Fall l-2000 Newsletter GREETINGS FROM MARGARET KELLOW, CAUCUS PRESIDENT
Our work with Caucus certainly encourages that belief. Plans for Caucus for 2000-2001 are taking shape. We accomplished quite a lot last year in terms of raising our profile here on campus and that remains a priority. When administration or campus organizations want to know what women at UWO think, they come to us, and more importantly, when policy is being made, our opinions are sought and our concerns are addressed. For 2001, we want to continue building our membership to serve the community of women here at Western. Our Fall general meeting will take place on Wednesday, 20 September at 4:00 p.m. in UC 224A. At that time we will introduce this year's executive and give you an outline of upcoming events. Our speaker will be Dr. Jean Hewitt, a well-known London educator, who will tell us about the London Women's Archives Project. Annual membership renewals are due now and will be available at the door. Please plan to join us and why not invite a friend or co-worker to accompany you to the meeting and/or to join caucus. Looking forward to seeing you on the 20th. Best wishes for 2000-2001. Margaret Kellow NEWS The location codes of the titles in the Pride Library that are now available on WebPAC and OPAC are as follows: PRISTK for stacks, PRIPER for periodicals, PRIAVC for audio-visual, PRIREF for reference works and PRISPE for special collections. Thanks to efforts of work study students, summaries of the books are included in the entries (under the heading 'UWO note'), as are enhanced key terms for searches. Although the Pride collection is being integrated into the system, it is not being assimilated. The Pride Library Board still has complete control over future acquisitions and general policy. In the past year an acquisitions policy has been drafted by the board and there are plans for drawing up a constitution. The Director, Professor James Miller, hopes that eventually the library will be able to circulate materials and efforts are presently being made to acquire a photocopier.
Every one is invited to come and visit the Pride Library. Whether you wish to peruse the collection, do research, chat with people who are guaranteed to be Queer friendly or sit next to a table that's a piece of Queer history, the Pride Library is a space designed to feel comfortable and safe for all people. The hours for the Pride Library are 9-5 on weekdays - subject to the timetable restraints of the work study student librarians. It is located on the third floor of the Modern Languages Wing (central block) of University College. Maps to the library may be found just inside all the main entrances to UC (although, be warned - some of the less progressive members of the university community have been know to remove or deface these maps). Information about the library (including a map and information on how to search for Pride materials) may be found at . Also, anyone interested in receiving the Pride Library Newsletter is welcome to email a request to jmiller@julian.uwo.ca.
When we participate in starving NAC, by omission or commission, we drive a nail into the coffin of women's equality. When we withdraw our work from NAC, we turn our backs on women's struggles. NAC was built to be a non-partisan, 'uncooptable' voice, deliberately 'un-popular' in our uncompromising message about women^Òs equality! We cannot be delicate or apologetic about women^Òs poverty, male violence against women, women^Òs unequal status in many workplaces, at home or in school, or about women's unheard voices in our so-called democratic institutions. What I challenge you to commit to as feminist leaders in this Century is to stop walking away from the differences and difficulties. Set the example for Canadian society, for our communities and families and deal with the creation of a model, a living way of working, thinking, loving that makes us invincible and unshakable as a movement that guarantees not a mediocre Canada, but one based on excellence through true equality. We must do this if we want to end up with political, economic, social and cultural equality; a national childcare program we can all use; employment and pay equity that we can all benefit from; schools where all of our children are respected; a knowledge base that validates us all. NAC is poised to make history again when at May's end we will elect our first Aboriginal woman President. I, for one, am humbled by the fact that Aboriginal women see this space as a place they believe they can work - given the level of colonialism, racism and white supremacy still present in this country and globally. I thank you all for the support - from women in the grassroots organizations, labour, education, a myriad of workplaces, women living in poverty, Black women, Aboriginal women, women of colour, women with disabilities, older and younger women, activists and business women, and the list goes on. Thanks for reminding me always that 'one bracelet does not jingle'. -Joan Grant-Cummings, NAC President, 1996-2000." To find out more about NAC visit their website. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS Western's Caucus on Women's Issues invites graduate, staff, PMA and faculty women from UWO and its affiliates to join us for our Fall General Meeting, Wednesday, 20 September from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. in Room 224A University College. Come and hear noted London educator, Dr. Jean Hewitt, speak on the London Women's Archives Project with which she is involved. Please join us for conversation and refreshments. Why not invite a friend or coworker to accompany you? This year I am hoping to add to the newsletter
a couple of new sections: one announcing "Caucus members' activities"
and another listing on-campus (or local) papers or speeches being
given which may be of interest to Caucus members (i.e. on subjects
