224 10 13233 https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2747/1977_Vol_3_No_4.pdf f80f56c197c7bc0697fbbcea7e2db9f7 PDF Text Text orfRon Voincon NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO WOMEN'S PUBLICATION 1.1-1.1....1-.91...1.-1-1-..1.1-1-1..-1-1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1-.., )1. 4nslieo ea,/ HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WORKING WOMEN'S CONFERENCE GUIDELINES TO EQUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Dear Gert Beadle: dvertising in the Woman's Journal: (25 sq. in.) $35. (15 sq. in.) $20. ( 6.qq. in.) $12. e the right to select we are prepared to Some non-profit groups ceived Margaret ble for from reduced rates. she stated her sup- $ Gert wrote ournal. lowing her answer. : I was very touched by your letter and want to assure you that I am interested in groups working on improving the quality of our society in all regions in Canada. I know that the specific needs must differ from community to community, but that in the end they reflect the general $ need. 0 0 0 24 ,111X9ES PritIt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 I look forward to receiving a copy of the Northern Woman Regional Journal. Sincerely, and in sisterhood, 0 I 0 0 o 0 o 11.11- relevent the philosophy) ional maturity plays its s we approach our persons with our own sisters ity and a code of behaosters trust, we cannot e an impact on those who h justified suspicion. t itself flows in many but like rivers and creeks a certain sea. Let's rrent open and the water THE SNOB STORY Snobbery is an old vice. When the wily serpent thought himself to have a truth that superceded every other truth, he printed it chapter and verse on the only audience he ernational Women's Decade had and established himself as a ng Council Sub-committee, superior intellect and a first class Collective, for the fantasnob. Myth or fable, the drama plays ng Women's Conference Held its little charade in the name of th, 12th, and 13th. truth whenever a difference of opinion dares to challenge. One normally supposes snobbery operates from the top down but on closer scrutiny, we see it up, down and cross-wise and it takes some fancy footwork to avoid the selfsatisfaction it brings. Our truth is our total experience, as fluid as tears. It forms and reforms and it grows no larger than we grow. Why we should imagine foisting as Works" (the new Manpower tenuous a thing as the'sdm of what ation make work programe) is ours alone on our human family is the worst kind of snobbery. be exploiting workers by es of $122. per week. Splits and factions and divisions, slevels and strata and classes, high style, no style and life style, progressives, regressives and passives - a million truths and all with something to teach us. What a feast tive just az women but for the intellect to pick and choose without pressure/ Would we see each other differently if we had nothing to sell? Would we love each other better if we felt no need to buy? The Messianic fever that sends minorities flailing about to establish their personal and collective wisdom as eternal truth, is retarding out growth as thinkers. We are the truth and in us resides the capacity to distinguish what refines or retards the person we like to live with (our selves). We can be weary foot-soldiers in a divided army that may or may not stone each other to death before we ever "see the whites of the enemies' eyes". Indeed, we may 0 be so preoccupied pushing our own 0 0 point of view that we will never recognize the all-pervasive danger that threatens us. 41. atit a PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Dear Editor, and Friends of "Northern Woman", With the enclosed cheque for three dollars, I shall be glad to receive your paper for another year. Owing to eye trouble that makes newspaper reading difficult, I have sent the latest issues to Hazel Wigdon of our Editorial Committee. As the struggle of the Women's Decade goes on, and we do our best for Development and Peace, and take as full a part as we can to bring these about in our country and across the world - then I think we shall win Equality. But until we do, the gap between men and women will possibly even widen. In our society)so largely controlled by the multi-national corporations whose aim is money and power, we as women are the easiest victims. If not always just in Canada, then in Taiwan South America, Africa - where ever the great companies are powerful - even our own Alcan in Jamaica for instance. But I do believe in the growing struggle, and believe that the women's part in it is extremely important and it will help us to win out. Sincerely, Nora Rodd Toronto, Ont. We cannot express too strongly what a joy it is to hear from a woman we know to be over eighty years old, an expression of solidarity and encouragement. Our deepest admiration and love for this senior sister. Dear Northern Woman; Please find enclosed six dollars for my subscription to Northern Woman which is long overdue. Hope this will at least bring me up to date. I enjoy your paper and I think you girls are doing a great job. Keep up the good work and good luck in the future. Sincerely, Ruby Roulston Abbotsford, B.C. Dear Sisters; Received Issue No 3 of the Northern Woman on the last mail plane and cannot express the joy it brought me. Have been teaching Adult Education here in Webequie Ont.for the past five months and as a consequence have been totally out of touch with the outside world except for news passed on through letters from friends. Your paper certainly was enlightening; congratulations to all who have worked so hard to give women the support they need. I will be returning to Thunder-Bay in April and as soon as I have an address will be one of your ardent supporters. Peace and Friendship, Chris Torre, Webequie Ont. Dear Women; As a subscriber and an avid reader of your paper, I would like to know more about those of you who put it together. To some of my non-subscribing friends, you represent a nebulous group of "women libbers". However, whatever else your name and image implies, it does seem to pose a threat to many men and some women. Reddem yourselves. Why first nanes only? You would appear far more credible with some background info on yourselves. No harm in asking! Curious Dorothy Dear Editor; I was really impressed by the radical view on women in the work force, "New Ways..." in your last issue but was disappointed that the writer didn't even suggest one positive remedy for improving the situation.* No mention was made either about discrimination towards women who work for self-empThis area is not too loyed husbands. visible or well-known perhaps. I am only one of the many wageless women who are so employed. By law, an unincorporated business cannot deduct as a business expense any money paid to a wife who works in any capacity for such a business. The'attitude)eing(in my view) that * Although you didn't sign your last such women are not viewed as working name, we are printing your letter. for the business, but rather working We, as a collective don't put much for their husbands ,so are not entitled credence in marital status, age, etc. to a wage. However, you have a point about last Women are still legally the pronames. Perhaps we don't take ourperty of men and any service provided selves seriously enough. See next is considered as just part and parcel issue. of being a wife. The inequality in Editor. this law is more'blatant when you consider this same self-employed business man can employ and deduct as a business expense any wage paid to a son or daughter. I have been working for over 8 years with my husband and alone for three of those years while he was recovering from a stroke; expanding, operating, being open long hours, and doing the bookkeeping for our/ his confectionary store. We have a large family and the child-rearing duties were also my job. We, or should I say my husband)is now talking about selling the store. For my contribution, I'll get nothing, not even C.P.P. as I was not eligible Hello! to participate. I'd like to subscribe to your magSorry for going on like this, but azine. I heard about it through I am angry. I hope Women's Laurie Hill. I was travelling from Conference can in some way protest this England to Holland, and met Laurie injustice. I cannot attend; I am on the train to Amsterdam. We got working on Saturdays. In the meantime, a place together in Amsterdam and I hope other women who work for their Laurie continued the next day to husbands will write your paper and also Copenhagen, and I to Assen, Holland. write to the new minister in charge... I joined up again with Laurie in The Honourable Monique Begin, Dept.. of Oslo where we stayed with a friend National Revenue, Parliament Bldgs. of hers, also from Thunder Bay, for Ottawa, Ont. a few weeks. I returned home shortly Sincerely, before Christmas, and have received Jane S. a couple of letters from Laurie since. You probably already know *We were remiss in adding she's in Greece and it sounds like that the article would be she's having a great time. She just continued in the next issue. said to let you know that I'd met See page 10. her, so....I have. Back to business! I'm not sure of your subscription rates; I'll send a money order as soon as you fill me in on the price. Thank you Judi Gough Dear Northern Woman; It seems that I have been delinSault Ste. Marie quent in paying for my subscription, and there is no excuse for it. I can only apologize for my procrastination. Dear People; As I am enlightened by)and enjoy I am writing on behalf of myself reading your publication, I would and one of my friends. We are doing still like to continue receiving it. a project on Women's Rights. Please accept the money as a payment We are wondering if it would be for two years subscriptions. possible for you to send us inforOh, and keep up the good work, I'm mation on Women's Rights in the form sure our sisters everywhere appreciate of pamphlets, newspapers or other your hard work and dedication. Thanks material. again! Our project is due on April 20/77 Lots of love so we would be most appreciative if your sister you could send them as soon as posKate sible. Thunder Bay Rosemary Shuslawry Thunder Bay 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �AND CONGRATULATIONS TO Lorraine Smith from Ear Falls for being selected for the Ontario Status of Women Council. Her presence on the council indicates another step in removing barriers that were a detriment to the potential of that Council. OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO Maria Seymore for being chosen Woman of the Year by Kenora Business and Professional Women for outstanding service to her native brothers and sisters. A teacher of Ojibway language for the past six seasons at Confederation College, she also translates on a volunteer basis at the Kenora Jail, works in the summer camp for children in the care of the Children's Aid Society, teaching them Indian crafts, and advises the Foster Parents Association in the care of native children. She currently works part-time for the probation after-care in the Juvenile Division. These are only a few of the things Maria has lent her time and talents to. Her recognition as Woman of the Year is simple justice. That she accepts it as a tribute to her race's potential makes her a worthy candidate of the honour. TO Roberta Wren from Ignace, who has been chosen Citizen of the Year by the township council. Through her efforts, Ignace now has a Library with 9,000 books on the shelf and a membership of 700 adults and 300 youngsters. 182 S. Algoma Str. Phone: 345-8912 Open: 10 A.M.-5 P.M. Monday to Saturday AL ANON 345-2711 ARTISTS CO-OP 622-9577 ANTI-POVERTY 622-1538 NORTHERN WOMAN'S CENTRE 622-3989 WOMEN IN NEIGHBOURHOODS 623-8411 NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL 345-5841 SOCIAL SERVICES 623-2711 CRISIS INTERVENTION 344-3571 FAMILY COUNSELLING 623-9596 LEGAL AID 345-1972 TELECARE 344-1192 SMITH CLINIC 344-2471 CRISIS HOUSING 623-2711 HUMAN RIGHTS COMM. 475-1693 EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS 475-1691 MUNICIPAL DAY CARE 344-3922 344-0727 FREE CLINIC News anais nin dies LOS ANGELES--Anais Nin, the widely-read writer, died of cancer at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital on Friday, January 14. She was nearly Her diaries and seventy-four years-old. novels discussed sexuality openly and were enjoyed by many women. SPECIAL THANKS To all those who included something extra along with subscription rates both brothers and sisters and especially to Marg Bengtsson whose gift of calligraphy has given us a new look. THE NORTHERN WOMEN'S CENTRE, for reasonable rates, will produce copies of notices, announcements, etc. We retain the right to refuse work from groups affiliated with a political party. Good Numbers In New York City, a class action suit is under way against the New York Police and the Family Court.It is being filed by one of 12 married women who were seriously beaten by their husbands and were then refused assistance by the police and the family court. This is the first time ver that such legal action has been taken by women. The National Congress f Neighbourhood women and other omen's groups who were active in rganizing the suit are also demanding funds to provide shelters for attered wives. They insist that these shelters must be controlled y women's groups, not by the state. is class action suit follows on the eels of a large speak-out in NYC by attered wives, most of whom were oor and working class, nearly half f whom were black. In Vancouver, a research group sponsored by the United Way has just completed an extensive study of Wife attering. Included in their Recommendations are the establishment of Transition Houses. We must ensure that such new Houses are staffed and controlled by feminists. LAST LAUGH New York - Tex Antoine, TV weather reporter/sketcher of a quarter-century, blew his cover and his $100,000 a year job; after a news item on the rape of an eight year-old girl, Tex guffawed that, according to Confucius, if a rape victim can't avoid attack she might as well enjoy it. Within 25 minutes, 650 unamused watchers called the station, ABC, to Tex was indefinitely complain. suspended for an "inexcusable lapse of judgement". info from Washington Star EQUAL UNDER THE LAW Chicago - Angela Winslow was arrested on charges of failing to have proper gun registration and discharging a firearm within the city limits. She had discharged this improperly registered gun within the even narrower limits of her 15th floor apartment - at a man who broke into it, raped her friend who was visiting her, and then threw her friend from the window (her friend escaped death by landing on the building's canopy and was taken to hospital in serious condition.) info from Lesbian Voices WHAT'S THE WORLD COMING TO? Adelaide, Australia - Rape within marriage was made a crime by the South Australia parliament, the first such law in that country. In the US only Michigan wives have the right under the law to accuse their husbands of rape, but similar provisions are being considered in Florida, California and Washington, D.C. info from Washington Post BEATER BEATEN (NY) - Julio Elias was sentenced to three years in prison for beating his wife with a kitchen chair, a screwdriver, a bicycle wheel "and anything else he could get his hands on." When he was arrested, he said "What's wrong? She's my wife." Elias pleaded guilty to first degree assault; the case was resolved by plea bargaining. Info from Washington Star c.;s PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �CINDERELLA: We, Led Ate Fox TAKE ONE Swept and shovelled and zctaped and zcAimped and saved onty a dottat a week but that was enough to putchaze a winning tottety ticket entitling het to iaity godmothet pumpkin coach dtawn by mice boatmen good box 1 passage to bale and netutn by midnight oi same day onty the witting by the unknowing doing the impozzibte the ungtateiut- 1 We have been doing zo much Fox zo Long, with so eittee, We ate now quati4ied To do anything With nothing. 1 Weendamahgawin Newt (Indian Ftiendzhip Centne and a4tet the bat wads aver and the prince disappeated and she needed an abottion SAILING ON THE SEA Sailing on a zait boat and piling itee, To be able to zee the beauty which haz zutitounded me. To be able to tide on the water and to Arnett the zea. Thiz iz heaven Which I have just seen. I'm glad to sail on the sea. Fax it btingz a great beefing to me. It 4eeezaz 4.4 the tea ato pant c)4 me. I'm happy to sail on the tea, So bond Let it be. at the tate o4 saving only a dottat a week and the had the baby and was Lucky enough to be given her ad job back and who knowz the baby might grow up to purchase a winning Lottery ticket o6 itz own. WHAT IS LIFE? It 4...6 the gnacquenezz oi a gooze in 4tight It iz the breath oi a buiiato in the wintet time It Ls the swi4tnezz o4 a deer in 4/Light, Eve Metz] iam coedit Newioundeand Statuz o4 Women Council Newztettet. Sailing on a tail boat and 4ee2ing the breeze, Where thete'z no -zmoke that could choke the ait out oi me. I ptayed Lotd that I zee there thingz. Then, the good Lotd Let these things be. It -cis the teat on my bale. Colleen Aube For it can be wiped away, Like nature can slowly be. (age 14) Thundet Bay J. Pie Ate Feat o4 tape L a cold wind Hawing all o4 the time on a woman's hunched back. Nevelt smote atone on a sand toad thtough pinewoods, never to ctimb a ttait actozz a bald without that aeuminum in the mouth when I zee a man climbing towatdz me. POETRY It izn't always way to zee anothet point oi view. In out conceited tighteouznezz We want out 4niendz to think tike uz. We only zee the zuniace o4 what moves the people that we Love, and so we ztnike to wouqd and shame -hose who te4use to play out game. How necktezzty we make the bteak, when only FRIENDSHIP L at stake. Gett DREAM OF TROPICAL ISLES Nevet open the doot to a knock Without that tazot just gtazing the thuat. The bean o4 the datk side o4 the What I am tetting you hete iz that I have lost what he called a state oi grace hedges, and what I bet the back seat o4 a cat, the empty house tattting keys tike a snake's az a thread o4 mist. watning. The beat o4 the 6m4ing man in whose pocket -1.4 a kni4e. waiting to glide zhatkiz Length between the tibz. The bean o4 the zetiouz man in whose 4ist Ls Locked hatted. ALL it takez to cast a tapizt iz to be able to zee yout body as jackhammet, as blowtorch, as adding-machine-gun. Atl it takes -is hating that body your own, your seti, your muzcte that zoitenz to blab. All it takez iz to push what you hate, It KVZ Lost Long ago I tete you And the beack tivet 4ot the thitd time iz &wet on Lts banks. Fitzt 4utt with zpting Second gone in the winter Thitd gone in the Ott. I tizten to many voices I tell you and they at hum and my wotdz goat out I stile heat the dtipz o4 watet Loud and echoing in the steel ztAuctute that once issued clangs that once aaz not thete. 14 it being buitt at tarn down I azk you tell me tett me am I being buitt of torn down? what you beats onto the 4c/it alien gezh, To bucket out invincibte as a tank anmouted with tneadz without rented to passers and punizh in one act, to tip up peeazute, to mutdet those who date live in the teaiy itezh open to Love. Mange Piency Wettgeet, Mazz. (Betceuse, betceuze, will you always mourn ?) And I am tort goddamn you id I cannot conceive that I am being buitt and torn down simuttaneourty Even as I tread unevenly in the muddy ttachz o4 a giant machineEven az a Lead bAuzhez my neck and Leaves it wet. Deitdte Hamitt When tined oi winter's sleet and snow, To some ttopicat izte I Long to go, Whete watm gentle bteezez blow And palm tteez way to and 4to, Over tunny silvery sands. In teae tibe it does not seem possible, Enjoyed by the /Lich setdom the pock, In dteamtand bate evens up the score, How could you azk ion mote. Sheila DesChenez age 12 Thundet Bay IDENTITY Call me Mrs. Miss, Ms, It doesn't mean A damn. I am what I am. I do not need To pose. To quote G. Stein: "A rose, is a rose, Is a rose" Janet Craig-James Thunder. Bay 5 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �9 Guidelines to Equal con't from Credit Opportunity Two major guidelines have been set out for consideration of the individual's application: m 0 . pg 11 1. A married woman shall be granted credit in her own name if her credit Ieach spouse free to engage in a busqualifications, including her earnings ~ iness without having to have the othe or separate property are such that a spousels agreement or opinion in inman possessing the same credit qualdividual transactions. However, ifications and property or earnings where both spouses actually particwould receive credit. ipate in the business, the contribWHY A WOMAN'S UNION? woman shall be granted . ation of each would be recognized. 2. CREDIT An unmarried credit if her credit qualifications, Bill 14C 7(2) "where one spouse has Those of us property who are founding mem-are such that or earnings contributed work, money or money's bers of the newa Women's Credit Union man possessing the same credit *worth in respect of the acquisition find ourselves qualifications, explaining dailyproperty why or earnings management, maintenance, operation, it is that we who so vocally strive would receive credit. 1 or improvement of property in which for equality should now exclude To expand upon thethat general statements - the other has an interest, the court other sex who have plainly believed above, creditors shall continue to Imay by order: that the handling of money their conduct theirisbusiness affairs, a) direct the payment of an amount forte. holding to these principles. 'in compensation therefore; or Our case was1.made us by Holdfor women andRobert men to the same Ib) award an interest in the property Cooper, the ombudsman forinC.B.C. on standards determining creditworth- appropriate to the contribution. Feb. 6 when the question of woman's iness. JOINT TENANCY OF REAL PROPERTY, JOINT right to borrow2.onExtend her own merittoand credit a credit worthy BANK ACCOUNTS, SAVINGS, DEPOSITS, ETC ability to pay married was challenged a own name. woman inbyher Sidneyfrom Handleman manager of a bank. 3. Refrain refusing to extend Bill 140 8a) The fact that property the Provincial credit Minister, clearly to awho newly separated, divorced is placed or taken in the name of draws the government position non- because of or widowed womanofsolely _spouses as joint tenants shall be discrimination,her shifted changethe in responmarital status. prima facia proof that a joint ten sibility to those in positions ofstandards to the 4. Apply the same ancy of the beneficial interest in authority at the executive in including mortextending of level credit, the property is intended the money lending gageinstitutions. transactions, That regardless of which b) money on deposit in a bank, saving: these officialsspouse have not as yet per- supporter of is the primary 1 office, credit union or trust company sonally accepted as equally thewomen family. min the name of both spouses shall be Observe thesolvent same standards in reresponsible or 5. sufficiently deemed to be in the name of the spousl quiring credit to pay will remove women from data the on the spouse 1 ga joint tenants" and that beneficial regardless of thea sex touted government policy until new of the appli' interest in the property is intended. generation of men or women, as the cant. Next issue: Bill 140 - Support 6. Change in marital status shall not case may be, bring an enlightened Obligations the sole consideration in requiring iby Joan Packota, Thunder Bay Club, approach to thebe lending institutions. re-application for previously issued The new women's credit Union was Canadian Federation of University credit out cards conceived and formed of or ourthe ownre-negotiation .Wairiamm . I MEM 11 n n of the credit arrangements. impatience to wait forexisting that great We a have under-income, if 7. Consider spouse's rebirth of new values. when a couple taken to do fornecessary each other what clear- applies for ly is not beingcredit. done in the market News on the Metro Toronto Women's 8. Consider alimony place, and to make the exercise a and child support Credit Union: learning experience the process. as a in source of income. They have been in operation for Our officers have been chosen with 9. In appraising a woman's credit one year and have 430 members and worthiness, consider Among our shareholders is a her credit hiscare. assets over $100,000. They now are 1 former, now retired,manager of one of tory when single or married. =offering five-percent interest on the most successful credit unions in 10. An individual's credit-rating savings, to be paid quarterly on Her shall knowledge andaltered advice solely on the not be the area. the minimum quarterly balance. 1 sale of ensures our success. basis ofThe the credit-rating of the shares is brisk spouse. and encourages us to believe that most do not ques- agency shall 11.women A credit reporting .1m tion the reason upon for our existence but request Theirs of a spouse, a are assets keep to date over women. NORTHEN WOMEN'S CREDIT UNION NEWS f obtaining see goods, services, in us an avenue to broader equality. separate file on the husband $6300.00. They would like and to thank all They have been in existenctfor approx. ey in exchange for a promise To our aggrieved brethren would them to date and wife.women who who supported two months and have a membership of 70 for them at support some future us iftime. weCredit allowed it, we apolis a form ofwomen borrowing. It is= to invest. encourage more credit has both advantages .1 I NEI= 11 1 ogise for the necessity that shuts I advantages. you out, but we are convinced for the Although credit-granting policies and practices have changed moment that the credit union slogan - considerably in the past year or so, the whole credit-granting THEFOR NORTHERN UNION industry will not necessarily be aware of all the changes. If you "NOT PROFIT WOMEN'S BUT FOR CREDIT SERVICE" will PM ON and believe you have been discriminated S NOW FROM 1 PM TO 9when are denied credit find its OPEN highest expression WOMEN'S of your sex or marital status, ask to see the TUESDAYS ATdedicated THEagainst NORTHERN intelligent, andbecause compassion., AND FROM of the agency involved. Be prepared to CENTRE, 120 W. AMELIA ST senior credit ate women deal with other women officer in ATclaim THE and to back it with facts. If your request for your 1 PM TO 4 PM ON assert TUESDAYS the money marketplace. is still refused and you are not given a satisfactory exc NORTHERN WOMAN REGIONAL JOURNAL, contact the Women's Advisor of the Ontario Minisplanation, 316 BAY ST. Consumer try ofAND MEMBERSHIP IS $5.00 DEPOSITSand Commercial Relations, 555 Yonge Street, mm .... sm. . mir um. Toronto. CAN BE MADE. 1 Imi lam 1 6 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Plea to Ombudsman! Mr. Robert Cooper CBC, Box 500 Stn. A Toronto Sir: Enclosed is a copy of a letter written to Mr. T.V. McCallum of the Law Society of B.C. I am sure that in this vast country, there are many women who have been or are in the same position as I am. There are many questions which could be asked - why are women treated as they are? It is my opinion that too many women are in complete ignorance of 2711: talsnd=tpildi:hyt:n;hemn can use the law to his own advantage there are many cases of "battered wives" that have never come to light. Being a woman, I can understand why many never do - if a charge is laid against the husband, he may very likely lose his job, which would leave the family in dire financial straits. In this case any sense of security that a woman has had is then completely done away with. If a woman is ignorant of the law, she does not have any knowledge of what can be done and she is fearful of retaliation if she stays in the immediate area. I believe every woman should have the opportunity to be as well-educated as she can in Family Law and her rights as an individual, and not just as a woman. Naturally, every woman wants to keep her family and home together. For her, this has been a small source of security and safety, but why should she have to tolerate violence, abuse and mental anguish to do it? Would it not be far better if she were able to take steps to see that these things were not allowed to happen? My personal experience of trying to get help was met with indifference. The children of such a union are the ones who suffer the most - torn between their love for both parents and unable to understand why these things are happening. How many women in the country have suffered the anguish of a mental and physical breakdown, simply because they were forced to become too dependent on the husband to supply them with their only material and emotional needs--only to find that the husband cannot be relied upon for those needs when they are needed most? When a woman has been out of the labour force for a number of years, a job is not easy to find, as I am In many instances discovering myself. it requires re-training, or perhaps even returning to school to complete an inadequate education. She has spent all her time caring for her family and home, which is really no different than if she were out working except that she is receiving no salary for her services. Her days are aftenzmuch longer and she must be able to perform many tasks--nurse, housekeeper, laundress, chauffeur, carpente gardener--and on and on. It is an established fact that if every hus- band had to pay his wifetor all the services performed, he could not possibly afford to pay for them. For a woman, therefore, who has spent half of her life, or more, in this manner, it comes as a big shock to suddenly find herself, and has lost all or most of her possessions- a cruel and terrifying experience! At this point she is depressed and the very thought of court appearances and dealing with the law is one whe simply CANNOT endure. I believe that all household furnishings and other possessions should automatically become the property of both parties, and therefore an equal division be made of all these articles or a fair monetary settlement made for the person who has been deserted or forced to leave. Perhaps the husband did pay for all these possessions, but who but his spouse works hard at keeping them in good condition and caring for them. Why then are they not just as much hers, as his? It seems to me the rights of women have been very badly neglected. How is a woman to survive when she has all her dignity stripped from her, and must try to begin again when she has so little earning power? And what of a woman who has small children who is going to care for them and how great is the cost of any care she can secure for them, when she finally does' find employment? It seems to me that men have dominated women long enough - they sould no longer be allowed to do so. How many more women in this big country will suffer the same indignities and mental and physical abuse that I did, before something is done? Why must a woman be pushed to the very brink of mental and physical breakdown before anything can be done to help her? It hardly seems fair for a woman who has been faithful, frugal, and hard-working, to be treated in such a shoddy manner! If my own personal investigation into this matter helps just one woman, then I shall feel that I have accomplished at least a small triumph in winning equal rights for women everywhere Yours very truly, Lillian E. Turner The following is a copy of the letter to Mr. T.V. McCallum of the Law Society of B.C. Sir; Re: Divorce between Turner vs. Turner, Dec. 13, 1976 I am writing to you to inquire about legal procedures in a divorce case which was recently completed before Judge Wetmore of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. My lawyer, here, Mr. John Hornak had asked for a copy of the Decree Nisi before it was to be heard in court, but never received one. At that time, certain properties had not yet been settled and to this day have not been proI feel I was deceived perly settled. and denied any rights to object to or have any agreements changed, in that I received no copy of the Decree Nisi BEFORE the 3 month period was I also have not received a up. copy of specific charges laid against me, and the only ones I read were ones in the Petition for Divorce which I read at my lawyer's office all of which were quite incidental. Had not my oldest daughter Lori come to Thunder Bay for Christmas, I would still have no knowledge of the divorce or other agreements made. This, to me, is a highly unethical procedure and I wish to voice my strong objections to such procedures. I had to get in touch with my lawyer who then wrote for copies of both the Decree Nisi and the Decree Absolute. It was rather shocking and unnerving to find that legal action in which I was a participant had gone through legal channels without my knowledge or my counsel's knowledge. The Petitioner and his legal counsel, were all in communication during the entire 2 year period, and I can see no reason why I was not sent papers of any kind. The Petitioner has repeatedly reneged on agreements made, and now that the Decree final, I have no other way to handle it, except through legal counsel in British Columbia, which I can ill afford, especially with 2 yound children to care for. This was also the reason why I did not appear or have legal counsel in Vancouver to represent me. Simply because the Petitioner is a member of the Vancouver Police Force, does not entitle him to any special or favoured treatment. Of a houseful of expensive Victoriaville French Provincial furniture, I received only a few items, worth less than $2000. The separation was one known as "constructive desertion" in that I had been threatened repeatedly by the Petitioner. The Petitioner refused to support me, and has repeatedly been late in sending the minimum child support he is supposed to, to which I also strongly object. In the past he has been irrational, brutal and very abusive. I would strongly urge that every man applying for a law enforcement job should be very carefully analyzed psychologically. I feel this whole case was mishandled and my right6 as an individual have been denied me, and I would appreciate it very much if an investigation were made to determine why it was allowed to happen, and what recourse I have in settling this in a more satisfactory manner. Lillian Turner CON'T PG 13 7 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �WORKING WON CO-SPONSORED BY NW INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DECADE ( Evelyn Gigantes Evelyn Gigantt.s set the mood. for the Working Women's Conference on Friday Night. Her plea to be relentlessly determined while maintaining the feminine qualities that set us apart from the Macho approach is one that finds response in most women. She noted that every oppressor is oppressed and stated equality for Women would be a step in the direction of freeing men from the bondage of stereotyp ing in their own Roles. She reminded us all that we are the best Educated,the most affluent in the world. We have birth control which guarantees freedom of choice and s tability in our lives and we have the vote. As such we have the responsibility use our strength and our energy in to promoting equality for women all over the world. The hostility of women to women must be seen as a challenge to better communication. Those who stay at home must not be made to feel as parasites,which lends itself to a natural feeling of hostility toward the aspirations of her sisters in the paid labour force. She reminded us again the feminine culture respects fertility,warmth, sensitivity and love. Grace Hartman The banquet of the Working Women's Conference was highlighted by an address by Grace Hartman, National President of Canadian Union of Public She spoke on "Role of Employees. Women in their Unions". The following is an excerpt of her address. "The inequalities suffered by women at the hands of insensitive employers a few years ago are now perpetuated by legislation. Unions are the only vehicle through which women can seek equality of opportunity at the work place. One would have hoped that the trend of women turning to the labour movement for this kind of support would have continued in an effort to end discriminatory practices. However, the Anti-Inflation Board mechanism has had a very substantial effect in slowing the But the obvious question process. is being asked about the advantages of joining a union, negotiating a decent increase in earnings only to have a large part of it taken away from them by AIB decision. The end result of this practice can be seen in the organizing statIn the first istics for Ontario. six months of 1975, the Ontario Labour Relations Board heard 609 applications seeking certification for new local unions -- this was the six months prior to the wage controls For the same six month legislation. period in 1976, after the legislation was in full operation, the Ontario Labour Relations Board heard only 509 applications -- a drop of 16%! I believe that any thinking person can accept some things as self-evident And it's self-evident that women who want to have a say, and to have some influence in their destiny at the work place, will only get that opportunity by joining unions that will speak out and act on their behalf. But the AIB has discouraged it. By their very existence they have That is the Trudeau discouraged it. gift to working women. And in so doing, they are further widening the gap between unionized and non-unionized Or perhaps being more wage rates. realistic -- they are permitting a a widening of the gap between male and female rates of pay. When the AIB legislation was first introduced, I was most critical of it, There did, however, seem to be one feature of it that held a ray of hope I'm referring to that for women. section of the regulations that permitted wage increases in excess of the guidelines for the elimination of discrimination by sex pay rates. I thought it might permit us to work toward the elimination of male-female pay discrepancies. As a matter of fact, this part of the legislation was hailed by both Beryl Plumptre and her eventual successor, June Menzies, as a recognition by government of discriminatory practices and was essentially a feminist regulation. My expectations in this regard proved that I was naive indeed. Instead of the AIB permitting increases to women in order to observe the principle of equal pay for work of equal value -- they had riders on the It would allow an upregulations. ward adjustment for women only in cases where women were performing the same work in the same establishment and the jobs were called by exactly In addition, to seek the same title. redress against the obvious wage discrepancies, the local union must first be convinced that the case is just -the local union then must approach the employer and obtain their agreement that the employer has been discriminating! The employer - and only the employer - must then appear before the AIB and ask consent to end the discrimination which they, themselves, imposed! The sinners must voluntarily go before the Board, admit they are sinners and then ask permission to stop sinning! How is that for a "just society"? This may help you understand why, out of 4000 applications filed with the AIB seeking redress against rollbacks, only 20 have been appeals against sex discrimination in wage rates. When I learned that so few applications had been filed with the AIB, I couldn't help wondering what the results of the 20 applications were. So, I had June Menzies office contacted for the in- They couldn't tell m formation. They didn't refuse to tell me. just didn't knowl" "It cannot be denied that the controls legislation has had a d astating effect on the labour ma The unemployment statistics in t country are just staggering. As reprehensible as that situation for everyone, women haVe suffers from it most. As an example, la fall, there was a decrease in th number of unemployed men by twen one thousand, coupled by an incr in unemployed women by taenty-fo. thousand. The September figures released by Statistics Canada shy that unemployment fell from 6.3 6.0 percent. The unemployment f: ures for women in that same peril rose from 8.7 to 9.4 percent." "The role of women in the unil has changed. They are no longer passive viewers at unon meetin& They have things to say and they They no longer sit with a them. raised hand to second a motion. make the motions. They have lonl since ceased to be token anything at conventions. They are at the microphones airing their opinion! So, the role of women in the ions has changed. The unions wil: never be the same again and that a step in the right direction. contribution of women in their ul ons has been enormous and it is ongoing process. 'their union is obvious vehicle to provide for ti the opportunity to be heard - th, hicle for self-expression. And very short period of time, I sug that they will be a voice, and fc that will give pause to governmel everywhere when the contemplate islation that interferes, in any with their right to play a prope] and meaningful role in the Y.fe this country. : N RV for "Oh, I don't think a woman on e is bad luck - especially when E your navigator." PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �N'S CONFERENCE TING COUNCIL t 'THUNDER BM t DISTRICT TRADES t LABOUR COUNCIL PRESENTATION TO THE HOUSEWIVES WORKSHOP OF THE WORKING WOMEN'S CONFERENCE. by Florence Richard Anything that can be had for free is usually regarded as of no value. The position of the housewife in today's society is directly related to attitudes developed throughout To use an analogy ages of history. from what has become known as the "third world countries", we have all seen the TV documentaries where, in subsistence level societies, the birth of a female child is regarded by the family as something of a On the other hand, the calamity. birth of a male child is celebrated This way of as high good fortune. thinking cannot be explained by economic considerations alone. True, the boy will work for the family, but so will the girl. Her burdens will not be less by reason of sex. True, that when the girl comes of age a dowry must be provided. But from where does this tradition originate? Why have dowries never been provided for sons? Why is the son considered to be a gift himself while the daughter must have a dowry in order to be acceptable? The only conclusion to be arrived at is that Vomen, in a male dominated society, are generally regarded as part of a man's goods and property. Whether that man rides a camel or a Cadillac, his wife occupies pretty much the same position. Her usual role is to take charge of all domestic This may entail anything from duties. running the home, to making the meals, to mothering, to chauffeuring, to taking care of household accounts. When and if the housewife works at a paid job, whatever she earns, as a rule, becomes part of her contribution to the home, which she may or may not a legal share in. With a more erl2Y: tened husband she will, of All too course, share all benefits. often, however, we are reminded that comparatively few men are so enlightened. In our society, because of pressure and lobbying by women, laws are grudgingly being changed. The process is slow and painful. The housewife and mother who is employed outside the home must accelerate her activities in order to cope with two jobs. If her traditional home duties are neglected, she will be confronted by husband and family. If she is imcompetent on her other job, she will hear from her employer. She is constantly under obligation to others. She has lived so long without rights or consideration, she no longer thinks herself worthy of either. We all know some housewives (in more enlightened situations) who enjoy working for their families and We also ask nothing more in life. know many whose lives are a nightmare. As the family unit has long been considered the backbone of the nation the wife and mother has certainly been There the mainstay of the family. is something inherently wrong with a society where this essential member must rely for her welfare on the vagaries of human enlightenment. Thirty-six percent of Ontario's work force is made up of women. Needless to say, they are generally employed at the hardest, most menial jobs for the lowest pay. Since woman's traditional role has been to marry, to have children, and to be unpaid slaves of the nation, her employer is not suddenly going to become generous as soon as she emerges out of the home. Wherever she goes, she is haunted by centuries of abuse. Only recently has organized labour taken a second look, and realized that women are in the work force to stay, that their reasons for working are largely the same as men's reasons for working. "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em;" or have them join you. The dominant male is aware that this vast pool of cheap labour represents a threat to his own job sec'Why hire urity and rates of pay. a man, when a woman can be hired for Women are now being included less?' in the mainstream of organized labour. This is indeed helpful for the But no "gainfully employed" woman. one has as yet reached out to the original base of that cheap labour source, the exploited housewife. It is unlikely, however, that anyone will see the housewife as an meploitad person until she herself makes this discovery and moves to cast out time-worn, self-effacing images. If anyone objects to being seen as an exploited person, do not be concerned. The housewife is not seen by society as a person of any kind. She is not seen period. Even when she reaches the age of retirement, only her spouse qualifies for Canada Pension. Even though she may have spent her entire life caring for him, putting sons and daughters through school, into the work force, and/or armed services, her contribution to the common good of the country is recognized as precisely ZILCH! When and if the husband (who has been the contributor) dies, his widow may apply for the survivor's benefits. She will still receive by virtue of his contributions. She is not even allowed to make any monetary contributions as the 'selfemployed' person is encouraged to do. It is fairly obvious that no matter how essential the housewife is in our society, she will just have to muddle through without her rights or recognition until she demands pay for her services. I think that the time has come to talk about salaries for housewives. And let us keep in mind that even universal education was at one time ridiculed as some crack-pot's utopian dream. Evelyn Armstrong Evelyn Armstrong addressed the Conference on Sunday morning on the future of women in Unionized Labour. A strong woman with a strong voice, she stimulated her audience to consider the past and the present as well as the future. She stated that the inequality in wages for the sexes is a bonanza for the corporations who derive over two billion dollars in extra profit just because of this injustice. I.W.Y. was the catalyst that for the first time raised the awareness of a broad spectrum of women from all walks of life and challenged the sham of the presence of equality being practiced and perpetrated. She berated the advertising media that portrays women's biggest concern as being the "whiteness of her laundry" and drew hoots from the audience at "the ring on a shirt collar that leaves HER apologising because HE has a dirty neck," the Education System that still is rank with sex`Ism and those unions still not pushing for day care (she made an exception in the case of CUPE). She encouraged the group to affiliate itself with the Toronto based Organized Working Women, who are committed to a massive educational process to inform working women of labour issues and suggested that women's committees be formed within the union structure to lobby the union itself to make women's issues appear in the bargaining process She left us with her favourite quotation, which also happens to be mine, "BEHOLD THE TURTLE, THE ONLY TIME SHE PROGRESSES IS WHEN SHE STICKS HER NECK OUT." The conference endorsed a resolution to organize a chapter of O.W.W. Gert Beadle. con't pg 16 9 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �New Ways of Keeping Women of Paid 'labour Out CONTINUED FROM VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 OF NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL WHY CAN WE NEVER REMEMBER THE FACTS: THE NEED FOR ANALYSIS The more statistics I read, the more reservations in my mind were disposed of, the clearer my consciousness became and the more furious I "Women must know this" I became. kept saying to myself, "If only women knew..." and then another thought struck me. How come I didn't know? I've been in Women's Liberation for about six years, and a worker for longer than that... how come I didn't know? Had I just become privy to some sacred information? I expanded my research. You know there are volumes written on this subject... magazine articles, newspaper stories, doctoral theses, best-seller books, pamphlets, manuscripts, all telling the same tale. Worse yet, as I looked over the material it dawned on me that I read most of this before. Something was terribly wrong. I read all this stuff now with my present awareness, my present consciousness, and I can envision female workers lining up for battle Monday morning; I read it then and can hardly remember having done so. Maybe I've just never been very interested in the issue before. But, what does that mean? I'm a worker, why shouldn't I be interested? I was interested enough to join W.L. so how come I didn't get the lowdown on this issue from my connections with the Movement? It is very clear that a radical feminist approach to the job in question is necessary now. We must have a way of understanding reality. As a political feminist movement we must have a political feminist way of understanding that reality. Trying to "make sense" of the facts, much less organize ourselves around them, is all but impossible without such a guiding principle. When you are serious about building a political movement designed to effect real change it is essential to be clear It is when presenting the issues. essential to be definite, to be precise, to be simple, to avoid confusion. Confusion halts progress and saps the energy unnecessarily. To analyse a situation means to defend the reasons for something, but the liberals seem to deny there are reasons for discrimination, for example, or for good reasons. Liberal economist Barbara Bergman, for instance, goes under the assumption that there are no good reasons, only psychological hang-ups. Bergman denies that there is a conflict of interest involved, even suggesting the employer is going against his "...Discrimination does interests. not by and large serve the economic ends of those ?who do the discriminating...the financial gains to those who do the discriminating are low or The major cause served is negative. 10 psychological (it feels so good to have women in their place)." Whenever I run across this ambiguous, erroneous nonsense, I see stars. Keeping women in their place may feel good but it pays in a lot more ways than that. For instance, if discrimination does not by and large serve the economic ends of those who do the discriminating, then how is it economists have computed the total underpayment of women workers as amounting to $109 billion each year? Bergman is making a plea for irrational causes by advancing this idea of oppression for the 'hell of it', or because 'it feels so good'. Though I don't doubt it, aside from being a bit naive, I'm afraid it's a bit more serious than that. This clouds the very real benefits... more than psychological...which men receive Discriminfrom keeping women down. ation benefits male employers in terms of money, status, recognition, power, prestige and fame - to name just a few factors. To make matters worse, some liberals, while they imply that men and employers have nothing to lose by ending the present system, imply that Juanita Kreps, a liberal women do. economist who has done a fair amount of investigation into this issue of job discrimination, suggests that a reason for discrimination is women's desire for protection. According to her, the real issue is the stereotyped roles of the male as the 'protector' and the female as 'protected'. ^C7MliTC "And if the protected gains equal status, would she not lose more than she gains?" But what are we protected from in the labour force? We cannot run elevators late at night when the pay is higher and we cannot serve in restaurants and cabarets at that hour. We can however clean office buildings till all hours of the morning because cleaning office buildings is a low-paying job and nobody wants to protect us out of It has nothing our low-paying jobs. to do with the issue of protection, it has to do with the issue of money. I can envision by no stretch of the imagination or flight into fantasy Re-edited from Red Stockings by Colleen Price how women could possibly lose anything by equal status, except for the monopoly they seem to have on the lowest paying jobs in the entire labour force. Caroline Bird doesn't have an analysis either, though she claims of Born Female that "this is a frankly feminist book. It counts the social, moral and personal costs of keeping women down on the job and finds them high..." But she doesn't question why, if the costs are so high, employers are doing it. For whom are the costs high? Are they high for men or for women? For private interests or the general public good? She says "We are destroying talent...we are wasting talent... we are hiding talent..." But who is the amorphous "we" she is exhorting? Women can't be discriminating against women on the job because they're not the ones doing the They're not the bosses, hiring. very few of them anyways. Born Female is an exact example of what's wrong with the liberal Bird does excellent approach. research and lays out the facts of discrimination for us precisely, and Since the book lacks there they lie. a political analysis...a frankly political analysis... a way even of understanding the full impact of those facts, they never become the stirring, moving force they could Instead they're just another be. pile of statistics. THE ECONOMIC ISSUE APPROACH The liberals avoid analysis by taking the problems they're dealing with out of their political context then proposing to resolve them. The liberals don't see causes, they don't see inter-relationships, they don't see connections, they just see problems'. When you discriminate against women because they're women, whether that results in not letting them have full control over their own bodies or not paying them an equal amount of money for an equal amount of work, it is a political problem. You might think that I am squabbling over words and ask what the big deal is about emphasizing that job discrimination is a political problem. It is essential to understanding the problem that the issue be viewed in this broader political context, because doing so reminds us that unequal power is the ultimate problem. Whatever strides are made in the paid labour force, whatever reforms are won, they will never be permanently secured unless 'we are simultaneously building a power base equal to the power of men. Women have at different times in history made tremendous advances in the paid labour force... witness World War 11, for example, but we didn't have the power to hold our ground. con't P914 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Decade Council Goes to Atik9kan with the need or a crisis house, and o) start documenting cases of women Fourteen members of the NWO Decade in crisis situation to present to Council travelled to Atikokan on Council as proof. Jan. 29/77 via chartered bus to meet Lisa informed women of the Young and visit with interested women in Canada Works Program grants available that community as part of the out(deadline August 29th) and suggested reach program the council has es they choose this route to start their poused. Although the representation project on a crisis house. from Atikokan was less than we had A home which provides a real haven hoped for, the interest and enthusand emotional support for women and iasm made the effort an unqualified children in crisis situations was success. the home and food to be envisioned; Members of the council introduced provided, with the care of children themselves, giving their occupations and housekeeping duties done by the and committee on the Council; the Lisa advised the women themselves. Atikokan women introduced themselves Atikokan women present to lead an and stated why they had come. interest group in seminars and workLisa Bengtsson gave a short desshops in crisis housing and daycare cription of her job as a Social A copy feasibility for Atikokan. Development Officer for Secretary of of Mary Tomlinson's Model of a Crisis State; she is a resource person with House was presented to Joyce Meyers. contacts in NWO communities. Lisa Other Concerns: can be contacted at the Secretary Concern was expressed regarding of State Office, 240 S. Syndicate the problems of Atikokan's teenagers Ave., Thunder Bay at 623-5241. (male and female) Colleen Hughes is a Community Need for a social centre for teens. Educational Consultant for the SecNeed for more preventative care retary of State and she gave a short r rather than crisis situation care of description of her job, dealing with teens. the organization of groups throughout - Failure of High Schools to educate Northwestern Ontario. ( She can also teens for their future regarding be reached at 623-5241.) interpersonal relationships. REPORTS: - Realization that girls of 14 - 15 Reporting for Herstory - Gert years old are more mature in their Beadle congratulated the town of thoughts than a generation ago. Atikokan for its response to this important chronicle and stressed the Goals: Get more Atikokan women project must take the time to make involved in Atikokan teens' problems a quality presentation. Get a teenage social group set up Leona Lang, Secretary of the let teens plan the direction they Decade Council and Chairperson for will follow. (Sue will see Lisa the Working Women's Conference Comre: possibility of applying for grant mittee reported on the coming confrom the Secretary of State to fund ference co-sponsored by the Thunder a feasibility study by teens of a Bay and District Labour Council to teens' social centre.) be held at Confederation College on Meeting was adjourned at close to Mar. 11, 12 &13. 5:00 pm. Trudy Perroud for the Northern Women's Credit Union reported on the granting of the charter to this group and the progress to date. Joan Packota of Lakehead University Women's Club gave an extensive review of Bill 75, comparing it to the new Family Law Reform - Bill 140. A stimulating discussion followed. The role of the Northern Woman Regional Journal in the ongoing reporting of progress made in the interests of women was presented by Gert Beadle who said she hoped a clearer vision of the term'sisterhood' would emerge from its pages and called for the support and goodwill of all women - complimentary copies were distributed. FAMILY PROPERTY LAW Gert, who is a member of the CitIn October 1976, the Attorneyizens1 Committee for Crisis Homes Inc. General of Ontario presented the described the formation and motivation Family Law Reform Act - Bill 140 of this group - which stemmed from to the Ontario Legislature. Bill a blueprint of an 'ideal' haven for 140 has received first and second women as set out by Mary Tomlinson reading, but it was withdrawn from (who with her group first approached the order paper in December 1976 for city council to set up a crisis house) technical revisions by the Ontario The Atikokan women felt there was Justice Committee. It is quite a desperate need for crisis housing possible that it will be re-introduced Children's Aid has in Atikokan. for third reading during the spring been approached many times by women session of the Ontario legislature. in crisis situations but this is out If it passes third reading it will of their jurisdiction. become law very quickly, possibly Gert advised the women to a) form by the summer of 1977. a Committee to approach Town Council DECADE COUNCIL GOES TO ATIKOKAN FAMILY PROPERTY LAW DIVISION OF MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY - BILL 140 Family Assets System. In Bill 140 the Family Assets System has been adopted as the basic system of governing property relations between husband and wife in Ontario. The division of matrimonial property under Bill 140 applies only at marriage breakdown where: - judgment nisi of divorce if pronounced. - a marriage is declared a nullity - spouses are separated and there is no reasonable prospect of the resumption of co-habitation. - judgment absolute of divorce is pronounced. 4. i) "Each spouse Bill 140 Part 1 is entitled to have the family assets divided in equal shares notwithstanding the ownership of the assets by the spouses: Bill 140 Part 1 3a. "Family assets' means property owned by one spouse or both spouses and ordinarily enjoyed by both spouses or one or more of their children for shelter or transportation or for household, educational, recreational, social or aesthetic putposes, and includes: i) money in an account with a chartered bank, savings office, credit union or trust company where the account is ordinarily used for shelter or transportation or for house hold, educational, recreational, social or aesthetic purposes. ii) where property owned by a corporation or trustee would, if it were owned by a spouse, be a family asset, shares in the corporation or an interest in the trust owned by the spouse having a market value equal to the value of the property. JUDICIAL DISCRETION Provision is made for Judicial Discretion to be used in certain situations where a spouse appeals to the court because he or she feels division of the family assets in equal shares would be unfair. Bill 140 4(2) "where, upon the application of a spouse, the court is of the opinion that a division of the family assets in equal shares would be inequitable, having regard to: a) any agreement between the spouses b) the duration of the marriage c) the date when the property was acquired. d) the extent to which property was acquired by one spouse by inheritance or by gift; or e) any other circumstance relating to the acquisition, preservation maintenance, improvement or use of property rendering it inequitable for the division of family assets to be in equal shares, the court may: f) make a division of the family assets resulting in shares that are not equal or g) order other property of a spouse to be transferred to or vested in the other spouse as the court considers appropriate." BUSINESS PROPERTY The family assets system does not subject business property to automatic sharing and would thus leave con't Pg 6 11 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Greater Need For Crisis Homes! BUT WHY DOESN'T SHE LEAVE H IM? tive values of our society, his earning money outweighs her possible injury". The growing movement which demands an end to wife-battering also recognizes that the violent expression by the man upon the woman is an expression of a violent society. He's taking out his anger upon her ANALYSIS which is produced within him by Until the women's movement raised having to compete for his job, by the issue, wife-beating went unrecbeing pressured by his boss, by layognized and unreported. Beaten offs, speed-ups, etc. Instead of women were forced into pretending fighting back against this exploitthat theirs was a non-problem. In ation, he finds it easier to release this way, wife-battering has much his frustration by kicking his wife in common with rape. Both were around. It's one step up from kickseen as personal rather than socing the cat. The battered wife is ial problems until the women's movethus a casulty at the end of a long ment raised consciousness about them. line of abuse and alienation which Both stem from the system of male is integral to our capitalist system. supremacy within which women are pieces of property to be used/abused Transition Houses are a necessary by men. But there are two important step in combatting this brutality: differences between rape and wifewomen must have a safe place away beating. One is that the "wife-batfrom their attackers. But finally terer is supposed to be the very it's a temporary Band-Aid solution person to whom the woman can turn as are more sensitive responses for shelter from the storm. The from the legal system. What we are other, and this is vital, is that really opposing is the violence of a in the case of wife-battering (part- whole society. ner-battering might be a more accurate term), the woman is economically dependent upon the man. ACTION Woman's position in the family as an unwaged worker is one which socThroughout the last decade, femiety has trained her for and encour- inists have been working upon public aged her to enter. Her skills, education to dispel myths surrounding those of home maintenance and child wife-battering. When TIME, in Sept. rearing, are not skills she can of '74 professed to enlighten us on easily sell, as society can conventhe subject of "Wife Beaters and iently pretend that these are nontheir Wives" by telling us that the skills. Stemming from this economic men were 'mother's boys' and that the dependence is a whole network of beaten women were "aggressive, efficemotional and psychological relation- ient, masculine and sexually frigid', ships between the woman who is being we didn't let them get away with it. beaten and the man who is doing the The women's movement has consisbeating. Then there's the kids. tently opposed the ideology of the Even if the woman is working, she's church and of psychiatry which ratearning less than the man 90% of the ionalizes the oppression of women. time. Her income is keeping the ("Women are like the masses in wantfamily above the poverty line. To ing to be mastered and ruled." Freud) Myths surrounding female ask a woman to walk out of this overnight (as in "If a man ever masochism have been widely brought into doubt. struck me, that would be it....I'd be out that door so fast...") is to Along with public education, the ask her to abandon not only her women's movement has demanded social, physical shelter and her arrangements economic and legal changes which will for having something to eat, but make it easier for the battered woman to escape her husband. For an excelalso the whole social fabric she Betsy has been trained to accept. lent account of these demands, and of Warrior writes: the current parlous state of Canadian "Women's economic dependence justice with respect to battered women, of males must be abolished and the read Violence Begins at Home, which family structure itself must be appeared in "The Canadian" (The ProvSexism, like racism..is a ince's weekend supplement) on Nov. 2, changed. 1976. political philosophy of which wifeVancouver Status of Women membeating is but one expression. Only ber Arlene Gropper and Joyce Marvin when this political crime is not investigate the alternatives for the simply a matter of male-female sex- battered woman. Where can she go? ual politics but reflects the domin- The police consider 'family disturbance' calls trivial matters. In a ation of our society by those who exploit the many for the profit of recent six-month period in Vancouver a few. As long as our social dethey bothered to make written reports cisions are being made on the basis on only 17% of such calls. And locally, of what is humane, the wife-beater only a few cases ever do reach the has a whole arsenal behind him. As courts. Gropper and Marvin quote a a feminist lawyer puts it, "A judge JP's remark: " Most charges by battered isn't going to put a guy who makes women are withdrawn at a later date a living in jail and his wife on and besides, these are private matters welfare. In terms of the respecbetween a man and a woman.." 12 Where can a woman go? An extensive study of wife-battering in the Vancouver area in the fall of '76 indicated that well over half of the women contacted Emergency Shelters, Transition Houses, Crisis Centres and the Vancouver Status of Women. Almost a quarter of the cases in this Vancouver study contacted Vancouver Transition House. Of the 330 women contacting the Transition House, 180 had to be turned away because of lack of facilities. Credit Kinesis (Vancouver Status of Women) ip 111 11111111t(111100 Alm "Why get drunk and beat up your wife? Your co-ordination is so much better when you're sober." 111104) 41111!041 Locally 1 1 1 1 I I The following was contributed by Lucy Rissanen_of a L.I.P. project (social support for Native People) ending in July who asks for public assistance in finding homes for 16 native women and their 38 children. Case 1 -Native women, 8 children. -came to Thunder Bay, Oct. 75 first person in city Crisis Homes. S.S.F.N.P. found them a home - a slum. Rats in basement, frozen water lines, drains clogged, unsafe steps, windows broken, etc. Application to O.H.C. not successful, has money for rent; feels children a cause for discrimination. -sister Hilda arrives, 6 children husband abusive, burn marks on body, held over a stove. City Welfare says 'Go home - not out Children responsibility'. temporarily at C.A.S. Upset, emotional problems, one child disturbed. Woman ready No money, forced to give up. to return to brutality if no place found. Daughter arrives with baby. If you can help, phone 623-0391 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �A Memory Forever:Rape seemed like there was a crowd all taking turns. I cried out but to I will never forget the time I no avail. Quickly, one locked his was raped. It was a nightmare. It thighs around my head. I started was after work, around six o'clock to vomit and cry and kick out but and I was walking home with an asthey pinned my whole body down and sociate of mine, Kevin. We'd been the assault continued on. working together for seven months It seemed like an eternity before and he seemed nice enough, wellthey finished and then they left. mannered, polite and attractive. As I lay there looking through a All the-way home, we told jokes, veil of dirt and tears, I recognized talked about our jobs, ourseltes one of them. It was Kevin. I screamand some trivia. We separated at his ed and pounded the earth, wishing I bus stop and then I was alone to were dead. After I was all cried out walk home. I wasn't scared, since I got up and saw that there was no thought of rape entered my mind, blood across my stomach and running and besides, it wasn't dark. To get down my thighs. Deep, dark bruises to my house, I had to cross a field, swelled about my arms and my back used as a short-cut, cross the drive hurt violently. I traced my fingers way and I would be home. over my face and felt it was wet, A group of boys were walking puffy and sticky with blood. through as I entered the field. They Struggling to get up, I vomited came closer and I was thinking about again and headed home just a short what kind of a snack I'd make myself way ahead. I was so close to safety, before supper, when all of a sudden so close. I walked into the living I heard a high crack and fell to the room and everybody stared. My mother ground. screamed, my two young brothers cried, I fell on my face and as I tried and my sister ran to the phone. to get up, I was hit again. SomeThe result of the trial was that where, as if echoing in my mind, I Kevin was acquitted; I and my family heard laughter and shouting and were humiliated right out of town. felt blows to my arms and face. It Kevin's story was that he'Walked me A MEMORY FOREVER. home and I enticed him - there were no other people. By Julie Stojko This article was submitted as fiction from a young author from Terrace Bay. Her insight will, we hope, find more exposure in the Northern Woman Journal in the future. RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTRE III NEM I con't I EMIR 11 MEM II MIMI II MEM MOM from pg 7 ny neighbour - no charges laid Physical abuse while on holiday 1974, thrown from car with thre killing me - damage dome to rig leg and hip - inflamed hip join required several weeks of treat from chiropractor. Has damaged broken furniture, punched hoLe bedroom wall, deliberately dri erratically when angry, making suffer emotionally. Has used f and abusive language against me times for which there was no re IREGARDING TURNER VS TURNER MENTAL CRUELTY Spent several weeks at Hollywood Hospital for nerves - unable to remember date, but hospital would have records. Complete mental and physical breakdown at age 28 - largely caused by harassment and cruelty by husband plus physical abuse of boy we were to adopt. I called the Welfare and had the child removed 1 from our home before the situation could worsen. I . THUNDER BAY RAPE & SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTRE The Centre is not permanently located at McKellar Hospital. Our new address and phone number: THUNDER BAY RAPE & SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTRE McKellar Hospital, Box 47 Thunder Bay, Ont. P7E 1G6 623-3220 (answering service) The phone is handled by an answering service. A Centre member will return the call within 24 hours. We are getting ready to print our educational package and to distribute brochures throughout the city. A general meeting was held Feb.8 at Confederation College to acquaint more people with the Centre and to recruit new volunteers. The turnout was far less than expected but we hope that those who attended will pass information along to others. We plan to hold a workshop later this month to prepare volunteers for the activities that the Centre will be undertaking, especially for victim support and speaking engagements. Further notices of the workshop will be sent out soon. The Centre still needs many volunteers. Even if you have only limited time available but are willing to support us in the activities of the Centre, please call. We especially need volunteers who have time available during daytime hours. The Centre is preparing a resource library on rape and we will gladly make this information available to anyone wanting it. Spent 6 weeks in Riverview Hospital under care of Dr. Adler - received 6 shock treatments while there. At at later date, I received 6 more shock treatments at Royal Columbian Hospital as an out patient under Dr. R. Harrington, Psychiatrist, at whose office I attended for some time I also spent another week at Riverview Hospital at a later date for nervousness, at my own request be!cause of the pressures and home situation. At present I am under ' care of two doctors re: nervous'ness, due to stress of the situation at hand. On two occasions I was deserted by him - no charges laid. IHe also tried to stop the adoption of the child Shawn on his last desertion, but it had already been completed. im Was forced sexually - even to point where I was fearful of h I had major surgery and still stitches - admitted he had mar to make sex legal - used force times to the point where I COU respond and would fight him off self defense. Fired service revolver in house first year on police force - I also had to struggle with him s times since for his gun. Many incidents too numerous to menti but all equally cruel. During the entire period of mar to him I cared for the children him in the best way I knew, and made sure his home was in the b possible order, with no thought ever committing any wrong again him deliberatellair otherwise. im Elm= I Nom O MOM ;PHYSICAL CRUELTY Has made a number of threats on Emy life - has threatened suicide on numerous occasions. We spent approx. 31/2 years in marriage 1 1 o counselling. I found that when I 'began to become more independent as a person, he began to become more i owards me. Physical attack 1964 - police called II MIMI I MINIM 5 William (Bill) Cook previousl quitted of a rape charge has charged with attempted rape. wishing to attend his court c do so on June 13th at the cou house. 5 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �CONT I NUED FROM PAGE 10 Does this mean we should not fight We No, not at all. for equal pay'? should always fight for what is rightbut we should also keep fully ours; our analysis clear. Women aren't oppressed because they are paid less money for equal work (which is the implication of the "economic issue" approach), they are paid less money for equal work because they're oppressIn the first case, the focus is ed. on economic advancement as a way of overcoming oppression (that's 7why liberals refer to a woman with a successful career as 'liberated') and this tends to be individually advanceIn the second case the ment oriented. focus is on political power building as a way of both fighting for and securing economic advancement and this tends to be collectively oriented. The point is that economic equality for all women can never be achieved without political power. ever. It almost seemed like a logical divsion of labour, at least for the time being. And so, radical feminists temporarily left the fight for jobs now to the liberals, and the fight for socialism to the male left and their non-feminist women. Jobs and socialism didn't follow. standards It doesn't seem to make a damn bit of difference where we are in the labour force, what sphere we move in or what position we occupy, compared to men it's a less advanIf we're in an alltageous one. female occupation we make less money than comparable male occupations; if we're in an all-male occupation we make less money than the men in If we work in the that occupation. factories or the universities we occupy the bottom rung. Actually it comes as no surprise to anyone that the labour force is segregated, one only wonders at the 0 consistency with which segregation If one has a has been maintained. feminist ideal that men and women should work side by side in all fields then one is shocked at how pervasive the sexual division on jobs still But it is not immediately apparis. THE WORK ISSUE IN THE EARLY WOMEN'S ent that these things are the result LIBERATION MOVEMENT of oppression, discrimination, polIf the liberals are at least paritics and power. We saw how separtially responsible for the lack of ated men and women were in the labprogress of women in the labour force our force and now jobs remain divmarket it is interesting to recall ided by sex into "men's" and "women's" that from the start of the movement with women's being synonomous with the job issue was their special prolow pay, low status, low importance, vince. At various times there have etc. My initial attraction to the movebeen laws and written company rules ment had little to do with the questClearly enforcing this pattern. ion of job discrimination. My initia] However, when the pattern persists was toward the radicals who were during times without such laws, concentrating on general feminist three possible explanations are left. political theory, "raising consciousEither the continuing segregation This just seemed more importness". patterns, the relentlessly continant and a matter of top priority uing segregation patterns, are atHOW SEGREGATION WORKS AGAINST WOMEN the first step toward further changes. tributed to nature, a natural diviThere Ages a general wariness in the The first thing we see is a dual sion of labour based on abilities beginning of the Movement toward labour force. Men and women might and inclinations, as the conservative getting too caught up in single issue work in the same labour force but anti-feminists would say; or to tradiquestions before the basic groundthey are separated for all practical tion and education as the liberals work had been laid, and I think that purposes1by the work they do. For say; the tradition in society wherestrategy proved to be correct. instance, women make up the majority by both men and women each learn and There were differences in interest of clerical workers while men make play their different, respective regarding the job arena. The left up the majority of craftsmen and fore- "sex roles", or to the fact that said socialism first and all else men. Women make up the majority of women are being kept out of men's will folloW. The liberals said jobs household workers while men make up jobs by discrimination and exploit,The first, and all else will follow. the majority of managers and admination, by force without laws, for questions of housework, child care, istrators. And the division becomes the benefit of some against the would all be altered once sex, etc. even more sharply delineated when we interests of others. But radical good jobs came through. look within job categories. That division of labour is based feminists looked at countries where In the professional field: Women are on natural abilities, is disproved women were making more progress in nurses and teachers, men are doctors, by history as well as a review of jobs than the U.S. and countries lawyers, scientists,draftsmen. The division of other cultures. which had socialism, and all else In the service occupations: Women labour has changed. When babies They looked at wasn't following. are cooks, nurses' aides and waitresses were born at home, without instruthemselves, some of whom had good men are bartenders, guards, firemens. ments and all the formalities now jobs, and all else wasn't following. policemen and detectives.... attendant on it, delivering babies Among managers and proprietors: Women was natural for a woman; she was Radical feminists knew there were other basic and important things to operate small retail establishments, called a midwife. Then the Chamberbe done to win women's liberation in men manage manufacturing plants and lain family invented forceps, sold addition to fighting for socialism wholesale outlets. the idea to the Medical College of The first and immediaEE and jobs now. Even in the same occupation men Amsterdam to which only men were need 'was to raise feminist conscious- and women are in different positions. admitted, and it suddenly became nesssorganize a power base,and deal In teaching, women are concentrated natural for men to deliver babies. with women's oppression within the in the elementary levels while men Canning and preserving food used to family (Housework, sex, child care) monopolize the college and university be very much a woman's job before and the so-called body issues (abort- faculties. the invention of canning machinery ion, false beauty standards and cloth.Well, so what? Men and women work which made food preparation a paying ing requirements). at different types of jobs. The sigMen took it over then, business. Neither the liberal feminists nor nificant factor is not that the jobs although they still employed women the left were working on these very are- different, out what that differin their factories. basic feminist issues and many actamounts to. In each and every jab They seemed to ually opposed them. category listed above the compare be taking care of other issues howable "woman's job" commands-less pay than the male version, is generally less prestigious, opens up fewer opportunities for advancement and is generally not the kind of work thought highly of by society's O CAN'T IN NEXT ISSUE 14 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �-fitintse These were long days, the days I learned to live with silence. I was not used to this ticking of the clock Outside the winin such a vacuum. only the dow it was still dark; stars remained cold and unwinking before the dawn. My young husband had left for the bush; he will be the sleigh there till nightfall; tracks he left behind him are like The pencil-shadings in the snow. The pot-bellied stove house is warm. sends out comforting waves of heat. The kerosene lamp sits among the There was remains of breakfast. a hearty good breakfast for my provider this morning, I gathered four eggs from the six hens yesterday. I Do they know how grateful I am? may get none today, though I will probably visit the nests a halfdozen times before the day is over. This is my first winter away from Funny, I never thought about home. It just came - such a food there. It was such quantity of everything. a chore gathering eggs and cleaning How I them to sell at the market. hated washing the cream separator, with its fifty-two discs - Ugh! But the cream, thick and yellow - how we lavished it on everything! Will I ever again make a proper tea biscuit? I shake the nostalgia out of my mind and set about the chores of the She The cow has to be milked. day. is almost dry, heavy with calf, but still she shares - patiently chewing her cud while I burrow my head in her There is a small piglet in flank. the straw, squealing for his breakI never use soap in my dish fast. water and I keep up a running conversation, reminding him it's coming with chop in it too. Now some grain for the chickens and I'm back in the house and it's daylight. day I bring the water up to a decent level to sustain the laundry and bathing needs. One never knows when a blizzard will make every movement outside the door a hazard. To have wood in the shed and water in the barrel is of prime importance. I sing a great deal these days, sing and whistle through my teeth and learn to carry on long and animated In short conversations with myself. I became good friends with myself and have enormous confidence in my ability to hold up half of the sky, as they But each time my husband say now. leaves, I know that moment of being abandoned, isolated, set adrift in silence with only my own resources to I must sternly remind sustain me. myself that money pays the taxes and we need another cow. As the day passes I want everything done that would deThis is my first house; I came prive me of his company, hay in the here in July. The first night I It spent here was my wedding night. barn for the horses, the cow milked, We moved the bed the animals fed and his supper ready rained all night. four times and finally slept under for the table. I glow and sparkle as the staircase. How fortunate we were if every moment of the day has been I want to be praised to have been part of the make"do gen- high adventure. and appreciated and marvelled at, but eration, a board here and there a bit of roofing off an old shed, a lot I soon learn I've done nothing specof laughing, a lot of loving and very tacular. I just pulled my weight as little of anything else! As evidence indeed he has done. The business of of our maturity, we had planted some survival is a serious one. Any spirit garden in the spring and now if the of adventure is my own fantasy and not potatoes don't freeze and the hens The period of foolishness shared. keep laying, we have high hopes for is behind us and I am expected to The white pine floor the future. share a common anxiety, a general I scrub it is unfinished but white. pessimism for the future. What a when I am bored, when I am mad and thorn in the side, in the midst of It is also an era that seemes to hold so little when I have excess energy. as bare as the house itself. An old promise - to be saddled with one who cast iron cookstove that leaks ashes persists in thinking that in spite of The all obstacles we are even now living in the oven, shines with pplish. homemade table has bright oilcloth. in paradise! The chairs are benches and the cupboards are orange crates, but the A story from the Herstory committee curtains on the windows have hours of cross-stitching on their sugar bag hems. With the dishes washed and the bed neat, I begin the daily chore of melting snow in the barrel behind the kitchen stove. Heating water and piling the snow in the barrel, each I herstory is not the ascent of women up the I i token poles of this society ; the crucial women ! are the millions who never become famous INN/ Alm, Mom' I/ gcrt is' a 01 ...mit 4, ...NV I 4,411, ( Sstift-tLtituct,t±y its' 65rers; l i I 31.)110 Soos geor .0a geom. