In this Issue

• Message from Sandra Shaw, President 2024-2026, Ontario Council
• October 25^th, 2025 Speaker Series
• Advocacy Actions
• 2025 Resolutions
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - September 30
• Persons Day - October 18
• Fall Gathering - CFUW Orillia
• Leadership Models for Ontario Council Clubs
• Resources for Ontario Council Clubs
• Dinner for Hope
• Healthcare in Ontario - Update
• Grants Available from CFUW National
• Congratulations to our CFUW Clubs in Saskatchewan
• Club News & Events

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A Message from Sandra Shaw

Our discussion turned to managing that ‘work’. It was acknowledged that each Club has only so much capacity and irrespective of how much a Club can do, it is the desire to do which should be the guiding principle for any Club.

Ontario Council Clubs adopted two resolutions this past AGM and nationally another seven were adopted. Not all can be addressed by any one Club. Many Clubs already have advocacy issues about which they are passionate and have activities planned around these. Others will review the resolutions and pick one or two (or maybe three!) to address through advocacy endeavours this year. Some Clubs are comfortable with their interest group activities and may not participate in at all in these advocacy efforts. Each approach is to be valued.

Every CFUW Club has an identity all its own, developed over years of existence. This is to be celebrated and honoured. I am looking forward to meeting more Ontario Council Clubs this year to discover your uniqueness, help you navigate the waters of CFUW and Ontario Council and to make lasting friends with women of intelligence, courage, passion, and accomplishment.

So, as you enter another year, remember to take care of your self and your Club. In both cases, be healthy.

Sandra Shaw

President,

CFUW Ontario Council (2024-2026)

October 25^th Speaker Series

Please join us at 10 AM on Saturday, October 25th for our first Speaker Series Event for 2025-2026. In this virtual session, we will be exploring the legislative process involved in declaring Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) an epidemic and why that is so important to women in Ontario.

In 2024, the Government of Ontario introduced legislation declaring IPV an epidemic. It was supported by all parties. Unfortunately, the legislation was under committee review when the provincial election was called last winter and it did not receive Royal Assent. The legislation is being re-introduced and CFUW would like to see the legislative process completed: LET'S FINISH THE JOB!

Our October speakers' session will examine the newly introduced legislation, its possible practical impact on women's shelters and how families are affected by IPV.

Our Speaker Series events are free, virtual sessions held on our Zoom platform. After the speaker and panel discussion, there will be time to share and chat with other attendees.

Please register to attend.

For more information and registration for the October 25^th event, click here.

ADVOCACY ACTIONS

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to write and revise the two Resolutions which were passed at the May 24^th AGM. Much thanks to the Orillia Club for their Resolution addressing the Funding Crisis in Post-secondary Education in Ontario and to the Owen Sound and Area Club for their Resolution to establish a Seniors Advocate in Ontario. The resolutions in full are available on our Ontario Council website. Letters addressing these issues have been sent to Premier Doug Ford and appropriate Ministers and Critics. Template letters suitable for clubs to use when writing their own MPP’s are linked in this newsletter. If your club like mine has more than one MPP, we suggest you indicate that many club members live within that jurisdiction.

For your information, this is the link to current MPP’s https://www.ola.org/en/members/current (all parties) and Ministers by portfolio https://www.ola.org/en/members/current/composite-list We hope clubs find these letters useful when writing to or meeting with elected representatives:

• Template Letter: Addressing the Funding Crisis in Post Secondary Education
• Template Letter: Establishing a Seniors Advocate in Ontario

The fourth week of September is Gender Equality Week in Canada, a time to highlight progress made to advance gender equality, celebrate women’s achievements, and reaffirm Canada’s commitment to closing persistent gender gaps that hold too many back. Gender Equality Week was created through Bill C-309, the Gender Equality Act, which became law on June 21, 2018. This link for information about Women and Gender Equality in Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality.html .

