About Our Club
CFUW Vernon is a non-profit society formed in 1965; its basic purpose then and now is to advocate for the rights of women. The club currently has about 28 members.
We are women from a wide range of careers and professions who find fellowship in contributing to our community while being lifelong learners. We support members in furthering their own learning by hosting speakers at our monthly lunch meetings and through special events. We sometimes organize community forums, panel discussions, and other events on current issues. We are also interested in making friends and having fun in our interest groups, social events, and monthly meetings!
We are one of 22 clubs in BC and are affiliated with the CFUW BC Council and the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW), which is headquartered in Ottawa. Through CFUW we are affiliated with Graduate Women International and other international organizations with similar purposes. Individually as a club and collectively through CFUW BC Council and CFUW, we advocate for local, provincial, and federal laws and policies aligned with our purposes. We work for local and provincial change by writing to or meeting with politicians and by writing letters to the editor. As part of the national and international organization, we also discuss and adopt policy initiatives and resolutions suggested to us each year
2022/2023 Steering Committee:
CFUW Vernon functions under the leadership of a group
of 5 Co-Presidents
Julia Bowlby
Jane Nielsen
Donna Tomljanovic
Barbara Van Sickle
Bev Weidman
Board members 2019 to 2020
Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW)
Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) is a non-partisan, voluntary, self-funded organization with over 100 Clubs, located in every province across Canada. Since its founding in 1919, CFUW has been working to improve the status of women and to promote human rights, public education, social justice, and peace. Every year, CFUW and its Clubs award close to $1 million to women to help them pursue post-secondary studies. CFUW also provides funding for library and creative arts awards. CFUW Clubs provide life-long learning opportunities and fellowship to its members. CFUW Clubs are involved in community outreach on such initiatives as working to prevent violence against women, child poverty, early learning and childcare.
CFUW holds special consultative status with the United Nations (ECOSOC) and belongs to the Education Committee of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. CFUW regularly sends a delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. CFUW is the largest affiliate of Graduate Women International (GWI) which represents women worldwide.