4. Politics

The number of Finnish people in Port Arthur was sizable and growing as more migrated from the old country. But the Finns had no Finnish representation on the city council. As an educated, prosperous, rising citizen, a recognized leader, and an excellent public speaker in both Finnish and English, William Kyro was a natural choice to be considered for the office of City Alderman. In 1913 he was asked to run for the office. He accepted the challenge.

He expected the full support of the Finnish community. However, another Finnish gentleman decided to run (Anna thought jealousy was the motive). The Finnish vote was split and for a time it looked as if there would be no Finnish-speaking councilman. William and Anna took turns driving their car to bring citizens to the voting locations. When the votes were counted, William Kyro did draw just enough votes to win. He became the first foreign-born and first Finnish-speaking alderman in Port Arthur. At age 25, he was also the youngest alderman in the city's history.

William was a writer and editor for the "Canadan Uutiset" (News of Canada), a Finnish language newspaper published in Port Arthur. During World War I, the Canadian government shut down all of the foreign language newspapers being published in Canada. William persuaded the government officials that the Canadan Uutiset was neither anarchistic nor communistic. In fact, it was patriotic. The government officials investigated and agreed. The Canadan Uutiset was the only Canadian foreign language newspaper permitted to continue publication during the war.

Finns consider the Finnish personality characteristic "Sisu" to be a national virtue. It is a dynamic quality that may appear suddenly and voluntarily as a situation requires. Or it may be inherent and called upon when needed. There is no synonym for it in the Finnish language. It has no exact equivalent in English. It might best be described as a combination of supreme confidence, persistence, daring, nerve, and gall, but not foolhardiness. In one word, it might be translated as “courage”, “determination” or “guts.” Sisu sometimes has a negative aspect. It may show up as a stubborn resistance. For example, a Finnish child might refuse to go to school. It may be necessary to tell him about truant officers and armed policemen before he will realize that school attendance is not optional.

Anna Kyro was a woman with plenty of "Sisu". She was the first woman in Port Arthur or Fort William to ride in an airplane, an open cockpit Jenny (World War I surplus). It happened after World War I at the fall fair in Fort William where a barnstorming pilot offered short flights for $15. Some lumberjacks said they would pay for the ride if Anna dared to go up. Anna dared and took the flight. The lumberjacks didn't dare to fly and even backed out of paying for Anna's flight. William had to pay.