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana is a holiday of both celebration and reflection, this year starting the evening of September 22^nd through the 24^th. Customs include eating a round challah symbolic of the cycle of life and apples with honey to begin a sweet year. A common greeting is Shanah Tovah. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement is a solemn occasion observed from the evening of October 1^st through the 2^nd by fasting and prayer. The Shofar (ram’s horn) is sounded throughout these ten “Days of Awe”.

September 30^th is Truth and Reconciliation Day, honoring children who did not return as well as survivors of residential schools and their families. This day is also known as Orange Shirt Day—public commemorations of this tragic history and recognition of the ongoing impacts of residential schools is vital to the reconciliation process. Further information is attached below, with links to Ontario focused materials and websites at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/national-day-truth-and-reconciliation

I have been reading 52 Ways to Reconcile, How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing by David A. Robertson, a member of Norway House Cree Nation. He has written this book for non-Indigenous people, offering guidance to help walk towards healthier relationships offering many simple suggestions for individuals or groups, perhaps clubs to consider.  

We are working to bring an interesting, informative, and timely Ontario Council Speakers Series for our members. Please hold the following dates for our Saturday morning zoom presentations: October 25^th, November 29^th, and February 21^st. Further details to come along with registration information for these Zoom meetings.

Kathy Wosnick

Advocacy Chair

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

October 18 is Persons Day in Canada

It marks the day in 1929 when the historic decision to include women in the legal definition of “persons” was handed down by Canada’s highest court of appeal. This gave some women the right to be appointed to the Senate of Canada and paved the way for women's increased participation in public and political life. Though this decision did not include all women, such as Indigenous women and women of Asian heritage and descent, it did mark critical progress in the advancement of gender equality in Canada.

Read more...

FALL GATHERING - CFUW Orillia

Leadership Models for Ontario Council Clubs

On November 10^th, at 6:00 pm, Ontario Council will be holding the first in a series of seminars designed to help solve issues facing Clubs in Ontario. The first seminar will be a discussion of various Leadership Models that are being used by Ontario Clubs to undertake the business of managing their Clubs.

There will be a panel of five or six current Ontario Council Club leaders whose Club has adopted a different leadership approach. They will discuss the situation leading up to this model, how this model was chosen, and the pros and cons of the model.

The seminar will open up to questions following the presentations. A member who is familiar with our Bylaws will also be present to address any issues related to Club bylaws addressing leadership.

More information will be available in our October newsletter, along with registration information. Hold the date for this important discussion.

Resources for Ontario Council Clubs

Did you know that CFUW Ontario Council's website contains a number of documents and helpful resources available to clubs? These can be found on the Club Resources page of our website.

Among the many things on this page, you will find:

• A Club Administration Booklet that contains checklists and other hints that your incoming executive might find helpful.
• A Handbook for New Club Presidents and Leaders
• New Members Handbooks
• Templates for Club Bylaws - very helpful if your club is reviewing and updating your bylaws.
• Information on OC CFUW Insurance and Insurance Certificates

Check out the Club Resources page to see what might be useful to your club. Click here to reach that page on our website.

DINNER FOR HOPE

University Women Helping Afghan Women, CFUW-Ottawa, hosted their 15^th annual fundraising event, Dinner for Hope, on 19 June, 2025. The 140 guests enjoyed an evening featuring dining, an inspiring talk by Canadian human rights advocate and champion of the women and girls of Afghanistan, Senator Marilou McPhedran, a surprise video from two Afghan students, and a successful lively auction. Catherine Smith, Past-President of CFUW-Ottawa, MC’d the evening with her mix of easygoing humour and careful time keeping.

The funds raised by the auction will buy computers and power banks, and pay for internet service so more Afghan women can join the Remote Communication Assistance program operated by UWHAW in partnership with Right to Learn Afghanistan. The 31 students currently enrolled study English as a Second Language so they can apply for scholarships abroad, continue with courses halted by the Taliban, or apply for jobs with international companies operating online in Afghanistan.  A cadre of volunteer tutors works with the students to help them with their studies and provide the important human touch and encouragement they need to imagine a better future.

