CFUW KW Main Public Blog

Advocacy: Women Ageing in Canada

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:37:27 GMT

Older women in Canada are living longer than men, but many are ageing with greater financial insecurity, loneliness and exposure to ageism, according to a new report released today by the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) in partnership with the International Longevity Centre Canada (ILC Canada).

Supported by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Experiences of Older Women in Canada: Findings from the NIA's 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey is the first report in a three-part research series examining how gender shapes the experience of ageing in Canada. Drawing on responses from more than 6,000 Canadians aged 50 and older, the report identifies where current systems are supporting older women effectively and more importantly, where they are failing those facing overlapping inequalities. The findings also demonstrate that experiences of ageing are not universal, with income and race influencing outcomes.

The full report can be found here:

https://niageing.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/07212026_WAGE_Report-En.pdf

Overview of the CFUW K-W Charitable Fund

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 18:42:37 GMT

Overview of the CFUW K-W Charitable Fund

Introduction

Forty-one years ago, in an effort to provide scholarships, awards, and bursaries for young women in the Waterloo Region, our club established a separate organization: the CFUW K-W Charitable Fund. This organization was created as a registered charity to support the educational aspirations of local young women.

Governance Structure

The CFUW K-W Charitable Fund is overseen by a board of five trustees. Two of these trustees, known as the Managing Trustees, are appointed for six-year terms and are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the fund. The remaining three trustees serve on the board due to their positions within the club—specifically, the club President, Treasurer, and Awards Chair, all serving in an ex officio capacity. Together, all five trustees establish the guidelines for the Charitable Fund. The Managing Trustees execute the fund’s operations according to these guidelines and in compliance with Canada Revenue Agency regulations.

When a Managing Trustee’s term is nearing its end, the incumbent Managing Trustees initiate the recruitment process for a successor. It is handled by the Managing Trustees outside of the club’s nominating committee work, as their deep understanding of the role’s requirements and the importance of a strong working relationship between the two Managing Trustees is crucial in selecting the right candidate. Once a candidate is identified, the appointment is presented to the CFUW KW Board of Directors for official approval. The club membership is informed of the appointment but does not vote on it.

History and Growth of the Fund

The Charitable Fund began in 1985, launching with three awards—the Grasett, Philp, and Dunham awards—and initial donations totaling $250 from Zehrmart, Prudential Assurance, and Budd Canada.

Since its inception, the fund has grown significantly. Currently, it administers 16 distinct awards, benefiting approximately 60 students each year. For this year, $83,100 has been allocated for awards at 15 local high schools, the St. Louis Adult Learning Centre, the Junior Symphony, Conestoga College, Wilfrid Laurier University, and the University of Waterloo. The selection of award recipients at these institutions is guided by specific criteria established for each award.

Financial Overview

The CFUW K-W Charitable Fund currently manages over $2 million in invested assets. The majority of these funds are endowed, ensuring that the awards can be distributed annually in perpetuity. About 60% of the fund’s assets have been donated by families, with the remaining 40% contributed by the club.

Award Structure

Of the 16 awards administered by the Charitable Fund, 8 are directly sponsored by the club. These club-sponsored awards were initiated by the club and are primarily funded through member donations and proceeds from the used book sale.

The other 8 awards were established and funded by families, with the Charitable Fund responsible for their management. More information about the history and background of each award is available on the club’s website.

Future Development

The Charitable Fund remains committed to growth. New awards will be added in the future as the club, individuals or families choose to endow scholarships, awards, or bursaries. Additionally, funds raised by the club will be allocated to support club awards that are not endowed—such as the Conestoga College bursaries and the 100th anniversary WoW and PSM awards—or to enhance existing awards to maintain their significance. These resources may also be directed toward the creation of new awards that align with the club’s focus and the Charitable Fund’s purpose.

If you have any questions about the Charitable Fund, please contact the Managing Trustees at cfuwkwcharfund@gmail.com for more information.

July 2026

CFUW K-W Charitable Fund Update Summer 2026

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 19:14:13 GMT

by Susan Vecchiarelli

As announced at our May 19^th General Meeting, our membership fees for 2026-2027 will remain at $125. When you receive the e-mail reminder on August 1 to register and pay your dues, please consider including a donation to CFUW K-W Charitable Fund. Simply make one payment ($125 membership fees plus Charitable Fund donation) by e-transfer or cheque; your donation amount will be forwarded to the Charitable Fund and a tax receipt will be issued this fall.

Member donations, investment income, club fundraising (mainly from our Annual Used Book Sale), and memorial donations provide important support to sustain and grow the awards and bursaries that the club has set up to assist local students. The CFUW K-W Charitable Fund provides scholarships, bursaries, and awards to students at our secondary schools, the St. Louis Adult Learning Centre, the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Conestoga College.