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �CONFERENCE is difficult to believe that CONTINUEDthisIt Working Women's Conference was The excitement and enthusiasm which we all felt as we joined in the Conference on Working Women was a heartening indication that large numbers of women in Thunder Bay are ready to take on new responsibilities. I joined in a workshop about women and unions and heard nurses, factory workers, seamstresses and postal workers discuss their common problems and decide on how they could pool efforts to overcome them. I am leaving this conference with a renewed faith in the capabilities It has been a delight to of women. be invited to participate in the work that the women (and men) of this community are doin to change the circumstances of their lives. The sucess of the conference is a tribute to the organizers, a sign that the time is ripe for change and a source of hope for women throughout Ontario. With thanks, Evelyn Gigantes RESOLUTIONS d) enough guaranteed annual income for homemakers to allow them security and dig- and carried at f the Working nity. Labour Relations g arbitration negotiations nion security first contract. ployment Standards ers to show ssal and to emnstate employees 5. Recommended that women work towards elimination of wage controls; and that this conference endorse the C.L.C. 10 point program which together comprise a positive programme to fight i nflation and relieve the related soci al problems: - A major program of subsidized lowrental housing for low-income fam- tract workers be on to make it ized to take benefits now employees. - Effective rent controls covering not only existing house structures but also new rental accommodations to curb gouging of tenants. - An active program to curb land speculation and to establish land ilies. Pension Plan now discrimin- P. available to uting homemakers amount of spouses ilable to the wed women eligible pecurity at 60 e under the same as married women . banks. - Subsidized mortgage rates for lo4er income families to enable them to purchase homes. - Regulation of oil and gas prices which has seriously fuelled inflation. - a negative income tax, or some form of tax credits, to protect those who have little or no bargaining power and who fall into lower income brackets. - An increase in old age pensions the first one that most of the committee members had organized. They did a superb job of coordinating The speakers, the the arrangements. workshops, the accomodation and food were exactly what was needed to inThe sure a really good conference. delegates knew this from the first moment of Evelyn Gigantes' key-note The same enthusiasm and address. active participation marked the workshops and the rest of the weekend's Many women met others with program. similar interests, made contacts for further action and learned new skills I expect there will be continued action to help women in the Thunder Bay area. I made some wonderful new friends and met some of my favourite old ones Thank you for inviting me and giving me such a wonderful welcome. I think there will be some very effective lobbyists from this area - and some good role players and actors too! Kay Macpherson Vice-President, National Action Committee on Status of Women - A definite guarantee that any tax concession made to corporations will be used for investment purposes to create jobs and not end up in higher payments of dividends. - Full employment policies to abolish the high rate of jobless in this country. - A stable monetary policy in line with potential economic growth and the total eradication of wasteful government expenditures which benefit only a privileged group at the expense of the ordinary taxpayers. 6. A chapter of Organized Working Women be established locally - committed to educate women more effectively to move their unions to address themselves to women's issues (day care, equal pay) and to recognize their responsibilty to organize the unorganized women. 7. The practise of excluding Native people from English as a Second Language courses now taught is discriminatory and should be changed. 8. The teaching of Labour History in Canadian Studies should be promoted in the high schools - with assistance from Thunder Bay Labour Council by way of books and speakers. 16 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Canada pr...a. Poet I 1°` Bulk En nombre third troisieme claw dense 220 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page RETURN TO: THE NORTHERN WOMAN 316 BAY ST. THUNDER BAY P, ONT. Return Postage Guaranteed Editorial Letters Poetry Equal Credit Opportunity Plea to Ombudsman Working Women's Conference New Ways of Keeping Women out of Paid Labour - Part 11 Decade Council Report Crisis Homes A Glimpse of the Past 2 I 3 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 15 People who did this issue: Thyra, Gert, Eve, Pat, Noreen, Lynn, Marg, Florence Want to get involved? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Call 345-5841 weekdays HAVE YOU MOVED? (We must pay return postage to keep Free to single-parent families up our mailing list) Free to senior citizens PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Northern Woman, Vol 3 No 4 Description An account of the resource Vol. 3, No. 4 (1977) Title: The Northern Woman Journal Topics include: Working Women’s Conference Equal credit opportunities Women’s Credit Union Letters to the editor Woman of the Year Maria (Kenora Business & Professional Women) Lorraine Smith (Ear Falls) elected for Ontario Status of Women Council Class-action lawsuit against NYPD by abused wives to whom they refused assistance Poetry Metro Toronto Women’s Credit Union Women & the law/Sexism in law Family property law Returning to work after raising children Housewive’s Workshop @ Working Women’s Conference Women as “cheap labour” in the formal market Housewives not receiving pension Keeping women out of paid labour Systemic underpayment of women Lack of protection for low-paying jobs Job discrimination as a political problem Women’s Decade Council Atikokan Division of Matrimonial Property (Bill 140 - Family Assets System) Greater need for crisis homes Women’s welfare Women’s economic dependence on men Housing for Indigenous women & their children Rape testimonal Rape & sexual assault centre Mental & physical cruelty/abuse Authors/Contributors: Elizabeth Janeway Nora Rodd (Toronto, letter to the editor) Ruby Roulston (Abbotsford, BC., letter to the editor) Chris Torre (Webequie, ON, letter to the editor) Judi Gough (Sault Ste. Marie, ON, letter to the editor) Rosemary Shuhlawry (Thunder Bay, ON, letter to the editor) Jane S. (letter to the editor) Kate (Thunder Bay, ON, letter to the editor) Eve Merriam J. Pierre Colleen Aube Gert Beadle Marge Piercy Deirdre Hamill Sheila DesChenes Janet Craig-James Lillian E. Turner Florence Richard Colleen Price Lucy Rissanen Julie Stojko Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1977 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2748/1977_Vol_3_No_5.pdf d66035f469f5e5b30b9cadc6f670d40c PDF Text Text 1\110,r1Rern Votnan 7 v01,11110 c0 CUM 3 4010 T/ 7 7 - PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �to high school women This issue was planned for high school women. We sent a letter to local high school guidance counsellors asking that they let women in their schools know that the Northern Woman's Journal wanted creative writing from high school women to publish in the paper. We received about 15 responses, most of it was poetry or short stories. One woman wrote an article describing her feelings of isolation and boredom. We would like to hear more from high school women about their everyday lives. We know that, according to "creative writing" standards, everyday life is not considered to be The exciting material on which you base a short story. "What I did on my summer vacaclassic essay assignment, tion", usually results in stories of moonlight canoe rides, trips to exotic countries, or everyday experiences embelNo one wants to admit lished to the point of fantasy. painful, boring, lonely, that many life experiences are scary or confusing. On looking back, we feel that asking each other the following questions, and talking with women friends about the conclusions, might have helped dispel some of the confusing, lonely feelings and led to changes that would This process is called make for a more fulfulling life. "consciousness-raising" and is a method that has been developed by women in their struggle for liberation. What position does lack of money put me in? Why can I not be financially independent? What kind of jobs are available to me? What kind of jobs are available to boys? How many women are in machine shop classes? How many boys take home economics? What are the differences between arts, technical and commercial courses? Why do these differences exist? Do guidance counsellors encourage women to break from traditional roles, and take courses that will lead to decent paying jobs? Who controls the school? Who is the principal? the vice principal? Who's on the school board? Are they men or women? How much money do they make? How much money is available for physical education? How much of it goes to men's sports, how much to women's sports? Why is there "men's" and "women's" sports? Is self defense available for women? How many books on women's liberation are available in the school library? What do I learn about women who have fought for their rights in the past? How many books, or paragraphs in books, describe women's role in history? Are there dress codes at school? Are they imposed by the school or self-imposed? What kind of pressure results from following these standards? Does anyone question the status quo, the way things by other are? How are they treated - by me? Do I get the feeling it's students? by teachers? not o.k. to ask questions or challenge the status quo? What do I do so that boys will like me? What do I want from relationships with boys? What do I get? If there's a difference in what I want and what I get, why does it happen this way? What happens to women who get pregnant? What do I know about my own sexuality? Where did I Is information freely available at school? learn it? Is masturbation, intercourse, orgasm, birth control, lesbianism or abortion discussed in sex education class? Who decides some women are sluts while others are good girls - the kind a man would like to marry? Why are there these kinds of differences between women? How do I get along with women friends? Do I get support from women? Do I see other women as a threat? Is my best friend a woman? Will I drop her for a boyfriend? Has this happened to me? Are there any women I look to as an example? are they? What do they do? Who What is the attitude to women's liberation? What father? mother? teachers? principal? do boys say? other women? TOWARDS CHANGE Talk with other women. Discuss problems. and trust each other. Build solidarity. Learn to like Begin challenging Learn and understand who holds power. them if what's happening is not in your interest as women. Do it together! cti4; Read about Women's Read about women's history. Read the Northern Woman's Journal. Liberation. Study. Talk with women who have some experience fighting for their rights. Ask your mother, your grandmother, your women teachers. Come to Woman's Place, 316 Bay Street and talk with women there. Find out what resources are available to you - through the library, local women's centre, community college, university, local Y - use them! Get in shape. yourself. Build your strength and learn to defend readings in women's liberation The following books may be available at the local libraries Confederation College (if not, see Lynne in the Women's Studies Dept.) or the University library. They can be bought from, or ordered through, Co-op Bookstore, 182 Algoma St. S. voi,ceon,, from W°111 Li,bera"° n THE SECOND SEX by Simone de Beauvoir THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE by Betty Friedan THE DIALECTIC OF SEX by Shulamith Firestone SEXUAL POLITICS by Kate Millet VOICES FROM WOMEN'S LIBERATION, edited by Leslie B. Tanner SISTERHOOD IS POWERFUL, edited by Robin Morgan RADICAL FEMINISM, edited by Koedt, Levine & Rapone FEMINIST REVOLUTION, Redstockings, P.O. Box 413, New Paltz New York, 12561 WOMEN'S ESTATE by Juliet Mitchell AGAINST OUR WILL by Susan Brownmiller WOMAN'S CONSCIOUSNESS, MAN'S WORLD by Sheila Rowbotham 2 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �From High School Women.... ONE WOMAN'S STRUGGLE So why not take some courses at different grade levels? I tried that, but they couldn't work it out with my timetable - I wanted too much, or something... Then there's the teachers. In high school, there are two types of teachers - the wimps and the bullies. This year I was blessed with exactly four of each. Needless to say, they aren't helping me grow or develop as a person at all, and plaCe all sorts of unnecessary restrictions and punishments on those who try to be individuals. Finally I come to the students, who comprise the bulk of the population at the massive institution where six hours of my life are wasI could, at ted five days a week. this point, viciously flay my peers, describe in graphic detail how they've mocked and ridiculed me, how they've considered me a radical because I'm a feminist, how they hurl insults and torment me. But I'm not It would be futile, going to do that. seeing as how they're so puerile, immature and so sadly unaware. Most of them reached their peak at about age eleven anyway. But anyone who doesn't succumb to the whole teen culture bit - swooning over the likes ol,Peter Frampton and Kiss - has to be prepared for a backYou pay the price for individlash. uality. Their rejection doesn't matter, since my peers are not my friends. I'm just ten steps ahead of them, in terms of values, perceptions, "Ah, to be young again!" That's almost become a cliche among those in the over-forty age bracket- even those in their mid-thirties utter it I listen to wistfully on occasion. them and wonder "Don't they remember?" and think that they must have either become senile or mellow with astonishing speed. I noticed a book recently which reminded me of the above exclamation. The book was called Why Am I So Miserable If These Are The Best Years Of My Life? and the morose-looking young woman on the cover, not to mention the title - caught my eye. I picked up the book, flipped through it, and put it down again. I'm sure that it will help many young women make decisions regarding their lives, but it doesn't have the answers that I'm searching for. You see, it's rather difficult to School is a major reason explain. for many of my frustrations and (until I'm a high now) hidden resentments. school student, approaching sixteen (anxiously) and, to put it bluntly, fed up with school. If I were a typical student Why? I'm not I suppose I wouldn't be. a troublemaker and my assignments are handed in and returned with ASo what's the pluses attached. problem? Well, there are a number I've learned I'm bored. of things. more on my own through the wonderful world of books than from school, so most of my classroom time is spent daydreaming and/or gazing out the window. poet, cir% goals and even the books that I read. Education should be a very individual thing, and right now, the system is just too judgemental to let that be so. Now you may shake your head, saying that I've grown up too fast (which people have told me countless times) and I can see that, in a way, that's true. But I can't go back - and I certainly don't want to. I know that there are going to be days filled with loneliness and depression (which I feel is inevitable no matter who you are) but I've already experienced that, both in and out of school, and know how to cope with it. I thought long and hard about this situation for some time, and eventually decided that I don't like the way the teachers and students are reacting towards me, and that I have to find an alternative method of education. They think that I'm weird ...or at least very, very strange. I don't need that attitude perpetually surrounding and stifling me. I just don't need that. So, until June, my time in the classroom will continue to be spent gazing longingly out the window. And I know that the best years of 17.-i Life are still to come and they will, they will. Eventually. by Athena Caine Thunder Bay 14111SLI1Do1 wowlest5c wevAtAkts Sittdies MISTER ON THE RADIO I No vwe,,,,,.. o n worrier $ ,eC..teVi role_ Ccursts3 Hey misteA, on the Judi°, I want you to know, Someone'.6 very sad today. Why don't you gay tisykk.ryvecN Hor"e, Ec..0 »OP% KS 4 IP'"5 600et?""1. a coupee o6 sad songs? Not too 4hott on tong. Because I'm so biue I'm 2.eaving it to you To bting back my smiZe to my 6ace Hots I Zort it some pace. Whete? I don't know, But some time ago. When I to paying the nadio Yes miztet, the good ofd tadio. wean, misteA, you'te doing neat 6ine I got to say you're zo kind. I tea-C.4 got to hand it to you, You sune hap someone btue. Oh, a-4ot o6 aU, Thanks iot taking my cat, And bon "Someone, save my Zi6e. tonight." Thanks again and good night. Cotteen Aube Thundetc. Bay PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �H.S. Women CONT D Memories The ad woman sat on the dboutep, Hen head hanging timpty on het bxeazt, The cased, cobweb Lace disclosed nothing 06 the memonies nevotving in het mind. . Although the memory o6 you OL aitmoon walks in the pa/Lk With het Latest beau, Mama and Papa waked sedately behind Supposedly unsuspecting 06 the glances oL Love. stia tingeAs on my mind, The teradAops and the rainbows the past ate Zeit behind. o On that golden stain way you bxought me to the top... I didn't seem to xeaLize OWL Love must someday stop. Now there is another who has captuxed at your heart.. The coniusion and the tutmoit is teating me apart. I nemembet being with you; at the good times that we had, Now you're with the other and that can only make me sad. My ieetings now ate &Leaky, my tears axe bleak as /Lain. Happiness i4 Zike the sunshine ib we chance to Love again. Yes, it's been a white but my yearning just won't end, I've suxtendeted to you everything, my /oven and my ixiend. Tomovcow ..4 anothet day, When the anticipated day had attived at -east, Papa was nervous, and Mama anxious, The sun shone btittiantty above A4 she waked down the gowet-4ttewn aisle. When the ioteseeabZe notice was anzwexed And the unitioAm adjusted to 6it, Fined_ goodbyes were said Amid tears o L parting and dxead. Lists oL suxvivoits were tead out In 6/tont oL the old count house. "Where ms his name? Why doesn't he read out his name?" "Hey Lady, you aLL tight?" The voice jetked het back to teatity, Her wainkeed hand brushed away a Lew stray teats As she nodded and tutned to go into the empty house. Cathy Metcatlie Long Bow Lake I'LL try, my best to cope I'm always Looking, always Aeraching, Fox where there's Love there's Hope. Lori Christensen Geitaidton Highschoot. A NIGHT WALK The waves were &Upping upon the skate The tomist Lay on the sand A swat bxeeze blew about the txees A4 to ove,tcoti,e the -Cond. And the chiLdten oL the woAid shalt. Live; The sun went down to We .its el 6 When the moon They stand iion innocence and putity. - beautiut tays o6 moontight Their hands and minds have not yet touched Which glow and glow and glow. Upon the neaeity and ways oi the world. Let them gtow and undeAstanding witt goutish Jackie Duxochet Grade 9 Let them Live and there witZ be LOVE. Gexadton Highschoot Lori ChAistensen GuLaZdtn Highschoot Spring The smelt oL the eatth, /tanning water, GIANT STEPS Canada has always been my home, and I am very fond of it, but it is not where I would choose to live. These may sound like traitor's words, but they are not. I am not a true "woman's libber". I am more old fashioned. I do believe in careers for women, but for me they are secondary matters. I like to be treated as a woman. I have travelled widely over our beautiful country, but nowhere have I found a place to fulfil'. my needs. Canada does not satisfy me. I believe I have found a place that does. I am not totally informed on European life, and I have not spent a great deal of time there -- only one week in southern Spain, but of all the places I have been, it satisfies me the most. I love their way of living, their style and warmth, and I suit their environment. So, when I am capable of doing so, I plan to move lock, stock and barrel to Costa de la Sol. I also have plans of becoming a Writing is my pet and journalist. I enjoy taking proper care of it. Essays in school do not "turn me off" as they do others; I enjoy them. Joining journalism and Spain together would be the culmination of all my I intend to do everything dreams. possible to make this happen. I also realize the problems involved in "creating happiness" but am preparCourses in French and ing for them. Spanish are on the agenda, and obtaining a post as journalist to establish myself. These may be exaggerated dreams for such a young person, but I feel the time to start is when you are young, not wait until it is too late. I do not feel that mine is an impossible case, The power of prayer and faith goes a long way in solving impossible I shall leave things in the cases. hands of God and trust. 6xogs singing in the swamp, pussy witioaz, tetatning bitds, bikes, and ditty chitdten, art herald the end oi wintet and tebitth. Nancy Fume. ton Dryden Highschoot Linda Longe Lakewood Highschool Kenora, Ontario PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �H.S. Women PERHAPS LESSONS.... My mind's eye vieta Deeds oi past days CONTD When tiSe seemed zimptu And summers .longer: Last yeat - the yeah, A wanted wonthtezz white Hampeted by 6eetingz 06 dreams and naivete; Yeatning Son the unknown Putzating with every breath And misguided step, Emotion's tapping out To communicate with others Please undetztand me, Can't you zenze my Longing? Supply me with anzweAz Fon ate oS my queztionz Yet I don't neatly want to know. Come closet - back away Love me - hate me ON AN AUTUMN EVENING A POEM WITH NO TITLE The tat pines yietding to the wind. Dancing, nodding, There within my mind tiez a connen all my own to gaze at pazzetz-by but steel be ate atone. and taking IS my conzciouz mind could .S eel in gtoupz. Sithouetted againzt an evening sky. I'm certain it would say Leave me here atone, pteaze go away. IS my ti6e depended on a ptiend one succeeding aitet the °ther they would being me to the end. Those who have 6ot4aken me ptuz those who didn't cake never 6ett my ptezence Nancy Fumenton Dryden High4choot Hetp me - hinder me Do you neatly know me? They say they do But they don't. theit act auz a metre eat. So -in. _my etdetty catiow zubconzciouz Let me 6ind my peace and mark upon the milestones one eternal ttuce. 16 my mind should drive me ctazy I wish Got you to know I don't want you to know. Like an .iceberg You zee only pant: What tiez beneath Is oS more signiiicance And -is Son you to uncover. BcUtoetent rebel with Give Give just Show Swelling anger and Sean, Yet 40 unawate oS The would and tit's wotkingz. We weren't then We won't be tomontow We ate NOW! My mind's eye cOpq0AtiS My tezttezz 4out Projecting images Show me Lill e and the rhapsody of Living in zotitoquy. Qui, va t2t. dams ma pied-a-tette? 14 it the atien who means nothing, N' eat paz? On a Hank, barren screen I catt my memory; Recalling my past, Sutviving today, Fotzeeina mu 4utunp. But de I neatly Sonzee? Oun time will come To set out sights on Ctaiming OWL tivez InheAiting out wottd 6tom Dead worn out once-upon-a-timed. My mind's eye evaluates today: Cynicat, zatcaztic neatity - me quiet. me tight enough to zutvive. me grace. i4eLizs A meanAngLeas t.h.t.c. yak:de._ waLL staking my brain zertAch.Eng ion. a hat. Let hir sea.Lch. Let him taboux in vain. Let him tart shoat Sot he ishatt bind no heft within the ckevicez oS my being. Simp4 unaduttetated peace. Connie Johnson Age 16 Hammanzjkotd Highzchoot but -c4 A.t neat? Harrah gtazz and zteet city, Ptecizion kni6e-edged sophisticate. 14 it worthy? Is it teat?. SttuggLing to ii-td outzetvez Shuiiting thnough a deck oS Experienced Eztabtizhment Vatuez now outdated Where ate we? Ate we any ctosen on iutthek to out goat? What goat? madness? Waz there a teazon behind thLs /Lace My mind's eye views Deeds o6 past days The present iz piing mane btickz When tip. seemed zimptet And zummetz tonget: to the 9/teat bat/Lien And now have we impnoved? that zepatatez Were not the pat days oS childhood better? now £A0171 then. On did we not know bettet? Too great Lon any human to zcate Ake we expected to gnace6utty use it mockz mortal me Out adotezcent days to zuddenty evolve az I gtimpze the past From optimztic caneSnee childhood minnoned in old peoples' eyes adulthood? To wovUzoMe burdened hypoctiticat and azk in iutite eatnutnezz Was thus- to be done eazity? "can I get thete Snom here ?" Out values exptoited Mona t4 chattenged Vintuez deiied iStumbting in the dark We beet confused; What vatuez? What monate What viAtues? Did we even have any at att.? Perhaps teszonz zhoutd be given Suzan Reid Age 16 Hammaltajad High4choot But then a pebble oL childhood .lath Satz 0.0m the watt stonily teminding me: Mice never did go back dawn the kabbit hate. Atma Byzewski Font FAancez High4choot 6.0m TUESDAY NIGHT 5 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �The Sexual Revolution This antiete on the Sexuat Revotution was done by Eve Pyketman and campaign. CerFiona KaAtztad. but lost the larger tainly, they had the vote, but those who the had fought for our civil rights sible woman could only realize will be examinremained very conservative on questIn this paper, we and privileges a penis could bring in attitudes and Freud ions obof female sexuality. Women's ing certain changes by deduction desire one. sexual relationwith- consciousness became political roles in terms of served psychological structures by asking: What anesthetized by the "myth of emanciships and will begin out ever questioning their social in the sex pation" for the next fifty years. is the role of a woman context, but given his cultural entitled to an act? and Is the woman Ifexpecwomen were still unhappy with the prejudices we can hardly have and joy in this problem. After al equal mutual interest ted him to make such an examination. Perhaps, at Simple questions? they had gotten what they wanted, act? But Freud was only one of a large throughout history What more could they first glance, but cast of 19th century male experts on the feelings Emancipation became a wherever we can trace conask for? female sexuality, all of whom and the reand ideas on this matter to responsibility: salvation wa private cluded that women are very close find discord, personal, not political. With the sultant conduct, we being asexual. Dr. William Acton, conflict and anguish. thirties, came the Depression. In the Victorian English sexologist, Throughout Notate every act o6 the forties,there was another world decided that pneceded by a zexuat union a and to think about. Women had subThe best mothers, wives war There a stantial jobs for the first time in pxocezz of courtship. manageAz a househotds know tittte physiotogicat teason decades - they were genuinely needed a sound on nothing .06 zexuat indagencez. ion ,.in the bon this couAtzhip, by society. And, if women were sexLove o6 home, children and domestic bang wooed, act o6 wooing and they frustrated, they had Kinsey to dutLez are the onty pazzionz ually gnadHe laid to rest the belief the psychic excitement look to. beet. 5 watty genetated in the btains that women got no pleasure at all while Dr. Isaac Brown was performing 0,6 the two pantneAz ac tz as a from sex. The marriage manual craze women numerous clitoridectomies on that stimulant to amuse into &at followed him assumed that a to prevent the sexual excitement activity the mechanism (fhich lifetime of psychological destructio caused which, he was convinced, union... enzuAez sexual could, with the aid of a book, be "insanities", "hysteria" and other remediedlthus ensuring the right of The evolution of society, however, Monogamy and home diseases. 6 a woman to her sexual birthright to tended to overlay and sometimes even existed for the benefit and protection orgasm - provided it was vaginae and suppress these natural tendencies. But while women were abof women. so long as their orgasms were zimaIt a conceivable that the Oncesolutely confined to the home, men (Contrary to the most eletaneouz. 6u2 zuppAezzion of women's inwere free to exercise their erotic mentary common sense, which shows ondinate zexuat demands was a The activities outside the home. the clitoris as the source of orgasir pnekequizite to the dawn of every had sexual order thus establishedmen had invented that a woman's orga modern civitZzation and almost repressive influan unnatural and must be transferred from the clitori every tiving eatune-Not untit women's ence on the erotic aspect of to the vagina. Nobody would ever these dAivez were gtaduatty have thought of asking men to transf brought under conttot by Aigidty their orgasm from the penis to the enOtced sociat codes coutd... But the effect of these scrotum.) modern civitized man emerge... the manuals ran counter to their purpose 4ttength oi the drive deteAminea Sex was made so mechanized, detached the 6otce tequited to zuppnezz it. and intellectual that it was robbed On the basis of social, economic Man became a spectt of sensuality. and legal developments which were experience. ator of his own sexual established as the conditions of a There was a swing from repression developing civilization, new moral, :':o preoccupation with the orgasm spiritual and religious forces were resulting in new pressures on the generated, based on rules of exter'men to perform; witness the menior order, giving men power over ials' endorsement of the desireabilwomen's souls as well as their bodies. oity of vaginal orgasm. All through history legislators, With the fifties came the first # priests, philosophers, writers and long stretch of peace and affluence, scientists have striven to show that As anthropologists have shown, women the subordinate position of woman is sexual response is culturally conwilled in heaven and advantageous on ditioned and the political conserearth. vation of the fifties was echoed in The Opiate a a 6ema2.e by viAtue a social conservatism which stresse oi a centan 41ack o6 quatitiez; a Victorian ideal of the woman's we should regard the iamate natune a full womb and selfless life: as aWi ct od with a natutat de:'octdevotion to husband and family. Wit 4 the end of the war the average age ivenezz. at marriage declined, the average .St. Thomas for his part pronounced size of families went up and the woman to be an "imperfect" man, an suburhan migration began in earnest "incidental" being; while the first In her book, The Feminine Mystique, sexual life. among the blessings which Plato always been Freidan documents the stifling he had there have thanked the gods for was that Although creative motherhood cycle and its female rebels in history, conditions enslaved, the been born free, not devastating effect on women and the The before existed to enable women second, a man, not a woman. never families.7 Young girls of all ages effectively and collectively overresult was that directly andtoindirIt was dreamed of escaping the dull homes throw their oppressive roles. erotic ectly the legal, economic and of their mothers through Teenage until the Industrial Revolution nonrights of women were all butnot leave the home and Romance. We saw adolescent boys when women began to existent. force that things growing up begging for sexual cruml enter the labour the "envy of Freud has described But from from girls frightened for their began to change slowly. the penis" as an essential component "reputations". The parked car, Freud's very beginning, their simple of the feminine psychology. the and finally the perhaps the one prop that best cha: demands for justice view of women was that they are not being acterized the passions of this vote were met with violence, whole human beings, but mutilated decade, became an urgent necessity viewed for as a serious threat to the males who long all their lives After a But girls were taught that since t established (male) order. a penis and must struggle to reconneeded sex less, it was their resprolonged and frequently bitter To be cile themselves to its lack. struggle, women did win the battle sure)in the Victorian Age when everything was permitted to man and everything was forbidden to women, a sen- 4 6 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Cont'd ptom page 6 ponsibility to impose sexual restraints and they were so busy setting limits and holding off that they never got a chance to explore their own. They were continually selecting actions and repressing erotic impulses in order to conform to what was acceptable. As this bleak decade came to an end, social developments emerged which were to make a rebirth of the women's struggle inevitable; the large influx of women into the labour market, suburban life and marriage was turning sour, and a growing civil rights movement was sweeping the continent. Traditional political ideologies and cultural myths, sexual mores and roles with them, began to disintegrate in an explosion of protest. The sixties is remembered as a decade of liberation. Masters and Johnson published Human isexuat Reoponise, a massive clinical study Briefly of the physiology of sex. and simply, their conclusions about the female orgasm are: (1) anatomically all orgasms are centred in the clitoris (2) women are naturally multiorgasmic (3) women's orgasms vary in intensity and (4) there is an infinite variety in female sexual response in terms of intensity They wrote and duration of orgasms. "With orgasmic physiology established the human female now has an undeniable opportunity to develop realistically her own sexual responses." With the advent of the Pill and other birth control methods, women were also no longer at the continual mercy of biology. They could enter into sexual relations without the accompanying fear of pregnancy. What else was needed to make their sexual liberation a reality? Men travelled to Europe, joined political movements, went to University. We witnessed the growth of the "love generation". Liberated men with a new lifestyle who needed women who could keep up. But there was no place for women there either. Although sexual mores may have appeared to have changed, it amounted to no more than lip service. If a woman asked for some commitment in return, she was labelled as "uptight" and told she should strive to be more "independent". Women couldn't register fast enough for all kinds of courses - ceramics, weaving, psych. and lit. courses - anything to get off his back. Women were still reluctant to organize around their own issue and thus they fell once again into the trap of the "private" solution, which as often as it was art or academia was the "bag" of radical politics. Radical politics gave every woman the chance to do her own thing, but the sexual class system existed everywhere and the old double-standards were expressed just as succinctly there. Stokely Carmichael once said, "The only position for women in revolution is prone."9 This left women in a bewildering dilemma: were they to remain in a movement which allowed them only to exist as silently submissive bedmates or would they refuse to accept a subordinate status. It became clear that if women were to establish the right to self-deter- mination it would not/could not be within that framework. As Robin Morgan said, "Goodbye to Hip Culture and the so-called Sexual Revolution which has functioned towards women's freedom as did the Reconstruction towards former slaves - reinstated oppresSion by another name."10 The result has been the growth of a new women's movement and the creation of a variety of organizations which have facilliated the critical examination of the institutions controlling their lives. Ranging in politics from reform to revolution, the movement has produced critiques of almost every segment of North American society, and constructed an ideology that rejects every hallowed cultural assumption about the nature and role of women. However, the sexual problems of our society will never be dealt with effectively until there is real and unfeigned equality between men and women. This equality does not imply that women adopt certain male characteristics. There must be a'conscious effort made by all men and women to examine the quality of their life, for sexu4lity today, if it is to be fully enjoyed by both, is the one drive that demands recognition of its values: cooperation, spontaneity, openness, sharing, sensitivity, trust and freedom. If prolonged pleasures and meaning are to be drawn from sexuality these values must accompany the lover who seeks them. When that understanding and recognition become apparent, then we will know that the Sexual Revolution has indeed come to pass. RejvLedcea avaLeabi.e upon uquat at the NoAthenn Woman JouAnat 066ice. further reading on sexuality OUR BODIES OURSELVES by the Boston Women's Health Book Collective, $5.95 at Co-op Bookstore. THE HITE REPORT by Shere Hite, $2.75 at most grocery and MUST reading! book stores. Send $4.00 to Betty LIBERATING MASTURBATION by Betty Dodson. Dodson, P.O. Box 1933, New York, N.Y. 10001. FOR YOURSELF: THE FULFILLMENT OF FEMALE SEXUALITY by Lonnie Garfield Barbach. $3.95. Order through Co-op Bookstore. TEENAGE WO When I was in high school, I had no doubts about my future. I would marry a kind and handsome man - he didn't have to be rich because I knew love was most important, not money. My husband and I would have beautiful, clever children. I woul be a young, attractive, fun-loving mother to these children. The picture of my future family was a conglomerate of all the ads I see dail which depict clean, healthy, happy families. And, oh yes, a career. This career would enable me to support myself until I married, and would be one to which I could retur when my children no longer needed me at home. Now for the realities. I did become one of the 8 in 10 women who PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �HU- DEFENSE Attacks on women, especially rape, are continuing to increase. Any woman is a potential victim. How we look or dress, our age, our occupation or economic condition does not protect us. As rapists continue to escape legal sanction for their crimes the threat to all women grows. Self-defense training for women is growing in popularity and availability for this reason. Some common reactions about selfdefense: 1. It takes long and strenuous training. 2. It may make a woman overestimate her physical capabilities. 3. Resisting an attack may only enrage an assailant and cause more serious injury. I'd like to comment first on the body awareness women have been conditioned to have and then look specifically at each point above. Most women have never had access to activities that test their physical abilities and develop realistic physical integrity. Traditionally girls and women have not been encouraged (or allowed) to participate in body contact sports or playful roughhousing. We have had little or no emphasis placed on developing activities that keep us physically fit. We've learned that men ( our brothers friends, spouses) are supposed to protect us. Agression is punished in girls and we are shamed for being unfeminine. We've been told to "help" never to "hurt" others. This type of conditioning has announced us to the workd as "easy victims". It has denied women the opportunity to develop the confidence in their bodies essential for physical and psychological well-being and personal safty. 2. Self-defense training can provide the means for developing a more realistic estimate of physical capPractice, not lack of it, acity. develops both competence and evaluation. 3. Self-defence techniques aim at giving you the chance to get away. There is never a guarantee that submission will prevent injury. However, in any situation the woman facing attack is the best judge of whether resisting will increase or decrease her chance of escape. Only you can decide that if you are attacked. Self-defense training develops quick responses which give you the advantage of surprise in an attack and let you get away. When there appears to be no opportunity to run or if an assaillant is armed you have to rely on your own judgement. But self-defense training does increase the alternative available to someone who is being assaulted. Consider these facts: 1. A rapist doesn't expect a woman to resist; he especially doesn't expect her to resist effectively. He wouldn't risk the attack if he He relies on the "fact" that did. women are physically inferior. 2. In countering an attack, surprise and speed are the best weapons. Since the rapist doesn't expect resistance the woman has the advantage in using these weapons. 3. Most men rely on pure strength or the threat of it to overpower a woman, not on skilled fighting techniques. This all means that it is our lack of training and confidence, not any physical inferiority, that is our biggest disadvantage in an attack. It is this increased confidence in nur bodies (coupled with some basic techniques) which is the main benefit of self-defence training. A woman whose demeanor indicates physical competence is less likely to be chosen as a target than the woman who looks weak and passive. When confronted'with an assault, the woman whose first actions indicate confidence and effectiveness is more likely to make an assaillant consider finding an easier target. Most rapists want to prove their "power" not risk losing ft. LEARNING SELF-DEFENSE -Photo "Pess Srni*K Regarding the three points above: 1. Self-defense training need not be long or strenuous. Self-defense is not the same as competence in a martial art (karate, judo, etc.) Selfdefense does not aim at making someone a-skilled fighter. Its aim Is to teach a few basic defense techniques which can help you counter an attack long enough to run."Distance is the great equalizer" in any confrontation. An additional benefit can be an increased awareness of general fitness which can be the incentive for a regular exercise program. The best way to learn is to enroll in a self-defense course. These are available locally through Parks and Recreation YM-YWCA Confederation College Courses normally run one night a week for 6 - 8 weeks. An excellent book is Self-Defense for Women by Jerrold Offstein (available at the Mary Black Library or order through a local bookstore) SOME BASICS IF YOU ARE ATTACKED 1. If there is any chance that people might hear you, yell "FIRE". This is more effective than "Help". 2. A sharp clear yell (eg. HUT!) coming right from the diaphram can startle an assaillant. Practice this! fn addition to attracting attention and distracting the assailant , a yell is a physical energizer for you. The oxygen breathed in after a loud lung-clearing yell helps you utilize the adrenelin that the body produces when faced with a threatening situaThe yell takes practice. If tion. you can't bring yourself to practice in you home or yard (due to reactions from others) practice it while riding It's not as good because in a car. you should be standing up, but it's better than no practice. 3. If you decide to carry a weapon, (and opinion on this is quite divided) a. it must be immediately available, not in a purse or clothing pockets covered up by a coat. b. it should not be something easily taken away and used against you. c. know how to use it. 4. Some common objects (keys, umbrellE books) can be used as weapons. Use keys to scrape across an attacker's face or jab them in his taceL Don't swing with a book or unbrella - get a firm hold on it with both hands and jab it at the assaillant's face (jab with the corner of a book). A lighted cigarette can be smashed in the attacker's face. D. Women typically are much stronger in the legs than in the-arms. KICK! If someone grabs you from behind, come down hard with Y our heel on his instep. YELL as you do it. RUN! If attacked from the front,kick to the shin or knee hard. Men tend to naturally protect the groin so a kick to the leg may be more effective and isn't as likely to throw Kick fast and don't you off balance. leave your leg out where he can grab it. 6. 7. Jab up under his nose with the heel of your hand. 8. Don't flail your arms around. They can be grabbed. Make fists and keep them close to your body unless you are punching with them. 9. Maintain eye contact with the This lets you know what assailant. he is doing and can, in itself, indicate confidence. These are only a very limited number of suggestions and are no substitute for a good course in self-defense. The threat of rape has been used throughout history to control women and restrict their freedom, even within their own communities. What are our options? We can retreat into our own homes (though many rApes occur in the vicim's home) OR we can educate ourselves and our friends (male and female) and the public in general about rape; we can support local rape centres; we can do everything possible to demand law reform and the demythologizing of rape. Rape and Sexual Assault Collective 8 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor AN EXPLANATION OF FEMINISM I 1111=11111 INIIIMII II �KEEPING WOMEN OUT OF PAID LABOURPART 3 fitting, they say. Women might think History attests to the real basis for the division of labour in the work force, and it has little to do with natural abilities or inclinatTracing women's work history ions. we see that "women's jobs" became defined as either jobs men didn't want to work at, finding them boring and drudgeful and lacking advancement or jobs which opened up to women because men were scarce, especially during war times, and which they managed to keep a foothold on. In the 1880's telephone operators They were soon replaced were men. by women,supposedly because men didn't do well. Actually, there were many better work opportunities for men around. They didn't need to put up with confined, disciplined Telephone compersonal service. pany jobs were among the few around for women and they took them, and did well, and for less pay than men. The same thing happened in the clerical field. When the typewriter was first invented, men alone operated it; it was then said to be too complicated for women to handle. But as soon as men were able to move up and out of the clerical field and it became available to women, women easily "caught on" to this complicated machine (did they ever!) During the Civil War when men were away, women entered the teaching field in large numbers. They continued to increase their numbers in this field chiefly because of the dual pay scale which made it cheaper to hire women teachers. Women also became sales clerks during this time Storekeepers hired women due to the It is not natural shortage of men. ability that's the reason for the existence of segregation into "men's jobs" and "women's jobs" and the lower pay and status accorded to "women's jobs". Yet everywhere it would seem that natural ability is used as the explanation. The liberals do not claim the continuing segregation patterns are due to nature; they say they're due to tradition and education. But what does tradition mean, except "things have always been that way". We're "programmed from birth into employment patterns" is the way they put it, and proceed through life learning our appropriate "sex roles" dictated by society through training or "conditioning". Women, for example, become nurses, secretaries, teachers, because they learn that is what they're supposed to be, that is what they see other women working at, that's how women are pictured in the books and in the media; and men become doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc. for the same reasons. Traditional work patterns just perpetuate themselves. But nurses, secretaries and teachers make less money than doctors, lawyers and engineers.So the "roles" women "learn" obviously don't benefit them in the same way as "roles' that men "learn". "Sex roles are oppressive" the liberals say, and their future elaboration, that they are equally oppressive both to men and women, obliterates the idea that one group is benefitting and the other is not. Neither is bene- they have it tough being continually on the bottom, but men supposedly have it just as tough being continually on the top. The fact that women have been restricted from men's jobs, yet men have never been restricted from women's jobalfurther challenges the liberal theory that "sex roles" are equally oppressive. Why were restrictions imposed on men's jobs in the first place, if this orderly division of labour were absorbed so obediently through our training? Are women after all so stupid that they'll keep proliferating in fieltis that are lower-paying and less important just because society says it's their place, their role, it's what they've always done, it's traditional and they think they should keep on doing it? The third possible explanation, and the truest one, for continuing sex segregation of the labour force, is Discrimi nation in discrimination. the form of overt or covert restrictions of women from men's jobs, is one way of keeping women out of men's but for segregation to be jobs; truly effective it is necessary for the power structure not only to keep women out of men's jobs but to make sure women's jobs remain defined as the low-paying, low status, relativeFor example, if ly powerless ones. women were suddenly to get equal access into medical schools and women doctors became commonplace, we might then see a situation similar to what happened in the Soviet Union, where a majority; of women are-doctors and so being a doctor is neither prestigious nor high-paying. If women are going to move into high-paying, high status fields, then either their numbers have to be kept to token levels so as not to disrupt the basic imbalance of power, or if large numbers of women "move in" the field must then subsequently become lowpaying and low status. This is the whole point of segregation. Women are discriminated against, which means that although they are qualified'for certain jobs, they have a hard time getting those jobs. Women's unemployment rate is always a good deal higher than men's and would probably double if you were to count all the women who are housewives but would want to work if they could find a good job. This sets up a vicious cycle for women, of either not being hired because they're women, or being hired because they If are women and can be paid less. women_move into a field, they're going to be paid less than male If their numbers are kept workers. to a minimum the overall pay scale of that occupation will not be affected. If, however, large numbers come into the field, then naturally since their salaries are lower, the field will become low-paying. Men leave both because they have more opportunities elsewhere and because the general salary range is driven down as well as the prestige of the work. Such is what happened in the case of telephone operators, bank clerks, teachers, and with the doctors in the Soviet Union. Such are the cyclic manipulations of women workers which dictate the types of job we hold and enforce segregation. LIBERAL FALLACIES Liberals recognize that job restrictions both overt and covert exist, they talk about quotas at length and the discrimination which abounds, but they also suggest it is women themselves who are the major obstacles to getting into men's jobs. Women accept limited and damaging selfconcepts, accompanied by low aspirations and lack of self-identity and women have difficulty throwing off their "sex roles" they say; women aren't interested in moving into men's fields. Your general view of women's adequacy or inadequacy is essential to how you see the discrimination issue. Because if you look at women as being equal right now to men, just as adequate and just as qualified, then you know the full significance of discrimination. Granted it is an overwhelming outrageous experience to "look at" the discrimination against women in the labour force, to "see" and understand that the great majority of women are qualified, capable workers who are being kept out of better jobs, kept down in mediocre jobs, shuffled around into dead end jobs, and all for the benefit of the few in whose interests it is to keep women powerSo outrageous is it in fact less. that many people will not see it. The effect of the liberal theory that women have been "socialized", "conditioned" and "brainwashed" is to soften this view, to dissipate the injustices of discrimination by suggesting that all that much isn't going on, part of it is women's fault for not being qualified. WOMEN ARE TRYING Liberals say that women are not But before trying to get better jobs. we even consider the validity of such propositions, let me ask "Is trying for a woman the same as trying for a man?" In order to qualify for a doctoral program a woman student much try for an A average. a man must try for a C. Women college students on the average get less financial aid than men, and since many families won't support women going to college, with some even still objecting, more of a try is required from a woman. Once in a male dominated field it seems it's even harder to survive. A woman scientist working in the lab said "I was told not to expect favours just because I was a woman in a male dominated field. And yet every male I worked with expected favours of me because I was a woman in a male dominated field. This ranged from expecting me to clean up after them, to keep smiling as it kept the atmosphere of the lab jovial, to sex... The drain of energy needed constantly to fight these pressures make a woman lose interest, and confidence in her ability to work." Cont'd page 11 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Con-t'd inom page 10 If you're going to get into judging whether women try hard enough to advance or not, then what you must first prove is that what you're asking women to try is equal to what you're asking men to try. It it's not equal and you're asking for a more enormous try from women, then you're discriminating. Nowhere in all this talk of trying is there the recognition that women are up against a lot more than men, that women are in fact facing discrimination. Not only must we be excellent at our work but we must also constantly be battling the forces of discrimination which try to keep us down. To suggest that when we don't make this enormous try we are damaged, or that our position in the labour force is then our fault, is both illogical and Trying for women is anti-feminist. battling discrimination; trying for men is just trying. But despite this, women tried anyway. They triad and they battled discrimination. All the jobs we see around and don't see any women in, women have tried for...have even at one time or another filled and filled well, but they have been pushed out. If women are not represented in these fields at this particular time in history, it's because strong efforts are being made to keep us out. And we're always trying to get back in. In 1918 women became street car conductors and ticket agents. Railway companies allowed women to work at these kinds of jobs because they could not secure a sufficient numIt was a real opportunber of men. ity for women since the pay was good; they were being paid the same But we were kicked out! as men. Come World War 11, women tried During the war, necessity, again. plus the fact that women were proving to be as capable as men in many industries, eventually opened all inTheir numbers dustries to women. increased from 13 million in 1940 to over 19 million at the peak of lower rates of pay than they had been jobs earning. And so if women had of the war, they at all at the end were not essentially different from the types of jobs they had before the war. But this is past history, right? In 1974, a survey of 84 Wrong. the war. Women worked as mechanics, in the aircraft engine plants assembling airplanes, in the munitions factories, in the trucking industry, on the assembly line in automobile plants; suddenly they were perfectly qualified and competent. A government survey in fact showed that women could perform four-fifths of the almost 3,000 occupations studied. Women were working at good jobs at But higher wages than ever before. we were kicked out! Within one month after the war ended, over 600,000 women lost their jobs outright, and without much explanation. Although unions recalled "that women had done men's jobs during the war with 100% efficiency" such jobs were now re-designated as men's jobs and not suitable to women ...the very same work which weeks earlier women had done adequately. Certain female classifications were changed to male classifications in order to exclude women. Protective legislation, which was suspended during the war to permit women in men's jobs temporarily, was reinstated. Women who weren't pushed out or laid off were reshuffled into women's jobs. Women who tried to resist this reshuffling were denied unemployment compensation if they refused jobs at industries showed that 50 of them employed no women in starting bluecollar work. The employers said are you ready - "Women aren't trying for this kind of work ". Meanwhile a women's group reported it had to stage a long, cold, overnight vigil just to get 22 women as applicants for an apprenticeship program in blue-collar jobs. Before 1973, the first year the Police Dept., at the instigation of women, began hiring women in any number, women police officers were barely visible. Yet when the barriers were lifted, the quotas and other discriminatory criteria, women swarmed into police work, quickly raising the number in New York from the quota level of 350 THE SELECT FEW Qualifications are what is being talked about and not the more obvious issue of discrimination because in effect liberals in the Women's Movement don't believe women on the whole are qualified any more than the male power structure does. We've seen the contradictory position they take on the discriminatory issue, stating that it is indeed the problem then undercutting it by focusing on women's "socialized", "conditioned" behaviour, which then turns out to be Behind this contradicthe problem. tory stance lies, I think, the liberal position on discrimination and explains why they've fought discrimination at all. What the liberal position amounts to is that some women, a small select few, are qualified, but most women are not. to 618. It seems if you fight every obstaclE placed in your way and manage to make it in some sense, like the tokens, that's the test that you!re qualified. All the rest of us, however, who can't surmount the incredible odds, who cannot get around the barriers, prove we were never qualified to begin with and hence discrimination does not apply to us. Some women, the small select few, have apparently overcome their conditioning, and because they're so qualified they are the ones the discrimination issue must apply to. But who are these small select few? They are token women. We have performed in every area. We are, in fact, sick to death of having to prove our qualifications. Our history, past and present, attests to them and to our ever-present discrimination, the real culprit behind such accusations. UNDERSUPPLY OF QUALITY? In line with this view that there are large numbers of unqualified women milling about in the labour force and "I want a votuntany ovettire agtement, too." WOMEN ARE ALREADY QUALIFIED. Let's just look at some facts about women workers. A woman college graduate working in the labour force is making less money than men highschool drop-outs....are you going to accuse her of being unqualified? Not only are women PhD's available and not being utilized, ie. not only is there an adequate pool, but looking at the facts, it seems like it's a very selective, highly qualified Just consider for a second pool. 44% of women entering freshman year across the country had B+ or better average compared with 38% of the men. Add to that the fact that only 54% of women enter college as compared to 67% of the men and only 29% of those in college go on to graduate school compared to 44% of the men this tougher selection process, points out that by the time a woman finishes her PhD, she is probably better qualified than a man, since she had to hurdle more barriers. If this is so, then why isn't every woman PhD not only employed, but employed at a salary and status position commensurate with such training and perseverance? Qualified women are available; businesses and government, like the colleges and universities have only to hire them. women, liberals can't fathom why society would be discriminatory against a select few. This has to do with their basic assumption that society is as it's presently constituted benefit of all, being run for the for the common good; that the smart are on the top, and the stupid are on the bottom; that the present system needs and wants quality and They see no problem excellence. here of vested interests contending with the common good and have no recognition (analysis) that vested interests exist. Not to understand the basic structure of society is not to understand in oppression. Women are oppressed because men can't this society not understand our capablities or see what we have to offer, but because they they have the power to see what what they want want to see, to use to use, to makethings as advantageous What for themselves as possible. class you came from decides your excellence; what sex you are decides what will be recognized. You don't and educate away vested interests receive by exthe privileges men They'll get their plOiting women. token women, but tokens can be replaced whenever it's thought expedient. Cont'd on page 12 11 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �WAITRESSES' ACTION COMMITTEE Cont'd Thom page 14 mother somehow more noble than the unwilling perpetrating our function as merely carriers of the royal seed. The rising role of women who see themselves as more,comes under a tremendous pressure to return to the birthing stool. The old saying "Keep her barefoot and pregnant" still holds true, and what better way to preserve that status than having other women in whatever guise to reinforce it. Abortion is only one of the sad realities of our life and times. Battered children, children dying of neglect and hunger, rape, incest, a growing obscenity, rising suicide rates among the young, drugs, delinquency, promiscuity ( a search for love) all point to the ridiculous statement "There is no such thing as an unwanted child". The Alliance for Life have a point and cannot be faulted for making it, but the maternal instinct cannot be legislated and an early termination in a pregnancy that is unwanted, unsought and emotionally revolting is a humane response to the That women are reality that exists. sufficiently responsible to make that decision has now been recognized in the very bastion of oppressive thought is a signal that the time is past when we can decide a question of individual conscience. Gert Beadle Pro-choice is NOT Pro-Abortion Consider how you did, would or might feel if you were pregnant. Is it from birth control or sterilization failure? Is it from a lack of knowledge of effective contraceptives? Whatever the reason, as a woman you have the right to decide to bear and rear the child, give this child up for adoption or approach a therapeutic abortion committee if one exists in your locality. ARP IP 1100 vfoRt_. . H.S. Woman o 11 pro- choice The following letter was sent to It was Donna Shaw and Julie Fels. written by a highschool student from a local high school. I want to thank you very much for your presentation at our school. I, and a majority of the class found your talk very enlightening. The following day the "Right to Life" Organization gave their presentation and it was found by many in the class including myself, to be sensationalistic and in poor taste. I was antiabortion but now I am pro-choice. I believe this is the only humane way to deal with the issue of abortion. Thank you for helping me see it in another light. (Name withheld) The tourist industry has been complaining recently about its falling profits, which it attributes in part to the "exorbitant" wages of individual workers. The Ontario government, ever sympathetic to industries' crises, is said to be considering raising the differential between the standard minimum wage and the minimum wage for workers earning tips in hotels and restaurants from the present 15c to 50c an hour! The majority of minimum wage workers and workers in the tourist inOnce again, women dustry are women. are being asked to bear the cost of industry's crisis. But just as when the federal government froze the Family Allowance last year, and the local governments tried to shut down Nellie's Women's Hostel in the autumn, women are refusing to make any further sacrifice to "help out the government". Waitresses from the Wages for along with Housework Campaign other waitresses, have formed the Waitresses' Action Committee, and with many supporters, are demanding an end to all minimum wage differentials and wages for all the hidden work that waitresses now do for free (setting-up time, cleaning uniforms, etc.). We are sending a brief to the Ministries of Labour and Industry and Tourism to protest the government and tourist industry's plans to take money out of our pockets and put more work on our backs. For more information, contact: , Ellen Agger Waitresses' Action Committee 112 Spruce St. Toronto, Ontario TO THE NORTHERN WOMAN REGIONAL JOURNAL RE: PLEA TO OMBUDSMAN I thought you might find it interesting to know about replies I received after writing to the people I had I enclose copies about my situation. of all letters I received in reply not much to encourage anyone, and very little help anywhere! I do have a copy of the book mentioned - Law Reform Commission Report - and I imagine one could be obtained for anyone requesting it. Fortunately, since I wrote the article you printed, I have obtained a job I had hoped for and am now working full However, as far as a proper time. settlement, I have received none a very discoluraging situation, and no forseeable one to come! Yours very truly, Lillian Turner Lillian Turner received replies from The Law Reform Commission in Ottawa, The Law Reform Commission of British Columbia, The Ontario Ombudsman, and Each in his the Law Society of B.C. own way told her 1) she must look elsewhere for help 2) it was not within their jurisdiction 3) they were aware of the injustice 4) they Well, we're sorry too, were sorry. Lillian, sorry that the poor old wheel of justice is such a sorry Thank you for sharing your thing. experience with us and congratulations on finding work. MA LE R.EAC Ti N One of the evaluation reports el erging from the Working Women's Conference contained a personal ri Alt] action from a male educator. he found himself outnumbered and overwhelmed, his comments hold a grain of encouragment that we as His frank admi women appreciate. sion that he was not always aware what his wife was saying to him a then to find himself among 200 wo who sounded exactly like her, mus have been a terrifying experience "As that great gap between the ma and female experience" came home him and in his own words the enor of the job we have before us was revealed, he felt depressed. That depression is a hopeful sign. We however, cannot afford to be depr The gap between the thinkin sed. of the sexes has always been appa We have struggled singly collectively to be understood, to play our full part in equal parti The days of the stoic re pation. itory of male thinking is coming This calls for celebrati, an end. not depression. to us. Cont'd pLom page 11 Liberals are in error about the structure of this society as they are about the amount of qualified, adequate women that are being disIt is the ess criminated against. of discrimination that female exce lence is not wanted, is not seen, found threatening; not that it is The huge number of discrim there. ination cases being brought by wom before the courts challenges this view of the select fewias any peru of the facts about women workers challenges the fact that we don't have the qualifications. Liberals see a society where qua is scarce and urge women to get qu Yet qualifications abound, ified. Caroline Bird pointed out in an ar Th idle entitled "The Job Market: Class of '73 Need Not Apply" that there was a surplus of college gra uates for the present job market, tremendous in fact that the Carne Commission on Higher Education war that during the 1970's there will about 3 million more graduates tha there will be jobs traditionally Then requiring a college degree. is always a need for certain basil skills, but beyond that level, sil '.:hat level is adequately being me it is not a question of qualifica it is a question of or quality. goals. And if your goal is keepi: position, rather than opening (7111r eyes to excellei then logically the "out" group ca never qualify. Women are one of "out" groups. The fact is that tl is an over-supply of power to use people's abilities, all people's abilities, for a better society a The problem is not exploit them. organizing society to utilize all the quality and still get the har work done. Male supremacy and ca italism prevent this from happeni THE END 12 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �THE NORTHERN WOMEN'S CENTRE, for reasonable rates, will produce copies of notices, announcements, etc. We retain the right to' refuse work from groups affiliated with The women presently working on a political party. the paper - Thyra Digby, Noreen Lavoie, Sharron Lund, Eve Pykerman, Donna Shaw, Peggy Smith and Lynne Thornburg - would like to build a stronger collective and.a better We are going to begin newspaper. discussions to re-evaluate the goals of the paper and find better ways of working together. The following questions will give you an idea of the direction our discussions will be taking. 0041,.**Aftsk COMING CHANGES COMMUNITY LAW PROGRAM, The Community Law Program, as a special project, is planning a public legal education Caravan which will visit various communities in Northern Ontario this summer. The Caravan project is designed to accomplish its aim of public legal education through 1) the presentation of forums, public meetings,and seminars on a variety of legal topics 2)the distribution of copies of legal publications directed to the layperson; and 3) the screening of videotapes and films on various legal subjects. The Community Law Program Caravan will be in Thunder Bay tentatively on June 12 - 15th. Watch for further announcements in the local media. THUNDER -t 7 CLAP What is a collective? What is feminism? What does each individual want the paper to be? How can we reach more women? Is government funding hampering or helping us? What problems have women working on the paper experienced? Fed up with little squealers? High What criticisms do School readers have? Women's Liberation is a pam- Fight Male Chauvinist Piglets! phlet with 20 articles by and for young We invite our readers towhich sendwillinhelp raise your women ICS only $1.25 from criticism and feedbackconciousness. about the 2007 Washtenaw Liberation, Youth paper, and constructive sugges.tions Ave., Dept. W, Ann Arbor, Mi. 48104. for change. Any woman who is interested in working on the paper and would like to be part of the discussions defining our future direction should call the office at 345-5841 for further information. 4004100.00.0.0 THE CO-OP NORTHERN WOMEN'S CREDIT UNION BOOKSHOP The Credit Union has now moved into AND RECORD 4omen's Place at 316 Bay St. Our office is bright and attractive and you are welcome to share our pleaIt will be open officsure in it. ially on Tuesdays and Fridays from phone number 10 AM from to7 5- PM 9 PM. and onOur Thursday nights is CENTRE 345-7802.. IA ;t. s" ett, Margie h and Cheryl April as the enter and win on First Aid stry of ey did it with n who came The lties. e Thunder Bay o brought a e-month to y at the As of May 9th, we have 87 members and deposits of over $8.000. Loans are available and application may be made at our office at 316 Bay St. A general membership meeting is planned for June 6 at 8 pm. Members and those who are interested are invited to attend. We are looking for an assistant anyone with bookkeeping treasurer; experience or an interest in learning please contact us. USEFUL NUMBERS AL ANON ARTISTS CO-OP ANTI-POVERTY NORTHERN WOMEN'S CENTRE WOMEN IN NEIGHBOURHOODS NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL SOCIAL SERVICES CRISIS INTERVENTION FAMILY COUNSELLING LEGAL AID TELECARE SMITH CLINIC CRISIS HOUSING HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS MUNICIPAL DAY CARE' FREE CLINIC 345-2711 622-9577 622-1538 345-7802 623-8411 345-5841 623-2711 344-3571 623-9596 345-1972 344-1192 344-2471 623-2711 475-1693 475-1691 344-3922 344-0727 182 S. Algoma Str. Phone: 345-8912 Open: 10 A.M.-5 P.M. Monday to Saturday A POEM The Piano it playa come hawi-tLng notez and tettz me not to tatia and when £ Zook £ zee wan eyez etazed and £ am tined oi thiz canztant aching in come the viotinz and £ begin to cry the guitan £ a baztand who dnivez me night and day he tettz me when to make Love and who with he beat6 me come to me in the ho4pitat Let me go back there don't come to me zometime £ need you tomomow bland CUAt4 PLOM the pzychiatnic wand zcneamz in the manning the 21 day zatute take me in the piano zoundz 40 4ad the only d4um beat tb a cymbal Deindte Mamite Thunder Bay PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �QUOTATIONS FROM THE BADGLEY REPORT AN ILLUSION "the procedure provided in the Criminal Code for obtaining therapeutic abortion is in practice illusory for many Canadian women." p. 141 SOCIAL COSTS AND DISCRIMINATION "a substantial number of single mothers who had unwanted pregnancies had low incomes and many lived in Because they were less poverty. well educated and less familiar with the workings of health services a number of these women would have preferred to have had an abortion, if they had known how to proceed." p. 175 EXCLUSION OF SMALL HOSPITALS "Hospitals whose medical staff consists of three of fewer physicans are in practice ineligible to establish therapeutic abortion commitp. 86 tees." ACCESS IN SMALL CENTRES "In this small community of less than 25,000 people, the Right to It inLife group is very vocal. timidates local physicians with phone calls in the middle of the night. Hence, few physicians are willing to perform the operation, so that patients are referred to larger metropolitan centres." DELAY AND COMPLICATIONS "The major factor contributing to the delay by most women obtaining abortions in Canadian hospitals occurred after an initial consultation had been made with a physiciar. An average interval of eight weeks between the initial medical consultation and the performance of the abortion procedure not only extended considerably the length of gestation, but increased the risk of associated health complications." p. 19 BIRTH CONTROL FAILURE "47.3% of the women who had had abortions in the national patient survey "reported they were using birth control at the time of conception of the present pregnancy." They "can be considered to be seeking an abortion as a result of a p. 352 contraceptive failure." ILLEGAL ABORTION "It is estimated that 46,096 Canadian women between the ages of 15 to 49 years have had illegal abortion. This estimate excludes women who have attempted self-induction or had abortions in the United States." p. 71 For more information about Freedom of Choice contact CARAL at Box 527 Stn. Z, Toronto, Ontario M5N 2Z6 every child a want ed child, mother a willing mother. ever y EXCERPTS FROM THE C.A.R.A.L. CRITIQUE ON THE BAGLEY REPORT The Committee on the Operation of the Abortion Law Report abounds with evidence that the law is not In 1976 there were 1,348 working. civilian hospitals in operation; 789 of these were excluded from eligibility to establish abortion committees, either by the Provincial Government, because of their religious affiliation, or because they did not have a large enough medical staff to conform to the requirements of the law itself. Of the remaining 559 eligible hospitals only 271 of them (48.5%) had established therapeutic aborIn 1974 the tion committees. figure was 265 hospitals with abortions committees; and 46 of those reported doing no abortions. There were "sharp regional disparities in the accessibility of the abortions procedure". In British Columbia there was one abortion committee for every 10,000 women; in Quebec there was one committee In 1976 for every 96,000 women. two out of five Canadians did not live in communities served by hospitals eligible to establish therapeutic abortions committees. After the initial visit with a physician, Canadian women were faced with "an average interval of 8.0 weeks until the induced abortion operation was done." In 1975, 9,627 Canadian women were forced,to go, to the United States to obtain an abortion; seven out of eight of them indicated they would have preferred to have an abortion in Canada had it been available to them. Since the C.O.A.L. Report has been tabled, Mr. Basford, the present Minister of Justice has announced, with considerable relief, that the Federal Government was going to begin discussions with the Provinces to find ways of bringing about a more equitable interpretation of the law. In his initial response to the C.O.A.L. Report,.the present Federal Minister of Justice does not appear to be as dogmatically opposed to freedom of choice as was his predecessor Otto Indeed, in his promise to conLang. sult with the Provinces about making abortion services more equitable under the existing law, he might even be called sympathetic to the plight of unwillingly pregnant women. But the record of the Federal Government's treatment of Henry Morgentaler is still fresh in the minds of physicians and hospital administrators for them to be persuaded to interpret this law more liberally. The government is obviously fearful of the political power of those opposed to freedom of choice in abortion, and appears to be prepared to go to any lengths to avoid a parliamentary debate; hence the "don't do as I do, do as I say" approach to the Provinces. But if Canadians are expected to get behind Federal Government in its attempts to keep this country together, are we not entitled to a higher calibre of leadership than it is presently showing in the abortion issue? abortion: a woman's right to choose! From time to time in the last year we have found it necessary to reaffirm our position as supporters of free choice in matters that concern the individual as against legislated In view of impendforced pregnancy. ing debate in our parliament and the blanket coverage afforded to the forces that see this question as a test of their own superior morality, we have a duty to speak on behalf of all those women who see another view to this very important and sadly inThe last freeflammatory subject. dom granted is that which removes us from the perimeters of someone else's reasoned judgement. All the high-sounding phrases, all the cold statistics to support that judgement will not remove from it the arrogance of the Ego that demands subjugation to a minority view that is based on unrealistic interpretations of the times and mores of our society. Abortion is not the kind of thing that anyone approaches lightly. The inference that either a doctor or a patient approaches it in the spirit of a romp for simple gain or offhand convenience is a myth. There is no question that more emphasis on family planning, better methods of birth control and better counselling for the young would manifest These itself in lower incidence. are the things that need all our attention. To think we can simply legislate a reality out of existence shows only our head in the sand, our "stop the clock" mentality. A willing mother is a loving mother. She contributes healthy, loving children to this society. Abortion will play no part in her life style. An unwilling mother, cemented into playing a role she has no talent for, provides us with the product of her discontent or in desperation aborts herself or puts herself into the hands of incompetent people. Here is the traffic and the first thing we have to face up to is abortion is with us; it always has been. The old weapons of shame and guilt and retribution from the almighty are obsolete, We have seen power and wealth send millions to their death, and flourish in the exercise; it just won't wash anymore. We have made the willing cont'd pg 12 14 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Decade Council in Fort Frances The Decade Council had a long, but very rewarding trip to Fort Nine of the Council Frances. members travelled there on May 7 to meet with women of Fort Frances and the surrounding area who had recently formed their own council to work on issues of concern to them. Joan Packota gave a brief history of the Decade Council, and then sub-committee representatives reported on the activities of their respective groups. Highlights of some of the reports appear on this page. REPORT - FAMILY PROPERTY LAW Joan Packota brought everyone upto-date on Family Property Law Reform. With the election approaching, these bills have all died on the order papers. However, Joan reviewed some of the highlights of the last bill presented to the legislature (Bill 6). REPORT - HOMEMAKERS' ACTION COMMITTEE Florence Richard reported that they have had a founding meeting, 1) preand have set certain goals: paring a brief on Old Age Security benefits to widows (at present a widow can receive the benefits at age 60 if her husband received OAS, but this is stopped if he dies before she turns 65); 2) researching the issue of Canada Pension Plan for non-wage earning spouses; and 3) researching the question of a -guaranteed income for all people. REPORT - EQUAL PAY COMMITTEE Mickey Murray and Thyra Digby spoke on how successful the Working Women's Conference had been. The Committee is presently working on a booklet summarizing how the conference was organized, what happened in the workshops, excerpts of keynote speeches, and the resolutions which were passed. Julie Fels served as a resource person on the Day Care issue. Fort Frances women are particularly concerned about establishing Day Care. Several years ago the Business and Professional Women's Club presented a brief to the local Council but nothing hapSeveral groups wanted to try pened. Julie informed them of the again. Regional Conference on Day Care scheduled for June 10 - 12 and suggested they attend. Fort Frances women were also greatly concerned about teenagers there who have no planned activities. There is a bylaw against teens gathering in groups (loitering). It was reported that four local teenagers were trying to get something started and they had held a coffee house recently. It was suggested that the women's group support the activities developed and provide help if needed. The women continued their conversations over coffee and a snack. The meeting adjourned with an invitation from the Fort Frances women to participate in a social later that evening. Billets were provided for those women who needed them, and the Council women began the return trip to Thunder Bay the following morning. NATIONAL ACTION COMMITTEE Joan Farrow, a delegate from the Decade Council to the National Actio Committee annual conference and lobb held March 18-21 in Ottawa sends this report. Over 200 women met in the Skyline Hotel to attend the NAC conference From the Maritimes to and lobby. B.C. and Alaska, the delegates represented over a million members of this energetic women's action group. Judge Nancy Morrisson was one of the key speakers. Humourous and intelligent, she made a point to reach every woman there and left us with many helpful suggestions. Kay Macpherson, now president of NAC, when asked by the media when we were going to take a stand on abortion said "1972 - Am I making myself clear?" She stated while many members were not entirely in agreement on the abortion issue, the majority favour the "Free Choice" We must let Marc Lalonde option. know how we feel about the Bagely The effort is small when Report. we consider its importance to ourselves, our friends and our daughter The lobby on Monday was well organized and stimulating and left me in awe of the collective determination. "I waiLhed you they iLeaity don't Like being dogged and conked on the head. GIRLS WILL BE WOMEN SEX EDUCATION GREAT IN THEORY The following is a letter to the editor of the Globe and Mail, Feb.'77 I am a Grade 13 high school student and so was interested to learn that we have reached an era of enlightenment and freedom in the teaching of sex education. According to Bob Gladish, health and physical education director for Toronto Board of Education, "through role playing, discussion and film, students are now taught about things like personal identification in the belief that if people are sure of themselves they don't need to be promiscuous." I'm delighted to learn this, but I'd like to know exactly where all these "sophisticated family planning" Certainly courses are being offered. not at my school, where the only course that vaguely resembles the one you describe is a Physical Ed ucation option which in practice is -1,1e to a limited number only av Nor are these students. of sea-, confit, "sure of themselves" students present in great droves, Most of my peers are conei:Lier. fused about, and pressured into, sexual activity, in spite of the advice of such competent teachers as the one who urged all voting women to remain virgins until marriage, but did not give the same advice to young men. Book Review from StatuE of Women News. BUT WHERE IS IT? Then in Dick Beddoes' column, I read that school trustee Dan Leckie tells us it is immigrant parents who are largely to blame for the poor school reception of Birth Control Try explaining that to my Week. principal, who through dealing with a predominantly WASP community, is persuaded he will be charged with encouraging promiscuity if he allows an informational display in the school. Surely uptight Anglo-Saxon Canadians can bear the responsibility...significantly ones such as Messrs. Leckie and Gladish who insist on diffusing the issue. It makes me darn mad to read about all the great things that are hap- pening in high school when they don't seem to be happening at my school, or at any of the schools my friends Fatuous comments such as attend. those made by Mr. Leckie and Mr. Gladish misinform parents, many of whom have handed over the responsibility of sex education to the schoclg. Toronto Board of Education policy looks great on paper. When will it be implemented in the schools? Susan Wright Toronto In their growing awareness of themselves, today's girls appear to have attained the objectives of many femIn their own words young inists. Canadian women declare their liberation and their willingness to assum( the responsibilities of free and They are remarkactive citizens. ably non-belligerent, and admirably self-assured. In sensitive, articulate poetry and prose these 6 - 18 year -olds set They especially forth their views. recognize the importance of caring about human beings - old and young, rich and poor, male and female. These poems and essays by and abou young women cover the wide range of joys and concerns which are part of growing up in today's world. The serious responsibility of becoming a woman is contrasted with its bitte sweet counterpoint of loving, losing They write of the are and learning. old search for the meaning of life well as their perceptions of cont 1,porary problems that beg for persona and global understanding. Readers of GIRLS WILL BE WOMEN wil be left with thP feeling that their world may well be a more humane plat if these concerned young women are free to make their fullest contribution. Edited by Betty Nickerson Available from ALL ABOUT US Box 1985, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5Rf 1! PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �CARE NEWS DRY The 3rd Annual Regional Day Care Conference is being held in Dryden on June 10, 11 & 12, under the sponsorship of the Lakehead Social Planning Council, AECEO - Thunder Bay Branch, Confederation College and Dryden Day Care Centre, with funding assistance from Secretary of State, Thunder Bay. All those interested in the care and education of young children are invited to attend. Please contact LSPC at 623-7071 or Dryden Day Care Centre at 223-5724 for further information. my dog is a plumber by Dan Gxeenbutg My dog is a plumber, he must be a boy. Although I must tell you his favourite toy Is a little play stove with pans and with pots Which he really must like, 'cause he plays with it lots. So perhaps he's a girl, which kind of makes sense, Since he can't throw a ball and he can't climb a fence. But neither can Dad, and I know he's a man, And Mom is a woman, and she drives a van. Maybe the problem is in trying to tell Just what someone is by what they do well. VEOM FREE TO BE... YOU AND ME Published by McGraw-Hill Book Company JOY Joy Joy Joy Joy Joy is is is is is on Wimen's Day today a beautiful thing just like a wonderful perfume on every face Here are some more titles of books (They you might wish to order. are available from Toronto Women's Bookstore, 85 Harbord St, Toronto) Children - Ages 3 to 8 Mandy and the Flying Map -Beverley Allinson Girls will be Women Fresh Fish and Chips - Jan Andrews Mumbles and Snits - Beverley Allinson Grunk - Doug Jamieson Myra Builds a House Older Children - Ages 8 to 12 Heroine of Long Point -Leslie Benham Cockoo Tree - Joan Aiken Charlotte's Web - E.B. White Blue Castle - Montgomery It's not Always a Game. Judy's Journey - Lois Lenske by Tania Shaw Age 8 1110 man's Pia (P WOMEN SHARE Housed in a spacious building five groups of women share resources, equipment, skills, and a common concern for the needs of women. WOMEN'S HEALTH COLLECTIVE -otganization in pnogAess To help facilitate this harmonious working and socializing relationship, delegates from each group regularily participate on the management committee, ,(photo). Also pictured is part of the working area. To the right is a comfortable living room and a saparate credit union office. Of course there is a kitchen, very large. A warm invitation is extended to all women to drop in to see our new Women's Place. NORTHERN WOMEN'S CREDIT UNION 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues. 6 F/Li. Ph. 345-7802 7-9 p.m. ThaAs. NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO WOMEN'S CENTRE 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thu/Ls. evng - coLg. in ptogtess Ph. 345-7802 Mon.