The UWHAW organizers were honoured to welcome members of the Ottawa diplomatic corps, Ottawa members of Right to Learn Afghanistan, community leaders, and a number of CFUW luminaries, including CFUW President, Linda Sestock, Ontario Council President, Sandy Shaw, and Mary Miller and Margaret Gilbey of CFUW-Belleville.

Senator Marilou McPhedran

From left to right: CFUW-Ottawa Past President and MC, Catherine Smith; UWHAW Co-founder and Programme Chair, Hally Siddons; CFUW President, Linda Sestock; Ontario Council President, Sandra Shaw: Barbara Newbegin, CFUW-Ottawa President and UWHAW Co-Convener

Healthcare in Ontario - Update

Primary Care Act, 2025

On June 5, 2025, Bill 13, the Primary Care Act, 2025, received Royal Assent and has been enacted, making Ontario the first Canadian jurisdiction to establish a framework for its publicly funded primary care system through legislation.

The Primary Care Act, 2025 sets out six clear objectives for Ontario’s publicly funded primary care system, which will ensure people know what they can expect when connecting to primary care:

• Province-wide: Every person across the province should have the opportunity to have ongoing access to a primary care clinician or team.
• Connected: Every person should have the opportunity to receive primary care that is coordinated with existing health and social services.
• Convenient: Every person should have access to timely primary care.
• Inclusive: Every person should have the opportunity to receive primary care that is free from barriers and free from discrimination.
• Empowered: Every person should have the opportunity to access their personal health information through a digitally integrated system that connects patients and clinicians in the circle of care.
•  Responsive: The primary care system should respond to the needs of the communities it serves, and everyone should have access to information about how the system is performing and adapting.

The Minister is required to prepare an annual report describing how the Government of Ontario is working to achieve the objectives listed above. This legislation is part of the government’s Primary Care Action Plan, a plan being developed and implemented by the Primary Care Action Team, led by Dr. Jane Philpott, detailing the government’s goal of connecting two million more people to publicly funded primary care in the next four years, so that all Ontarians are connected to a family doctor, primary care nurse practitioner, or a primary care team by 2029. 

From The Alliance for Healthier Communities Board to Board Newsletter, June 26^th, 2025.

GRANTS AVAILABLE from CFUW NATIONAL

CFUW Membership Grants for 2025-2026

Timeline: announced mid September, applications through mid November, $$ December

• Announcement and applications in Club Action Newsletter starting-- Friday September 19  Deadline Wednesday November 19th
• Final Decision made at Membership Cttee mtg Wednesday November 26th
• Money distributed by e-transfer in early December.

CFUW Membership Grants for 2025-2026

Membership Grants supporting your members and/or raising your Club and CFUW profile will fall into three categories listed below.

1. Updating branding/profile raising printed materials this year (not retroactive) including a new banner but excluding electronic materials e.g., Web page or Facebook which Communication Cttee will be supporting. Grants up to $250 each.  $1000 total is available for this type of grant.
2. NEW (started and executed this year:) projects/events that support your members and strengthen your Club’s and CFUW’s profile in the community (including anniversary celebrations). Grants up to $500 each. $2000 is available for this type of grant.
3. Expanding or modifying RECURRING or ONGOING event or project with proven success for at least 2 years. Grants up to $250 each.  $1000 total is available for this type of grant.

New “this year” means started and executed August 2025- July 2026. Our committee’s total budget for grants of $4000 will be distributed late fall as outlined. If there is money remaining in the budget, we may have another call for applications in the new year. Money left in any of the grant categories may be redistributed to other categories depending on the number and type of applications in the other categories.

A club may not receive funds for the same or similar project from their CFUW Region/Province. 

A Club may apply for only one grant—Branding non electronic material, a New project/event, or a Recurring or Ongoing project/event.

