“It will not be enough to simply recover from the climate crisis and the pandemic. We need to create a more just and equal economy—and that, I believe, is where my faith comes in.”
—Cheryl Wiens (’07)
Cheryl Wiens (’07) is a scientist, mother and community leader. Ahead of the October 24 provincial elections, Wiens has been named the BC Green Party’s candidate for the Langley East riding.
Wiens credits her daughter for inspiring her to become politically active.
“Shortly after becoming a mother in 2016, I became concerned about my daughter’s future,” Wiens said. “My daughter has been forced to breathe wildfire smoke three out of the four summers that she has been alive, and each day when I drop her off at daycare, I think ‘what will her future hold?’”
Wiens also remembers the influence of her Trinity Western education. “My time at TWU was formative,” she remarked. “Biology and Chemistry courses imparted an understanding of the scientific method and an appreciation for the complexity of the created world. Natural and applied science and philosophy courses compelled me to reckon that scientific understanding with my faith and worldview.”
Wiens became a member of the BC Green Party in 2017 and soon began serving as the Communications Coordinator for the BC Greens of Langley. Last year, Wiens was appointed to serve as Regional Councillor at Large for the Fraser Valley-Surrey region on Provincial Council, the governing body of the BC Green Party.
Having earned a masters degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at SFU, Wiens also works as a laboratory scientist.
Wiens’ background in science, along with her motivation to influence government policy, converge in her campaign for political leadership. “In order to recover from the concurrent crises we are facing, we need our government representatives to have a scientific understanding now more than ever,” she said.
“Before this pandemic, climate change was already impacting our lives, changing the way we live or will be forced to live in the near future,” she said. “I chose to become politically active because we know that every bit of climate warming that we can prevent matters. Every bit of climate warming we prevent creates a better future for our children.”
Wiens has integrated her career in science and activity in politics, with her faith. “It will not be enough to simply recover from the climate crisis and the pandemic. We need to create a more just and equal economy—and that, I believe, is where my faith comes in,” she said.
When it comes to making progress, Wiens feels optimistic. “I believe there are many compassionate and hopeful people in Langley who want politicians to work together to take action. I think it’s time to get to work to build a promising future for everyone who calls Langley home.”
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has five campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, Ottawa, and Bellingham, WA. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.