concerning feminist theory or women's issues). The section on up-coming papers and presentations is pretty self-explanatory. Many Women's Caucus members have an interest in research pertaining to women and feminist theory, yet often we don't know what is happening in departments and colleges other than our own. (For instance, Joan Grant-Cummings spoke at King's College last year, but I for one did not know of this until it was too late.) For this list to be at all successful, Caucus members have to help me out by sending me speakers lists and announcements from their own departments, faculties and colleges. Don't assume someone else will do it or that we^Òll all see the posters. If you have speakers lists (preferably on-line), or, better yet, knowledge of particular presentations which you have good reason to think will be of interest to Caucus members, and which will be taking place after mid-November, please send them to me (lmmeynel@julian.uwo.ca) and I^Òll include them in the next newsletter. ON CAMPUS Broadly Speaking is a half-hour documentary style radio program at CHRW, Radio Western. Join the Broadly Speaking collective and help UWO and London get its feminist fix of interviews, discussions, and events important to and of interest to women. Email Nathalie (nathnoel@hotmail.com) or Pam (phaningt@julian.uwo.ca) or drop by CHRW, Room 250, University Community Centre. Broadly Speaking. Every Monday at 6:30 a.m. & p.m. on CHRW 94.7 FM Cornelia Hoogland, the author of the poetry
volumes "The Wire-Thin Bride" (Turnstone Press, 1990),
and "Marrying the Animals" (Brick Books, 1995) is reading
at the University of Western Ontario, in Somerville House on Thursday,
September 21, 2000 at 12 noon. Centre for research on Violence Against Women and Children announces a new small grants program. The Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children is announcing the startup of a new Small Grants Program. The Program is able to offer up to $5000 to researchers who have an original proposal for research in the area of violence against women and children. The Small Grants Program is directed to interested members of community groups and agencies in the fields of anti-violence, women^Òs and children^Òs services, and to students and faculty members from The University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College. In keeping with the Centre^Òs mandate, we are particularly interested in the practical and policy implications of the research findings. The Centre will endeavour to facilitate research partnerships between educational institutions, and community groups and agencies, where appropriate. Interested researchers are invited to send a brief Letter of Intent by September 30, 2000 to the Small Grants Review Committee. A specific format is not required in submitting the Letter of Intent, but the following should be included: - description and objectives of the research - outline of the need for such research - brief description of the methodology - start and end date for the project - identification of partners ^Ö if any - outline of a budget ^Ö within the $5000 limit If the Letter of Intent meets the criteria, a more detailed proposal will be required. Please mail submissions to: Nora Shanahan, Administrative Assistant, Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children, Room 101, University College, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7. If you have any questions about the Small Grants Program please call the Centre at (519) 661-4040. The Coalition for Equality has arranged for an "Equality Summit" to be held on the evening of Friday, September 29 at the Art Gallery (the first night of the Promise Keepers conference). Speakers are being arranged. An information picket is planned for 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 30 at the site of the Promise Keepers conference on the University of Western Ontario campus. The Coalition for Equality will be arranging a meeting with local faith communities to discuss the Promise Keepers. Heather-Jane Robertson, author of "No More Teachers, No More Books", and co-author of "Class Warfare" (with Maude Barlow), regular contributor to "The Kappan" - Phi Delta Kappa Monthly Magazine (Phi Delta Kappa is a International Organization of Professional Educators and its members are advocates for the public schools) is speaking in London on Thursday, November 30, 2000, 7:30 p.m. at the TVDSB Auditorium (Thames Valley Board Office -Dundas Street). There is a fee of $5.00 per person. The event is sponsored by : Phi Delta Kappa, London Chapter (Professional Educators). For more information contact John Stewart 686-4806 or stewjohn@mail.on.rogers.wave.ca. The Status of Women Committee is pleased to announce its Conference, "Mobilizing for the 21st Century", October 26-28, 2000, Windsor, Ontario. This three day conference features speakers from across the country, including activists from the academic sphere, the labour movement and social justice movements. Opportunities to network and strategize with members around successful mobilizing strategies for the new century is the goal for this equity conference. The Keynote Speaker, Maude Barlow, is among a distinguished list of participants which promises fresh perspectives, interesting discussions and successful histories of equity organizing. Lowell Ewert of the University of Waterloo will also be speaking at the conference dinner on the UN initiative on "Human Rights and the Culture of Peace". The following topics will be the main themes at the conference sessions: Strategies for Dealing with Discrimination; The Work - Family Balance; Women's Studies Programs : Past & Present; Contract Academic Staff; Women in Faculty Associations; Mentoring & Networking; Workshop on Equity Issues; and finally there will be an opportunity for a round table discussion with the members of the Status of Women Committee and the conference participants on the way forward for equity organizing. Register early to reserve your spot at the conference! The Hilton Windsor Hotel will be the location for the conference. A block of rooms has been reserved for this conference with a cut-off date for reservations of SEPTEMBER 24, 2000. Reservations after this date cannot be guaranteed. For the complete conference agenda and the on-line registration form and online hotel