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.

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

- 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:

1. Reach out to the person safely.
2. Be supportive: acknowledge their experience, listen, and let them tell you what they need.
3. 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.

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.

- 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!

 - 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…

- 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. 

- 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.

- 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. 

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.