For more information, please contact one of the Managing Trustees: Susan Vecchiarelli (msvecchiarelli@rogers.com) or Janice Reiner (janicelynnreiner@gmail.com).

Wrap Up Social with Ice Cream and Cake!

Sun, 31 May 2026 19:44:06 GMT

We met in our new location Knox Presbyterian church for a relaxed evening featuring Ice-cream by Four-all Ice-cream and cup cakes lovingly made by our own Carol Salisbury!

After presenting the proceeds of the book sale to the charitable fund and announcements of the slate of positions filled for next year, we had the pleasure of listening to Jane Mitchell.

Jane is community advocate extraordinaire, former Region of Waterloo Council member and now author. In her down-to-earth manner, Jane entertained us with stories of her journey from her early days as a part-time librarian at Renison College and day care founder to her long tenures as Waterloo Region District School Board Trustee and Regional Council member, to today, when she has turned her hand to writing murder mysteries.

Jane is still engaged with regional issues around water usage and development. Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe joined her at the podium to a spirited discussion around current water challenges. To close, Jane read tantalizing excerpts from her newly published novel, Bad Council.

Global Immigration Issues

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:42:39 GMT

At the April meeting, we were very fortunate to have Dr. Jenna Hennebry, a globally known migration scholar and recognized expert on gender- responsive migration governance and labour migration as our speaker.

The focus of her talk was “Two steps forward, two steps back: the impacts of backsliding on gender equality for women migrants worldwide.”

She spoke about recent research documenting backsliding on gender equality in the context of foreign policy and migration and the UN system and also the fact that Germany and Canada have each recently stepped away from their Feminist Foreign Policy.

Dr. Hennebry pointed out that even world problems such as poverty, and climate change are affected by gender inequality.

Since so many women migrants are not given the opportunity to get an education, often their only path is to be a domestic with no benefits and are often paid “under the table.”

It is appropriate that one of the resolutions to be voted on at the CFUW National conference I entitled, Response to the Education Crisis in Afghanistan.

Tour of the New Kitchener Public Library

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:40:37 GMT

At our March 17, 2026 General Meeting, (one year since its official opening, March 13, 2025) about 50 CFUW KW members met in the large, bright meeting room at the Southwest Library, KPL's newest location, 100 Rosenberg Way. This is a very special library! It won the Great Places Award from the city of Kitchener for their best practices of sustainable design. The Southwest Library is the first net-zero public building in Waterloo Region and is one of the first public libraries in Canada with a NetZero designation.

Amanda Wiley, Area Manager for both Pioneer Park and The Southwest Library branches, was actually involved in the original planning way back in 2006. She met with us to talk about the net-zero features and how they teamed up with the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation for their input. She pointed out the test kitchen beside us and the special window markings, designed to prevent birds from flying into the windows.

The highlight of the visit was the tour of the library led by Amanda.

We saw first hand how the consultation with the Indigenous partners influenced the design in the choice of the circle motifs, the use of the colour purple, and the wood based art work. As we viewed the recording studio, Amanda pointed out the musical instruments library members can use for free. Another unique feature was the helmets, roller skates and safety pads available, also at no cost, for KPL members to use.

Along the wall of the welcoming Sunroom, facing the outdoors, we were able to view "The Canadian Library", the project supported by our club and put together by the Indigenous Issues Study Circle interest group, with the help of several other members. The bookcase holds 120 books wrapped in beautiful, colourful fabric with patterns created by Indigenous artists. Each book has a name that is embossed in gold letters on the spine. These names are from a long list of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2 Spirits.

Outside, through the swirling snow, we could see the raised beds dedicated to a learning garden as well as another food garden. Some of the plantings have deep roots in Indigenous history, like the "Three Sisters": a traditional companion planting of corn, beans, and squash. The gardens support the teaching kitchen, providing fresh veggies and herbs for cooking programs offered by the library.

More than just a building, this library is a true community anchor. It represents what is possible when a passion for bringing people together is combined with the very best in sustainable design.

February Advocacy Update

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 20:12:48 GMT

Advocacy Highlights for February 2026:

“Finding Hope Despite the Despair: Moving forward to end gender-based violence”, CFUW Perth & District’s January General Meeting speaker, Pamela Cross;
Upcoming Ontario Council Speaker Series event “AI: Artificial Intelligence and Education”, Feb. 21 via Zoom;
2026 Ontario Council and National CFUW Resolutions.

