Equality Seekers 100 Years of Leadership by CFUW Presidents

Writing the History of the CFUW Presidents (Currently being posted on cfuw.org) There are and have been many leaders within CFUW but this publication focuses on National Presidents. (Some research has been done on Vibert Douglas IFUW President and the Executive Directors, but this Publication focusses on the Presidents.

How did this project start? A proposal was read at a meeting of the Alumni Board, at AGM 2011 in St. John’s, by Tammy Irwin to preserve CFUW history through writing the histories of the Past Presidents.

The project moved forward Planning session by Doris Mae Oulton, then Chair CFUW Communications, and Eleanor Palmer, President CFUW Wolfville Questionnaire for Presidents constructed under Tammy Irwin’s direction History Committee formed, research continued, searched for writers

History Committees First Committee: Gail Crawford, Tammy Irwin, Liette Michaud, Doris Mae Oulton (Chair), Eleanor Palmer, and Susan Russell. Second Committee: Gail Crawford, Grace Hollett (Chair), Tammy Irwin, Eleanor Palmer, and Brenda Shanahan (Co-chair until Oct.2015) WE appreciate the work that brenda did and we were sorry to loose her.

Earlier Writings Most Presidents wrote an account of their presidencies for a CFUW paper presented to the IFUW President at the 1950 Triennial in Zurich The 60th and 75th CFUW (historical) Calendars Included information about the Presidents Ardith Toogood’s History and Heroines This publication is not the first account of the Presidents; All of thisearlier material was used plus much more!

Active Past Presidents Thanks to all active Past Presidents who agreed to being interviewed by their writers and who graciously responded to inquiries for additional information.

Contributing Writers Marlene Chatterson, Kim Collett, Louise Corrall, Gail Crawford, Susan Darling, Leslie Forrester, Heather Foss, Tammy Irwin, Jacqueline Jacques, Louise McLeod, Susan Murphy, Beverley New, Helen Norrie, Eleanor Palmer, Doris Mae Oulton, Julia Paul, Susan Russell, Dianne Rummery, Myrtle Siebert, Heather Thom, Wanda Leah Trineer, Brenda Wallace Note that Gail, Tammy and Eleanor were also members of the History Committee, and that Gail wrote 11 biographies. Interviews were done when possible and for others research was necessary.

Original History Committee decided to form an Editorial Committee Grace Hollett (Chair), Faith Balisch (main editor), Gillian Brown, Barbara Clancy, Margie Green*, Hazel Pritchett Harris, Lois Jeffrey, Elizabeth Mouland*, Linda Patzold, Judith Prior, Joyce Pritchett* Read, researched, edited, found sources Used MLA 7th edition Sent edited sample to Chair of 1st History Committee Process included biographies being edited singly and being checking later in chronological order after most had been written When I joined the 2nd History Committee others were on a first name basis with pres from 1919. I offered to form an editorial committee in St. John’s and asked Faith Balisch former head of Eng at MUN to be the chief editor.. Due to serious illnesses by some of the editors the 3 starred women joined later. Rebecca’s role

We appreciate Staff at CFUW National Office Those who wrote and those who archived CFUW materials Writers and Past Presidents who responded to additional questions Club Presidents and Club archivists who searched their records for us Board and RDs Ivana Caccia of Ottawa Archivists/librarians at universities,public libraries, and churches

Special mention of CFUW Saint John, NB Clubs who sent action pictures for posting later: More are needed! Special mention of CFUW Saint John, NB One photo head shot of each pres was collected by the History Comm earlier. These will be extra pictures for interest. Saint John Club found the home Club of Betty Bayless while living in Saint John ws not Saint John BIT Kennebecasis . Also in searching for info on MRS Walter VAughaN (Susan Cameron) the writer said she had attended St, John High School . When I could’t locate that in Baddeck her hometown, I checked with Saint John again and the Cub Pres said oh yes my husband;s best frien is tis the guidance councellor at that school. In no time we knew s=Susan had grad from there in 1891 and had won the GG’s silver medal for english.

Each President’s Biography Her CFUW contribution Her career, community and other work Something of her personal life This required considerable research and editing.

The Process Involved Working with Clubs and individual members in a spirit of cooperation and friendship for a common cause The whole process involved a great deal of cooperation. As it’s a “tiklish” situation editing and changing someone else’s writing. Other bios to be added up to 1919.

Writing a book on the history of CFUW The next project of the history Committee.

Proposal of the History Committee Collected materials & prepared outline of contents for a book on the History of CFUW Prepared a proposal and motion for the Board to have the History of CFUW written Published a call for writers No serious responses so we reconsidered our options

Prepared rationale for some funding. (approved in 2015 CFUW budget) Another call for writers brought 14 applications Selection of Dr. Kerry Cathers as writer and the signing of a contract

Update on Progress Background research completed Draft outlines/themes for each chapter Refining outline for introductory chapter CFUW Advisory Committee meeting with writer at AGM Researching with book expected for the 100th anniversary

Background Research Completed To fit the initiatives and achievements of CFUW into context. To address issues such as why the initiative happened when it did, what brought it about, what were the goals, what obstacles had to be overcome before/during/after. To provide the backdrop for changing focus and expansion of interest and activity beyond women and education.   

Draft outlines/themes for each chapter creating a strategy to determine where best to talk about achievements/measures by the organization and how best to frame them in a social context establishing where to put emphasis for each topic identifying social issues, decade, and subject which best exemplifies what the issues were and what role CFUW played). establishing which (if any) president’s biography should be highlighted for each chapter. - working ideas for strategies to handle other “lesser” issues within the available space.

Refining the outline for introductory chapter placing the foundation of the CFUW into social context. identifying which “issues” will best provide the context of the status of women before and when the organization was founded the major events at the time of foundation creating an image of women’s movements, what made CFUW unique and part of the increased movement towards more rights for women. the timeline of the creation of CFUW.

Completion Target: Spring 2018