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Key Notes - Spring 2002International Women’s Day"If there is any woman who is unfree, no matter how different her shackles are from my own, then I am not free... and neither is any one of you." Audre Lorde, Sister Outsider. These words by Audre Lorde exemplify one of the many moving quotes which were chosen to adorn the walls of the Driftwood Community Centre gymnasium at this year’s celebration of International Women’s Day. As a volunteer of several months, I had the opportunity to represent the North York Women’s Centre as a member of the Jane/ Finch International Women’s Day Planning Committee. What an experience! For the Jane/Finch community, March 8, 2002 marked the 10th Anniversary of the celebration of this special day. Of course, we wanted to live up to the community’s expectations of a great party; and we succeeded indeed. The committee decided that the theme for the event should be: Women of the World, Women of the Nation, Women of Jane/Finch. With that in mind, the North York Women’s Centre decorating team went to work. Since Dhara, my volunteer-peer, left me in January for a marvelous three-month adventure in India, and since our Volunteer Coordinator, Archna, was tied up with NYWC programming business, I happily took the lead. In preparation of the event, and with the above mentioned theme in mind, I spent months leading up to the big day collecting interesting pictures of different women from different cultures, different stages in their lives, different socio-economic backgrounds, and different parts of the world, nation and community. I rummaged through local community newspapers, college/ university newspapers, well-known Canadian publications, international magazines, and various culturally/religiously specific newsletters in search of appropriate representation. My findings were astounding. All the pictures I found were so telling and significant in their own ways. As economically as possible, yet with every effort to maintain the integrity of the project, I enlarged and framed each photo. The hundred-some pictures were displayed side by side, creating a cozy art-gallery effect along the four walls of the otherwise cold, giant gymnasium. At random points throughout this display, I also posted twenty large, colourful poster boards, each presenting an inspirational quote from women in herstory: "Women are expected to do twice as much as men in half the time
and for no credit. Fortunately, this isn’t difficult." "Making the decision to have a child — it’s momentous.
It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside
your body." "Think wrongly if you please, but in all cases think for yourself." "The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off." " Normal is in the eye of the beholder." " We need every human gift and cannot afford to neglect any
gift because of artificial barriers of sex or race or class or national
origin." " Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it
a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one." While, I did not originally think that decorating the gym for the event
would be a very significant task, it eventually became quite obvious
that my efforts were truly instrumental in providing the community an
environment to celebrate women’s lives, to acknowledge women’s
experiences, to value women’s work, and to validate women’s
voices. — Laura Nangini Editor’s Note: NYWC staff and board would like to thank Laura for the tremendous amount of work she put into this event. It did not go unnoticed. Spring Program UpdateWith the arrival of spring, it is once again time to reflect on the efforts of the winter session and again time to look forward to new beginnings. Looking back at the winter session, many of our new programs helped to reach more women and our continuing programs were strengthened. The North York Women’s Center has long been a committed organization combining the strengths of many individuals dedicated to providing fresh starts, positive solutions and hope to women throughout the North York community. Over the winter session our group, ’’Mothers and Daughters", proved to be well received and contributed to opening communication & dialogue for many group participants. Our new groups, "Goal Setting" and ‘’Exploring Depression" have also had positive outcomes for many of the participants. Workshops were also well attended that involved discussions on financial planning and learning new ways to deal with procrastination. The skills and dedication of our volunteer facilitators once again have proved to be invaluable in expanding our program delivery and creating hope for new beginnings. New programs for the spring include a group called: "Goals for Personal Effectiveness" and "Breaking Free". The first group is an introductory workshop to help participants identify physical, emotional, and behavioural goals. Discussion will also focus on positive stress and time management, interpersonal and communication skills. "Breaking Free" is an exciting new program designed as a preliminary exploration of the connection between emotions, feelings, and behaviour patterns that may block us from acting in a positive way and living a healthy lifestyle. Three new workshops entitled, "Hope for Healing Allergies Naturally", "Women’s Gratitude Gathering", and "You Have a Choice" will be offered for one evening sessions. Of course, many of our programs from the winter will continue again in the spring/summer of 2002. For more detailed program information visit us on line at www. nywc.org/programs. or contact me at archna@nywc.org. I look forward to a successful spring/summer session and hope that
the additional new programs and workshops will continue to reach more
women. I wish to thank all of our wonderful volunteers and the Board.
I encourage the community to continue with its support and involvement.
As we move ahead with our goals of helping and supporting the women
of our community, may we all share the hope and great possibilities
that lie within all new beginnings. — Archna Kurichh www.nywc.orgMost of you already know that the NYWC’s web site is up and running. Please visit www.nywc.org for up-to-date program and other information. We have also made changes to our e-mail addresses. Our e-mail directory is listed below:
E-mail addresses for individual staff members are:
Our Spring Bulb Fundraiser is a SuccessWe are always looking for different ways to raise money for the NYWC and this year we decided to try something new. The spring bulb fundraiser has proven to be very successful. Colourful brochures offering various beautiful flowering and foliage plants were sent out to members. From the orders we received, we made a profit of over $1,000. We are happy to announce that St. Philip’s Church won a 100 Summer Bulb collection for submitting the largest monetary order. Thank you to everyone who participated. Interested in Thai Cooking?The Fundraising Committee is planning to offer Thai cooking classes in the near future, in partnership with a local Thai restaurant. Keep a look out for more information. If you are interested in helping out with this event, or other fundraising, please contact Iris at 416-781-0479 or by e-mail at iris@nywc.org. The Accessibility Committee Needs YouThe Accessibility Committee is looking for volunteers. The committee works to ensure that the NYWC is both accessible and responsive to the diversity of women in the North York community. The committee is currently reviewing the NYWC’s anti-discrimination policy, which was written and adopted close to ten years ago. At the moment, the committee is meeting about one Friday per month at 12:00 Noon, but meetings can be held in the evening if that proves to be most convenient. If you would like more information on the Accessibility Committee, please contact Iris at (416) 781-0479 or by e-mail at iris@nywc.org. Community NewsCongratulations to board member, Noreen Stuckless, who has become a grandmother — again. Congratulations to former telephone volunteer, Araba Obeng-Arhin who successfully completed the university bridging program and has gained admission to York University. And to office/event volunteer, Laura Nangini, who has been accepted into Carlton University’s MSW program. Our condolences go out to board member and legal clinic lawyer, Sheryl Brodey, on the death of her step-father-in-law. The staff and volunteers of the North York Women's Centre are thrilled to introduce Patricia Bailey, our new administrative assistant. Pat brings with her over 20 years of experience in business administration, including corporate donations and marketing. Pat joined the Centre at the end of January and has already proven to be a valuable complement to the NYWC team: in addition to providing much needed administrative support, Pat has raised $3,000 in corporate donations in only two short months. After many years of working full-time, Pat is looking forward to working part-time and spending more time with her husband and three children. Pat is usually in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM. She can be reached at (416) 781-0479 or by e-mail at patricia@nywc.org. Thanking our SupportersWe would like to thank the following organizations for their recent donations to the North York Women's Centre
Thanks to all those who specifically designated the North York Women's Centre to receive their workplace United Way donations. |
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