Canadian feminist lawyer and author Pamela Cross spoke to CFUW Perth & District on January 19 about “Finding Hope Despite the Despair: Moving forward to end gender-based violence (GBV)”. Susan Vecchiarelli and Lisa Warmerdam attended via Zoom and learned about recent developments, some long fought for, that do give Pamela hope. Federal Bill C-16, The Protecting Victims Act, is expected to go to second reading this month. It would make femicide a first-degree crime and criminalize coercive control. Also going into second reading is private member’s bill C-223 which would expand the excellent 2021 updates to the Divorce Act by making screening for family violence mandatory for all lawyers involved in family law as well as including a list of myths and stereotypes around family violence right in the Divorce Act. Consider reading Pamela’s 2024 book “And Sometimes They Kill You: Confronting the Epidemic of Intimate Partner Violence”.

Upcoming Ontario Council Speaker Series:

“AI: Artificial Intelligence and Education”, the topic of Ontario Council’s speaker series on Saturday, February 21^st from 10:00 am to noon is open for registration: https://cfuwontcouncil.org/standing-committees/

Reviewers for the 2026 Resolutions are needed. Individuals and teams will look at the resolutions and their intents, background materials, and bibliographies. Recommendations to support the resolutions or not will be presented to club members. The decisions of our members will direct our club’s voting delegate at the upcoming Ontario Council and National AGMs in May and July respectively. Ontario Council’s resolutions will be published February 15; April 1 is the deadline to receive amendments. CFUW National’s Resolutions will be published in the March 6 Club Action Newsletter; the deadline for receiving amendments is April 30^th. Please contact our Vice-President, Anne Strickland, at rtrez0402@gmail if you are interested in reviewing a resolution.

Report: 250 Reasons to Smile at the Community Closet!

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 21:32:58 GMT

- Kristin Culligan

We’re excited to share some wonderful news from the Tiny Home Takeout Community Closet! Thanks to the generosity from our last meeting the closet recently received over 250 essential items, each one a tiny but powerful act of care. Items like these may seem simple, but they make a world of difference for people accessing the Community Closet.

More than just supplies, these 250 items represent dignity, comfort, and compassion. The Community Closet is a welcoming, judgment-free space where anyone can access what they need — no ID, no referral, just care and respect.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. Your kindness reminds our neighbours that they are seen, supported, and valued. Together, we’re building a stronger and more caring community one tiny act at a time.

Lunch with Dr. Donna Strickland, Nobel Prize Laureate

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 20:34:55 GMT

~ Anita Davis

It is extremely challenging to do justice to Dr. Strickland’s talk and presentation – After all she is one of the very few female professionals who has been awarded a Noble Prize. We are blessed with having her in our own backyard.

Dr. Strickland’s credentials are amazing: As a distinguished Professor in the Dept. of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo, in 2018, Dr Strickland was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, for her ground-breaking inventions in high-intensity laser physics. I had not made the connection between laser physics and laser cataract surgery, which I have had, and even laser treatment on my toes! It was great to hear how she attempted to bring science this down to earth; the pin men sketches helped!

Donna shared the fascinating science behind her prestigious award and took us on a vivid behind-the-scenes look at her unforgettable Nobel Prize week in Stockholm, Sweden. Donna was engaging, down to earth and amusing. Donna took us on a journey to Stockholm: the hunt for a formal dress, which stole the show. The briefings on protocol and etiquette and being escorted into the formal dinner by the King of Sweden is something Donna will never forget. It was refreshing to hear that the King was extremely charming and down to earth.

Donna is a wonderful example of what women can do in the field of science. I worked in a high-tech company, where 4 decades ago, we hired two young women who had just graduated with degrees in Engineering from McMaster and Waterloo Universities. Back then, this was an amazing accomplishment.

It wasn’t too many decades ago, when CFUW, and teachers in academia were encouraging girls to go into mathematics and engineering. CFUW can be proud of having had a vision, for over 100 years, to encourage young women to attend University. CFUW continues to award scholarships towards that aim.

A very special thank you to Roberta Hickey who worked with the staff at Golf’s Steak House to organize the venue, the meal, and the extra seating and a thank you to Peggy Rose and the CFUW KW Program Committee.

January 2026 General Meeting: Memoirs with Susan Scott

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 20:32:48 GMT

Author, editor and teacher Susan Scott was our special guest presenter at our January 20^th General Meeting. In her engaging talk, Susan helped us understand how we might go about what some call writing our memoirs and what Susan encouraged us to think of as telling our stories. She spoke about how to not only recount the details of our stories, but how to express those everyday epiphanies and hard-to-voice experiences that often go unsaid. As Club member Sophie Wilson articulated in her thank you remarks, “Susan gave us a full and energizing exploration of memoir. She told us how to go about writing our own stories, with practical concrete advice, and gave us examples of books to read on the topic. She shared stories about how she herself learned about writing memoirs and the craft of storytelling from her 93-year-old aunt and holocaust survivors she interviewed at the start of her career.

