Brampton councillor releases music video for International Women’s Day
Brampton Regional Councillor Rowena Santos, her band Point of Order, and some special guests, recently re-recorded Pink’s 2021 hit, “All I Know So Far,” in support of the 2025 International Women’s Day. Photo: Rowena Santos
Multi-time Grammy Award winner Pink recorded the song “All I Know So Far” in 2021 as an advice-filled love letter to her daughter. In the song, Pink advises her daughter to remain strong and resilient in the face of hardships.
It is a message Rowena Santos understands all too well. And it is also a theme the Brampton regional councillor felt should be shared again for 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD), on March 8.
Every year since her 2022 re-election, Santos, along with her band Point of Order, has recorded a music video in support of IWD. In the past, Santos has covered “Unstoppable,” by Sia, and “Fighter,” by Christina Aguilera.
Santos, a former Municipal World Women of Influence in Local Government Award honouree, said the song was chosen as it perfectly fits this year’s IWD theme, Accelerate Action.
“The lyrics of this song were perfect for this year’s IWD theme to accelerate action through our collective wisdom,” Santos said. “It encourages our girls to be unstoppable in the face of adversity and to always remain true to oneself. To be fearless and passionate in achieving your goals, and know that you are supported along the way.”
Accelerating Action through Opportunity
Part of accelerating action, Santos said, is providing opportunities for women and girls to shine. In recording this year’s music video, Santos called upon singers from the Brampton Children’s Chorus, as well as her own nieces.
It was the first time that the girls from the chorus ever experienced a recording studio. Santos said having the girls sing the lyrics of this song – with their moms proudly watching through the glass window of the production room – was “a moving experience.”
For one thing, Santos said, it was an experience she never had as a young girl. But to be able to provide the girls a conduit for them to shine, build confidence, and see themselves in video is something Santos said she hopes gives them all a sense of accomplishment they will long remember.
Santos said she was proud of the girls and was happy to provide an opportunity to the next generation that could be life changing.
“The way to tap into a young girl’s confidence is honing in on something that they are passionate about, whether it’s singing or whether it’s sports, or whatever,” Santos said. “To get women to rise to the occasion, you need to find what they’re passionate about and elevate it so that they can develop that confidence and that shine within themselves.”
The Power of Music
Santos’ music career is something that has inspired her for several years. That is especially true when it comes to the messaging around International Women’s Day.
Music, Santos said, allows her to communicate her feelings about the harassment faced every day by women in the pollical space in a way no media release could. By using music and art, Santos explained, she can express her feelings and allow herself to look past the truly discouraging days.
One of the biggest pieces of advice in the video actually appears twice, and from two different women – never give up. For Santos, that mentality is epitomized by women such as Jean Augustine – the first Black woman minister in Canada – and Pink herself.
“Jean Augustine never gave up. Pink never gave up. All these other incredible women never gave up, and they provided inspiration and hope, so we can never give up, either,” Santos said. “That is the message in the video this year, particularly by giving space for those young girls to shine in all the darkness in the world right now, especially for women. There is still hope, and there is still light, especially if we provide that opportunity for our girls and next generation to shine.”
Feelings of Pride, Optimism
Santos said she was thrilled by the opportunity recording the music video provided to the girls in the choir.
And as inspired as she hoped the girls would be by the experience – and they all expressed to her they were – Santos herself came away feeling “incredibly optimistic and hopeful, despite all the darkness that’s around when it comes to women and women in politics.”
Many of the things that Santos does for her community, for women and girls in general, aren’t necessarily part of her job description as councillor. But, she said, they are things she does to make the most out of the leadership role she has been given.
“It’s actually more than just being a councillor, it’s being a mentor and somebody providing space,” Santos said. “I say every single year, ‘Take your place, own the space. Do it with style, humour, smarts, and grace.’ Those girls own the space, and I was so happy and proud to provide the opportunity for them to do so.”
Brampton’s IWD Experience
Santos’ Brampton council colleague, Navjit Brar, also participated in this year’s recording. Along with other women leaders, they aimed to share advice like what Pink provided to her own daughter.
“This advice still applies to my generation as much as it applies to the next. Our journey is ‘to be continued,’ as stated at the end of the music video,” Brar said. “Knowing what we know now, there is so much to more to do with glass ceilings to break through and barriers to overcome.”
The City of Brampton celebrates International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8, at the Rose Theatre. This free event precedes a concert by award-winning Canadian artist Bif Naked. MW
✯ Municipal World Executive and Essentials Plus Members: You might also be interested in Ruthann Weeks’ article: Managing the risk of workplace violence and harassment.
Sean Meyer is digital content editor for Municipal World.
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