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l arg Harris lives in Kerwood, On- ario, in Adelaide Township. She is artners with her husband, Bud, in a uilding and renovations business. Marg has served at all levels of the omen’s Institutes ofOntario. Present- ,Marg is a Provincial Board Director orthe Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO). She is one of five omen sitting on the FWIO Finance Committee. "This," she says, "is a chat- enge." Marg’s work experience with Canada Trust has proven invaluable to inted by the Previncial Treasurer to sit on a sub-committee of the Fair Tax Commission, entitled "Women and Taxation." The Commission is a newly formed body from the public sector that will provide the government with opinions and recommendations. , the position of Alderman in the city of London. "We did a good job," she said, "he was elected with the highest number of votes in the city." When Marg was asked to consider running for Council in her area, she responded: "I was greatly tempted, as I feel the need to return to this country some ofwhat it has given me." Because she was moving to another Township. however, Marg declined. I She added: “We need to see women involved in politics, as some of our greatest strengths are communicating, hegotiating, caring and decisionâ€" making." Frances Fotheringham has lived and farmed in Wallace Township in Perth County for the past forty-five years. She is presently in a partnership with three of her sons . Fred, Doug, and John. They operate a 520 acre dairy farm. Beginning in 1985, Frances was elected to a three-year term as a Wal- lace Township Councillor. In 1988, she was elected Deputy Reeve of the Township, and has recently been reinstated by acclamation in this posi- tion. She will also continue to represent Council on the Palmerston Hospital Board. Frances entered politics after the death of her husband, Robert. He had been on Conncil, and after, she said, members of the Council came to me and asked if] would be interested. "I felt I had the time, and it wouldn’t take me away from work or home." "It gives you a broader view of so many things. And you learn how to work together, get along, and com- promise at times." In addition to her work on Council, Francesjust completed a two-year term as Provincial Board Director for the FWIO. Frances has also held all the positions in the Carry-0n WI. She is Past President and fOrmer Secretary- Treasurer ofthe Wellington North Dis- trict. Presently, she is Third Vice-Presi- dent of the Guelph Area, and recently helped organizetheirAreaConvention. Frances encourages men and women to be partners in anything they do. And she especially encourages women, as she did, to "take the opportunities. If the door is open, be there, or even open the door yoursolf." Winnifred Plat! resides in Warkworth, Ontario. She and her husband, Leslie, have always owned their own business - first in sales and service, and then in agriculture. Recently, Winnifred was acclaimed Reeve of Percy Township in Northum- berland County. "I feel I will be a progressive leader," she said. Winnifred states that she entered the political arena "on the administrative side of the table." She was Clerk~Adâ€" ministrator for Percy Township for fifâ€" teen years. In that position she dis- covered how municipal government functions; and, "therein," she said, "was my baptism to the realities of local government." In 1988, Winnifred resigned and won the race for Deputy Reeve. "I was now on the other side ofthe table making the decisions," she said. "In the County Sys- tem, you are in a larger arena with more players. The stakes are higher and the pressure increases. This was a challenge." "I knew the business," Win- nifred added, "but the ‘verbal combar‘ was new to me." Winnifred explains that in the politi- cal game, the support of family and friends is essential. She admits that her husband, and her three children are her most cherished supporters. And espe- cially her husband who had spent some time on Council. Beyond her family, however, Winnifred finds support in the Trenton & District Business and Profes- sional Women's Club, of which she is President. From her experiences in municipal politics, Winnifred states: "I found that each voice makes a difference » but you have to speak up and lobby." H :9: C October, November, December 1991 9