdown, with her Ph.D. in quantum chemistry, so [she’s] certainly in a position to speak with authority. [Jacinda Ardern] has had a very empathetic message. She’s even using Facebook Live to bring those messages forth and her public trust in New Zealand is at 80 per cent.”

Look for McDonald’s book, Fearless: Girls with Dreams, Women With Vision, from Page Two Books.