“And most of all, Susan inspired us to find our own voices. She urged us to remember that if we have a story to tell, someone needs to hear our story. Our stories change people.”

Charitable Fund: St. Louis Award Recipients

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 20:48:32 GMT

by Janice Reiner

I was happy to attend one of the graduation ceremonies at the St. Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education Centre on November 8th, to give out two of the Hildegard Marsden Awards. It was held at St. Mary Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Roman Catholic Church – and it was a full house! Lots of excited graduates and their families were there to celebrate, and it was heartwarming to witness.

I presented one of the awards along with our congratulations to Kira DeGraaf, who was also the Valedictorian that evening. She is a mother of 2 children, and it took every minute of her time and attention to juggle family, a part-time night shift job, and a full-time in-person class schedule. She is now continuing along a path to become a Registered Nurse.

The second award recipient is Heba Adam, who unfortunately was unable to attend the ceremony. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Applied Biotechnology, with plans to focus on genetic engineering. Congratulations to Heba, as well!

Marg Fannon attended the school’s second graduation ceremony the following week, to give out another Marsden award to Eva Przybyla.

Please let Janis Randall Simpson know if you are interested in attending any graduation ceremonies to give out awards on behalf of our club.

Active Bystander Strategies (The 5 Ds)

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 21:25:27 GMT

Local community partners emphasize the 5D Active Bystander Model for safe intervention when witnessing problematic or harmful situations:

Distract: Interrupt the situation indirectly. This could involve spilling a drink "accidentally," asking the person causing harm an unrelated question, or creating a commotion to break the flow of potential harm.
Delegate: Ask for help from a third party or someone in a position of authority, such as a store manager, bouncer, or bus driver. You can also ask others nearby to assist, as there is safety in numbers.
Document: Record the incident with video, audio, or notes, but only if safe to do so. Always ask the person being harmed what they want done with the documentation before posting or sharing it, as a lack of consent can cause further harm.
Direct: Directly respond to the harm by naming it (e.g., "That's not okay" or "Leave them alone") or showing disapproval with body language (frowning, crossing arms). Assess the situation for safety first, as direct intervention can sometimes escalate the situation.
Delay: Check in with the person who experienced the harm after the incident. Offer support, acknowledge that it was not their fault, and help them find resources. This can prevent self-blame and reduce trauma.

The primary principle is to prioritize your own safety and the safety of others. There is a difference between feeling uncomfortable and feeling unsafe; trust your instincts.

What is the Signal for Help?

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 21:21:30 GMT

- Janice Reiner

The "Signal for Help" is a tool to help those experiencing gender-based violence, created by the Canadian Women's Foundation. It's a simple one-handed gesture someone can use, without leaving a digital trace, to communicate they need someone to safely check in and support them.

Learn about the hand "Signal for Help" and tips on how to respond if you see it at the website for the Canadian Women's Foundation: www.canadianwomen.org > Get Involved > Signal for Help.

If you see the Signal for Help:

Reach out to the person safely.
Be supportive: acknowledge their experience, listen, and let them tell you what they need.
Refer them to services or offer resources, as needed.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency services (police, fire, ambulance).

The Signal for Help is a powerful tool that can make a life-saving difference to those facing domestic violence or gender-based violence. This gesture acts as a discreet safety signal or emergency signal that can be used in various situations to indicate that someone should check in with you.

CFUW K-W Activities to Support the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 20:24:29 GMT

by Janice Reiner

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign, and one of the largest organizing strategies in the prevention and elimination of gender-based violence around the world. It begins on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, Human Rights Day.

CFUW (national) and clubs across the country are committed to ending gender-based violence and raising awareness for issues affecting women and girls worldwide.

On November 30, CFUW K-W had a 12-person team participate in the Voices Empower: Walk to Break the Silence. This 6 km walk is a time to reflect on and bring awareness to the increase of femicide, and to show support for those who have lost their lives and who are experiencing or recovering from domestic violence. Proceeds from the event will help provide safe shelter and outreach services to women and children moving beyond violence in Waterloo Region.

Thanks to walkers, members and friends who made a donation to support us, our team raised $7,413.09 for Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region.

It was a chilly day, but we dressed for it. It was a fun walk from Waterloo Town Square to Victoria St. in Kitchener, and return. Delicious Poppy’s bagels and hot chocolate awaited us at the end.

On December 6th at 5:30 p.m. we held a Vigil for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women at St. Columba Anglican Church, 250 Lincoln Rd., Waterloo. Stay tuned for photos and more about this event in the next issue.

Report: Walk to break the Silence

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 20:40:20 GMT

- Janice Reiner

On Saturday, November 22, we had an amazing CFUW KW team of 20 women and 1 man who participated in a 6 km walk, in support of women and children experiencing domestic violence.