-FA i. NORTHERN WOMAN REGIONAL JOURNAL 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-FAi. Ph. 345-5841 THUNDER BAY RAPE & SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTRE McKatan Hosp., Box 47 Ph. 623-3220 (answeAing seAvice) CITIZEN'S COMMITTEE ON CRISIS HOUSING FOR WOMEN -oAganizat,Lon in pugtess 16 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �t C. Ads .431. o.d Peva* Ca Woe Ennombm third VISIWIrm dim dome 220 RETURN TO: THE NORTHERN WOMAN 316 BAY ST. THUNDER BAY P, ONT. Return Postage Guaranteed TABLE OF CONTENTS pg. 2 Editorial - to High School Women 3-5 From High School Women 6 The Sexual Revolution 8 Self-Defense 9 Explanation of Feminism Keeping Women out of Paid Labour 111 10 14 Quotations from Badglet Report 15 Decade Council Report 16 Day Care News People Who Did This Issue:Thyra, Eve, Gert, Pat, Noreen, Lynn, Donna, Peggy, Sharon, MargGraphic on Cover done by Sue Reid of Hammarskjold Want to get involved? 345-5841 weekdays PLEASE LET US KNOW. Call HAVE YOU MOVED? postage to keep (We must pay return Free to single-parent families up our mailing list) Free to senior citizens PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Northern Woman, Vol 3 No 5 Description An account of the resource Vol. 3, No. 5 (1977) Title: Northern Woman Journal Topics include: The everyday lives of high school women Solidarity building & open communication between women Reading list for women’s liberation Limitations of high school - restrictions/punishments for individuality Loneliness & depression as a feminist high school student Poetry Comics The sexual revolution The role of the woman in sex Reading list for sexuality Teenage women: expectations vs. reality Self-defence for women An explanation of feminism Sexism in rock music High school women on pro-choice Community law program caravan for public legal education CARAL critique of the Badgley Report Abortion: a woman’s right to choose Fort Frances Women’s Decade Council Equal Pay Committee Fort Frances National Action Committee Women’s Decade Council conference Book review Sex education Day Care News Day Care Conference Dryden (June 10-12 1977) Women’s Collective Thunder Bay (Northern Woman Journal, Northwestern Women’s Centre, Northern Women’s Credit Union, Thunder Bay Rape & Sexual Assault Centre, Citizen’s Committee on Crisis Housing for Women) Authors/Contributors: Athena Caine Colleen Aube Lori Christensen Cathy Metcalfe Jackie Durocher Nancy Fumerton Linda Longe Connie Johnson Susan Reid Alma Byzewski Eve Pykerman Fiona Karlstad Peggy Smith Rap & Sexual Assault Collective Leslie Campbell Deirdre Hamill Thyra Digby Noreen Lavoie Sharron Lund Donna Shaw Peggy Smith Lynn Thornburg Susan Wright (Toronto) Betty Nickerson Dan Greenburg Tania Shaw Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1977 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2749/1977_Vol_3_No_6.pdf 7f2946da0fd3b9ba3780cb3b34f20332 PDF Text Text �The Northern Woman Regional Journal collective accepts the responsibility for publishing all articles in this However, the opinions of the paper. author are not necessarily those of each collective member. Any comment should be sent to our office. The Collective. GERT'S GOSPEL It was a great personal relief to me when multiple personalities began to be documented. It has been quite a long time since I faced my morning mirror and asked plaintively, "Who am I am now perfectly content I". to query, " Are we all here?" knowing that we are indeed all here and ready for just about When I first disanything. covered I was a crowd it was The collective of the North- my intention to be absolutely ern Woman Regional Journal owes fair with equal time for everyour subscribers both an apology one concerned but when I discovered we were a fairly easy and an explanation for the going crew we just decided that lateness of this issue. when I knocked on the door of The transition from paid cookies she bought at the market myself, whoever had the energy staff to a working collective in the cookie jar and take the would answer and surprise the cannot be successfully made loose dirt out. rest of us. without a firm basis of comA couple of days a week it's itted voluntary workers. In Consequently on any given bound to be Libby the Libber, off the past, the load has not morning it could be Carlotta, to the house of women where she been fairly distributed, and a gift from my Spanish grandfeels not indispensible but we have relied too heavily on Will she in her permother. reasonably intelligent, spiritthe creative energy of too few. petual lust for life invade the ually energized and creative. This has had the effect of chamber of my aging spouse, rip Lib is a late bloomer, stuck like making those who were involved off his sheet, expose him to the a fly in the syrup of the biblical feel they were taken advantage morning air, bite off half his good woman, she had stifled her of, and those who were not ear and sink her long nails inown rebellion by gnawing off her involved feel they were not to his quivering and flabby wings and laying down for the needed. Not likely, but she is flanks. Just in time she expersugar. We attempted to cement a not dead, she sleeps, weary of ienced a born-again conversion foundation of collective soliit all and no one mourns her which straightened her spine, darity before we went to press abscence more than my spouse. removed the film from her eyes again, to insure a continuous She was his favourite, and sent her out to preach the publication every two months gospel of the total female, hayIt could be Nanna, the proas we originally promised to do. mother, ing recognized the enemy who shall fessional relative, alias After long discussions, and She is out to grandmother, aunt, sister, and remain nameless. many disagreements, we have curb his influence, reduce his established a working volunteer wife not to mention daughter, him of his fantasmother-in-law and daughter-inpower, relieve collective. Some of the members ies while hoping there's enough In the days before I knew law. of the new collective particiin there to good stuff under all that garbage I had a lot of help pated in the evaluation and to win her love and respect. straighten her out, she almost Some new goal setting meetings. Hell-bent on being did me in. That is only the beginning of members did not. Some of the indispensible to an ever widenthe personalities that inhabit participants in the organizaing circle who were just as the long house that shelters us. tional meetings chose to withmyth, committed to testing the I am enchanted with the idea that draw as "collective" members, she found herself with a case of I might be a long house. It has but will continue to offer the terminal guilts whenever the connotations of natural people, their services. cookie jar was empty or a button While the format will not be ina natural place doing natural missing, used to grind her teeth things in harmony, where the gut changed a great deal, we hope She's very relaxed these fighter and dreamer, the dirt a lot. to do more that is original, days, saying things like "Is youi farmer and poet puff lazily on with each member of the colleg broken?" "Don't bother me, the pipe of peace and the smoke lective committed to their I'm thinking" and "Get your drifts out either end of this special interests. We just let foot off my neck". open -ended structure, where the We still make regional input o pack the her out long enough to aging crone who has advanced to a high priority, and earnestly reflection sits in solitary digsolicit from all our readers nity observing the sweat and letters and advice on the fever that takes place outside paper itself as well as news of the long house, lays another log things that concern women. on the fire and thanks the great We feel the bond created in spirit that love never diminishes the forming of this new collectwith use. ive will show itself in a richer, more diversified Journal. The single personality has no Stay with us and continue to balance. Without ling and yang, support us. it lies rigid as a stone, never The builder gets off the ground. builds better knowing the destroy It takes patience er is present. to know and appreciate the value Some of of your own complexity. people in me the most interesting are socially unacceptable which has increased my affection for them and made it practically impossible to be either surprised or disappointed in the human equation present in all my human northern woman journal page 2 family. APOLOGY PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �OUTERS CLUB Pam Wilson is interested in forming an informal Women's Outers Club. People interested in planning season's activities will meet Sept. 27 at 7:30 pm at Women's Place, 316 Bay St. or contact Pam for details, 683-5764. IMPORTANT NUMBERS THUNDER BOLT - TO RlArk Sauirrel for the sexist T.V. ads showing women 's posteriors and stating "We have the best bottoms in town" And to the Chronicle Journal who distorts the idea of women's Liberation by a sexist ad appealing to Have they run out girls (Girl's Lib.). of boys to exploit ?? . AL ANON ARTISTS CO-OP CRISIS HOUSING CRISIS INTERVENTION EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS FAMILY COUNSELLING FREE CLINIC HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION LEGAL AID MUNICIPAL DAY CARE NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL NORTHERN WOMEN'S CENTRE NORTHERN WOMEN'S CREDIT UNION SMITH CLINIC SOCIAL SERVICES TELECARE 345-2711 622-9577 623=2711 344-3571 475-1691 623-9596 344-0727 475-1693 345-1972 344-3922 345-5841 345-7802 345-7802 344-2471 623-2711 344-2471 THUNDER CLAP to Marilyn Cavar one of four women who belong to the Toastmasters International. It took courage to speak on an unpoplar subject (Wages for Housework) in the presence of her male peers. Carry on Marilyn. Anyone interested in forming a group for Alcoholic Women please phone 345-7802 and leave first name and phone number. A meetin will be arranged. Cancer - causing Cosmetics The Food and Drug Administration is beginning an investigation into cancer causing properties of 27 popular shampoos and lotions. This investigation came only after a report on these products was prepared by Dr. David Fine for the National Science Foundation and released at the Americar Chemical Society's March meeting. Products under investigation are: Clairol Herbal Essence, Breck Shampoo for Dry Hair, PP Baby Shampoo, Mennen Baby Magic Shampoo, Head and Shoulders Shampoo, Wella Balsam, Johnson's Baby Lotion, Noxema Skin Cream, Keri Lotion, Nivea Cream Lotion, Sea and Ski Suntan Lotion, Extra Strength Desitin, School Cocoa Butter Lotion, Nutaderm Dry Skin Lotion, Bain de Soleil Suntan Creme, Diaparene Crado, Scholl Rough Skin Remover, Almay Deep Mist Extra Rich Lotion, Avon Topaz, Revlon Young Blush, Max Factor Ultraluscent Waterproof makeup, Clairol Creme Formula Hair Colour, Helene Curtis Everynight, and'Extra Body Conditioner. by jk "SHE WON" BRITISH RAPIST RELEASED London--Thomas Holdsworth, a guardsman in the Coldstream Guards, was given a three year sentence for his attempted rape of Carol Maggs. He broke herribs caused her serious internal injuries and ripped cut her earrings. When he appealed, his sentence was reduced to six months and suspended. One judge said, "It is probable that this girl would have been less severely injured if in fact she has submitted to rape by mere threat of force rather than forecebeing applied in the manner it was. " As the London Times said, "This almost suggestSthat refusing to be raped is a kind of contributory negligence." In other words, we can't win. If she had submitted without violence, they would have said that she didn't care whether she was raped. Maggs is seventeen years Inez Garcia, convicted of second-degree murder in 1974 for killing a man whom she said helped rape her, was acquitted this spring after a retrial. Raped and threatened with death Hitchhiker Advertise Availability she testified that she had picked up a gun, gone after her Calif. - In a nice companion tormentors, and killed one of piece to the Madison judge who them. After she was sentencedruled that rape is a normal refive years to life-Garcia stataction to women, the California ed simply, I have won...people Court of Appeals voted unanimbelieve in me...they identify ously to set free a man convicted with me." She spent 15 months of raping a woman because she was in jail before the decision a hitchhiker. In the written was overturned and a new trial decision, Judge Lynn Compton said, ordered. Susan Jordon, Inez "The lone female hitchhiker in the Garcia's lawyer in the second absence of an emergency situation trial, said she felt that thouas a practical matter, advises sands of women had identified all who pass by that she is will- with Inez Garcia's struggle and ing to enter the vehicle with any- had brought pressure to bear on one who stops and in so doing adthe public to reexamine its vertises she has less concern for attitudes about rape, and that the consequences than the average this was instrumental in winnold. female. Under such circumstances ing the acquittal. Holdsworth was ostensibly released it would not be unreasonable for Ms. Magazine,July/77 while waiting for his appeal bea man in the position of the decause of his fine military service fendant here to believe that the in Northern Ireland, where he was female would consent to sexual .,BNIII 1111M111 supposed to return. relations." However, A coalition of women's groups after his sentence was reduced, he was discharged from the army. picketed the Los Angeles Court Groups of angry women staged sev- of Appeal protesting the ruling. eral demonstrations in response The goups will work to have to this verdict. Two hundred Compton recalled and the ruling members of Women Against Rape overturned. (WAR) staged a mock trial in In other words, it is impossible Trafalgar Square, in which they to rape a hitchhiker because she found England's judges and gover- is the property of all men. The nment ministers guilty of connext woman hitchhiker raped in spiracy to rape and trespass again - California should sue the Court of Appeals. st the minds and bodies of women. 182 S. Algoma Str. NEWS 1111111=1111 11 THE CO-OP BOOKSHOP. AND RECORD CENTRE Info from LNS and the Detroit Free Press Info from LNS and In These Times Phone: 345-8912 Open: 10 A.M.-5 P.M. Monday to Saturday I 'm MIMI I northern woman journal page 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �FEMINIST BOOKS individual problems, and individual solutions. Overall, however, there is enough material to sort through, so that most everyone will find something to take from this book and apply to our private and political lives. I've just finished reading a book I'd like to share. I made a mental note to buy copies for all my friends and family. I'd also like to donate a copy to Women's Centre. I realize that this first flush of enthusiasm may not last as long as it takes to find the necessary number of POWER POLITICS by-Margaret Atwood, Published by Anansi, Toronto, 1971. This must be what reviewers traditionally label "a slim volum It's also a book of poems describ a dissolving relationship between a man and a woman. I like poems which conjure up feelings and events and places In this book, th I can remember. imagery does not always make this connection with my experience. I does, however, make the connectio symbolically: I see you fugitive, stumbling acr the prairie, lungs knotted by thirst, sunheat nailing you down, all the things after you that can be after you with their clamps and poisoned ma copies. The book, Notes of a Feminist Therapist, by Elizabeth Friar Williams, is published in paperback by Dell, and sells Should I help you? Should I make you a mirage? for $1.50. My right hand unfolds rivers around you, my left hand releases The value of the book for me was that it helped me to analyze more clearly, and to identify specific behaviours in myself and others. I saw myself and some of my friends quite often among the pages. I will admit I was cautious at the outset for as I skimmed through the book before settling down to read it, some clearly Freudian references leaped out. I feared the title might not relate to the content. The book, however, was better than I dared hope. A number of "cases" are used to illustrate the conflicts in women's lives- in the areas of love, marriage, sex and work. Each "problem" could be connected in some way to either failures in communication, or a failure to reasses goals. For example, women are socialized to be devious and manipulative rather than to express honestly what we want. (In fact, we learn very quickly that making demands Is "uppity" and uppity women tread on very thin ice.) Ms. Friar Williams points out that nice girls/good girls don't often get what they want despite being nice/good--although they do manage to escape the hostility generated by "uppity" women. The book offered more honest examples of communication. With regard to goals, the author works closely with her clients to ensure that the goals like marriage and motherhood are realistically assessed and that goals like independence and work satisfaction are carefully reviewed. I am not without criticism of the book, of course. I think there is not enough (although there is some) recognition of the realistic necessity of much of the behaviour discussed. There is also an undue emphasis on its trees, I speak rain, I spin you a night and you hide i Now you have one enemy instead of many. Kin-flicks by Lisa Alther The title is translated as home movies and this author has a feast in store for the brave and the bold. A first novel, it could only have been written by a woman and one has the feeling that sadly it may only be fully understood by a new generation-of female readers. It's southern base firmly establishes of this only daughter as far removed from the realities that free wheeling Ginny Babcock explored with zest and as wicked a sense of humour as anyone repressed under penalty of exposure. Her adolescent fumbling into sex is the most hilarious you will ever see in print yet has the stamp of such authenticity one dredges up almost against your will a similar set of circumstances you didn't take full advantage of. Her abiding belief that there has to be more than this takes her out of her parents influence and embarks her on a trip of intellectual discovery through the hippy counter culture, the radical feminist movement complete with a journey into bisexuality, the back to the land trip with a woman's commune into the cult of trancending spirituality with a small episode of traditional wife and mother, and deposits her back at the source with a dying mother. There is a sadness here one senses rather than reads. It is an adventure story of grand proportions, mocking and tongue in cheek as she peels the varnish off each succeeding experience. Her feeble attempt to end it all tells us all plainly she still believes there is more. The sadness comes when we recognize there will never be enough. Gert Beadle northern woman journal page 4 Same of the poems are brutal their description of the man and relationship. These ones most Some o certainly evoke memories. the poems offer insights that rel to any number of reltiprships. We are hard on each other honety, and tali choosing our jagged truths with care and aiming them across the neutral table. The things we say are true; it is our crooked aims, our choices turn them criminal. On the cover, the reviewers comments include references to ti peeling away "layer after layer c protective armour", "cutting dcwi to the bone", "poems that lie on page like secretive and dangerou pieces of glass". This is very definitely what the poems in man' instances do for me--sometimes I appreciate the results, sometime: feel uncomfortable because it al: seems so raw emotionally. One thing the book didn't doN to offer viable alternatives to traditional male-female relation: The poems may tell it "like it but not "how it could be". PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �The Wind Through the matches the wind blew Caressing and weaving about the teaves Bending and ploughing the grass, Gently so St on steadity iast. The soothing brush oi the breeze, Ftowing, sensuat, beholding Stowing in /Lich sweetness and cteantiness, Atways there ,so youltt never be 6tiendtess. Mown and golden edged in black the moment Where you crushed my chin in you/L. 6ist And I Leaned °vet without thinking Kissed you on the mouth 40 solitty I Liked the taste 40 much it seated me And I drew back. On the beach waters it entertains you. Showing you its enetgy, its pow n, Stinning viatentty on shaking tovingty the blue, Jotting and sttiking but never at you. Goddamn you and your ttuth6ut whispets Goddamn you and yout mouth 1 should kitt you ion_ att the broken glass sptendot, Roaning to the iuttest masses, Mighty axe the cuts tents which never test, Son the best. No matte& what it does, i your ctuet gestures break me. It L majestic in att Jutie Stojko Tennace Bay Actoss my kitchen goon And the rings in my hand But instead you break me Deitdte Ham Thunder Say Why am 1 the one to do the dishes, and wash the goons, make art the meats and not compLain? POETRY Am I here onty to have the babies change the diapers do the shopping and keep smiting? When move money is needed, 1 go to won& and make a meagre Living, I take the bus everyday white you take the cat. BETRAYED There was a man With whom I chose to Live. The others did not matter, 06 no cane did I give. Unshamety there was Love, and cane. There was this woman Who said she was a sistet. Who cowed resist het? Behind a deceptive smite She puttayed a 6tiend and assistot. What contemptuous deeds, Have been done in the name o6 Sistethood. She slept with my man, "you're my sister, so I could." "Whyte", I recounted "is thiis sisterhood?" Promising tespect and considetation o6 women Ruining something o6 mine that was good I condemn him But I condemn you too. I witt sttip you o6 your deceptive 4m-ice, 1 witt sttip you o6 you/L. thetotic. What then, sister, £4 theme te6t but gwUe. There is no cane oi hutting hen, That who you pto6ess to protect. 06 distespect and contempt, To that woman you project. Sexuaeity that £4 not yout night Fon other women's men you Sight. You ate no sistet o6 mine Yout acts and yout kind. What contemptuous deeds Have been done in the name o6 Sistethood! Doreen Boucher Why, when something is bought it is away:5 youits never mine because art my money went into just sutviving? And you tett me It £4 better that evetything is youts. A6tet att, women can't handle money, and things tike that. And then you wondeA why I packed my bags, walked out and started a new ti6e os my own. Eve/77 To The Pink Goodie Cutlet Set I was having a good time untie a boy tad me to shave my Legs and stop spitting on the ground my ti6e was very simple then a Lady teacher said to weak dresses to the knee and paint my Lace to prove non-mascutinity I used to be a happy gint penson then glamour magazine said I should be mattied and dependant I was 6tee goating enetgy why did "society" teach me not to be me now, evetytime I breathe 1 must explain and prove my honesty in order to be the tittte gite again I must terrain 6nom potitics and tegatities the peon inside oi me canes not i6 it £4 mate of iemate the peAson inside this ptison is a human-being 6itst this body-cage-machine matte/Ls tittte oi its' sex my point £4 to tespect every 6otm o6 humaness Beverly Pudas Thundet Bay Aug.22nd, 7977 northern woman journal page 5 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �DOING IT TO US The job situation for women in Thunder Bay is absolutely horrifying. am one of many women, university educated, who for the past few years has gone from job to UIC benefits to job, etc. Collecting U.I. benefits has to be the most degrading and humiliating experience. The workers at the UIC building behave as though the money you are collecting and it is rightfully yours) comes from their own personal bank account. They suggest that you are a liar, a burden on the country and that you are "ripping off" the government. Women, more than men, are generally harrassed. After all, most women are not unionized, and from my experience, UIC workers assume they don't know their rights. Some unions (male oriented) don't even have to go to Manpower for interviews cr to the U.I.0 office because their union has made a deal with them. Their unions are considered their sole hiring agent. This means of course that if these men refuse a job for lower wages than they were getting before, or whatever, U.I.C. will not "cut them off" because they have no knowledge of their activities. Whereas they know almost every move you make when you do not belong to a union. Many men in trades, plumbers, electricians etc. are not harrassed or "cut off" because they are considered trained in a specific area and are usually unionized. After a certain number of weeks there is a system where you can be demoted. For example--if you are a nurse after this certain number of weeks,U.I.C. can make you work as a waitress for minimum wage even though you may have made two or three times that amount. These woman are trained too, but U.I.C. doesn't seem to really recognize this. There is a case that happened last year to a woman collecting U.I. benefits who was making $150.00 a week before being laid off. She was "cut off" when she said she could not possibly work for anything under $3.00 an hour because she had babysitting expenses that would cost her $12.00 a day. That would cut her wages in half and she would be living on $60. a week-no wonder women are forced to live on welfare--they can make more MANPOWER AND U.I.C. - If you want to speak to a counsel for at Manpower or UIC - demand it. It is your right. 7) Ask the Interrogation Officer if she/he can provide any ideas for jobs if you get to the point where you don't know where else to apply. That is also part of their job. 6) Following is the procedure when applying for UIC benefits: I The first step when applying for UIC benefits is to be interviewed by a counsellor at your local Manpower office who will determine if you are eligible for benefits. Then they will fit you into a category they.believe suitable. You are then given an application form for UIC benefits. Remember to have your If you separation slip with you. have not received it, your previous employer has five days to send it After filling out the apto you. plication form, some people (not all) will be asked to go to the UIC office for a group interview. If you are not called within two weeks of applying, they have not forgotten you, you will be called eventually. At the group interview, be prepared to wait at least ten minutes after the set time to be called in. You will be directed to a room to watch a film which is incredibly immature and an insult to intelligence. The counsellor will then explain your rights and obligations under the UIC Act. Before you leave, you will be given a Job Search form which you must complete before returning for your next interview (in about a month). Possibly it has changed, but last year was called into the office every two weeks for three months and my Job Search form was checked for approval. ( money. It's a wonder no one has nervous breakdowns while collecting benefits. recall last year that every time the phone would ring would contemplate whether to answer it or not for fear that the U.I.C. Interrogation department were checking on me and heaven forbid wouldn't want to be caught having a cup of tea when should be on the street begging for I I I I a job. An organized group is needed to harrass these bureaucrats back and stand up to their abuses, perhaps calling itself the UIC Action Group. Something must be done to stop this unnecessary harrassment of people who's rights are being violated. W.I. C.) I I I I I tto,:r4ftiox,ii e V1C4 .-Sr..r4 sr- ,cloys k &,1.1 . I'm a secretary, at least accord, ing to my work history and my marketable skills. In my heart am no a secretary. want better things: to be able to use my head, to have freedom of movement, to make a livii I've tried in the past to ge wage. Manpower to recognize my own desire for something better. I've asked t( be registered as a labourer, told was interested in different them training, perhaps heavy equipment Of course, my clerical operating. skills remain on record, and since they are much more impressive than my lack of training in other areas, and since there has been a period was collecting U.I.C., the when times they have called, they have called to tell me about available And that is frequen clerical work. My heart ly at least once a week. pick up the phone dies ever" time and my helpful Manpower Counsellor asking me if I'm interested in a secretarial job at $4.00/hr. "Of course, of course", say to the U11 police force, "What's the address, I'll call to arran, what's the pay? I'll let you know ho an interview. it turns out." And all the time I', like to scream, "Leave me alone stuff your typing jobs at $4.00 an Help me find something diffe hour! ent, give me some support to break out of the typing pool, open up you training courses in male-oriented expect fields to women." But if that next UIC cheque to keep me goil explore other alternatives while keep my mouth shut. my own, I I vt-it.rrt.(Aqii I NEFAer;,-iizieT I I 04ue 145+ oLppl,eck -Ccr \ c\os e. mo,41,.. When you go for your interview, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!! Because they have a quota (for cut-offs), many will try to trick you. Here are some important rights to know: 1) Read the pamphlet they have given you very carefully. If you do not understand something in it, ask for a better explanation from a UIC counsellor. (That is their job) 2) Don't sign anything unless you Again, ask have read it carefully. if there is something you don't understand. No matter what education you have, tell them you will work for less money and will take any kind of job. 4) Apply for Every job Manpower sends 3) you. 5) Check in with Manpower once a month - talk to the person at the information desk. She/he will mark down on a pink card that you were there. northern woman journal page 6 Testimonial : 1 I've been working for some years had Grade 9 typing and begat working for agencies selling tempor, did this for a clerical workers. never wanted to long time because accept the fact that secretarial wo always might be my lot in life. figured, this is a temporary job, won't be here long, when this is ov, I'll go on to something different. would work for $3.50 an hour. The company selling me would get $1.00 hour for finding me a job, screening me and sending me my pay cheque. Manpower has never challenged these Right here in Thunder Ba, agencies. such an employment agency exists, and is able to find work for women looking for temporary jobs, and yet Manpower hasn't/won't do the same. and give the women in those jobs th, extra money that private agencies currently make. now. I I I I I , It seems Manpower plays an effec ive police role for both private agencies and UIC, and provides a fairly efficient, cheap service for employers looking mainly for cheap If UIC labour to do "shit work". continued on page 7 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �filed nerFive other men and vously into a room and sat around a hadn't written any kind big table. "Please don't let of test in years. We played word prayed. me fail," games, games to indicate hand and finger dexterity, simple algebra, basic geometry, the usual shape puzzles and round peg/square hole I continued from page 6 wants to take a few claimants off its roles, it can call Manpower to put pressure on claimants who have little choice about the kind of work they accept. If an employer has unsavoury jobs to do and doesn't want to pay to have someone do them, he can call Manpower and count on their coercive abilities to again shame someone into working who has little choice or training. And the private agencies can count on Manpower to leave them a clear field for providing another cheap, convenient service to employers while cheating their workers out of their rightful wage. I I tests. Then it was on to the interest All of these were done under the direction of a monitor with stop watch. staggered out at noon - a nervous wreck. They informed me that would need another 2 hours to go over the results with my counsellor.. And so returned the next week. tests. I I I The worst thing about both UIC and Manpower is the image they present as defenders of the public good. The progaganda certainly contradicts my And experiences with both agencies. what so often happens is that I'm fooled by the pitch, and start to believe that it may be my fault that can't find a better job. r r If You're Smart - Don't Bother with 0 4 was out of work. Last spring UnThe first time in twenty years. able to return to my trade because of applied for U.I.C. and an allergy, registered with Canada Manpower. I I I I I I I thought you were goir "Anyway to retrain me? How about welding?" "Oh no, you can see by your interest chart, that you hate routir It would be a bad investment for us to place you in something that you would be bored with in a year or twc said Mr. C. told him Iwouldn'tbe When evoked a sick smi' bored on payday told him I'd done hous( from him. work for 20 years and couldn't thinl didn't of anything more boring. quit that. Another sick smile flow "Well is there an, across his face. can be retrained in, what thing asl about a professor of English?" "We have to take into consider ation how many years it would take and your age." "So you're not going to retrail could do How about your job, me. This got a real hissed. this," chuckle out of Mr. Counsellor. "I suggest you go to the Chron icle Journal and apply for a job there," he said, "but you might have to start at the bottom. didn't mind start told him I I I We went over these results, my creativity was high, routine was low, All these results were etc., etc. numbered and this gave me a rating. My number started with 836. He showed me how we would look up my number in a great red book to see what kind of job would like. We went to a private room upstairs to evaluate my results. My counsellor drew a Bell Curve for me, explaining that the first section indicated the 10 percent of the population who are in the below average range of intelligence. The large middle section was the 80 percent of the population who are average and the end of the line indicated the 10 percent of the population who have above average intelligence. "Where do you think you are on this curve," he asked. "Well probably about here," said, indicating somewhere in the upper average range. "No, no," he said and smiled, "you are right here," and he pointed He was really to the top ten percent. "You can do anything - anything you set your mind to." thought, "now "Oh good," don't have to get stuck with a clerkI I I I I I I I ing at the bottom, but I was a litt too old to scrub floors. "I can't They'll laugh me right even type. How about retraining me in there. typing, then at least I'd have a sk to sell." He blinked at me and said, "We we can't retrain you in just one su ject, you would have to take the wh secretarial course. And as you can see by your interest chart you real hate routine and need a challenging job to keep interest up. So you ca see that would be a bad investment. told him that my babysitter could only stay two hours and had already been there for 21 hours. have to leave. "Let me know what you come up left. with," he called as waited for the bus thou As "let me know how YOU make out..What is his job anyway?"...What ever it could do it. Five hours I'm sure spent at Canada Manpower and still job....What do they do there? wonder where you apply for a job wi Canada Manpower? My counsellor did tell me." I I I ing job. I had an interview Eventually told him that with a counsellor. would really like to be retrained in some other field. He thought this was an excellent idea and said that would first have to take some tests to see where my aptitudes and interThese tests are given in ests lay. would the morning he explained and need 21 to 3 hrs. to complete them. arranged for a babysitter and reported for testing bright and early at ten tp mine Wednesday morning. said. I happy. Canada Manpower I I Vn I (Manpower) I I I Testimonial: I I I Are you willing to accept any kind of work - at minimum wage? Waitressing? Babysitting? Cleaning House? I I CANADA MAN POWER I have never outrightly been harTheir method of operrassed by UIC. ation seems much more subtle: telephone calls from Manpower to let me know there are always jobs if I'm willing to work for minimum wage; cheques delayed in the mail; the constant pressure of knowing that UIC requires a job search form; being called into interviews and being given helpful suggestions by a UIC counsellor while she tries to find out the "real" ,truth - have you been looking for work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week? to be a film director?" "Well no, "he said. We went through the red book and the possibi Marvellous job ities were endless. could hardafter marvellous job. ly contain myself. "They are really going to get IT thought to myself. a great job," Mr. C was ecstatic as he read Finthrough this prestigious list. "We'll go ally he closed the book. downstairs and see what is available for you." After we wer said. "Great:" seated, he burrowed through some papers and finally said, "well this isn't the greatest but..." said. "What is it," "Clerk at a stationery store, $2.65 an hour with Sunday and Monday off." am a Universil "Are you nuts, said. professor, remember," guess you're right, it "Well doesn't sound too interesting," he "Now," he said, "the important thing is to check your interest chart. We must see where you would be most happy." Mr. Counsellor flipped through "836... the pages of the red book. 836 Ah yes, here we are, Professor of Anthropology, Professor of Archaeology, Professor of English." He read on and on. thought, "they are go"Wow," ing to send me to university." Then could we looked up 638. This time be a film director, an editor of a newspaper or a stage manager. "Hey," said, "are you going to retrain me I I I I I I I 4'0 (nameg bv 0 u. reAstw6,s northern woman journal page 7 I PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Women Against Rape Local News In May of this year, the Thunder Bay Rape and Sexual Assault Centre acquired two paid staff for the interim of ten months through a Canada The women that Works grant. were hired are Bev Pudas, who has a lot of experience in the communications field, and myself, Doreen Boucher. We will be endeavouring to fulfill the criteria of the Rape and. Sexual Assault Centre of victim support, education, and social change, as well as co-ordination of activities of the Centre. There are various projects in the making. An education kit will be ready for the fall to be distributed to schools, public speaking engagments, etc. We are in need of additional volunteers who can help in areas of victim support, public speaking, fund raising, etc. We are sensitive to the problem that many people would like to help but hold back because they do not feel they have skills to In order to overcontribute. come this dilemma, we are considering training sessions for the fall, and individualized Interest is training manuals. the first step, direction, hopefully, will follow. If you are interested in attending meetings, please call us and we will inform you of Our number our next meeting. is 623-3220. We have an answering service that takes calls if we are not in the office, and we return any calls we receive. Bev, myself and concerned individuals have been monitoring court cases. There will be two cases coming up during the fall assizes. It is our intention to monitor furthercases that come up and lend solidarity and support to the victim through our presence. We cannot print any information on one particular case which will be going to trial in the fall. The defense lawyer for the accused requested that none of the material on the preliminary trial (which we attended) be made public,and the judge granted this request. We are abiding to this condition because we do not wish to jeopardize the victim's case in court. We will inform interested parties as to the date of the trial, with the understanding that those who attend the trial are doing so in support of the victim, and will respond to the circumstances with discipline regardless of how much our sensibilities are outraged. I am writing this with the hope that the judicial system will northern woman journal page If come forth with justice. this does not happen, we will not be silenced. under the code of silence enforced by the Italian attitude toward women. There is a growing sense of outrage in some Italian women who no longer want rape to be silenced by attitude and tradThe risk one took by ition. rape was disownment by father, family or husband for disgracItalian feming the family. inists are angry about this tendency that openly reveals the contempt for women in Italian society. They are further outraged by the treatment of police and the ten synecological examinations one has to go through if raped. Women are now demanding public It hearing on rape charges. has been revealed that rape in Italy is a bigger problem than realized--gang rapes being the "thing" for bored youths practising violence and torture. One woman came to the front to symbolize this struggle, and was firmly backed by Italian feminists who took up her cause. International News One news item that has gained a place of distinction is the Claudia Caputi case in Rome. There is a dilemma involved with the sensationalism that was We induced by the mass media. recognize the need for some exposure of the atrocities of rape, but this kind of news does not seem to get priority or coverage by conventional media unless the attack is of such brutal calibre that it results in murder--and in those circumstances, the rape Otherwise, is minimized. rape is swept into a basket or relegated to an inch column on the last page of a newspaper. It is not often treated with sensitivity. The Caputi case is unusual because of the social and political impact in the geographical boundaries in which the rape occurred--Italy. Bound and restrained by male domination in a system that would prefer a rape victim to marry her attacker and put an end to the whole insignificant This is only the incident. second time in judicial history that a woman has chosen to make public the crime of rape committed against her. There have been rapes, and perhaps as brutal and sadistic attacks made previously on Italian women, but they chose silence rather than family Therefore, we will disgrace. never know their torment Claudia was not a feminist at the time of her rape. She had gone to Rome to work, leaving behind a small, poverty-stricken village. One summer evening, she was walking with a teenage man and was chased by a gang of 17 youths who threatened her with a club She identified and raped her. some of the rapists before she was transported to the hosSeven were arrested, pital. including her "friend" who joined in on the rape. Backed by her employer, two well-known lawyers and feminists, she defied tradition and demanded a public trial. Because she pursued the case against the rapists, she received threats on her life. Four days later, she was found semi-conscious by a road She told police that side. she had been abducted coming from her lawyers' office and raped and slashed with a razor blade several times over her breasts, face and legs. The new abductors were recognized by Claudia as members of the gang from the first Within 24 hours,an estrape. imated 15-20,000 women marched into the assailants' neighbourhood in outrage against the latest assault on Claudia's The group was made up of life. various feminist collectives, the UDI (Union of Italian Women) and the large national organization of Communist women. Feminists took up a 24hour vigil at Claudia's bedside. Complications and political manoeuverings followed. The original judge selected for the case was replaced by an extreme conservative, Paolini 8 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �When the charges Dell'Anno. for the second rape were filed, the next in line as prosecutor was side-stepped and Dell'Anno took over, something almost unheard of in Italian judicial procedure. The prosecutor's next move was that after he had interrogated Claudia in the hospital, without her lawyers present, he announced that he felt Claudia had devised the second assault and mutilated her own body. (Doctors' reports later showed that the lesions could not have been self-inflicted.) Conflicting statments from Claudia further clouded the Claudia's lawyers askissue. ed the public prosecutor to resign because of obvious prejudice, and he refused. The lawyers walked out in protest, as 4-5,000 angry women waited in front of the justice hall in defiance of the attitude of Dell'Anno, and the exploitation of and violence toward women. Further complications resulted when the possibility of Claudia's involvment with prostitution was rumoured. Her background was not unusual. She was raised in poverty in a small village and attempted to leave this situation by going to work in the big city. She answered a request for employment advertized in a Rome newspaper. Her employer, Vito Gemma, evidently wanted a bed partner as well as a housekeeper. Without friends, family or money she adjusted to these circumstances in the only way she could. The only alternative she had was to give in to the situation. We, who feel we are sophisticated in the art of survival, should remember that in Italy, women are not encouraged to participate in the labour force, and there are few alternatives to choose from. When Vito Gemma was rumoured to be involved with organized crime and prostitution, Claudia's involvement with prostitution became a viable concern although details of her inclusion are not clear. Italian feminists were thrown for a loop. Some withdrew their support, others chose to stay by her side. Some realized that rape is political, as are other facets of female exploitation. The Italian movement had some stiff competition to face up to. On one hand, their religious upbringing that condemns contraception, abortion and prostitution, and held sacred strong extended family ties, came into collision with the rape of a prostitute. Obviously, if the fact of Claudia's relationship to prostitution caused so much disorder within the Italian feminist movement, the response in the general populace would have been disastrous in Claudia's bid for judicial retribu- The prejudice against (Her her was already rampant. own father had slapped her when she told him she had been raped, telling her that it was her own fault for leaving home and trying to make it on her own.) The discussion of prostitution was kept out of the case by Claudia's defense lawyers until the moment was right, and the feminists were given time to regroup and take a stand on prostitution. Seven of the youths were sentenced to prison terms, with four released on probation because they had been underage. The "friend" of Claudia's who joined in on the rape was charged only with public obscenity because Claudia had originally accepted his invitation. Some of the defense statments reveal the degree of seriousness they attributed to the crime. "My client did not know such a sexual act was against the law." "My client was one of the last. If he refused they would have thought he was impotent." "Boys will be boys, and when a girl likes to go out and have a good time, she has to expect trouble (emphasis mine)." tion. _00,Inftc1/4 1.40t5Or+ toow.e.AN's-ce4ke. exreS> To further add insult the lawyer accused Claudia of having a phallic fetish - inferring prostitution. He reminded the judge that the testimony of minors and prostitutes is not valid evidence. Claudia disappeared with the help of feminists and her whereabouts are unknown. Vita Femma was arrested for perjury because he gave conflicting statements during the trial. He tripped up on dates and time regarding the second rape. In a sworn affidavit, after Gemma's arrest Claudia admitted to perjury because she feared for her life. She charged Gemma with setting up the second rape to keep her quiet regarding the first. Circumstances are rather vague and scattered. Obvious- ly the situation turned out to be less than "ideal" for setting a precedent in changing realities regarding attitudes and behaviour toward But it made rape victims. the Italian women face up to the broader implications of female exploitations part of which involves prostitution. A single court case cannot end the repression and stigma toward women in Italian society but to those involved, the economic necessity of prostitution became part and parcel of the whole issue of rape. Is it any less a crime if the victim is a prostitute? If a prostitute cannot say no then would it be any more unrealistic for those of us with husbands and lovers to deny ourselves the right to choose if we want sex or not when a partner demands or wants it? Nineteen percent of Italian women are employed and this number is decreasing. Prostitution is an avenue open to women being denied education and resources to enter into other "The avenues and occupations. growth of a revolutionary feminist movement depends on our understanding, and of combatting the mechanisms which produce mass poverty, prostitution and rape - all of which are part of Claudia's personal experience." Off Our Backs, June 77 Perhaps this case will never be paralleled again as to its However, the complexities. violence of this case cannot be No amount of intellectdenied. ualizing and moralizing can diminish the degree of degradation inflicted on Claudia and thus, women. We cannot begin to imagine the attitude and climate toward women unless we have been brought up ourselves under the Italian rule of female silences and obedience, pope, power and poverty. Prostitution has relevance in our own court system as well. The condition of "lack of consent" comes into play in a court case. Who says a prostitute has the right to say no? There is hope. A new generation of Italian women might learn from Claudia's experience if one recent situation is any indication of the rejection of submissiveness in Italian women._ Reportedly, 400 girls at a Milan highschool held a nineteen year old youth hostage in a "people's trial" after he was accused of rape. Only after the mother informed police was he released. The process seems slow but it only takes one assisted by others before the ball begins to roll. We hope for a mountain and lots of snow. Doreen Boucher On page 12 is the survey. Please fill in conscienciously and send to: Rape and Sexual Assault Centre McKellar Hospital, Box 47, Thunder Bay "F", Ontario. northern woman journal page 9 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �women in music THE WOMEN S WORKSHOP "We are each our sisters, mothers, We daughters, lovers and friends. have our own quests and struggles. We are We are workers and slaves. We artists and revolutionaries. have a mythology and herstory. We need to sing with and for each other...We need those shared highs that give us the energy to go ahead in our lonely quests for selfrealization. We need to sing our lives and share If we don't sifg for our songs. ourselves, no one will sing for us." NORTHERN LIGHTS FOLK FESTIVAL I went to the Sudbury Folk Festival on July 15, 16 and 17 of this year, and from my experience there, I decided to do an article on Wbmen in Music. Because this is a very complex topic, all that I hope to do is share some of my impressions, and perhaps from thLE, more specific areas can be exanined in future issues. The Northern Lights Folk Festival is a valuable concept because it draws a large part of its music and people specifically from the Northern regions, as well as from other parts of Canada. It supports and encourages talent from Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, etc., and it reflects the English, French and Native cultures through its music and crafts. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for women. What I mean by this is that, while women did participate in the festival, their numbers in all areas were either significantly less than their male counterparts or, in some cases, non-existent. For example, workshops took place everyday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. This is supposed to be a time when, people get together and share their music with other performers as well as with the audience. Approximately 81% of the performers invited to share their craft were men. In workshops for individual performers, women made up 39% of the total. In mixed workshops (male and female), this declined to 25%, and workshops which were hosted by women totalled only 20%. The evening concert performers included women even less often. Out of 17 evening concerts scheduled for the three-day festival ,only one woman was billed for a solo performance; only four women who appeared on the stage with men as part of a group. In contrast, there were 10 men scheduled for solo performances (some of whom had male back-up musicians) and four groups with men only. I think these figures are significant in terms of the kinds of struggles women musicians are underIt is certainly not that going. there is a shortage of women who are capable or available, but perhaps more a reflection of how the organizers of the festival perceive women in relation to music. The festival organizers gave names to the workshops that were meant to indicate what kind of music you could expect to hear. For example, there were workshops called Honky Tonkin, Songwriting, Blues with a FUse, Unusual Instruments, Northern Songs, Love Songs, Latin American, Odes to Mbther Nature, Songs of Protest, and, finally, one called Women. Now that's leaving a workshop wide open. All you have to do to participate is to be a woman. Host Rika Ruebsaat introduced the workshop by pointing this out. She felt strongly that it was not enough to label a workshop Women without talking about the importance of the music to be found there. She saw the workshop as a "token gesture", and suggested that a specific theme such as "Sexual Liberation Songs" might have been more appropriate. I can see the value of a women's workshop with a Sexual Liberation theme as a way to combat the traditional view of women, which for example includes the view that women "just sing" while the men "play"--leaving the real talent and authority to be seen through male musicians. Women being there "just to dress up the act". In this workshop, sane excellent music was shared, although there were some disturbing elements seem to indicate we still have a long way to go. - one woman ignored the female back up, and asked men to cone up and play "One time the M.C. forgot the name of the female half of the performing It's hard to imagine the duo. reverse happening, that is, the man's name being forgotten. Ellen Shumsky from Sing Out, Vol. 25, No. 2, 2976 INA6 6sA4m.64RN- "The judge said, Screw 'em, Boys, you're only human. They brought it on themselves being born a woman. Like a mountain's there to climb and food's there to be eaten woman's there to rape to be shoved around and beaten." Malvina Reynolds from The Judge Said BACK IN THUNDER BAY Caning back from Sudbury made me curious as to the kinds of struggles women locally were going Sane of through with their music. the women I approached talked about feeling vulnerable, always feeling on the outside, and constantly havir to "prove" themselves as good musicians. There were feelings express of belonging only on "male terms"- like a leader/follower structure, with women seldom in positions of leadership. "It's easier to stand by the side of the road and cry than to change the damn tire...it's easier to put on a record and live vicariously through Joni Mitchell, or putter about makinc, coffee, while the men play music in the living room, than to go through the pain of learning to play oneself. Holly Tannen A friend talked about what workin< with male musicians meant to her. She feels that it's important not to be fooled into believing you operate from the same power base as the men, and to avoid the trap of any special attention you receive as a woman performer because it could be a cage. I asked some women if they would like to play in an all-woman's band. Many of them felt that it would be fine if women worked together to develop a feeling of comeraderie, a sense of exploring the culture of women's music--to sing about their own experiences instead of always doing music related to men's experiences. "I could never write about a song But if I like Stand By Your Man. were to sing something Zike Stand By Your Man, my responsibility would be to put that song into some kind of context that says this attitude has to be overcome--but nevertheless_ this attitude is a reflection of women's experience." Alice Gerrard I can see support and encouragemer, occuring in this way, with women taking control over the kind of music in which they participate, in order to provide some rpal alternatives. Nothing could be better than .n and men) to work with people (w who were interested in change and responsible for the kinds of music they produce. While it would be nice for women to work together, we are still often faced with the old values. Competition is their within us all, because we've been geared to it--but for women, the roots of mistrust often go deeper. northern woman journal page 1C PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Although women may like to work with each other ,it is not a general rule. One woman in a group of men works very hard to acquire acceptance, but if there is more than one woman, feelings of fear and insecurity for your This type of position may surface. situation can then work as an advantage for some groups by keeping women isolated from each other--just as they do in society as a whole. It helps perpetuate the traditional power structure. Some women musicians feel they have reached a plateau when they are considered in a male group as "one of the guys". This deception, along with stereotypic relationships like "kid sister", "torch" between women and the men with whom they work, show how much further we need to go before we as people, as women, -1-71alans achieve equality in the truest sense. I have only touched on a few areas, but there are many more concerns and issues that should be talked about and shared: "Most of the Garlands loved to sing. We sang when we were happy, sang when we were sad. Sometimes I think be-ing a-le to express my feelings in song has kept me from going nuts." Sarah Ogan Gunning from Sing Out, Vol. 25, No.. 2, Z976 Albums: A Few Loving Women Lavender Jane Loves Women Lesbian Feminist Liberation, N.Y. ..77!E - sexism in music - what influence has the women's movement had on women in music - what contributions have women made throughout herstory in the field of music - what types of roles are women portrayed in--Mother Earth, .11cre, deceitful bitch what kinds of exoerience and struggles are women having locally? "We can't reach liberation unless But one the whole society changes. of the many problems under capitalism is the the competitive values we all have to Zive with. For example, it has been very hard to find men to accompany me. They feel ashamed, diminished and put down by accompanying a woman." Suni Paz Singer/songwriter from Argentina I'm Gonna Be An Engineer, Peggy Seeger "It should be noted that the song was written in Britain for British usage, and in Britain, an engineer is not a train-drive, but one of a huge body of industrial workers, a profession which includes toolmakers, lathe operators, fitters, etc. Give Your Hands to Struggle, songs by Bernice Reagon You Can Know All I Am Words and Music - Songbook Holly Near Held Over Malvina Malvina Reynolds, aZZ by Malvina Reynolds. Order directly from her own company, Schroder Music, 2027 Parker Street, Berkeley. ************************************************************************ Cur credibility grows, and with Women's place :omen's Place is settling in. What began as a possible dream is now functioning as a centre of various activities. The Women's Credit Union has a growing membership, with share capital around $15,000. The Northern Women's Centre has the hottest phone in town despite existing social services. The Citizen's Committee on Crisis Housing has become revitalized and re-committed to an eventual interval house specifically designed and operated for abused women and children, to supplement existing facilities. The Rape and Sexual Assault team have found it convenient to operate their research project from here. The Northern Woman Regional Journal has formed a strong collective of both old and new energy, with long term goals for the paper. The NWO Decade Council does its office work and keeps its files in their own space here. The files on the Herstory Project await future attention, but the joint effort to produce the Salt and Yeast book of poetry from the manuscript presented to the Journal by Gert Beadle, and illustrated by Sirpa Bishop, is in high gear. It will be "camera ready" in September. There are well over 100 women represented in minor and major roles in Women's Place, each group fully autonomous, with its own structure, but all moved by a single ideal, that of commitment to women. it our ccnfidence. The time has long pased when we can be dismissed as malcontents with no direction. We are a voice that has been too long silent in the pursuit of acceptance. With a little help from our friends, COMING SOON We are pleased to inform our friends and readers that the book of poetry we will speak carefully, thought- SALT ANDAND YEAST SALT YEASTpresented presented to to the the fully, and with conviction, in Journal in manuscript form by our defense of woman's right to be sister Gert Beadle is now being a full partner in the decisions It is readied for the publisher. that concern us all. a matter of great pride to us that from the financing to the final Women's Centre is open every day from 9am to 4pm and Thursday proof-reading it has been the combined efforts of a very special evening until ??? Thursday The talented artistry sisterhood. evening this fall a series of of Sirpa Bishop will get it's first information sharing meetings exposure in it's pages and the warm are planned to increasewoman's and human chronicle of one woman's awareness that they individually search for the larger truth in her as well as collectively need to own life over half a century will, examine their economic power. we feel, find it's place with women Stocks, bonds, Real Estate, your It is our intention everywhere. own business, 'and other investto share with women's groups a ments will be discussed with We invite profit in distribution. knowledgeable resource people. inquiries as to the method, write Come out and share with us your The NORTHERN WOMAN REGIONAL JOURNAL needs for economic growth. We for further information. can all learn together. Every other Thursday night meetings will be open discussion on a variety of topics emphasizing self awareness and growth potential as women. We will be sharing our frustra-' tions, problems as well as our joys and successes as women in our individual situations. We welcome everyone to share themselves so that we may all benefit and grow from each others experiences and thoughts, Phone 345-7802 for more information or to see what else is happening. NEW GROUPS THAT WILL BE FORMING. Being A Widow. Outers for Women. Newly Separated/Divorced. Over 60 and Female. Women's Breakfast Club. northern woman journal page 11 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Women Against Rape CON'T FROM PAGE 9 The Thunder Bay Rape and Sexual Assault Centre is attempting to compile statistices. We need honest, open responses. Please think carefully before answering. If more space is needed write on separate sheet and attach. Marital Status Present age Education 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18) 19) 20) 21) 22) 23) 24) 25) 26) 27) 28) Race Occupation How long ago ? Have you been raped or attacked ? How many times ? Do you know anyone who has been raped ? How old were you at the time ? What time of the day/night was it ? Where did the rape occur ? Did you know the attacker ? What relationship to you Struggle ? Did you scream ? Have a weapon ? What kind ? Did the rapist have a weapon ? Did he threaten you ? Did you report the rape ? How did the hospital/ police treat you ? What circumstances surrounded the rape ? Were you hitchhiking ? Did you tell anyone about the rape ? Was there more than one rapist ? Did you have contact with the rapist after the rape ? Did the rape change your attitude toward men ? How ? Did the rape affect your sex life ? Did you become pregnant ? How was the pregnancy handled ? Has an employer ever requested or demanded sex from you ? What ethnic background would you think the rapist was from.? How old was the rapist ? What background do you judge him to be from ? Do you know if the attacker had previous rape charges ? What kind of notable qualities did he have ? As a child, were you ever sexually molested ? By Whom ? Have you taken self-defense ? In retrospect, would you handle the rape differently ? How ? ? Comments: IMO mom O 0 IMO= I OMEN II NM= I I MEM MEN UMW 11111111 speaking, in the dark as to what happens to that woman when she has, as it were, gone through the city mill, we have to ask ourselves, did she have the advantage of a restored self-confidence, was she exposed to any self-analysis, were her options clearly presented to her, could she in fact have had an alternative to marriage break up? It was generally felt we must begin a serious documentation encompassing both the agencies now involved in marital violence and the numbers of victims of that violence. Our location in Woman's Place presents us with the evidence we cannot deny; a survey in west-end Toronto presents us with the statistics that over 50% of women need it as a result of physical abuse, and further states that in more than half cases, there is no evidence of whether or not a satisfactory conclusion was reached in each case. We have no to believe the situation is any more enlightened here in Thunder Bay. have waited patiently for three years for the words "battered wives" to be spoken out loud, even in polite conion. Our mayor has been running around speaking for the sanctity of life, but we have yet to hear him give an n on the abused wife. Would he walk a mile for them--even for a crack at a bicycle? becomes more obvious to us every day that if ever a true refuge is in the future of this city, it must be through forts of a feminist group. crisis housing cont'd 0 MOON 0 MOM I izaction Guatanteed I MIMS O 10010101 BEATEN WOMAN FIGHTS BACK e, 1 was &Lazed to the teeth ked down McKibbon Stneet attoad o4 ziatheAing boy4 I woad be the 't evening toy oweted me with hoots and jems ng that's happened to me bon yea A4 ey once mote cacted the ()Zack ed o4 them to make a mock cat pated up to the cut() ompeetety teady to di4tatb amty I tai4ed my 6ace tty stated, sZowed my pace wanted to expne44 with pit.o4e nos4ed them out....with my 6inga s e. Bev Puda4 Women from the Women's Resource and Survival Centre in Keyport, N.J. have volunteered to set up a legal defense fund for a young woman, Roxanne had been batRoxanne Gay. tered for years by her husband, Blenda Gay, a defensive lineman for the Last Dec. after Philadelphia Eagles. hours of threats and beatings, Roxanne finally fought back and fatally stabbed her husband. Until recently Roxanne has had virtually no legal assistance. The Women's Centre has taken up her case in order to assist all women who may be punished by society's neglect of their terrifying situations. Besides the urgency and importance of Roxannes's position, this case has tremendous implications for battered women. Anyone wishing to write Roxanne may do so via the Women's Centre, and people are urged to send any donations possible to help pay for her defense to: Women's Resource and Survival Centre Roxanne Gay Legal Defense Fund 57 West Front St. Keyport, N.J. 07735 ern woman journal page 12 111111011i1 NI PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �NORTHERN WOMEN'S INTRODUCTION The concern for equal access to credit is based on the premise that women will only be equal with men when they have a measure of control in the This includes economic sphere. the ability to finance and pledge their credit just as it includes receiving equal pay for work of equal value. A major step in achieving this goal was taken when women began seeking independent financial commitments. This is the first in a continuing column from the Northern Women's Credit Union. This column will discuss some of the obstacles, both legal and social, that women have encountered and will continue to encounter until prejudices are challenged and eliminated. This first column is concerned with women and retail credit. CREDIT UNION occurred at their head office. Later a second card arrived still in 'his' name, this time accompanied with an explanation that -- here was the additional card had requested !!! cut this card, wrote a more indignant letter, mailed it, and was finally rewarded some weeks later. Even though the computer had only managed to spit out my first initial, it had managed to retain the Mrs., was satisfied. Fortunately my first initial and 'his' first initial are not the same or might have given up at this point. I I I I The second attempt to obtain credit came as a result of reading some material obtained from the Women's Credit Union office and an article in Chatelaine, July/77, on the importance of establishing a credit history. During the time of my marriage had opened, signed the agreement, and used extensively, various charge accounts. was also the person who was responsible for seeing they were paid, from a joint chequing account. (2) My husband rarely entered a store, let alone made purchases on the account. I I I I informed them now wanted a separate history kept, and this was agreed to. Now, after five letters, three phone calls, two interviews - not to mention the anger and frustration have two charge accounts in my name. will continue to proceed till all the accounts that use are in my name also. I I I I celebrate went to Simpsons-Sears to try and get an account with them. made purchases from this store on 'his' account CREDIT UNION day Oct. 20 I want to share two experhad in trying to obiences tain charge accounts with two local stores. The first was about a year was phoned by Macleods, ago. during a campaign they were having to get more charge custshould felt that omers. have done something earlier about getting accounts in my name but had not, so this seemed like an opportune time I I I I I to try. agreed to open an account with them on the condition that it would be in my name. (There was a long pause and then "just a moment please"). It appears she had not encountered this request before and had to consult someone with more authority. She returned to the phone and said this would be alright and that someone would be around to my home with the contract agreement. The person came, signed, emphasizing "my name only or don't want it". There was a space provided for on the application where the name of the spouse had to be entered. gave 'his' name but was not asked for any other information on 'him', employment etc. (1) A few weeks later the account card came and, you guessed it, it was 'his'name. cut it in half, wrote an indignant letter and mailed it to their head office. had first called the local office to complain and was told this 'oversight' I I I I I I I I I A testimony need three guesses. Having learned that the account with Simpsons-Sears was a joint one, dropped into the Credit Bureau (6) expecting that they would have a credit history on me. They did not. They did have an excellent history on my husband, however. The credit rating that had established while was single (7) was only kept for seven years. was also informed that if separate records on your credit history are to be kept, you must request that this be done. I a lot. filled in the application form (3) and within a few days received a phone call informing Me that could not have an I I account with them as my present employment was only on a contract basis and this was not considered permanent. My past, and lengthy employment, my financial contribution to the joint chequing account, my credit worthiness was all negated; it meant nothing to NORTHERN WOMEN'S CREDIT UNION 316 BAY ST. HOURS TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS 10 a.m. TO 5 p.m. THURSDAYS 7 p.m. TO 9 p.m. PH. 345-7802 them. Feeling that this refusal was not fair, wrote to the credit I manager asking that they confirm in writing the reason for their refusing me an account. (4) The manager responded to my letter thus, "I have reviewed your application for an account and wish to advise you that our decision can be revised, however an applicant must have steady employment to be considered....upon reviewing our files we found that in (year) you signed an agreement. This account was set up under your husbands name but has been a "joint account". (5) The letter also said could have a line of credit for $300. responded to this letter in agreement and requested that the account be set up using my first and last name, eliminating the titles denoting sex. (I could not tell by the signature from the credit manager whether it was a she or he) but didn't I I join now ! FOOTNOTES (1) Most lending agencies request information on your spouse, but if you have acceptable qualifications and plan to maintain the account on your own, you are not obliged to provide this infor.= mation. (2) The signature on the cheque means nothing - unless it cont'd page 14 I northern woman journal page 13 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �footnotes cont'd bounces - to the store or the Credit Bureau. The credit history belongs only to the person whose name is on the account. (3) The information asked for is not enough to determine properly whether you should be given credit. (4) Credit grantors in Ontario are legally required to give you their reasons, however it may be a phone call or a form letter listing many possible reasons. You take your pick. It is your responsibility to inquire within 60 days. (5) Creditors claim it is expensive for them to open two accounts for a family and with a choice between the husband and wife, they prefer to deal with the man. (6) At one time, a married woman could not only not get credit on her own, she was also denied access to the family's credit record unless her husband accompanied her. To-day the associated Credit Bureaus of Canada has a policy whereby a married woman who wants to establish a separate file may do so by advising the Credit Bureau. (7) You can maintain the credit history you had before you married and keep the accounts in your maiden name. There is no law that requires you adopt your husband's name. Married Women the Credit Ability Gap In recent years, women's desire to share in the market place equally with men is probably more pronounced. Their ability to do is often linked with their capacity to obtain credit. and in spite of the high cost of credit, its availability is vital in the upgrading of women's economic status because it determines their access to education, home ownership self employment, private transportation and independence. Few people would be able to buy homes, cars, and appliances without some form of credit. Some women, particularly divorced and separated women, suffer the results of being dependent on their husbands credit rating, even if they have worked and contributed to the family income. A woman who divorces must establish from scratch her own credit record. No matter how faithfully she may have contributed to the record it belongs to her husband. Widowed women "inherit" their husband's credit history. If it is not a good history they too must start from scratch and establish their own. It is important that married women should insist on having "true" joint accounts or separate accounts. In the area of retail credit we can start by examining What Can We Do In the area of retail credit we can start by examining those charge cards we use. Some women believe that the space provided for our own signature means the account is ours, however, these are only courtesy cards and the computer punched name in them is the name of the person whose credit history is being recorded with the Credit Bureau. We should go to the Credit Bureau and ask that they set up a separate file for us. Although credit-granting policies and practises have changed considerably in the past year or so, the whole credit-granting industry will not necessarily be aware of all the changes. If you are denied credit and believe you have been discriminated against because of your sex or marital status, ask to see the credit officer of the agency involved. If your request for credit is still refused and you are not given a satisfactory explanation contact the Women's Advisor of the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, 555 Yonge St. Toronto, Ontario. And of course,(it goes without saying) join your own Northern Women's Credit Union, a good place to begin to establish your own credit history. As women we must pursue our right to obtain credit. The attitude is in general that women are poor credit risks. Regulations and rule will not be sufficient to combat tl attitude. The assumptions must be exposed as myths. Those that offer services to the public must be forced to treat women on the same foot ing as they treat men. Noreen Lavoie Credit Union update The Women's Credit Union is growing steadily. There a now 169 members with shares o over $17,000. This is an average growth rate of over $2,000 per month in the eight months we have been open. We have $6,900 of this money now out in loans with a further $2,200 in loans approved. We have $2,000 invested in the Ontario Credit Union League. Expenses to date have be( covered by the donation we received in January from the Northern Women's Centre. It is important that we maintain our growth rate. Yoi. can help promote the Credit Union by telling your friends about it and also by starting a Credit Union savings account for your children (a great way to encourage them to save). We urge our members who now have the minimum share in their accounts to increase their shares. The importance of regular (even if small) dep osits cannot be over-emphasize as well as saving your money you are helping make loans available to women in need. Welcome to our newest anc youngest members, Beverley anc Brandy Sedore, 19 month old twin daughters of Charlotte ar Randy Sedore. Betty Harkema CRISIS HOUSING The Citizem's Committee for Crisis Housing met August 15 and again August 17 at Woman's Place, 316 Bay Street, to revitalize our original intent to have in Thunder Bay an interval house specifically designed for abused women and children. Our membership of interested persons shows both growth and energy. We discussed seriously how we might supplement the present city family crisis homes in a way that recognized the basic needs of food and shelter as being met by them, and at the same time, provide that further service we see as necessary to the emotional stability of the women concerned. The value of continual followup which is nct met in the present circumstance, is a matter of great concern to us. Since we are, in a manner of Continued Page 12 northern woman journal page 14 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Decade Council News The International Women's Decade Co-ordinating Council of Northwestern Ontario held their monthly meeting at Confederation College on August 20. Plans are being made for an indepth evaluation seminar on Sept. 17 and 18. This will be for the purpose of assessing the work of the Decade Council in the last year and planning the direction for the next year. The focus of the Decade Council at the present time is on two very important issues, Waitresses' vs. the Tip Differential and the Widows' Pension Brief. Both of these briefs have been circulated throughout Northwestern Ontario by the Decade Council asking for support. Waitresses' Action Committee Since organizing last January, the Waitresses' Action Committee has been able to give a voice to the concerns of many workers in the tourist industry. They formed originally in response to proposals and lobbying by his industry to the Ontario Government to freeze the minimum wage of workers earning tips. In March 1976 a precedent was set for this, when a new category was formed, alcoholservers, who were to receive 15C less per hour than the standard minimum wage. These new proposals would expand that category to include all workers who receive tips, and increase the 'differential' to as much as 50c per hour. Action Committee, Immigrant Women's Centre and Opportunities for Advancement met with Tim Armstrong, Deputy Minister of Labour, Marnie Clark, head of the Women's Bureau and three The purpose of this other officials. meeting was to present to the Government a broad view of how not only waitresses would be affected by a lowered minimum wage, but how this would seriously limit the options for many other women in the paid labour force, who have had to continually fight just to keep their heads above water economically. The meeting ended with support from both the Deputy Minister and the Women's Bureau, and a pledge to take the call for a public forum to the Minister of Labour. These changes in the minimum wage would affect thousands of workers directly and even more, indirectly, by setting a precedent for an industry to obtain special privileges to pay for its crisis at our expense. The Waitresses' Action Committee, with much support, has driven a wedge into the Government's closed-door decision-making policy. Please get your organization to mail the form on this page in to the Minister of Labour, calling for a public forum cn minimum wage, before any changes are made. Widows' Pensions In response, an action committee was formed to oppose any impending lowering of the already much too low wages. A brief was circulated which gained support from a wide variety of organizations. Many groups wrote letters of support to their local rIPP's, newspapers, and the Ministry of Labour. Media coverage has been steady and sympathetic. This support has been crucial in pressuring the Government to consider a meeting to present demands and points of view. The need for a public forum for debate was a focal point of discussion when the Waitresses' Action Committee met with senior officials of the Ministry of Labour on June 27. RepTesentatives from the Waitresses' TO: Two areas of concern regarding widows' pensions for older women have been brought to the attention of the N.W.O. International Women's Decade Council. These are concerns that should be widely publicized so that all will be made aware of the injustices experienced particularly by widows in the 60 - 65 years of age bracket. Protests against these injustices should be voiced to all branches of government concerned with pension programs, urging correction of the existing conditions, and the inclusion of survivor's benefits in all pension plans both in public and private sectors. A news release from Ottawa published in a number of newspapers on February 24, 1977 stated: *"ELDERLY WIDOWS PREY TO PENSION WRINKLE. About 200 elderly women a month receive condolences from the federal government for the death of their husbands...and are informed that because of his death their old-age pension (his old-age pension and her Spouses Allowance) will be cut off. They are victims of a wrinkle in the rules governing the recently created Spouses' Allowance, paid to people aged 60 - 65. But the death of the elder marriage partner cancels out the pension of the other. It means that a combined monthly pension of as much as $460 is suddenly reduced to zero. The Spouses' Allowance was set up in 1975 to assist couples when only one partner is eligible for the Old Age Security pension, but where there is little or no other income. The spouse must be at least 60 to receive it and about 70,000 now do, most of them women. It is, in effect, an old-age pension paid early for those in need. But a clause in the rules says that the Spouses' Allowance is only payable to the spouse of a pensioner. If a pensioner dies, his pension dies with him and so does his wife's. Officials say about 200 penisons a month are lost because of this rule."