"Can-do" spirit makes legend of world's oldest female mayor

At the age of 89, what are you expected to do? Hazel McCallion, who lives in Canada's sixth largest city Mississauga, has provided many options: you can drive, go fishing, and you can even be a mayor.

Actually, residents of Mississauga have known no other mayor since McCallion was first elected as the city's head of government in 1978.

In an interview with Xinhua, the gray-haired McCallion, in a pink shirt and black ash suits, looked no different from other next-door grannies.

When she was first elected mayor 32 years ago, there were only two women in the 10-member city council. Now there are 9 women in the 12-member council.

However, what McCallion aimed at was far beyond what she had achieved.

"As we are approaching this very special day for women ( the International Women's Day on March 8), I can assure you we have made a lot of progress in different parts as well as in Canada. But we still have a way to go.

We don't have many women in the provincial and federal government as we should," McCallion told Xinhua.

"But we have made progress when something is moving at the right direction, and you've got to be pleased about it," said McCallion, with a smile on her face.

Born in 1921, McCallion is one of Canada's most famous and longest-serving mayors.

During her tenures, Mississauga has developed from a collection of small towns and villages into one of Canada's largest cities. The city's population has nearly doubled in each of the past two decades, with the latest census figures showing it has surpassed 700,000.

Blessed with highway networks, cheap land, airport proximity, and businesses looking to flee Toronto taxes, Mississauga has grown from almost nothing to a thriving force.

Victor Oh, the honorary president of the Mississauga Chinese Business Association, told Xinhua that McCallion never sought votes for herself, but every time she almost won all the votes from the residents.

"I do not have to seek votes because I stand for election every day. I have many hobbies such as fishing and gardening, but I have not much spare time. I put all the focus on my work," McCallion explained.

"Since she has energy, resolution and ability, why should we not vote for her?" asked Oh.

McCallion's efforts also paid off, as 58 out of the world's top 500 enterprises landed their Canadian headquarters in Mississauga.

"I put my energy and efforts to the public, they gave me the greatest support," McCallion proclaimed proudly. Xinhua writer Shi Rong