It was chilly, but we had SUNSHINE for our walk from Waterloo Town Square to Victoria Street in Kitchener and back. And yes – the hot chocolate and BAGELS from Poppy’s Bagel & Bakery were delicious! (See the smiling faces in the photo attached for proof!)

This event was a fundraiser for Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region with monies raised going to the Anselma House & Haven House. Our team raised $6,260 by the day of the walk, and there are still a few donations on the way.

Thank you to our walkers for coming out for the event, and to all those who supported us with a donation. By walking, donating, and raising awareness through Voices Empower, we can help reduce risk, support survivors and honour the memory of women whose lives were lost to violence.

Thank you!

November 2025 General Meeting

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 20:28:20 GMT

- Anita Davis

At last Tuesday’s general meeting (Nov 18^th), our members were treated to a surprisingly delightful, upbeat and entertaining account of history in Europe which led to World War 11. I only wish my history teachers in high school had presented the topic using Ken’s entertaining approach. Through his book “Shadows of Tyranny”, acclaimed author Ken McGoogan shows how the current resurgence of authoritarianism in the United States recalls Europe in the 1930s.

Using black and white slogans, cartoons and photos, Ken described the rise of dictators in Europe, and their devastating impact on the lives of millions. He draws a parallel on how “the current resurgence of authoritarianism in the United States, recalls Europe in the 1930s,” and how Donald Trump gained yet another term of office, by applying strategies used by Hitler.

Shadows of Tyranny, is described as an audacious work of nonfiction. Acclaimed author Ken McGoogan melds conventional history, political analysis, and literary observation into a genre-busting work of “cautionary nonfiction.”

Shadows of Tyranny also celebrates those who fought the racist wildfire – soldiers, of course, but also novelists like Orwell and Sinclair Lewis, journalists like Matthew Halton, Dorothy Thompson, and Martha Gellhorn, and singular figures like Hannah Arendt, Norman Bethune, and Winston Churchill.

A thank you to Wordsworth Books for displaying other publications by Ken McGoogan. As a result, I purchased a second book: “Lady Franklin’s Revenge”. Only two chapters in, the book is shaping up to be thoroughly readable. The book describes how Lady Franklin, the well-educated and resourceful wife of Sir John Franklin, orchestrated a 12-year search of his lost expedition. To quote: “Ken McGoogan tells the riveting story of a complex ambitious Victorian woman, who battling a society that denied her an active role, transformed a failed expedition into a triumphant legend.

Well worth reading…

Marsden Awards given out

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 20:51:19 GMT

- Janis Randall Simpson

Four Hildegard Marsden awards were presented to students from Saint Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education Centres at ceremonies on November 7^th and 14^th, 2025. These ceremonies are lively and fun with very excited graduates and their families.

Three students received their secondary school diplomas. Jemina Ngomba is now in the 2-year Early Childhood Education program at Conestoga College and she eventually wants to pursue a degree with a view to teaching high school. Elizabeth Nduagu is now attending college in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program while also working. Nagin Farotan is currently enrolled in the Biomedical Science program at the University of Waterloo with the goal of a career in dentistry.

Funmi Lawuyi recently completed the Personal Support Worker program at St. Louis and plans to enroll in the Registered Practical Nursing program at Conestoga College.

All of these very worthy Marsden award winners are very grateful to CFUW K-W as there are so few awards available for these adult learners.

Report: Micro Gallery for The Canadian Library

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 19:32:39 GMT

- Susan Vecchiarelli

The installation of CFUW KW’s Micro Gallery for The Canadian Library took place on October 3, 2025 at the Kitchener Public Library’s Southwest Community Library.

This visual art project fosters awareness and respect for Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and serves as a platform to share the stories of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S) and children across the country.

Our Micro Gallery has 120 books covered in Indigenous-inspired fabrics.100 books have, in gold lettering on the spine, the names of those who have been found or known to be missing, and the remaining 20 books are without names to honour those who have never been reported as missing.

The Canadian Library project hopes to bring all the Micro Galleries together in a permanent location.

Thanks are extended to those who helped the Indigenous Issues Study Circle bring the project to life:

Peggy Rose, for bringing this project to our attention
CFUW KW for providing financial assistance to purchase the fabric
CFUW KW members for volunteering their time and skills to cover the books
Strong Start for generously providing its warehouse and training rooms to prepare the books
Jean Becker and Melissa Ireland from the University of Waterloo’s Indigenous Relations Office for their advice and support
Kelly Welch for leading the smudging ceremony and drumming circle
Amanda Wiley, Senior Manager of the Southwest Community Library, for enthusiastically embracing the project, providing a custom glass-doored cabinet for our Micro Gallery, and hosting the installation ceremony and refreshments.

