Are you Remy for this?

Women have fought hard over the years to earn their right to vote and hold office around the world. Despite progress being made nationally, Remy Boulbol is one of only nine women running in Windsor’s municipal election.

“Gender equity is still something we cannot say is achieved,” said Boulbol.” Whether it be in pay, whether it be in stature or treatment in the work place and just sort of general public reception. Those things are not gone.”

Boulbol said that the perception of politics as an “Old Boy’s Club” can be intimidating. She believes that women do a lot and the more they do, the more that is expected of them.

Though her parents were both civil rights activists, Boulbol’s mother was her biggest inspiration. Boulbol was one of four children raised alone by her mother, a community health nurse that was constantly working to make things better. Boulbol is currently the Director for the Rose City Islamic Centre and has been doing non-profit work since graduating from Wayne State University in 1999.

Boulbol believes she can best serve Ward 4 because she possesses empathy. Remy’s mother is Caucasian and her father is African American, Boulbol converted to Islam in her 20s. Remy wears the traditional Hijab, her personality outshines common stereotypes. She believes she can relate to the needs of residents of different cultures, understanding those needs because of her own cultural background.

“Everybody is different,” said Boulbol. “It’s just my personality, it takes all kinds. And I just happen to have an outgoing personality. There are plenty of other Muslim women who might have an outgoing personality. You just might not notice it.”

Somebody once told Boulbol, “Islam is like a big circle and you’re a dot in the circle, but anywhere in the circle is fine. Maybe you’re over here and someone is over there but you’re in the circle and it’s fine.”

Jordan Renaud, 24, the president of local public relations firm Prometheus Communications was an acquaintance of Boulbol’s before her campaign and was impressed by her decision to run.
“Remy could be anywhere,” said Renaud. “She could be councilor, mayor, or spearheading another community building organization. Without a doubt, it will be at the forefront of the needs of others.”

Boulbol would like to be remembered as somebody who “did much” and as somebody who tried even if that impact was felt by only one person. She would also like to be remembered as a good mother.

Her home on Hall Avenue exudes a welcoming atmosphere. The scent of incense burning fills the air; Boulbol has picked up her two daughters from school and made tacos for dinner after an exhausting day of campaigning. From the basement comes the screech of an electric drill as her husband installs a door.

Boulbol does not attempt to hide at hiding her love for Windsor. She views the city as a great place to raise a family, pay off a house, pay for her children’s educations and still be doing okay.

“I want Windsor to be a place where they(my children) want to stay – but not in my house,” joked Boulbol.

Boulbol believes the only way to improve Ward 4 is through resident input. She has had conversations with thousands of residents in Ward 4.

If Boulbol is elected to respresent ward 4 she plans on strengthening communities by building healthy, safe and hopeful neighbourhoods. She believes her 15 years of community work make her more than qualified for such a task.

Boulbol also plans on supporting small businesses and investing in infrastructure. She believes in utilizing the limited resources that are available to serve the greatest number of people possible.

One of her life mottos that she inherited from her mother is her idea of the perfect representation of the city of Windsor. “Though we may not have much, we can certainly do much.”