reservation form go to our web site www.caut.ca or for a complete conference package contact Ms. Johanne Smith, CAUT Phone: 613-820-2270 Email: . Nancy Gordon, CMP CAUT Conference Coordinator Phone: 613-820-2270 x 312 Fax: 613-820-7244 Email: ngordon@caut.ca The World March of Women is a global action, marking the new millenium by demonstrating women's continuing determination to change the world. The focus of the 2000 March is to urge governments to take steps to eliminate poverty and violence against women. Between March 8 and October 17, activities have taken place at local and national levels. All these activities are aimed at building support for the major rally planned for October 15, 2000 in Ottawa, where women will gather to present our demands to the federal government. Travel to Ottawa from London and join the March and Rally on Parliament Hill on October 15. CAW will provide free bus transportation to all those that wish to go. To sign up call CAW Local 27 at 455-3430 or SAAC-L at 439-0844. Call for Proposals: CWSA (Canadian Women's Studies
Association) Conference May 25-27, 2001 Location: Universite de
Laval, Quebec City, Qc. The Canadian Women's Studies Association
is now seeking proposals, in either English or French, for its annual
conference, held in conjunction with the Congress of the Humanities
and Social Sciences Federation of Canada. We encourage presentations
in a variety of formats, including papers, panels, workshops, roundtables,
poster sessions, film and video screenings, performance art pieces,
exhibits, and cultural events. We particularly welcome proposals
specifically addressing the conference theme described below, but
are interested in all proposals for presentations that explore new
scholarship, knowledge, ideas, thinking, and issues related to Women's
Studies. Submissions can be made by individuals or groups, and as
joint sessions with other associations. "Across, Between, and
Within Generations: Re-thinking Women's Studies" At the start
of the new millenium, the meaning and status of the term "Women's
Studies" have become increasingly contentious in a variety
of venues as multiple voices and positions subject the question
of defining the term to increased scrutiny, challenge and re-examination.
This year's special conference theme seeks to explore some of the
current debates, questions, issues, conflicts, anxieties, possibilities,
and opportunities raised by these multiple re-examinations through
asking (and answering?) questions such as: "What is Women's
Studies today?" "How is Women's Studies imagined across
the many definitions of generations?" "How might it be
re-imagined?" "Is Women's Studies (still) relevant? How
is that relevance understood by those different generations?"
New this year: We are planning to include more joint sessions with
other associations and an increased number of participant proposed
panels, workshops, and roundtables for more interactive participation.
In addition, we will have several plenary sessions addressing topics
related to the conference theme, such as current challenges and
opportunities in rethinking Women's Studies, interrelationships
between Women's Studies and other 'new' critical approaches such
as queer studies, postcolonial studies, etc., and issues in institutionalizing
Ph.D. programs in Women's Studies. How to submit: Proposals will
be reviewed anonymously. All submissions must include a 300-word
abstract or description of your presentation and a completed proposal
form. Please also indicate on the form if you are submitting as
part of this year's conference theme. Please note that you must
be a member of CWSA in order to present. (Proposal and memberships
forms are also available online at the CWSA website at http://www.brocku.ca/cwsa_acef).
Proposals can be sent either via regular mail or submitted electronically
to the following address: CWSA / ACEF Conference, abraithwaite@upei.ca,
c/o Women's Studies Program, University of Prince Edward Island,
550 University Ave, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3. Deadline: All proposals
must be received by midnight Sunday, December 3, 2000. No late proposals
will be considered. For more information: Contact Ann Braithwaite,
abraithwaite@upei.ca, Barbara Crow, crow@ucalgary.ca, or Liz Kaethler,
lkaethle@spartan.ac.brocku.ca. Goli Rezai-Rashti (Education) is one of the co-editors of "Canadian Woman Studies: An Introductory Reader" (Toronto: Inanna Publications) which also includes her article, "Racism and Sexism: The Dilemma of Working with Minority Female Students in Canadian High Schools." Rebecca Coulter (Principal Investigator) and
co-investigators Sheila Cavanagh, Helen Harper, Suzanne Majhanovich,
Goli Rezai-Rashti, Aniko Varpalotai and Janice Wallace were awarded
a three-year SSHRC research grant valued at nearly $250,000 for
a project on the history of the woman teacher in twentieth-century
Ontario. Alison Prentice is also involved with the project as a
collaborator Sheila Cavanagh...scavana2@julian.uwo.ca For New Members: Anyone employed either part-time or full-time by the university or its affiliates is eligible for membership. The current membership includes staff, graduate students and faculty members representing most academic and non-academic departments. Membership fees are annual and the Caucus membership year begins in September each year. If you would like to join the Caucus or have let your Caucus membership lapse, here are the fees for membership: Graduate student $5.00, Modest income $10.00, Regular member $20.00, Sustaining member $30.00, Charter member $50.00. The membership fees are used to support Caucus programmes and special initiatives, such as student awards and Caucus events. If you have questions or would like to join, please contact Janice Wallace. Janice Wallace, Membership Co-ordinator, Faculty of Education, 661-2087 Xt. 8608, jwallace@julian.uwo.ca. If you have comments or concerns regarding the format or the content of the Women's Caucus Newsletter, please feel free to contact me, Letitia Meynell, at . Thanks to Jenifer Meynell for her assistance
with the newsletter. |