* * (Toronto Sun, Feb. 24, 1977) May Sutton of the Decade Council has prepared a brief on this injustice affecting widows. Copies of the brief are available at Women's Place, 316 Bay St., Thunder Bay P. Letters of support for the brief can be written to: THE HONOURABLE MARC LALONDE, MINISTER OF HEALTH & WELFARE HOUSE OF COMMONS, OTTAWA, K1A OK9 THE HON. BETTE STEPHENSON, MINISTER OF LABOUR OF ONTARIO 400 University Ave., 14th Floor M7A 1T7 Toronto, Ontario We feel that changes of any kind in the minimum wage must not be made without consulting the people who are going to be affected. We demand, therefore, that the Ontario Government provide a public forum where workers can present their position to industry and Government. SIGNED: (organization or individual name) ADDRESS: northern woman journal page 15 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �DAY CARE NEWS " P ARE NTS " Parents who are using or interests in DAY CARE and AFTER SCHOOL LUNC1 What does this tell me about how AND BEFORE SCHOOL programmes PLEA: Council views day care? It tells write to your alderman requesting me they see child care as the sole their full uncompromising support responsibility of the parents; that complete quality child care servic they do not see children as our Emphasize the child's right to shared resource for the future; that complementary parenting as a comm"parents" is a special category, and unity and municipal responsibility "full paying parents" should be the A meeting for those concerned abot ones to help out the welfare parents, DAY CARE will be held at Women's instead of sharing the responsibility Centre on November 3, 1977. This equally between parents and non-parents. a regular Women's Centre meeting we'll discuss the philosophy of dE City Council has effectively care as well as plan some action limited day care to very high income strategies -for support of day care people and to very low income people. As someone in the middle , I know I would find it difficult (an understatement) to finance two children in day care, and even harder to finance three children. NEW RATES FOR THUNDER BAY MUNICIPAL DAY CARE As a parent who uses City Day Care, I received a schedule of the new rates effective September 1/77. For day care centres, the rates are Maybe it's a Council plot to I know reduce population growth. I've considered waiting till my son is 6 and in school before I produce yet another child. Maybe Council smugly assumes that one parent in every family (probably the mother) should be at home anyway. e m" now: $8.50 5.25 4.25 6.50 3.50 for for for for for full day half day with lunch half day without lunch 3/4 day (between 4 and 6 hrs) 2 hours or less If I have two children (or three), the above rates apply to each child. Before the price hikes, second and third children obtained "special family rates"--additional $1 per day per child. Now, two children in full day care would cost $340/month, and three children would cost $510:: For private home day care, the rates are now: $7.50 for full day, under 1 year old 8.00 full day, 1 to 21/2 years 8.50 full day, over 21/2 6.50 3/4 day, any age 5.25 half day with lunch 4.25 half day without lunch 3.50 two hours or less And the special family rates no longer apply here either. In the case of private home day care, it costs the City $7.80 per child per day to offer the service. This includes administrative costs. How many other City programs recover all expenses--including administrative? The extra $0.70 will not be applied toward improving the conditions of day care workers. Home providers will still be paid $7.50 per day per child ,without receiving sick pay or vacation pay benefits. "KIDDIES " BOOKS 16151111 Travels of Ms. Beaver Rosemary Allison I'm a Child of the City Ister Fine Grown-ups speak funny They say choo-choo When they mean train, And bunny When they mean rabbit. They say goo-goo to my sister Who's a baby. She laughs at them. I'm not surprised. My aunt calls a clock A tick tock. Our dog had puppies, My aunt calls them bow wows. Perhaps she didn't have the chance To go to kindergarten Like me. Strange St-Ann Powell All About Us Bonnie McSmithers Sue-Ann Alderson True Farm Stories, Freda Kamstra (local) My friend's mother Calls cows moo moos, And ducks quack quacks. My aunt should meet my friend's mother. My teacher knows The right words But she says them in a funny voice Like my mother uses To my sister. My grandpa speaks normal. Not many people understand him Except me. Anne Clifford, adult Kitchener, Ontario from Weekend Magazine northern woman journal page 16 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Graft I 4k* Poolift Gollft P.M P...40 owl 11%.0.01' Bulk En hombre third Milani, dam cisme 220 TENT.w ...or moo RETURN TO: mom m . . TABLE OF CONTENTS: : is ..... THE NORTHERN WOMAN 316 BAY ST. !Editorial THUNDER BAY P, ONT. Bits and Pieces Return Postage Guaranteed ' Feminist Books Poetry Doing it To Us Rape and Sexual Assault Women and Music Credit Union pg 4 31 5 6 8. 10 13 15 'DayNews Day Care 16 I Who Did This Issue - Eve, Pat, Doreen, Noreen, Gert, Thyra, Leona, Lenny, Julie, Peggy, nne, Sharo n, Donna, Betty, Lynne, so MMMIM= tnnette. l Want Call Free Free , . I11I MM all to get involved? 345-5841 weekdays to single-parent families to senior citizens PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 3 No 6 Description An account of the resource Vo. 3, No. 6 (1977) Title: Northern Woman Journal Topics include: Transition from paid staff to volunteer collective at the NWJ London, UK - Rapist reduced sentence Women’s Outers Club California - Hitchhiker Rapist acquittal/women’s coalition to overturn Cancer-causing cosmetics Group for women AA forming Acquittal of woman who acted in self defence against rape Feminist book list Poetry Unemployment insurance for women - sexism & harassment Comics Canada Manpower Women against rape Canada Works grant for Thunder Bay Rape and Sexual Assault Centre Claudia Caputi Case - Rome (media sensationalization of rape case; rape/marriage laws; feminist vigil; public trial) Rape as political Female employment rates Italy Women in music Northern Lights Folk Festival Women’s Place Thunder Bay Crisis housing Keyport, N.J - Women’s Resource & Survival Centre Northern Women’s Credit Union Married women & the Credit Ability Gap Decade Council Waitresses' Action Committee Widows’ pensions Day care news Authors/contributors: Gert Beadle Margaret Atwood (originally published by Anansi, Toronto, 1971) Julie Stojko Deidre Hamill Eve Pykerman Doreen Boucher Beverly Pudas Anne Clifford (Kitchener ON - Weekend Magazine) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Published on this site with permission. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1977 Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2750/1977_Vol_4_No_1.pdf 07d6f2b861b6b8c31ea33ada5fb3e7d2 PDF Text Text 0111011 500" Vorurnc 4 4ssitt 1 J01111113-17 DECEMBER 1977 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �GERT'S GOSPEL The subject of mother's and daughters is as wide as thought can make it. That each generation fits into the pattern of progress in societies evolution immediately makes them different. With a quality of sameness in that the same things happen to both of them and is measured by the preception that is the product of the times. It is a wise mother who therefore knows the preceptions that have taken her years to formulate will only serve to provide a beginning and a base for the kind of experimentation and rethinking which is not only the norm for the young but the sign of personal growth. The number of daughters who think their mother's don't understand them is only equal to the number of mother's who try but somehow never make it. What goes wrong when the two people designed to be natural allies become the author of each others misery and sometimes destruction? What part is played by a mothers perception of her own self-worth? In a position of dependance does she unknowingly project her anxiety and anger in those who are in turn dependant on her --- from observation it seems likely. If she has persuaded herself that her own secret rebellion has been unworthy of her high calling as wife and mother, will she not strive to check that rebellion and the questions it asks and see her daughter safely esconced in a similar bind. It used to work and in far to many cases it still applies but one thing never changes. The pride with which the rare young woman speaks of the strong independant mother and grandmother who refused to play a passive role in the face of injustice, moved with the times in a pattern of awdreness, and nutured that same lively independance in her daughter. Since woman have been relegated to a position of dependance in the scenario of civilization and this fact is only partially compensated for in covert manipulation, the point at which mothers and daughters should find their closest alliance is mutual rebellion. The number of daughters that imagine their circumstances are different, their feelings alien is a direct result of the reluctance of mothers to establish this vital link of communication. The desperate desire to remain comforter, protector and counsellor rather than fellow travellers in a common direction to the fullfilment of all female potential separates the generation and robs both mother and daughter of the support each needs to survive. The Northern Woman Regional Journal collective accepts the responsibility for publishing all articles in this paper. However, the opinions of the author are not necessarily those of each collective member. Any comment should be sent to our office. The Collective. EDITORIAL Your Northern Woman Collective have had serious discussions lately regarding the future of this journal The survival of the paper as a vehicle that chronicles our progress in the cause of greater awareness in the public and a closer relationship with the readers has been a priority in the minds of all of us. To this end we have volunteered our time, our energy and in many cases our money to subsidize the operation that places in the hand of the reader a fair representation of what Women are doing in the region to support other women. In the last two years we have seen postage increase from 3 to 14 Our printing costs have climbed over 40%. (Materials are costly and we must therefore decide Should we go ) the route of further subsidization, and if we do, can we afford it or should we move our price of subscription to $4.50 a year.) We feel our readers should respond to our Dilemma. As alternate Women's papers bow to the pressure of economics, it is important for us to know. How do you feel about it's survival? 401111161 OPPRESSION IS... 4. ill have a sisterly Christms, INTRODUCTION TO NONTRADITIONAL OCCUPATIONS -Oppression is poverty; oppression is exploitation; it is forced dependence; it is being property, yet not being valued as other forms of property; it is being confined to work ghettos; being held solely responsible for the rearing of children; it is unwanted sex; being beaten; being raped; it is having no control over one's body. It is low selfesteem, it is fear of aging, of being alone, it is not liking oneself very much, it is learning at an early age that one is not quite tall enough, slim enough, pretty enough, competent enough -- oppression is never being able to accept that as an individual, one is not solely responsible for and the cause of one's poverty, exploitation, dependence and fear. Credit - Kinesis 10 HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING OF GETTING BACK INTO THE WORLD OF PAID EMPLOYHAVE YOU BEEN THINKING OF MENT? SOME OF THE MORE "UNUSUAL" JOBS THAT MIGHT BE AVAILABLE? If so, this could be the course for you. 1. Assess their own skills. 2. Determine which jobs are w their range. 3. Develop job search techniqu 4. Provide four weeks on-thetraining. The student will choose, with help from the structor, where this train will take place. Manpower is sponsoring, through Confederation College, an eightweek course for women who wish to seek employment in areas generally regarded as restricted to members of the "opposite sex". The course is designed to help students: The course begins October 17, in Thunder Bay South. REGIST YOUR LOCAL CANADA MANPOWER OFF For more information, call Wo Programs, 577-5751, Extension 353 or 232. Northern Woman Journal page PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �KINGSTON INTERVA uirectors and staff of Ontario Interval and transitional houses met in conference at Queen's University, Kingston, Ont. for 4 days Oct. lith to 14th, to share their common experience,re-enforce their common goals and plan a future stratedgy to insure the continued concern for women and children unhappily the victims of physical and emotional battering will culminate in a series of houses of refuge that will provide the support and encouragement as well as the knowledge to re-assess her lifestyle with in a way that promotes change. With 14 houses now operating in the province and 5 more in the planning stage the question of perminent funding is crucial to the survival of an operation that speaks to the problem as well as the sol- Women-In Transition The "Crisis Homes Inc." citizen's committee, concerned in the area of interval shelters for women and children who are victims of physical abuse are sponsoring an intensive study of the problem. The present social structure now involved in offering service and counselling to this particular segment of our citizens will be This project under review. will operate from 316 Bay St., Thunder Bay, and is funded by Canada Works. ution. The lack of public interest and the persistent stereo-typing of the woman caught up in this cycle is a From a feminist major difficulty. perspective clearly those involved have a responsibility to lead the way in a concentrated effort to challenge the apathy of those whose position of influence could provide invaluable support to the projects. Donna Miller from Hiatus House in Windsor, presented an example or a community where business and professional elements play a fully supportive role which has enabled them to serve both as a refuge for abused women and a counselling service for non residental couples in marital dispute. An interesting and encouraging new element emerged in the role that city law enforcement is playing in the field of violence in the home. London's family counselling division of the regular force and the female officer assigned to family emergency calls. A unanimous decision to form an incorperated association of Interval and transitional houses in Ontario will hopefully come to fruition before Xmas when Hiatus House will host a representation of those houses both in operation and planning comprising two persons, one actively working with women in transition and one board member of an incorperated committee. The excerise to emerge with a constitution that will enable them to seek a mandate from the provincial government that will provide a stable It was my pleaoperational budget. sure along with Bev Curtis from Atikokan to share the concerns that we here in North Western Ont. have felt about the growing incident of violence in the home. Our incorperated committee has been in place At Woman's Place for three years. the woman in trauma is no stronger to us, we have felt removed and outside the city run crisis housing being neither allowed or willing to refer the women to the frist format. It has been small consolation to us that these houses exist because of our pressure when so many of our hopes were not realized in it's The climate for a closer operation. co-operation now seems possible and we are prepared to explore every avenue that leads to a better serWe have been granted a vice. Canada Works for five persons for a documentation of both incident and the gaps in social services and will concentrate on follow-up procedures as well as producing a hand book for women in difficulty. Bev Curtis from Atikokan and her group have the added problem of a mining town, the problem is real and immediate but there are strong women in that community and she feels confident a place of refuge will be a certainty. The possibi47 ity of a Interval house in Fort Frances has also been discussed. It is one of the exciting realities that in our time a woman terrified and abused may no longer feel there is no one who really cares. With the advent of a provincial association the subject of battered women will finally be exposed to public conversation. Five persons have been hired under this project, and it is their intention to research the area of "Battered Women" and to produce a booklet specifically designed for victims of violence in the home, offering choices of a course of action for their protection. The project will run from November 21, 1977 to July 14, 1978. "Can Boys be doctors, Mom?" Report from conference held in Kingston, Oct. 11th to 14th. A RIDDLE OR A MYTH? A boy and his father were driving in a They had an car. accident, the boy's The father died. child was taken to the hospital, a doctor was called. The doctor said "I can't operate on this boy, he's my son." How can that be? answer on pg. 15 "You must be new around here. That woman you called a broad this morning would like a word with you in her Ilffice." rn Woman Journal page 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �$ 12,000 FEMINIST SET AS GOAL BOOKS WOMEN, MONEY & POWER By Phyllis Chesler and Emily Jane Goodman. Bantam, $2.50 As everyone knows, women have neither money nor power and they have been systematically excluded from the means to achieving both. If you have read and enjoyed Chester's Women and Madness her very academic indictment of the psychiatric profession, you will certainly find this insightful reading. It is a collaboration with a New York lawyer, Emily Goodman, to castigate another social institution - the economy. Chesler and Goodman take turns poking gaping holes into such concepts as the alimony myth (wherein women live like queens off the spoils of divorce) the total commitment of women to motherhood and marriage, and "powerful" women. The financial impotence of women is examined from every angle, from the psychology of ambilvalence in women toward women to the psychoeconomics of beauty. One thought is clear throughout the analysis of the psychoeconomic oppression of women and that is, that women simply only get close to money. Any appearance of power is merely derivative. Even the wealthiest women in the world have virtually no power of their own; any power they might have is through association, with some individual man. Achievements are generally made in the area of beauty and youthful looks... few women rarely run countries, banks, or businesses because it takes more than beauty and youth to qualify and women are not allowed access to the more important avenues. The expectation that all women are committed to motherhood particularly generally prevents them from: Obtaining high-salaried jobs, advancing, getting credit, developing necessary job skills and experiences, and receiving equal pay for equal work. Little has changed for women in terms of power in the co-called revolution. Chesler and Goodman point out only too blatantly that they have no access to the means of change and the ends are not even in sight. By Mary Burns PROTEST...NOVEMBER 5th, 1977 ON NOVEMBER 5th, A NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN WAS HELD ACROSS CANADA. AMONG THE THEMES WHICH EMERGED FROM THE PROTEST WERE: ...RAPE IS LESS AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN SEXUAL GRATIFICATION THAN A WAY OF ASSERTING POWER, OF DOMINATING AND HUMILIATING THE VICTIM. Northern Woman Journal page 4 As anyone who drops into 316 Bay Street can see Women's Centre is thriving. The growth of activity, the re-newal of energy, the involvement of many women in the variety of issues and projects underway is heart-warming. What is abundantly apparent is that to maintain this energy and increase the involvement, permanent funding to provide for staff must be obtained. At the Women's Centre Annual Meeting on December 1st, considerable time was spent discussing fund-raising endeavours that we wish to pursue immediately. We began by establishing a goal. We intend to raise (in cash or commitment) $12,000 by April 1, Women Artists, 1550-1950 by Ann Sutherland Harris and Linda Nochlin, published by Alfred A. Knofp, New York, 1977. $11.95 in Canada. I couldn't read the whole book before writing this review. But before you decide to discount me as a reviewer, let me explain further. The book reviews the work of women artists over four centuries. It provides biographical information and discusses the historical conditions which hindered women as artists, as well as reviewing the works of the women. It is a very large book with a wealth of interesting information, and illustrations of many beautiful paintings. It is a book you could browse through, finding something new each time. It is a book you could begin, put down and pick up again much 1978. There is agreement that while government grants (always uncertain) will continue to be sought, energy must also go to other fund raising projects. We would like to develop small business projects, that not only would be a source of funds for Women's Centre but would generate needed employment for women. We agreed that we have many skills that could be turned into moneyraising events. Two projects were immediately initiated - wrapping Christmas presents and making Christmas crafts. Monies raised will be placed in a special account (Women's Centre Survival Fund) with the Northern Women's Credit Union and we are determined to reach our goal of $12,000 in four months. If you have fund-raising ideas we would really like to hear about them - please call 345-7802. Cash donations are encouraged and receipts will be given for tax purposes. Have you considered a donation as a gift for someone? Every dollar counts. Crafts, candles and Christmas cakes are available to purchase from Women's Place, 316 Bay Street. later. The book reviews in detail the paintings chosen for an exhibition of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The research on works not part of the exhibition was made possible by several grants. Judging from the introduction, which provides an overview of women as artists from the medieval period to the 1950's; and from some of the passages which describe the artists and their work; the perspective of the authors incorporates both an understanding and an appreciation of the women whose talents could not be-suppressed. Just one more thought- there are 32 colour plates (which are magnificent), and over 150 black-and-white illustrations. This book has something for almost everyone. Lynne Thornburg ft THE COnea6e phone Women's nace be4one BOOKSH AND Anyone intenested in a VA,st aid couue 4-tatting in _lama/1g 1978 January 18, 345-7802 OW ...RAPE .RAPE SHOULD BE REDEFINED IN THE CODE, POSSIBLY AS ASSAULT RATHER THAN A SEXUAL VIOLATION, SO CONVICTIONS COULD BE GAINED MORE EASILY. .WOMEN SHOULD LEARN-THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS OF SELF DEFENCE, AND ..WOMEN, RATHER THAN POLITICIANS, POLICE AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES ARE GOING TO ULTIMATELY HAVE TO ERASE THE EXISTING STEROTYPES OF MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE LARGELY RESPONS1BLE FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. 4 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �At 93, Muria] is still active and presently residing in a senior citizens complex in Sioux Lookout. Thanks to Marion Babcock for submetting this herstory. HERSTORY muriel boyle Muriel Boyle was born on February 20th, 1884, in London, England. Seven of her adolescent years were spent in India where she lived with an uncle and attended school. Returning to London in 1902, she received secretarial training and was employed in the municipality for many years. In 1921 Muriel took a Montessory Course; she taught in private schools in Devonshire and Derbyshire before emigrating to Canada in 1927. Muriel taught at Havergal College in Toronto for a year; the next fourteen years were spent as a social worker at University Settlement in Toronto. She set up a nursery school, music centre and recreational activities during this time and was involved with a varity of people. For three years she taught at the Royal Conservatory of Music, specializing in eurythmics. She instructed children with learning difficulties in consultation with the psychiatric department of the Sick Children's Hos.)ital in Toronto. After an injury in a car accident in 1944, Muriel spent a year in Quebec where she taught school. In 1945 she arrived in the small settlement of Pearson, 40 miles south of Fort William, where she taught in a one room school for a year amid many hardships. The next two years she taught in the nearby settlement of Pardee. in 1948 muriel came to Sioux Lookout; she taught music in the public schools throughout the area for many years past retirement age. In 1965, at the age of 81, she began Lakeview School for the retarded in her home. For two years she taught children with learning problems; After this time the Board of Education purchased the present Lakeview School and Muriel discontinued formal teaching. However she continued to teach music in her hare for 10 more years and at the present she is teaching piano to a friend. She also gives instructions in reading to visiting children who require extra help in their schooling. and studies eurythmics, folkdancing, the English language, and people with enjoyment. NUriel's interest in the retarded continues; she is the membership chairwoman for the mentally retarded and an active member of the management board. An adult residence for the retarded was built in Sioux Lookout in 1975 and named in her honour (The Muriel Boyle Centre). In 1975, she was presented with the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship in Toronto by the lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon. Muriel is sympathetic to the women's movement and feels that women should have a choice in the work world that is equal to a man. She feels that there should be a sharing of duties in the have with no dominance by the male. She has enjoyed all stages of her life, particularly teaching. In each new setting she has become completely involved. She appreciated individuality, has lived very independently all her --life, and has few regrets. She Muriel is an active member of the believes that life is determined mainly community; she is the musician for the by,luck, She has cultivated her talents Rebekah Lodge and secretary for the and is an interesting person to be Senior Citizens' Club. Her main interwith. Her wit and intellect, as well ests- teaching, music and children, as her true concern for others, make continue to benefit the community and her a joy to know and she rerains an she is a resource person in the field influence on all who know her. of education. She is a avid reader Mimi Novick . CREDIT UNION update The Northern Women's Credit Union continues to progress very satisfactorily, with membership and assets growing monthly. Members of the Credit Union have been speaking to Women's groups about our activities. If you belong to a Woman's organization that would like a speaker about the Credit Union please call the office (345-7802). The Credit Committee, which consider all loan applications, is kept busy and we would like to explain some of the Committee's work. The Credit Committee really has a dual responsibility: to provide loans to members for necessary purposes at a low rate of interest and to protect the savings of the Credit Union members. To be eligible to apply for a loan you must first be an approved member of the Northern Women's Credit Union. Memberships are approved by the Board of Directors which meets the second Monday of each month. We point this out to encourage you to become a Credit Union member now, rather than waiting until you need a loan, and being disappointed by a delay. A member wishing to obtain a loan -'ust fill out an application form, which is available at the Credit Union office. The Credit Committee meets every Thursday evening to review all loan applications. Usually, for first loans, an interview with the applicant is held. Both the Credit Union Act and the Northern Women's Credit Union's By-Laws regulate the granting of loans. Thus, it is required that any loan over $500 must be secured. (The Credit Committee may also require security for loans under Security may be a chattel $500). mortgage (e.g. on household furniture or an automobile), an assignment of wages or other monies receivable, an assignment of Credit Union shares, or a co-signer. The total amount that can be loaned to a member is also regulated. At the present time the total cannot exceed $1,100 in excess of the member's savings. As our assets grow so will the total amount we are able to loan out. If you wish further information about the Credit Union, please drop into the office at 316 Bay Street, (next to the Hoito) Tuesday's or Friday's 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Thursday evenings from 7 - 9 p.m. or phone 345-7802. THE GLEESON CLINIC of CHIROPRACTIC wishes to announce the associateship of __%-5-eirte4.1teq c.,20A214, D.C. in the Practice of Chiropractic GLEESON CLINIC OF CHIROPRACTIC 1304 VICTORIA AVE. THUNDER BAY, ONT. P7C 1C2 (807)623-5531 Northern Woman Journal page 5 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Margaret Trudeau Phobia Now that Margaret Trudeau is settled in New York and about to become a movie actress, perhaps it is time to check back and evaluate the whole "Margaret affair". It is hard to think of anyone in recent times who has been so castigated by the Canadian news media. Margaret was called spoiled, irresponsible and a traitor to her country. MacLeans, who came down the hardest, labeled her "a media groupie" and warned she was a danger to national unity. Ottawa gossip, usually left unprinted by the press under an unwritten "gentlemen's agreement", was inserted into the articles as fact. Harvey Kirk, CTV newsman, warned in a story in the Globe and Mail, March 31 that she was "fair game" for the press and Peter Kent of the CBC agreed on the grounds that she went into a public bar, something that Prime Minister's wives don't do. "Today's Generation", a teen magazine handed out free in the high schools, called Margaret a "national digrace" and suggested that she "keep her mouth shut." Furthermore the magazine claimed she had made the country "an International joke." In spite of an unprecedented deluge of mail protesting its treatment of Margaret, MacLean's continued its character assassination through March and April of this year. The language they used provides an interesting study in sexist reporting. Margaret did not talk; she "burbled", nor did she walk; she "skittered". She did not get angry; she "bitched", nor could she make a remark; instead she "chirped" (MacLean's, March 21, p. 63, 64 and April 4 p. 23). Every adjective and verb used was to make her sound childish and trivial. What did this woman do to merit such treatment?? Well, there was the separation and talk of divorce. Today's Generation said that a divorce would be hard on that but we should not expect her national morale (May/June, 1977). A lot of the remarks about lack of res"work" in return, nor should she be up as a model of virtue to refrain ponsibility were really a veiled criticism of the marriage separetion. activities common to Canadians such marriage separation, or going to rc Marg2ret's patriotic duty was to remain concerts for that matter. in the marriage lest she upset the Yes, it was that Rolling Stone cc country and especially upset the Prime Minister. MacLean's even opinioned that which seemed to irritate the media most. Why, they asked, should she the stress on the PM might cause him to resign, which in turn would cause the her position to get tickets? The separatists to triumph and therefore the is that heads of state and their fz have always used their positions fc break-up of the country would be on Margaret's conscience. tickets, the best seat at sports ac ities and other favours. The Ameri Let us ask ourselves this question. What are the duties and responsibilities presidential family doesn't get tic they arrange performances in Washin of a Prime Minister's wife ? As far as Former Prime Ministers in Canada ha know there are none. To be sure the used every bit of influence to meet Prime Minister's wife is in the public rich and famous as their autobiogra eye for she is often made part of that show. Prime Minister MacKenzie Kin political party's publicity as Margaret enamoured with the British aristoc, and her children have been. and pulled every string to get invi Whatever you think of the morals of there was no secret about it and not remember hearing criticism unti Margaret Trudeau went to a Rolling concert. wonder if the outcry wo have been as intense if she had bee given tickets to the ballet? There are two lessons to be learn, here. First, women in public posit are still being judged by a special of standards. For instance, it was Trudeau who used violence against hi yet it was Margaret who was blamed. The second lesson is a positive of The volume of mail from Canadian wor was an admitted suprise to the newsi and magazines. Women wanted no mon coverage of what was essentially a vate matter and there was also conch about the sexism of the reporting. pro-Margaret letters were so numerot that newspapers began to cover the It has become customary for wives to story in a more dignified, less gos! act as hostesses and perhaps most of manner. Finally, only MacLean's cor them have enjoyed it. Margaret did not. the tone of vilification. We do not pay the Prime Minister's If wife a salary nor is she elected. Joan Baril she lends herself to election publicity for her husband we can do nothing about 1 I I I who ordered them to undress and pe form oral sex on each other, then him. But while one of the women fellated the man, he lay back and closed his eyes, and the other wom hit him on the head with a rock. Stunned, the attacker dropped hi gun and fled. Police arrested him five hours later when he returned the scene to pick up his car. Jailed Victim of Incest Noreen Winchester is now in Armagh women's prison in Northern Ireland, sentenced to seven years for the 'manslaughter' of her father. From the day of her mother's funeral, when she was 13, Noreen was raped by her father, who threatened to kill her brother (9) and two sisters (6 and 7) if she told the police what he was doing. In 1975 when she was 17, she met Dertrr of Farrar and they planned to marry in April 1976. Noreen's father then said they need not be careful any more - if she got pregnant everyone would think it was Dermot's child. Noreen tried to ward him off but he raped her again. Desperate, the next night when he came home drunk, she put a knife in his neck. Passing sentence, the judge said she had been "a willing partner for years" and had had "plenty of time to go to the police about the incest" - showing a complete lack of understanding of pressures within the family. An international feminist campaign has started to fight for Noreen's release. Other raped women in the USA who retaliated against their attackers and got heavy sentences, have been acquit. Reuters. ted by higher courts after feminist publicity campaigns: Inez Garcia who killed one of two men who raped her; Joanne Little who was to be hanged for killing her rapist. This campaign is being co-ordinated by the Noreen Winchester Committee, Gerolaan 52, Zeist, Holland - they want postcards demanding Noreen's release. Irish Women United are organising support - contact them at PO Box 909, Dublin. - Spare Rib issue 62 Sept/77 RAPE IN THE NEWS Two young women sunbathing in a secluded spot near Sacramento, Calif. were approached by a man with a gun A Milwaukee man abducted a local woman and forced her to have inter'\fter course with him in his car. he'd finished, the woman told him that she might get pregnant and she wanted him to know about it if she did. He gave.-her his phone number. Police arrested him later that day. Wisconsin State Journal (Karen Kim) A newly invented rape protection product called "Repel" consists of vial of concentrated skunk oil with which the attacked woman is suppose to drench herself in order to repul a would-be rapist. Toronto Star Credit to National Lampoon. Northern Woman Journal page 6 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �WOMEN AGAINST RAPE the male member of this lawyer team, is that he had, but two years before, called the police to report a rape committed by this very man he was now defending. had been in danger. They would realize if they had, that when your life is in mortal danger, you have no conception of time when your every move is being controlled. The victim was asked questiona regarding drinks she had during the afternoon; her boyfriend's temperment; her debts -- subtle inferences with this line of questioning. The reasons behind this questioning became apparent later when the defense called the accused to the stand. WITNESS FOR THE ACCUSED--"ARE YOU READY TO GO HOME." THE ACCUSED- "NO, I'M NOT FINISHED WITH HER YET!" How did the accused account for the bites to the victim's thigh, breast and nose? "Oh,---well---in the midst of our scuffle, accidently fell on her, my elbow hitting her inbreast, when her leg flew up and stinctively bit her thigh, and as she accidentally bit raised her head, her nose." The victim supporters reacted to his story with anger, near hysteria, urges to laugh and others They shook their heads in disbelief. felt his account was too smooth, well rehearsed, and lacking credibility. I "I'M GOING TO PENETRATE YOU ANYWAY!" I A recent trial was held during the fall assizes involving an attempted rape of a 26 year old secretary. The attacker was her employer. The case was particularity important, as the Thunder Bay Rape and Sexual Assault Centre was familiar with other 'activities' of the alleged rapist. A year earlier he had been charged with rape--first trial was a hung jury--and thenhe was acquitted. The TBR&SAC collective and other supporters showed up at the trial to lend support to the victim and to watch how our justice system works. For the most part most of us had never attended a rape trial before, although we had been to preliminaries. Needless to say we were educated quite severely in matters of law. "HE LOCKED THE DOOR AND TOOK OUT HIS PENIS AND SAID WHAT AM SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THIS? AND THEN SHUT OFF THE LIGHTS." The accused took the stand and gave his account of what happened. The defense lawyer led her questioning of the witness to portray the image of a fine upstanding citizen. In the RCAF for a number of years, 45 years old, divorced, father of three children, businessman, well dressed and very contrary to the myth of the sidezy pervert. He was manager of a life insurance agency until this last incident. It boggles the mind to realize now, that this man operated a business that allowed him easy access to women's homes. The accused only spoke in glowing remarks about his victim. He related what happened that day with the smoothness t6f a well-rehearsed actor. Tears flowed when appropriate and gestures were made to emphasize his statements. He managed to look puzzled and persecuted when the crown asked direct questions that required a few seconds to think of a response, He angered self-righteously when the crown goaded? him on certain aspects of his testimony. I "MR. DEVLIN" CRIED THE ACCUSED, AM NOT A PARAGON OF VIRTUE, BUT I "I EXPECT MORE FROM YOU THAN SITTING BEHIND A DESK TYPING." The defense for the accused was the only wife and husband team in Thunder Bay. The fact that a woman was defending the accused was bad enough, but she also had been regarded as a supporter of women's rights and was friends of members of our support group. They were hurt, shocked, surprised and felt betrayed. personally cannot speculate on her reasons for defending a rapist --frankly, don't give a damn. Another interesting fact about I I .1 (One of the witnesses testified she saw indentations of teeth marks on the victim's breast.) This 'paragon of virtue' is free again. The verdict was NOT GUILTY. He could have been found guilty of indecent assault or common assault. The jury found him not guilty on any of the included charges Our I Our members heard testimony of evidence including the victim's. The victim related how she had worked for only four months for her accused employer before the attack happened. She related that she planned to leave his employment because of his persistence in becoming 'familiar' with her. He did so by cornering her between the wall and filing cabinets, etc. During her testimony, the victim was not emotional, she was polite and not vindictive. Her account was supported by other witnesses and corroborative evidence of clothing, bruises, evidence of fighting, etc. We felt from her testimony alone that the jury probably would have convicted him. But, KNO) I "AT ONE POINT GOT INTO THE OUTER OFFICE, BUT HE DRAGGED ME BACK." I The accused, in his testimony accounted for the bruises on the victim, the bites and severly sprained finger by steadfastly insisting that she had reciprocated to his advances that day. He also mentioned, in passing, that the victim had asked him twice about an increase in wages prior to that time. (The defense's inuendos about the victim's debts come into play here.) In the middle of their 'passion' he says, "She asks about that raise". "Well," he announced, half ashamedly "I said something I'm very sorry for." He told her if she was that hard up for money, she could go out on the street and hussle for it. He claims, she, then in anger, lashed out at him and to protect himself, had to beat her up. The defense lawyer could not understand, in his summation, how a slim woman of 5'7", 130 lbs, could not have come out more physically abused if she indeed had maintained a two hour fight with a 6', 180 lb. man. A previous victim related later that a man like the accused knew he would have to have an excuse for some bruising, but controlled himself so that he didn't beat her beyond accountability. As for the 2 hour struggle--it would seem that many people have never been in a situation where their life Interpretation In the legal system, it is her Interwoven in this word against his. are the myths of rape and the attitud our society has toward women. The de fense and the accused perpetuated the myths in this case, as well as many other cases that have passed through the courts before, in order to squirm out of the grasp of the law. It is only two years since the jury was instructed by judges that th could not convict on the woman's test There had to be corrobor mony alone. tine evidence--bruises, cuts, etc. Now we are told that rape, as a crimi nal offence is treated as any other criminal offense. Is this instructio apparent in robbery, embezzlement and murder? Does this not suggest that The jury women are potential liars? is no longer instructed this way, but even with corroborative evidence or NOT, it's still her word against his. The defense therefore, must infer, an make innuendos as to the character of the victim, using all the methods of exploitation of her 'suspected' morals. For instance, don't drink before you are raped. Suggestion: You are loose and have no control Don't live over yourself sexually. Nith a man. Syggestion: If you've CONTID PAGE 12 Northern Woman Journal page 7 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �MERRY CHRISTMS TO ALL XMAS want for Xmas is myself. Just wrap me up and give me back to me. From myth and social custom set me free. I'm not a tinsel angel on your All I Xmas tree, L'm just a hungry searcher for my own reality, that sees the shabby promise in this false equality. Can't you see the gift I'm dreaming of, is freely giving me to me -- with love! CHRISTMAS PARTY Sorry, but we really hoped to invite our subscribers to a party at Women's Place. The paper is going to print tomorrow, December 16/77 (hopefully) so by the time you, our readers will receive it - we're afraid the party will have come and gone. Hopefully, most of you know about the party and we will see you or saw you. Merry Christmas anyway! Peace '6AOM the heatth oe the wishes to hang on yout ttee, May the heath that we zhow the value, we hold dtaw to owe cite the Lonely and cold. Thete a joy eot the moment, stkength eot the day, yout welcome a sute at 316 Bay. We chetah outs 6tiends in the old ea4hioned way, Metty Xmaz to all on this greatest o6 days. Gurt The Night Before On the night beiote, the night beioke, coniusion teignz supteme, Got every woman watbs the tine between the nightmare and the &team. To pick it up on .let it tay..ot.. tun away and hide, zome mad imputse to 4atis6y the 6eveted -soot inside. The bitd Lay4 cold and hollow and the ttee not 6utty dkessed, 6athets making metty, the kids have gown the nest. Het brain iz counting dottamz white het hands ate tying stting, het heart Lis sunning on a beach where its etetnat stoking. Witt the ketatives atkive on time and who witt meet the plane, eot the stteets ate btowing -snow and the battety14 dead again. Haz the zitvet aft been potahed, wilt the ctyztat shine and gleam, witt the elves within the bottle /min the whole dwtn thing again. Stitt she moves ass automated, programmed to a dtaged task, and she zweaAs het heatt L merry, i6 anyone zhoutd ask. She wilt put it att together as she's done in seasons past, tilt the tazt pine needles petish, in the vacuums sucking blast. How society eneot6 het, how the rnetchantz bless het name, Mother served up eot the hungry, mother sucked .into the game. When we ask the Chtatma4 meaning, take the measure (le the plot, between the nightmate and the &Learning something takes a tot oe thought. Cast it out and set it dti6ting, butn a candle, give yout Love, join gout hands ackozz a table, bless the tuttte and the dove. GERT Northern Woman Journal page 8 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Wait. CAy I saw my sister raped to-day and I sat there immobitized. I am the ravaged victim. There nothing Leg to deOnd. I am the stinking, Orate cadaver. Let in the wake o6 a mad invading I watched, ass howl. Wet bouts they beat and kicked hen wow. and tone hen gesh and beat again. I SCheam Out, to yet - unborn Unzataiied to tear hen body, they atzo tnied to nape het mind. genetations oi women-- Heat me-Hetp me - -- POETRY And I was powentess to stop them. I saw my sista /taped to-day because she Lo a woman. Save me--- Anon SOUNDS With att the toots o6 their power and prestige They impnaoned hex, and, with constant threat hetd het captive. Then they said - You must enjoy can viotence - On why etze do you stay. Thexe are sounds 6nom your wtitten wonds Echoing across the distance, Sounds as sag az /min on my window And sounds that might be i4 I tiztened hand, Like those oi sunLight ituttcting on waters . I watched my satek /taped to-day Yet did not scream in hen de6ense But in my weakness ctept away to my sate ptace, whexe I cooed only Vomit, Vomit. Not att oi het attackens Were joy6ut in than viotence Some were uncompAtabte - some even brightened. Some joined in merely because oi than_ ignotance. White some had systematicatty devised etabonate justiiications theapanticipati.pn. But some oi them zmited. They axe sounds prom your heart, And in the depth oi a tonety night, I pick youA tetteA up And I Listen. Politics Anyone? The ptay goes on and on 6nom day to dtolny day I zit tnans6ixed it is betten than Another WoAtd bettet than the tezttess young. I pander on the quantity o6 swallowed aiA. The price o6 tongue We have ion. sate Mane garbage by the pound- Mote Aighteouz postuning Mote gexing o6 the Lung Than Simpte 6otk can bean- Canadians, they say 4Aom Coast to Rocky Coast Ate booming at the mouth A bittion Canadian bucks Witt sun their back-sides in the south. And all because, because Oun 6aith has been destnoyed God knows we're pate This Nation o achievers We'd Aathet .lose the Countty than admit we're unbetievens. The tAees stand naked against the stat-pAicked sky, The moon, Like a gAeat savet bind in the night, On Encloses the woods with platinum wings, PAessing the danknezz away, Shietding evexy crevice inom the shadow oi might. I saw my satet taped to-day because she iz a woman. Even ass I stand here, And stitt she battled back Though bruised and bteeding She stood tate, and cteanty spoke I beet the soot guttek o6 those wings in my mind. Though naked, as I am, "1 do not .let you nape me" Atone, Gent Cussing etetnities be6one birth I am Wted with the most humbte and Wen death, pAide Tanning only to the stars OA Fon the satet that I met today And iox all women who with thein strength and counage and see( Tat the wottd that Viaence againzt women must be anzWen,S, stopped. I can beet the pate tight quicken, And in my sotitude, Let the moon-bind take me &wands the dawn. Stephanie I saw my sister 'taped to-day because she a a woman. And I, myseei, am taped today because I too am woman. Maiuganet MY CAT Somewhere undo a so 6a bed. Sometimes you wilt be .cocky and maybe you won't. I once asked him how he came to be. Once I asked...Once I asked Once he came by so6tty and sneakty. He gave me a wink and sonta yipped his tail. A presence so so6t and warm and time. He gave me a wink and cotta You axe the onty one I can think o6 You've .Lived ban and wide Large and smart happy ate the time. Mita Northern Woman Journal page 9 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �PROFILE woman artist This interview was done July 13, 1977 during Suzette Downey's exhibition of paintings at Keskus Mall. Suzette Downey was born in Hearst, and presently lives in Longlac. She is French speaking. She has Grade 8 education. Prior to her marriage, 8 years ago, she worked in plywood plants in Hearst, but quit at her husband's request. Her interest in painting was renewed during the time she spent at home. She has little formal training: an art class in Longlac sponsored by the local recreation commitee and a Confederation College art course. She's been selling her paintings for 10 years now, and has had exhibitions in Toronto and Thunder Bay. Recently she and another woman artist invested in greeting cards displaying their paintings. She has no children, but "has lots of fun trying." She spends approximately 8 hours a day, 5 days a week painting in her basement studio. finished school and they're all some- Last year I formed a group with four body. And there I was... doing other women - we called ourselves So it seemed art was my bag. Northern Ontario Artists Five. Insteai nothing. I like sculpture and stuff like that, but I found after awhile that I was better at painting. So I try to exploit the thing I'm best at. I haven't 'made it' yet, but I will. And I'm not going to let go either. A,-d there's another reason, too. All the people who go skiing or have hobbies aren't going to have anything When I'm left when they get older. 80 years old I'm still going to be able to dab. Men retire at 65 and half of them die within 5 years because they don't know what to do. It doesn't matter what happens to me, I'm always going to have something to fall back on. If I leave town, I've got something. It's kind of nice. HOW DID YOU FINANCE YOUR PAINTING? I had.a little money before I got married - not very much, but it was enough to buy painting supplies. I sold my first paintings for about $75.00, just enough to buy material to make another one. I was so greedy about getting supplies that as soon as I sold a painting, I would right away go and buy supplies, in case I wasn't going to get anymore. It's hard to change that now - I have more supplies than I know what to do with. Friends and neighbours used to buy my paintings for $25-35 as a kind of favour. Today they're glad they bought them. DID YOU HAVE ANY SUPPORT TO CONTINUE PAINTING? I like to talk about painting. I find it hard to talk to women who want to talk about housework or children. So for a long time I didn't have many friends People laughed at me when I started painting. They thought it was a big joke. 'Let her do some scribbles' was their attitude. A couple of relatives would be nice and say, keep going, keep going, but to the rest an artist was somebody who was dead and famous. People who are alive and painting aren't well enough known. People are changing now - it's not the same attitude. of paying a lot of money when we went out of town, we stayed at each other's We shared the expenses for renting malls and advertising for exhibitions. It was very important to have that kind of help. houses. YOU WERE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE YOUR PAINTINGS TO TORONTO BY THE MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TOURISM. HOW DID THAT WORK OUT? I got jipped there. When I got there they only offered me about $25.00 a painting. That was another catch. A big hope and then poor! I had no idea from them. They simply said, come to Toronto and we'll buy your paintings. Just because my paintings are in a gallery, doesn't mean I'm getting rich. HOW WAS YOUR PAINTING RECEIVED IN TORONTO? People figured it was a fantasy thing snow on a tree. They figured I was something else. It was like a fairy tale for them - not real. A person came and said some people think that northwestern Ontario has lots of Eskimos - people right in Toronto! You figure only people from the U.S. would say that. YOU PUT A LOT OF ENERGY INTO SELLING YOUR PAINTINGS. IS IT HARD WORK? It's not very nice to expose .yourself in an exhibition, to say, 'here I am, these are my paintings and they're the result of 20 years of work.' There are lots of women artists, or even some young boys who come and figure, oh, isn't she lucky, she's got it made, sitting in a mall with lots of paintings. But they don't know what it's really like. I don't even know if I'm going to sell one. And I have to invest money in rent, frames, pegboard for displaying and advertising. Maybe I will go in the hole. Every art show is a fight, and sometimes you lose. But you don't talk about that. Who's going to buy a painting from someone who didn't do very well? HOW DID YOU GET INTERESTED IN PAINTING: When I was young I always coloured, and won the colouring contests. I was always best in class and the teacher would make me do all the decorations. At school I was terriblezero on top of zero. Anything that had to do with spelling, I was terrible. Painting was my way of expressing myself. I wanted to do something. It was a big hang-up for me to have only Grade 8. There was nothing I was going to do that would ever be great. I would have liked to have been a hairdresserI really enjoyed doing it. But when I asked to take the course, I needed a higher grade. I would have liked to be a stewardess. But all the doors were closed. It was too late for me to go back - you can't redo your life. So to me art was a door to get there, to show that I could be somebody too. I came from a big family. I'm the oldest one and I'm the only one who didn't go to school - the others all My own hometown people started to accept me more because I went to Toronto to Fairview and because I have paintings in Lord Simcoe Gallery. When they see which galleries are buying my paintings they say, well, it must be good. You know you never do it in your own little town. You have to make it somewhere else before they accept it. When I first got married my husband thought my painting was ok because it kept me busy, out of trouble. It wasn't a big deal. But when I started to sell them and bring the money home, well, that was good. That's how he started to take me seriously - when my art was paying for itself. Before it was just a nice hobby. He's pretty understanding about it now. He'd have to be to let me come hereto Keskus for two weeks, and then I go to Longlac and Hearst for one week. At first he laughed at me, but when he saw I was determined, he changed his mind. Half of the artists are afraid to take the criticism that comes with exposing yourself. People say what junk it is, that prices are too high, who do you think you are. But they don't tell you to your face. When you ask them, they say, very nice, very nice. I'm stubborn. I know what I want and I'm going to get it, even if it takes 10 years. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR OWN WORK? Some of my paintings I like, some I don't even care about. But usually I'm wrong about my paintings. Something that I won't like will sell, and something I spend lots of time on and am really proud of, people don't pay so much attention to. The ones I pick to be my best are not, as popular as the others. Northern Woman Journal page 10 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �WOMEN & at EE A L. ir Fi women's I) IVA c.e: WOMEN'S CENTRE IS HAVING A SERIES OF "WOMEN AND HEALTH" DISCUSSION GROUPS ON THURSDAY EVENINGS 7:30 p.m. BEGINNING SOME TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION WILL BE MENOPAUSE, THESE WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE END OF FEBRUARY. JANUARY 12, 1978. ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY, ACUPRESSURE, DRUGS-WHAT ARE YOU TAKING/SIDE EFFECTS, BIRTH CONTROL 6 ITS SIDE EFFECTS, MASTECTOMY, HYSTERECTOMY, NUTRITION, MENTAL HEALTH 6 WOMEN, PLUS OTHER TOPICS. THE FILM "TAKING OUR BODIES BACK" AND OTHERS WILL ALSO BE SHOWN. SUGGESTED READING IS "OUR BODIES OURSELVES" WHICH IS AVAILABLE ON LOAN AT 316 Bay St. RESOURCE PEOPLE WILL BE USED FOR THE DISCUSSION GROUPS AS WELL AS WOMENS' EXPERIENCE BY THOSE WHO HAVE LIVED WITH/ WE ENCOURAGE ALL WOMEN TO COME TO LEARN AND SHARE THEIR HEALTH CARE THROUGH THEIR OWN HEALTH PROBLEMS AND TREATMENT. EXPERIENCES. THUNDER BOLT To the justice system for their collective guilt in the perpetuation of oppression of WOMEN THUNDER CLAP To us, for struggling to keep this paper alive and to all the women who helped put Gert's book 'SALT AND YEAST' together S(Ift oint) *sr OkDER NOW t * ONE WOMAN'S POETIC DIARY OF HER JOURNEY THROUGH TRADITIONAL ROLES TO THE JOY OF SELF REALIZATION, WITHOUT DISMISSING THE VALUE OF THE JOURNEY ITSELF. * THE POEMS CHRONICLE HER PROGRESS FROM 1937 to 1977. * THIS BOOK IS OFFERED BY THE SISTERHOOD OF THUNDER BAY TO ENCOURAGE A GROWING SENSE OF UNITY IN ALL WOMEN. V ONE HUNDRED PAGES WITH OVER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY POEMS. 11114 .. * A ,S*06 *AM BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATIONS BY SIRPA BISHOP CiOrt The- Northern Woman is extending a reduced rate to groups who order 10 or more copies. Instead of the regular $5.00 we are offering the special price of $3.50. Orders should bepre-paid by cheque or money order (made out to SALT & YEAST) and sent to the Northern Woman Journal, 316 Bay St., Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 1S1. Phone 807-345-5841. ORDER FORM ORDER FORM ORDER FORM SALT AND YEAST ORDER FORM Name Address Please Send copies @ $3.50 or 1mA awl amlIlimlVM @ , $5.00 Northern Woman Journ PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �k:o nt d from page 7 F CON COLLEGE R w 0 M E given before, you're expected to give at the office. Don't owe any debts. Suggestion: You try to get money anyway you can -- and then cry rape. The crown tried his best for a conviction, but he too was unable to pursue certain aspects -- because he tries rape as a sexual crime and not one of abuse and power. His line of questioning would have been appropriate if he was able to see a woman's point of view. After the trial the media played on the fact that a group of women shouted unpleasantries to a man who had just been found innocent of a crime. Before, during and after we were given accounts from men and women about the accused 'paragon of virtue'. Two women reported that he was the same person who harassed them in university until one told him to fuck off. When the accused showed up at her home and her boyfriend appeared he made a hasty retreat. The other victim was not so lucky. He raped her. She reported it and the officer in charge treated her story with disbelief. One man overheard another man who was reading about the case in the paper and announced he hoped they got the son-of-a-bitch. Why? The 'paragon of virtue' had been his landlord and he had often heard women's screams from his apartment. Another man told us that a native woman was raped in the car of the accused, while three people watched. They refused to report what they had seen. The Rape Crisis Centre feel that rape should be defined in the criminal code as assault rather than sexual violations so convictions could be gained more frequently. It has been shown in studies that men have not raped for sex; they have sexual outlets. Rape is used to humiliate, intimidate, over-power, brutilize and control. In its enthusiasm to protect innocent persons in this court system, they give more right to an accused rapist than they do to the victim. The sentence for assault should be :hanged from zero to life, with addi:ional years applied to the degree of the offense. Attitudes toward oomen have to be changed. Men have to be changed. Men have to start paying or their crimes against women. AND AFTER HE WAS FINISHED WITH ME, HE HANDED ME TWENTY DOLLARS, REFUSED IT!" N COURSES -- 1978 WOMEN IN HISTORY-Instructor: Joan Baril; Tuition $30.00; Mondays from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., January 9 to April 17, 1973. Description: This subject traces the place of women in the history of western civilization from antiquity to the first two decades of the 20th Century. The final lectures will concentrate exclusively on the history of women in Canada consistent with the emphasis on unity as a priority for Students will be exCanada. pected to select one woman or topic to present for group discussion (or perhaps in the case of a credit course, do a short essay on). WOMEN AND PSYCHOLOGY-InstrucDr. B. Coomes; Tuition tor: $30.00; Tuesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., January 10 to April 18, 1978. Descr4PA course designed to tion: familiarize the student with basic psychological concepts as they relate to women. Alternatives to the traditional approaches are reviewed and discussed. WOMEN MAKE MOVIES-Instructor: Rae Farrell; Tuition $30.00; Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., January 19 to April 20, 1973. Description: Can you recall one film you have seen that was directed by a woman? The most popular image of the great director But women have been is male. directing films since 1896. For a refreshing change, view over 30 films made by women. Included are feature, short, documentary and animated films. Women Make Movies is for It offers prizeeveryone. winning international cinema to encourage a critical interest in the influence of women on film-making. I Some of the titles include Shirley MacLaine's, THE OTHER HALF OF THE SKY: A CHINA MEMOIR and Judy Collin's, PORTRAIT OF THE ANTONIA: WOMAN. WOMEN'S RE-ENTRY PROGRAM (W.R.E.P.)-Instructor: Sandra Steinhause; Tuition $25.00; Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., January 23 to March 15, 1978. Description: Do you want to return to work or to College, or to University? You do, but you're scared you lack certain basic skills? This course will offer training in skills that the group decides are important to It will be limited to them. 16 women so that the group and individual needs will be satisfied. Some examples of past trainlisten7 ing sessions include: ing effectively, non-verbal communication, report writing, preparing a proposal, role playing job interviews, giving a talk, how to use a library, problem solving, visiting apprentice-training centres, vocational guidance sessions, preparing a resume or job application forms, job search techniques, assertiveness training. WOMEN AND THE LAW-Instructor: Dianne Baig; Tuition $15.00; Tuesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., January 24 to DescripFebruary 28, 1978. A course designed to tion: acquaint students with the law as it effects women. Topics include labour law, consumer, marriage and property laws, and laws dealing with children, sex and welfare. REAL CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE -Instructor: Sandra Steinhause; Tuition $20.00; Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., January 25 to March 29, 1978. Description: Did you know that Harlequin Romances are the hottest item in the paperback industry? In 1974 there were 75 million sold in North America with a 79 % increase from the previous year. The course will be a seminardiscussion type. We'll examine today's Harlequin Romances and compare them with those written in the 1950's and the 1930's to see how women are portrayed. Since popular literature reflects the leading values of culture, Harlequin Romances and Love Magazines are important to analyze in order to understand our Canadian society. Drthern Woman Journal page 12 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �IS IT HARDER TO BE A WOMAN AND AN ARTIST? Suzette Downey Con't from pg. I think it's harder for women to be successful. She always has to ask her husband, can I go here? can I go there? A man, if he's an artist, he's going to find a woman who will follow Women like me, who can't support him. themselves, have to follow the men. If I was a man, I would get a woman to do what I'm doing here - sell my She would be my manager. paintings. A man can stay at home and paint and get his wife to go and do his dirty work for him - sit in a mall for 10 hours a day selling his paintings. 10 I like to do black and white. In painting, black and white is usually First of all, you're not a no-no. supposed to use black in a painting, and I'm trying to break that rule. And if I'm successful at it, black and white will be recognized, but there's no guaranty. I may get shot down all over the place. But I want to prove that black and white is beautiful. I have a camper trailer and spend most of my time in the bush. That's what I paint. I think I'm better at that than at portraits anyway. So why not try to do what you're better at. I'll throw in another kind once in awhile to try to improve myself. Like my painting of the baby there - it's not real, it's kind of a caricature. But people like it. It makes them talk. It's like the skeleton I painted that's just a conversation piece. People stop and say, ugh! or whatever. Then they notice something else. But when they're going a hundred miles an hour, they don't see anything. So when you get something like that, they don't like it, but at least they stop. Suzette Downey will be holding another exhibition at Keskus Mall, Thunder Bay the first two weeks May 1978. Her cards, plaques and paintings are carried by Art-Metal Stores (Thunder Bay), 36 S. Cumberland St. Her cards are also available at Woman's Place, 316 Bay St.; Small Wonders, Keskus; Val's Cards, Keskus; and the Written Word, Cumberland St. Or you can write directly to: Suzette Downey, Box 465, LONGLAC, Ontario, POT 2A0. There are people who are a hell of a lot better than I am. But they don't do anything about it. It's a big waste. I think they're scared. I'm scared, but I try not to show it. I'm afraid of not making it. But if you don't try, you'll always say, if I had tried I probably would have made by Donna Shaw & Peggy Smith (Special thanks to Faye Peterson for help in transcribing.) it. reflections am It took me more years than prepared to admit to understand the kind of fevered restlessness that drives a woman to cut herself loose from a man that in a child's mind, seemed to personify the very virtue of selflessness, - the happy hardworking nature that demanded nothing further from you than you be lived and As a child, happy too. sometimes bore the load for the kind of harnessed fury that occasionally manifested itself in hysterical departures and the penitent tears of The quality of fornew beginnings. giveness as expressed by my father and encouraged in us by him cemented him in my mind as a saint. She would be good now, she would be happy and if she were happy, then we would all be happy, this mother whose capacity to dream dreams she had no hope of fulfilling would forget all that nonsense and get on with the business of hoeing the potatoes under penalty of destroying the happiness of this magnanimous family. She did not, of course and, in due time, a further, by this time ex pected disappearance resulted in the little legal paper that said it was permanent. Operating from the lofty perch of self-righteousness and the sting of being abandoned, we comforted ourselves with the obvious, "We had lost nothing of any real value", we asked only for the opportunity to tell her she was unforgiveable. Our father remained the Saint and to this we added the The, further attraction of victim. fact that she took nothing of value with her was not considered strange - after all, she deserved nothing. I I a mother We survived, of course, and it might even be said we flourished. We became independent deciders of our own fate and under the loose management of our father's benevolent trust there was an unspoken confidence in our ability to produce the best. We devised a pack mentality that consciously spared him any details of the occasional fall from Grace. My mother pervaded my thoughts from time to time as matured and married and became a mother myself. There were disturbing similarities in our natures which tried to hide and dismiss but the old adage "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," could make me cringe and send me into extreme soul-searching. compensated by merging myself in my father's personality and had a spell of sweet passivity that to this day makes me shudder. Today am able to assess both the mother and the daughter with something akin to profound regret that it took me so long to know either of them. don't remember the cruel things she said and did out of her frustration; remember, instead, the time she was asked to participate in a theatre group and we laughed at I I I I I I see them because know them, not because am my mother's daughter, but because am a woman the rules of the game demand she meet every expectation but her own. It would seem this story has a chance for a happy ending where the mother and daughter could meet and find something of beauty in each other. This is not he case. Over the years that separateu us, had begun to think of that mother as one who took her freedom boldly and went on to live a triumphant and satisfying life. found an elderly woman, unhappy and cringing under the cross of guilt. found her desparately searching for someone to shoulder the tame for her unhappiness, unable to speak of herself in any terms but self-pity and still resentful that she had wasted so much of her life for a husband she never wanted and the children who became a reason for not leaving sooner. found her aggressively demanding that after all these years we make it up to her, that her grandchildren and their children who never knew her, produce the kind of love accorded a beloved grandmother. found hysteria and tears if a birthday was forgotten. realized to understand is not enough, had to deal with the transference of her own deep-seated guilt. could not do it as a daughter, had to do it as a woman and that is the base of our new relationship. But have had a glimpse of the price she paid for the freedom she is unable to enjoy, and am glad that in a similar circumstance chose to struggle and grow to my present feeling of self-worth. I I I I I I I I I I her till she refused and how pleased my father was to see her make a sensi ble decision. A thousand memories return to haunt me of the sublte oppression we all practiced to make her be what we wanted her to be and do what we wanted her to do. see clearly the large spirit nailed in the small box, the strong encircled by the weak and the price one pays for survival. 1 I I I I I I Northern Woman Journal page 13 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �DREAMS for SfibE old school, and at the same time a Or pera proud and ancient family. He has a black belt in judo, beast. circles, haps he is in high diplomatic rides like a centaur, drives sports or is a famous (and wealthy) novelist, cars at over a hundred miles an hour. or he owns a very successful mill or He is arrogant, spoiled, even He harsh, is highly fashion design company. to everyone but her, of tours cruel respected. In short, HR is edging out of the The narrative key to the Harlequins wholesomeness business and edging int is that the woman is always a child and masochism business. in her relationship tothe thepassion man. She Eventually, the HR readers may have is a nobody; he is a big shot. She to look somewhere else for gentleness To comes into his world like a waif. and wholesomeness. emphasize this, his world is likely In other words, we have something to be high society in France, or Hawaii here which needs explaining. Almost or Japan, or one of the Arab nations. everyone looks down on the Harlequins In this world, he knows everything; is ashamed to admit reading them. she knows nothing, notoreven the langasked a university class to When uage. He looks down at her five-feetread GaAden of Dtearms (HR 1943) they two-inches from his six-foot-one, and objected that people might see them calls her "little one" or "ma petite" carrying the book around. And yet or "child". When she does something women read them, in such large number naughty, disobeying his orders, he as to make HR writers and investors sighs but understands, and murmurs rich. only, "Are you always so disobedient?" What do the Harlequins offer? An a When she falls off a ladder, or a on the inside cover of The La4t o6 th stone wall, or a horse, he is always Mateo/L.0 (HR 1937) says "Every month there to catch her in his strong arms, eight new Harlequin Romances are puband comfort his one. When he finds her lished, each one a gentle, wholesome trespassing on his estate with a little Gentle, wholesome love. boy she is taking carelove of, story." she and the Well, there's something to be said child confront him like two naughty for was gentle, wholesome love, heaven children, and later, "he haunted had to choose, I'd rathe If knows! by the image of Janie, tightly holding a year. have my children (boys and girls both the child's hand, both of them smiling Who are the readers that come up reading Harlequin Romances than to ha up at him timidly." Still later, he with all that money? HR told the them watching Kojak or the Six Mittio realizes that "it was the child in Financial. Pmt that its TV ads are Better they should dreary Data& Man. Janie... which first touched and aimed at "the women...who watch the of gentle, wholesome love than brutal charmed him. afternoon soap-operas and quiz shows" But the trouble is, andone violence. As a matter of fact, of the But thct represents only a group HR things can be better than Kojak and most important dreams the Harlequins is trying to draw in. Those who still not be very good, and the Harle let a reader indulge in is the dream already read Harlequins, according quins are not, in the long run, gooc Be that you don't have to grow up. to a quick survey taken by two They` propose fals for their readers. good, be chaste, be idealistic, be Regina University students, include solutions to real problems, and there patient, and sooner or later that one women from ten to fifty, from just fore discourage any real solutions tc man destined for you will come along, about all walks of life: factory those problems. with his money and prestige, and hand workers, secretaries, housewives on One of the odd things about our You don't you the world on a platter. all economic levels, university culture is that so many people think Just wait, and have to do anything. (Of the women students students. be good, and you will make the transition that stories, fantasies and dreams in university freshman classes that have no meaning and are of no importfrom being Daddy's child to being polled recently, over half said How many people say they watch ance. hubby's child. You don't have to grow they were or had been HR readers.) TV shows or read Harlequins or Wester up. So what do people relax with, in just to relax, or "just for pleasure' Harlequins? That's easy to say, as if it didn't matter what they were because Harlequins are written to doing while they relax or enjoy themThey are all much alike; a formula. selves. People know that what you only the details of names, places put in your stomach when you eat can NI particular twists of plot, etc, are either make you healthy or make you fo, The typical Harlelikely to change. sick, or listless, or even dead - bul quin Romance is the story of (a girl ok sometimes the same people think you in her very early twenties who has can feed your mind any kind of diet not yet met the man she will love. at all and stay healthy mentally and Either she has just left homeNO. and is But it does make a emotionally. working, or she is an orphan and rt, . difference what you enjoy and what never had a real home. She is humble you do to relax. Any folklorist or She sees herself as plain, simple, anthropologist knows that the popula It not loveable - though others 4A probably literature of a culture is always see her as interesting and pretty. meaningful. Taken as a whole, the She is a good girl, inexperienced stories of a culture always reflect She sexually, and full of ideals. the leading values of the culture. In deceive recent years the Harlequins have would never cheat or try to But as long as they can, the HR been gradually becoming more overtly a man. Her work may be interesting publishers will try to keep readers but woman now feels sexual and she may take pride sexual. in it, The looking for solutions in exotic passion, and can even imagine herself it is essentially meaningless. Workdreams, "wishing something that (in sharing the man's bed. ing is simply something to do until real life) could never come true." Thethen kisses Mr. Right comes along, and she are becoming less gentle Instead of doing anything about thei and wholesome, and more frankly passwill quit her job and devote herself lives, Instead of doing anything ionate. Also the liero is changing. only to him and his children (and about society, instead of trying to A decade or two ago, he was likely bossing his servants). make the world a better place, HR to be a cold, lonely man, disappointed She falls in love, always, with a readers will take their literary in love and therefore cynical about man who is about twelve years older, tranquilizers and "escape" into the women, with no one to share his wealth is strong, handsome, rich and ,''ho world as they think it ought to have and prestige until the childish purity No taking chances on a sucessful. What are they escaping from? been. of the heroine redeems him. Nowadays, young man who may or may not make good! No- as a Not from their problems! he is more likely to have the same odd This man has already made good, in a matter of fact, they dream about mixture that Tarzan of the Apes had: He owns a chateau in France, big way. those problems - about loneliness, both an impeccable gentleman of the He comes from or an estate in Spain. Harlequin Romances are an important part of the Canadian cultural scene, in spite of the fact that most people, including those who read them, talk as if they were silly and unimportant. To start with the kind of facts which are usually impressive in our culture, note that the Harlequin Romances, all by themselves, account for about 10 percent of the entire paperback book publishing industry Not bad for a in North America. Canadian company, eh? They are the If you hottest thing in publishing. wnat to invest money in a growing business, look at these figures: from 1965 to 1975, HR sales increased from 6 million books sold annually to 75 million annually. In the year 1974 alone, there was an increase of 79 per cent in sales over the previous year, and that trend is continuing. Total income from the Romances increased well over 200 per cent in just the two-year period 1973 to 1975, and that trend is conOf the more than 140 tinuing too. HR writers, several have very good incomes indeed from royalties, and at least one makes well over $100,000 I I I 1/':* Northern Woman Journal page A AS" 14 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �DREAMS Harlequin Romances are an important part of the Canadian cultural scene, in spite of the fact that most people, including those who read them, talk as if they were silly and unimportant. To start with the kind of facts which are usually imoressive in our culture, note that the Harlequin Romances, all by themselves, account for about 10 percent of the entire paperback book publishing industry in North America. Not bad for a Canadian company, eh? They are the If you hottest thing in publishing. wnat to invest money in a growing business, look at these figures: from 1965 to 1975, HR sales increased from 6 million books sold annually to 75 million annually. In the year 1974 alone, there was an increase of 79 per cent in sales over the previous year, and that trend is continuing. Total income from the Romances increased well over 200 per cent in just the two-year period 1973 to 1975, and that trend is continuing too. Of the more than 140 HR writers, several have very good incomes indeed from royalties, and at least one makes well over $100,000 a year. Who are the readers that come up with all that money? HR told the Financiae Port that its TV ads are aimed at "the women...who watch the afternoon soap-operas and quiz shows" But that represents only a group HR is trying to draw in. Those who already read Harlequins, according to a quick survey taken by two Regina University students, include women from ten to fifty, from just about all walks of life: factory workers, secretaries, housewives on all economic levels, university students. (Of the women students in university freshman classes that polled recently, over half said they were or had been HR readers.) So what do people relax with, in Harlequins? That's easy to say, because Harlequins are written to They are all much alike; a formula. only the details of names, places particular twists of plot, etc, are The typical Harlelikely to change. quin Romance is the story of a girl in her very early twenties who has not yet met the man she will love. Either she has just left home and is working, or she is an orphan and never had a real home. She is humble She sees herself as plain, simple, not loveable - though others probably see her as interesting and pretty. She is a good girl, inexperienced sexually, and full of ideals. She would never cheat or try to deceive a man. Her work may be interesting and she may take pride in it, but it is essentially meaningless. Working is simply something to do until Mr. Right comes along, and then she will quit her job and devote herself only to him and his children (and bossing his servants). She falls in love, always, with a man who is about twelve years older, Arho is strong, handsome, rich and No taking chances on a sucessful. young man who may or may not make good! This man has already made good, in a He owns a chateau in France, big way. or an estate in Spain. He comes from I Northern Woman Journal page for SUE Or pera proud and ancient family. haps he is in high diplomatic circles, or is a famous (and wealthy) novelist, or he owns a very sucaessful mill or He is highly fashion design company. respected. The narrative key to the Harlequins is that the woman is always a child in her relationship to the man. She is a nobody; he is a big shot. She comes into his world like a waif. To emphasize this, his world is likely to be high society in France, or Hawaii or Japan, or one of the Arab nations. In this world, he knows everything; she knows nothing, not even the Tanguage. He looks down at her five-feettwo-inches from his six-foot-one, and calls her "little one" or "ma petite" or "child". When she does something naughty, disobeying his orders, he sighs but understands, and murmurs only, "Are you always so disobedient?" When she falls off a ladder, or a stone wall, or a horse, he is always there to catch her in his strong arms, and comfort his one. When he finds her trespassing on his estate with a little boy she is taking care of, she and the child confront him like two naughty children, and later, "he was haunted by the image of Janie, tightly holding the child's hand, both of them smiling up at him timidly." Still later, he realizes that "it was the child in Janie... which first touched and charmed him. As a matter of fact, one of the most important dreams the Harlequins let a reader indulge in is the dream Be that you don't have to grow up. good, be chaste, be idealistic, be patient, and sooner or later that one man destined for you will come along, with his money and prestige, and hand You don't you the world on a platter. Just wait, and have to do anything. be good, and you will make the transition from being Daddy's child to being hubby's child. You don't have to grow ii up. . , r11; 0.14 75 , In recent years the Harlequins have been gradually becoming more overtly sexual. The woman now feels sexual passion, and can even imagine herself sharing the man's bed. The kisses are becoming less gentle and wholesome, and more frankly passionate. Also the hero is changing. A decade or two ago, he was likely to be a cold, lonely man, disappointed in love and therefore cynical about women, with no one to share his wealth and prestige until the childish purity of the heroine redeems him. Nowadays, he is more likely to have the same odd mixture that Tarzan of the Apes had: both an impeccable gentleman of the old school, and at the same time a He has a black belt in judo, beast. rides like a centaur, drives sports cars at over a hundred miles an hour. He is harsh, arrogant, spoiled, even cruel - to everyone but her, of course In short, HR is edging out of the wholesomeness business and edging intc the passion and masochism business. Eventually, the HR readers may have to look somewhere else for gentleness and wholesomeness. In other words, we have something Almost here which needs explaining. everyone looks down on the Harlequins or is ashamed to admit reading them. asked a university class to When read Ganden oi Dnearm (HR 1943) they objected that people might see them carrying the book around. And yet women read them, in such large number as to make HR writers and investors I rich. What do the Harlequins offer? An a, on the inside cover of The Lazt of th Mateokyz (HR 1937) says "Every month eight new Harlequin Romances are published, each one a gentle, wholesome Gentle, wholesome love. love story." Well, there's something to be said for gentle, wholesome love, heaven had to choose, I'd rathe If knows! have my children (boys and girls both reading Harlequin Romances than to ha them watching Kojak or the Six Matto Datat Man. Better they should dream of gentle, wholesome love than brutal and violence. But the trouble is, things can be better than Kojak and still not be very good, and the Harle quins are not, in the long run, good They-propose fals for their readers. solutions to real problems, and there fore discourage any real solutions to those problems. One of the odd things about our culture is that so many people think that stories, fantasies and dreams have no meaning and are of no importHow many people say they watch ante. TV shows or read Harlequins or Wester just to relax, or "just for pleasure" as if it didn't matter what they were doing while they relax or enjoy themPeople know that what you selves. put in your stomach when you eat can either make you healthy or make you sick, or listless, or even dead - but sometimes the same people think you can feed your mind any kind of diet at all and stay healthy mentally and But it does make a emotionally. difference what you enjoy and what you do to relax. Any folklorist or anthropologist knows that the popular literature of a culture is always Taken as a whole, the meaningful. stories of a culture always reflect the leading values of the culture. But as long as they can, the HR publishers will try to keep readers looking for solutions in exotic dreams, "wishing something that (in real life) could never come true." Instead of doing anything about their lives, instead of doing anything about society, instead of trying to make the world a better place, HR readers will take their literary tranquilizers and "escape" into the world as they think it ought to have What are they escaping from? been. No- as a Not from their problems! matter of fact, they dream about those problems - about loneliness, I 14 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Dreams for Sale Con't from pg. 14 boredom, isolation, the lost little child in the adult, about marriage 'and the roles of the sexes, about money, about what it means to be happy. They take all these real problems right along with them, in order to dream about phony magic solutions to them. HR tells them all the wrong answers: 1. Don't do anything -- just wait. 2. Money is happiness. 