Fonds AR538 - Canadian Federation of University Women Saanich Peninsula fonds

The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) was formed in 1919 with the mission of working to improve the status of women, promote human rights, public education, social justice, and peace. There are over 100 CFUW Clubs located across Canada. The 21 clubs in BC form the CFUW BC Council. CFUW is also a member of Graduate Women International (formerly International Federation of University Women).

The CFUW Saanich Peninsula chapter was formed in 1994. The group was originally part of the University Women’s Club of Victoria (later CFUW Victoria), known as Neighbourhood Group #2. It was made up of 28 members who lived in North Saanich, Sidney, Brentwood, and Saanichton. Due to the distance some members had to travel to meetings at the University of Victoria campus, it was decided to form a new CFUW club.

The first meeting of what would become the CFUW Saanich Peninsula club, was held at the Sidney Library in May of 1994. The meeting was attended by new members responding to publicity, as well as former members of other clubs. By September, the group began accepting full memberships.

At the BC Council Annual Meeting in April 1995 held in Victoria, the CFUW Saanich Peninsula was presented with its charter. The first official meeting of the Saanich Peninsula chapter was held May 1995.

In fall 1995, the club had 62 members. By this time, the club had outgrown the library space. Meetings were later held at the Saanichton Bible Fellowship Hall, St. Andrew’s Church Hall, and Mary Winspear Community Cultural Centre.

Several committees were soon formed, including the program planning committee, whose mission was to plan interesting speakers and presentations at each meeting to encourage attendance.

An Awards Committee was also struck and funds set aside in a separate account. The committee established an Education Trust Fund, which donated funds to an eligible Camosun College female student. Additional memorial funds were later established for UVic students.

With a commitment to the CFUW’s mission, an Issues Standing Committee was formed as a sub-committee of the executive, with the goal of identifying issues of interest to the Club, preparing resolutions, and ensuring the Club contributes to lobbying for action.