Message from the President

When I was a school principal, there used to be an understanding among female administrators that part of our job involved helping women teachers who wanted to advance in their careers. In the same way, CFUW-Ottawa is committed to promoting quality education and thus improving the status of women and girls.

We assist women financially who show academic promise so that they can continue their education, we help newcomers to Canada in preparing their children for participation in Canadian schools, and we educate ourselves on the realities of providing an education for girls in Afghanistan, and then fundraise to make it happen. We work on resolutions which become the policy framework for our advocacy initiatives.  

CFUW-Ottawa provides us with the companionship and friendship of other likeminded women, who make our social activities and the work we engage in both enjoyable and rewarding. It provides us with over 50 Study and Interest Groups to keep us involved and learning. And it also provides us with opportunities to share what we have with those still struggling to achieve equality and realize their dreams.

I hope that your experience in CFUW-Ottawa has been personally rewarding and that you will continue to look for opportunities to be involved in some of our outreach programs. We have active Issues groups (education, legislation, status of women & human rights and environmental toxins & health), two service groups (Diplomatic Hospitality and Madri-Gals) and two Projects HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) and University Women Helping Afghan Women. All of these groups provide opportunities to get involved in assisting others. Contact the convenors for more information.

I look forward to meeting you at a variety of CFUW-Ottawa functions and meetings throughout the year.

Have a great year,

Nancy DeVillers
President, CFUW-Ottawa