CFUW working to promote social change

The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) had its early beginnings back towards the turn of the century, and today it still promotes its cause of improving the life of women and children.

In 1919 a voluntary, non-profit, self-funded organization formed to procure the betterment of women. The Edmonton area had a founding hand in the organization because back in 1909, the Edmonton club along with help from the United States and Britain formed what is known today as the International Federation of University Women (IFUW).

Today, Canada is one of 78 members of the international organization and has 122 clubs, including the one here in Strathcona, in every province.

Shirley Reid, chair of issues and advocacy for CFUW’s regional Alberta council and an avid member of the Edmonton and Sherwood Park clubs, passionately attests to the positive benefits of being a part of such a group.“We promote education and social change that would improve the lives of women and children,” she said.

The local club doesn’t just listen to discussions on change, but actively participates in changing the community any little bit that they can, such as providing books to a womens’ shelter’s library, presenting Christmas presents to the women from the shelter and providing hot lunches for Habitat for Humanity.

“We expect to vote on continuing involvement with A Safe Place (womens’ shelter) and Habitat for Humanity,” Reid said, detailing some of this year’s hoped-for plans.

For more information about CFUW, visit http://www.cfuw.org/
LINK: Sherwood Park News