Tag Archives: Canadian Federation of University Women

CKMS Community Connections for 4 December 2023: The CFUW December 6 vigil for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women with Margaret Walker and Fadhilah Balogun

Show Notes

Margaret Walker wearing headphones.
Margaret Walker
Fadhilah Balogun wearing headphones at a microphone.
Fadhilah Balogun

Bob Jonkman chats with Margaret Walker of CFUW and Fadhilah Balogun of African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region about the upcoming Vigil for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Margaret and Fadhilah also talk about gender-based violence, how it affects our communities, some available resources for women facing gender-based violence in Waterloo Region, how men can help as male allies. Margaret tells us about the books CFUW has published, and Fadhilah gives more background on the African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region.

The interview starts at 4m02s.

Previous interview with CFUW: 17 April 2023: The CFUW Book Sale with Rowena Samuel and Alison Watson

CFUW Online:

(illustration of an open book on a heart, with tulips above and below)

African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region:

(drawing of two hands holding the earth, with Africa towards the viewer)

CFUW Kitchener-Waterloo | Join us for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women | December 6th (2023) vigil at | St. Columba Anglican Church | 256 Lincoln Road, Waterloo | By Grand River Transit: Bus 29 to Lincoln/Mayfield Stop 2793 | 5:30pm | Speakers and Music | Light snacks will be served | Realizing potential. For all women. (photo of a red rose and a candle on a black background; CFUW logo at the top).
 

Upcoming Events

Podcast

Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-12-04-episode147-December-6th-vigil-with-Margaret-Walker-and-Fadilah-Balogun.mp3 (52.9 MB, 55m04s, episode 147)

Index

Time Title Album Artist
0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
CKMS Community Connections
Steve Todd
1m00s Stuck In The Middle Red Output | Stuck In The Middle (watercolour illustration of a crudely drawn house, with a person staring into the background of red clouds)
(single)
Red Output
4m02s Fadhilah Balogun introduces the African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region. Margaret Walker tells us the reasons for having a vigil on 6 December, and explains what gender-based violence is. Fadhilah provides some statistics on gender-based violence. The pandemic has made the issue worse — the shelters and services were shut down, women could not leave, men were staying in the house as well so there was more stress in the home. Fadhilah explains that gender-based violence crosses across all demographics: culture and race, geographic location, economic status, &c. There are some women with the financial capacity to flee violence, but that’s mostly not the case.
16m29s Over You Lady Hayes | Over You (Shelley Hayes sitting on the trunk of a TransAm, "Over You" is the license plate)
(single)
Shelley Hayes
20m40s Margaret gives the details of the December 6th vigil. The main purpose is the remember the fourteen women. Bob can remember the name of the perpetrator, but does not know the names of the victims. Margaret says that’s common, but these days the press avoids naming the perpetrator. But Fadhilah says that the movie business still glamorizes violence and serial killers. After the victim remembrance there are speakers, including Fadhilah, Fran Pappert-Shannon of the KW Unity Mosque, and Sarah Casselman of the Sexual Assault Support Centre Waterloo Region. The vigil takes place in the sanctuary of St. Columba church. Margaret Walker is the priest at the church, so that provides her an “in”. The church provides support in a number of ways, including a food bank.
27m35s December 6th is the actual date, the 34th anniversary of the attack. It is now the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Margaret reminds us that it is not just a day of remembrance, but action. The action is coming to learn about the issue of violence against women, how the violence is affecting the communities, and how to deal with it. Fadhilah says that it’s important to put faces to the issue, which helps us take action. We can localize our actions; Toronto is not the same as Waterloo Region. Even in Waterloo Region there are different needs for the rural areas than the urban areas.
33m13s Margaret points out that we need to get more men involved, having male allies tell their male colleagues what is unacceptable behaviour. Men may be reluctant to speak to violent men, but there are programs in how to be an ally; for example, the Sexual Assault Support Centre has offered courses in Bystander Training. Margaret says allies can influence others in locker room talk, objecting to sexist jokes, &c. Fadhilah says that men tie that behaviour to their masculinity. That perception needs to be broken. Keep an eye on the Groups and Workshops” page on the Sexual Assault Support Centre‘s website.
39m11s Margaret has brought some books with her, Women of Waterloo County (now sold out, but available at the library), and a pair of other books, Proudly She Marched (two book covers by the CFUW on Canada's women in the armed forces) Proudly She Marched, two editions, one on the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, and the other on the Naval Service. These two books can be bought directly from the CFUW. The proceeds of that go towards funding scholarships for people in high schools, St. Louis Adult Learning centres, and local colleges and universities.
44m50s Forget You Avalon Stone looks over her shoulder at the camera.
(single)
Avalon Stone
48m05s Margaret recaps the time, location, and purpose for the December 6th vigil, and gives information about the CFUW and the advocacy they perform. Fadhilah gives some more background information on the African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region.
54m04s Bob gives the end credits.

CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

Bonus Video

YouTube: CKMS Community Connections for Monday, 4 December 2023

Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2023 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.

CKMS Community Connections for 17 April 2023: The CFUW Book Sale with Rowena Samuel and Alison Watson

Show Notes

(Rowena Samuel and Alison Watson sitting a the microphones in the CKMS-FM studio)
Rowena Samuel and Alison Watson

Bob Jonkman talks to Rowena Samuel and Alison Watson from CFUW (The Canadian Federation of University Women) about the upcoming giant used book sale. There’s info about CFUW, their programs, the scholarships, the advocacy work, and the social groups.

Some errors crept into our conversation. Mary Sehl writes:

There are more than 200 members in the Kitchener-Waterloo CFUW chapter alone. Across Canada there are more than more than 7,500 members.

The CFUW is now branding itself by its initials. It won’t drop the U for University but, as Alison and Rowena said, it is no longer exclusive to university graduates. Its legal name will remain the Canadian Federation of University Women but, not unlike many corporations these days, we will just use the initials.

Thanx, Mary!

The interview starts at 3m50s.

CFUW Online:

(illustration of an open book on a heart, with tulips above and below)

Upcoming Events

  • Book Donations
    • When: 9:00am to 9:00pm on Wednesday 19 April 2023 and 9:00am to 6:00pm on Thursday 20 April 2023
    • Where: First United Church
    • Location: 16 William Street, Waterloo Map
    • Website: https://www.cfuwkw.org/book-sale
  • Book Sale
    • When: 9:00am to 9:00pm on Friday 21 April 2023, and 9:00am to 1:00pm on Saturday, 22 April 2023.
    • Where: First United Church
    • Location: 16 William Street, Waterloo Map
    • Website: https://www.cfuwkw.org/book-sale

Podcast

Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-04-17-episode121-CFUW-Book-Sale-with-Rowena-Samuel-and-Alison-Watson.mp3 (53 MB, 57m41s, episode 121)

