Lisa Holmes, the mayor of Morinville, Alta., shared an emotional message on Facebook following a heated day in provincial and U.S. politics.
“I spend a significant amount of time and energy telling people how much I love my job, encouraging women to consider running for council, becoming leaders in their community,” Holmes wrote. She is also the president of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association.
She said she’s often told women “being elected is worth putting yourself out there, taking risks, being vulnerable.
“That makes what happened today even more devastating,” Holmes wrote.
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She talked about losing the only two women in Alberta’s PC leadership race: Sandra Jansen and Donna Kennedy-Glans.
“Intelligent, experienced women who took a risk and stood up for their beliefs and were trying to show us their vision of a strong Alberta and a strong PC Party,” Holmes wrote.
READ MORE: Sandra Jansen withdraws from Alberta PC leadership race citing ‘hostile takeover’
Then, Holmes turned her attention to the U.S. election results.
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Holmes wrote that she believes Trump could set back women’s rights decades.
“I am sad. Once again, our society is showing that an educated, experienced and intelligent woman is less valued when she runs for office.”
However, the Morinville mayor said she’d only allow herself to be sad for one night.
Watch below: Former Edmonton City Coun. and dual citizen Kim Krushell talks about the U.S. election results
READ MORE: ‘A Trump victory is a disaster’: Disappointment reigns as historic hopes fade for women in politics
“I will wake up and work harder. I will work harder to prove that female leadership is strong, capable and desired. That being a politician, at any level, is a position that can earn respect and can make positive change.”
Holmes also encouraged people to defend women against bullying and shaming, in addition to supporting them in leadership roles.
READ MORE: Hillary Clinton may have lost the election, but it was a historic night for women in US politics
“We do not need to be defined by the actions of others. We can rise above it and use it to motivate ourselves and others to work harder to be the change that we want to see in the world.
“Show her. Ask her. Support her. Defend her. Raise her. Teach her. Encourage her. Comfort her. Be her.”
Holmes was recently named one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40, in part, for her work as one of the youngest female mayors in Canada.
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