Jenny Stevens

Jenny Stevens is a blind Canadian politician. She is best known for her inspirational talks about succeeding despite overwhelming odds. She sought election in the 2005 B.C. provincial election in the riding of Maple Ridge-Mission, losing to Randy Hawes by a narrow margin.

Stevens was born in the United Kingdom. Even though she was blind since being a teenager, she trained to become a physiotherapist. After living in Britain and Brazil she emigrated to Canada with her six children. She spent time as a single mother while her husband was overseas.

Stevens has worked with the University College of the Fraser Valley on the Board of Directors as a representative of people with a disability, and as a teacher of English-as-a-second-language and speech craft. She also taught about neurological conditions at the West Coast School of Massage Therapy.

In 1999 she was elected to the Mission City Council. She was re-elected in 2002. While on council she was director of the District's Development Corporation and chairperson of the District's Health Care committee and Forestry Committee.

Stevens was re-elected to council once again in 2005, winning more votes than any other council candidate. She is currently the Chair of Administration and Finance for the District of Mission. [http://www.mission.ca/Page591.aspx] She continues to be known as a strong advocate for literacy, social welfare, seniors and accessibility programming.

External links

* [http://about.jennystevens.bc.ndp.ca/ NDP Candidate Profile]
* [http://www.city.mission.bc.ca/Page347.aspx Mission Councillor Profile]