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Election The Acton Free Press Wednesday 1979 7 The women behind the candidates Midge Phibrook Travelling broadens mind PHILBROOK has more than a natuial interest in politics after spending six years with her husband India and Pakistan She is now pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science anthropology and economics at University Born and rused in Oikville Midge is the mother of three daughtei For jusl over six years Frank Phil brook worked in mission hospitals first In northern and hen Pakistan He was accompanied an hit mission work by his wife Midge and three young daughters The family lived in small poverty stricken towns Monty buy clean water The infested water was boiled each time before using Far and bred Midge Phil brook it was a life totally unknown to her I grew up in Ihis delightful village of Oak ville where I had a very secure life I didn t feel the war as a child the lime of their travels in Ihe 1960s Vietnam was at its peak and Chinese farces were invading the Himalayan Mountains The war and its horrors became very for her was horrified with what the Americans were literally being drugged into she recalled Her life abroad was an experience that opened her eyes lo world politics and economics She treasures the experience I d go back and do it all over again I came from being a nonpolitical person becoming an extremely aware person she explained On their trip back to Canada family spent lliree and a half months travelling through Asia and also made a trip to Russia Iheir final stop was visit to Expo In Montreal and then home to Oakville II look approximately a year for Midge to readjust to Canadian life The adage Behind every sue cessful man is a hard working woman is still true Behind the three principal can seeking office in during the federal election are three equally able and determined women Changing from a housewife there to here was something else she remembered I was delighted with Canada and the whole country I suddenly realized the luxuries People lake so much for granted even such a basic as clean running water Her year old daughter Mamie agrees It Is nothing you can pinpoint but the ex of living away from home gave you an appreciation of the better things in life The experience triggered Midge decision to enroll in University and pursue her interests in anthropology political science and economies We live in an age of economics and I wanted the tools to keep up with everything that Is going an she explained She is halfway through her studies for a Bachelor of Arts degree Her combined interest and dedication to Ihe study if politics has also paved the way for a deeper involvement with her husband s career as a politician She is now a veteran of two federal elections and loves every minute of it don feel he dutiful wife role she pointed out We share a common Interest in politics and I am involved to a very high degree help Frank canvass and I want lo be around him as much as possible The couples three daughters Mamie Cathy and Jackie 15 are not to be for gollon They spend many hours wilh their Dad be it canvassing or painting signs or working at campaign headquarters A federal election campaign gives one a The trio are Midge Jclinek and Mary Black Reporter Linda Kirby interviewed all three and discovered what life is like being a candidates wife Her interviews conclude the second of a two part series on the candidates and their families chance lo get Involved in the whole electoral process and to keep democracy going continued Midge My husband is a very in dividual and I am really proud lo work for him she said enthusiastically I do appreciate it when I ask questions on specific subjects and he is able to give me a wealth of education to her interests Midge manages find lime for other hobbles She quilts and enjoys upholstering fur And she knows the best torment factories f good deals for her interests Like any other housewife she can be found at the kitchen sink getting the dishes under way or planning following a morning jog wilh her husband Leata Jelinek Met husband through politics doesn t eare for weather particularly the elim He Van It was for lhat reason In the 24year old attractive blond secretary then work In Vancouver decided to accept a job with Progressive Conservative MP John Ids in Ottawa It was her initiation 1 world of politics but more Import an unter if the most romantic kind Working on the next floor up in the same was an enthusiastic PC irker Otto Jelinek The two became friends bumping other at various office social unctions roil two yen courtship Hie couple married I in tw federal elections later las an accomplished politician s wife Her lull tunc job w is looking after Olio she explained She keeps the records types speeches minds all necessary and kiep things running as thly i for her husband But she pointed i she is not a political animal I enjoy politics she said hut carefully added it is not I personally want to me totally in With polities you can have blinders and see anything else keen globelrolter Jelinek has atlemptcd to see as much of Ihe world as possible in the past few years The Calgary born native began her travels at the age of when she took off for a hitch hiking tnpocross Europe with a girlfriend for six months Great Britain Ireland France Belgium Austria Portugal Turkey and Greece were among the spots visited It was the best education of its kind she recalls in terms of learning lo appreciate other cultures and their way life But the greatest impression the trip left on her was Ihe realization of Canada greatness and immense potential she noted In recent years during travels with her band she has come to appreciate her home country even more She explained she