The selection criteria will put priority on requests from and ideas that

• have a strong possibility of being transferable so are easily adoptable or adaptable by other clubs
• Represent clubs of varying regions across the country, sizes from small to medium to large clubs, types of location for example drawing members from rural, suburban or urban populations and amenities.
• Are innovative and creative that we have not seen before.



Priority is given to a Club who has not received a National CFUW grant in the last 2 years.

Congratulations to our CFUW Clubs in Saskatchewan!

Congratulations to Saskatchewan CFUW Clubs and the Saskatchewan Council!

The following appeared in the Moose Jaw Express September 12^th, 2025.

The Government of Saskatchewan has once again officially recognized the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW), with a proclamation declaring Sept. 14 as CFUW Day in the province.

The proclamation was issued by Alana Ross, minister responsible for the status of women, on Sept. 3 in Regina.

“I, Alana Ross, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women in the Province of Saskatchewan in exercise of the powers conferred upon me, do hereby designate the day of September 14, 2025, to be: ‘Canadian Federation of University Women’s Day’ in Saskatchewan. And I request the citizens of the Province of Saskatchewan to recognize this day,” Ross wrote in the proclamation.



For Dalelene Yelland, CFUW’s regional director in Saskatchewan, the recognition remains an important opportunity to highlight the organization’s mission and work.

“Various political parties have … given us a certificate of recognition for a number of years, and so we are very appreciative of that because it gives us an opportunity to raise the profile of the CFUW and the work they do in the province,” Yelland said in an earlier interview.

Saskatchewan is one of only a handful of provinces that formally recognizes CFUW Day.

“Saskatchewan is one of the provinces in Canada that does give us that certificate of recognition,” she said. “We’re very grateful, as an organization, for that.”

The proclamation, Yelland explained, helps draw attention to CFUW initiatives in communities across the province. Clubs in Regina, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and Yorkton lead much of the local activity, but the impact extends province-wide.

In Moose Jaw, for example, the CFUW introduced the New Beginnings Grant program in 2023, which provides $5,000 to a Saskatchewan woman facing financial barriers as she pursues post-secondary education. The program is now open province-wide, with this year’s application window underway.

Many of CFUW’s fundraising efforts support scholarships and grants such as this one, which help women overcome obstacles to education and career advancement.

The CFUW itself is a longstanding service club, founded in 1919 shortly after Canadian women secured the right to vote at the federal level. Today, it remains one of the country’s oldest national organizations dedicated to promoting education, human rights, and social justice.

Nationwide, the CFUW comprises more than 6,500 members in 94 clubs and contributes more than $1 million annually in scholarships.

“It is an organization that promotes education to raise the status of women, both locally and internationally,” Yelland said earlier. “So, our vision and mission is very much to empower women economically and socially through education.”



To learn more about CFUW, visit CFUW.org or email CFUWSaskatchewanCouncil@gmail.com.

Click here to see a copy of the Proclamation.



Club News & Events

As always, there's lots going on with Ontario Clubs! Please send your club news & events to communications@cfuwontcouncil.org.

CFUW Etobicoke

Congratulations to Janet Marecaux, a member of CFUW Etobicoke who was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal by Yvan Baker. She is one of 30 individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada and our community. Janet received this honour at a ceremony held recently. 

CFUW Nepean

Congratulations to CFUW Nepean! CFUW Nepean won a Special Projects Award from CFUW National for Marlene Sylvester’s Creativity in Bringing Early Feminists to Life.

Here is what Marlene has to say about her project:

Agnes McPhail and Emily Murphy were fierce advocates for women's rights in the first feminist wave in the early 20th century. The second wave was in the 60s and 70s with women such as Betty Friedman, Gloria Steinem and Jane Fonda and they were my heroes and mentors. 

During Covid, I decided to write a play about two great Canada women - Agnes and Emily - as their commitment and determination over decades ultimately challenged the social norms at the time and culminating in changing the course of history in our country.  Today we have many active women such as Roberta Bondar (astronaut and scientist), Elizabeth May (who focuses on climate issues), and Margaret Atwood (author).

