75th Anniversary

75th ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM 2008 - 2009

President's Reception

A beautiful wine and cheese reception at the new Moncton Press Club was a great occasion to gather the membership -- past and present - as well as many special guests, including Mayor George LeBlanc and his wife Kathy. We celebrated Women's History Month with a "Women We Should Know" quiz. The winner of our 75th Anniversary draw for a one-year CFUW membership was Karen Crandall-Stroud.

Hands Up Volunteer Expo

Canada's first ever volunteer expo & conference was held October 2008 at the Moncton Coliseum. CFUW Moncton was proud to be one of many volunteer organizations in the Greater Moncton area showcasing their activities. It was a great opportunity for us to have a "visible voice" and promote our Book Fair.

CFUW Atlantic Regional Council 2008

CFUW Moncton was a charter member of the Atlantic Regional Council in 1988. The ARC 2008 conference was held in The K.C.Irving Environmental Science Centre at Acadia University in Wolfville, NS on the occasion of CFUW Wolfville's 70th anniversary. Keynote speaker Brigitte Neuman, Executive Director of NS Advisory Council on the Status of Women, gave a brief history of the women's movement.

CFUW Moncton Authors

CFUW Moncton is proud to say that many of our members throughout the years have contributed to Canada's body of literature - be it history, poetry, children's books, outdoor life, academic treatises, and many published articles.

Among the more recent achievements are:

Gerry Dayton: A Monument to Faith, a history of St. John's United Church

Margaret Eaton: Painted Poems, Seeking Grace

Audrey Lampert: "The Electronic Information Highway: Implications for Schooling" article in The Canadian School Executive

Rosemary MacAulay: Sticky Fingers [artist]; Jellyfish, Seadragons & Fries on the Side: A PEI Fairytale [artist]

Louise Nichols: Quite a Curiosity: Sea Letters of Grace F Ladd

Brenda Parsons: Gramma's Rhymes of the Maritimes, Moncton's Civic Treasure: The Free Meeting House; On Foot to Fundy: The Dobson Hiking Trail [editor]

Theresia Quigley: I Cry for Innocence; Maritime Voices: Twentieth Century Stories by Women; Breaking Free in a Fresh Place: A Study of the Significance of Childhood in W.O. Mitchell's "The Vanishing Point"; Poetic Voices of the Maritimes: A Selection of Contemporary Poetry; Childhood in Limbo: A Study of Deborah Joy Corey's "Losing Eddie"; A Journey of Circles; The Child Hero in the Canadian Novel; Midlife Poems.

Helen Renouf: A History of the Town of Riverview (Editor)

Jean Taylor: "Spectrum Series Mathematics"

Therese Zwicker: "Crescendo", poesie

Canadian Mental Health & Food Bank

A tradition of helping the community, especially at Christmas time, was established early in the Club's history. Annual parties were held with the orphans of the Children's Home; gifts and donations are still offered to the "forgotten folks" with the Canadian Mental Health Association; non-perishable food items and donations are given annually to the local Food Bank. In this special 75th anniversary year, the Club gave an extra $75 donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association and $75 to the Greater Moncton Food Depot. tradition of helping the community, especially at Christmas time, was established early in the Club's history. Annual parties were held with the orphans of the Children's Home; gifts and donations are still offered to the "forgotten folks" with the Canadian Mental Health Association; non-perishable food items and donations are given annually to the local Food Bank. In this special 75th anniversary year, the Club gave an extra $75 donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association and $75 to the Greater Moncton Food Depot.

Education

Book Fair

Our first Book Fair in 1963 earned $436 for our Scholarship Fund and it has grown approximate annual profits of about $15,000. Our annual Book Fair, combined with generous bequests from former members Elsie Crickard, Aurore Bourque and Phyllis Ross, provides the funds to sustain our Scholarship program. Partnered previously with the Moncton Professional Firefighters and now with the Business & Professional Women (BPW Moncton), the Book Fair has become a much anticipated tradition in Moncton.

In 2009 we hold our 47th Annual Book Fair at the Beaver Curling Club May 7-9.

We appreciate your donations.

We appreciate your purchases.