is grateful for her band Job It has enabled her to accompany him on many travels Ihe most recent being Taiwan An enthusiastic traveller she treasures however a private and quiet home life A politician life demands a ceaseless schedule of social dos and appearances and couple make every effort to set aside some time for themselves Bo In love the outdoors and many weekends are spent working in the garden Swimming skiing tennis and squash arc among favorite sports In addition to her love for crafts including and candlemaking As a housewife her concerns Include food prices I go shopping and check the prices just like any other housewife she said noting she is a careful food shopper She finds prices in a variety of industries are controlled including air travel 29 entered the world of politics when she decided to move from Vancouver to accept a job for a Con MP in Ottawa For the Calgary born native thtnewjob also led to the meeting of her future husband An entliusiastic traveller she enjoys seeing as much of the world as possible is still cheaper to fly to Europe than within she complained If more people could travel more cheaply in this country it might help us understand our country more she said The couple are hardly likely be travelling any great distances in he while For now both have their hands full with the final campaign days and the rcanizalion of Ihe couples new lid home They plan lo make Oakville their home and keep an Ollnwa ipartmenl as their secondary base start of a family is also in the near future plans Leata hopes become involved with Big Sisters the election is over 1 like children very much and the way the rid is today there are many children in need of help and guidance Mary Black An experienced campaigner la tn nmt for th ffrni two vears of her I think if I have one recret it Is that I don watches her two daughters grow is with MARY BLACK has a few years of political campaigning behind her addition to being the newlywed bride of can didate Doug Black As well as dedicating herself full time to campaign duties she is working on a business administration certificate and hopes to launch a new career for herself Mary Black is no newcomer to politics The 31 year old blonde has 15 years of door pounding and behind She first began door knocking in her early teens when her dad ran for school trustee in Today the experience Is paying off as she makes the rounds wilh her candidate husband Doug Black As well she devotes much of her daytime hours to secretarial duties In campaign headquarters The mother of daughters by a previous marriage family life is a lop priority for the quiet soft spoken woman To be home with my family and work side by side with my husband is the most portanl thing right now she said It is for those reasons she recently left comfortable banking position to dedicate more time to her family and the federal el lion And she is finding home hours even more demanding she said Instead of putting in a ninehour day and calling a day I put in a 15hour day Bom in Brussels Belgium she arrived in Canada the age or two Her father was Canadian soldier working overseas and for the first two years of her young life she travelled in England Luxem burg France and Germany her parents Hamilton Ontario was home for the family until Mary was eight and then they moved lo Oakville A student at High School she married her first husband shortly after leaving school She worked as an assistant manager in a catalogue stare for a year before Joining a banking firm in 1973 Now for the first lime in many years she is home and enjoying it She became bride of Doug Black a year ago Her daughters are Bonnie Sue nine and Wendy While life remains a number one item Mary Black is pursuing a variety of career interests with the hope to branch into something new for herself In the future An enthusiastic student she is now working on a business administration certificate She has enrolled in business law and ac counting courses and is planning begin Spanish lessons with her daughter Wendy I think if I have one regret it is that I have enough lime lo learn everything she said A volunteer wilh the Children Aid Society she devotes several hours a week to a year old teen girl It very rewarding work and it makes me feel about myseir she explained It is sort of in the nature of being a big sister As well she has taken a course In sign language a benefit she has found useful in a number or situations She has specific concerns having been a mother with several years of experience as a single parent I am concerned about women Issues including equal employment opportunity with equal pay bunking as one area where women suffer discrimination are offered men first she maintained Professional day care facilities are a vital necessity she continued We need reliable day care places so women who must work can relax knowing Iheir children are well cared for One of her biggest concerns now as she watches her two daughters grow future employment opportunities Mrs Block suggests individuals should be encouraged lo retire a pension years of age make way for young people in need of w irk When she isn I busy with life or school studies she enjoys reading The shelves of books in the cozy high rise apartment are evidence of Ihe couple love of redding Historical novels and poetry books nicely balance the volumes of law books and political readings Despite her love for the city and high rise living she admits lo enjoying biking and hiking the countryside Her favorite spots include Ilalllcsnakc Point and and the family frequently lakes off for a day of sunshine and country Bike trips and family picnics musl now lake a back seat with only few days left for Hon campaigning It very challenging and exciting she says of the election drive