Sharon Hayward 🏳️‍🌈

Passionate about leadership, community and mental health. Living the good life in sunny Medicine Hat. Opinions are my own.

[Sharon Hayward 🏳️‍🌈 @S_L_H_]

@Captaincoby00 https://t.co/ahdsiFKlbA

Narrow Hills, Saskatchewan

(Photo by Robin and Arlene Karpan)

[Rakhi Pancholi @pancholi_rakhi]

Shannon Phillips is a giant in Alberta politics. One of the sharpest political minds - and tongues! - in the province. To listen to her speak is to be rapt and, frankly, awed. Because she knows her stuff. Better than anyone else in the room. And she has a way with words that ensures you know it.

She is fiercely principled. She knows what she believes and why.

And she is tough. She probably always was, but being a progressive woman in politics on some of the most significant files during the renewal of the far-right in Alberta forced her to be tougher than anyone should have to be. It put her at risk in her own community by the very people responsible for her - and all of our - safety. And it was enabled by people who stayed quiet.

I used to watch her leave the Legislature every Thursday and imagine her going home to her boys and her family in a city where she felt unsafe. It felt unfathomable to me. Unjust. But it was her life. For years. And there's STILL no accountability.

Knowing what she endured and that she's now stepping down because of it, I'm angry. We all should be. Because the abuse & harassment you have to survive (yes, survive) as a woman in politics is bullshit.

And it's getting worse. It's emboldened by the far-right, especially since those people are now taking over conservative parties across the country. (And I have no interest in the "both side-ism" that will inevitably ensue - it's so disproportionate on the right that it's laughable to suggest otherwise.)

But along with feeling angry for Shannon, I feel relieved for her. To step out of this toxic abuse must feel like a huge weight being lifted. And she deserves that, as does her family.

And if you don't think every woman in politics looking at Shannon stepping down and feeling a small twinge of (dare I say it?) envy is a sign that something is wrong in politics, then that's the problem right there.

Shannon Phillips is a giant in Alberta politics. We are worse off without her voice in public service. But she will continue to do incredible things - of that I have no doubt. Now she will get to do it in safety, out of the public eye.

[CHAT News @CHATNewsToday]

Y Treasure Thrift Store opening Saturday, continues ‘Post’ legacy https://t.co/fRQcMzLYhA

[Sharon Hayward 🏳️‍🌈 @S_L_H_]

@MedicineHatYMCA

[CHAT News @CHATNewsToday]

New charity thrift store coming to Medicine Hat where ‘The Post’ used to operate https://t.co/QLk11ML3Qj

[Sharon Hayward 🏳️‍🌈 @S_L_H_]

@MedicineHatYMCA

[Medicine Hat News @MedicineHatNews]

On Friday, administration with the YMCA picked up the keys for the building that was occupied by the beloved thrift store ‘The Post’ along Third Street SE. #medhat
https://t.co/RNtQsQpsOQ

[Sharon Hayward 🏳️‍🌈 @S_L_H_]

@RealEmirHan Freema Agyeman

[Sharon Hayward 🏳️‍🌈 @S_L_H_]

@drfoxcall

[Sharon Hayward 🏳️‍🌈 @S_L_H_]

@jaronmyers The really irritating part is when they pay it out in small denomination prepaid virtual gift cards which are a pain to use and not universally accepted.

[Sharon Hayward 🏳️‍🌈 @S_L_H_]

@BarbLarochelle Most of these centres already have managers on site or very nearby. AHS has distributed leadership throughout the province to ensure this very thing. I’m not sure what she thinks needs to change. 🤷🏻‍♀️ First she said there were too many managers and now she says we need more.

[YMCA of Medicine Hat @MedicineHatYMCA]

Bring your resume!

When: July 6th 3:00PM to 7:00PM
Where: YMCA Employment Centre Medicine Hat
770 1st St SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 0B4

#jobfair #ydrive #ymcamh

[Sharon Hayward 🏳️‍🌈 @S_L_H_]

@IDontBlog They’re all human beings and every one of their lives had worth. Both situations are sad, for different reasons.

[YMCA of Medicine Hat @MedicineHatYMCA]

URGENT call for volunteers!

We are looking for flag people to cover road crossings for our Sticks on First event. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Helene at: [email protected]

[Tanya Kappo @Nehiyahskwew]

"The Sixties Scoop, which actually occurred from the late-1950s to mid-80s, refers to the period of Canadian history during which Indigenous children were routinely and forcibly removed from their families by the Canadian government." https://t.co/ckuJ32GKkX

[YMCA of Medicine Hat @MedicineHatYMCA]

LAST CHANCE! Purchase your tickets before noon TODAY!

Deerview Quality Meats is proudly supporting the 2023 YMCA Strong Kids campaign with a terrific BBQ Lovers Freezer Pack valued at approximately $200.00.

https://t.co/tB6IzhniWr

[YMCA of Medicine Hat @MedicineHatYMCA]

Only a few days left to grab your tickets!

https://t.co/tB6IzhniWr

[YMCA of Medicine Hat @MedicineHatYMCA]

Registration deadline for the YMCA River Run is June 15th, 2023:
https://t.co/OjHvypXmGy
Thanks to our sponsors
Presenting: Cancarb
Platinum: Scotia Wealth Management
Others: MY96, Wild, Medicine Hat Mavericks, Pritchard & Co. Law Firm LLP, Foodland IGA, Tiki Press, Nutters

[YMCA of Medicine Hat @MedicineHatYMCA]

We are currently looking for volunteers to be flag people and cover road crossings for the Sticks on First event. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Helene at: [email protected]

#sticksonfirst #ymcamh #medhat

[YMCA of Medicine Hat @MedicineHatYMCA]

Hey kids, bring your favourite adult to our Dynamic Duo classes!
Register now for a variety of Dynamic Duo classes, where we invite a child and adult to play together.

Recommended Ages 2-12, plus Adult
Register through the Member portal: https://t.co/dtH6RDcQnh
#medhat

[YMCA of Medicine Hat @MedicineHatYMCA]

Stop by the Y on 2nd this Thursday to learn about our Youth in Transitions Program and Y Mind!

#medhat #openhouse #medhatjobs #ymcamh #ymind

[YMCA of Medicine Hat @MedicineHatYMCA]

The 2023 Strong Kids Campaign is LIVE!

This amazing initiative helps people in our community access YMCA programs and services, regardless of their financial situation.

Our goal is to raise $25,000 by May 30

Donate at https://t.co/PzZ0WVSssh

#StrongKidsMH #YMCAmh #medhat