REPORT: November Volunteer Opportunity

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 19:30:25 GMT

- Kristin Culligan

On October 29th, CFUW KW members rolled up their sleeves and volunteered their time at the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Together, our team sorted over 3,000 pounds of food, helping ensure that donations from across the community get to those who need them most. We learned that 1 in 8 households in the region are currently using the Food Banks services.

Through our collective efforts—volunteering, food donations, and financial contributions—CFUW KW members helped provide over 3,000 meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity in our region. Around 1,800 meals per day are distributed everyday.

The experience was both eye-opening and rewarding, reminding us of the impact that community action and teamwork can have. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this initiative. Every can, every dollar, and every hour truly makes a difference.

If you’re interested in joining our next volunteer activity or learning more about how CFUW KW supports local organizations, stay tuned for future opportunities in our upcoming newsletters!

To support the Food Bank please use our CFUW KW Link to donate so we can track the impact we are making within the community, you will receive the tax receipt directly.

November 2025 Advocacy Update - Susan Vecchiarelli

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 19:09:35 GMT

The Advocacy Committee met on October 16 and decided to proceed with these initiatives:

The Aging and Long-Term Care working group will focus on the 2025 Ontario Council resolution to urge the province to establish a Seniors’ Advocate.
A new working group will investigate the current local status of housing.
The Winter Clothing Drive and the Tiny Acts of Kindness drives will support the Tiny Home Takeout and its Bell Tower Resource Room.
The “Walk to Break the Silence”, Nov. 22 at 1pm, will raise funds for Anselma House and Haven House of the Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region.
A December 6^th Vigil will be held to commemorate the 14 women who were killed on December 6, 1989 at École Polytechnique in Montreal.

Upcoming Ontario Council Speaker Series:

Sat., Nov. 29 – “The Role of Patriarchy: Historical Perspectives & Current Issues”

To register, go to “cfuwontcouncil” à”Events”à”Speaker Series”.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

November 15 – December 10

The "16 Days of Activism", an annual international campaign, starts on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ends on Human Rights Day. The campaign aims to raise awareness, call for action, and renew commitments to end violence against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.

Gender-based violence takes on many forms:

Domestic violence or intimate partner violence
Sexual harassment or assault
Child marriage
Psychological or emotional abuse
Human trafficking
Financial/economic abuse
Stalking
Femicide
Female genital cutting/mutilation
Online/digital violence

Ways to Take Action

Donate to or volunteer at a women’s shelter, sexual assault or crisis centre, or an Indigenous women’s support centre.
Read the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice and consider how you can act on them.
Wear purple on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to raise awareness.
Wear a white ribbon and attend a vigil on December 6.
Write a letter to your representatives urging them to stand against violence against women, harassment, and toxicity in politics.
Write an op-ed or letter to the editor to raise awareness about gender-based violence and ways to combat it.

October 2025 General Meeting with Kathleen White a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 19:26:47 GMT

There was more than a full house, present for the October General Meeting. The talk was dynamic, informative and timely!

Quote: “I was particularly impressed with Kathleen ’s enthusiasm and passion for her work. Her presentation was very engaging and informative, peppered with humour and an easy approachable manner.

Kathleen White, a pelvic floor physiotherapist, gave an enthusiastic and dynamic presentation on what we should know about the pelvic floor and how it affects many parts of our bodies. Her presentation showed just how enthusiastic and passionate Kathleen is about her work. She presented the topic in an engaging, informative manner, with moments of humour. She used the “blow up tube man”, (that flips around in the wind and used for outdoor advertising) to explain how the vagina moves depending on the organs around it.

We heard back from those who attended that they enjoyed her talk and learned something new. Even members who were up to date on pelvic floor physiotherapy said they enjoyed the talk and learned from it.

The “pelvic floor” is a group of muscles that control urination and bowel movements, but also supports and affects all the muscles, ligaments and organs in the pelvic area.

The pelvic floor is affected at puberty, pre and postpartum, peri menopause, and menopause. The hormonal changes especially at those times, can affect pelvic tissue, muscle strength, leakage, vaginal and pelvic tissue changes, pelvic area pain and positive stability. Many conditions in the pelvic area, from tail bone pain, deep hip pain, and prolapses may be helped by pelvic floor strengthening or relaxation.

We have all heard of Kegel exercises as the answer to incontinence, but do we know the correct way to do them or that they are not the answer for every condition? Relaxation techniques may be required for some conditions.

A couple of the big takeaways were:

o Don’t Stop moving

o Connect your breath and the core

o Do exercises and strength training

o Early intervention increases the chances of success without surgery

o Get to know your body in the pelvic area.

For pelvic floor issues, the right approach needs to the determined. A balance of strength, coordination and relaxation. A pelvic floor specialist can help you determine the right approach to help you.

