Kenisha Gordon was a municipal councillor in Spanish Town, St Catherine, Jamaica between 2011 and 2020. She is currently Vice-Chair of CLGF’s Commonwealth Women in Local Government Network, created to support more women to get involved in local government as politicians and practitioners, and to increase the influence of women in the decisions made about local priorities.  There are many barriers to entering local politics for women; and even more if you are young to boot. Kenisha Gordon talks about her experiences in overcoming both and the rewards of public service.

In April 2011, my whole life changed. For the greater good of community and country, I became a municipal councillor at the age of 23 years. I have always had a passion for people and public service. With a number of accolades under my belt (for example, having served as Secretary for the Spanish Town Development Area Committee; founding President of the Mico University Generation 2000 - G2K Chapter; Miss St. Catherine Festival Queen - where I received the award for Most Involved in Community; Vice President for G2K; a young educator and recipient of the highest honour that can be bestowed on Jamaicans under 24 - the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for excellence in the category of Service) I knew that I had the qualities required to be an effective and successful public servant and leader. However, I never thought that I would be an elected official at 23 years old. 

My journey to becoming a councillor started with a simple conversation, in which I was asked to serve. This was followed by a divisional meeting, on a warm Sunday evening, where I officially met the executive of the division, presented my work portfolio of service to the community, and my plans for the people of my home town - Spanish Town. Although I was welcomed by most of the executive members and the leadership of the electoral division, some people had reservations, based entirely on my age. Having never had such a young councillor before, entrusting someone aged 23 to lead, what was considered to be, one of the most complex, socio-economic belts in the island was an extremely big ask. This increased curiosity about my fortitude and capacity; and, interestingly, it also increased my own expectations: the weight I knew I would be carrying; the extra work I would have to do to change the narrative about young people - and women, in particular - who offer themselves for leadership.

Need for mentorship and sponsorship

Furthermore, the hesitation of some electors to support me because of my age and my gender, magnified historical biases that are levied against women and youth in politics. Moreover, it highlighted the need for mentorship, sponsorship and forming allegiances to help young people and women prepare for the social and emotional obstacles that are associated with public service. That said, the party was going through a social and cultural shift that was in favour of attracting and recruiting more young people and women to serve. These factors, coupled with support from the leadership of the team that would become very dear to my heart and service, I dived in. 

Upon becoming a councillor, the reality of mainstream local government service hit home. Without any formal training in local government, I had to quickly learn government operational procedures, general and committee meeting protocols so that I could amplify the voices of my constituents and frontline the issues that are of concern to them. I committed my whole self. I worked Sunday to Sunday, no day or time was off limits. A day in my life as a councillor spanned attending municipal meetings, checking in on community elders and women who were caring for children; meeting with youth groups, government agencies and private sector stakeholders, thanksgiving services and birthday celebrations. 

Of significant importance was the social and economic impact that I was able to have as a councillor. I designed and implemented a number of social and local economic development programs including: the formation of small community-based business ventures, housing infrastructure projects, road rehabilitation, beautification projects, skills training and education support programs that contributed to the social mobility of the citizens of the electoral division that I served. I was able to successfully lobby the Council for the upgrade of the markets, parks, several road networks and drainage systems in the division. 

Multifaceted experience

The experience was multifaceted. I am grateful for the opportunity that was given to me to serve my community and country as a councillor for nine years. I am thankful to the team who welcomed me, worked with me and allowed me to grow with them and serve them as their municipal councillor. I am thankful for the many mentors along the journey; and the organisations, such as the Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica (ALGAJ), the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA) and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF); who have allowed me to expand my reach and work relating to the empowerment of women, gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

It has been most rewarding for me to have led the establishment of the ALGAJ Women in Local Government Network and to steer the CALGA Women’s Network Division. These networks are important platforms to pave the way for more women in local government: to create safe spaces for women to share their stories, be supported, build capacity, disrupt the status-quo, eliminate barriers that are hindering the full participation of women in leadership, and provide mentoring support to prepare women to be high-quality leaders.