Index

Time Title Album Artist
0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
CKMS Community Connections
Steve Todd
0m51s Hackerboy CxViolet | Hackerboy (silhouette of a person standing in front of a sunset, with purple and pink sky and purple ground. At the right, sideways, are three lines of binary digits, 10010110 &c)
(single)
CxViolet
3m05s Public Service Announcement: Mary Sehl announces the CFUW donation drive for books, audio books, CDs and sheet music.
3m50s Introducing Rowena Samual and Alison Watson of the CFUW. Alison tells us about the CFUW. There are 200 members across Canada, and it’s been around over 100 years. Rowena tells us about the different aspects of the CFUW — charities, social, dinner groups, book clubs, &c. It’s no longer just for university women, and the group has rebranded to drop “University” from their name, now they’re Canadian Federation of Women, but still known as CFUW
6m36s The book sale is in is 56th year, although they missed three years due to Covid. It has become the main fundraiser, and possibly the most successful fundraiser of any CFUW chapter. Alison gives us a rundown of what happens on Wednesday and Thursday, with the actual sale on Friday and Saturday. There are lots of shifts for people to help. Planning for this event started last year September. And then there’s a lot of cleanup afterwards.
11m37s The book sale nets about $30,000 a year, which gets invested over the years. In addition there are donations from members and friends. Alison is a trustee of the charitable fund for the CFUW charity. This fundraiser is going towards scholarships, there are fifteen different awards that go out. The education awards are the main focus, but there are other fundraisers, for example an evening with Lisa LaFlamme. Those funds went to organizations that Lisa is associated with. Tickets were sold out months in advance. Other CFUW chapters also raise funds for scholarships, since women’s education is at the forefront of CFUW. They have an advocacy committee, to select the causes to support. In the future they’re looking for other events, since book sales may not always be this popular. There is a clothing donation drive for women who need business attire for their job search.
16m22s There are things other than books in the book sale. The books need to be in good condition, if not they’re put into the skip bin. No magazines, no reference books, and no vinyl records, but they take CDs, DVDs, and sheet music. Volunteers arrive at 8:00am to begin the sale, doors open at 9:00am.
19m32s Are people still reading, or are they just going online and looking at their phones? There are still people buying books, and reading is good for child developement. Rowena is disappointed that she’s not reading as much as she used to. Alison has been worried about decline for years, but people are still buying books. Maybe someday books will become collectors’ items like vinyl is today, but books are still the best way to read and share. Rowena’s neighbourhood is full of book boxes, and they get good circulation.
22m02s IG iNJOY (album cover)
INJOY
Kwazzi feat. Nathan Baya & Terence Penny
25m00s Public Service Announcement: Mary Sehl announces the CFUW-KW 56th Giant Used Book Sale.
25m45s Alison gives more information on Open Closet, collecting clothing donations and through social agencies in Waterloo Region making it available men, women, and children. There are Random Acts of Kindness, working with the homeless community, St. John’s Kitchen, and the Out Of The Cold program. CFUW does a December 6th vigil, working with the University of Waterloo. There is a strong affirmative action advocacy group; the Advocacy Committee is working on aging and long-term care; housing, environment — a lot of women in CFUW are working on making things better.
28m12s What are the criteria for people receiving the scholarships? There are fifteen awards, two for high school students, the top student in chemistry and the top female graduating student. There are bursaries for practical nursing students. There’s an award to the Kitchener Junior Symphony for a string player looking to continue their studies, which is in memory of one of the CFUW members’ sons. There are about 60 students in Waterloo Region who receive awards.
30m26s Back to the book sale: Rowena says that books and CDs sell for $2.00 or $3.00, but by Saturday they’re sold by the box — $15.00 for as many books as you can fit in a box. But you have to be able to carry the box out, no boxes on wheels! Sometimes staff will collect a box of related books and offer it as a “mystery box”. There are three rooms of books: the main gymnasium room with hardbacks, the cloak room with children’s books and non-fiction, and the chapel with more children’s books and paperbacks. There are too many books, maybe 50,000 books donated, to have them catalogued or sorted. They’re organized by category: Self-help, humour, classic literature. There used to a separate room for dealers, but now they have to sort through the all the books like everyone else. A sign of the times: There are not as many used book sellers as there used to be. A lot of people are buying books online, and books aren’t the quality they used to be and fall apart before they can be resold.
37m14s The social connections of the club gives people different reasons for joining. Alison joined because she was looking for a book club. There are bridge groups, food is a large part of the organization, there are hiking groups, cycling groups… Somebody recently start a sketching group. CFUW is a great way for women to meet others with similar interests and maybe improve their skills. Alison is also in a French Language group. Most groups meet once a month. And there are monthly speakers: Authors, hikers, people to talk about the environment, theatre events. It’s a wide range of interests. These meetings are for members only, and often held in people’s homes. The social activities are a big draw for new members. Duing the last three years of the pandemic people got very good at Zoom. The dining groups would order take-out and eat it on Zoom. But for speakers it’s difficult to engage the audience through a camera.
0m55s Saturday Night Natalia Valencia | Saturday Night (B&W line illustration of a bar with bottles on shelves in the background and barstools in the foreground)
(single)
Natalia Valencia
45m01s Recap of the book sale hours and collection times. Looking at the CFUW-KW Facebook page with pictures of the evening with Lisa LaFlamme, talking about the event.
48m00s Any other events? CFUW slows down during the summer, but looking for something in the fall and next year’s book sale. Talking about Mary Sehl’s public service announcement, and encouraging any Waterloo Region organizations to put their PSAs on the radio.
49m30s PSA: CFUW book sale donations
50m15s PSA: CFUW 56th Giant Used Book Sale
50m59s How the First United Church gets booked. It’s a busy venue, and they’ve expanded their programs so CFUW has slightly less space than in the past. Most volunteers have done this before, people who have been members for a long time. The book sale used to be cash-only, but this year they have the capability to take credit and debit cards. And they can give charitable receipts. There are volunteers staffing a bag check, so you don’t have to carry around bags of books as you shop.
53m39s How long has CFUW done the book sale at First United? All 56 years? The church has been there a very long time.
54m44s How to join CFUW? Look on the website, there’s information on how to become a member. The CFUW year is almost over, new people will probably join in September. There are a lot of new members interested the advocacy work. Alison gives a recap on the recipients of the funds raised at the book sale.
56m39s Bob gives the end credits.

CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at office@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

CKMS logo with wavies coming out the sidesSubscribe to the CKMS Community Connections podcast!

CKMS | 102.7 FM | Radio Waterloo | Community ConnectionsSee all CKMS Community Connections shows!

Bonus Video

YouTube: CKMS Community Connections for Monday 17 April 2023

Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2023 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.