On International Women’s Day 2025, Vote.je welcomed female Islanders into the States Chamber for a very special event geared towards encouraging more women to stand for election to the States Assembly – Jersey’s elected parliament.
Attendees’ feedback was glowing, describing the event as ‘…done with such care and brilliance’ and that ‘…the icing on the cake was a visit to the States Chamber to hear about the women who led the charge’.
Inspired by the past
The event, ‘Their Legacy, Your Future’, was a celebration of the hard-fought achievements and efforts of Jersey’s historic female political pioneers. We shared the stories of inspirational women like Caroline Trachy, who was the first woman to ever attempt to stand for election in Jersey, and Ivy Forster, the lady who took the honour of becoming the first to be successfully elected as a Deputy back in 1948. One lucky attendee sat in the seat that Ivy Forster originally sat in when she was a States Member. Another excitedly sat where she hoped to be able to sit if and when she is successfully elected in 2026!
Sharing the experiences of the present
A key part of the International Women’s Day event was to give attendees the opportunity to meet with current female States Members; to hear all about what it takes to stand for election and get top tips and advice from those who’ve experienced the Jersey campaign trail. We held a panel discussion where Members shared their insights on life as an elected representative and attendees were able to quiz them and get the answers they needed to start making their own campaign plans.
Time was set aside for attendees to network with each other and with States Members. The room buzzed with activity. Building relationships and communicating with others is an important part of politics. Being a good communicator and consensus-builder are gold dust to anyone who needs to gain the support of others to get new ideas and proposals for change agreed and taken forward.
Encouraging action in the future
At Vote.je, we want to inspire and empower Islanders to stand for election. We want people to be knowledgeable and prepared and to be the best election candidate they possibly can be. This, and future candidate events, are just one part of our efforts to encourage more people in Jersey than ever before to get involved in the community, to advocate for people, and to lead the Island into the future.
Over the course of the previous elections, we’ve seen more women come forward to stand for election – and be successfully elected. With icons of the past like Ivy Forster and Caroline Trachy, plus present-day role models, Jersey’s women should undoubtedly feel that they very much belong in the States Assembly, and to take action at election time and stand as a candidate.