GuelphToday received the following letter to the editor from Debra Thompson, a CFUW Guelph advocacy committee member:
As summer 2023 winds down, the local Canadian Federation of University Women’s club (CFUW) Guelph, a self-funded, non-profit and non-partisan organization, has members thinking of the beginning of a new season and an opportunity to extend a warm welcome to all women with an interest in learning more about CFUW.
Our Guelph club was founded May 1, 1945. The organization began by providing scholarships to female students doing charitable work in association with the Red Cross. Today we have continued and expanded the scholarship program with over $7000 in financial support awarded annually to the University of Guelph and Conestoga College.
The CFUW national organization was established in 1919. During the decades that followed, members participated in such challenges as votes for women, feminism and pay equity. They joined forces with those struggling to advance the rights of women and human rights more generally.
What was Guelph like in 1945? With a population of around 25,000 and growing rapidly, we were a small city at the beginning of expansion and modernization.
In the 78 years since, we’ve worked toward building alliances with like-minded organizations —Guelph Wellington Women in Crisis, Hope House, Guelph Youth Music Centre, Zonta Guelph, Food 4Kids and others. We’ve lobbied MPs, MPPs and city hall on issues of concern to our community and beyond. The solidarity of women based on shared concerns is the essence of the CFUW.
Our club’s advocacy efforts involve education and action led by members of our Advocacy Committee. We focus on issues that align with the policies of CFUW National and CFUW Ontario Council (established in 1978).
Our members look forward to the monthly speaker program, an effective means of promoting education and understanding. The many interest groups within the club encourage fun and time together while enjoying the many collective social experiences which play an important part in members’ lives.
CFUW members are lifelong learners who work together using our skills and expertise to improve the status of women and to promote human rights, public education, social justice and peace.
We encourage women of all ages and backgrounds to learn more of CFUW and our activities.
For more information please check us out at:
- CFUW Guelph’s website: https://cfuwguelph.org/
- CFUW Guelph’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CFUWGuelphON/
We meet the fourth Tuesday of each month, December, June, July and August excluded.
Location and time of the next CFUW Guelph club meeting:
Water St. Church, 287 Water St. Guelph
Tuesday, September 26, 7p.m.
Any woman interested in attending is welcome. Please contact us at [email protected] prior to the meeting.
We hope to hear from you!
Debra Thompson (CFUW Guelph, Advocacy Committee Member)
