Advocacy
Our Efforts
Members involve themselves in many community programs such as housing, literacy, safety for women and children, quality education, encouragement of the arts, social services, fund raising for women’s shelters. In the early 2010s, we focused on a study of the causes of poverty, its effect on society, the difficulty of a family living on minimum wage or social assistance to provide a healthy diet, and the possibility and problems associated with some sort of guaranteed annual income.
In 2015-16, our goal was to learn more about the education system on Prince Edward Island, and why our students do not score well on national and international tests.
More recently, we have focused on the environment and the impact of climate change on women.
In 2023-2024 we embarked on a strategic planning initiative to help us focus our energies on common interests/goals.
Some highlights of our advocacy efforts
1968
Through study of the marriage laws, career counselling, and the welfare of children, and in cooperation with the Business & Professional Women and the Zonta club, a brief prepared for the Royal Commission on the Status of Women. All these explorations culminated in a weekend seminar for Grade XII high school girls. Entitled “Focus Your Future”, the seminars included family planning, physical fitness, career role models. The luncheon speaker, the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, spoke on “Sex Typing: Laws and Attitudes”. This was most innovative at that time.
1973
Helen Lawson, one of CFUW Charlottetown’s charter members, wrote a booklet John Hamilton Gray and Inkerman House as a fund-raiser for the Club’s scholarship program. Although Inkerman House is no more, the name lives on in the area, and the booklet is a fine addition to local history.
1976
The Club partnered with the Women’s Institute to offer a seminar on Women and the Law.
1981
The Club hosted a public meeting at which Senator Lorne Bonnell presented the Senate Research Committee’s report entitled Child at Risk, with a panel discussion following.
1985
CFUW Charlottetown acted against child pornography by supporting written briefs, letter-writing campaigns, resolutions, and presentations before the Task Force Commission and Members of Parliament.
1986
The Club planned and presented a series of five seminars on Crisis Management. Topics covered included Death or Incapacitation of a Spouse, Separation/Divorce from a Spouse, Money Management Problems, Retirement, and Insurance.
1986
The Club sponsored one of its most active members, Helen Yeo, for a Person’s Award, which she travelled to Ottawa to receive from then Governor General, the Hon. Jeanne Sauvé.
1992
CFUW Charlottetown submitted a brief to the Steering Committee on the Report of the P.E.I. Task force on Education.
1996
The Club organized and hosted an exhibition of paintings by the late Frieda Creelman, one of its early members.
2002
After two years of research, CFUW Charlottetown presented to the National organization a resolution on Legal Aid in Canada, which was accepted, and is now CFUW Policy.
Special Events
2015
CFUW Charlottetown celebrated its 60th anniversary with a luncheon honouring two charter members: Lucille Hogg and Doris Anderson.
2015
The first 60 years of the Club were memorialized in the document: CFUW Charlottetown: 60 Years of Achievement
2019
CFUW Charlottetown hosted a reception to recognize the 100th anniversary of the National organization. Special guests included Her Honour Antionette Perry, Lt Governor of PEI, and Grace Hollett, CFUW National President.
2023
CFUW Charlottetown hosted the Atlantic Regional Conference.