We appreciate your support of our scholarships.

Scholarships & Awards

The Club's first scholarship of $25 was awarded in 1944 to a MHS student. Over the last 75 years we have expanded our program to 6 local high schools in the Greater Moncton area, as well as awards to mature women of Westmorland-Albert-Kent counties who are going back to university either full-time or part-time. As of June 2008, CFUW Moncton has awarded a grand total of almost $300,000 to support the education of over 300 local women.

In honour of our 75th anniversary year, CFUW Moncton awarded 2 special scholarships of $750 each to students in a "non-traditional field of studies" at the local New Brunswick Community Colleges.

2008-2009 Annual Scholarships

• • "Greater Moncton Music Festival Award

    • • 'The Elsie Steeves Award'

  • Moncton High School

    • • 'The Georgie A. R. Clark Scholarship'

  • Harrison Trimble High School

    • • 'The Margaret V. Belyea Scholarship'

  • cole Mathieu-Martin

  • Riverview High School

    • • 'The Erma Fash Hicks Scholarship'

  • Bernice MacNaughton High School

    • • 'The L. Bernice MacNaughton Scholarship'

• École L'Odyssée

  • Mature Full-Time Studies

    • • 'The Elsie Crickard Scholarship'

      • 'The Phyllis Ross Scholarship'

  • Mature Part-Time Studies

    • • 'The Aurore Bourque Scholarship'

Historical Overview (Full)

In 1933 a dozen Moncton women, many of whom were teachers, met to organize a local Club, and in January 1934 the "University Women's Club of Moncton" was chartered, the second Club east of Montreal. The first President was Georgie Clark; the fee was $2; and one of the first issues under consideration was the "Need for Change in School Curriculum". A member represented the Club at the Local Council of Women each year, with Prison Reform under discussion. A Bridge club started in the 30s and has continued and multiplied for 75 years. It is still going strong. By 1939 the Club was donating books to the Library. Ethel Murphy served as National VP-CFUW.

In the 1940s, membership grew to 50 with $3 dues. During the war years the Club was active in the war effort, joining the League of Nations Society and Navy League, supporting the Red Cross and Lord Beaverbrook's fund for aircraft production, and helping provide entertainment for service men. Members did Refugee Relief Work by knitting and sending clothing overseas. At home, the Club helped to create the Friends of the Library Association, and petitioned the government to increase the grant to the Library. They donated books, urged the City to have a fireproof building and had a Club member on the Library Board each year. Efforts were made to address the Teacher Shortage and to have a Social Worker in Moncton and to have a female police matron. One of the inequities of the day was "the privilege of wives of taxpayers having the vote, but not unmarried women taxpayers". At Christmas, toys were given to the Children's Home.

In 1944 the first Scholarship was awarded at Moncton High School - the only high school at the time -- $25--which was raised mostly by the Bridge Club.

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In the 1950s, membership rose to 70 and the dues to $4. It was a very active decade - our Moncton Club hosted the CFUW Maritime Conference in 1953; we "adopted" Madame Livia Fekete, a Hungarian headmistress 'displaced person' in 1956 as our special International Relief project. Our Scholarshipwas raised to $100, funded by a Book Auction and the Bridge Club. As always, Education was of prime interest to the members and studies included Federal Aid to Education, Qualifications and Licensing of Teachers, Educational Standards in Canada, the Problem of the Gifted Child, and the creation of the Home & School Association. Status of Women issues continued to be addressed, for example, there were the problems of Pay Equity, taxes for women and succession duties. In the 1951-52 AGM report, some of the issues under discussion were: the right of a wife separate to sell her property; the right of a married woman to be personally served in an action against her; that the article lumping women with minions and idiots be changed; that neither spouse can dispose of family home without the other's consent; that a wife be allowed life insurance.

Lobster suppers were held at members' cottages at a cost of $1 (if you drove a carload out to Shediac - it was free!)

Activity was strong for the Library, with recommendations to the City to have half the Library Board be women. There were letters to government to drop 8% sales tax on books, and we continued donating books.

Representatives from the club were on the board of Mental Health each year.