3. Social status is happiness. 4. Work, and working people are vulgar. 5. 6. Society is perfectly all right. Only your own personal lonliness is the problem. So: Don't try to change anything. A rich, arrogant capitalist will come along and save you, and you will realize that the world is fine the way it is. Or, if it's too late for that in your life, you can dream that it ought to have been like that, and be nostalgic for the world as it ought to have been. Such a sweet "Is there to be no romance, then?" That is the response of many Harlequin readers, to people who talk against the Harlequins. There must be romance, yes, by all means. Properly speaking, Romance means "dreaming about things as they ought to be," as distinguished from teatbsm, which means "describing things as they already are." No individual and no society ever made any real progress without romance that is, without dreaming about a better way of life. How could they? You have to imagine a better world before you can try to achieve it. One of the great troubles with our literature (both popular and "serious") is that today there is so little romance that leads us into growth. Most of the stories we see by ourselves, nothing by working together. In other words, the same system that controls our lives and our jobs also controls our dreams, and the irony is that we pay the system handsomely for doing that. No male chauvinist ever put down a woman more insultingly than women put themselves down when they pay HR to let them dream that dream of big Daddy. That, finally, is what's wrong with the Harlequins. Like so many other stories in our culture, they are dreams that demean and belittle us, and keep us from growing, and keep us, too, from doing anything about making the strong dreams, the real dreams, the dreams about a better world, come true. Bob Cosbey Next Year Country Saskatchewan News Magazine Vol. 4 #5 or read, in novels, or on TV, or in the movies, are either sick romances that go nowhere, or sick so-called realism about how rotten and hopeless everything is. Our literature makes us dream that only big Daddy can bring us security, peace, happiness. We can do nothin.g sadness! WHO ARE WE The outcome of many years of growth and painful struggle. to say how am now trying feel about when he says, I "This is the way ing guilty for I I I am." I I start feel- am asking too much or am wanting too much! He says FACT there is more energy e xpended in one hour of ballet than in an e ntire foot ball ga me want I him to change to be something he is not. Do you feel tired, fed up with bumping your head against his wall of indifference, intolerance and apparent lack of understanding? Do you compro- mise, sell out, give in AGAIN? It seems to be a deadhead - a stalemate but something has got to give. As women, I feel we continue loving, caring and giving even when he is tired, drunk, ready to quit so many times. We continue to be the putter- upper-withers - but where and when will the changes happen? Who does it? We `Say Aunt' do. We sisters are changing, but to have change, we have got to do something. We have so much to give. Let's not let his apathy discourage our creati- vity, our growth and our ability to change. We are logical, intelligent, Answer to riddle on pg. DON'T MOURN.... 3 The answer is the doctor is the boy's MOTHER, of course. zestful and especially loving human beings. strength. Our emotional display is our We cry, we laugh, we feel ORGANIZE the pain, the love and let it out. I'm proud to say are we? I am a woman. We are sisters. Who We are women, we are changing. Donna Shaw Northern Woman Journal page 15 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �DAY CARE NEWS That provincial guidelines should recognized the need for private home day care programs to provide necessary program supplies and eauinment to enable providers to create a stimulating and enjoyable environment for the children in their care. 7. That further study is needed to develop a flexible system of staff ratios which would recognize differences in job descriptions, turnover of homes and children, differences in geographic areas and the differences in community needs (i.e., multi-cultural demands, stresses of urban living, etc.) 8. I do not providing this care. get the impression of their intending to do so in the foreseeable future either. No. 6: Full agreement. No. 7: Our City agrees. Our City program operates on the basis of 25 homes per worker, and feels the actual number of children is not a good indicator of work "We can appreciate that load. in remote under-populated areas that the ratio may be too high, and would suggest that this is the only area of change that should be considered." No. 8: "As mentioned previously, we feel very strongly that this is a Child Care Program and therefore should be staffed by child development specialAgain, the fear of ists." increasing costs precludes the possiblity of considering this alternative. No. 9: It is essential that all agencies/organizations providing private home day care have a multidisciplinary of staff insofar as educational backgrounds are concerned, (i.e., social work, early childhood education, nursing, nutrition). Competency is expected over and beyond academic qualifications. 9. PROVINCE The Ontario Welfare Council Action Committee on Day Care prepared a report following a series of meetings (Feb 10-12, 1977) in which Ontario Private Home Day Care was studied. Recommendations which are discussed in the report are listed below: That provincial regulations and guidelines recognize the need to provide additional funding to meet the needs of exceptional children in private home day care and, more specifically, that costs related to providers' fees, special support staff, equipment, program supplies and transportation be recognized. 1. That subsidized private home day care be made accessible to children 12 years of age and over with documented special needs which can be met by this service. 10. The City already offers excellent supervision of the program--"...our contact with Providers is at a minimum of a weekly basis, and at present the supervisor also has contact a minimum of once every quarter". review. The City response is No. 11: that "We are strongly opposed to the concept of hiring Day Care Providers as Municipal Rather, the City employees." That regulations under The Day Nurseries Act and related provincial guidelines should be revised to require home visits on a monthly rather than a quarterly basis, and that related records should be available for municipal The report also makes specific suggestions for improving the economic situation of day care providers. 11. CITY 2. That the province and municipal governments recognize the administrative costs of assisting parents who are ineligible for subsidized care to obtain approved private home day care placements for which the parents would provide full payments to provid3. ers. That provincial regulations and guidelines recognize the additional costs of providing alternative care when, due to sickness or other special circumstances, children cannot be cared for within their regular day care homes. 4. That provincial regula5. tions and guidelines be altered to allow for greater rates of payment for care during irregular hours (i.e., 4 day weeks, weekends, shifts and late hrs.) It is recommended the day care provider be recognized as a person giving a skilled service, and that this should be acknowledged by the commu6. nity. Mr. MacLeod, on behalf of the City Social Services Dept., responded to these recommendaOn some points there tions. is agreement, and on some there is strong disagreement. Our City feels we should recognized the needs of exceptional children with equipment and transportation- but not special support, this being available "through other community resources". No. 1: No. 2: Our City agrees. Our City charges all costs to parents who are ineligible for subsidy. In fact, the City charges more (See the than actual costs. article in last issue for a breakdown of child care No. 3: charges.) No. 4: Our City agrees that the area of emergency alternative care should be studied. Because irregular hours 5: of care would "put the cost of the program beyond the reach of full paying clients and create additional expenses to the Municipality", our City has not adopted a policy of No. No. 10: would continue-to deny them employee benefits such as holiday and sick pay, or "...to guaranteed wages. suggest that Providers would be paid for care which is not in fact provided would result in increased administrative overhead...and result in increased fees being charged to persons who are not creating the problem but would be subjected to pay their share of these increased costs." No mention of Municipal responsibility--always the threat of added charges to parents who use the service, forcing the parents into a position of accepting/permitting the exploitation of Providers in order to continue receiving day care. The City does not provide funds for the purchase of "start up materials", nor does it assume responsibility for the liability insurance a Provider must have. The City does attempt to provide income tax information to Providers who ate eligible for special exemptions as "self-employed" individuals. In answering the question, "Who Pays for Day Care?", it seems it is a joint responsibility- -the Municipality subsidiZes low income families, full paying parents add some to the pot, and the Providers also help to underwrite the cost of day care. Northern Woman Journal page 16 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �I+ Goma post Pail Cam. Imapped1.04.1.W Bulk En hombre third troislibmo dins clone 220 RETURN TO: THE NORTHERN WOMAN 316 BAY ST. THUNDER BAY P, ONT. Return Postage Guaranteed TABLE OF CONTENTS: Pg Editorial Crisis Homes Feminist Books A Glimpse of the Past Bits and Pieces Women Against Rape Merry Christmas Poetry Suzette Downey Salt and Yeast Mothers & Daughters Dreams for Sale Day Care News 2 3 5 6 ' 7 8 9 ' 10 11 13 14 16 Who Did This Issue: Eve, Doreen, Pat, Noreen, Gert, Donna, Julie, Stephanie, Cathy, Betty Want to get involved? HAVE YOU MOVED? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Call 345-5841 weekdays (We must pay return postage to keep Free to single-parent families up our mailing list) Free to senior citizens PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 4 No 1 Description An account of the resource Vol. 4, No. 1 (1977) Title: Northern Woman Journal Topics include: Mother/daughter relationships Mutual rebellion of mothers and daughters Funding challenges for the journal Non-traditional occupations (based on previous gender divisions of labour) Kingston interval house Crisis housing Funding for crisis housing Comics Feminist book list Women’s Centre (thriving; growth; permanent funding needed; small business projects to generate funds & employment for women) Protest - November 5, 1977 - National Day of Protest Against Violence Against Women Herstory - Muriel Boyle Northern Women’s Credit Union Margaret Trudea Phobia (character assassination; sexism in media representation/coverage) Women Against Rape Christmas poems Woman artist profile - Suzette Downey Women’s health @ Women’s Place Thunder Bay Confederate College courses for women Reflections of a mother Cultural analysis - Harlequin Romance novels (originally printed in Next Year Country Saskatchewan News Magazine Vol 4, no. 5 Day care news Authors/Contributors: Gert Beadle Mary Burns Lynne Thornburg Marion Babcock Mimi Dovick Joan Baril Margaret Stephanie Mila Donna Shaw Peggy Smith Faye Peterson Bob Cosbey Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1977-12 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2751/1978_Vol_4_No_2.pdf 8628722c7c0db60a020419aa77bec292 PDF Text Text PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor e r t 1 B 1 & Yea st 44 February 1978 CONTEST Inside this issue.. : : : : : * * : * : : : ******************************************************* *8; Trudy, Eleanor, Betty, Marion. Faye First Board of Directors, Northern Women's Credit Union rthday and Salt * e ebration A Journa * Member too) * * * * * * : * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 1* * * i* i* :* Some of the Journal Collective: Eve, Doreen, Npreen. Missing, Pat, Thyra and Donna * * * * * * * * * * * * * 1 * vcrume 4 4s'sitt 2 oman u Jornar * * C 5"0 O' THUNDER BAY, Ontario oriRern *************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * 1 * * * * * * * I ****************************** * * 674 �editorial Our first issue in the new year will depart from the usual format and will contain only the brightest of news, the things we feel good about and a sort of overall picture of the kind of thinking that makes us glad we are women, living in exciting times with new options to explore and hopefully a new spirit to become real movers in the cause of human rights. We will explore the positive and give the negative, not the least of which is present in our own approach, a rest. In other words, we are depressed with all this talk of oppression and for one issue, It is we say to hell with it. literally our plan to restore the readers faith in the divine accident that made us women in the first place, and reasonable intelligent human beings in the process of making our own judgements about what limits our capacity to function in the We are inclined second place. to think regionally and in so doing. we are deprived of the GERM GOSPEL joy of some small success in Calgary, some struggle in Newfoundland, some movement in awareness in British Columbia and a dozen other places across this country. Our mind boggles when we cross the border and see our sisters to the south of us, knocking down the barriers of status and race, standing together where it counts, transcending sexual preference declaring OUR BODIES OURSELVES all in the name of human rights. We shall go to the astonishing lengths to prove we have class by thanking the Government for the grants that have kept us able to be a thorn in their side. We shall dare to be so ridiculous as to admit quietly that there are signs of New Men around, may heaven keep them safe. We will admit we love our country and worry about the things that divide it and if we are pushed to the wall, will concede we are not perfect. Having said all that, we are now ready to face the new year with renewed faith and determination, CHEERS! I once thought you wete the symbol. ab every good and petiect thin You waved as piee in the bteeze as the Canadian I thought you blew above the zpitit. histoty o6 bigotty and suspicion, that cat the wottd would matvet at But I have what you stood bon. seen the ctimzon dtain beam gout tatnished tea.6, the putity o6 yout backgtound gtey You bait. with discontent. to catch the cuttent, the winds ob change have teduced you you nevet matteted, to a tag, you wait to be tours in two as huddle in povetty. Yout chitdten wa..ia away, yout natives bon gotd. Yout women city bon justice and yours sons matket Oace your sad base is bon sate in the matked down, you who stood bon a centuty oi dteaming can't bind enough bite to keep you itom aiding down the dtain. Stitt. I heat you cateing me, save me Dream Men It has come to me lately that I may be old enough and bold enough to draw a picture of someone whose shape has changed with every change of my circumstance and every fluctuation of my minds eye. My dream man was once beautiful to behold; just meeting his eye was to know the meaning of voltage; just touching his hand turned me into slag. I drew him lean, tall, and narrow of hips, his hair curled endearingly on his forhead, and his mind, dear god, his mind, had nothing on it but me. What more could a young woman ask ? The picture blurred with familiarity, and I drew him again, out of the spirit of the times. He was strong because the times called for strength; he was bold and full of challenge where others lost heart. He was fearless in the face of poverty and his mind, dear god, had nothing on it, except me. I drew him again out of some deep yearning to find more in his mind than me. More than work and duty, more than play and appetite. I kept him wind burned and sun tanned but gave him the soul of a poet, and the mind of a philosopher. I made hir a supporter of causes, fierce as a lion in the face of injustice. I gave him principle and irpecable virtue. I drew him again- loving, filled with human generosity; a forgiving man, familiar with beauty a companion to my mind and mood, bigger than pettiness- neither leaning, nor leaned upon; neit ther possessing nor being poss,, essed; a man to grow old with. But finally I drew him real. A very human man beset by as many frailties as I; an individual functioning within his capacity to understand why I must do the same. A loving man who needs to be loved; a stubborn man who needs to be challenged; even as I,an individual who knows his mind as I do mine. It is well to recognize our dream men come out of us with all the unreal expectations that divide us. Under the fantasy, it is possible to find unexpected treasure. Gert Beadle save save me we must work collectively if we don't , our energies die Northern Woman Journal page 2 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Anyway, that's just a long-winded way of saying that I'd like to see women obtaining information, facts, statistics, data on opportunities and not being pushed to accept them. You might say that no one in the Journal is forcing anyone to do anything -- but we will not win more readers, and more women to an awareness of their condition by editorializing in articles that would be powerful by their factual content Dear Friends! I've been a subscriber of Northern found it on the Woman ever since desk of a local executive and public should figure here in town (male, also subscribe to MS magaalone. note). say -- yes, the Journal should zine, Newsweek, Atlantic and Writers So would like to be an occaI'm a Czech by birth, an survive, Digest. think that American by citizenship, and live in sional contributor, but am a translator its tone should be a bit less miliCanada by choice. and writer by profession, and I'm tant, and a bit more all-encompassing, why shut out unliberated males, unmarried to a Canadian bricklayer liberated teenagers, who suffer from (after some 20 years alone, bringing So much for the not dissimilar inner struggles? up three children). am sociological background from which You asked for an opinion, and hard-pressed not to give one when my letter springs. You ask in your editorial how your asked. apprereaders feel about the survival of Still, let me repeat that feel duty bound ciate much of the information you your Journal, and supply, otherwise unavailable or unto answer, if only for the hours accessible to me here, and it warms have spent reading and enjoying many my heart this cold January morning of your articles. do think your Journal should to know that there are people moving Yes, forward everywhere, even up here in have reservations about survive. am very definite Northern Ontario. its content, but Incidentally -- when does my subin my conviction that women should owe you have an outlet (and an "inlet"). scription expire? Don't My reservations are in the area of any money? Looking forward to future issues, heavy activism, where the movement of women toward their realization and assertion of self picks up a tone of K. Henley You will forgive me, fanaticism. Elliot Lake have lived through a hope, but variety of fanatical situations-from Hitler's nazism through Stalin's Dear Reader: communism through fanatical religious have arrived fundamentalism -- and 441001W We do thank you flepr.4,410rolleedr= at the conviction that, although it We are in discussion regulback. is fanatics who have been able to arity as to the format and the points change the world in the past, fanayou mention are part of that discusticism is another facet of intolerThe input of our readers in sion. cannot identify with ance, and the paper's content could solve a such a movement. great many problems as we have stated know from experience how hard a We have hoped this paper many times. row women have to hoe -- mothers would provide a dialogue of great alone, particularly. But identifyvariation in the experience of women. ing with the idea that every indiviBeing close to the problems may tend dual ought to have all rights to to make us one dimensional and seem his/her own person, all rights to more evangelistic than we mean to be. assert her/his own talents on a par We want to point out to the with every other individual -- idenreaders that they share a responsibtifying with complete tolerance and ility to bring this paper into its complete mutual understanding, real potential as an instrument in wonder whether what the women's movethe bonding of women, where ever it ment is doing is not ill-considered. is read. Because those rights include the We have not felt as yet, that right to live as one pleases, even men, who certainly have greater the right to be oppressed or taken opportunities to express themselves, advantage of, the right to prostitute need the special vehicle of a women's oneself in a marriage situation or "Dreams For Sale" was reJournal. out of it, as long as one is not cently criticized (see letters) and directly damaging another person. as it happened it was written by a Even the right to self-destruction, male. if such actions don't hurt others. We feel very strongly that If that is the case, then we have no women need the journal as much as right to force "consciousness" on For the the journal needs input. women who are not ready or willing most part, the mass media has igEven if it might beneto handle it. nored the women's movement. Our (Here is fit them in the long run. victories are buried on "women's see the parallel with the where pages", back pages; women's news abovementioned fanatical movements is trivialized, distorted or just -- the tendency to say, our way is For example the plain overlooked. best and you must see it, and even Chronicle-Journal was sent a press if you don't, act on it and sooner release regarding the Northern An or leter you'll come around. Women's Credit Union's first annual "end justifies the means" kind of meeting, (this credit union is the thing). second in Canada) on Feb. 7, 1978 and to this date Feb. 24th it has If it was not not been printed. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I for this vehicle, women in the district would not be informed that they are now eligible to become members. We hope to hear from you again, thank you for your input. The Collective Sisters: It seems to me that the cover of the last issue, Volume 4, Issue 1, is its only redeeming feature. Page 2: "OPPRESSION IS..." - hell, The more know what oppression is. dwell on what oppression is, actualkeep myself down. ly, the longer am, strapped down at wrists There and ankles by all of SOCIETY, MAKING exploited, dependent, fearME FEEL: ful, inadequate - oh, such a delicious So comfy. Love it love it. space. It's THEIR fault. No responsibilities. Do you really think Margaret Page 6: think she's Trudeau needs defend Articles of doing O.K. on her own. support from the Women's Movement seem to me redundant. How interesting that "Bits and Pieces" contained bits entirely about become as angry as the next rape. Truly. woman at the fact of rape. The "Bits and Pieces" were placed in such a way as to seduce me into complete sympathy for the next article, "Women Against Rape". To say this article "Women Page 7: Against Rape" was written in a throughly biased and non-professional way would be the obvious response. Sensatic-alis- 's a thoroughly ::--: ed 'technique - borrAOMMMOom a How thorouahly CCHHON dominated media. of all of you to allow the sentence, "The fact that a wor-an was defending the accused was bad enough, etc. etc.. They (our support group) were hurt, shocked, surprised, betrayed." Oh, If a woman becomes a lawyer, she see. may only defend those of whom the MoveShe may ment approves as defendable. not accept clients simply because they She is perare entitled to a defense. mitted only to trade one set of limitations for another. Here we have two Pages 14 - 15: pages devoted to Harlequin Romances as related to the virtues of Marxism. shall allow my subscription think to run out. I I I I I I I I I Margaret Frenette Dear Margaret: We are happy you liked our cover, many readers did not. Pleasing all our readers would be quite impossible. Putting a feminist paper together is a difficult task as some articles may Feminism in displease some people. itself is subject to controversy. The paper tries to put forth the feminist movement in N.W.O. and other cities. 1) Oppression is - We know many readers understand what oppression is, but out of approximately 1000 subscribers, maybe there are some who do We feel if one article reaches not. someone who has previously heard nothing about the subject, it may eduContinued on page 4 Northern Woman Journal page 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �LETTERS Women Read Men? cate a new person. Our collective pride ourselves in being and reaching different levels From perhaps one exof feminism. Conservative treme to another (le: feminist to radical feminist.) We have been complimented on those think it only fair grounds alone. to note, our paper is still in existence where-as many Canadian feminist journals have folded. Margaret Trudeau - Our collective is split when the topic of M.T. comes Some feel she still needs deabout. fending and others don't. Again we feel our readers may feel the same Maybe a bit wishy washy, eh. way. "Bits and Pieces" was not intentionally placed in such a way as to seduce you into complete sympathy for Unfortunately, we the next article. were pressed for time in "getting the paper out before Christmas" and we didn't realize where exactly it was placed. "Women Against Rape" again See following another criticism. I letter. Harlequin Romance - Again we can Some readers not please everyone. have said they would like to see the paper become more political, to see marxist philosophy, redstocking feminism, etc. We are extremely sorry you may let your subscription run out. We hope you don't. Collective exception of the Volkswagon But books that are uniquely female orientated have not y found their way on the avera bookshelf. A few years ago I suddenly realized most of th things I had read were writt by men, and even the way I f about myself was from a mal I even fancied view-voint. they were the ones capable o telling me the way I was. I made an abrupt about face an proceeded to establish my ow little corner of the book ca Germaine Greer, Kate Millet, Betty Friedan, Robin Morgan, Simone de Beauvoir, Gertrude Stein, Doris Lessing and the list grows. Powerful stuff that opens doors to yourself that coaxes Women's poems you out of myth and mystery and exposes the raw nerve, t bare bone, almost frightenin in it's intensity. I have to ask myself, does a book serv it's full purpose J.f it make you think or is it perhaps only a prelude to what makes you feel? Women have read men for a thousand years; t ology, philosophy, poetry. a great thrill to me, that coming generations will be Over the years when I find the occasion to go into a strang:. er's house, my eyes go almost unbidden to the presence or absence of books. A tingle of delight starts up my spine at the sight of a well-filled book shelf. These people read, therefore they think; and what do they read and think about? Everything I want to know about them is written in the titles. How to support yourself on an acre of land, the organic gardener, solar heating, the art of log house building- and I settle back prepared to discuss both the depression and the art of survival. The absence of fiction tells me I am in the house of a scholar. History and biographies of the movers and shakers of the universe, poetry and philosophy and religious thought- and what's this? -"Do You Know Your Volkswagon?" A good collection of Canadiana tells me I am in the house of a patriot and when I see the native content and the French fact represented, I add, aware of the patriot. Now we know what daddy reads, let's try to imagine what mother reads. If she is a reader, one can imagine she has shared in most of the thin things on the shelf ( with the possible exposer7 to the creativity women in all the arts and be the better for it. Gert Bead The Northern Woman. WOMEN'S PLACE IS DIRTY DISORG we had to balance the scale. We invite you to write a follow-up article of your feelings about the The recent article "Women Against Rape" written by an anonymous member of the Rape Crisis Centre broke faith with the readers of the Northern Woman Journal in that it did not abide by a newspaper's responsibility to be honest accurate and fair in reviewing events. AND DARK trial. We are sorry if it offended you in any way. Collective Dianne Pettit Baig ***************************4 *the Dear Dianne: We are sorry you feel the "Women Against Rape" broke faith with the Our paper has no policy readers. concerning signed articles as other papers do. We feel we are different If we in many ways; we hope we are. had such a policy some beautiful work would be omitted, example: "M on poetry page". The article itself was edited by our collective and was published knowing it may offend some people. We are not in the business of offending people but unfortunately it someIt was a biased times happens. article but expressed the feelings of many women who witnessed the trial. We suggest that more women should attend rape trials and try to be unRape Crisis Centre's members biased. sometimes, only see one side as the article portrayed and we felt because of the local media's one sidedness, in favour toward the accused) (le: MO-OP BOOKSHOP * and .1:0ECORD Canadian literature. classics, : . Excellent selection ofCENTRE Now that we have your attentionthis is a plea for a vacuum cle in good condition, legal sized cabinets, wall dividers and a c of end tables and table lamps. Hopefully these items will be donated, however we can possibl squeeze out a few bucks. * 111 I* him books, science fiction, crafts, poetry, many ,,_ unusual titles. Best folk, ethnic and blues selection In 7c., town. Open till 8 each day and ail day Sunday X' m.1112 S. Aliens Street._ F. It., : On campus every Thursday beside the Main Cafeteria Plume 3454912 -X * * .. * ************************** WOMEN IN MUSIC LARGE VARIETY OF LPs OF SPECIAL INTEREST Co -op Book Shop, Record Centre LPs By: SUN PAZ, BERNICE REGAN, PEGGY SEEGER, SARAH OGAN CUNNING, LIS COFFON, AUNT MOLLY JACKSON, SIS CUNNINGHAM, ALMEDA RIDDLE, HAZEL & ALICE, OLA BELLA REED, BESSIE JONES, ANNE ROMAINE, ELLA JENKINS, WOMEN'S LIB, ROCK BAND, JONI MITCHELL, BUFFY ST. MARIE, BARBARA DANE, WOMEN'S CAUCUS, ..MANY MORE... Missing Check your book shelves! Women's Centre would appreciat return of the following books: Born Female, Male & Female, Mother Was Not A Person, Rep of Royal Commission on the S of Women, Sybil, To The Ligh True Story of How Babies Are Women & Madness, The Lace Gh The Edible Woman, Rubyfruit Surfacing, Women's Astrology Bodies, Ourselves, Birth Boo Children's Books: Charlotte's Web, Exactly Lik Fresh Fish & Chips, Free To & Me, I'm A Child of The Cit We would like to expand our li so donations of books are welc Northern Woman Journal page 4 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �I.U.P. LEAVES WOMAN STERILE Dear Editors, 7 originally wrote this article / story that is enclosed to relieve some of the hurt and anger in myself. However, after I was partway into it I realized that these stories are usually buried and then again, that information is not passed on to other women who might be able to benefit by Dthers experiences. Therefore, enclosed please find an article that I hope you will publish in your journal. I would like to suggest that other women send in their experiences with birth control, both negative or positive so that we might learn from them. Thank you for your attention and your time. Yours truly, Sandra Steinhause I cannot become pregnant. I blame the doctors and their lack of responsibility when it comes to women's bodies. Doct!. ors disregarded me as a person and treated my body as loose parts disconnected from a whole. I have had different I.U.D.'s inserted for the past 11 years and been involved with women's issues for the past 8 years. Altogether, I have never considered myself unaware about my own body. My following experience testifies ,to the fact that women have to know even more about their own bodies in order that we may take care of ourselves. In June 1976, I was taking a French course in a small town in Quebec- Trois Rivieres. I developed terrible abdominal pains and phoned my gynecologist in Montreal. He was out of town but I assumed that the best bet would be to return to Montreal and go to the emergency wards of one of the larger hospitals. Since I had been to the Jewish General Hospital before, I went there. I was seen by a male doctor who pushed and prodded at my abdomen and advised me to curb all my eating of salads, vegetables and frnits. Although I mentioned that I had an I.U.D., he never once examined me internally. This point is important to remember. I returned to Trois-Rivieres ands after 6 days, I was so doubled in pain that I again PL EASE The Journal's subscriber cards have paper clips on the ones whose subscriptions are due. There are so many paper clips the Rolodex is Please check the back packed solid! page to see if yours is due and pay. We appreciate and need your continued financial support. phoned my gynecologist in Montreal. This time I insisted that another gynegologist in the office should see me. Upon internal examination it was found that I had a severe infection in my uterus (due most probably to the I.U.D.) and he prescribed antibiotics with an abstention from intercourse for 6 weeks. The doctor was amazed to learn that I had not been examined internally. He said, "Anytime a woman has pain at the level of her navel or below, it should be assumed that she has a pelvic infection and definitely examined intern- control) for no reason at all. Since one of the side effects of these pills is blood clots, supposing I had developed a blood clot? For what reason? Because a doctor forgot I was a whole person and things should be explained. He should have not just been treating my infection and wait for me to return in order to diagnose my sterility ors by chance, a blood clot. Since the medical profession is not helping us women in our search, for health; we must pass on our experiences and learn from each other. ally." Fine, I learned something vital but too late. It is also important to realize that at no time did this doctor talk to me about the consequences of a uterine infection. He prescribed birth control pills for me when the six weeks were over and mentioned that I could have another I.U.D. inserted in October. (Was be_trying to make more money for the pharmaceutical firms ?) This I proceeded to do. In the summer of 1977, we decided to have a baby and I had my I.U.D. removed. By December of 1977 I had still not conceived. Purely co-incidentally a female friend mentioned that the could never become pregnant because of pelvic infection she had from an I.U.D. It had travelled and blocked her fallopian tubes. This set me to thinking but since the gynecologist had never mentioned it to me, the idea seemed slim. I was still under the impression doctors tried to care for women. I arranged to have a uteregrap done by a radiologist and sure enough I am sterile. I cannot have that baby that we want so much. My fallopian tubes are scarred and completely blocked. I am so angry at the medical profession. 1. The doctor did not bother to examine me internally and left me with an acute pelvic infection. 2. My gynecologist never bothered to inform me that one of the side effects of an infection from an I.U.D. can be sterility. 3. The gynecologist never bothered to warn me of the consequences of a uterine infection- that my tubes could be scarred or blocked, What is their job ? If the doctors had cared about me as a person...I would not have built up expectations of being able to have a baby and be so shattered. I would not have had to ingest pills (birth THUNDER CLAP Muriel Boyle of Sioux Lookout who was 94 years old on February 20, She has just been awarded 1978. the Queen's Jubilee medal - An outstanding citizens award. THUNDER BOLT The Lakehead University "Argus" and those that advertise on its The contempt the editors pages. show towards its readers (especially women) is very evident. Northern Woman Journal page 5 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �WOMEN AGAINST RAPE credit KN&515 What can we do about rape in our communities other than anguish at the courts that handle it all so badly. The paranoia that sees every man a threat and every woman a victim seduces us into extreme forms of behaviour that delays us in effecting changes of a system that badly needs a cold, relentless appraisal of it's deficiencies. If, as Florence Kennedy, that great feminist says"It takes more time to get your tit out of the wringer than it does to stop the machine", then it would seem the to better part of wisdom aim a concentrated attack on the machine, which is nothing, if not antiquated, protection of women are concerned. Considering the fact that our crown attorneys are mainly of that generation that enjoyed the fantasy of women as mere appendages -should we be pushing for the victim's right to have her own attorney as a co-prosecutor ? Should we be more vocal in support of changes in the in view terms of the charge of the reluctance to sustain a charge of rape because of the penalty imposed. While the rape and sexual assault teams support an the victim and embark on extended educational program to other groups, do we have the right to expect total exemption of the responsibility that is the moral obligation of every one of us regardless of sex ? taxpayer and citizen, I,as a have honored that obligation and taken the time to voice my concern to the Solicitor General for Ontario. When the courts deal properly with this crime, for it is a crime, as every woman knows, the incidence of rape will decrease. We should all be concerned that victims are further victimized by laws that were formerly supposed to protect them. When these same victims consider that laying a charge is an exercise in futility, then we are all in trouble. Get your pen out, and do your duty- you will feel the better for it. , , Northern Woman Journal page The last issue in "Women Against Rape" reflects the disheartenment and frustration rape crisis workers and supporters feel as witnesses to the ravishing of rape victims by our legal system. Because rape is considered a crime of passion (a sexual crime) the issue of consent plays the most important part in the courts, although consent is legally unprovable. To justify the issue of consent, the woman becomes the target of an inquisition, having to account for her behaviour, her life style, appearance, personality, etc. prior to the assault, during the assault and after the assault. This unfeeling process of discrediting a witness is allowed to create questions in the minds of the jury that the accused could not have committed the crime without her participation. The jury, remember has to convict "beyond a reasonable doubt" that he If they are only 99 sure is guilty. The he is, they must let him go. philosophy, more prevalent in rape and sexual assault cases is that they (courts) would prefer to allow a guilty man to go free rather than convict one innocent person. Being as it is, we cannot argue We sit at with the justice system. each rape trial knowing that the attitudes toward women regarding "sex" and the burden of proof would set another man loose to perhaps Rape laws reflect attirape again. tudes of its society and vice versa, so rape centres feel there is little hope of mass changes in attitudes overnight when our present laws have changed very little since medieval Women were regarded as protimes. perty then, and now centuries later these attitudes are still in our present laws. The law We have an alternative. reform Commission's working paper on sexual crimes is due to be re(March) leased in early spring. The rape crisis centres across Canada were enthusiastic although uncertain regarding some of the recommendations rumoured to be conRegardless, tained in the paper. they were ready to draw up a position paper with changes and/or acceptance of proposals. There is a problem. The National Assistor to Rape Crisis Centre, Joannie Vance, stated in her monthly newsletter that there is hesitation among some members of the law reform commission to release the working It seems that paper to the public. denied the we are, again, being right to respond to laws that are supposedly there to protect us (women) from sexual abuse. We ask individuals and groups to write to the Minister of Justice urging him to pressure the law reform commission to release the working paper to the public. Our goal is law reform above and beyond the working paper and this should be emphasized. To gain this end, we must have access to the paper. After the paper is made available, more work and involvement will be More necessary to enact stage two. about that in later issues. Please write to the Minister of Justice, with copies sent to your MPs and MPPs. Get friends to write There is power in the vote also. (they denied that to us for centuries too, remember) so put it to work. Women's Centre will have form letters to be signed, drop in and The next Time is important. sign. two to three weeks will either dash our hopes of acceptable reform in laws regarding sexual offences or doom us to more centuries of injustice. The Honourable Stanley Ronald Basford, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. LIBERAL Honourable Robert Andras President of Treasury Board Ottawa, Ontario 1 Liberal 2. 11 Paul McRae Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of National Health and Welfare Ottawa, Ontario Liberal 3. Mickey Hennessy, MPP Fort William Queen's Park Address: Room 413 B Legislative Building Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A2 (416) 965-4130 Constituency Offices 294 E. Brock Street Thunder Bay, Ontario P7E 4H4 (807) 623-1011 smosoolkomwm 638 A Simpson Street Thunder Bay, Ontario P7C 3J7 (807) 623-1011 4. Jim Foulds, MPP Port Arthur Riding 245 S. Court Street Thunder Bay, Ontario 345-6714 ***** CHILD'S PLAY An 11-year-old girl successfully fought off two would-be As she was child molesters. walking home from school, a car with two men stopped, and the passenger opened his door and grabbed her by the arm. the flipped him onto his back on the sidewalk, chopped him in the neck with the edge of her hand, and jabbed him in both eyes with her fingers. The driver jumped out, screamNeighing, "That's murder!" bours, alerted by the noise, called the police, and both men were apprehended. The girl is the daughter of a woman who studies judo and a man who lolds a brown belt She was unharmed, in karate. except for a slight bruise on her arm where the man grabbed her. --reprinted from Plexus 6 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �EATING 1VATURAL by be Natural foods can best defined as "Any food which spoils but eaten before it does." It is plain food with nothing added and nothing taken away. That means (taxi which is Storage then invert to drain the as good as the food that we buy and store properly. Time and money spent on water off. Rinse again with lukewarm water and drain. Rinse morning and evening, keeping seeds obtaining fresh moist but not wet. (If you use a square-sided jar, place it on a side to give more surface area for growth,) Alfalfa sprouts are ready when 1.2" long (4 days!, mung beans 14" long, and. lentils 1" long. make the food palatable These and safe. But we we ran also allow ourselves to develop new and more healthful habits. fact. we owe it to ourselves and our offspring to do so. In There are 3 paths that can be taken in changing :hose habits. 1) Go whole hog and discard all the "bad" things you now cat. Unwise because you will miss what you have been used to and will not be accustomed to the new flavors and tex- tures. Also, without some previous experience. most people don't have enough knowledge of what natural foods air and how to handle them to be able to nake such a sudden change. They end up very discouraged and tesort to oath 2. 2) Sec the whole problem too vast to face and so opt to continue as is. They miss the moderate but most productive and longlasting way. path 3. 3) Try a little bit at a time. Get used to new organically-grown fruits and vegetables is wasted if they are not stored to retain their freshness and eaten while they still do. In general: natural foods are perishables and should be stored in a clean, dry, cool and dark place. Some foods will steep longer and require less care: nuts in sf ells, seeds. honey, unhulled Others are very perishable and should be kept refrigerated: fresh vegetables, ripe fruit, dairy products, eggs, coldpressed oils, Some bulk supplies are best kept in the freezer with smaller portions transfered to the refrigerator for immediate use: whole grain flours, peanut butter without preservatives, unsalted butter. Salads Salads should always be fresh and crisp. Buy the freshest vegetables possible and refrigerate quickly. Close to the time of eating, wash the vegetables and dry them with clean terry towelling before cutting. '(Vegetables can be pre- flavors and textures and to different shopping and and dried and stored in the fridge in terry towelling for quick use.) If Experiment and have fun salad must sit for, a time before eating, place salad back in refrigerator with cooking practices. while finding out how good latural foods can taste and nake you feel, and how washed plastic wrap in contact with the vegetables to they can be to prepare. Best of all, discover that eating exclude air and therefore natural does not cost any more but that your money nutrients. easy is spent in different places. Get acquainted with new people who are also interested in better nutrition. most Your valuable guideline will be to eliminate all refined sugar and all refined flour from your menus. Completely!! That is your eventual goal. Besides removing these two offenders, this step will leave such a hole in the average Canadian diet that there will be lots of room to substitute nutritious and delicious natural foods. To help you change your eating habits the moderate way, let's look at some suggestions that you can incorporate. Remember, a kw at a time and you won't be overwhelmed. are the best 3 varieties to begin pith. If you start a new jar every day or two, depending on how many you eat, there Your diet is what you habitually rat. The key is have all grown accustomed to a certain way of preparing and eating food. 4 day or overnight, for The food we eat is only closest to its growing state, made edible in the simplest way possible. Any food that can be eaten. raw. should be cooking should be kept to the minimum necessary to in the word habit Patricia J. Wales, D.C. retard the rate of oxidation and loss of enzymes and Alp nonstarcit vegetables .can be used in Add raw salads. muschrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, avacado, green beans, and raw young beets to the more common lettuce, tomato, carrot, cucumber, celery, radish and onion ingredients. Use fruits and nuts for variety and extra flavour. The freshest ingredient is sprouts that you have grown yourself at home. You can buy a sprouter, one model has 3 trays with drainage spouts that lets you water easily once a day. Or you can use a jar covered with 2 layers of nylon mesh (a j-cloth will also work) held in place with a rubber band. Soak the seeds in water in the jar will always be fresh sprouts available for salads or to eat on a piece of buttered wholegrain bread. Oils and Dressings_ Cold pressed oils retain the ingredients which give each type of oil a distinctive flavor these ingredients have been removed from processed oils and so most people have never tasted the real flavor of the various oils. A mixture or oils is necessary to provide all the essential fatty ac :ds sunflower and safflower are rich in linoleic. peanut in arachidonic and soy in and linolenic is therefore the best for use in salad dressings. Soy has a strong flavor and should be used sparingly at Apple cider vinegar and fresh lemon juice both make good additions to the oil for dressings. Various herbs can be added to suit individual tastes but add the dressing to the salad just before serving to prevent leeching nutrients from the cut vegetables. Butter vs Margarine Butter has erroneously been given a bad name by the ant-cholesterol factions who promote margarine as being lower in cholesterol and saturated fats. Margarine is lower in cholesterol levels in the average diet. The oils that are used to make margarine are relined and then hydrogenated (or saturated) to change them from an oil to a solid. They are then fortified with vitamins A & D which could be better obtained in natural form from butter. As an alternative to margarine, blend coldpressed oils with sweet, unsalted butter. A combination of the two makes a delicious spread with complement of animal and vegetable fatty acids. and is soft enough to a spread immediately upon r t.9110% al front the -refrigerator. Allow butter to warm to just room temperature. Beat (hand or electric beater) in a mixture of cold-pressed oils (sunflower or safflower, sesame. peanut and a touch of soy as the latter is (nine strongly flavored) in Desserts ratio of butter to oil of '2: I or I. Store in small containers in freezer and Desserts as most Worth Americans know them are out!! They are almost always made with refined flour and sugar and cannot a I : eg) only what is currently 'a use in the frig. Fresh, unsalted butter tastes sweet: rancid butter and oils should never be used as they have toxic properties. Salt is used in most butters, disguising any off-flavors and allowing butter to be made from not-so-fresh cream and to be stored beyond the safe period without be included in a natural food diet. However, nutritious baked goods can be made from wholesome ingredients and eaten with gusto and appreciation. (see recipes in books listed). Some examples are nut loaves, muffins, granola cookies, whole wheat pastry and cottage detection of rancidity by cheese cake. the consumer. Eggs and Dairy Products Having eaten eggs from free-range hens, you won't ever want to eat those It is perhaps best to present these new foods to novice natural food eaters as variations on the theme, produced by caged hens again. Especially if you eat them soft-boiled or poached where the true :laor, or lack of it, is obvious. Yogurt is more easily thiin is milk because the lactose (milk sugar) has been converted to lactic acid by the Lactobacillis acidophilus. These bacteria also produce B vitamins in the yogurt and in the intestines as well. Most commercial yogurts packaged in small containers for snacks have large amounts of sugar and sugar-preserved fruit added. It is more nutritious and cheaper to make your own. A simple method using non-instant powdered skim milk is as follows: Sterilize a I-qt. glass jar or other glass container by rinsing with boiling water, and allou' to cool. Add IC powdered milk to I qt. of warm water body *temperature]. Use spring or distilled water if atoilable, or let water stand over- night, or boil and let cool to get rid of chlorine. Shake, mix or blend the irzilk and water. Add a little at a time to 2T plain yogurt or yogurt culture in the jar. Then fill the jar with the reconstituted milk and stir. Place in an electric yogurt maker for 6 8 hrs. or until tipping the jar causes the yogurt to pull away in a sold mass. If yogurt separates into curds (nut whey, the time was too long. A new batch can be made front the old but if off-flavors develop, use a new culture. Add fresh fruit or granola after the yogurt has set or when served. serving them in place of the usual evening snack. Here the flavors and crunchiness can be ap- preciated without clashing with expectations of cake and ice cream. Fresh fruit salads plus yogurt or sour cream or unsweetened whipped cream (add a little vanilla) are better a main served to finish meal with a light touch of sweetness. Once sugar- containing foods are eliminated from the diet, palates become more discriminating. The new desserts and treats become even more tasty while the previous favorites will be shunned as "too sweet". Breakfasts All too often breakfast in busy homes consists of presweetened cereals, milk, white bread toast and tea or coffee. The minimal protein afforded by. the nI;It is far ourtoeiyllc,! by the sugar and carThe body reacts to this by secreting sufficient insulin to remove bohydrates. excess glucose from the bloodstream often so efficiently that more sugar is needed in about 2 hrs. to sustain the blood sugar at the level necessary normal functioning. for Of course, this can happen in some individuals at any other time during the day but breakfast is most crucial as the body has been foodless all night. A meal containing some natural sugar for quick absorption (as fruit or fruit juice) plus protein (eggs, cheese, meat, milk) and unrefined (whole cereals, granola) carbohydrate grain bread, unsweetened gives a more absorbed and digested source of blood slowly sugar. Old fashioned rolled oats or mixed cooked cereals served with milk are good breakfast foods, especially if seeds or nuts, which contain some protein and oils, are added. Snacks 1: Lunches Junk foods such as pop, candy bars, chips and cookies arc readily and Cont'd on page 11 Northern Woman Journal page 7 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �BATTLE OF SEXES RING AROUND THE COLLAR NOTEWORTHY DECISION by SUPREME COURT In a complete reversal of the majority decision handed down in the courts five years ago against Irene Murdoch, an Alberta farmwife, who had sued for a share in the family property upon her marriage break-up; the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in Jan/78, that Mrs. Helen Marie Rathwell, divorced in 1974, be granted half the family assets built up in 30 years marriage to a Saskatchewan farmer.The court ruled she had a legitimate claim over 2,049 acres of land in Tompkins, Sask., because she was not merely a housewife and mother, but did everything from the chores to driving machinery and canning garden produce, as well as contributing financially to the original down-payment of the property. "Increasingly, the work of women in the management of the home and the rearing of children as wife and mother, is recognized as an economic contribution to the family unit. The decision completely rejected the 1973 decision which ruled, "a wife's labour cannot constitute a contribution in money's worth..." The Murdoch decision generated much criticism from women's groups. The decision verifies that women's groups are gaining strength in their struggle for equal rights and they are being heard. revised from Editorial Chronicle Journal The strongest woman in the world, Jan Todd, lives in Nova Scotia. Winning all three categories in weight lifting, she has competed across the world. Coaching a mixed team of girls and boys, she took them to the U.S.A. championships where they won the team effort in weight lifting. Neither musclebound or gut heavy, she is a vibrant, healthy specimen, which puts the lie to women as the weaker sex. Her top lift is 451 pounds. ...Fort Frances Times Northern Woman Journal page When television was new, there was worry lest watching it might ruin children's eyes. That didn't happen, but someNow telething worse did. vision commercials are maligning and belittling women in ways which should, one would suppose, have feminists yelling their heads off in protest. Take that ring around the This involves the collar bit. rudeness of those who would point out such a thing and also the implication that a housewife who doesn't get shirts clean is pretty deficient. It might be pointed out in the picture, but it isn't that the collar wouldn't be dirty if the man washed his neck. Some pop-eyed radicals might also go so far as to state that nowhere in Holy Writ is it said that part of a woman's Nor duty is to wash clothes. that others are entitled to point the finger of scorn at her if she misses a soiled spot now and then. There are also the harpies who walk into a house and comThis plain that it smells bad. is a fair portrayal of women? In other plugs, women are shown as utter nitwits. Somebody walks in off the street, announces that Brand A beats Brand X, and the housewife accepts the statement instantThe suggestion is that ly. she's an idiot who'll believe anything. How about some commercials showing women with brains and courtesy? --The Boston Globe This joke wasn't funny (Ky.) - The billboards blazed In Beat Your Wife in huge letters. smaller letters, the signs added, Go Bowling. The Bowling Proprietors Association was trying to catch the eyes of But, what it potential bowlers. generated instead was a controversy with the Spouse Abuse Centre, which provides shelter and counselling for victims of abuse. Carole Morse, director of the centre at a YWCA, said that when she saw the billboard, "I almost cracked up my car. "This is just the sort of humor we have to stop," she said. "I think it is just the kind of mentality that makes this (wife abuse) the largest unreported crime." ...Toronto Star According to the Fort Frances Times, the Polish Tigerettes, a women's hockey team from Winnipeg, gave the Fort Frances Jaycee-Kinsmen-Police lineup a real tussle in an exhibition game in support of new arena roof for that a. city. In spite of the fact the home team iced a bevy of 200 pound heavies, we understand our Polish sisters even picked up a penalty for charging- tying the game six all. The Fort Frances Times quotes a beefier type as These saying, "Ho Boy Girls are Tough!" We say"GIRLS! HAH!!" ! ...Fort Frances Times ***** Digested $s Coughed Up (NY)--In an out-of-court settlement for a sex discrimination case instigated in 1973, the Reader's Digest has agreed, to pay $1.5 million to 2,600 women employees and former emThe bulk of the money ployees. will be used for compensatory back pay; 142 women currently employed by the magazine will receive immediate salary increases. --info from Woman Today NO BUT'S ABOUT IT (NY)--The buttocks has been declared an intimate part of anatomy, the pinching or touching of which without the person's consent punishable by up to three months in jail. A Manhattan criminal court judge found a man guilty of sexual abuse in the third degree for touching the buttocks of a woman without her consent while they were riding the subway during rush hour. The woman pressed charges against him; the man moved to have the charges dropped on the grounds that what he was accused of did not constitute a crime; the judge said that in this country, unlike some others, touching a woman's buttocks without her consent is not treated so cavalierly. The judge probably doesn't ride the subways. However mistaken his opinion on the highmindedness of social values and respect for another's person in this country, his ruling in the case is certainly It was reported in the lovely. United States Law Week under "significant opinions not generally reported." --info from the Washington Star 8 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �In 1867 she posed in proper school marm fashion, with fan in hand beside a rotund gentleman his moustache and his beard and a gold headed cane. Would she have looked so satisfiec if she had known her future lay with oxen on a trail not yet acquainted with a woodsman's axe. Was it perhaps her destiny to cut the trail herself and choose him for his skill at building log houses in the wilderness, If ever the impulse of Ruth crossed het mind and she was tempted to walk two steps behind, she saw it as another time, for someone else, and lived her true nature, a captain of industry, relegating all moustaches and canes to Water Boy. LEAVING AND SAYING HELLO I don't know you even heard 'thank you' in my btieli smiles. POETRY I was teatty smiting my betie6 in you. I coutdn't squeeze through the stumbting bZocks o6 6atten wands, OA 6ind time to remember what I had liotgotten. You were ptessuked with events, I was weighted down with emptiness. I packed my thoughts in a crowded heap and dressed to Leave finding space to say goodbye. Rosatyn Taytot Pettett Gent Thunder Bay Thunder Bay NOREEN on living with strangers The river is deep; and the water cool, here in the desert a spring-water pool. Drink me, I'm endless or bathe in my spray. I'll go for the journey, I'll stay for the day. Test me and try me I spring from a rock. I can walk lonely or fly in the flock. Words are a nuisance none can describe her The glue for the hive the ultimate sister. Gert Beadle Thunder Bay "they wouldn't be half so bad, she said wearily, through her glass of wine; if it weren't for the meat and the money and the make-up. early morning bacon combining with sickly sweet perfume wafts meandering then attacks burns acidly through my nostrils hey derry, hey derry, and a derry, derry down meat, money, and make-up turning me around. the barbie doll shuffle, "kept -woman syndrome.... I find tiviz piece a b papet And I've had three petnod And I Oa Like dying and wtiting It 'Is kitting me not to speak to you My discipZines I watch one peek atound the door I watch anothet play the saxophone The dank one's btothet smiles and speaks to me I dance with a man in a beard So young and handsome And quietZy take my French tiqueat I put my head down And my sistet sttokes it I am in pain and I cannot show it with such a sense of propriety, bright, sensitive, intelligent, keeps head and hearth together; looks after absent-minded genius man who supplies reinforcement, money, and enough fuel for barbie's masochistic fires; the gifts are more expensive, the communication witty, informal, and liberal and of course there is little chance of V.D. in suburbs dollies are swapped. one vagina, two vaginas, three vaginas more And I wig tee my Finnish con6idant To touch my at I witt. dtink cot bee and eat raisin bitead should we assume that barbie is a whore? And I wig weave my sins away in coaue wool Speaking, and taughing with you' mothex. with a down and a down and a derry, derry Deadte Haim Thundet Bay down that good ole meat, money and makeup turning my heart around. I/M/1 Thundet Bay Northern Woman Journal page 9 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �THE WOMAN & THE ENTERTAINER 11/era Johnson Vera is an established singer of folk songs; she strongly resents any implication that her age has anything to do with her talent, and well she might, for what begins in her mind is entrusted to the pen and finally is translated by a rich and mellow voice in eternal youth without a single illusion. It was my rare privilege having Vera as an over-night guest and to sit with her at my kitchen table till the air was blue with smoke, since we are both addicted to the weed, and talk of the many things that delight or concern us. Although the patterns of our lives are very different, we met at the place where it matters. In spirit and mind, we are cut from the same material- she is an aging vagabond, a roving minstrel, a proud parent, a delighted Grandmother and a friend to whoever has the wit and wisdom to take her for what she truly is. The term feminist is too narrow for her liking; woman's rights give way to the larger human rights; her songs reflect her concern for the environment as well as the people in it. Power and pomposity are her natural targets; nothing is sacred; the Jesus trip falls under the same wry judgement as her shaft for the American eagle. 'Do It Yourself Divorce' is a hilarious exercise in ending something she was plainly too busy to bother with; on the other hand, her sincere and touching tribute to the mother of Bernadette Devlin reveals her admiration for the spirit that fights for justice. Vera adheres to non-violence preferring instead to blow up the idiosyncrasies of the human family then deftly sticking a pin in it before her audience in a way that invites mirth. She is warm, generous and real--has been hugged by the Prime Minister, entertained by W.O. Mitchell and shafted by the experts--she has been everywhere on the folk-festival circuits both here and on the continent, using her energy, her great sense of humour and her talents to jar us into a new perception of human potential. Vera Johnson: Song Book #1 - $4.25 Record LP Album Bald Eagle - $5.50 Send to: #207-527 Ash Street New Westminster, B.C. V3M 3N5 LODGEPOLE, NORTH WE KAY McCULLOUGH An LODGEPOLE, NORTH WEST: KAY McCULLOUGH is a native of Thunder Bay, Ontario. She has always been actively involved in art. "I was a painter long before knew how", she states. "Always did it, then later found out how and why, then taught it to other people, because it was too good not to pass on." Over the years it all became concurrent and simultaneous: -- being a wife, a mother to three children now grown, a professional artist, a business woman, a I I teacher. Since her husband was killed in an accident two and a half years ago, she has chosen depth experiences in her life rather than breadth, quality over quantity, concentration over juggling many things at once. At her own request she was granted a year's leave of absence from her teaching duties as head of the Art Department at Hillcrest High School. Since last summer her main area of concentration, painting, has resulted in some fifty very vital northern landscapes done in acrilics and mixed media. She has recently remarried, retaining her professional name. All the paintings were created at her studio-home at Birch Beach on Lake Superior. It is a ruggedly beautiful and quiet setting some twenty-two miles outside the city of Thunder Bay. "What a luxury to have the time and space to go deeply into myself and to tune into nature and the seasons as never before." A number of years ago, one of her teachers, A.Y. Jackson, wrote in a newspaper article about a current show that she was a natural colourist, versatile enough to take her place with the women abstract painters of Canada, and, if she wished, to take portrait commissions on the side and do printmaking as well. He stated that in his opinion, however, she should always return to landscape, for which she had a special feeling. "I'm glad did all those other things", she says, "and also that DID keep returning to landscape. At the moment feel there is so much there, at all levels of understanding, will never run out of inspiration." In this show, her deepest feelings about life seem to be expressed in autumn and winter themes particularly. "It gives my 'colourist' abilities a chance", she says, "to swing between the use of a very full, free and vibrant palette and a restricted, understated, subtle one." I I I I account of an organization that is trying to be born. Affordable housing is har to come by in North West On Priva rio for many people. industry builds a fair amou of housing but most of it sold or rented for a high The government also price. builds housing but most of is now for senior citizens (much needed of course, but useless to those who don't fall into that category). However, there is another kind of housing, called "Th It consis Sector Housing". of housing built by any gro not seeking to make a profi by it (for example: a Nativ People's group who decide t build housing and rent it t Native families who can't f suitable accommodation else where, or co-operative hous which will be owned by them collectively but where each part-owner will pay her or share of the expenses, like i rent) . The federal and provincia governments have a joint scheme to help finance such projects because they recog that the people who help th selves will nevertheless ne more help, such as mortgage money and funds to get star Also, these projects do pro much needed housing that pe can afford. However, very projects actually get off t ground -- or, should say, to the ground because so mu expertise is needed and bec there are such mountains of tape to overcome. But ther a ray of hope, because now two levels of government wi provide some of the finance organizations which are set to help Third Sector Housin over all these pitfalls, an also, if requested, with mai ment once the housing is bu (another area where difficu occur through lack of exper The housing committee of Lakehead Social Planning Cc cil is now trying to set up such an organization. If successful, it will then be independent and will be kno as Lodgepole, North West. hope that it will help many projects to materialize. T are certainly several group Northern Women who would be fit by organizing their own housing in order to become dependent. We hope that Lo pole, North West will be ab to give them the help they need. Anyone who would lik more information can contac Marg Frenette in the evenin Her telephone number is 983 I i 2307. Prue Morton PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �guess the s Cont'd from page 7 enticingly available wherever one goes. The availability of nutritious substitutes depends THE GLEESON CLINIC of on forethought. At home, raw vegetables can be cut up and stored in paper or CHIROPRACTIC terry towelling in the frig, ready for instant nibbling. Celery sticks filled with cheese, yogurt plus fresh fruit or granola stirred in, apple cheese with - wishes to announce the associateship of D.C. or without all can be available at home or taken to school or work. Nuts in the and sunflower seeds can be easily packed and carried PraCtice of Chiropractic for between meal snacks. Remember the essence fif a snack is availabilty .o be there when you want I irwithout requiring much 6 4 time or effort to procure it. There is a veritable library of books written on natural food: the dangers of ingredients added or removed: what happens to * GLEESON CLINIC OF CHIROPRACTIC 1304 VICTORIA AVE. THUNDER BAY, ONT. P7C 1C2 4 (807)623-5531 , The above photo spark amusing speculation o of the collective, wh arrived without docum Sex. raw foods when they are processed : how to shop One for, store and cook foods to get the food values we need for health. URGENT MESSAGE URGENT MESSAGE TO ONTARIO WOMEN The undersigned, acting as individuals, believe that the Family Law Reform Bill (Bill 59) will have disastrous consequences for women if it is adopted in its present form. The government of Ontario has stated its intention of passing this Bill within the next few weeks so that it would be law by March 31st, 1978. We strongly urge you to join us in attempting to stop this Bill in its present form. The Bill should be amended as follows: 1) To broaden the assets to be shared on separation or divorce (called "family assets" in the Bill) to include pension rights, savings and investments acquired during the marriage. This change would do much toward recognizing the equal contribution of the wife to the marriage partnership. (Section 3) 2) To guarantee widows a share of the matrimonial assets upon the death of their husbands. As the Bill abolishes dower rights without providing for sharing of the marital assets upon death, it would make widows worse off than they are at present. The law should ensure that women whose marriages continue until death get at least the same rights to their husbands' property as women whose marriages have broken down. 3) To change the Bill's retroactive presumption that a wife who received property from her husband is holding it in trust for him (in other words, he is still the real owner). Whenever a spouse transfers or buys property in the name of the other, the transaction should be considered to be one of gift. This would affirm women's rights over property they have received from their husbands and would bring the law into line with most people's beliefs and practices. (Section 11) The. Bill will apply to all Ontario spouses who do not opt out of it through a joint contract. As the above indicates, the authors of the Bill did not recognize the equality of the spouses during the marriage and have not given adequate consideration to the effects this legislation would have on continuing marriages. ACTION: (Most effective before February 28, 1978) (DO IT NOW) 1) Communicate with your Provincial Member of Parliament immediately, stressing that the Bill in its present form is not acceptable to you and why. All M.P.P.s can be reached at the Parliament Buildings, Queen's Park, Toronto. 2) If your M.P.P. is in one of the opposition parties, request that the party drop its support of this Bill. 3) Also write to the Premier (Hon. William Davis, same address). 4) Use all possible avenues (including your local media) to get similar immediate action by other women. Louise B. Dulude Lawyer and Research Officer Advisory Council on the Status of Women 29 Morris Street Ottawa K1S 4A6 (tel.: 613-992-4975) Charlotte M. England Past President Council of Women of Ottawa and Area 662 Brierwood Avenue Ottawa K2A 2J2 (tel.: 613-722-4551) Margaret J. Mason Lawyer and Member of the Steering Committee of the National is a boy and one They are not related collective does not k sex is which. Only the mothers and grapher know which se is. We invite you to sex of each and the r The correct guess wit reasons will win one subscription to the N Woman Journal. *****: Association of Women an 5 Oriole Drive Ottawa K1J 7E8 (tel.: 613-235-6736) Trudy Wiltshire Past President Provincial Council of W of Ontario and Member o Ontario Status of Women 492 Cooper Street Ottawa K1R 5H9 (tel.: 613-233-4294) (Note: The above affil stated as credentials organizations with whi are associated have ma tions on Bill 59, but too short to get their a joint text.) ***** GERMAINE GREER No better case could be the survival of the Nor Journal than the cynica of the Chronicle Journa and 7th, on the recent engagement of Germaine More on Germaine Greer issue. Anyone interested in fo ball, volleyball, socce Please come down to Wom and sign up. We have t practicing now to get i Northern Woman Journal pa PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �THE FUTURE NATIVE WOMEN Our Home is First Native Women Speak Exerpts from the Brief presented to the Hartt Commission by Marlene Pierre, President, Ont. Native Women's Association in Geraldton, Ontario. Nov 28/1977. We have come to tell you that if we are to live in the same house, that you must share with me, and I, with you; that if one of us begins to rip the floor and tear apart the walls, dirty the water and infest the air, that we will all have nothing left and will have to leave. , Such is the way it is becoming. With development, any given community experiences a form of trauma that requires it to readily adjust to a new thrust of development which is usual_ ly imposed upon it. This new development brings to the community a large influx of workers, both married and single. Married men bring with them their families, when re-locating to a new job. Schools, existing facilities, and housing, become a demand to accomnew on-coming transodate ient population and resulting shortages, overcrowding and emerge as new disrimination problems. Although this new family life should have a effect on the stabilizing community, it does not occur immediately. An element of the transient population lies mainly with the single men. The situation is different for single men. They live in campsites and share accommodation. Their concern lies mainly with their employer. They do not have or develop a sense of community spirit or loyalty. This, in fact, has a disruptive effect on the normal life of the community. Native people placed in this new situation must make enormous attempts to adjust and accommodate the new arrivals. It has been and will continue to be so in the future. Further, native people have lived in a relatively safe environment and have kept their own life style, values, and traditions. This new transplant upon the community will and has confused the way of life of native people.. The native society has been there for generations and will still be there when the transient population has gone. The two groups living side by side will affect each other. This effect will be greatest on the native communities because two completely different sets of value will Northern Woman Journal page 12 be in conflict with the traditional community as it is. By uprooting the basic fabric of the community, the consequences resulting from it causes social deterioration. It is this breakdown of a community, I wish to emphasize. We are concerned with the human element of development. What in fact happens to our native families when this occurs ? We are concerned about the social and family deterioration of the northern communities. We are concerned about the higher incidence of alcoholism among our native families. Residents of the communities must live along side of the construction workers; violence in the camps and the community will be visible because alcohol and weapons are freely available. Children will be exposed to these ill-effects of alcoholism. We are concerned about the use of drugs among our native women and children. Native women who must cope with problems and crisis may turn to drugs as a form of release for frustration, tension, and depression. The increasing use of gas sniffing, glue sniffing and .drugs will become more rampant among our youths. The lack of recreational facilities, no constructive use of leisure time, availability of drugs and alcohol all contribute to this problem. We are concerned about the sexual exploitation of our native women. Through the and availability of alcohol the communities being close to the camps, the evidence of violent attacks on women, rape, illegitimate pregnancies, unwanted children, prostitution, and venereal disease will rise beyond a social problem. We are concerned about depression among our native families, women, and children. The loss of dignity, self-respect and self-identity would lead to a higher incidence of suicides, murder, incarcerations of native women, violence, mental illness and crime. Communities along the C.N.R. have evidenced itself to this problem. We are concerned with the breakup of family units; abuse of wives, husband/wife beating by partners, communication breakdown-.all leading to shaky marriages common-law relationships, and eventual marital breakdowns. We are concerned about the neg lect and abuse of native children. We believe evry child has a basic and human right to live That right is the right to live at home in safety and comfort. We are concerned about the loss of cultural pride and identity, We are concerned with the lack of adequate social services in order to deal effectively with social problems. We are concern ed about the cutbacks in transportation and communications tc our northern communities. Mr. Commissioner, let us put our house in order,and let us help you. "There is no present or future, only the past, happening over now" and over again A quote from "Trinity"...Uris CALGARY STATUS OF WOMEN ACTION COMMITTEE 223 - 12th Ave. S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2R 0G9 For Immediate Release Prominent North American feminists -- including Robin Morgan, Dr. Lorene4 Clark and Dr. Diana Russel -- will participate in a conference on "Women in a Violent Society", to be held in Interested Calgary April 21-23. sons from throughout Western Canada are expected to attend. The conference is sponsored by the Calgary Status of Women Action ComA $3,500 grant has been mittee. secured from the Alberta Law Foundation, and further funding is expected from government and private sources. "Violence against women occurs on a continuum -- ranging from street hassling and violent pornography to battering and rape," explains Karen Lodl, conference organizer. Why focus specifically on women? Lodl points to a recent Weekend Magazine report that five of six violent crime victims are women, while only one of the nine charged with violent crimes is female. And domestic violence is of increasing concern -- one recent study indicates that almost 50 per cent of women jailed for murdering their hus' bands were physically abused by the men they killed. Purposes of the conference are to educate the public about the sources of violence in society, to garner support for additional rape crisis centres and women's shelters, and to examine law as it relates to rape, battering and sexual harassment. On the program along with authors Morgan (Sisterhood Is Powerful, Goinc Too Far), Clark (Rape: The Price of Coercive Sexuality) and Russell (The Politics of Rape, Crimes Against Women), will be Joannie Vance, natioi al assister for rape crisis centres, and Gene Errington, coordinator of Vancouver Women's Research Centre. For further information on the con ference, or to obtain registration materials, contact the Status of Women office, (403) 264-0774, or Karen Lodl, (403) 261-5697. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �I1VSPIRATION FROG it WHAT IT ALL MEANS. HOUSTWU copyright by Collen Patrick 1977 Throughout the National Women's Conference, the public wondered what it all meant. To this reporter it meant: -that women, for the first time in American history, were seen not as sex objects, but as human beings taking action on their own behalf. - that women believed they should not only act for themselves, but on the behalf of children and men as well.. Resolutions passed at Houston pertain to the entire family of humanity. - that women, at least those at the convention, felt compassion toward themselves, as well as others. They acted on behalf of those who are less- as well as more- fortunate than the individual voting. -that women- as they were represented in Houston; the cross section of poor, of ethnic minority, of disabled, of older, of lesbian, of Republican, of Democratic, of "average" women ( and none of us are average), chose to stand up for equality and real human justice. -that women, as has been the case historically, do not put a price tag on human life. Nor do they put a monetary value on the right of that human life to exist in peace, with strength and dignity. Women have long stretched the dollar the yen, and the lire beyond its real value in supporting themselves and their families. They know governments can do the same. - that women, who have for centuries supported the lives and emotional well-being of others, are now claiming the right of their own fiscal, physical, and emotional welfare. -that women, who have long played an invaluable role in decision-making processes behind the scenes, can now claim the power to act on their own behalf as well as for for others who want the benefits of that power. -that women, who have seldom been given credit for their contribution to political spheres, are openly revealing their political savvy, and they are not hoarding it- but sharing it with others. -that women, who have kno the meaning of physical endurance through childbirth, field work and "traditional" women's work like lifting children, will now, more than ever, use that power to expand their individual athletic abilities. -that women, who have long been- contributors to the arts through the use of pseudonyms or through the men they have helped, will now bring their own names to the public, and get credit for their own work. -that women, just because they are women, were heard in Houston. Particularly through the media. Women, just because they were women, were asked how they felt and what they believed. Those beliefs and feelings were considered facts by the media. The same media which has ignored their cries for recognition and validation throughout modern history. -that women, women who have been socialized to be reticent, to be silent- would in fact, act. And they continue the fight, knowing the later consequences. A woman's right to her reproductive freedom and her sexual preference were deemed necessary in Houston Not because of personal persuasion, but because women who ask for those things are in truction has the distinct possibility of being diffused by the women who are supposed to sit at home while men deliberate their futures-and fight. It means that the women who are supposed to "sit at home" and work to support fighting men, and make heroes of them if they return, will no longer sit in suffering silence. And it means that men who sit with other men, squabbling, while other men, women, and children die of poverty, neglect, disease, hunger, and war, will no longer make their decisions without another vital input-the so-called "woman's point of view." Houston is a start. It means a lot. It can mean more. Credit Pandora 7V ************************** 9 *EQUAL PAY CON T * * * * * * * * * * * * need. -that women, who recognize that * none of us will ever be really "free" would rather be captive * within the framework of a feminist consciousness than within 71. a mind which does not realize human values. -that women, those same women who have been depicted in demeaning, unimportant terms by male-identified programing and * * advertising, must be acknowledged as beings of intelligence, conscience, capability, lt courage, and compassion; as people who choose to deal with * reality, survival, and people, * more than"ring around the coil - * ar" and "waxy yellow build-up". 4E - that women, whethet conservative or progressive, will no longer remain uninvolved. What does it all mean? It means * change. It means courage and sacrifice for beliefs and a better quality of life. It means* that women will finally be recognized as leaders for us all. * It means a lot. It means that every nation in the world knows of that change, * because of the international focus on Houston. They must now recognize the indepence women will increasingly * feel about expressing their con-* the Ontario Labour Code. A reply from Dr. Stephenson was requested.within 30 days. The resolution was passed by approximately 3/4 of the 250 delegates present. AlthOugh representatives of business and industry were present, no management opinions were expressed. I left this conference both elated and depressed. Elated, because this women's caucus had, through their skills of articulation and debate, made "mincemeat" out of the It was exhilarating to know that highly competent women lawyers, economists, and researchers work relentlessly toward moving governzpent to implement equal value legislation. And depressed, because despite all these proceedings, the Ministry would not commit themselves to the equal value concept. Instead, we got the we will continue to study the concept routine( as they have been for the last 20 years.) They would closelg watch the results of the federal equal value law before considering its inclusion in the Ontario Labour Code. To all women in the workforce who hope someday their granddaughters will have equal pay for work of equal value, I leave you with one thought... the words of Nellie McClung, a great Canadian feminist activist and social reformer.. "Resignation is a cheap and indolent human virtue. It is so much easier to sit down and be resigned than to rise up and be indignant!" cerns. It means that now any government contemplating war nr deR- Leona Lang * Northern Woman Journal page lj PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �EQUAL PAY CONFERENCE Women in Ontario alone lose 3 billion dollars annually in potential wage and salary income due to male/female wage inequalities. The figure for all of Canada is 7 billion dollars ( Statistics Canada-74) Existing legislation in Ontario requires women to be paid equally with men when they prove their job requires substantially the same skill, effort, and responsibility as men under the same working conditions. This law is of no use to the 1.6 million working women in Ont.63% are concentrated in dead end low paying"job ghettos" sales, clerical, service, which are totally populated by women. Single sex job categories at low pay are being used by employers to avoid compliance with the intent of existing equal pay legislation. Women fear reprisals from employers when filing wage complaints. In the past equal pay investigators have repeatedly interpreted the existing eqdal pay legislation very narrowly. The Employment Standards Branch is underfinanced and there are not enough resources directed towards the aggressive pursuit of complaints. Women do not have the money or time to hire lawyers to defend them in their claims of wage discrimination. Consequently, despite equal pay legislation, in Ontario since 1951, the wage gap between working men and women continues to widen. Women still earn only 55% of men earn. The obvious what solution to the "economic ills" of working women is "equal pay for work of equal value" which, if implemented, would ensure women equal pay when performing jobs that are the same value as those of men. The criteria used in the job evaluation would be skill, effort, responsibility, and conditions under which the work is performed. (e.g. female sewing machine operator and male janitor). The objective of the conference organizers was to"raise the level of understanding and awarness of the issues concerning equal pay and opportunity for women in the workforce." Speakers from the United Kingdom, U.S.A., and Canada, examined existing equal pay legislation. Notably absent from the speakers' rosrepresentation from trum was the Canadian Federal govern ment, who will be implementing "equal pay for work of the new Human equal value "in Rights bill effective Mar.1/78. This clause will cover all federally regulated services such as C.N.R., C.B.C., Air Canada, Another Plaeebo banks, and agencies of the federal government. Federal representation was vital to explain how they intend to implement and enforce this law. Absent also was the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which has equal value provisions, and work hard at writing this concept into collective agreements covering their members. Instead, as an opener, we were treated to a welcome from the Minister of Culture and Recreation which, as Joan Sutton, Toronto columnist wrote "Sip your tea, ladies, and SHUT UPI Perhaps unwittingly, the Ont. government was telling the delegates in a symbolic way what this conference is really about. Giving the ladies something to do. Letting them have their say. While politics and business go on as usual. Withoutsignificant change." The Minister of Labour, Dr. Bette Stephenson, was also absent. This $20,000.00 conference was on the planning board a long time..if the Minister was really concerned with equal pay her schedule would have allowed for her presence. Instead, her deputy minister, T.E. Armstrong, Q.0 sat on the panel. His tone was patronizing, paternalistic, and uncompromising. In the face of difficulty he resorted to very slick, evasive bureaucratese, pointing outthat the issue at hand was a cabinet matter, and could only be spoken to by the Minister (who wasn't there). It soon became obvious we were in for another "snowjob" by the Ministry- how difficult and costly it was to implement and enforce equal value legislation: how, with high unemployment and inflation, women were not being realistic in our demands for equal pay for equal value(but then, we're not being realistic when the economy is booming, either). In response; delegates representing women's groups, unions, and academics, formed an informal coalition and attacked the Ont. government for"green-papering';, conferencing, and studying the issue to death, instead of passing effective legislation. One delegate asked a representative from Employment Standards what his department was doing to enforce minimum wage when there were thousands of immigrant women in Toronto working in textile mills for below minimum wage. He replied he was not aware of this situation. Amid incredulous groans, mr. Armstrong attempted to smooth this "faux paue' by passing the question over to Marnie Clark, Director of Women's Bureau, "Despite the fact that twice Mr. Armstrong instructions to her were politely disguised admonitions to keep her mouth shut, she did agree there are cases Tale immigrant and native women OD "Gee, I'd love to help, but...!" are being exploited, wnere women are working for less th minimum wage, and where equal pay complaints cannot be handled under the present law, Toronto Star.. Ms. Clark went on to discuss ways in which the government could ensure economic equality for woif,11-.. the workfarce. Government con tracts could be tended only t( those companies which voluntarily utilize affirmative action programs which are policies and programs based____-- on strategies to ensure the removal of unnecessary barrie. which restrict employment and promotional opportunities for women. It wa s argued that up ward mobility (higher educati( and horizontal moverpent (into non-traditional jobs for example) was not an equitable solution. Nurses and typists indignantly rose to point out they were highly skilled peop. but society had put a low value on their skills(hence, low pay). Ms. Clark also suggested allocation of tax incentives or rebates to equal pay/opportunity employers to which one woman scornfully retorted,"I pay taxes, which is paid to the employer(as a rebate) who exploits me in the first place!" What kind of reasoning is this?? At the final session of the two day conference, the Ont. Committee on the Status of Women, boldly walked to the microphone and amid flashing lightbulbs and whirring t. v. cameras, introduced a resolution(much to the dismay of the Ministry). It urged the government to seriously enforce existing equal pay legislation, and to legislate the equal value concept into Continued on page 13 Northern Woman Journal page 14 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �BOOK REVIEW What Is A Girl What Is A Boy? by Stephanie Waxman A CHILD'S BILL OF RIGHTS. WATCH ME GROW. Children of all ages need to be exposed to the exciting and informative world of books. Young children can develop an interest in learning to read from listening, watching, and participating while their parents read to them. We should not always keep only developing a desire to read foremost in our minds as we are selecting and reading books to our children. Children need a variety of books- colourful ,big pictures, small and detailed pictures, books to inform, to ask questions as well as answer questions, to laugh with, cry with, and just for fun. Take advantage of the opportunity to increase your child's vocabulary knowledge of the world around, interest in learning, and most important, your child-parent relationship. All of this, just by reading books with your child I'm glad I'm me, No one looks the way I do, I have noticed that it's true, No one walks the way I walk, No one talks the way I talk, No one plays the way I play, No one says the things I say, I am special- I am me, There is no one I would rather be than me. ...Ruth Dana Peterson Let me grow as I be And try to understand Why I want to grow like me, Not like my mom wants me to be, Nor like my dad hopes I'll be, Or my teacher thinks I should be, Please try to understand And help me grow Just like me. A curious child can, think, be stymied by some of the available children's literature on sex. To much information brings about a suffocation, perhaps of simple wondering. What is A Girl? What Is A Boy? gives. simple answers in the form of clear photographs of people (not just parts of people either) - the kind of picture a a child wants to examine. Each photograph accompanies a straightforward sentence in real language (no baby I ....Gladys Andrews SHE SHOOTS! talk or euphemisms) that stays within the vocabulary range of the average four-year old. One likes the people in the pictures. One wants to study them. They are everyday people illustrating points important to one who is sorting out things in our culture--points such as 'girls play hockey' and 'boys play with dolls' this man wears jewelry' and this lady has short hair'. It concludes that we are all people: women and girls being people with a vagina and clitoris, men and boys with a penis and testicles. The final illustrations in the book are the only non-photographs and are drawings done by small children, in which parts of the body (nose, fingernails, clitoris, etc.) are labeled. (Your mother may have been shocked had you drawn these at age four.) There is then provision for the young reader to enter her own drawing in the book. My child likes it. SHE SCORES! by Heather Kellerhals-Stewart The Women's Press $.95 54 pages Of great topical interest today She Shoots! She Scores! describes a phenomenon which has only recently become a reality. Although girls have wanted to play league hockey for many years they were only permitted to do so for the first time this season. She Shoots! She Scores! tells the story of Hilary, a girl who likes being a girl but who also likes to play hockey. She is in the fastpaced world of the hockey arena. Her family and best friend are rooting for her, but in the end it is Hilary's own determination that brings her through. Pat Conway, in the Junior Fiction Showcase says, "The text is lively and the pace is quick. This will be fun reading for boys and girls alike...". Sita FORT FRANCES DECADE Dear "Northern Woman" Here is a short piece as promised about our Decade Council DECADE COUNCIL REPORT The Women's Movement is alive in Rainy River District. The Rainy River District Decade Council had its beginnings with a core group of area women in the spring of 1977. A visit from Ruth Cunningham and Lynne Thornburg sparked more interest, and then area women travelled to Thunder Bay for the Working Women's Conference, and again to a meeting of the Northwestern Ontario Women's Decade Co-ordinating Council. In May the N.O.W.D.C.C. held its monthly meeting here in Fort Frances. After that visit, the local group set priorities, and applied for and received a grant from the Secretary of State. The Dryden Daycare Conference solidified our commitment to help in any way possible to set up a Daycare Centre in Fort Frances. On February 13, Fort Frances Town Council passed a by-law which means the town will apply to the province for funding to operate a Daycare Centre. The Decade Council has been pushing the town to take that action since August. Since October, education seminars on Child Abuse and Women and Alcohol have been presented and received solid public support. Two more seminars, on the Problem Child and Rape and Sexual Assault, are in the planning stages. A three day workshop on Women and the Law is set for May. Nine area women travelled to Thunder Bay in January, 1978 for a Rape and Sexual Assault Workshop. Women who are willing to counsel rape victims and fulfill speaking engagements have met since to plan strategy, and a liaison has already been set up with the Fort Frances Police Department. The Decade Council has made some progress, and our hope is to continue. "We've only just begun." Gayle Quirie I Homecooked Catering for, Weddings, Showers, Parties (Large & Small) 767-7355, June or 767-5173, Grace Northern Woman Journal page 15 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Scat GO Ifsar District Women Eligil Northern Women's Credit Union almost sold out Don'tYear Be Disappointed one, was viewed to be very Order low! successful for the Northern Women' Credit Union. A dividend of 5% ar a 30 loan rebate was approved at annual meeting January 30, at WOME Place, 316 Bay Street. We are very pleased to report 0 Women living in the Districts of Thunder Bay, Kenora and Rainy Rive The-Northern Woman is extending a reduced rate to groups under who order 10 or more the bond are now eligible, Instead of the regular $5.00 weassociation, are offeringtothe special price copies. become members. of Orders should be'pre-paid by cheque or money order (made out tow,SALT location $3.50. change of geographical YEAST) and sent to the Northern Woman approved Journal, by 316the BayMinistry St., Thunder Bay, of Consur The pry Ontario, P713 1S1. Phone 807-345-5841. and Commercial Relations. vious boundary was within a 70 mi S*rigt tom C pert ORDER FORM ORDER FORM SALT Name Address I radiJs of Thunder Bay. ORDER FORM ORDER FORM Lynne Thornburg, a member of th AND Credit YEAST Union, travels extensively into the district and has kindly consented to be bonded as a colle She will have the necessary or. forms so that women may become me bers. Please Send copies Women may also phone or write t Northern Women's Credit Union and application will be mailed to you or drop in when visiting Thunder Tuesday and Friday fr Hours are: 10 to 5 p.m. and Thursday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. el $3.50 or - e $5.00 cess Story n as The be s. ny 1 finding room for in the journal. We are seriously considering doing an anthology of collected poems--the time frame, to be one year hence. We The final invite women to participate. selection is that of the Journal No funds will be involved. collective. Send releases with material and stamped addressed envelope, if you wish your Address all poetry to be returned. suLnissions to the Northern Woman Journal, 316 Bay St., Thunder Bay. P7B 1S1. more credit union (NORTHERN WOMEN'S CREDIT UN] 316 BAY ST. HOURS TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS 10 a.m. TO 5 p.m. THURSDAYS 7 p.m. TO 9 p.m. PH. 345-7802 - The Northwestern Ontario International Women's Decade Co-ordinating Council cordially invites you to attend als ed n e r- join now "A NIGHT OF FILM" for contest International Women's Day nep and the The Northern Women's Credit Uni( can no longer use the above log( the hands and globe symbol is a copyright of the World Council Credit Unions. We invite women to submit logos for The Northern Women's Credit The woman submitting thi Union. winning entry will receive two 10th Anniversary of Confederation College -ny ua, s red ( honouring Women's Programs Confederation College Lecture Theatre Saturday, March 11 , 1978 8 shares. PM 4 I PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �I+ Cosa Paolo Carlo Peal Bulk Ennead: re third woilims dos dorm ************************. 220 ** *Editorial *Gert's Gospel **Letters pg *TABLE OF CONTENTS: RETURN TO: THE NORTHERN WOMAN 316 BAY ST. THUNDER BAY P, ONT. Return Postage Guaranteed *Women Read Men *I U D LEAVES WOMAN STERILE *Women Against Rape *Eating Natural *Bits and Pieces *Poetry Artists tNative Women Speak ;Inspiration From Houston *Another Placebo Frances Decade **Typing...Leona and Cathy 2 2 3 4 ** * * * * * ** 5 if 6 7 8 9 * * * 10 * 12 * * 13 14 * 15 ** * *********************** HAVE YOU MOVED? PLEASE LET US KNOW. (We must pay return postage to keep up our mailing list) korgerti 316 Your subscription is due. CQn11411 gat-Sick tailltret (Six Ds'u.es) val., bd. 4.50 its° g usf ar %sr' Infifitruifo onattionsGt- cdertk fteeezifeti PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 4 No 2 Description An account of the resource Vol. 4, No. 2 (February 1978) Title: Northern Woman Journal Topics include: Shifting focus from oppression to positive news Highlighting grassroots activist success across Canada Poetry Letters to the editor Feminism across the spectrum (conservative to radical feminisms) IUD leaves woman sterile Doctors and women’s bodies Women against rape Law reform to support rape survivors Eating natural foods Land ownership after divorce Sexist television commercials Women in music - Vera Johnson Women in art - Kay McCullough Family Law Reform Bill (Bill 59) Ontario Native Women’s Association Native women’s experiences & status Equal Pay Conference Feminist kids’ books Fort Francis Women’s Decade Council Northern Women’s Credit Union Salt & Yeast by Gert Beadle Authors/contributors: Gert Beadle K. Henley (Elliot Lake) Margaret Frenette Dianne Pettit Baig Sandra Steinhause Patricia J. Wales (D.C.) Rosalyn Taylor Perrett Deidre Hamill Prue Morton Marlene Pierre Leona Lang Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1978-02 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2752/1978_Vol_4_No_3.pdf d8bc9b3223574863e865154dedfcf4da PDF Text Text t141)Vitio 04 21301\111Ni 'AV2 111)titO olJelu0 011.11102 06, 0111t1j 17 AVYV 3141 -PaviNnoa 404 ONI AT. SI 'ONIWOD 1 AVS 'OS 61 n 13A s2l3nio .lanoa A7NO V l4J 111 O BELIEVE, NE ALC THIS MAN, OH IT. BELIEVE NOT MAY YOU YET FIRE, PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �editorial As the Women In Transition project moves inexorably to disclosure, and we in turn play our full part in exposing the magnitude of violence against women in our community, we have a strange feeling of relief that is echoed over and over again in the personal documentations. Thank God the secret is out, no longer any reason to pretend, as one minister who said, "There are no battered women in my congregation, Our women fear the Lord". One can readily see how difficult it would be for a woman in that congregation to ask for any kind of help. It is not easy for society to face up to its own violent instincts. It would be so simple to believe that only the base and deprived had cultivated the art to its present form. So simple to say, it's the drink, it's the drugs, it's the money, its the nagging, it's the woman's movement, it's the moral permissiveness, if we didn't know in every case it's the stronger against the weaker, the independent against the dependant and whether it is man against woman or woman against child it is rooted in the drive for independence on the one hand and the need to control on the other. It was inevitable that one day the lid would fly off and we would be forced to recognize and deal with the cycle that pits social pressure against men, men against women, and both men and women against children who in turn are at war with society. In the past woman has dealt with this brutal part of her reality by turning inward, going mad, protecting the source of her dependance and whether she has done it out of fear or love, the deterioration of her spirit and her loss of self-worth has been reflected in the family. Perhaps this first real break it the cycle comes when women are no longer ashamed to say, "This is th way it is in my life and see no good and sufficient reason to conceal it or continue to endure it." Our Society has an obligation to provide an option, a place of refu in the immediate and the support structures that encourage her to believe she can make changes that will restore her self-worth. This is short term for the fundamental change has to come from a reexamination of the power structure as it applies to personal relationships, and more specifically the I sexes. Gert GERT'S GOSPEL The column in this paper entitled Gert's Gospel must surely mean that Gert has things on her mind that she is dying to say, and that her sisters have enough regard for her wisdom to let her say them. Time slips by and the chances and the time for the saying sometime seem shorter than we like to think, so ask myself, "What part of my nature have not fully shared with you?" am as transparent as water in my total dedication to a future generation who care enough for themselves that oppressing each other will not exist, not because it is a law, but because each will recognize that infringing on another's rights is a deadly insult to their own spirit. This is not to say that struggle honestly done and relentlessly pursued in the interest of justice is not only our right, but our absolute duty. The world is full of warriors who say the end justifies the means. To say both genders are not in that march to destruction would be too fanciful for my age. see and feel the movement struggling on all fronts today; to even suggest it is a passing interest, a dying dinosaur, or even something that can be contained by pressure,is absurd. We have studied I I I I and researched everything but our own souls, and many of us still run in terror from the very word. If had one last secret of my life to share with all of my human family, especially my sisters, would speak of the mystery of the soul and the part it I I * * 4E * * * WOMEN'S PLACE FLEA MARKET We have a table at Aunty Linda's Flea Market (Labour Centre, June 11) This planet was formed by a creative life force of positive energy. IT was a supreme act of love. We are the keepers of that creative life force not because we are the chosen, but just because it belongs to us. The mind has changed and grown through the generations, but the true life force, the positive energy, plays its part in everything we do without too many people even recognizing it. Man has not been content with the simple facts of the life force that created us, he must first structure it and then conjure up the lord of the structure. It is no longer necessary to make man in God's Image; we now have him safely in our own image and have built him great mansions to prove it. have no objections to the multiple myths of the past, other than to sincerely mourn the blood shed for the foolishness of it all, and sincerely believe it will continue in the name ridiculous of holiness. I I * Bring your stuff to * 316 Bay or the * * Labour Centre. ( I I I INDIFFERENCE. Indifference, can yc imagine the incentive to care if indifference was the biggy, and the consternation to find it had nothil to do with sex. Second, claimed my creative life force; the positi energy of love in action whose onl' For many years function is to be. thought its purpose was to lay a guilt trip on me but discovered guilt was of the mind and as with many other things, was an illusion which had nothing whatsoever to do with the soul. Having shot down both sin and guilt and accepting t wisdom of the life force as my cen and my soul, and recognizing the p that passion plays in struggle if struggle is just, it is my opinion that we lose two things by not recognizing the woman's movement a spiritual; one, the committment th passion brings and two, recognitio of the power of the creative life force that makes a tiny seed split a rock so that it can bloom. I I I tions. li 11141 Gert Beadle * * it 1:111011i * *.w. * * **************** Northern Woman Journal that even my grass-roots thinking understand. First, took a good at what we're calling sin these dad and just threw it all out. pi( invite comment on the above an make only one small condition, tha you not bore me with finite quota- * 4e * * * 4i I could play in our certain destiny.''''the most heinous sin in my mind, * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * In the face of all this complica of simplicity, have chosen to mak( my spiritual life work for me in we 11111111, page 2 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Dear Editors: I. U. D., P. I . D . etc. Dear Sisters: received four A few days ago copies of back issues of the Northern Woman Journal from a friend in Thunder Bay. Reading those issues was a very moving experience. My emotions ranged from anger and sadness to joy and exhilaration. The Northern Woman speaks the truth, not only of the anguish of women but of their was strength and courage. struck by the incredible honesty of the accounts of women's experThis journal marks an iences. important step towards overcoming the isolation of women which has prevented them from realizing and working to overcome their oppresI I Dear Women: I I'm searching for information dealing with natural cures for P.I.D I've (pelvic inflamitory disease) been troubled by this repeatedly For a year over the past 4 years. a direct was sterile: and a half of a bad case of P.I.D. result was no discovered Last fall longer sterile but pregnant. had This is another tangent but womb was to have an abortion...my had a D & C perso unhealthy, That head trip is formed here. another story. want to do now is help my What have been body regain its health. etc, for a "into" natural foods, In all that time couple of years. I've been unable to discover a natural remedy for P.I.D. and related reI'd productive organ infections. specific also like to know about can do to help myself in things Can the fight for a normal womb. you (please) help me? would appreciate you discussing this and forwarding any information How about an article in the to me. Northern Woman's Journal? This information is important to all and, sadly, hard to come by. could come to your meetwish Maybe have MANY questions. ings. from you. I'll obtain the answers I'd like to impress you with the necessity of available information. Doctors, in my opinion, are not to place my trust in be trusted. other women and their experiences. We must share! I I I I I I sion. I The Northern Woman is one of the have seen. best journals that intend to pass the copies on to the women in my consciousness am sure they will raising group. was. be as excited about them as I I I I In sisterhood, I I Stephanie Holbik I Dear Gert: The Northern Woman Journal arrived day before yesterday. Haven't had a chance to read it yet (will do that fly to on the plane tomorrow when London) but wanted to let you know am absolutely delighted with that the article and intend to use it for promotional purposes. Thank you so I I much. No time to write a proper letter. still remember my Busy packing. visit with you with great pleasure and look forward to seeing you again some time. Made a new LP (live) last night and put the Women's Liberation Blues on it. Will let you know when it's released. I I I I Thanks to all Deb Hagarty Atikokan I Best Wishes Johnson Vera Thank you for the complimentary Enclosed copy of "Northern Woman". Please enter me as a subis $4.50. scriber. Thank you for printing Sandra Steinhause's article on the I.U.D. had a similar experience and have been very lonely in the anger and feel with the medical frustration establishment. also am a woman who is very conscious of her body and health care Before my decision to in general. have an I.U.D. (CU7) inserted in 1973 had a lengthy discussion with my felt fully informed gynecologist. on the pros and cons of this method was told there of birth control. is a high rate of "infection" but was not told that this meant pelvic inflammatory disease--a fertility Nor was threatening infection. told to contact a doctor upon the first sign of abnormal pain or bleed- New Westminster, B.C. Dear Sisters: Here at long last is the promised column--written at Gert's request. I'm not sure if this is the type of column you are looking for--if it's not I'd have no objection to your printing one of my letters to Gert. Also enclosed is my payment for my '78 subscription--unforgivably agree. tardy, eagerly await my copies of The don't feel Northern Woman. Though that NWO is the best place for me to am not inflexible, but be now, shall ever live there doubt if I I I I I ing. On a Monday in November, 1976, experienced abnormal bleeding. As live 10 miles from my gynecologist and planned a trip to town on Friday, decided to see him at that time. saw him, give me a He did, when full explanation of all possible conditions that could be causing my However, he instructed me symptoms. to check into the hospital on Sunday for a laporetomy (exploratory surgery) on Monday. This three-day delay had to ravage allowed the infection my reproductive On Monday my condition was longer. diagnosed as pelvic inflammatory was prescribed a high disease and dosage of antibiotics. I I I I I I The infection did clear up and my was doctor suggested that after have a test done completely healed to see how badly scarred my fallopian had this test done and tubes are. learned that my tubes are totally blocked with scar tissue, preventing However, he also informed pregnancy. me that there is surgery that can be performed to remove this scar tissue, which would increase my chance of becoming pregnant to 20%. said, my reaction to this whole As nightmare is complete horror and feel like a victim. indignation. am a woman who prides herself on As being in control of her life, this was an extremely demoralizing experience. am left cynical and bitter towards the entire medical profession which, in the long run, may be better for my I I I I I I I health. I I Dear Sisters: I Up until a month ago, Greetings! was unaware that Northern Woman am Journal even existed and now appreciative subone of its most A dear friend of mine scribers. received the last issue after havI I ing let her subscription go for some time (shame on her) and shared really enit with me one night. article joyed it, especially the was born about Muriel Boyle, as and raised in Sioux Lookout myself. opened my Anyway, a week later I I I again. Good luck with all your activities. (Gert a letter will be off to you sometime this week.) With much love and sisterhood, I I Carol P.S. A pen name is not necessary for publication of this column. must, however, say that Sandra Steinhause's experience surprised me have always felt the best in that medical attention is to be found in am not Tho the larger centres. satisfied with the doctor who inserted My I.U.D., the doctor who attended me during my infection, laporetomy and 'testing is to be highly commended when compared with Sandra's medical team. Thank you, Northern Woman, for allowing me to tell my story and to relieve feel. some of the anger I I I I Sincerely, I Marsha Michael Cunningham (see page cont'd on page 7 Northern Woman Journal page 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Dear Editors: I. U. D., P.I.D. etc. Dear Sisters: received four A few days ago copies of back issues of the Northern Woman Journal from a friend in Thunder Bay. Reading those issues was a very moving My emotions ranged experience. from anger and sadness to joy and exhilaration. The Northern Woman speaks the truth, not only of the anguish of women but of their was strength and courage. struck by the incredible honesty of the accounts of women's experThis journal marks an iences. important step towards overcoming the isolation of women which has prevented them from realizing and working to overcome their oppresI I Dear Women: I I'm searching for information dealing with natural cures for P.I.D, I've (pelvic inflamitory disease) been troubled by this repeatedly For a year over the past 4 years. a direct was sterile: and a half of a bad case of P.I.D. result was no discovered Last fall longer sterile but pregnant. had This is another tangent but to have an abortion...my womb was had a D & C perso unhealthy, That head trip is formed here. another story. want to do now is help my What have been body regain its health. "into" natural foods, etc, for a In all that time couple of years. I've been unable to discover a natural remedy for P.I.D. and related reI'd productive organ infections. also like to know about specific can do to help myself in things Can the fight for a normal womb. you (please) help me? would appreciate you discussing this and forwarding any information How about an article in the to 'e. Northern Woman's Journal? This information is important to all and, sadly, hard to cone by. could come to your meetwish Maybe have MANY questions. ings. from you. I'll obtain the answers I'd like to impress you with the necessity of available information. Doctors, in my opinion, are not to place my trust in be trusted. other women and their experiences. We must share! I I I I I I sion. I The Northern Woman is one of the have seen. best journals that intend to pass the copies on to the women in my consciousness am sure they will raising group. was. be as excited about them as I I I I In sisterhood, I I Stephanie Holbik I The Northern Woman Journal arrived day before yesterday. Haven't had a chance to read it yet (will do that fly to on the plane tomorrow when London) but wanted to let you know am absolutely delighted with that the article and intend to use it for Thank you so promotional purposes. I I much. No time to write a proper letter. still remember my Busy packing. visit with you with great pleasure and look forward to seeing you again some time. Made a new LP (live) last night and put the Women's Liberation Blues on it. Will let you know when it's released. I I I I Thanks to all Deb Hagarty Atikokan I Best Wishes Johnson New Westminster, B.C. Vera Dear Sisters: Here at long last is the promised column--written at Gert's request. I'm not sure if this is the type of column you are looking for--if it's not I'd have no objection to your printing one of my letters to Gert. Also enclosed is my payment for my '78 subscription--unforgivably agree. tardy, eagerly await my copies of The don't feel Northern Woman. Though that NWO is the best place for me to am not inflexible, but be now, shall ever live there doubt if again. Good luck with all your activities. (Gert a letter will be off to you sometime this week.) I I Dear Sisters: I Greetings! Up until a month ago, was unaware that Northern Woman am Journal even existed and now one of its most appreciative subA dear friend of mine scribers. received the last issue after having let her subscription go for some time (shame on her) and shared really enit with me one night. joyed it, especially the article was born about Muriel Boyle, as and raised in Sioux Lookout myself. opened my Anyway, a week later I I I I I With much love and sisterhood, I I Thank you for the complimentary copy of "Northern Woman". Enclosed is $4.50. Please enter me as a subscriber. Thank you for printing Sandra Steinhause's article on the I.U.D. had a similar experience and have been very lonely in the anger and frustration feel with the medical establishment. also am a woman who is very conscious of her body and health care in general. Before my decision to have an I.U.D. (CU7) inserted in 1973 had a lengthy discussion with my gynecologist. felt fully informed on the pros and cons of this method of birth control. was told there is a high rate of "infection" but was not told that this meant pelvic inflammatory disease--a fertility threatening infection. Nor was told to contact a doctor upon the first sign of abnormal pain or bleed- Carol P.S. A pen name is not necessary for publication of this column. I I I I I ing. On a Monday in November, 1976, experienced abnormal bleeding. As live 10 miles from my gynecologist and planned a trip to town on Friday, decided to see him at that time. He did, when saw him, give me a full explanation of all possible conditions that could be causing my symptoms. However, he instructed me to check into the hospital on Sunday for a laporetomy (exploratory surgery) on Monday. This three-day delay in4ect7c, had to ravage my reproauctive sys to much longer. On Monday my condition was diagnosed as pelvic inflammatory was prescribed a high disease and dosage of antibiotics. I I I I I I The infection did clear up and my doctor suggested that after was completely healed have a test done to see how badly scarred my fallopian had this test done and tubes are. learned that my tubes are totally blocked with scar tissue, preventing pregnancy. However, he also informed me that there is surgery that can be performed to remove this scar tissue, which would increase my chance of becoming pregnant to 200. said, my reaction to this whole As nightmare is complete horror and feel like a victim. indignation. am a woman who prides herself on As being in control of her life, this was an extremely demoralizing experience. am left cynical and bitter towards the entire medical profession which, in the long run, may be better for my I I I I I I I health. must, however, say that Sandra Steinhause's experience surprised me have always felt the best in that medical attention is to be found in am not Tho the larger centres. satisfied with the doctor who inserted my I.U.D., the doctor who attended me during my infection, laporetomy and 'testing is to be highly commended when compared with Sandra's medical team. Thank you, Northern Woman, for allowing me to tell my story and to relieve some of the anger feel. I I I I Sincerely, I Marsha Michael Cunningham cont'd on page 7 (see page Northern Woman Journal page 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �THE SI LENT CRIME Violence Against Women by Jackie Gross The FACT of wife beating has always existed behind closed domestic doors. The PROBLEM of wife beating, like child abuse, is only recently coming to light. The term "WIFE", it should be noted, takes in women in situations involving husbands, common-law husbands and male friends. Until now, it has been an accepted, taken-for-granted, though unfortunate, fact of many women's lives. Wife beating is thought by legal experts to be one of the least reported crimes there is, although family dispute calls to police departments constitute a very large percentage of their total calls. Though little has, to date, been written in Canada on Abused Women, estimates from the U.S. point out that every year, there are a halfmillion calls made to police for assistance in domestic disputes, and this figure represents only a small portion of the actual instances of wife battering that occurs. The results of a Harris Poll on Family Violence in America find that 20% of the families polled approve of slapping the spouse on "appropriate" occasions. This figure increases to 250 of college-educated persons. In summary, the fact most responsible for the assailant's immunity from legal action is that in nearly one-quarter of all American families, wife abuse is an approved mode of behaviour. This includes the attitude of potential or actual victims. In a Michigan State University Study involving a series of staged fights, three psychologists found that male witnesses rushed to the aid of men being assaulted by either women or men, and that men helped women being hit by other women; but not one male bystander interferred when a man apparently Dr. Murray A. beat up a woman. Straus of the University of New Hampshire suggests that the bystanders assumed the man was the woman's husband, and therefore, he had a right to beat her up. He also points out that in the famous Kitty Genovese Case, where 38 people witnessed a woman being killed without going to her aid, many of the witnesses said they didn't intervene because they thought the killer was the woman's husband! CAUSES OF BATTERING The causes of conjugal violence Domestic assaults are innumerable. are, to a great degree, alcoholrelated, and alcohol-related violence is almost always exclusively male violence. Dr. Richard Gelles, a University of Rhode Island Sociologist suggests that cause and effect in relation to alcohol and violence are the reverse of what is Instead of men commonly supposed. beating their wives because they've been drinking, they drink because Gelles they want to beat their wives. and Straus believe that, basically, violence is a learned behaviour. "In Fact," says Straus, "The family is preeminent in every type of violence, from slaps to torture and murder...." Mental disorder of the assailant has been blamed, but the fact that men all across the country beat their wives, is a clear indication that the problem lies, rather, in the societies in which we live; societies wherein the wife-beating phenomenon is taken for granted, actively supported, or ignored. Any change in the norm could bring out violent reactions in the wifebatterer. An example of this is According to Gelles in pregnancy. his paper on "Violence In Pregnancy" (1975), he suggests that attacks during pregnancy are directed as much at the unborn child as at the wife, and they represent resentment of the This child on the husband's part. may stem from the disruption of sexual activity, interference i- cater-s of social life, or the economic threat It constituted by the coming child. has also been suggested that abuse during pregnancy might be considered a form of pre-natal child battering. According to Mary Van Stolk, in her 1976 article in "Children Today", it was discovered in researching the abused and battered child that wife beating followed the same social, statistical and cultural patterns. WHY DO ASSAULTS GO UNREPORTED? The reluctance on the part of the woman to report or discuss domestic assaults and consequently remain in her situation is due to many factors: In many cases, she has nowhere 1) else to go. 2) A desire to deny or conceal due to embarrassment or shame. 3) Abuse is an accepted way of life and many women feel that they have actually provoked a beating. 4) Psychological and emotional ties: over the time in which the wife was subjected to physical abuse, she may doubt her own worth and integrity. 5) The fear of being alone. 6) Concern for the effects of family breakup on the children. 7) Economic dependence. 8) Lack of support available from family, friends and community services. 9) Lack of knowledge about alternatives. PUBLIC AND POLICE RESPONSE TO THE BATTERED WIFE In the past, and to a large degree today, battered women have met both legal and social indifference to their plight. One would assume that families would rise to the defence of their daughters, but such is not the case. Nor do neighbours who suspect or are witness to events of family violence accept the responsibility for reporting incidents to police. Even when police are summoned, the outcome is often less than satisfactory for the victim. Women are often discouraged from even filing a complaint, because the police know that in half the cases, the victim will drop the charges and that, as well, the court process and outcomes are not satisfactory to anyone involved. The police are reluctant to involve themselves in domestic disputes and this is somewhat understandable, considering that 23 of all policemen killed during 1974 in the United States, were killed answering family dispute calls. Some women who do make an attempt to press charges often give up due to an overwhelming feeling of "What's find that the victim herself must appear in court to file charges, and that it can take months for the case to come to trial, lose all hope and drop charges. This, in many cases, is due to lack of sheltering facilities and reprisal from their assailants while waiting for the case to come to court. The entire process requires a greater strength and persistence than many women seem able to muster during this time in their lives. NEEDS OF BATTERED WOMEN One of :the most fundamental elements in dealing with the problem of Battered Women is that of raising public awareness. This exercise in education must also be directed toward professionals in the community, such as Doctors, Lawyers, Clergy, Social Workers, Police and Courts. Some of the misconceptions surrounding the Battered Wife which must be dispelled are: That battered women bring the abuse on themselves; That these C kOr Northern Woman Journal page 4 la, OA_ /-y5 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �mot herhood ON THE INSTITUTION OF MOTHERHOOD: "Everything else man can do. This (motherhood) is woman's function and her glory. For this she was sent Her best years must into the world. be spent in the nursery or the nation perishes. In the noblest periods of a nation's history, the ablest women are ambitious of bearing distinguished sons. Only in periods of decadence do women seek to be distinguished themselves." (1) This published after the 'war to end all wars' told women what they ought to be and how they ought to think and feel about motherhood. This is what men expected and wanted. Some of us may say that it has changed, that women need no longer feel pushed or co-erced by male dominated ethics. But young girls are misled still today to picture motherhood as something it is not. When we think of motherhood we like to think of the home--the happy home with the mothering lady hanging out the wash and serving meals to children and husband. We think or are supposed to think of blooming women with rosy children at their knees, ecstatic madonnas, a Jewish mother lighting the candles in a scrubbed kitchen. We do not think of the penalties imposed on those of us who have tried to live according to a different plan, the art which depicts us in an unnatural serenity or resignation, the medical establishment which has robbed so many women of the act of giving birth, the experts--almost all male--who have told us how we as mothers should behave and feel. We are not supposed to think of fantasies of infanticide or day after wintry day spent alone in the We have house with ailing children. in our long history accepted the stresses of the institution as if they were a law of nature. We do not think of the power stolen from us and the power witheld from us in the name of the institution of motherhood. We are not supposed to think of the woman lying in a hospital with ice packs on her aching breasts because she has been convinced she must not nurse her child; of a woman in Africa equally convinced by the producers of U.S. commercial infant formula that her ample breast milk is inadequate nourishment; of a Vietnamese mother gang-raped while working in the fields with her baby at her side; of a woman trying to conceal her pregnancy so she can go on working as long as she can because when her condition is discovered she will be fired without disability insurance; or of the women whose children have gone unnourished because they had to hire themselves out as wet nurses. We are not supposed to think of the woman who passes for "childless" who remembers giving birth to a baby she was not allowed to touch and see because she might love it and want to keep it. guarantee to a man of "his" children; the theft of childbirth from women; the concept of illegitimacy of a child born out of wedlock; the laws regulating contraception and abortion; the cavalier marketing of dangerous birth control devices; the denial that "women's work" is productive (work in the home); the chaining of women in links of love and guilt; the inadequacy of childcare facilities; the unequal pay women receive as wage earners, forcing them often into dependence on a man; the solitary confinement of full-time motherhood; the token nature of fatherhood which gives a man rights and privileges over children to whom he assumes minimal responsibility; the psycho-analytic castigation of the mother; the pediatric assumption that the mother (she's is inadequate and ignorant neurotic just another hysterical and mother); the burden of emotional work borne by women in the family- all these are connecting fibers in this invisible institution--and they determine our relationship to our children whether we like to think so Dr not. is not only the battered child that is to be considered. When children are dependent on one uncertain, weary woman for day-in dayout emotional sustenance, there is Then think of bound to be a lack. children pushed, cajoled, manipulated and the male children who grow up thinking that a woman is nothing more than an emotional climate made to soothe and reassure, or an emotional whirlwind bent on their destruction. It Adrienne Rich (from her book 'Of Woman Born') The institution of motherhood canIt's powernot be touched or seen. ful leaders are not housed in a specific building like The Institute of Technology. Women must never again forget that our experiences belong to a whole which is not of our creation. Rape and its aftermath; marriage as economic dependence, as the (1) Reverend George W. Clark Race Suicide - England's Peril 1917 (Published by the Duty and Discipline movement) SHOULD PROSTITUTION BE LEGALIZED? Prostitution is an issue which fast threatens to be overcome by sentimentality instead of common-sense among In sympathy with prostifeminists. tutes, because the women's movement recognizes that prostitution is the extreme manifestitation of the power struggle between men and women, some feminists have lent their support to prostitutes who have organized into groups like COYOTE AND B.E.A.V.E.R. which promote decriminalization of prostitution and aim to protect prostitutes against harassment by police or exploitation by the government or pimps. What must be determined is whether decriminalized prostitution, or even collectivelyrun brothels owned and managed by prostitutes, are alternatives to the degradation and violence that prostitutes currently encounter in our As feminists, we believe that employment for women should allow comraderie, creativity and enrich the social environment in which it takes The work of women, we recogplace. nize, has been trivialized and underpaid in the denial of this principle, and so we support women who organize themselves to improve their working However, prostitution is conditions. not work like that of a secretary or It is a relationship factory worker. of power, in which the purchaser gains control in a most sensitive sphere of human inter-reaction, and asserts his superiority over the person whom he has hired. To suggest that women can be salvaged from the abuse and degradation implicit in prostituting one's self by "collective brothels", worker's control, or whatever, is to reduce In a colthese concepts to jargon. lective brothel, it will be women, instead of a government or pimps, se ing themselves to be victims in the alienation between men and women. Perhaps organized, prostitutes will not be penalized as heavily financia ly, but does that make their fate an more enviable? Decriminalization of prostitution does not guarantee that prostitutes will be freed from the control of organized crime in their profession. Gambling, for example, is still heavily controlled by organized crin where it has been legalized. Decrin nalization may lessen the degree to which police can harass prostitutes but it will not end harassment as 1( as prostitutes are mainly the young cont'd on page 16 Northern Woman Journal page 5 society. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �CAROL AULD WOMEN AND STRESS SEMINAR TRANSITION STORY Its been nearly eight months now fled the shackles that family, since school and Thunder Bay placed on me, haven't had the and, looking back, slightest twinge of regret or homeThat's probably because sickness. was not running from something as was running to embrace a fuller, did not richer life in Toronto. expect it to create or destroy me but to simply aid me in my development So as a writer and a woman. braved the unknown and escaped to the cultural milieu of my choice-Toronto. feel that During this brief period have grown tremendously continuing to experience education in the truest - no, the ONLY way, that being selfwas brainFor too long education. washed into believing that learning is a process separate from Life, and that one must attend a place called school in order to "learn" and/or acquire the job ticket that everyone (Success needs to be "successful". interpreted as financial assets by the Everyone is capable of majority). learning autonomous from the penal system which operates under the guise Everyone has the of "education". People do right to that education. not have to be bribed, seduced, or threatened into learning - their curiosity is natural, and should be allowed to develop in as many or as few areas as they wish. admit to having become Though spoiled by the cultural delights that Toronto offers in abundance, there are come a number of other benefits My from being completely independent. self-respect and self-confidence has bounded back with more strength than ever - before, it had virtually vanished into a well of oblivion. Now I'm able to devote my energies to positive sources, instead of perpetually wallowing in a sea of self-pity and depression. Reflecting on my rapid growth and maturation in recent months, encourage others, caught in the stifling, oppressive, totalitarian atmosphere of school, to escape and find ways of education themselves. am reminded by a section in Doris Lessing's preface to her incredible work, The Golden Notebook, where she speaks of her decision to leave school at the age of fourteen, choosing to educate herself rather than submit passively to academic instruction. She believes that each and every child who enters the current school system should be told repeatedly throughout the time she/he must spend there that they are not really learning anything, that they are just being put through a system of "indoctrination" because our society has not yet evolved a system that does not indoctrinate. In short, our society is not conducive to learning - it has merely produced an institution where everyone must spend X number of years in order to get a job ticket, with which they hope to be admitted to the labour force. Though the number of I I I I f I I I I I years increases with each decade, employment opportunities decrease, so that the time spent in school is wasted in more ways than one. So it's with these thoughts in mind have difficulties of close. that course - no one's life is free from problems - but they will be resolved unearth solutions for them, exas periencing new ideas and new people occasionally wish in the process. had the power to free people that from the institutions called schools and demonstrate what education actually is, but that would not only undermine the person if they weren't ready for such a change, but it would be imposing my reality on them, which is defeating my very purpose. Not a single one, for Regrets? am living my life according to my standards, rather than submitting passively to someone else's reign (which only exists if one lets it To be no one is indispensable). truly free is a difficult and painful journey, but one well worth travelFor without freedom, one can ling. only exist as an incomplete person, dependent on the judgement of others. The freedom to educate oneself is necessary for this development, and I've finally found that liberation. And there's absolutely nothing foolish, selfish, immoral or subversive about that. I I I I I I Carol Auld On Saturday, April 15, Confedera. tion College was the site of a day of workshops on the topic of Nome' and Stress", put on jointly by the "Status Committee" of the local Federation of Women Teachers of Ontario, and Women's Programs of Confederation College. Organizers of the workshops were Pat Rose, Sandy MacKenzie, Margaret Lanchok and Carlana Lindeman, of FWTAO, and Mary Fedorchuk of Confederation College. Guest speaker was Mona MacLean, of the Clark Institute of Psychiatric Research, Toronto, who preMs. sented an overview of stress. MacLean also conducted workshops or the topic of "How to Alleviate Other Stress in the Classroom". workshops given were entitled "Coping Behaviours", given by Julie Fels and Sita; Personal and Physic logical Factors, by Margaret and Scott Sellick; Drug Addiction and Alcoholism, by Jean Gale, R.N., an Medical Characteristics, outlined by Dr. R. Kajander. Participants in the workshops were treated to lunch at the College, and comments were such that those who participated found their One reday a most worthwhile one. sult of the day was that Confederation College Women's Programs woul( be willing to offer a six to eight week course on the topic of Stress, if an interest was expressed by the public. Marg Lanchok I I .'orthern Woman Journal page 6 SUFFRAGE TO NOW The role of women throughout the history of the Thunder Bay district has been significant from the early days to the present. Many individual women and women's organizations may have records of their action and activities. Information and records are being sought by two women on a Secretary of State summer grant. The period from the time women got the vote (1910 to 1960) will be particularly difficult to unearth as well as information on or recor of the Women's Christian Temperanc Union, W.C.T.U. Any contacts or information would be appreciated. Please call 345-7802 and ask for Anne or Monik PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �buy for the hard-to-buy-for....a year's subscription (at least) to Northern Woman Journal, what else?? (Thanks Kathy, for mine). Letters cont'd mailbox to find a Northern Woman Journal with my name on it yet. Needless to say, was rather surprised, not to mention curious as to who on earth could have known was planning to subscribe to it. thought my friend couldn't possibly have sent in a subscription for me and have it arrive exactly a week to the night first set eyes on it. Well that is exactly what had happened, although God only knows how you managed such speedy delivery. Regardless of how you did it, please accept my appreciation and thanks. would be very interested to know how our journal started and who had a hand in its beginning. I'd like to see an OPEN woman's group started in Dryden also, but as far as know there is no such animal- as yet. A year ago Ruth Cunningham visited the Con. College here in Dryden and as a student there at the time, saw a lot of women hopeful and excited at the possibility of a Woman's Group here. Unfortunately when Ruth left, so did a lot of the enthusiasm. Any of the women spoke to about it later just said, "Yes, it's a great idea, but who's going to start it?" That's a good question, Who? Help, somebody take us to our leader!! If that's impossible, can't someone out there, anywhere, give us some suggestions. The interest is definitely here but the know-how is not. Even if we don't achieve any big solutions to women's problems in this town, at least we could meet, discuss and generally get our heads the right direction. Is there anything we can do to help our journal grow? What can we do? If you had a "Let it all Hang Out" Column that women could write into (and back and forth) on specified subjects and simply exchange ideas or just express their different opinions and thoughts on that particular topic, think it would spark a lot of interest and produce a lot of positive feedback. Especially controversial topics such as abortion (although that's been rather overdone) birth control, and women's changing attitudes towards men, sex, marriage, personal goals, etc. A special column such as that would not only be extremely interesting, but informative as 411 Women's Place Printing Your sister-in-spirit B.J. Halliday I Dryden Brochures I Booklets Pamphlets I I I I I I Newsletters Dear B.J.: It's letters such as yours that make putting to-gether this Journal worthwhile. There have been many times some of the collective have been tempted to chuck it; however, it's difficult to quit an unpaid but rewarding job. The Journal started in 1973 after a successful "Northern Women's" Conference. A group of 50 women came to-gether in a church basement to try to establish a women's centre in Thunder Bay. The Journal was a newsletter informing women who had attended the conference, about the progress of this group. Most of the women who organized the conference are involved in some aspect of the women's movement in Thunder Bay. Many of us newly involved in the women's movement began "getting our heads to-gether" through CR. We have sent you an old issue of the Journal with the out-line of how to start. Before you can become politically involved, it is helpful to recognize how and why women are oppressed. CR is a good start. To help the Journal grow, subscribe, get your friends to subscribe, and submit articles, events, and most of all share your experiences with other women readers. As you said, "let it all hang out!" Editors can't speak for other women, of course, but I'd sure like to see a change from the "Rape Theme" to happier subjects. (Except anything that shows the laws changing in our favour, finally). It's damned necessary, unfortunately, but how about some articles on victories won as well. Every small (or large) victory shared, gives the rest of us greater strength to fight the next battle. So please encourage your readers to share their struggles and hopes to our greater understanding and sisterhood. know what to Incidentally, now I I *REASONABLE RATES .No order too small (Some may be too big) 316 BAY ST. Phone 345-7802 CHRISTIAN FEMINISM CONFERENCE The conference on Christian Feminism, held at Confederation College featured Shelly Finson as Co-ordinator of the movement for Ecumenical Christian Feminism from Toronto and Penelope Washbourn, author of "Becoming A Woman", assistant professor of Religion at the University of Manitoba. It was well attended although your reporter had difficulty seeing these bright inquiring and progressive minds nailed down to any particular pew. It was generally conceded that a feminist, although a Christian,would operate for some time to come in a hostile atmosphere inside the secular community. Nevertheless saw no indication of any reluctance on the part of participants to accept the premise that some changes have to be made and that they had some responsibilities to bring them about The focal point of wholeness was an irresistable force that established a sisterhood of mutuality that generated easy sharing with the members of the feminist community and those in the Christian community; the feminists that attended with an affiliation to Woman's Place have good reason to believe that a new era of understanding has been established that will in time prove of benefit to both groups. Few feminists would quarrel with the premise that spirituality is a necessary dimension in the search for full personhood; that it contains the hope factor makes it doubly necessary. To hear our own Donna Phoenix discoursing on (from the personal I I well. LETTER HEAD BULLETINS To the Collective: Enclosed you will find an article have written about a course called Women and Psychology, sponsored by Confederation College and conducted this winter. During a Rape and Sexual Assault workshop in late January in Thunder Bay, Barbara Coomes mentioned to some women from Fort Frances that articles and thoughts from this area were welcomed. Besides the article on Women and Psychology, have enclosed some poems wrote over the past few years. They have never been published before. Do what you will with them. enjoyed your most recent edition of Northern Woman's Journal. It's getting better all the time and I'm hoping to contribute as much as possible from this area of Northwestern Ontario. agree with the idea that women from all parts of this area be encouraged to contribute to the magazine. I I I I I cont'd on page 9 Best wishes and continued success, Northern Woman Journal page 7 Debra Pilon, Fort Frances PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Is This what we want ? THE FAMILY LAW REFORM ACT (1978) (In Force Mar. 31/78) Note: This Law is Retroactive 1. ASSETS (Married Couples Only) MATRIMONIAL ASSETS WILL BE SUBJECT TO A POSSIBLE 50/50 SPLIT: B. at the time of separation and items matrimonial assets include home, camp for houseused for "shelter and transportation or recreational, social or hold, educational, (determined by how it's used) aesthetic purposes" matrimonial assets do not include non-household plans, family bank accounts, investments, pension of business, land not used in the definition matrimonial assets (above); marriage contract only if spouses have not made a to split assets otherwise. * * * 111. DOMESTIC BUT AT THE COURT'S DISCRETION: depending on such there could be a different split * was acquired or how things as how the property separated; been married or long the couple has or assets if the family split up non-matrimonial if assets have been 'unreasonably impoverished' or due non-matrimonial assets one spouse has acquired assuming child-rearing and to the other spouse household management responsibilities. * through a (In writing, signed and witnessed; not lawyer) . to This Section gives a man and a woman freedom they choos organize their affairs in whatever way A domestic contract * until divorce or Court orders otherwise: house out from one spouse cannot sell or rent the consent; under the other spouse without the latter's marriage contract CANNOT affect this. 3) "contributed work, money or if one spouse has that money's worth" toward non-matrimonial assets, property claim. spouse will have a monetary or * 11. SUPPORT 1. OBLIGATIONS self and Every spouse has an obligation to support to support other spouse. "spouse" means: a) persons married; b) persons cohabiting: more than 5 years. i. relationship of some permanence and a child is born; and application within one year of cohabi- stances; qualified for p the dependant spouse support; there is default in payment of suppo Matrimonial Home - a married person prior separation cannot contract out of the rig control to possession or the right to dealings with the matrimonial home. 2) C. FAMILY BUSINESS: prevails over the Act except aside wh the support provision can be set it results in unconscionable circum- 1) MATRIMONIAL HOME: B. JOINT RIGHT TO POSSESSION OF THE * CONTRACTS Court is always able to review provisions childrer respect to custody and access of void (clauses in agreen Dum casta clauses 31/78 in which support made prior to Mar. dependent upon the woman remaining chast( void). KINDS OF DOMESTIC CONTRACTS: (If under 18, persf be marrie cannot legally make a Contract but can 1. Entered into during Cohabitation Agreement: cohabitation - becomes a Marriage Contract o marriage unless validly terminated. . tation. 2. Custody and Restrictions: Cannot deal with after separation. 2. his or Every parent has an obligation to support her child. "child" means: Entered into before and Marriage Contract: cohabitation. Cannot contract out of the r Restrictions: with, possession of, or to control dealings the matrimonial home; child under 18 years and unmarried unless over 16 and has withdrawn from parental control. Cannot deal with Custody and after separation. 3. Every child who is over 18 has an obligation to cared for and support parent, provided parent has supported the child. "support": dependent upon need and capability; Court shall consider all the circumstances of the parties. 3. Separation Agreement: tation has ceased. Can deal with: * * Can deal with: * Entered into after c Matrimonial home, posses and the right to control dealings; Custody and Access - Col disregard if it is in cl best interest. Support - Court will in if: Northern Woman Journal page 8 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �it results in unconscionable circumstances - the dependant spouse qualifies for public support - there is default in payment of support - cont'd from page 7 1V. DEATH 1. The new law with respect to splitting assets does not apply if one spouse dies unless an action was started before the death. VOICES A Play 2. If there is a Will, property is distributed as per the Will except if the dependants are not adequately taken care of. by Susan Griffin "a portrayal "Dependants": NOTE: of the lives -Spouse or common-law spouse -Parent -Child -Brother or Sister to whom the deceased owed a legal duty to support or was supporting. of five women" JUNE 25, 1978 8:Q0 p.m. I in (Common-law spouse - lived together five years or a relationship of some permanence where a child is born; Spouse - includes divorcees; Child - inside or outside marriage or a child whom the deceased has (Can include former treated as one of his family), spouse) 3. LITTLE FINN HALL I . If there is no Will: * * * to the political), our own JoanBaril teaching a workshop on the history of women, the kind of informed questioning of the church as oppressor by it's own members, the amount of good literature on the subject encourages us to see the Christian community not as it has been, but as strong aware women could shape it in the future. My own priviledge of standing before this group and identifying myself as a strong feminist committed to my sisters and the goals they have established, motivated by the love that cannot be co-opted and need never be apologized for and the invitation to read some of the poetry that expresses that feeling was a great joy to me, have nothing but love and admiration for my Christian sisters -- theirs is a monumental task, but the movement have set myself to, in the company of the vanguard to human liberty is moving on every front and my whole person is involved. We at Woman's Place celebrate a beginning dialogue between two groups that have in the past been strangers if not opposing groups. That we have met, and ask nothing of each other except the recognition of the bond that exists between all women, makes the visit of Shelly Finson and Penelope Washbourn important to the future of Thunder Bay feminists both inside and outside the church. If no children, spouse gets everything; If children, spouse gets first 75,000, the residue being split among spouse and children; above subject to dependants' claims set out in 2, above. by Mary Tomlinson and Dianne Baig Gert Beadle BABY PICTURE CONTEST COMMENTS: think the one on the left is a boy because he has his fists clenched and he is the more agressive looking." "I think the one on the right is a boy because he looks strong and stalky." "I "The one on the left because her The one on the eyes are brighter. right is the boy because his mouth is smaller." Kimara Holland (3 years old) "on the right is a boy because of the large facial structure" " the one on the right is a girl, she is much more delicate looking" The contest to guess which baby was of what sex was really just an exercise in how we stereo-type, even " the left is a boy because his ears stick out as mine did at his age" infants. Any of us that believed we could correctly identify the sex without an examination of the genitals is in need of further education. We recommend reading 'The Day Care Book' by Vicki Brietbart, available from Women's Centre library. The " on the right is a girl. expression on her face indicates some concern or sensitivity to the photographer." " both healthy looking babies. cares?" Who Editors Northern Woman Journal page 9 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �so she said to me "why" answered "because -L Love him." tittte did i know Sot that Love cost me my health, and dignity. Mickey Pedersen a year oS teeth threatening to iatt out a Aniend's pout and a Lot of doubt one oS my ttuty hardest years LIVING ALONE, 1974 Living atone I have tea/tried to depend on mysetS and shun the ptoSetted but inconsistent Love oi men who want it always on theist terms to suit theit whims white I would tathet Al suited mine. So I have become undependent which .us not the same as being independent, but is a patody oS independence: barn not of Steedom but o6 bondage to an idea oi totatity within oneseti. ANOTHER DAV The showees spuitts o6 water clean away viotent nightmates and I'm ready Sot the day's dreams oi you white out Lost Love sits heavy in my empty betty. I take sustenance itom within this morning, again. Debta Piton Living atone I have Learned again and again to expect nothing o6 others and demand onty the best (36 my4et6. The pain sui6eted makes me equal to any task tequited and taps a jumble oS poems ctutteted inside steely pens. i've gtown so much sown a Little Velma Piton haven't gown and Seel so vety atone SIMPLE THOUGHTS--1975 No thought's of6 battle and yet have known at times the reason why stitt took up to see the sky and hope and breathe and cty a tot it's ate on course the struggle which Sew can zee iz just me atone sometimez in Love sometimes POETRY You just dance on down the toad Yes you've always been my Lovett You just dance on down the toad pride and List vanquished Few thoughts o6 my4et6 no thought oi tomottow Thoughts oi opening no thoughts oS Lonely rejection (IS you senseless hotding o4 me Past thoughts ,questioned now Un6eeting tovetess gameS oS gain or toss Ainatty cast aside. You know you'tt atways be my Wend Debra Piton You just dance on down the toad We've even been each other's patents You just dance on down the toad The toad that neithet 4talit4 not ends Mickey Pedersen a chatactet oS my music box and when i stop to tisten, ieet i caught queen oS Night a pmtt oi ti 6e Spa thong staAtight guides het way, Queen oi Night. i thought was missing THE DANCE Pam WitAon How do you Sect i mean, haw do you ieet 'bout ate those women wanting you Son theit very own sugat-daddy they'll Let you zteat theist hearths may now You know what you want and You don't cane hag you get it old news to me, you've known hag to take Sot a Long time nay oak! they'tewaitin' a new dtess, "my zin" pet iume exciting youth inviting eyes the putzing bazz beats out dance rhythms the Stoat is ative The dance begins You have gout choice oS Lovers tonight the thtitt oi the choice the thtilt oi the chase Ate you teatty agate on oS what's Phi tting to and Sto het cosmic doma her eyes take in het sex's helpless itusttations. ALL taughteAs heard, and recorded, another page -L added. Tears oS joy are gathered up, and added to the heavens. Queen oS Night's eyes glow with pteazute, as het eats tune in to tk sound o4 woman's Laughter. ALL het women down below, she dtear o6 theit tiSe better. Whitting thtough het witching hout, she pauses and teitects, she can't much, does what she can out Queen c Night. Each day we have out golden hour, acts it does give way to old toutir oS cries and pain these cties o6 anguish drown out the gayness and Laughter. Women stand, shout out Let us art make a pledge to Laugh c smite with all out tOMOAADWZ. Linda Richard OA. Do you tike the game? do you temtty 4eet, do you teatty Love, Can you neatly give? anon Northern Woman Journal page 10 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �lieRAE 'VISITS WOMEN'S PLACE Paul McRae is a likeable and well-intentioned member of the Federal Parliament, bumbling around in a bureaucratic stew he neither fully understands or totally believes in. That's probably the kindest thing that can be said of any politician of whatever party to-day. Acknowledging his lack of legal savvy in the area of woman's issues, he nevertheless submitted himself to the questions of several groups of women who are actively pressing for change in an informal setting at Woman's Place, Thunder Bay, with the following results: WOMEN AGAINST RAPE Meeting with Paul McRae: The Rape & Sexual Assault Centre, represented by Doreen Boucher and Shelley Vescio, attended a meeting at Women's Centre to present issues on rape and sexual assault to incumbent Paul McRae. Three major areas of concern were discussed, they are the following: Do you support Law Reform: 1. changes in the present Criminal Code involving sexual offences? The existing laws reflect the attitude that: Rape is defined by the crimia) nal code as a sexual act, (or crime of sexual passion) and therefore putsan aura on a crime that is an assault with violence, an issue of power imposed on another human being. Women are seen as property- b) therefore, rape is not recognized in a marriage. History, background style, past c) behaviour, issue of consent (by lack of resistance), there is consideration used against the victim by defense lawyers through innuendoes The woman's in cross examination. past sexual history can be brought up at the judge's discretion--including prior contact with the defendant. What support can you provide with the following situations? We feel that often local crown attorneys are not handling prosecution in rape cases adequately, regarding these 2. points: inadequate preparation and a) support of the rape victim. failure to take firm stands b) against defense lawyer's harassment of victims. poor analysis of rape: espec) cially with new research available Therefore, regarding the issues. they are unable to present accurate views to juries. Would you support permanent 3. funding of Rape Crisis Centres in Canada and,if so, what branch of government should provide financial support? r. McRae, in response to the qdestions put to him admitted to a lack of knowledge regarding aspects of the law, in this case rape, but he felt rape should be changed to an assault charge, to ensure more convictions as he realizes that this is a major problem (low conviction rate). Regarding the admittance of a woman's sexual background, he felt that this should be eliminated as well. He was unaware of any problems as those mentioned regarding the crown attorneys. Mr. McRae felt that any difficulty with crown attorneys should be dealt with through the attorney generals' office, as his He added office could do little. that a change of laws in the immediate future could encompass this problem. Regarding funding, Mr. McRae felt that Rape Centres should be funded through Health & Welfare or Secretary of State. He felt, however, that because assault and rape is very similar to wife battering, and he has trouble differentiating them as a problem, that these groups should be funded jointly with other women's groups, ie. Women's Centre. He emphasized that politicians view our groups as a "luxury" and that where cut backs are made in funding, nonbureaucratic groups as ours are the first to go. He recognizes the service that we do, but others do not. The Law Reform Commission's legislation of releasing their working paper on law reform to the public was He brought to Mr. McRae's attention. knew nothing of it--but promised to Before he left, Doreen look into it. Boucher gave him a copy of the centre's questions presented that night, and talked with him further regarding the Law Reform Commission's working paper on sexual offences. She gave the information she had received from Joannie Vance, the National Association of Rape Crisis Centres, ie. that there was indecision within the Commission to release their paper. He said he would look into it. True to his word, within the next week, his Ottawa office called to find out more information. His secretary, Mary Anne Pettit, called the Director of Research of the Law Reform Commission, Mr. Elton, and spoke to him regarding the problems with the working paper on sexual offences. Apparently, numerous problems plagued the completion of the paper, thus the delay in its release, but he told her it was in final translation (April 4/78) and would be released at the end of May to the Mary Anne told Doreen public! Boucher that she would keep in touch and a copy would be sent to the Thunder Bay Rape & Sexual Assault Centre as soon as it was released. Local News: Prior to the termination of the IWY Revisited Project (April 21/78) and the end of staffing for the Rape Crisis Centre, the city gave the Thunder Bay Rape & Sexual Assault Centre $15,000 for one year to conOur original tinue their operations. request for $35,375 had already been turned down by the Financial AssistAt the last ance Review Group. we were asked to attend the minute public meeting on March 21st and, through the support of Eleanor Morin, Don Smith and John Packota, (council person), the council passed a grant Needless to say, the of $15,000. Rape & Sexual Assault Centre were pleased. At a subsequent meeting of Rape & Sexual Assault collective, after hours of discussion, Doreen Boucher and Eve Pykerman were re-hired on a part-time basis to co-ordinate activities of the centre. Since the allotment of funds froir the city, the RCC has experienced "growing pains". There seemed to b a need for examining our direction and goals of the past, re-evaluatic made and new directions set for the future. After a great deal of discussion, debate and scrutiny, th structure of the RCC will be change to implement our new "lease" on lif A Steering Committee will be set up Members of the Steering Committee will be made up of the sub-committe that have also been formed recently These sub-committees are: 1) Education: personal education (i) (ii) public education Law Reform Study Group 2) (Committees) Funding Committee 3) 4) Victim Support: Training and Orientation Those interested in becoming involved with any of the aforemention committees, please contact the cent at 344-4502. The Centre has been active as wel in its Outreach program through Doreen Secretary of State funds. Boucher, Eve Pykerman, Julie Fels a Gert Beadle were a delegation from Thunder Bay to a workshop in Kenora Kenora is endeavouring to establish a Rape Crisis Centre there, and wer seeking assistance from Thunder Bay T Groups in helping them organize. workshop was held in Kenora the 12t It was attended and 13th of May. largely by those already involved setting up a Rape Crisis Centre and representatives from Fort Frances a Red Lake. The public is very hard reach regarding the issue of rape. Other resource persons from Kenora included Glenna Hamilton, a psycho] gist with the Children's Centre in Kenora, O.P.P. Don Jones, Kenora Police, Bob Mashaud and Vern Frolic Crown Attorneys from Dryden, The workshop served more as an educational session for Kenora members, and an opening of communicati between them and the officials, ie. 0.P.P.,Police. We have not received any feedback as to the direction Kenora is now taking, but we hope to hear from th In our opening session, we soon. stressed the need to talk to each other and find what personal needs i cont'd on page 11 Northern Woman Journal page 12 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �silent crime Women In Transition has made considerable headway in its crusade on behalf of Battered Women in Thunder Bay. An extensive survey of social agencies and other professionals determined that, in 1977, 1,108 Thunder Bay women sought help. Based on the fact that less than half of the questionnaires were not returned, it is frightening to consider the unknown numbers of women who were missed in the survey plus those who didn't seek help. According to similar studies done in other areas of the continent, where the base reported figure is multiplied by 10 in order to obtain a realistic picture of actual incidence of Battering, the figure of 11,108 possible Thunder Bay incidents looms in the forefront. In addition to the agency questionnaires, individual questionnaires were distributed throughout the city for the purpose of reaching actual victims of Battering to determine if they sought help, from whom, and if the help was adequate. The following are some of the comments gleaned from the 140 questionnaires returned to date: , cont d women enjoy being beaten; That it is a lower class phenomenon; That abusing husbands are mentally ill. The needs of Battered Wives include Immediate Refuge for themselves and their children; a 24Hour Crisis Line; Counselling Therapy; Medical Treatment and Advice; A Crisis Intervention Training Program for Law Enforcement Officers, to enable them to better understand and deal with Legal services domestic problems. and advice are needed regarding rights, separation, divorce, custody and property matters; Emergency Financial Aid is necessary through various social services; Law Reform is needed to better protect the rights of the Battered Wife; and Greater Cooperation between the medical profession and other agencies is essential. In many cities, facilities and centres have already been or are in the process of being set up, specifically to deal with and harbour Battered Women and their children. For example, The Frontenac Family Referral Service in Kingston, The Hiatus House in Windsor, The Vancouver Transition House, and The Women's Community House in London. The reluctance of many women to report assaults against them, or their denials of such assaults, make the compilation of statistics and data a difficult detri-e,tal to the in turn, is raising of public awareness anc attitude, ensuing changes in societal available and law social services "POLICE REFUSED TO INTERFERE - COURT WAS A WASTE OF TIME..." "DETECTIVE INFORMED MY SISTER (abuse victim) THAT HE DIDN'T BELIEVE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED..." "POLICE JUST SAID TO KEEP THE PEACE, EVEN AFTER SEPARATION WHEN HE BEAT ME ON THE STREET..." "IT MADE ME SAD TO GET THIS QUESTIONNAIRE BECAUSE I'VE BEEN SEPARATED NOW TO KNOW THAT FEEL LUCKY TO BE OUT "CHILDREN INVOLVED, AND PARTNER'S REACTION." reform. -1--111.