Get informed and spread the word. It is no longer a dirty secret we cannot talk about.

October 2025 Advocacy Update

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:10:48 GMT

Upcoming Advocacy Events: 1. Oct. 25: Ontario Council Zoom Speaker “Declaring Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic in Ontario”, 2. Oct. 16: Zoom Advocacy Committee Meeting, 3. December 6^th Vigil

What does Advocacy mean? Advocacy is a core function of CFUW and is at the heart of the mission and vision of CFUW. As described in the September 12^th CFUW Club Action newsletter, Advocacy is responsible for many things we now take for granted such as universal Medicare in Canada, women's voting rights, matrimonial property rights, and paid maternity leave.

CFUW has three National Advocacy Priorities:

Equity & Social Justice (gender equality; gender-based violence; poverty & homelessness; safe & strong institutions);
Education (life-long learning & member education; diversity, equity, & inclusion; Artificial Intelligence & digital education);
Safe & Healthy Communities (Long-term care & aging in place; quality, equitable public healthcare; climate change & green policies; environmental conservation).

September 2025 Advocacy Update

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:11:41 GMT

by Susan Vecchiarelli

Although the CFUW 2025 AGM was held virtually July 11^th – 13^th, once again I was impressed with the passion of our clubs’ members across Canada, thrilled to be a part of this strong organization, and rejuvenated for our upcoming year.

As you know, advocacy is one of the pillars of our local club and, over the years, CFUW has taken a stand on innumerable issues. All resolutions passed by CFUW from 1964 can be found at: https://www.cfuw.org/assets/pdf/Adopted+Resolutions+2024/. All seven 2025 resolutions were passed at the National AGM and will be added to the policy book, and resources will be prepared for the fall.

1.      Addressing Period Poverty and Menstrual Inequity in Canada
2.      Expanding Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
3.      Supporting 2SLGBTQ+ Rights
4.      Strengthening the Awareness and Safekeeping of Individuals and Their Animals Experiencing Domestic Violence
5.      Equitable Phase-out of Fossil Fuels
6.      Archiving Select CFUW Adopted Resolutions
7. Affirming Housing as a Human Right and Social Good

In May 2025, two Ontario Council resolutions were passed at the AGM:

1. Funding for Post-Secondary Education in Ontario

2. The Establishment of a Seniors’ Advocate

The Aging and Long-Term Care Working Group looks forward to continuing its work by advocating for the establishment of a Seniors’ Advocate (Ontario Council Resolution 2). Please consider joining Elena DiBattista, Kathryn Murrell, Janis Randall Simpson, Wyn Rosenberger, and me.

To become more familiar with what is going on internationally, nationally, and provincially, please subscribe to:

1. CFUW Club Action Newsletter
2. Ontario Council News

Ontario Council has hosted three advocacy sessions annually for many years. During COVID-19 the in-person keynote and breakout speakers format shifted to virtual presentations. Because speakers and participants can be brought together from all over the globe, Ontario Council is continuing to offer its Speaker Series virtually. Please save the dates: Saturday, October 25; Saturday, November 29; and Saturday, February 21 from 10am to noon. The topics and registration forms will be in upcoming Ontario Council News newsletters, so please subscribe.

These newsletters are very informative and easy to read with a list of the items in the edition at the top. There is more than Advocacy in these newsletters—you will find articles about Artificial Intelligence, How to Avoid Phishing Scams, fundraising events, upcoming webinars, etc., National’s Member Drive (resources, form to book Zoom meetings on a National account), etc., and other clubs’ newsletters.

Thank you to the following women who agreed to join me and the Aging & Long-Term Care members on our club’s 2025-2026 Advocacy Committee: Catherine Deacon-Barrett, Lisa Forwell, Mary Lawrence, Elaine Lewis, and Dorothy McCabe.

The Advocacy Committee is always looking for new members. Some initiatives are year-long commitments; others are one-time (e.g., December 6^th Vigil; Out of the Cold; Tiny Acts of Kindness; review OC and CFUW Resolutions).

I have not decided how our Advocacy meetings will be held but I am definitely leaning towards Zoom meetings. The days and time of day will depend on everyone’s availability.

A planning session will be organized early in September to decide on this year’s focus.

Please contact Susan Vecchiarelli (msvecchiarelli@rogers.com; 519-885-7924) if you would like to join the Advocacy Committee in any way or if you have questions.

CFUW National Items of Interest

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 20:23:36 GMT

By Susan Robinson

Educating girls and women is a core purpose of CFUW locally and nationally. The national CFUW Charitable Trust has an excellent scholarship program for women pursuing graduate studies. If you know someone who is looking at graduate studies, encourage her to apply for a nationally funded scholarship. A link to application details is in this article.