Among the Club Presidents in the 50s were Courtney Belyea, Corrie Eaton, and Janet Randall.

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In the 1960s membership was up to 75 and dues were up to $6. Education concerns centered on the Math Curriculum, Slow Learners, Enrichment, and a new high school complex (which turned out to be Harrison Trimble). Moncton's first Citizenship Court opened and New Brunswick marriage laws were under review. Club members participated in Meals on Wheels and Miles for Millions. Madame Fekete was getting older and we continued our contributions to her.

In 1961 we had our first Lobster dinner at St. Martin's at Shediac Cape.

In May 1963 our first Book Fair raised $436! Our 2 Scholarships were raised to $200. As the decade progressed our Book Fair successes led to the creation of an Investment Committee!

There were active Book Clubs, Literary Groups, Legal & Economic Committees. Many of the CFUW members in this decade took long "unpaid maternity leaves"! Among the Presidents in the 60s were Doreen Coulter, Lillian Schelew, & Florence Akerley.

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The 1970s brought our membership up to 110 and dues to $10. We continued our support for Mental Health, Meals on Wheels, and, of course, Madame Fekete. Moncton's newest school , a vocational one, was named after our own Bernice MacNaughton. Scholarships at now 4 high schools were $500 and there was a $100 Math Award to MacNaughton, and a $50 prize to the Music Festival. A Travel Fund was established to allow a Club representative to attend CFUW meetings. Lillian Schelew was the CFUW Provincial Director. The Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women was set up in 1977, and the Club studied the role of women in the economy. Education focus centered on Physical Fitness, Kindergarten, Teachers' Aides, Volunteering in Schools, with a brief to government on "Learning Disabilities" spear-headed by Laura Leighton. Carole Proctor was instrumental in the creation of Family Courts in NB. In 1973 our Book Fair moved into the Beaver Curling Club and has stayed there ever since! Among the Presidents in the 70s were Laura Leighton, Marilyn MacDiarmid, Bernadette Berube, Janet Randall, Pat McGinn, & Judy MacPherson.

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In the 1980s membership averaged 67 members; dues ranged from $15 to $25. We started each year with a Lobster dinner at St. Martin's. The Bridge Club was going strong and we continued our International Relief support to Madame Fekete. Education topics being studied included Second Language Training, Teacher Pensions, Kindergarten, Adult Literacy, as well as "Religions & Racial Discrimination in Education" spearheaded by Audrey Lampert.

CFUW Resolutions were growing ever larger in scope. They now include Health Care, Environment concerns, and our Aging Population. Bernadette Berube was our CFUW Provincial Director. Three of our Scholarships of $1000, and the $500 Math Award were given new names to honour older members. The Atlantic Regional Council of CFUW was formed in 1987, with University Women's Club of Moncton as a Charter member.

Among the Club Presidents in the '80s were: Audrey Lampert, Maureen Mills, Etta Reid, Mary Munro, Karen Dunnett, & Margaret Steven.

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In the 1990s membership remained steady at 68, with the new categories of "Dual Member" and "Associate Member". Dues rose from $30 to $43, with Club portion of $15 established to cover club expenses that had previously been "absorbed" by individual members. Club communications were brisk with our newsletter generated by Lynn Belliveau. In 1999 we had our Lobster dinner at Chateau Moncton, only the second time in 39 years it was not at St. Martin's. The Club continued its annual support for Mental Health and the Food Bank. The Bridge Club still donated their annual "play earnings" to the Library. In 1990, Moncton hosted the National CFUW AGM in honour of Moncton's Centennial Year. (This year, when I was in Montreal at the AGM, someone told me that they had gone to the Moncton AGM and would never forget the wonderful lobster party.) The Education focus was on French language programming, Adult Education at Community College, and the program to keep teen mothers in school. The local fire stations agreed to receive book donations for our Book Fair. CFUW Moncton celebrated their 60th anniversary as well as CFUW national's 75th anniversary with a new banner was created for the occasion. In addition to four $1000 high school Scholarships, and the $500 Math Award, we instituted a mature full-time student award of $1000 and a mature part-time student award of $500 in the name of Aurore Bourque. In 1997 Moncton hosted the Atlantic Regional Council conference. Anne Marie Driscoll served as the Regional Director for NB, then as CFUW Membership Chair, and also presented a paper at the International federation meetings in Graz, Switzerland.