-11-1.1-1V-1-111.-1-1-1.-1 1*1.-1-14-.1.1.,11-1-.1 -1.-1.-V-1.-111-.111-...1-.1i-li-i11 marriage contract -Full disclosure of individual assets, and agreement that these shall continue to be owned separately by each person. -Agreement that all property acquired by either party during the marriage shall be owned jointly. -Neither party shall be forced to pay present or future debts incurred by the other (with the exception of necessaries). -An arbitrator may be appointed by mutual agreement for any future marital disputes. -The woman takes responsibility for birth control, and reserves the right to end an unwanted pregnancy. -The woman retains her own name in marriage. -Neither partner will impose religion on their children (or, the children will be raised in a particular faith). -Housework and childcare will be divided equally. -Both parties will continue to pursue individual careers. -Each partner may take two weeks vacation a year alone, if desired. -Should one partner have to relocate for business purposes, the other is under no obligation to follow. -Decision-making shall be shared equally. -A partner engaged in childraising or studying will be supported by the other. -If childcare is not shared equally, then the employed spouse will contribute a certain sum every year to a savings account or pension fund in the stay-athome partner's name. -If both work, half of each income is the property of both during the marriage. -If the marriage ends, both partners will continue to support the children. The partner with custody of the children will allow the other partner reasonable access. -If the marriage ends, both partners will split all their Canada Pension Plan credits evenly.% ADVISED ME TO FILE AN "MY LAWYER ASSAULT CHARGE AGAINST MY HUSBAND WHICH I DID. I WENT IN COURT 8 TIMES BEFORE THE TRIAL - IN THE END MY HUSBAND GOT OFF FREE OF THE CHARGE..." "THIS IS A SUBJECT WHICH TOO OFTEN IS PUSHED UNDER THE RUG. IT'S TIME TO BRING IT OUT IN THE OPEN AND DEAL WITH IT NOW!" "THE PROBLEM IS, IF I GO OUT AND GET HELP, HE TOLD ME ALREADY, THAT WILL BE MY LAST COMPLAINT." "I HAVE SOLVED MY PROBLEM. IF I HAD RECEIVED THE ASSISTANCE WHEN I FIRST APPLIED, 10 YEARS BEFORE, MYSELF OR THE CHILDREN WOULD NEVER HAVE HAD TO MY DIVORCE SUFFER AS LONG AS WE DID. SHOULD BE THROUGH IN THE SPRING. THE SCARS AND MEMORIES ARE HARD TO FORGET WHAT WILL REMAIN WITH MY CHILDREN AND THEIR PROBLEMS DUE TO THIS LIFE REMAINS AHEAD." "DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GO" "TOO SCARED' "DIDN'T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO KNOW" It is the object of Women In Transition to publish a handbook for Battered Women, for distribution throughout the city. Included in it will be emergency information, advice on alternatives available (Housing, Family Benefits, General Welfare, etc.' and legal steps to follow. Recommenda. tions based on the two surveys will be made to the agencies concerned--It is hoped they will be receptive. You are urged to lend your support to the plight of Battered Women -Letters to the editor, letters of encouragement to Women In Transition, (316 Bay Street) or any other form of or can pass one to the auestionnaires, been a victim of Bat---272 A-lo has 5o so -- They are -g, please libraries, comrunity available at the laundromats, Canada centres, some Thrif Manpower offices, Salvation Army Social Reclaim, City stores, Operation Agency, to name Services, Counselling Street. sew, and 316 Bay a -Either Partner ray initiate review and revision of this correlatract at any time, as the tionship grows and changes. -The spouse who stays home to look after the children shall receive a designated sum, or a percentage of the family income, for her/his personal use, to save or spend as she/he pleases. Source Unknown "No, I'm not a housewife. Are you a househusband?' Northern Woman Journal page 13 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �ROLL UP THOSE FEDERAL POLITICS: PRETTY CUFFSCHANGING OUR DAUGHTERS' FUTURE HORROR STORY In early 1974, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Speck of Pittsburgh decided they didn't want any more children. They already had two daughters afflicted with a rare, crippling hereditary disease shared by the father. In April 1974, Mr. Speck underwent a Nevertheless, Mrs. Speck vasectomy. was pregnant again by October. In December, she underwent an operation that she was told was an abortion. However, the baby arrived-a daughter, born with cerebral palsy and crossed The sickly, premature infant eyes. was kept in an incubator for 68 days before being sent home, and now she also has that much feared genetic disease. The Specks are suing both doctors for performing operations that didn't work. After the failed told the doctor I abortion, "when was still pregnant," Mrs. Speck recalls, "he told me it was probably a floating urinary tumor." MEDICAL I ***************************4 * !the - FO-OP BOOKSHOP and 411* CENTRE IIRECORD * Excellent selection of Canadian literature, classics, * film books, science fiction, craft*. poetry. many a unusual Mies. Best folk, ethnic and blues selection in F. town. S. cipow elli 8 each day It and A day Sunday On eumpue Emery Thusly bailie the Mein Cafeteria ph., 3451111: 11 as s. Mime Street.. -X . if * ri************************4a* THUNDER CL AP To Pat Ryan and her excessive energy in organizing our successful Boogie. THUNDER BOLT To the man who smokes cigars and works at the LCBO - Algoma Street-who commented that "Our boogie must have been a fizz" when we returned some liquor. Ottawa -- A newspaper report says a study has found that one-third of 2,070 psychiatric out-patients were incorrectly diagnosed by Ottawa doctors over a three-year period. The Ottawa Journal says the study was conducted by Doctor Erwin Koranyi, Director of the Ottawa General Hospital's Adult Psychiatric Out-Patient Department. The paper quotes Doctor Korany1 as saying he found cases of cancer, heart disease, brain tumors, syphi- , lis, diabetes, and epilepsy which other physicians had missed. Doctor Koranyi is quoted as saying he had one patient who had been prescribed an antacid for what was supposed to have been a nervous stomach disorder. Tests found the patient not only had cancer but a heart condition. MEDICAL - LAST TAKE 2 These are some of the cases described in Koranyi's study: --A patient presented herself several times complaining of intense lower abdominal pain for several weeks and was told it was psychosomatic. The woman, who was 24, died of peritonitis -- internal bleeding. and complication following perforation by her intra-uterine device, a contraceptive. --A patient, whose family physician said he was complaining of neck pain and headaches, was found to have a brain tumor. - -A patient, whose physician said she was suffering from depression, was being beaten by her husband for The woman was having miscarriages. suffering from a rare form of malaria which was also causing the miscarriages. After treatment the woman became pregnant, had her baby and the beatings stopped. The newspaper says Koranyi's department returns its findings to the physicians who made the incorrect diagnoses. Some doctors accept the information with concern. Others become angry and stop referring cases. Similarly, in a speech to the Annual Congress of the Chamre des Notaires du Quebec, The Honourable Monique Begin, (Minister of National Health/Welfare) cited the following statistics on women in federal There are now 9 women in politics: the House of Commons)3 of which are cabinet ministers. Two of these ministers are Quebecoises. Of the 167 recommendations of the Royal Commission Report on the Status of Women, 122 are within federal jurisOf these, 19 have not been diction. implemented in their entirety. Begin says there are four major issues at the federal level which need immediate action to improve the status of women nationally. She advises thus: a) Remove abortion from the Criminal Code and apply the Act as it was voted by Parliament in 1968. of the Indian b) Repeal that section Act which stipulates that an Indian woman marrying a nonIndian loses her native status. c) Reform the Divorce Act and set up consolidated family courts. d) Amend the Income Tax Act to allow a wife employed in an unincorporated family business to be paid a salary. Begin reminds us "The day will come when the positions of GovernorGeneral and Prime Minister will be held by women." Adapted by Karen Richardson Credit to Status of Women News Teen Family Teen Family Program needs concerned community people throughout Thunder Bay to be volunteer Family Workers, One-to-One Friends, Special Interest Leaders, and Tutors. No special experience or education is needed: Teen Family Program offers an orientation/training program and workshops for volunteers. Please call 345-1531, or drop in to 164 Peter Street if you would like to hear more. r, IMP 411111 Milk IBM 111=1 111.110 41111Ik WE'RE I .N/ I (MP S LINEN (new/used )1 for the soon-t i NATIVE WOMEN'S "Rape I WHEN? - THURS Is An Exercise In Power" -Susan Brownmiller "SomeA DEFINITION OF FEMINISM: thing we have assidously avoided. Feminism is working for political rights within the patriarchal system changing the monopoly of patriarchal standards, and preserving female experience. 6 p.m. WHERE? - WOME 41fMassmom 316 BA (Food & Refres Iwo ow Ma 11110 UMW Joan Hoff Wilson Northern Woman Journal page 14 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �GER.flitY GREER PILL IS DESTROYING WOMEN Germaine Greer says it. The bodies of women are headed for ruin because they refuse to take control over their lives. The intra-uterine device, the Pill and the teeming array of contrivances designed to render a woman infertile --are destroying her. Contraceptive abortion is the only real autonomy a woman has over her fertility. Contraception supposedly freed Not so, the controversial women. Austrailian feminist told a packed lecture theatre at Lakehead University Sunday night. Pelvic inflamatory diseases brought on because of the Pill's tendency to change the body's intricate chemistry are at "epidemic levels," she said. But nobody talks about it. "It is a great irony that the world's cleanest women have guts that are completely rotten and pelvises that are unspeakably filthy." "And if you were to taste us, any cannibal would say 'yuch', she's on the Pill." The chemical changes which develop are sometimes subtle and hardly noticed. The breath, skin and vaginal secretions of a woman using the Pill take on a different odor, she said. There are a host of possible psychological and physiological upsets few women are aware of because "we don't really know what the pill does." Some of its side effects aren't so Headaches, vaginal infecsubtle. tions, swellings, sterility, blindness, cancer--and very likely, she said, a shortened life span. "I happen to think that it isn't Fertility is not such a worth it. terrible scourge." Greer, 39, is an internationallyknown feminist best-known for her book, the Female Eunuch, published in 1971. RISQUE REMARKS Grey pant-suited and black-booted, her address to the mixed crowd was sprinkled with off-the-cuff humor- some of it risque, much of it unNot everyone agreed with printable. her, but very few didn't respond to her oratorial skill. Commenting on a statement in her book which said that any woman who would not taste her own menstrual blood had a long way to go towards "I'm not asking liberation she said: I'm asking you to you to do it. that something think about the idea of your own body which is coming out It's not horrible." is horrible. The responsibility for a woman's body does not lie with the medical It lies with women, she profession. said. "Medical procedures are never foolAnd most doctors are fools." proof. At the heart of the problem is the "basic insecurity of women." "We are constantly doing things in order to be loved." She pointed out that jealousy between the sexes have separate sources of motivation. While men fear fidelity because they don't want to share their women, women fear it because they don't want to be aban- what she 5; a i d "A marriage that ends is not a marriage that fails...it's just shorter." "I don't think we're ever going to get along with men until we learn to get along without them. I'm not suggesting lesbianism as a political tactic," she remarked lightly, "It's much too good for that." UNNECESSARY She suggested that actual insertion of the penis into the vagina (intramission) is not absolutely necessary for a normal sex life. The fact is that many women don't want intramission and this is evidenced if they don't produce vaginal lubrication. But in this society, women will not tell their mates what they want or don't want, she said. Withdrawal of the penis at point of climax, is a discouraged form of contraception which Greer favors. However, she said she would hesitate to recommend it in this society because most people have sexual relations "when they're drunk or stoned," thereby lessening their chances of self-control, she said. IUD NOT SAFE The IUD is not safe. Users bleed They are often inserted heavily. They wander to other improperly. parts of the body. They are frequently rejected by the body itself. And rejecting an IUD is "rather like giving birth to a bread knife." Commenting on contraceptive creams :: doesn't rake an: jellies, s-e sects.- s upbosed to be out on the skin can be placed inside the sensitive vacina. Tubal ligations are probably "simpler to perform than vasectomies" but the real problem is the four-hour operation involved to have it reversed, she said. She didn't leave many contraceptive options open. Except abortion. Abortions, even self-abortions, can be easier, safer and faster than IUD insertions but they will continue to be for the most part embarrassing, painful and costly as long as society believes they are an evil to be only slightly tolerated, she said. "They (society) don't like abortion because abortion is a matter of choice. It has an aspect of real control. They want fantasy control (chemical contraception)." "I'm not telling you what to do but to do some accounting...find out what they've taken away from you...and don't say ignorance is bliss because that's what they rely upon." by Nelle Oosterom Credit to ChronicleJournal Despite the coverage by the Chronicle Journal on the visit of Germaine Greer to our fair city there will be only a small portion of the public with enough emotional security to understand the message she brought us. We prefer to get hung up in the rhetoric, to dwell on the fee as an escape mechanism grey painted and black booted and a dirty mouth, the media image of fascist repression bringing us decadence and Could we have borne to perversion. hear the message in simple terms, that our bodies are our own, that our minds are our own, that our conscience is our own and that every infringement upon these territories whether by state or church or man or woman is an assault on our very souls. She is saying that in the final analysis unless we recognize where availability to the sexual appetites of our brothers have led us and understand the reasons why we respond to those appetites we will continue to abuse our bodies and our minds to escape the consequences of that act. She is suggesting that we all have a lot to learn about sexual and social intercourse and that woman is paying a very high price for man's exploration of the subject; she is saying that fear of not pleasing has castrated us spiritually and made us uncertain of our own sensuality. She is telling us if we were really aware of how little casual sex (and consider anything taken for granted is pretty casual) adds to our perception of either love or romance we might seriously consider it hardly worth the trouble. I conceived in love belongs only to the blind for love is a conscious decision for a shared responsibility --make no mistake--our outmoded abortion laws have nothing to do with a burning concern for children, the world is full of battered, bleeding and starving children, enough to keep these fanatic defenders of an 8 week foetus on their knees and broke forever. What it has to do with is control, a misguided conviction that women are not capable of a moral decision unless that coincides with a predecision drafted conception of woman as a productive instrument. The hypocrasy in our present abortion law is staggering, it makes no moral statement but it draws a line. Yes if you can afford it and no if you can't, on the grounds of human rights alone we should be enraged. Given all this, Germaine Greer is saying Face the reality, your backs are against the wall, there is no help and no pity anywhere, come to terms with your own sexuality, quit putting hardware and chemicals in your system for somebody else's benefit, quit looking for someone else to complete you, you are whole persons andYou reselling your souls for the kind of gratification that is not worth the price you're paying. If one young woman heard her message loud and clear it could change her entire life and make the price paid for her (Germaine's) visit our best bargain this year. Gert Beadle Northern Woman Journal page 15 doned. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �MUST BE A MEMBER Credit Union Ne ws Update - -Th The Northern Women's Credit Union is presently operating with volunteer help only. Their paid staff person, Betty Harkema, was paid as part of a Canada Revisited, Works Project, which ended on April 28th. Betty is still volunteering her time when she can and there are other qualified women to take your deposits, withdrawals or loan application, BUT try to conduct your business on the days the credit union is officially open (Tuesdays, Fridays and Thursday evenings) when we can guarantee a qualified person will be in the office. LOAN LIMIT $2,500. The loan limit is now $2,500. in excess of the member's shares. The credit committee reports a large increase in approved loans in the past month and urge all members to keep their share accounts growing by regular deposits, by cheque or money order, if you can't come into the office. The credit committee reports, also, that the nature of the loans requested have been mainly for NORTHERN WOMEN'S CREDIT UNION i 316 BAY ST. HOURS TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS 10 a.m. TO 5 p.m. THURSDAYS 7 p.m. TO 9 p.m. PH. 345-7802 emergencies, so it is vital for a women's credit union to be able to meet the credit needs of these women who in spite of anti-sex discrimination laws are still being judged on the basis of myths about women's financial irresponsibility. This credit committee judges your credit worthiness on the basis of character and ability to repay. As you increase your share deposits the credit union's capital assets increase and the loan limit increases thus allowing the credit committee to permit larger loans. Even if you are presently paying on a loan try to deposit something, however small, into your share account. As for all of you whose account has been inactive for months, come on, help us help the many women in need rf financial assistance. If you are considering a loan remember that you must first be approved as a member to be eligible. The board of directors approves your membership at their monthly meeting. Don't delay your loan--JOIN NOW. LOGO CONTEST The board of directors appreciat the efforts of the many women who submitted logos. There have been many good ones but the board had to postpone their decision last month due to a very heavy schedule of other business. They should be deciding at the next meeting early in June. If you are still considering submitting a logo you still have time to bring or mail it in. mAINTERPRETERS NEEDED *ITALIAN *CRER *PORTUGESE *OjIBWAY *UKRAINIAN to translate a booklet on alternatives for battered PLEASE CALL women. WOMEN IN TRANSITION. - 345-827; THE COST OF BORROWING SHOULD PROSTITUTION.... by Noreen Lavoie What it costs to buy on credit or borrow on a loan is confusing to most of us when all we have in the way of information is an interest rate that the lender charges. How they determine the actual cost by this rate of interest is important for us to know. If finance charges on goods, for example, are added to the purchase price and the total is to be repaid in 12 equal monthly payments: Example #1 WHEN THEY SAY 1% per month 10% per year YOU PAY 21.46% per year 17.97% per year If finance charges are made on the unpaid balance each month: Example #2 WHEN THEY SAY 1% per month 11% per month YOU PAY 12% per year 18% per year The Northern Women's Credit Union determines interest as in sample #2 at 1% per month or 12% per year. When we read that some banks are offering loans at 11.5% we must first determine what this means in actual costs before we can compare. Lees say you want to borrow $500. and pay it back in a year: Example #1: equal monthly payments $500. x 21.46% = $607.30. Cost to you $607.30 - 500. = $107.30. Example #2: unpaid balance monthly Cost to you $60. $500. x 12% = $560. Based on the two methods of computing the interest)there is a difference of $47.30. If you cannot find out which way the lending agency computes the interest, do this: Choose a figure close to your own loan requirement and a time figure for repayment. Phone the bank instead of making a personal visit (less hassle and easier to obtain only the facts), the credit union or finance agency, and ask what your Multiply monthly payments will be. the amount they give you by the number of months you asked for to Subtract this amount from the repay. amount of the loan and the difference will be the actual cost to borrow. It is the actuat coot to you that should be uppermost in your mind when shopping for credit. cont'd. from P. 5 Rather than poor and desperate. decriminalization, the law should recognize that, as in other types of employment such as child labour, it i5 the employer (the man who solicits the services of a prostitute), and not his employee (the prostitute) who is Once the law holds tha the criminal. the man who solicits sexual services is guilty of a crime, and not the woman who works as a prostitute usually out of desperate circumstance reforms to make prostitution obsolete (as child labour was made obsolete) wi be instituted. It will be a great setback for wome kind if prostitutes are seen only as kind of proletariet whose struggle tc organize must be supported. No womar whether poor or middle-class, needs t subjugation of prostitution toleratec by the law and instituted in the fabr Thus feminists must of our society. not allow their concern for prostitut to extend to the tolerance of prostit tion as an acceptable means of employ ment for women. by Georgina Garret We know and you will find out that, for personal loans, you cannot beat a credit union. Remember, too, that most credit unions will be returning to you a percentage of the interest you paid in the form of a loan rebate. Northern Woman Journal page 16 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �006118 AWN MOM 14..1111ed 8 11118111.0r Bulk II En nonce Oicl dim dire 220 RETURN TO: THE NORTHERN WOMAN 316 BAY ST. THUNDER BAY P, ONT. Return Postage Guaranteed Donna Shaw 171 Banning St. Thunder Bay P, Ont. P7B 3J2 PLEASE LET US KNOW. HAVE YOU MOVED? to keep (We must pay return postage up our mailing list) TABLE OF CONTENTS: Editorial, Gert's Gospel Letters The Silent Crime Motherhood Carol Auld Is This What We Want Poetry McRae Visit Bits and Pieces Germaine Greer Credit Union pg 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 15 16 Your subscription is due. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 4 No 3 Description An account of the resource Vol. 4, No. 3 (May 1978) Title: Northern Woman Journal Topics include: Women in transition project for violence against women Letters to the editor Police response to battered wives Causes of wife battering Needs of battered women Resources for battered women Under reporting of battered women The institution of motherhood (Excerpt from Of Woman Born by Adrienne Rich) Legalization of prostitution Decriminalization of prostitution Transition story - Thunder Bay to Toronto Women and stress seminar Christian Feminism Conference Family Law Reform Act Poetry Paul McRae (MP) visits Women’s Place Thunder Bay Women against rape Marriage contracts Teen Family Program Female contraception & negative health ramifications Northern Women’s Credit Union The cost of credit Authors/Contributors: Gert Beadle Stephanie Holbik Deb Hagarty (Atikokan) Vera Johnston (New Westminster, B.C.) Carol Marsha Michael Cunningham Jackie Gross Carol Auld Marg Lanchok B.J. Halliday (Dryden) Debra Pilon (Fort Frances) Mickey Pedersen Pam Wilson Linda Richard Nelle Oosterom Noreen Lavoie Georgina Garrett Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1978-05 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2753/1978_Vol_4_No_5.pdf a11626856b10dc4cb0074c64d1187edd PDF Text Text oriAtrn OCTOBER 1978 500/ Vo rum 4 otnan ournar Playground triumph: women and friends. See page 3. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �EDITOR& are the new staff people around Women's Place. Anne Donaldson has been hired as Office Co-ord The title, however, does ator. the first. Because the Northern one. the job little justice because Woman Journal is approaching This issue and the next one anniversary, we are it involves everything from its fifth of an atwill mark the start opening mail and reception to trying for our second wind. tempt to get more women involved be looking That is, we will crisis counselling and referral reading and in the paper...both Monica McNabb has taken on the for greater input from the women writing. We are urging people will try to look task of creating a comprehensiv of the region, articles, who wish to write library for women complete with better and hopefully, be more provide photographs, literary a file of articles and periodic widely read. material...write a column on Betty Harema is the Credi als. literature...to step seventies have music or The sixties and Union's new Treasurer and Brend forward. Any contribution will lives changes in the Cryderman is the Co-ordinator o seen great appreciated. be greatly accomplishing of women. We are the Woman's Decade Council. Ea requesting that We are also be talked things that need to will work at making things sery in their people who are behind about among ourselves...both women more effectively. subscriptions to earnestly Second wind...Let us hope t for recognition's sake and for consider renewing their subscript- this is a sign of a third and a In a region as reflection. isolated as Northwestern Ontario, ions. Also a part of the second wind, fourth. we feel the need for a paper Second wind...Often it is more revitalizing and strength giving than that provides women of the area with a space to share their accomplishments is a strong GERT'S GOSPEL, A woman's place is where she Sounds so simple. wants to be. Who could quarrel with so much A man's place ditto. logic. What's the problem? The problem is the silly notion that for a man to be where he wants to be, it has seemed necessary for a woman to be where he wants her to be. Marriage has increased his I think, deep insecurity. down every woman has recognized the price of peace has been not to think too deeply about how she feels about putting the lid on her own potential so the marriage partner can extend his own limits. We have to ask the question, has this nonsense role we've played brought satisfaction for either partner? That women are sick and tired of it all is borne out in the statement of Sidney Katz, a marriage counsellor with impeccable credentials, when he states, 'It is women who are opting out of tyranny with security. They won't take the bullshit anymore." In almost every marriage, compromise without balance has the stink of death; nothing grows in that sterile soil I would like but frustration. to believe that men in general were moving toward a new understanding of their own inBut they guard securities. the crumbling barricades of mythical male superiority till their wives flee the nest, and their children hit the streets. If this lays total responsibility for marriage break-up on the male, that is not my intenI'm wise enough to know tion. if the shoe were on the other foot, if history and theology Northern Woman Journal page 2 had provided the base for female privilege, the men in our lives would be struggling for survival even as we are today. Letting go is not something that either sex dos gracefully until the self is fully persuaded that true self-esteem The right to shape demands it. and mould others to suit our convenience is not contained in the marriage bargain. The move to marriage contracts is a hopeful sign; the inclusion of birth control as joint responsibility is overdue; the role of parenting equally shared a necessity; the space and support to extend the limits of every skill and potential, regardless of sex, takes more clear thinking than fever produces. Two people can climb the same mountain for different reasons. Nobody thinks one has to stay on the ground and prepare the lunch. The need to be indispensable demands the creation of a cripple. Our men do it to us, and we do it to our children. Thank God, we're beginning to recogThe division of propnize it. erty and liquid assets, whether the mating is permanent or terminated, is the sign of recognized maturity and mutual responsibility, and should be the base of any marriage contract. As I look around and see what was once beautiful, not worth the trouble to save, I am not caught up in the rights and wrongs of it all. I see the terrible energy it takes to walk away from even limited security, the soul searching and the guilt tripping, but I see something more--a determination to survive and build from their own resources in a way that reaffirms them as a complete person. A woman's place is where she wants to 1 this is the first faltering step to that realization. I know a great many women happy with the status quo, a: I have no criticism to make about their lives. They are obviously in the place they They say things want to be. like, "I like to know I can c just so far and then he puts his foot down." "He's so gooc he lets me have my way." My own dear spouse, may h( stand the trip, constantly reminds me how fortunate I al to have a man who lets me do the things that make me happ.. even though he sees no merit whatever in my interests. There would be no point in r minding him I also allow him do and say and think things that are completely outside frame of reference. Nor do care to remind him that permission is neither sought nc He is totally prowanted. tected by my own sense of it tegrity and affection, and a such, I shall continue to bE what I am in the places whet I want to be. That he obvic ly wants the place I want tc to be his companion is a dol bonus for both of us. A very learned gentleman sees marriage as total dest] tion said, "The day you tak( the vows, the nibbling star. The fact is, one person has himself now responsible for destiny of two and ssumes c sus has to be established. fostering of diversity is r business, but the marriage pulls it off has compensati permanence. Only the free a truly bound. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Play paradise If you take a walk past St. James School on North Court Street before classes or during recess, you will notice a great hive of children climbing, tumbling and sliding in and out of what appears to be a heap of logs strewn at random around the schoolyard. What you are actually looking at is a very ingenious new design in playgrounds, constructed for creative play...it's effectiveness speaks for itself. Carrie Marshal is the woman at North Cumberland Neighbourhood Improvement Office largely responsible for initiating the project and guiding it to a finish Well, phase one of a whole scheme, at least. A group of parents and teachers worked together with Hough, Stansbury Association Limited Consultants to come up with the playground constructed with pressure treated logs and lumber. The play area, which puts many things into a small area of space, includes anamphitheatre, slide, tunnels, play house and areas where the children can play quietly on their own. As phase one, the playground is especially for primary level chi ldren.Tbere are also swings and a paint board and puppet show area are soon to come. "St. James is a community school. and the playgroundis for the neighbourhood. Something like this is an asset to a school in the community during a time of declining enrolment," explained . Carrie. The playground was constructed this summer partially by volunteers and partially by paid people. "We acted as the contractors at the NIP office. It was a lot to take on, but as our own contractor, it enabled us to employ carpenters during the strike." Next summer, a creative play area will get underway for intermediate level children. COMMUNITY BULLETIN: The Anglican Church Women will hold a Rummage sale of children's clothing at St. Paul's Church, 808 Ridgeway, October 21 from 2 to 4 pm. Got an event coming up that you would like publicized? Send it to Northern Woman's Centre 316 Ray Street. LETTERS someday. Due to the efforts of individuals like yourselves, all of my objectives will be available to me. Thank you for paving the way for women to have freedom of choice - be it homemaker or worker outside the home. enclose my subscription fee with pleasure. Sincerely, Deborah H. Kraft Dear Women: recent newcomer to Thunder Bay and was delighted to be informed by Mary Fedorchuk of the existence of a dynamic and impactful group of women in Northern Ontario. The women's movement is no longer on the front pages of local newspapers because it has become an integral part of Canadian life today. Your newspaper, credit union, crisis centre, women's programmes at the College plus numerous other activities attest to this phenomenon. Your past and present performance is particularly impressive in view of the demographic features of NorthIt consists western Ontario. predominantly of small, oneindustry towns, created by men for men with little historical regard for women's facilities The day-care, shopping, etc. area is also isolated from larger centres where new concepts tend to have easier The view of oneacceptance. industry towns is effectively outlined in the recent issue of Saturday Night. The traditionalism and stereotypes prevalent in North-western Ontario are being'rapidly dissipated by firmly all of your effOrts. believe that women are capable of achieving whatever they have a full-time want. career and a husband and definitely would like children I am a I I I The following letter was received in response to a letter sent by Julie Fels to Dennis R. Timbrell, Minister of Health, that appeared in the last issue. Dear Ms. Fels: Thank you for your letter of June 23, relating to payments made by the Plan for therapeutic abortions. would like first to assure you that payments for medically necessary services are made according to rules and guidelines without intent of discrimination. Legislation in Ontario requires that all insured services provided by physicians be medically necessary. In the specific example noted in your letter, services must be approved by a therapeutic abortion committee in a hospital to determine medical necessity and payment by the Plan. The same evies fbr this procedure are applied for those insured services provided to Ontario residents outside the province. believe the matter was clarified in the letter you I 1 attached, which was received from our Thunder Bay Office. It noted that for therapeutic bortions performed outside anada, OHIP accepts as sufficient evidence of medical necessity either of the following: a) certification of a Therapeutic Abortion Committee in Canada or, b) certificatioh by at least two qualified physicians (which may include any referring Ontario physician but which may not include the Physician performing the abortion) who have reviewed the patient's medical history and recommend termination of the pregnancy because continuation would, or would likely to, endanger the patient's life or health. This policy is not applied with discrimination or selectivity and the Plan does not knowingly process such claims without the necessary approvals. With reference to your question concerning the general guide referred to in your letter, it is to provide general information only. "Referring physician's name if applicable," applies when one physician is providing a consultative service for a patient referred by another physician. This is required determine the appropriate 'ee to be paid. Dennis R. Timbredl, Minister of Health. Northern Woman Journal page 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Life Begins at 40 conference helps women plan Life begins at 40...an intriguing statement with multiple implications. Around Thunder Bay these day, though, Life Begins at 40 means a conference for women at Confederation College, October 20 and 21. The purpose of the conference sponsored by the Ministry of Community and Social Serv-cpices, the NWO International Woman's Decade Council and Confederation College Woman's Programs, is to discuss with women the changes related tp finances and overall well-being later in life. Although designed especially for women in middle age, conference orr ganizer Marg Graham says that the ideas and issues to be discussed at the sessions could aid younger women in planning for the future. Kay Hegge of Community and Social Services was responsible for putting forth the idea last spring. Recent studies, such as the one conducted by Kaye Delude of the National Action Committee, indicate that a significant number of women face serious financial crisis beyond the age of 40. Most often,the new circumstances occur after the death of a spouse, or because women fail to investigate such things as pension plans or rights of inheritance. At the time of the last census, two thirds of the women widowed, divorced, and single women over age 65 were below the poverty line. "Four out of five Canadian women are predeceased by their husbands. That indicates that women are the ones who need the financial advice, and and other kinds of advice to assist them in the great changes that occur after age 40," says Marg Graham. The conference has been organized around workshop, sessions dealing with three basic categories. Finances will cover pensions, credit, wills, estates and funeral planning. Preparing for Life Alone takes into account women rejoining the work force and general re-integration into the community, dealing with the problem of the empty nest syndrome and facing widowhood alone. Health workshops will cover nutrition, use of drugs and alcohol, the aging process menopause and stress. Keynote speaker will be Mae Sutton, a widow who has been a strong lobbyist for changes in the present pen, sion laws that greatly affected her life. An opening dinner Friday evening will be held and requires one weeks paid pre-registration. Afterwards there will be a fashion show presented by the Indian Friendship Centre"s Soto Images. Films based on the theme of aging will be shown. For more information or to register call Confederation College Women's Programs at 577-5751. Cullen's UN cuts will slam women The proposed cutbacks in Unemployment Insurance benefits represent one of the most vicious attacks on working women in recent history. Changes to the Unemployment the CO-OP BOOKSHOP and RECORD CENTRE Excellent selection of Canadian literature, classics, film books, science fiction, crafts, poetry, many unusual Mies. Best folk, ethnic and blues selection in town. Open till 8 each day and all day Sunday 182 8. Ali oma agree t. On campus every Thursday beside the Main Cafeteria phone 345-8912 Insurance programme were announced on September 1, 1978 by Employment and Immigration Minister Bud Cullen. The primary purpose behind the proposed changes is to deny UI benefits to those who cannot find long-term employment. Women, "the last hired and the first fired" will be hurt more than any other group in Canadian society by these changes. The proposed cutbacks appear to be the culmination of a campaign to force women back into the home, thereby leaving the impression that unemployment is really not so serious after In 1977, the Liberal all. government released a "Compre- hensive Review of the Unemployment Insurance Program" which made incredible and unsubstantiated statements about women The Review stated workers. that women misuse the UI programme through nonavailabili and refusal to work and that secondary earners generated unexpected increases in UI benefit expenditures. The Advisory Council on the Status of Women warned that sui sweeping generalizations about women claimants, which were no supported by any data, should not be used for policy purpose However, the Liberal governmen has done exactly that: it has developed policy blaming women Northern Woman Journal page 4 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Group, the Ottawa Citizens' Committee for Children, and the Ottawa Family Planning Association. Sue Findlay, who takes up her new duties October 16, 1978, is filling the vacancy created by the mid-August The Honourable Marc resignation of Monica Townson, who has Lalonde, Minister responsible since joined the Economic for the Status of Women, today Council of Canada's of Centre for announced the appointment Suzanne Findlay of Ottawa as Vice-President of the federal Advisory Council on the Status of Women. Sue Findlay has become well-known to women across Canada as Directot:.of the Women's Programme, Secretary of State, where she was responsible for administering WELCOME. The Women's Centre some $500,000 Resourceannually Library in is open for grants lending. to women's organizations Materials include and for of a the widefield rangework of fiction and regional staff who books; provided the non-fiction looseleaf programme's external liaison in a information contained unity vertical file covering over ogramme one hundred subjects; one record; an information kit; Year many feminist magazines and get of periodicals; an audio cassette direction on battered women and some ntact non-sexist children's books. ll remain VOLUNTEERS would be appreciated w role to do clippings as well as other essential work for the ars of Centre. urther WATCH for regular postings at en's your library for films, s a long speakers and discussion to be with held at the Women's Centre as having part of our new program or groups as phone the Resource Library for risis information at 345-5841 and source ask for Monika. the Study of Inflation and Productivity as Senior Econom Adviser. Ms. Townson made a significant contribution to the work of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, particularly in direct its research in such areas as Women in the Public Service, Sexual Assault, and Native Findlay appointment Women. New Library in works Monika McNabb, the new librarian at Woman's Place is in the process of putting together a collection of books, magazines, and clippings of interest to women. Come in, browse and borrow. market for local crafts a new y. The the h Cook, lt it was e a store ecialized s. And ant that town that tunity local extend es. nths of r money -mortgaged of male ckenness ook a in. And ery own eat nce we seem all urse, we st that occupatve us ult for n't like , would as crossed we've only onths, not we're but whatvery educational so far, good for our confidence and fun - its also exciting to be involved with so many talented people. One of the things we've become aware of is that those crafts which are considered " women's work" are less valued. We've also found that women really undervalue their time. We're hoping to change some of first learn to count change and stuff like that - before we tackled the next step. We're located at 420 Victoria Ave., three doors down from May St., going towards Simpson - right across from Drugworld. If you're interested in crafts, either buying or selling, we like to see you. this. When we started there seemed to be two large unknowns that we couldn't research before we started - would there be enough crafts to stock our store and would people buy them. We still don't know the answer. We have quite a few suppliers - most of them women but we need more. We are interested in all,kinds of crafts but especially original designs and ideas. We'd like to expand into the area of original design clothing - we have some but would like more. It's still too early to tell if we'll have enough customers but so far people have been pretty positive. They compliment us on our stock and sometimes buy things. The next phase of our project is to open a tea room. That won't be for a month or We thought we'd so though. try to get the hang of this 420 VICTORIA AVE., THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO TELEPHONE 623-1842 400 6" ,6 3'%, `In ©u@nq'll Specializing in... LEATHER WORK ORIGINAL ONE-OF-A-KIND CLOTHES KNITTING CROCHETING QUILTING WOODWORKING POTTERYand more WE SELL CRAFTS on CONSIGNMENT Northern Woman Journal page 5 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Using the vote effectively...ask questions! Women should look after woin the electoral process, says the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women. "Within the year we will be facing a federal election. It is probable that the country will still be grappli.ng with economic and unemployment problems. It is a fact that during hard times, problems facing women are even harsher," said a statement issued by the men Council. In order to deal with a part of the problem the federal Advisory Council has prepared a "Shocking Pink Paper" for use by those wishing to be sure that candidates for election are aware of the problems facing women--and, says the Council- the solutions. The Shocking Pink Paper provides a list of questions with which to confront the candidates based on the issues affect- they are working to support themselves and their dependants The paper, put out earlier this year, proposes questions about the governments plans for women's pensions and security It deals with for homemakers. the problem of poverty among ing women. older women and the infringe"People are saying...we wouldn't ment upon Human Rights particbe having a problem with unemularly afflicting Indian women. ployment if so many women weren't For instance, women can trying to get into the labour ask the question: "What do you force," says the paper which intend to do to correct these answers with the Facts;that the four situations thatdiscriminate majority of married women in the against Indian Women in spite labour force have to work to of the new Human Rights legisbring their family income above lation: -Indian women who marry poverty level, and, that 45% e non Indian man lose their staof working women are single, divtus...not so for an Indian man. orced, widowed or separated, so. -Indian women who have married non-Indian men have been evicted from their homes and the reserve -the Indian act is specifically excluded from the new Human Righ Legislation. -Though the Indian act is now be revised, Indian women who have lost their status have no say. Rape is also a concern that the Pink Paper deals with. The questions deal with ammending the criminal code so that more than 100 of rape cases come to trial, which is the present statistic. For a copy of the Shocking Pink Paper write the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Box 1541, Station B Ottawa, K1P 5R5. AmmuftWoMiwoommwom cAtotaftn (14/omtn.'1 CtEdit (11PLIOn Need for contributions by Laurie Hill The Northern Woman's Credit Union continues to grow and mature. An enthusiastic group met at the Woman's Centre for the second annual meeting, Sunday The major focus September 11. of the day's discussion was a membership drive. This will be done by way of media exposure, speaking to local women's groups and having an information booth at the Life Begins at 40 conference at Confederation College Ofcourse we shall this month. continue to influence our friends, acquaintances and co- Got a minute? THE HERSTORY COMMITTEE NEEDS NEEDS VOLUNTEERS TO TRANSCRIBE FROM CASSETTE TAPES, FASCINATING INTERVIEWS WITH WOMEN PIONEERS OF NORTHWESTERN ONTIF YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE ARIO. PHONE GEORGINA GARRETT AT344-9087 or LYNNE THORNBURG AT 577-5759, EXT. 197. Northern Woman Journal page need for deposits. Even $5.00 a month will soon add up. Two weekend conferences at union. Confederation College in Octobe will be seeing participation Thursday, September 28, a by our credit union executive. special meeting of the Board There will be a credit union of Directors was called so that workshop October 13 and 14 focthe local Credit Union League using on credit granting, bankrepresentative, Jim Zebruk, ruptcy and the new family law could present his report to reform act and its application After going through the them. It will to the Credit Union. Credit Union's books, he rebe attended by the treasurer an ported that all was in order. at least one member of the cred A note of thanks and recognition committee. go to Betty Harkema, Treasurer for her excellent book keeping and to Eleanor Eryser, Secretary Also, the Life Begins At 40 for her detailed minutes. Conference October 20 and 21 wi have Credit Union coverage for One thing that was strongly potential members. recommended to the Board by Mr. Zebruk was that the general membership be more actively encouraged to build up deposits. UPCOMING MEETING FOR THE GENERA We have been granting loans reg- MEMBERSHIP, Thurtday, October ularly and in this way have been 19,1978, 8 pm Woman's Place, 31 meeting the needs of local wom- Bay Street. en for credit. However, unless Please make an effort to attend the members of our Credit Your vote will help determine make regular share depUnion Credit Union matters. osits, the credit union may soon MEET FELLOW MEMBERS be running into difficulties JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION OF in meeting these loan requests. NATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY. So again, we emphasize the workers to convince them of the good in joining a woman's credit 6 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Women in NW Ontario need more say by The NWO International Women's Decade Co-ordinating Council. format and you must go to the women of the small communities. Fear, isolation, lack of financial resources, transportation, lack of child care, are all factors that make living in the north a very difficult place for women to grow and participate as citizens of Ontario. We ask that you consider a grass roots community development model and provide funds to enable women to organize around their needs in single industry towns. Their experiences should be considered a unique expertise for the commission. 3. We request that childcare be provided at all commission hearings to enable women to participate in, as well as observe, the proceedings. 2. The following are excerpts from the brief presented to the Hartt Commission on the Northern Environment in Nakina, Nov. 29/77pby Julie Fels and Leona Lang, two members of the council. Families in resource-based communities are there to live as well Therefore, women must as to work. be involved in the planning of the socio-economic development of their To date, corporations communities. have not exercised corporate responsibility in responding to the human needs of the community. The quality rf life is directly dependent upon the economy of the area in which we live, hence the economic development of the north affects the lives of us all. As women represent 51% of the population, they have not only the right but the obligation to be represented in all aspects of the economic and social development of the north. Looking at development from a woman's perspective is essential, for it is the women who live in these communities who are most affected by the developmental decisions which are made by men. Women have traditionally shouldered the human element of development in the community and, as such, are the The experts on the quality of life. product of this development forms the social fabric of these communiBoth sexes are equally ties. affected, so none of us should deny that both sexes should have equal input into the decision-making If process affecting their lives. the terms of reference of socioeconomic studies are entirely dependent on highly technical, nonexperiential male concepts, then we can only conclude that the outcome of these studies will not be relevant to the women of the communities north of the 50th parallel, and the status quo will only be perpetuated. We believe that women from the north should sit on this commission to ensure that women's experience will be recognized. We believe that the present structure of the commission exemplifies hew women are relegated to supportive and peripheral roles outside the decision-making process. Economic expansion will not result in the socio-economic betterment of women who are considered marginal and unimportant in the process unless a conscious decision to change the position of women is built right into In summary, the terms of reference. we would make several requests: 1. We ask your commission to seek out women to provide input from their experiences of living in the north. You must go beyond the formal hearing We ask that the planning and development schemes not make the basic assumption that women exist only as dependents of men, but that women be seen as persons responsible for their own economic future. Until this happens the development plans of industry and government will continue to deliver programs that re-inforce women's role in these communities as marginal and depenRather, community development dent. plans should and must integrate women fully into the economic and social power structure of the community. 4. In conclusion, we ask you, Mr. Justice Hartt, to make this commission a notable one; one which will be known for recognizing women's voices in economic development, an area in which they have been historically excluded. 5. Leona Lang Two million likely affected The following article appeared in the October 5 edition of the Chronicle Journal in an obscure corner of the obituary page. WASHINGTON (AP)An estimated six million nothers in the United States and their offsprings may face risks of cancer or other abnormalities from exposure to synthetic estrogen DES during pregnancy, Health Secretary Joseph Califana said today. Califano asked the 400,000 US physicians to search their medical records and notify the estimated two million women who were once routinely given DES to prevent miscarriages, "chiefly between 1945 and 1955 but in a number of cases, as recently as 1970." Northern Woman Journal page PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �THE WAITRESS aware that we get paid such lousy also don't believe th wages. But it is up to the customer to make s know t that we get minimum wage. work for isn't a ch company that itable organization. They are cerwould me tainly making a profit. can't affor tion their name, but by Brenda Cryderman I resent is that we have to "What hustle to get minimum wage," stated Anne, a local cocktail waitress, "a right that is guaranteed to other workers." Anne is a waitress in a well established hotel in Thunder Bay. She is paid $2.50 per hour--35 cents below the minimum wage of $2.85. "The guy at Manpower said this was do get tips. Some days legal as make $4.00 in tips,and on other days $10.00. It really doesn't amount to WAITING FOR I I I I I to lose my job. am fc Unlike most waitresses, only have myself to suppc unate. and live at.home for next to not Some girls try to keep their own r on these wages and others are sine parents who could certainly make r on welfare,"Anne concluded. Eighty percent of all waitresse are women. This is just another e) ple of how women have to sell thei services at a reduced value. There are very few labour unions for thi Really, they have to occupation. prostitute themselves to the custo smiling when he is rude, agreeing when he is wrong. "Remember: the customer is always right." A LIVING I I WAGE I I I that much." The Ontario government rationalizes this form of cheap labour because, they say, only waitresses that are serving liquor get this wage and they make tips. Also, it is supposed to help boost our tourist industry. to theory a customer should tip 5% of the bill. No matter how good the service, you're lucky to get 10. talked to "The other waitresses agree that it is a rip-off. But most of them feel that there is nothing we can do about it. We need our jobs and we certainly can't afford to get don't think they would have fired. any trouble replacing us," says THE WAITRESS Underpaid and overworked, always smiling at some jerk, Walking, standing, never sitting, hurry, "service must be quick." These people are important, they have better things to do than Ii I I Anne. "Tips kind of turn waitresses against each other as everyone is trying to get the best tipping customer and '%%7.- M% Brenda Cryderm .1" wait. and if you get along really well with the hostess, she will put them in your section. So some waitresses make more than others for providing the same service and that certainly isn'tt Life can't always be this bad, someone's always getting mad. I don't make the soup or set the p all I do is serve and clean. Understaffed and underpaid, all we want is MINIMUM WAGE. fair." "I don't think most people are A Matter of Choice The CBC has produced a new film on rape. Starring Roberta Maxwell, A Matter of Choice, was shown on CBC-TV's For the Record on Sunday, January 29. The film explores rape and its emotional aftermath. It is an attempt to show the effects of assault on the victim, the terror, the rage and the despair. The legal process, the cross-examination of the victim, the necessary evidence are all looked at. Altogether, it is a very powerful film. The film was followed by a two -hour panel discussion and phone-in program. For more information contact: Maureen O'Donnell TV Network Promotion CBC Toronto Tel. (416) 925-3311 Ext. 4461 Sortl Trs jvst lerVIlAy vie jat Out dont kW icsi rfirinc+wien ron4Ye j tadwAy s ,qettiro ?replan+ or marviedi ovf of ProStAnci 05 it niet -town Or o-Iheir y rig -fkt tOterdob or get 510 tt heavy ekit Elderly Women The Canadian Council on Social Development has completed a technical study, by Ottawa economist Kevin Collins, on women and pensions. (Release date February 1978) The report examines the conditions for women in private and public pension plan systems. Mr. Collins reports that elderly women, living on pensions, are the poorest people. In effect they live below any realistic poverty line. Women are penalized by current pension systems, according to the study, by longer life expectancy,. higher turnover rate in the labour force, low wages, poor jobs and interrupted employment records. The Canada Pension Plan and the Quebec Pension Plan are called to task for their regressive benefits in the report: "the lowest income groups pay a higher proportion of their income in contributions than higher income groups. Because women generally have relatively low incomes, this is particularly disadvantageous for them." To obtain a copy of the report please direct your requests to: "Women and Pensions" Canadian Council on Social Development 55 Parkdale Avenue Ottawa, Ontario KIY 1E5 wr kesnniv 81'x. Andi s *tear-Jive P4440:00i ot coorie AlagyS hive PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Bloomers for girlies But shorts for boys?! by Sandra Steinhause all began one peaceful It fall day. Little. did know I that the next words would read would add drama, suspense and laughter to my life. My daughter and son go to the same high school and on this particular day they each walked into the house with a notice from school--Regulation Wear for Physical Education. It sounds routine, right? It is routine but that doesn't mean it isn't bizarre. Before had time to look at the school notice, my daughter started insisting that we go to the store shopping. "I've been told that we have to have our GYM BLOOMERS by tomorrow for phy. ed," she moaned. GYM BLOOMERS!! "What in the world are gym bloomers? asked. (I'm not originally from Ontario) GYM BLOOMERS, for those uninformed like me, are special shorts created just for girls. (Oh how lovely, a product just for us!) GYM BLOOMERS are baggy shorts with elastic around the leg. became very aware that my son was not making the same chant, "I need GYM BLOOMERS by tomorrow". He had not mentioned his need for this strange costume. Something went "click" in my head. read the Regulation notice. Girls are resquired to wear GYM BLOOMERS (that cost $6.50) while boys are required to wea wear shorts. Ludicrous. charge the schools with sex discrimination and promoting consummerism. Promoting Consummerism: If you have daughters you must pay $6.50 for GYM BLOOMERS that don't think they will ever "be caught dead in" out in the streets during the summer. The shorts that most girls have can't be'used while the boys can wear the ones they have used all summer. Why should parents be monetarily penalized for having I I I I I I been wearing them since was in school." (Did anyone ever question why they wore them 20 years ago?) 2. "It's in the'girls"best interest for health and safety." Health and safety? Is it a health interest with constricting elastic around your legs? Is baggy in the interest of safety?) I Is it healthy to wear constricting elastic around the legs?? I girls? Sex Discrimination: Girls must wear GYM BLOOMERS but not boys. phoned the school board, 4 high schools and spoke to principals, viceprincipals and gym teachers. All the high schools that phoned had a dress code for phy. ed. The girls had to wear GYM BLOOMERS while the boys could wear regular shorts. asked, Now comes the fun. "Why do girls have to wear I I I baggy bloomers that have elastic around the leg?" The following are the answers reI ceived: 1. "It's traditional, they've If it is in the girls' best interest for health and safer, ty, why aren't the schools interested in the health and safety of the boys? Surely they have more outward parts to protect in that area? 3. "You don't think it's sexist, surely? It can't be; our gym teacher is a woman." (He was shocked when mentioned that a woman can be sexist.) 4. "The girls don't have to wear them just because the notice says so." (Every school know insists that their students follow rules. believe that they have been so well trained to be obedient to authority, that if they are given a notice of regulations, they will follow them because they are afraid not to.) I I I Each person spoke to started to chuckle when mentioned sex discrimination. The replied. chuckle stopped when that didn't find it humorous at all. However, did have the impression that they thought was complaining about nonsense. Since no one has been able to give me any reason WHY girls have to wear GYM BLOOMERS and the boys are able to wear regular shorts,I am left with my assumptions. GIRLS HAVE TO WEAR ELASTIC AROUND THEIR LEGS BECAUSE OF THE SEXUAL HANG-UPS OF THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE THE POLICY. Are they afraid that boys will throw themselves on the floors and look up the girls' shorts? How come they don't worry about the girls taking peeks and I I I I I I pokes? Not consulted Britain's 1976 abortion law, the most liberal in Europe, was amended on Feb. 21, 1978 by Parliament. The new amendment will restrict the availability of abortions by shortening the permissible time period to 20 weeks, requiring the approval of five National Health doctors (instead of the previous two), and introducing a"conscience clause" allowing a physician to withhold approval. The amendment was introduced by a consertive Member of Parliament, who cited a recent poll which said 87% of Britain's gynecologists favor tighter limitations of the availability of abortions. Women, of course, were not consulted. Northern Woman Journal page 9 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Another case for red tape 13 A PROPOSAL TO MAKE THE DIFFICULT, IMPOSSIBLE Later this month, women in Ontario could stand to loose even a remote choice in whether or not they wish to go through with a pregnancy. The Canadian Association to Repeal Abortion Laws (CARAL) is urging all women to speak up on Bill 139 sponsored by John Sweeney, Liberal member for Kitchener Wilmot to come before the Legislature on October 26. "Make no mistake about it," says CAR AL, "Bill 139 is designed to reduce access to abortion, no matter what its title, or its sponsor says to the contrary." The Bill is entitled "An Acting respecting Hospital Administrative Proceedures relating to Abortions Performed in The members of the LegislatOntario." ure will vote freely with no formal Caucas position being taken because it is a private members bill. The Bill will not alter existing federal legislation on the question of abortion. What it does though, is propose additional records being made and monitored and if successful, will double the amount of administrative work required bf the physician. What it amounts to is red tape which will make the process of getting an abortion more cumbersome than other medical attention. Says CARAL, "If that is Mr. Sweeney's intention, then it should be clearly stated and be the principle which is debated." CARAL feels that the extra administrative burden, its cost to the system and burden to the doctor, will discourage doctors from dealing with abortion do not entirely refuse, If they cases. then they will certainly avoid them. Involved in the extra paper work is a very comprehensive information statement to the patient which must be signed and forwarded to the therapeutic abortion committee before the approval process even begins. The doctor "must make an assessment of the potential for the unborn child to remain alive outside the womb," and report this assessment to the committee and the patient. If the doctor feels that there is any such potential, he must arrange to have a second doctor in attendance. If the abortion is approved and performed, th e doctor, "must prepare and forward to the TAC a detailed report concerning the circumstances, medical proceedures used and the result of the abortion performed by the physician. "One of the unsavoury aspects of the Bill," say CARAL members, "is the fact that it allows for employees of the Ministry of Health to act as inspectors and they sahll "inspect each medical record compiled for an abortion performed since the previous inspection and may inspect any other medical record compiled for an abort ion for the purposes of this act." So much for the patients right to privacy!" The information statement to be prepared for the TAC for the doctor must entail a) th e development of the "unborn child' as of the time of the operation b) any risk of emotional or physical harm that may be suffered by the woman as a result of the abortion. c) any agencies, etc., that will assist a woman who decides to carry her pregnancy to term. The CARAL organization feels that the doctor's statement is intended to intimidate women who have decided upon abortion. "Just as clearly, doctors will be giving a medical opinion in the guise of "information", there being, for instance, no medical consensus on whether abortion results in physical or mental harm to the individual.," said CARAL. Letters of opinion should be addressed to the Hon. Dennis Timbrell, Minister of Health and to Micheal Cassidy, leader of the NDP Party and Stuart Smith leader of the Liberal Party. CARAL'S Analysis jacket is dishonest. There is a notion 4 neat little section on 'consent' abroad that women who seek abortions, builds up the pressure on a woman do so with gay abandon. This is a seeking an abortion. It says, "No cruel and inhuman attitude to women consent given by a patient is valid and binding unless the patient has been in trouble for whatever reason, desprovided with the physicians assessment erved or otherwise. Most women suffer and the information statement more than untold misery and trauma over this 24 hours before the consent is given." desparate decision. To add to this misery is a particularly exquisite In other words, red tape becomes more important than a woman's decision kind of torture. All women should refuse to accept to have an abortion. Many of the ideas incorporated in th is kind of approach to a probBill 139 are similar to those found lem which is primarily a woman's in an OHIO Bill. It stopped short problem. In terms of the health care of a provision which would require system, abortion should be viewed the showing of the fetus to the patin the same way as other medical proient after the abortion. Even Ohio b ceedures. No more, no less. The moral balked at that one, and removed it. question is one for the individual to It does indicate, however, the lengths handle without any interference from to which the anti-abortion people the state, What to do about Bill 139? will go. Abortion under certain conditions We should object to this bill in is legal in Canada. To attempt to principle without getting bogged down prevent it through this kind of obon discussing the details. WRITE TO YOUR ELECTED MEMBER, THE PREMIER, struction is not supportable. And in AND MR. SWEENEY. The anti-abortionto wrap one's anti-abortion views ists are already writing in. this kind of administrative straight- Northern Woman Journal page 10 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �by Sharon Olsen It has long been a traditional belief that "to love someone is to trust them." Trust them to do what? To never hurt the one who loves them? To always be kind, thoughtful, considerate and in good humour? To never lie or cheat or fix a traffic ticket? If such a would just as saint exists, soon not meet him. Not only find his company borwould am ing in a short while but would feel quite infersure ior in his presence. beltrust someone, When ieve that they will not deliberately set out to harm me, or those close to me, in any way. The key word is deliberate or premeditated, if you're into doubt that legal jargon. there is or ever has been, a single human being who has not done or said something without thinking--whether it be unkind words said in anger, or an act of infidelity in a weak moment, or a lie told to avoid a scene. don't condone any of these actions as a way of life, but do believe that the reasons behind the deeds are more important than the deeds them- T I I I I I I I I I selves. The people trust will not purposely perform any of these actions with the explicit intention of hurting me. If any such incidents do occur, it is for one of two reasons. Either it is done in a thoughtless moment (which is only human) or it is carefully thought out beforehand and the doer honestly concludes, with my best interests at heart, that performing the act is likely to be the lesser of the two evils. In would probably, other words, suffer more pain if the act is not performed. For example, if friend ofmine has to make a a I I T (7Aui7nui decision between telling me a truth or a lie, and has decided in her own good judgement that a lie would be less painful to me than the truth, then would expect her to tell me a lie... It's not that would prefer to be shielded from the truth, rather, would expect and trust my friend to follow her own good judgement. Essentially then, trusting someone is believing in their ability to exercise good judgement when dealing with matters that are likely to affect your mental, emotional and physical welfare. Their decisions may not necessarily be the same as I I I srter,4.),--it.w/v". yours would be in many situations. The point is that they care enough, in most instances, to take the time to consider your feelings. Alternatively, the individual who wishes to become more trustworthy would do well to practice considering the effects of his actions on others as much as possible. Understanding seems to be a major part of this whole process of mutual trust - understanding the reasons behind your own behavior and attempting to understand the reason behind the behavior of others. 