Educators should focus on these past and present women who have made significant changes in the Canadian story and ultimately made Canada a safe and better place to call home.



My plays serve to bring these earlier women feminists to light and help educate us about the important role they played in the fight for equality for women.

Marlene Sylvester

CFUW Sudbury

Congratulations to CFUW Sudbury who was also awarded a CFUW National Special Projects Award. Here is what Co-President Jane Cox had to say about their award:

Have Money Will Spend

CFUW Sudbury is grateful to receive a CFUW National Special Projects Award announced at the 2025 CFUW AGM. Due to the wise investments in GICs in previous years by other CFUW Sudbury members, our club's surplus funds had grown so approximately $31,000 fell into our laps to spend. What a wonderful problem! 

Fortunately, one of our CFUW Sudbury Co-presidents had valuable experience as a Project Manager. (Note that the other Co-president only had experience in spending money after consultation with one person – namely herself!). Fortunately, democracy, and a well thought out process called the ‘Giving Plan’ unfolded over several months. Of course there had to be a Giving Plan Committee. (Never underestimate the contribution of tea, sweets, and fruit at committee meetings.) Membership engagement included a homemade ‘Monopoly Game’, an ‘Elevator Pitch’, an ‘I Stand in Her Shoes’ and ‘Speed Dating’ activities. These games of engagement at our General Meetings resulted in lots of laughs and in coveted data.

Four categories of disbursement were democratically created with a view to honouring the purpose of CFUW as a club, and with our local community needs in mind. 1. Scholarships/Bursaries. 2. Local community outreach. 3. Advocacy. 4. International causes. This fall 2025, we at CFUW Sudbury want to generate interest and increase visibility of our club in the community. $16,000 has been earmarked for bursaries. We will be giving $9,000 to four community outreach groups. $3,000 is committed to advocacy. $3,000 will support CFUW National’s international project. From 2026 to 2028, $1,125 per year will be given to a local community organization/cause chosen annually by CFUW Sudbury’s membership. All of these financial decisions have been made with the approval and full support of our CFUW Sudbury membership and executive.

And so there you have it. $31,000 may seem like a fortune to spend, but there are so many worthwhile causes/awards to be recognized. Have money will spend!

SPOTTED!!!

On Saturday, September 20th, SCAN (Seniors for Climate Action Now) held a rally in Toronto. Several CFUW members were spotted in the crowd. Great to see CFUW Leaside - East York, CFUW North Toronto, and others in attendance!

I’m not in a rush anymore.

I don’t worry about keeping up with everything and everyone.

Some days, I get things done. Some days I don’t.

Either way, life moves on.

I’ve stopped trying to fix things that don’t matter.

I’ve learned that silence is an answer.

That peace is more important than being right.

And that some people will never understand you, and that’s okay.

There are things I’ve lost along the way… people, moments, and parts of myself.

And yes, some of that still hurts.

But I also carry more love than I used to.

More patience. More softness.

More understanding of what really matters.

I no longer pretend to be fine when I’m not.

I don’t explain myself as much.

And I don’t waste time worrying about what people think of me.

If I want to sit and watch the sky for an hour, I will.

If I want to cry over an old memory, I won’t stop myself.

If I want to laugh at something silly, I’ll let myself.

Because I’ve learned that time doesn’t slow down.

And joy doesn’t wait for permission.

So if you ask me what it feels like to be old…

I’d say it feels like freedom.

The kind that comes with letting go of things you used to hold too tightly.

I don’t know how much time I have left, none of us do.

But I’m not wasting what’s left of mine chasing perfection.

I just want to live quietly, honestly, and in my own way.

And if that’s what being old feels like…

I’ll take it.

 Author unknown

SAVE THE DATE!

Friday, May 22, 2026 to Saturday, May 23, 2026

Ontario Council’s 2026 AGM and Conference is going to be an in-person event! We look forward to welcoming everyone to Peterborough, beginning at 4 PM on Friday, May 22^nd through to Saturday, May 23^rd.

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