Among the Club presidents in the '90s were: Margaret Steven, Wendy Goff, Wilma Evans, Edith Rosenow, Anne Marie Driscoll, & Pat McGinn.

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We are now in the 2000s and have been trying to embrace the technology of the new millennium. We're learning to communicate with email, and we even have a website. Many thanks to Caroline Humar-Barrett, who tries to keep us from having a "CobWEB" site. Membership averages 64, and includes our first Associate Member Diane Hicks. Largely because of IFUW financial issues, dues are up to $78. We are proud to have 3 of our members named as members of the Order of Canada - Carol Proctor, and Flora Dell, as well as the late Leone Boudreau-Nelson.

The 3 Bridge clubs are healthy, with great thanks to Helen MacFarlane and Laura Leighton, and donations are still given to the Library. We are very pleased to be able to celebrate our 75th anniversary with the ladies of St. Martin's who have been sharing their Lobster with us since 1961!

The Education focus has spread out to include alternative education programs, Community Colleges, the Changing Faces of Today's University Students, and Community Schools.

Scholarships to now 6 area high schools are $1200 each, and we give 2 mature full-time student awards of $1000 and mature part-time student award of $500. In addition to the Music Festival award and annual donation to the CFUW Charitable Trust, our annual giving exceeds $10,000! Since the first scholarship of $25 in 1944, we have given out almost $300,000 to 300 local women to continue their education.

Thanks to the generous legacies of 3 devoted members, our Awards fund has increased by over $60,000 in the past decade - BRAVO to Elsie Crickard, Phyllis Ross & Aurore Bourque.

Under the guidance of our financial advisor Wilma Evans, our investments are beautifully organized and growing to a healthy high which may one day fully support our scholarship commitments.

Since the death of Madame Fekete our International Relief efforts have been varied -- donations have been made to University Women's project in Croatia, the AIDS program in Africa, the Rwandan University Women's Club, WaterCan, and CARE.

For the past 20 years the local clubs - Moncton & Sackville & later Kent - have been enjoying the annual Think Tank on CFUW Resolutions.

We are still working on Status of Women concerns like pay equity and the federal cuts to literacy, small museums, the Court Challenges, equality groups and we have become more visible on these issues.

In 2006 CFUW Moncton hosted the Atlantic Regional Council, and proudly displayed another new banner. Our successful "Women We Should Know" program garnered a national CFUW certificate of recognition.

We had fun with the year-long "Greatest Canadian Female" contest - won by Emily Murphy who declared "I am a person"!

Our own Karen Dunnett was Regional Director for NB.

Our annual Book Fair has evolved considerably since the first one in 1963. In 2003 we partnered with the Moncton Firefighters (until we wore them out!), and then in 2007 began a new partnership with Business and Professional Women of Greater Moncton. Thankfully the area fire stations are still the drop-off locations for our books. We continue to provide the community with inexpensive, gently used books of all kinds, while the net profit has gone from $436 in 1963 to over $15,000 in 2008!

Among the Presidents of the new millennium were: Joyce LeBlanc, Etta Reid, Bev Taylor, Bobby Pollock, & Bernadette Berube.

IN CONCLUSION:

Women have come a long way since our 1934 charter was issued. We have taken off our white gloves and hats; we have found our own names (Mrs. Ralph Belyea is now Courtney Belyea!). There are now more women than men in university. Canada has had a woman Prime Minister and several women Governors--General. We have even sent a woman into space (Roberta Bondar - CFUW member). There should be no limits to what we can do. Yet we cannot sit back and be smug about yesterday's achievements because there are still many challenges for us to work on.

As the motto for this year's AGM in Montreal states, we have "THE RIGHT TO SPEAK --- AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ACT".

So let's become renewed in our quest to put our education to work for our community, our country and our world.

Let's challenge ourselves to "make a difference" before our 100th anniversary!

[Written by Lynn Belliveau - September 2008]