Talking with a couple of very cool women yesterday, one mentioned that the reason there aren't more female judges in Vancouver is that the first step to becoming a judge, is to nominate oneself. Women, so used to supporting others, apparently just can't bare to make that step.

Every day, at the Vancouver Observer, I strive to include as many voices as possible and to post the strongest writing I get in. But I also keep a keen eye to keeping women up front and centre.

Why?

Because there is a dearth of women's voices in the mainstream media.

There are a lot of incredible women around these days, making policy, fighting for the environment and civil rights, writing great books, leading in a variety of capacities, distinguishing themselves in the healing arts, and being incredibly devoted and wonderful mothers to their kids.

Am I missing something here?

Yes. Who are they? Who are you?

The Vancouver Observer has been in development now for a year and a half. I am reaching the point where I know how to use the software (boy was that a long learning curve), I have an incredible group of people writing for the Vancouver Observer, and the site is attracting its first paying sponsors. Its audience is growing daily. To take the Vancouver Observer to the next step, I am embarking on what I expect to be another long learning curve.

I am going to be devoting a lot of my time in the next year to selling ads and raising money for the site. Amazingly, the site has gotten as far as it has with no money just a huge amount of time contributed by myself, by photographer Brian Powell, and by the some 50 writers whose articles have appeared on the virtual page.

This gets me back to the subject of women. I would like to ask for your contribution of $10 or more and along with it, your nomination of a Vancouver-based woman who you think is the greatest I would like you to write four-ten sentences about why you are choosing this woman. I will publish little stories on all of the nominated women and run them over the weeks after the contest closes. Create your own criteria for greatness.

The contest closes when I have, well, to be honest, I'd love to get 100 nominations. Send your nomination with your four or so lines about your favourite woman with a cheque to Linda Solomon dba The Vancouver Observer and mail to:
1501-2628 Ash Street, Vancouver V5Z4L2
I will also need a jpeg of the "winners." Please send me that by email.

Nominate her, because she won't nominate herself.

Feel free to pass this around to your friends, too. You don't have to be a Vancouver Observer subscriber to nominate someone. But it would be great if you aren't a subscriber to become one.

And yes, you can nominate yourself. In fact, that would be the very best outcome of all. Tell me why you are a great Vancouver woman and I will put you in a special issue honouring those women brave enough to own their strength.