A few months ago, national office started a program called “Membership Moments”. It is a series of focused conversations regarding how to improve club activities. Every member is invited to attend and details on how to “Zoom in,” as well as summaries of the last few sessions, can be found in this article.

Finally, from national, there is an update about a CFUW brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women. On December 6, CFUW K-W club members attended the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women Vigil that was held at 5:30pm at the St. Columba Anglican Church at 250 Lincoln Rd, in Waterloo, Ontario.

On Friday, November 15, the applications opened for the 2025-2026 Charitable Trust Awards. The applications are managed by Universities Canada, but the selection of award winners will be made by the CFUW Fellowships Committee. The application portal will remain open until January 10.

Almost without exception, CFUW Clubs have their own scholarship funds, but the majority of these are supporting young women graduating from high school. The Charitable Trust (CT) awards are for women pursuing graduate studies. This year there will be fourteen awards and information can be found on the CT website at www.cfuwcharitabletrust.ca.

The Trust invites Clubs to share this information with their members and to ask them, in turn, to share within their network of friends and family. Clubs may also have contacts with their local university. CFUW has been funding further studies for women since 1919 and it is the support of CFUW Clubs and individual members that enables the CT to continue its work.

CFUW National has introduced a new feature called Monday Membership Moments. It is a Zoom meeting and takes place on the 4th Monday of every month at 4pm ET.

Topics have included attracting new members, raising our profile, and making CFUW known in our communities and retaining new recruits.

There have been three Membership Moments sessions so far. The PowerPoint and notes from the sessions are available on the Member’s Drive here (https://cfuw.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8efb82640cb8bc1fd889b4668&id=4147c07f8e&e=a6e15b7545) or go to Biennium 2024-2026 then CFUW Committees then Membership, Projects, MemMoments.

We’ll let you know when the January session topic is announced, so you can plan to join if it is of interest to you.

CFUW recently submitted a brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women for its study on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Our brief focused on the importance of gun control measures as a critical way to prevent femicide.

CFUW has a long history of advocating for stricter gun control, following the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre. Access to firearms is one of the highest risk indicators for intimate partner violence resulting in death. The danger is particularly high in rural areas, where both the risk of gender-based violence and access to guns are higher. In fact, firearms are the most common method used to kill an intimate partner or child in rural areas. Guns are also used as tools to intimidate, control, and coerce, with their presence in the home often making it too dangerous for women to leave abusive situations.

Read CFUW’s full parliamentary brief.

A Magical Evening with Louise Penny and Shelagh Rogers in Support of Strong Start

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 11:19:29 GMT

On 13 June 2024, supporters of literacy and community gathered for a truly memorable evening to raise funds for Strong Start, an organization dedicated to helping children develop critical early literacy skills.

The highlight of the night was an intimate and engaging conversation between beloved author Louise Penny and celebrated broadcaster Shelagh Rogers. With humor, warmth, and candor, they discussed Louise’s creative process, the inspirations behind her Chief Inspector Gamache series, and the transformative power of books. Guests were captivated by the stories shared, from personal anecdotes to reflections on the role of community in fostering resilience and hope.

The event also featured a delicious three-course dinner, a lively auction, and a heartfelt appeal to support Strong Start’s impactful programs. Thanks to the generosity of attendees and supporters, the evening surpassed its fundraising goals, ensuring that even more children will gain the essential tools they need to succeed in school and beyond.

We are deeply grateful to Louise Penny, Shelagh Rogers, our sponsors, and everyone who contributed to making this event a resounding success. Together, we’ve helped open the door to brighter futures for countless children.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey!

An Inspiring Evening with Lisa LaFlamme and Jeff Hutchinson in Support of CW4WA and Journalists for Human Rights

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 11:22:43 GMT

On April 2023, a vibrant crowd gathered at Doubletree in Kitchener for a remarkable evening in support of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CW4WA) and Journalists for Human Rights (JHR). The event celebrated the power of truth, storytelling, and advocacy, raising vital funds to support education, freedom of expression, and human rights worldwide.

The evening’s centerpiece was an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation between award-winning journalist Lisa LaFlamme and acclaimed broadcaster Jeff Hutchinson. Together, they delved into pressing global issues, the challenges of reporting in today’s complex world, and the courage it takes to uncover and share stories that matter. Their candid discussion offered guests an insider’s view of journalism’s role in defending human rights and amplifying marginalized voices.

Thanks to the generosity of our attendees, sponsors, and supporters, the evening surpassed all expectations. The funds raised will empower CW4WA to continue their life-changing work in education and advocacy for Afghan women and help JHR to train journalists around the globe to report on human rights with accuracy and integrity.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Lisa LaFlamme, Jeff Hutchinson, and everyone who joined us for this extraordinary evening. Together, we are making a profound difference in the pursuit of equality, education, and justice.