1,40It 4********************** NO HALF FARM FOR HUBBY * DECEMBER 15, 1978 to sue for his interest in the Ottawa (CP)-A man who signed * farm. over his half of a family * The judgement said Bingeman farm to his wife so it could did not go into business, but not be seized in a lwsuit transferred the property, appcannot reclaim the property ** . arently for another reason. A now that he and his wife are * * ** separated, the Supreme Court neighbour threatened to sue on * of Canada,ruled Tuesday. the ground that Bingeman was * The court rejected an appeal * featuring having an affair with his wife * by Gordon Bingeman of Waterloo, Ont., for the return from his *AT THE ELK'S LODGE (CORNER: estranged wife, Evelyn, of his OF SYNDICATE AND share of a 64 acre farm Filma which and Art * MILES STREET) the couple had jointly owned. "Not a Pretty Picture" is a fictional documentary on rape The judgement said Bingeman designed for high school students. It is the work of Martha * Tickets: $3.0o in advance m_* signed over the propertyCoolidge to and is released by Dabara Films. It reveals misconcep$3.50 at the door; about rape and delves into the social, psychological and his wife in Dec./67, andtions left * It's a be,nefit for physical make-up of both girls and boys in their teenage years. It her 13 months later without WOMAN'S PLACE has been endorsed by the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre and won the contributing alimony or Blue mainRibbon Award at the American Film Festival in New York so anyone wishing to help 44 tenance, Bingeman initially Available for rental or long-term lease. For cost in 1976. * out call 345-5841 or considered signing over inquiries, the write: Films farm because he wanted toDabara quit giciVagic**************Z 367 Queen Street West his job as an O.P.P. constable and go into business. He Toronto. did Ontario M5W 2A4 not want potential creditors to -- * ** * *. * AY4I ABlue Streak& Southpaw Northern Woman Journal page 11 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �isisss ii olV***V;;i'4'4, 7VIrrririrWerfrr Fort Frances women graduate in psych Debra Pilon WOMEN AND PSYCHOLOGY COURSE - 1 FORT FRANCES--Ten women ranging in age from 24 to 55 recently completed a night school credit course entitled Women and Psychology. The course was offered through Confederation College's continuing education program and was the first credit course of that title to be offered by the college in the Thunder Bay area. Instructor Gayle Quirie presented the class with a comprehensive package of stimulating material through 15 weeks of winter. Films were shown eacn week and an anthology of pieces by psychologists and feminists entitled Female Psychology: The Emerging Self was required reading for the course. Some of the women in the course had been out of an educational setting for 10 to 20 years. One had recently completed university level courses, another woman in the night course was simultaneously enrolled as a day student in the Fort Frances High School. She was obtaining the high school diploma that marriage and children had postponed. Eight of the women were either married or had once been married. Relationships with men were discussed often and it seemed important to do so because marriage, for many women, is the primary personal relationshep in a lifetime. Part of the learning experience centred, however, on an acceptance of other women as valuable and intelligent persons. We grew to understand and like each other. WOMEN AND PSYCHOLOGY COURSE - 2 One of the catalysts to this understanding was an exercise entitled "My Mother--Myself". Each woman explored her relationship with her mother, recorded her perceptions on paper and presented the findings orally to the class. In exploring our roots we exposed ourselves to each other, through gentle honesty. In portraying where we had been, we emerged with a view of where we might be going, through awareness of our similarities. Joy also found a way into our gettogethers. It's easy to laugh and joke among friends and once the initial shyness vanished, we were indeed friends. Lest this sound too ideal, it must be noted that the personal interaction between participants was not always harmonious. On occasion, personalities clashed, though never violently and always with the arbitrator (Mrs. Quirie) ready to calm the opponents by injecting her own view into the discussion. Topics discussed included: biological perspectives, psychological sex differences, oppression on the self, female sexuality, psychothera and women and of course--keeping in mind that on most days men are not the enemy--we explored the concept of human liberation. Attendance throughout the course was excellent. Providence often scheduled snowstorms on Wednesdays (the day before our class) so that roads were marginally passable by Thursday evening. Out-of-town students were able to attend from October to February without mishap and those who lived in town consistently braved frigid temperatures u attend. Women and Psychology was a valuab experience for the women who partic pated and was also "Interesting and Challenging" (really!) for Gayle- the lady teacher who introduced us to the idea that men (poor dears) may unknowingly suffer from testosterone poisoning. Remember that next time you observe one behaving in a typically "masculine" manner.., Those who participated in the course were (in alphabetical order): Judy Beer, Myra Guimond, Gladys McPherson, Ria McPherson, Janice Pattison, Debra Pilon, Margaret Rahr Shirley Seckinger, Betty Sedgwick ar Ruth Spritt. Far from being anti-abortion historically, says Mohr, the Protestan churches were relaxed and neutral o the subject during the 1800s. Abor " We no longer can tolerate tionists openly advertised their confessing sins we have not trade, even in religious publicacommitted," said Nelle Morton, tions. "The vast majority of the a theologian participating in Protestant clergy in the United a World Council of Churches States...chose to let their flocks conference on Sexism," sins decide for themselves as individual defined by male experience... the morality or immorality of aborWe can now begin to confess to tion, rather than move aggressively sins we have committed. The to define it as sin." Not surprissuppression of our own anger; ingly, during the 1800s an estimate not recognizing it as a way of one out of five pregnancies ended fighting through to a place abortion--and married, white, middl where love can express itself; class Protestants accounted for mos the lack of confidence and of these abortions. boldness, the lack of pride, Yet by the 1900s abortions were the unquestioned obedience anathema: "Virtually every jurisand the falseness of our diction had laws upon its books tha humility." proscribed the practice sharply and ( from Spare Rib declared most abortions to be crimi No. 27) nal offenses." Whether you're the What caused the turnabout? Was religious type or you've been that the churches had at last swung pressured by society to be into action against abortion? Not "virtuous", as Ms. Morton at all, says Mohr. It wasn't the points out, the sins have been defined by men - so the "virtues" churches that became anti-abortion, it was the doctors, who saw the have also been decided by men. cause as one they could exploit in Men want women to be pure, their efforts to professionalize obedient, humble and infinitely their practice. The clergy, meansweet- never angry, skeptical while, remained aloof. or bold. If we are angry and "Virtually every petition on the show it, we are "sinners". Is subject placed before a state legis a man a sinner if he expresses lature in the nineteenth century anger? came either from a medical organiza ABORTION AND THE CHURCHES tion or from an individual physicia America's churches have always Mohr writes. He adds that the medi been strongly anti-abortion, right? cos were bitter when the Protestant Wrong, says Professor James C. Mohr, clergy failed to join the fray. Th in his forthcoming book, Abortion in book (priced at $12.50) will be pub The Origins and Evolution America: lished by Oxford University Press of National Policy. this month. PATRIARCHAL ATTITUDES: WHAT ARE THE REAL SINS? SEXIST ADS i Some 100 mostly female protesters picketed the San Francisco Chronicle Examineer last week to denounce the daily newspaper's sexist advertising practices. The protest, initiated by Women Against Violence in Pornography and Media, charged that the paper carries a full page of advertisements for pornographic films, "most of which centre on themes of violence and women in submissive positions." The group called for a less offensive policy and asked supporters to join a letterwriting and telephone campaign to demand a change in the paper's practice. Off Our Backs--April 1978 The country is yours, ladies; politics is simply a public Yours, and mine and affair. The government everyone's. has enfranchised you, but it cannot emancipate you; that is done by your own processes of thought. Nellie McClung 1917. Northern Womnn Journal page 12 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor i �Notes before for after the Revolution homeless women. The police system leaves us subject to physical attack, so some of us are arming ourselves, studying the martial arts, and learning how to make our space more secure. The present system devastates the earth, but some of us are Getting up trusts, getting our own land, learning how to work with it. by Janis Kelly OFF OUR BACKS 1977 Tolerance From time to time a wave of anxiety travels through the women's movement: "Where are we going? What is our destination? Will this tactic get us There?" The Single Right Way These questions proceed from the premise that there is a single, unified destination, an ideal social structure. If that were true, then the reasonable thing would be to identify that place, figure out what would take us from here to there, encourage those activities, and eliminate everything else as a waste of energy. This is the method used by those concerned with developing a "correct" set of analyses and goals. The flip-side of "correct" thinking is that non-correct thinking must be weeded out. Thus we come to the many discussions over whether this or that occurrence (feminist businesses, socialist feminism, witch-craft) is a "danger to the movement." We trap ourselves into dualistic thinking, forever dividing up instead of synthesizing, forever trying to keep each other on the right path. Strength and Diversity The creation of a free society does not, however, require that we all take the same path. In fact, it requires something very different. One of the ironies of nature is that strength comes from diversity, not from sameness. Communities composed of a great variety of species are much healthier and stronger than those with only a few. Likewise, think our strength as a movement is in our variety and resilience rather than in the traditional measures of political power. The change that we are working is not based on collecting a superior force and overpowering the opposition (although some of us use this method for some things). Rather, we are breaking out of patriarchy from many sides at once, working on different problems with different tactics. This process can be seen as either chaotic and inefficient or varied and flexible. think it is the latter. And for the record I'd like to say that do not think that Lammas women's store is an anti-revolutionary cog in the capitalist system, or that Marxist-feminists are a tool of the Male Left, or that the Susan B. Anthony Coven #1 is a bourgeois escapist threat to the Revolution. Or that Gloria Steinem is desecrating the women's movement by packaging bits of feminist idealogy for mass consumption. And wish that all of us (especially me) who so readily lapse into self-righteous condemnation would examine what we're really saying, rid ourselves of the fantasy that we hold a franchise on Truth, and get more serious about what it means to be free. I I I I Non-coercion Both personally and politically, a committment to freedom means rejection of coercion as a tool in Giving up the human relations. option of force (physical or psychological) means that one has to accept the impossibility of control- Out of Bounds The kind of free-wheeling creativity we now have can continue only in a culture which accepts that there is no single Truth, no single Right.Way; that errors are inevitable, a sign of life rather than of stupidity or malevolence and that no idea is beyond question, so sacred or "obvious" that it can't be challenged. This kind of acceptance does not mean that have to support every women who does something and labels it "feminist." can argue against it. can put forth an alternative. can say she's completely off the wall and a menace. can try to change her mind. But don't want to censor her ideas or force her to stop whatever she's doing. Basically, that's how the current feminist movement works, usually in spite of rather than because of our "political" positions. The thing that has protected us is the fact that few of us ever acquire enough'power to prevent others from doing what they want to do. So somewhere people are always breaking out in new forms, trying new things. That variety is our strength, not our weakness, and want to see more of it. want to open up my own mind to more possibilities. don't want the boundaries of "feminism" more firmed up and tidy. want them blown away. want to do my own work without having to worry about being the last word on any; I I I I ling others (no matter ow wrong" they are) and learn to live with basic differences. This control thing is tricky. I'm easily aware of when other people try to do it to me, but when do it, it doesn't always feel like control. It often feels like I'm just trying to protect them, or improve them, or teach them something for their own good. The tip-off is always the feeling that le am in possession of some bit of knowledge, analysis, or feeling which is so superior that it must be right for them as well as for me, and gives me the moral right to try and impose it on them. Accepting non-coercion on the personal level eventually leads to rejecting the ideal of "acceptable" force on the mass level. At that point, the whole structure of the State comes crashing down. Any Government is at bottom State. nothing unique except for being an agency of legitimized coercion. The only real power of government (even a "born again" government, or a socialist one) is that it is permitdon't ted to force me to do things want to do. All right. So we knock the props out from under "government". How will things get done? Who will build the roads, care for the elderWe ly, feed the poor? WE WILL. will come together in voluntary association, just like we do now, to take care of the business of living. The main difference is that without the State on our backs and in our pockets (what do you suppose is the combined income tax paid by all the people associated with the women's movement?) we will be able to do things better. Even hampered by a State, we are finding ways of doing that. Government-AMA control of medical care has led to the present disaster, so some of us are running our own clinics, and others are exploring alternate forms of healing. The patriarchal system for owning and controlling women via the family is breaking down, so some of us are working on aid and shelter for battered and/or I I I I I I I I I thing. Movement want to work my little ass off on this newspaper because love it and think it's valuable. And want Z Budapest to go on being a genetic witch, and Joanne Parrent to go on thinking up and trying new ways of dealing with money, and the Marxists to go on concentrating on fighting capitalist imperialism. And want the country women to go on working with and for the land, and Dyke to go on developing dyke separatism, and the women's studies programs to go on studying women. And want the women in the organized religions to go on raising hell, and Ti-Grace Atkinson to do more and more of her crystalline thinking, and Charlotte Bunch to continue moving around like a corpuscle carrying ideas to all different limbs of the movement. And want to remember that what we have is not THE MOVEMENT, but the movement: us moving ourselves out of a death-worshipping, person-hating patriarchy and into new places which we create as we go along. Some of those new places please me. Some horrify me. But I'm not at all sure that even the most horrifying might not be producing something important. say, "The more, the better!" I I I I I I I Northern Woman Journal page 13 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �reprinted from UPSTREAM FEMINIST CyNNECT 'cm s A NEW LOOK AT MOTHERHOOD by Helen Levine This column has had a hard time getting born. There's a reason. It's because I've been thinking about the institutions of motherhood. Not only about being a mother, but with a sense of fulfillment and altruistic sentiment, we shall attain the goal of a responsibilities are imposed upon women as mothers. "Heavy," as they say. Since struggles with parenthood crop up at the center of many womens' lives - primary information of the culture... how political and cultural roles and and thus in feminist counselling - the question deserves a very careful exploration. I've decided to use this column to try to help build a feminist framework within which to place our experiences as mothers. -Historically, there has been a powerful mythology as well as ideology of mother- hood entrenched in a variety of institutions - the family, the school, the work force, the church, the helping professions, etc., which have prescribed ways of being a good or a bad mother. Some of the propaganda goes this way. "Anatomy is destiny" (Freud). It therefore follows that: being a mother is the greatest possible fulfillment for a woman; maternal instincts are the driving force in womens' lives; women can only find an identity in marriage, and motherhood; motherhood is a biological imperative; Women are inevitably and appropriately those primarily and centrally responsible for child-rearing. Bluntly, "Who said so?" Simply, "mainly men!" It was, in fact, those "awe-inspir- ing" social scientists, the experts and professionals that Betty Friedan warned women about years ago in The Feminine Mystique. The following are only two contempor- ary examples of that large anti-woman vanguard. Bruno Bettelheim (analyst, writer): "We must start with the realization that good life." Another subtle form of propaganda is ,he beloved fairy tales we, heard in childhood. In Women Hating, Andrea Dworkin says, "Fairy tales are the Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Rapunzel - all are characterized by passivity, beauty, innocence and victimization. ...They never think, act, initiate, confront, resist, challenge, feel, care or question.... We see that powerful women are bad and that good women are inert;." It's my contention that much of our aspects of motherhood. The question of kids and mothers comes up over and over again in feminist counselling. Am I a good mother? Have I damaged my kids? Why can't I always be loving and rational? How come I feel so eternally responsible, so guilty? Should I want, do I want, custody of my children? Is it OK, is it normal to decide not to have women, fraught with taboos and mystiques. I've decided to comment briefly on a handful of issues and happenings, just to get at the tip of the iceberg, and to follow through with some of these thenles in future columns. 1. female experience. women's movement arose in the 1960's, many of us wanted to talk or write about anything but motherhood. The role had so and foremost to be womanly companions of men and to be mothers." ultimate choice. We asked why only men scientists or engineers, they want first With Adrienne Rich's book, we may have come full circle: back to looking again at being mothers but in a totally new way. again, by way of responsibility, heaven help us all! 5. "In Her Place": this once-a-month cable TV program, in May, dealt with the topic of "A Baby, Maybe." A very worthwhile discussion, including the point that having or not having kids is hot necessarily the most important decision of a woman's life. I'm buying the video of this program, if any group wants to borrow it. control over their single success or failure in life. If you've been lucky enough to see J.A. Martin, Photo- experience for most of us, coming to grips, together, with a complex area in our lives with a remarkable portrayal of motherhood and womanhood. 2. Illegitimacy - one of patriarchy's-most cruel inventions: isn't it time to assert that motherhood, along with contraception and abortion, is essentially a question of control over our own bodies, our own beings? and to assert that motherhood is ours to decide how, were brought up to care for the "self" while women were taught to deny the self and to live through and for others. must be carried by fathers and the community. If it lands on mothers College: it has been a remarkable graphe, you will recall a beautiful film defined our lives, for good or ill, so limited ren, occupation, and interests and why women were supposed to make the one women and families, and greatly and powerlessness in the family and in society at large, their lack of real For a long time aver the present needs, our own oppression in private and public spheres of life. We asked why men took for granted having marriage, child- this can be a very important year if the emphasis is on daycare services, a 6. A course on "Mothers and Daughters' that I haye been facilitating through the Women's Programme at Algonquin personalities, roles, and behaviour were shaped by questions of power Rick's Of Woman Born marked a turning point in women's consciousness of motherhood as institution. our own herstory, our potential, our I'm convinced that we have to begin looking at our own mother's lives in a feminist framework, how their values, For me, the publication of Adrienne our horizons, that we needed to focus on the missing parts of our existence. Many of us moved headlong into investigating 4. International Year of the _Child: increased child-care responsibility that tions we all ask ourselves are anything but simple. The area is full of land-mines for fined this time - in this complex area of about the joys and necessity of mothers at home, damage to children wrought by "working" mothers and daycare. as the economic crisis worsens. decent income and decent housing for women and mothers is rooted in_ such stereotypes. Thanks, not to fairy tales and experts, but to the writings and sharings of the current women's movement, there has emerged a determination on the part of Women themselves have begun to examine the real issues - women-de- army of labour to be pulled in and pushed out of the work force when convenient? Watch for outpourings can't stand my kids sometimes? Is it fair to want my own life, too? Given the ideology and mythology of motherhood, the answers to these ques- many women to confront and to demystify the presumptuous, male-defined myths of motherhood. persons in the family, and as a reserve children? Am I a good mother even if I adolescent pain and adult guilt and conflict on being inadequate (meaning imperfect) as much as women want to be good Joseph Rheingold (psychiatrist, Harvard): "When women grow up without dread of their biological functions and without subversion by feminist doctrine, and therefore enter upon motherhood As feminist counsellor, I would recomment that women read Of Woman Born because it offers new dimensions, new ways of thinking about and seeing most 3. It seems inevitable that until and unless we begin to appreciate what all women have been/are up against in relation to motherhood, we will have a hard time understanding or liking ourselves. When we comprehend that mothers, past and present, were and are held uniquely and unjustly responsible for the least control- lable and most impossible of tasks - human relationships in this society - we why and if, within or outside our will no longer blame mothers for our marriage? struggles and so in the process collaborate with misogynists (woman-haters). We need to use the politics of feminism Full-time motherhood: is this a timehonoured means of keeping women in their place as second-class, service to understand the personal lives of women. THUNDER CLAP: To Pat Meredith, Chartered Accoun. ant for sharing her valuable time ani experience to set up a book keeping system for Northern Women's Centre and Journal. SIXTY-EIOIIR.MT OF ALL THE AWN IN THINTSCOUN1IYARE CCURSE GRADUNESININETY-THREE Women's Place PERCENT ARE OJER SIX FEET TAU., Printing Brochures Booklets Pamphlets Newsletters THUNDER BOLT LETTERHEAD BULLETINS REASONABLE RATES To John Sweeney, Liberal member fc Kitchener Wilmot for sponsoring B i l 139 this month in the Ontario Leg- No order too small (Some may be too big) 316 BAY ST. islature to tighten controls on ther- apeutic abortion. Phone 345-7802 Northern WomEin Journal page l See page 10 for article. 14 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �my Lover said, "night tatk!" L don't know it. do you understand? he said that L must. he don't be tiking women much me. thinks. Mickey Pedersen THE TRUTH The child was told to emulate her elders to not question their motives to follow blindly. - But I must km) the ansvets Summetcamp..Haiku must ask a thousand whys must Zook the problem oven Thiz bed is tumpy Not the mattters must satiz 4y my mind. Me! VioZet Winegatden Her father said "this is the Truth all else is lies, tell you so." I - But I must knew the reasons must examine aZe the 4cccts and teach my cwn conctusions must weigh, and think, then act. They said "you are rebellious and but a female child, sit down, keep quiet, listen, be passive, meek, and mild. - SOME SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO APPROACH PERFECTION 1. 2. 3. I should accept your constructive ctiticism with a view to imptoving my quatity o4 thought, heightening out sexual pteasute and i4 I'm tacky, uttimatety, changing katma. Undet your concerned guidance I may gAow to be an unbtemished Apse: "something" inside you whispens the tnanzionmation Lo indeed within my Zimited potential. Atthough yout pumptings and hapiut hints drive ditectty to my care -sour., making me ashamed oi taws tegutatty hidden 4Aom prying eyes (even the .inward eye), I must not sink into dine bAooding on my incompetence and imbecitity. Why Let my ego get in the way of pet4ection? Rise instead to new heights o4 sets -awareness! These games ate caned honesty and discovety but I notice bittowz oi tebettiouz anger escaping 4Aom me, soiling your pate intentions. With time on my side, I take an invenLately, I've Ott tike a brown tory. apple cote, destined box the gatbage Now, I teconsttuct the apple, bin. with Zuscious gall and crunchy peet. aateiutty, I welcome back the se.Usatisiked, ti4e-enthtated peAson I once was and I say Thank You Se4ote standing 4ace-to-plastic with a pet4ected image o4 myseZ4 (Woman No.2367) I had no (taiZoted to meet your needs) knowledge oi such inane and impet4ect existence. Deb= Piton woman Zoving woman But I must speak out boidty and stand up 40t my tights I can't i_gnote my lieeti_ngs so I'te just have to 4ioht. is - Ghislaine Yergeau a matter o4 eating 4ot youAseZ4 Mickey Pedmen OREGON COAST MEMORIES I would tike to tett you that it's iatt, but your mind doesn't think in seasons. Out cony etsation traits tike the patterned Leaves on the ground. You mumble something that you won't repeat, not tistening. accusing me. o I accuse you of taziness a kind o4 bookish distaste iot physicat tabour and go outside £eavLng you with questions. I take dry leaves organizing them in piles. The £awn is naked an empty 41owet bed exposed. A sudden wind crackles through the twigs and they heave and groan protests taw and vutnetabte. go in I saris flied. I've. naked the garden but the house and its contents stilt pose as a question mark. Rosalyn TaytoA Pettett Shadaved /Lock knice sttetchez Stice cutetean seas tone Mznzanita etched against ctoud dreams oney iteineoZe vapouto efiseghe)Le o444hote 6oam 4ingeio shyly weave salt Lace upon the sand white miAAotedwateAs so4tsigh in the breeze pause. Viotct WinegaAden 11111111111111111111 Please Contribute WE WOULD APPRECIATE POETRY, SHORT STORIES, DRAWINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY WOMEN OF ALL AGES TO APPEAR ON THIS PAGE. BRING THEM IN OR MAIL THEM TO 316 BAY STREET. INCLUDE A RETURN ADDRESS AND WE WILL GLADLY RETURN THE MATERIAL SAFELY TO YOU AFTER USE. 11M11111=11111111 Northern Woman Journal page 15 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �112ORN: What we CAN do basis of race, creed, color or religion, it would appear that the only "group" at hand is sexual--the female sex specifically. We have to take very seriously the treatment we and our children are receiving believe curin the mass media. rent trends in media are destroying the effectiveness of female humane sexuality and the male/female relaThe organized women's tionship. movement has remained curiously silent on the subject of pornography. It is time we stop serving the oppressive voice of the worst of the male culture and make our own definitions of what being a woman, and what being humane, means to us. The caption on the Industrial Telephone billboard read, "The lusinessman's alternative to Ma The coalition says this imBell." plied the woman's body was availA able rather than the telephone. series of letters demanding the immediate removal of the billboard was sent by the coalition to ITS, but only after angry citizens defaced the billboard with the message "Exploiting women will stod' did the corporation remove it. The Coalition, which calls itself Coalition against Sexist Advertising (CASA) demonstrated in front of the main office of ITS on February 7th. The group of women and men carried placards which said " Keep Our Bodies Off Your Billboards" and It's Truly Sexist' chanted "ITS: and "Let Your Products Sell Your Phones, Don't Use Women's Skin and Bones." They demanded a public apology and a permanent change in company policy for Industrial Telephone System's advertising campaigns. Shana Penn, a spokesperson for the group said"We received a statement from the corporation which evaded the issue. The company stated, "Our intention was to generate the image of a young, aggressive communications company with new alternatives to business communications problems..." The woman in the billboard was definitely young, but cannot be described as aggressive since she lies vulnerably and passively behind the Aiso, phone and is half naked. their statement that their 'company employs as many women as men' totally misses the fact that this type of advertising perpetuates the use of women's bodies and sexual inferences as lures to sell I In the August issue of Northern Woman Journal we began an interview with Judith Reisman on the Sexploitation of women. This is part 2 feel women There are many things First, we must recognize must do. our leadership role and our own personal expertise in the matter of what is offensive/pornographic. Certainly the research conducted until now overwhelmingly confirms the rejection women feel toward commercial sexually explicit materials, despite the pressures to conform by loved ones and society. Even research which finds sexual arousal in females toward pornographic material also finds rejection of the same material by the females respondInterestingly, most researchers ing. (female and male) tend to explain this contradiction in typically sexist language, e.g., women are out of step due to "cultural conditionThis is hardly the case. ing". contend this rejection is simply a still functioning "well-oiled' survival instinct--the instinctual recognition of the danger/hate inherent in these ideas and images, however well they are designed and sugarcoated. suggest anger toward this So, yes, female hate propaganda is a healthy sign for women in contemporary Women must understand and society. accept that in order to feel comfortable challenging (often) husbands, friends, colleagues and other women. We must understand that it is not we Indeed it is who are out of step. the world which is out of step, as it has been so regularly before. Second: It becomes vitally important to speak out clearly regarding rejection of sexual fascism in your private spheres, with those close to you at home, at work, and in organization. We should practice there as it were, to get our voice, our courage. Third: Although single voices do carry weight, group action is the best, the speediest way to be NOW has effectively effective. established a boycot of national significance on ERA. This kind of action must be imposed upon all aspects of sexual fascism. I I I Fourth: A coalition of all women needs to be established, regardless of race, color, creed or political persuasion. No discriminatory "radicals only' concept will do. The idea of divide and conquer is ever Women have been still effective. divided; we must reunite into kinship links throughout the nation on this In 1850 Emma Goldone basic issue. man commented that although sufferage might be nice, it wouldn't really change much "so long as women are defined by their sex they will never A coaliagree. be men's equal." tion is central to our survival...all women who refuse to accept the contemporary sexualized definition of women must agree to work together on Disagreements on other this issue. issues can be dealt with when fewer I of us are being murdered, beaten, tortured and raped. There will be that many more votes to count. Fifth: Pressure must be put on NOW and other women's organizations and magazines to advertise a national boycott of any media materials and supporting products which we believe in any way shape or form demean find it very curious that women. literally nothing has come out of any liberated womens magazines which squarely treats the Playboy fascist ethic for what it is-a threat to our very lives...as humane beings, ERA notwithstanding. Our opportunities are enormous for communication and education on this issue due to the numbers of women's periodicals and their reach. With this in mind, all women magazines should be encouraged to sanction and publicize such national boycott action or risk the loss of female readership. Sixth: Legal action must be taken wherever possible. Actions need to be determined ona national organizational scale, perhaps under the WAVPM flag as a national organization. So much, legally, needs to be done. Judges must be recalled. Again, little word from Ms., Working Women or any women's media on this kind of Simpson in Wisconsin should action. Judge Harry Lang be only an example. (who sentenced a major NY child pornographer to 53 consecutive weekends in jail) and many others ad nauseum. There must be speedy and action taken to recall all judges who perpetuate the exploitation and humiliation of females. Now we get to a rather touchy and controversial point...our problem is not just "men" in power. All oppressors worth their salt have employed members of the exploited class to do their dirtiest work. We are finding this to be reality regarding many women in many fields today. The April cover of Playboy 1976 which featured the clearest accent on incest and pedophilia was photographed by a woman. Women are being offered excellent opportunities throughout the mass media to serve as collaborators, producing- vile sexist propaganda. If my This is not a pretty time. assessment is correct, this is also a time of war. We are dealing with Let a fragile hold upon humaneness. us also remember that we are up against a powerful media industry which perpetrates and encourages pornography. We must demand a legal system which protects women from this exploitation and violence. To protest Industrial Telephone System's advertising campaign which featured a bikini-clad woman on a Bay Bridge billboard promoting telephone equipment, a coalition of women's organizations got together to demand a change in the corporation's advertising policy. There are always those who need to dehumanize others and who will exploit the weakest group at hand. Since contemporary culture prohibits exploitation and denigration on the I products." 41 "Perhaps ITS should hire a competent woman to develop a more innovative and non-sexist ad camThere are plenty of us paign. around!" The Coalition Against Sexist Advertising plans to attack other examples of sexism and violence in advertising. --WAVPM April 1978 Lemaze instruction INSTRUCTION IN THE LEMAZE METHOD OF CHILDBIRTH ARE BEING TAUGHT BY PAT SALTERELLI. FOR FURTHER INQUIRIES CALL HER AT 344-9400. Northern !,Doman Journal page 16 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �I+ POW'S lalS3 111111111111111111=11D lab poSit PLIMI. MI/ Pan 00.0 Bulk En hombre traidions class dons INSIDE: 220 RETURN TO: THE NORTHERN WOMAN 316 BAY ST. THUNDER BAY P, ONT. EDITORIAL. GERT'S GOSPEL page 2 page 2 *What's it like to 'be a waitress in Thunder Bay. Brenda Cryderman talks to a woman earning less than the minimum wage. page 8 Return Postage Guaranteed *Why do girls wear what the boys don't page 9 wear for the same activites. *Women over forty, and under-- attention See page 4. *What can women do about porn? page 16. *Abortion is again the topic of discussion in the Ontario Legislature. We stand to lose. page 10. ammimminimin HAVE YOU MOVED??? PLEASE LET US KNOW BY CALLING (807) 345-5841. We must pay return postage to keep up our mailing list. Subscribe: PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 4 No 5 Description An account of the resource Vol. 4, No. 4 (October 1978) Title: Northern Woman Journal Topics include: Gender roles in marriage Equality within marriages (childcare, birth control, marriage contracts etc.) Letters to the editor Life Begins at 40 Conference (finance management & planning for future) Unemployment insurance benefits cutbacks harm women New library Thunder Bay Women in business - local craft market Using the vote effectively Northern Women’s Credit Union Women involvement in socio-economic planning Server’s minimum wage & tipping culture Elderly women relying on pension Sexism in school uniforms (gym bloomers for girls only) Bill 139 - reducing legal access to abortion Trust & love/relationships Women graduates from Psych (Fort Frances) Sexist ads World Council of Churches Conference on Sexism Sins defined on the male experience Abortion & the churches Excerpts from Off Our Backs (1977) by Janis Kelly Strength in diversity for the women’s movement Institutional motherhood Poetry Porn & exploitation of women Authors/Contributors: Gert Beadle Deborah H. Kraft Dennis R. Timbrell Laurie Hill NWO International Women’s Decade Co-ordinating Council Leona Lang Brenda Cryderman Sandra Steinhause Sharon Olsen Debra Pilon Janis Kelly Helen Levine Mickey Pedersen Violet Winegarden Ghislaine Yergeau Rosalyn Taylor Perrett Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1978-10 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2754/1978_Vol_4_No_6.pdf 5ab710522a58275458a4e606182e1d08 PDF Text Text °organ DE CE MBE R-JANUARY 1928- 79 VO kin, 0 4 500/ 6 4s it THE NORTHERN _- WOMAN 'THERN 11411N 500 Welk ° WOO 1000 WOMAN w 500 yOLUME 2 RN ,Stu so0 '3 1SSI1E ,C)r, es e PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �EDITOR& This issue is intended to commemorate the significance of the past five years (AND MORE) of the women's movement in Thunder Bay. It is intended to look back and recall the events that have carried us all to where we are now as women in Thunder Bay, in Ontario and in Canadian Society. In some ways, the reading of the historical milestones will fill people with nostalgic longing for the fire and fervour of the past, but we think that our pride in the balance, firmness and reliability of what we have now, should counter any regrets. alone would fill the pages of this issue. It\ What we ought to do is interpret this fifth anniversary issue as a grand thank-you card for the things that we as women have done for each other and for ourselves. Our hopes at this time should be trained on the continuing flow of energy and the preservation of what we have accomplished so far. Let us keep even the most subtle facets of the women's movement alive and fighting for positive change and justice for women throughout Northwestern Ontario. d The histories of the organizations included in this issue catalogue the events of past years that were a result of the hard work of dozens of dedicated women. We have omitted many names and decided to mention original members of boards for the most part. Apologies go to the many dedicated and hard working women whose names do not appear. The task of recording them all is too great and they GERT'S GOSPEL If we mourn that this is a user society, it must not deter us from dealing honestly with that fact. It is part of that maturity of the mind to recognize that life cannot function unless we both use and allow ourselves to be used. We are all familiar with the user-pay mentality and those who keep a little black book computing time as money, convinced that a generous heart will bleach in the sun of a human desert. It is unf6rtunate that men have been cast in the role of the money tree and are universally used for their ability to make it, invest it, hoard it, and worship it. Unfortunate too is that having defined his role as the reaper, he must 'Mow a4ttt-t_'tTrior to protect his harvest. History has not allowed him time to reflect on his real worth and if he has taken the time, society has pegged him as deviant. The honest woman will have no trouble confessing that it is man's opportunity to make money and his inability to share it without patronizing in the user pay mode of behavior that frustrates and humiliates her. Marriage often becomes a giant trade-off and books have been written on that rotten game while the only commodity either of the partners have that is worth exchanging (the capacity to love) is buried under the bullshit of covert bargaining. History has told woman that she was born to be used and that she may not always be able to choose either the method or the time. The protestant ethic has defined love as sacrifice, a theory that fits well with how man perceives his role. It is she who must pay homage to the banker and bring comfort to the warrior. It is plain, to me at !least, that until man abandons his role which casts in the light of reason, woman as the fount of creature of comforts and himself as industrial or whatever achiever we will not easily establish a sense of com- munion where using can be seen in a different light. To be used in a positive way can be be a real high. have been used in a constructive and loving way, hope, for a principle believe in. In a way, evolution demands that we all be used to perfect change and the user-pay theory is extremely selfserving, so suppose we could say that it is of great importance who uses us and for what'. Only tunnel vision would say that it is women who are alone the victims of the user pay mentality, indeed because women have been denied power and forced to bargain, they can be just as self-serving as any man. Nevertheless, one must operate from a position of trust and generosity in the larger frame and from a native intelligence that defined the liimits of gullibility. At my age, am no longer concerned with being used below the neck, but what goes on above the neck is not negotiable because that is where I I I I I I live. LETTERS In a subscription reminder mailed out to our readers at the time of last issue, we included a few questions seeking the opinion of readers with regards to the paper. Other readers are invited to submit any suggestionsat any time, but for now, we'll let you in on what the readers who responded had to say: How about some hcw- to attictes- women explaining zUfts tike gixing caws, catpentty and homezteading----LIKE COUNTRY WOWN....mote -,rig about peopte, theit concerns and sometimes, just gotget the causes, but I guess its impoAtant to keep ptugging may at them. B. Reimer. Number one comment is: I wish it was as thick ass the Toronto Phone Book...att I cowed tread got two months. I wowed need zo muchwotk ot good, just pone pteazute. L.D. Conget I would tike to zee mote stoties Sot chitdten to help them undeAstand the equatities beAveen men and women. I. Jattett book teviegs on book-s wibitten by women, especiatty novetz and pott ty--pethaps tecotd reviews too. I teatize how diggicutt it Lo to get the Joutnat out, but often events are oven by the time we tecieve the issue...R. Fattett. I tike the topic approach. Sometimes though, it zeemz that too many aittictes centte on the same causes or issues. I peAsonatty enjoy tead- (I wowed tike to zee) mote on what L s happening intetnationatty. laybe women who have tnavetted could tetay expetiencez and ginding about women in other countties...(you need) a broader potiticat analysis. J. Hatonen. I wowed be pteased to zee attictez that exptain the pzychotogy behind the oppozition to abottion on demand and atzo attictes that expose sexism in high zchoot. GzAt'z Gozpet quencheo my thitzt got truth and o4ielts the hope -never given in the tnaditionat practice o4 gaith, hope and chatity...zhe continues to be an aportte og Love. You ate an inspiAation to us all (Notthetn WOman). Thank-you got the many tong howls oicootk and dedication. Cheers. V. Boiteau trw ito-rgern iLmart 316 I:41,4tireeff, taitaer 64. The NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL is a feminist newspaper that is published 6 times yearly for the people of Northwestern Ontario. Content is determined by an Editorial Collective which meets bi -monthly at 316 Bay Street. Submissions are welcome but subject to the Editorial policy of the Collective. Northern Woman Journal Anniversary issue page 2 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �A LOOK RACK THE FOLLOWING PAGES COMMEMORATE FIVE YEARS OF WORK FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT GOT THEIR START AS A RESULT OF A NEW CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG WOMEN. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE WOMEN WHO CONTRIBUTED THESE HISTORIES AND HOPE THAT THE WOMEN READING THESE PAGES WILL TAKE PLEASURE IN RECALLING FAILURES AND VICTORIES. The Northern Women's Centre To tell the story of the Northern Women's Centre is almost like chronicling the visible women's Movement in Thunder Bay. The clean well-lighted place at 316 Bay Street that currently serves as the Northern Women's Centre is the result of many years of dedication and perserverance on the part of women--strangers at first to one another--driven by the same feeling of a need for change. The seeds were planted back in April 1973 at a Northern Women's Conference held at Confederation College, organized by local women already in tune with the movement and eager to share it with the women of the region. It was at this Conference that a workshop entitled "Women's Centres" got women thinking about the need and the how tos of beginning their own centre. Diverse women left their names and numbers and were later called to a founding meeting. "My teazonz 4oA attending meetings with the goat o4 PAming a women's centre were the imptezzionz the women had made on me--I found them. intatigent, atticuZate, ztimut.at,ing, honest and open about theit expetiencez...." A total of three meetings were held at the College which got women talking about things like fund raising, incorporation, crisis shelter housing, Divorce and Separation, Feminist Theatre, a clipping file for a women's resource library.... and concretely, the collection of books for a sale to raise money to get things underway for a centre. "I didn't km() anyone at gut but beet compttabte, welcome and accepted." Many of the ideas that came forth five years ago are just being realized now. The Northern Women's Centre which got its name at a fourth meeting of women held at Wesley United Church is the result of a long growth process. "It waz .6azcinating the way we came together. The women that met Aegutatty at We-ley Chutchwene atmost complete zttangetz. But they kept coming back...thetewene de4inatety some convictions thete." At a meeting of September 1973 it was written in the minutes: "The composition of the Northern Women's Centre as a whole represents different ideological views and approaches to the emancipation of women i.e. political affiliation, or the lack thereof, however, the unifying factor is the sentiment that women should be emancipated. The newsletter, Northern Woman will serve as an open forum of expression of any and all viewpoints of the women of Northwestern Ontario." Because of the unification of women after the conference, several events took place in the community to make a growing feminist consciousness visible. In October 1973, a funeral to City Hall was staged by women who were being denied their birthright as a status Indian upon marrying a non-status Than. *On January 11, 1974 women visited and spoke to Atikokan Highschool students about the women's movement. "They were concerned about the opptezzion o4 all women. I didn't 6eee that tGaz opptezzion that they zpoke o4 apptied to me but I wanted to help thoze to whom Lt did apply. I Ott tike a th,itzty zponge JUA-t absoAbing and tiztening to ate that wars suddenly being zaid. I tiztened but nevet 6ett competent enough to volunteer to do anything...but it was very zttange to heat some woman an seer me when I would say "I can't" with a convincing "YES YOU CAN!" On January 19 a weekend of workshops were held in Nipigon featuring films and crafts, instruction periods, displays and a play enititled "A mat/Lied and had chitdAen. Very zetdomweAe outs peAsonat tetationzhi p. intAoduced ate a topic o4 convetzation. TheAe were not ate important ass the other things a44ecting ti4 att az -a whole thatwe had to discuss. The only time out tiez became evident waz at coqekencez and zeminau where day cake pAota.zionz were made zo that ale women cowed attend." The 'Y' located centre was a comfortable and spacious place with a seating area for meetings or informal discussions and offices for work and the printing of the Northern Woman Newsletter, In December of 1974, the centre received a local Initiatives Program grant to employ five people under the title, Northern Women's Centre Action Project. February 1975, one month into In March of 1974 the centre International Women's Year, the tried to reach ou,ttothomitr2alellat, together and staged a when Estelle HoWgi-F7777777=7M7=------17nnker-,A ine-InliTuaT-spnfts rity dinner held at the Ortona Legoffered a course entitled "Today's ion protesting the traditionally Woman: A New Awareness" at Confederall-male functions which the female ation College. athelete of the year was only allowed April 1974 was a big month for the to attend long enough to collect her women who had until this time been trophy. The sexist tradition has since utilizing other people's space to been changed. meet. April was the month that they International Women's Day was moved-into the spacious second floor' celebrated that same month on the of the YM/YWCA in the South ward and 28th with a large gathering at the received $10,000 to fund themselves Lakehead Labour Centre. from Secretary of State. Besides a multi cultural dinner prepared by a drop in centre for women, it was ethnic women, an ethnic craft disan information outlet and housed a play and an afternoon of readings and children's play area staffed by volsong chracterized the event. unteers. A National Conference of Women's "7 belt that zociety tteatedwomen Centres was hosted by Thunder Bay at unjurttywhen I gut came looking the Royal Edward Hotel during the PA the women's movement. I continued winter of 1975 as a part of Intergoing to the meetingz because I zae national Women's Year. It brought the -true cancan and untiting eiimts forth the short-lived but very ingeno4 -these women to change theiA win istaAis and the status o4 than 4.1.4tuus." ous communication plan "NETWORK NELLIE". The code name stood for The birth of the Northern Woman an information relay system in which newsletter came shortly after the small communties kept in touch with move when a used Gestetner was women's centres in larger cities, who purchased in May 1974 and later in in turn were responsible for relaying June a used Gestofax for making information of immediate concern to stencils. the women, to points directly east The Women's Centre got settled and west. Thunder Bay would contact' in its new home and began holding North Bay and Winnipeg who would in various functions. In 1974 people turn carry the chain across the began talking about a Women's Health country east and west. The expeeee Collective, a meeting was held for of long distance telephone calls and highschool women to start regular the slow falling away of some of the discussion sessions, the first ancentres was the cause of Network nual women's retreat was held August Nellie's demise just six months after 16, 1974 and in November of that her creation. Following suit before same year came the glorious grand opening of the Northern Women's the end of IWY, the Northern Women's Centre to the whole of the northern Centre in the Y closed down because f region. notice was given that the Y was "It took me awhile before I closing and it was the end of L.I.P. realized that motet o6 the women were But the people who made funding. Man Has His Pride ". Northern Woman Journal Anniversary issue page 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �the centre didn't fall away. They simply moved temporarily into the home of one of the members on West Amelia Street in Sept. of 1975. The next month, they celbbrated the city sponsored crisis homes on Tarbutt street that were opened in response to pressure from the women's centre. The new year, January 1976 had a very optimistic beg inning. The Northwestern Ontario Women's Centre, with the legal assistance of Mary Tomlinson became an incorporated entity with formally stated objectives: to supply and render services of a) a charitable and educational nature to women. to establish resources for women to co-operate with other organizations...which have objects similar to our objects. to employ its property, assets d) and rights for the purpose of promoting or aiding in the promotion of, the welfare of all women in need of help. To maintain funds and property to apply from time to time all or part thereof and the income therefrom for charitable purposes. b) c) f) To use,apply, devote or distribute the income therefrom for charitable purposes by such means as may from time to time seem expedient to its directors including research, publication, education and establishment and maintenance of charitable activities, agencies or institutions The significance of the corporation, which has a mandate much more extensive and complicated than that portion included above, was to ru_wt the n' '-nncP of the women's an entity for the CvrIcre ano LL naming as a beneficiary of the inheritance of property in the will of a generous member. While at Amelia Street, women met every second Thursday night, mainly for discussion sessions. At this time the centre experienced its lowest energy period and a time of contemplation was necessary to determine direction and support. In June 1976 the investigation into the feasibility of a credit union on health issues affecting women, a place with a feminist lending library and resource file, a place where groups can be formed for discus sion and pursuit of interest. Currently housed at 316 Bay Stree are The Northern Woman Journaj, Rape and Sexual Assault Centre. Northern Women's Credit Union. to facilitiate space for the Northern Women's Credit Union, the Northern Woman Journal, Crisis Homes Inc., and Northern Women's Centre. Each group contributed toward the rent and utilities at 316 Bay Street which has become unofficially known as Women's Place. For a time it seemed doubtful that there would be adequate funding to maintain the new roof over the heads of women dropping into the centre, but a proposal submitted at 120 W. Amelia street for funding was accept- The Orginal Board of Directors for Women's Centre Doreen Boucher, Noreen Lavoie, Dawn St Amand, Eve Pykerman, Mallory Neuman, Jacqui Beauregard and Sharon Lund ed. Till May of 1978 the Canada Works Project paid 5 women from three groups to work out of Women's Place under a project hastily titled International Women's Year Revisited. Since the move here, there have been many women who have wandered through the door for assistance in their struggle to break free of harassment, abuse, oppression depression or whatever their problem. Always someone listened at Women's Place. The needs of women have not changed significantly since the opening of the women's centre in the Y. The topics of financial security and survival are never out of mind. Our main function is to try to keep alive to serve women with whatever resources available. We see ourselves now as a place to Orginal Board of Directors Credit Unic call or drop-in for a friendly visit to share a problem or success...a place Trudy Perroud, Faye Peterson, Eleanor that provides speakers on a variety of Eryou, Anna Harkema and Marion Babcock issues relevant to women available upon request...a place without political Credit Committee party affiliations, but which encourCatherine Tett, Margaret Phillips, our participation in the polages Anne Donaldson, Nancy Smith, Noreen tical system as our individual respor Lavoie and Lois Pentney. sibility....a place for information The Northern Woman Journal ing nutured by a group of area women simultaneously. One sees immediately that those involved had writing skill and a fine knowledge of their subjects. began. Meanwhile, at the N.W. J. quarters at 316 Bay St. (the paper moved here when the centre moved to Amelia St.), things were picking up. It had become a location for women to drop in for counselling as paid Journal staff were there every day. Women at the Journal also became aware that the neighbouring restaurant was closing. At first it was all just a far fetched Taking over the next door fantasy. quarters seemed a very remote possibility indeed as people worried about such things as staffing so large a centre during a time when volunteer energy was not at its highest. But optimism prevailed and a tour of the building was arranged. The kitchen area with its filth, grime and clutter deflated the women somewhat but a meeting was held immediately with a plan to solicit money for paint from Crisis Homes and with a committment of $200 rent to the place and a bank balance of a mere $2,117, on APRIL 1, 1977, the women of the new women's centre got to work moving in. A management committee was set up One of those first involved in the Northern Woman was a resident of British Columbia and had an opportunity to with whom converse with on a recent holiday. "We saw ourselves as leaders," she said and confessed that she felt the paper had lost its message and had in fact become one dimensional in pursuit of personal feminist goal, The newsletter continued from 197 coming out sporadically, but contain very vital ideas on very vital issue The year 1975, although International Women's Year was a low period for both the Women's Centre and the paper, but a small grant from the Local Initiatives Program and a re-e tablishment in a new address, when the centre itself was asked to re-lo started ate, helped get things again on a different footing. The Northern Woman continued to cover topics of concern to feminists, but without the same strong poltical analysis that there was from founder I rtg Lift' turn by Gert Beadle and Elaine Lynch The History of the Northern Woman Journal cannot be told as a sequence of dates and a list of names. It was in the beginning, a creature of the first woman's centre in Thunder Bay back in the early seventies. It was their way of expressing themselves and keeping in touch with one another. Since its beginning it has faithfully protrayed the collective minds of those who took responsibility for it. study one of the first efforts, As I on 81 by 14 inch gestetner paper see clearly a dated November 1973, social document, broader in its implications as a political journal, symbolizing the ideas that were beI This transition had both to do with the time and the place of the feminist movement. In 1975, the Northern Woman beci Northern Woman Journal Anniversary issue page 4 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �the Northern Woman Journal and took on a new format. It was a big step changing the paper from gestetner, to a real tabloid publication, which was pasted up by members of the collective and sent off the the printer every two months. The Northern Woman Journal has not been the object for a lot of support grants. In this, its fifth year, it is on its second grant funding, but continues to rely chiefly on subscriptions which are in the area of 800 with both local and out of town contributors_ The support of the public is crucial to the Northern Woman Journal's survival. We sense a changing conciousness in women in our part of the country that is reflected in our subscription files. Reaching not just the women of Thunder Bay, but the women of Northern Ontario was considered when the format of the paper changed. The Northern Woman has suffered a few identity crises as-to its pur pose, both as a means of expression for more extreme feminists or as a newpaper for women of a range of beliefs to read...The debates have been almost detrimental in some cases, as they were in the summer of 77, but somehow there have always been a few volunteers to see that the paper survived. To some, the Northern WomanJournal is a disappointment, selling out like everything else that symbolized change in the latter sixties and early seventies. However, there will probbably be a few more identity crises before the Northern Woman Journal becomes confident of what it would like to do for its readers. Presently the Journal has one paid staff member who co-ordinates about 14 volunteers who write and do paste-up or whatever interests them about a newspaper. New people are always encouraged to join. We remain committed to the feminist philosophy, determined to provide an alternate press,determined to reflect the journey of women to a new vision of themselves and what they are becoming. You will not find her pouring tea in the Journal, therefore, but hopefully you will find her questioning even the right of this paper to exist. At five years of age, we are working to make the appearance of the paper pleasing to the eye. Next we must work hard to bring consistency and balance to our content. Financially we are still in the red, but are relying on subscriptions and the shot in the arm by the succes of Gert Beadle's Salt and Yeast, the profits of which she generously dimated to the Journal as a dedicated member of the collective. The Journal office is located at Woman's Place, 316 Bay Street and is open every week day from 9 to 4 pm. Drop in and say Happy Birthday! 11111111=11 THURSDAY NITE PROGRAMMING On Thursday January 11, 1979 several resource people will be on hand to discuss the topic "Women and Addictions". Further details will be announced by flyers, postings and other media. For more information contact the Centre at 345-5841 and ask for Anne or Monika. 6111111111111111111 AottAztn (14/omen s &Edit (Union Now it got started Some of the Directors of the credit union, Eleanor Eryou, Marion Babcock, Faye would like to begin this entry by giving sincere congratualtions to the Northern Woman Journal on its fifth anniversary. The Northern Women's Credit Union can be thankful to the Journal for covering the activities and progress of the Credit Union, and for the unceasing efforts of the Journal staff to provide the women of Northern Ontario issues and perspectives usually ignored by other forms of the media. The idea of a women's credit union for Northern Ontario was first formulated by women at meetings of the Northern Women's Centre in September of 1975.They had heard of and talked to the members of the Toronto Women's Credit Union and thought that the possibility of a similar credit union for our part of Ontario would be A good one. The suggestion was enthusiastically received and further discussed at subsequent meetings. When a grant from the Secretary of State became available to hire a student during the summer of 1976, it was agreed that I by Laurie Hill Peterson and Betty Harkema. Missing Julie Fels, and Laurie Hill. the grant would be well-used in a feasibility study and background work for establishing a credit union in Northern Ontario. The main purpose of the feasibility study was to determine whether or not the women of Thunder Bay and area would support a women's credit union. Through the distribution of a questionafre as well as, feedback obtained through exposure by various media forms, the response was seen to be positive. Information meetings were held so that the philosophy and structure of credit unions would be understood by a committed core group. Proceedures were then started to obtain a charter at an organizational meeting held in October of '76. The charter was approved on December 10, 1976 and officially presented on January 12, 1977. The bond of association for the charter is membership in the Northwestern Ontario Women's Centre Inc. The executive make-up of the Credit Union is a Board of Directors, Credit Committee, Supervisory Committee, and Education Committee. These groups meet regularly to ensure the continuing prc gress of the Credit Union. In its early days the credit union operated out of the Women's Centre's past quarters on AmettaStodbet if now occupies its own office at 316 Bay Street. Originally the geographic boundaries of the credit union were within the city of Thunder Bay but have now been extended to include the districts of Thunder Bay, Rainy River and Kenora. Our membership presently numbers 316 with assets of $70,000; unarguably an admirable standing for a credit union less than two years old The credit union exists as a source of credit for women who would likely have difficulty obtaining loans from other credit granting sources. It also strives to fufil the function of providing opportunities for women to become active participants in full financial management. Also, in the pro cess of granting loans, counselling is often given to women in areas of budgeting, spending etc. The majcrity of the loans that have been made have been for car purchases, rent, home improvements, education and holidays. Recently the credit union made an application to the Credit Union league in Toronto for a development fund. Such a fund would facilitate an active and aggressive program to let the women of Northern Ontario not yet aware of the credit union, learn of our existen With the growth from our potential membership, the credit union would develop further and thus expand member services to meet members needs. As the Northern Women's Credit Uniol rapidly approaches its second birthday the justification for its inception and continued existence is reinforced by its ongoing growth and demand for services. These trends can only indica a future growth and development with subsequent benefits to the women of Northern Ontario. Northern Woman Journal Anniversary issue page 5 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Thunder Bay Rape and Sexual &mull The Thunder Bay Rape and Sexual Assault Centre has come a long way in implementing the plans first discussed by a concerned group of women back in 1974 at the Thunder Bay South YW-YMCA. When the voluntary service first got off the ground, it was operated by a group of women who felt that there was a need for special care and consultation with rape victims beyond the regular medical services and police assistance. They informed the police and emergency units at local hospitals of their existence and availability to give assistance in a crisis situation. Unfortunately, as with many strictly volunteer organizations, the crisis line and active volunteer group ceased to exist at the end of 1975. The women who were involved in the Rape project were dedicated to many aspects of the women's movement and consequently there were not enough full time volunteers to stay by the phone around the clock. In 1976 there was, however, a strong resurgence of interest expressed by some of the same core people of the disbanded group. This time they set about getting Secretary of State funds to hold a workshop on public awareness and involvement in some kind of help group. Approximately 100 people turned out to the College to bring about the active re-organization of the 11,,,Ider Bay Rape and Sexual Assault Centre. This time there was not only a 24 telephone line set up, but also a group established to collect education material for a public awareness service in Thunder Bay and the outlying regions. the collective of Thunder Bay Rape and Sexual Assault Centre also keeps tabs on rape legislation. A special committee works regularly on a lobby to reform the current laws. As well, the group provides an educational service through resource files, films and speakers who fufill engagements in the community on a regular basis. They as well, hold volunteer training sessions to get more women involv ed in the service and have worked with women from as far away as Dryden Kenora and Fort Frances. The local group is also a member of Provincial and National coalitions working to create a common basis for centres. In the event of an actual case of rape, theCrisis Centre is usually called in to assist, if the victim The Centre is contacted .so wishes. personally by the victim, a friend, The group acquired a space at McKei or by medical personell and police. ler Hospital equipped with one telIt all depends, says Crisis workers, ephone. They also put together an edueational kit for schools. However, on the people handling the case. The volunteers may be called to the assis the group was again the victim of problems. Located in an isolated area ance of a victim immediately, or late of the hospital, the new centre did if she requires someone to talk to. not run efficiently for very long. In the event that a case goes to A lack of consistent volunteer work, court, the volunteers will attend and the failure to keep regular files the trial and provide whatever suppor and statistics caused the organization is requested. to fall apart briefly once again, in Last year, the centre handled 18 the fall of 1977. cases of rape. However, they feel tha In May 1978, the City provided a there is a lot of room for expansion and are fighting the low 10% convicti grant to hire two part time people On November 23, to staff an office and co-ordinate rate for rapists. the operation of a pool of volunteers. they held an open house inviting both Volunteers willing to assist the public and professional workers, the latter of which they hope to in an actual crisis situation are gain co-operation with. On December 2 given a beeper to be on call during the hours that onto. the office is closed. 3 a volunteer trainign wa Before distribtuion ofand this thesession empty Tar irony of An answering service takes all lead by volunteers to help train model, however, relevant Thunder Bay and the expensive bills volunteers frokThunder Bay and calls and relays the messages to a moreasked agencies and associations were accomodation. for communities in the region where rotating group of volunteers. to provide some statisitical informCouncil not only app Apart from actual crisis assistance, centres are being encouraged. ation on the numbers of homeless of the houses, but prov women who had sought aid from them. These statistics then accompanied a working model to provide a sense of urgency. After approaching several funding agencies with the packet of information, it was learned that the Tarbutt houses, owned by the city, were empty and unused. It was also learned that an inordinate amount of money was being spent by Social Services on hotel accomodation such as the Marina Inn for women in emergency situatdons. It then became a matter of present+ ing the proposal and statistics to those on city council in a decision making position, pointing out the s Crisis Homes Incorporated by Mary Tomlinson The Crisis Houses which are situated on Tarbutt St. and reached by phone through city hall, are run by Thunder Social Services. Women and their children who find themselves in a violent home situation can find shelter, food and comfort there until a new home base can be The majority of users established. are women, however, the homes do provide shelter to men with families. The houses were opened in the fall of 1976 after approximately a year of effort on the part of local women. It began with the compilation of a working model derived from one of the original half way houses in Tor- money to hire a co-ord Although the original to rent the homes for a from the city, giving c our board of directors, problem of no-time, no opposition resulted in t Services Department tak After what seemed to be starts, the houses bega satisfactorily and to c Monies which had bee over the years were hel found corporation known Homes Incorporated whic plies the fund to relat involving women in cris Women's Programs The history of the Canadian Movement towards equality for women runs deep, but the year 1970 stands out an important milestone in recent as years. This was the year that the Federal Government issued the report of the Royal Commission us of women in Canada. T was, and is, significant respects. It shook Canadians f comfortable assumption th Northern Woman Journal Anniversary issue page 6 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �opportunity is avaia3able to women in our society. The report documented conclusive evidence, that it must convince even the hardiest sceptic, that women have been denied equal opportunity in every aspect of Canadian life but particularly in the area of employment. Fortunately the Commissioners did not cease their work at this negative conclusion. The report recommended comprehensive remedies that have acted as a catalyst in mobilising positive action on the part of governments and women's groups. "In certain areas women will for an interim period require special treatment to overcome the adverse effects of discriminatory practises. We consider such measures to be justified in a limited range of circumstances, and we anticipate that they should quickly lead to actual equality which would make their continuance unnecessary." Ontario Staus of Women's Council which advises the government on legislation concerning women. Women's Programs became a vehicle to combat sex-role stereotyping and to provide a means for women to re-enter the educational and/or labour force. To alleviate the heavy work load, Women's Programs advertised for a Supervisor of Women's Programs; Lynne Thornburg was appointed on August 18, 1975. Her considerable talents resulted in additional programs for women: Self Discovery, The first seminar was presented by Assertiveness Training, Women and Women's Programs in 1974 (September) Money, Homemaker's Course, Sociolin conjunction with the University ogy of sex-roles, Introduction to Women's Club and the Ontatio Status Consciousness Raising, Women and of Women Club. Seventy women from Psychology, Mens, Masculinity and Northwestern Ontario attended Family the Men's Movement, The Female SexProperty Law; this was followed by a ual Experience, Health Issues for 10 week course co-ordinated by ElizWomen (Our Bodies, Ourselves). abeth Cummins, Master, Business DivApart from courses offered through 4 result of the success of As Confederation College in Thunder Bay, this program, it was used as a model Fort Frances and Dryden, the employees After the publication of the for the Fair Share conference in Torof Women's Programs have taught in Federal Royal Comission Report, the onto which 500 women from across OntHighschool classrooms when requested Premier of Ontario, William G. Davis, ario attended. Women's Programs worked by teachers. requested the Provincial Secretary hardto get 4 women from Northern OntIn the community, Women's Programs for Social Development, Robert ario to attend the conference with members participated in seminars, Welch to appoint an interministerial expenses paid by the Ontario Governworkshops as resource persons. committee to review and analyse ment. We act as a resource group and the federal report as it related In October 1974, Women's Programs take care of administrative details to Ontario jurisdictions and to sent out about 100 letters to varfor seminars on women oriented issues. make recommendations for future ious women's groups inviting them to Particular appreciation is exprovincial action. The result was a send delegates to a weekend seminar to pressed to the Northwestern Ontario report entitled Equal Opportunity for plan for International Womens Year. International Women's Decade Co-orWomen in Ontario: A Plan for Action. This was held on November 29 and dinating Council and the Northern As a consequence of the stirrings 30 and attracted about 70 representWomen's Centre for their on the federal and provincial levels, atives...it was a first in Ontafio. hard work and leadership because progat Confederation College, President As a result of that meeting, Interrams are being developed within Thunder Air-Vice-MarhsalBradshaw commissioned national Women's Year began to take Bay and outside Thunder Bay because two senior staff members to investigate shape in Northwestern Ontario and of their efforts and the efforts of the educational role of the College the International Women's Decade people like Edna Avis, Irene Slchert, as it related to fufillment of the Co-ordinating Council was born. Janet Owen in Fort Frances, Jeanine educational aspirations of women in Also in the fall, the first credMascotta in Dryden, Clara Lee Barber Area 18. In June 1972, Betty Ganton, elective given in in Kenora, Bernice Taylor in AtikSenior Counsellor Dick O'Donnell, women's studies in Thunder Bay: okan and many others. Director of Extension Division, preWomen and History-Joan Baril, In January 1977, Ruth CunningWomen and Film-Rae Farrell, sented their report and brought in ham took on the added duties of Women in Canadian Literaturerecommendations toward the improvement a women's advisor. A representative Laurie Atkinson, of the status of women. Affirmative Action Committee was Although all programs in the College Women and the Law-Elizabeth Thomson, appointed by the President in 1977 are open to men and women, there was Family and Property Law-Co-ordinated from which the members submitted a by Elizabeth Cummins, Come Alive-Fitness and to a large extent still is, a clear plan for action to the Ministry of division between traditionally male Centre. Colleges and Universities after its The first Women's Re-entry Progand traditionally female courses. approval by Senior Managers and the ram Job Search and Readiness originWomen students were not represented in Board of Governors. It is now ated November 1974 in conjunction technology or business management progCollege policy. rams which lead to higher paying, highe r with Canada Manpower as their InterDuring 1977, the Job Search national Women's Year pilot project. status jobs. and Readiness Program was phazed It was started in order to further An analysis of studies on the status out and replaced by Introduction of women in Ontari9,in our own College the attainment of their national ecto Nontraditional Occupations still onomic and social goals by developand the Equal Opportunity Plan for sponsored by Canada Manpower and ing the productive potential of Action For Women, Ontario Government Immigration. This has been particJune 1973 pointed the way for change. the women's segment of Candian Human ularly effective in getting women On February 15, Ruth Cunningham Resources. into non-traditional occupations was appointed Director of Women's The purpose of the program was to and many employers are now sympathPrograms with responsibility for the develop the confidence of women who tic to the employment of women. promotion, development and implementation were new to the labour market and In the summer of 1977, through of programs of particular concern to of those who were returning after the Women's Bureau we were fortwomen. considerable absence, to make evident unate to have Karen Dubinsky as our Women's Programs became a change the opportunities for employment, first student trainee. She carried to determine careers for women agent and subject to the anxieties out two studies: sex-role stereobest suited to their needs and and frustrations that go with attempts typing, in text books and women in skills, to teach women how to search to change hundreds of years of women's non-traditional jobs. and men's socialization to their roles for employment, to make women aware Our first OCAP student, Donna of their family and property rights in society. Lacroix gave valuable assistance under the law. The first four months were spent rein the co-ordination of the I.N.T.O. searching and organizing resource mater The program continued twice yearly program from October 77 to March 78. for 3 years in Thunder Bay and less ials for women (students, facilities Her particular contribution resulted often in Kenora, Dryden and Fort and staff). A bibliography of books in more employers being willing to Frances and films relevant to the status of accept women for on the job trainDuring the latter part of 1974, women was added to the library and ing in non-traditional occupations the Director of Women's Programs was made available to anyone in Northwestappointed to the Canadian Commission, ern Ontario. UNESCO, Standing Committee on Issues After months of trying to cope and Efforts of Women and to the with huge amounts of materials and requests for information, the employment of a clerk steno was a very welcome addition indeed. The most logical approach to beginning in carrying out the mandate of Women's Programming appeared to be to respond to the need for women's consciousness raising. In June 1974, awareness seminars for women were held in Kenora, Dryden, Red Lake and Souix Lookout where many women expressed a need for education. These ideas were passed on in written form to the appropriate educators. . . Coned next page Northern Woman Jounral Anniversary Issue page 7 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Northwestern Ontario International Women's Decade Co-ordinating Council by Brenda Cryderman In the fall of 1975, a group of women met to form a council to coordinate the activities of International Women's Year. This is the beginning of what we now call Northwestern Ontario International Women's Decade Co-ordinating Council. After Women's Year everyone was concerned about where to go from here? This resulted in a conference with the theme: International Women's Year--Where do we Go From Here? results of this conOne of the ference was the existing Decade Council. The new council was formed April 4 of 1976 when 16 women representing communities from across Northwestern Ontario met and devised both long and short term purposes for the The women who attendDecade Council. ed that meeting were: Lynn Thornburg, Gert Beadle, Marg Lanchok, Marg Holbick, Mickey Murray, Lisa Bengsston, Leona Lang, Joan Packota, Eleanor Eryou,June Cryderman, Paulah Edwards, Thyra Digby, Joan Farrow, Diane Ratston and Bernice Cain. The Council adopted its name from the United Nations decade for women (76-86) which incorporates three signs: equality, women's development and peace. The old International Women's Year Council undertook activities Planned for Women's Year. They oversaw the initiation and completion of projects which included the beginning of a history of women in Northwestern Ontario, (HERSTORY) a travelling caravan which brought information on women's issues to all communities in the district and their women's groups. EQUALITY PEACE DEVELOPMENT 11=11111111111111111MID They have also done a great deal o work on the widow's pension. Mae Sutt submitted a brief to the Federal and Provincial governments and to the Ontario Royal Commission on Pensions and participated in National Action Committees to cabinet and party caucu Responsible for the Life Begins at Forty Conference, the goals for the Decade Council are as follows: 'To work towards an update of the UNited Nations Declaration of Rights For Children and to push for this to become actual law. *A study by the council and a possibl seminar on the Rights of Children. *Continued Outreach along the North on the women's perspective of life in the community. This sub-committee has been very vocal on Women and Economic Development as it related to the North. They have submitted briefs to the Hart Commission, responded to the Department of Northern Affairs White Paper on Northern Development and lobbied for women working in their husbands unincorporated businesses who presently receive no Canada Pension PLan, no Unemployment Insurance, no Workmen's Compensation and worst of all, NO PAY. Shore. *A follow up to the life Begins at Forty Conference. *A quality of life study, follow up survey and the investon Phase igation for funding for Phase 2. Publicity for the Decade Council *A Conference for the study of Violence Against Women. Present members of the Council are: Joan Packota, Lisa Bengsston, Leona Lang, Barb Matthews, Marg Lanchok, Mickey Murray, Mary Fedorchuk, Florence Richards, Julie Fels, Bernice Taylor (Atikokan), Ruby Camay, Marg Hobick and Barb Halliday (Dryden). 1 Herstory is presently transcribing tapes with early women settlers of the North and will hopefully produce a book outline for next year. Family and Property Law Sub Committee has studied the new laws before they come into effect and lobbied for change. They try to educate the public concerning these laws and changes and provide resource people for workshops. The Decade Council has worked on an Outreach Program to get women involved outside of Thunder Bay, Women's groups have been organized in Fort Frances, Dryden, Atikokan and Souix Lookout which are just getting on their feet. They have contacts in Kenora, Geraldton, and Manitouwadge. The new decade Council decided to direct its energies and activities into eliminating the barriers that prevent women from realizing their full potential in society. The Council's objectives are to provide a liason for all women's groups in the district, to act as a resource centre for women's issues and to help improve co-operation and communication with women's groups and the work they are doing in the district. Today the decade Council is certainly achieving the goals set out in 1976. It has become an umbrella organization for a variety of sub-committees and action groups. The work load of the council has become too heavy to be shouldered just by volunteers and this year they received funding to hire a full time secretary, Brenda Cryderman. Monthly meetings take place on the third Saturday of the month from 10 am to 2 pm at Confederation College. The Council's mandate is to improve the status of women in the economic, social, legal and political spheres of Northwestern Ontario. The Equal Pay for Equal Work subcommittee is presently working on completing the coding on the survey sent to six NW Ontario single industry communities. Phase two of this will be to examine the quality of life in three single industry towns based Y.P. gineemm. Women's Programs continued On February 15,1978 Mary Fedorchuk was appointed Supervisor of Women's Programs; she brought special skills in ciriculum development, monitoring and evaluation. The time has come to package educati onal modules for the use of persons across Northwestern Ontario. Workshops were held to give instructors an opportanity to learn how we introduced and managed a re-entry program for women, and Assertiveness More of these services Training. will be made available as more women request them throughout Northwestern Ontario. We continue to utlilize the opportunity to work with committees on seminars and to respond to special requests from women's groups. Increased actvity from within and outside the college has moved us into a Women's Centre in Room 164. W om- Northern Woman Journal Anniversary issue page en's Programs has become an integral part of the college. Janet Spfttlehouse is presently coour OCAP student and efficiently ordinating the introduction to non-tr( itional occupations programs. As we approach our own fifth anniv( sary on February 15, 1979, we will be giving attention to maintaining existing programs, to implementing the 4ffirmative Action Program for women in the College Community, to continue to focus on the issue of sex role stereotyping through the presentation of workshops, seminars and courses designed to increase awareness of the problem, and through the development of non-sexist cirriculum materials, and to find alternate ways and means which will move more women into education and employ non-traditional ment. 8 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �MUSIC: Tara takes it away This month you will notice a new album on the racks. The cover features a young woman sitting defiantly in the middle of Thunder Bay's Cumberland Street, in the path of an oncoming antique automobile. The woman's name is Tara and the record, her first, is called Ain't Playin Chicken. It is worth a trip to the cash register. For Tara, 22, the record is an admirable start. She sees it as a calling card in clubs across the country, but more important, as the milestone that gives her the credibility to perfrom exclusively as a vocalist. "I play acoustic guitar and took up electric bass because was not a good enough guitar player to front a band. But ever since grade school when was singing soprano in the school choir, I've always wanted to be able to just sing," expAsins Tara who has been appearing on stages around Thunder Bay since she was 16. In the past few years, Tara's voice has developed.On Ain't Playin Chicken there are traces of Tara's airy folksongy voice that was cultivated by her interest in Joni Mitchell in her early years of singing, There is also a strong, gutsy voice developed while playing with groups like the Last Chance Jam Band which Tara formed with her husband Barry Kivinen. In the ambitious mix of folk, rock, blues and swing presented on the album, Tara makes her unusual voice bring forth echoes of Joan Armitrading, Van Morrison and Pheobe Snow. She has developed a lot of range and power, enough to stand up to the full brass section of the Thunder Bay Jazz society which appears on the song "Night on the Town." Like other area musicians who have cut albums, Tara has made use of locally written material. "Win, Lose or Draw' is by Jimmy Kukko, "You Got the Light" and "Lovers Never Say Goodbye" are Tara's own compositions . "Factory Gier is by Paul Mutton. Donny Sponchia, I I whose compositions are heard on the Earthsine: Live at the Bess album is responsible for the title track "Ain't Playin Chicken" and "My Candy's Gone". The remainder of the songs are by Tom Labelle: "Human Canonball", which Tara has put into an interesting rock arrangment, "When A Good Love Slips Away" and "Night on the Town". The final cut, sung above the clink of bar room glasses in accapella style, is a sweet old number entitled "Falling in Love Again, by Frederick Hollander, the only non-local composer. The album was recorded by Doug Johnston on his mobile sound studio and produced by Nancy Winters who handles the job of recording different tracks at different times, in different places and mixing it all into a commendable product, The performing musicians are all from in and around Thunder Bay, and because of this, Tara says the album can accurately be called a folk album simply because it is a product of an area and its people. The people are Wayne Breiland, Smokey Wickman, Me Henderson, Tom Sinkins, Lauri Conger, Lindey Norhaugen, Ken Korey, Terry Fiorito, Barry Kivinen, Tom Labelle, Sean Mundy, Dave Smythe, Damon Dowback, Roy Coran, Cliff Ojala, Howard Humby, Peter Nowack, Ernie Slongo and Bernadetter McNally, which is quite an all inclusive cast. Tara has recently become part of a new band called Mercy Rose in which sht has finally achieved part of her dream she is the lead singer in the band. Mercy Rose will go on tour this January across Canada. Her long term ambitions, in light o the album, do not seem too lofty: want to do is work and make "All would like to bea living at it. come big enough to hire a brass sectiol I'm very taken with horns right now- and be able to put on a full show with excellent music, where ever we play." Ain't Playin Chicken may be the start of a real good thing. I I BOOKS: our room by elaine lynch THE WOMEN'S ROOM, by Marilyn French Jove Books, Peperbacks, $2.50 When one reviews a book as allconsuming as THE WOMAN'S ROOM by Marilyn French, the impulse is to become all emotions and abstractions---because it seems doubtful that anyone who picks up this book will put it down without a tear, a sigh or a grimace. But the intelligence of Marilyn French deserves more than just adjectives. In spite of the cover and its best seller, fast trade status, THE WOMAN'S ROOM is a kind of monumental work because of its scope, its insight and its deliberate feminist consciousness. The book is too voluminous to be built solely on a trite poltical bias. French is a writer, not a propagandist. Although the politics of being a woman are examined through the characters, not one of them becomes a mouth piece. They are full bodied people that draw the reader close to them and whose personal tragedies cut to the quick.The novel, though OM. is fiction, takes a very truthful look at women in different places at different times in middle class 4********************** North America. It examines how they * DECEMBER 15, 1978 fit into innately political institutions...like marriage...like Harvard. The picture does not become any brighter in the transition from the fifties, to the sixities and finally 4. into the seventies...just different. 11 II Mendacity is the problem: women It knowing how they think and feel ver** sus the persistent reality of what they are. This theme has been explored * featuring by numerous writers in the past decr: 3E * ade, but French gives it a new vitality. She has managed to make literAT THE ELK'S LODGE (CORNER OF * ature out of the past three decades 4. SYNDICATE AND MILES) * of social change. The outcome is * * TICKETS: $3.00 advance frightening. Among her *characters, * $3.50 at the door if. there are few, if any,*real survi* * vors. The women who stay alive and * * free from the confines*ofIt's psychia* a benefit for * * WOMAN'S PLACE tric institutions, live in lonely des: so anyone wishing to help* pair or give up the struggle of try* out call 345-5841 or * ing to achieve their full humanity, usually by retreating into the lie of marriage, Although the book has momit continued next page * * * ii.c.) * * * ** V 0 V IN ** * * Blue Streak& Southpaw ** it0445ia:i***************I Northerp Woman JOurnal Anraversary issue .pw.g. 9 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �THEATRE: MAGNUS'S Goat revolve almost totally around him. He is gone in the end, but not before much examination is made of the evil his presence brings. Is this a "feminist play"? On the whole, no. The women show no sense of "sisterhood": atone point, the mother is willing to sacrifice her relationship with her daughter rather than ask Angelo to leave. The focus is on, rather, relationships between the sexes and an examination of a number of stereotypes. by Penni Burrell and Joyce Michalchuk I've seldom attended a live play didn't like and have never attended didn't like. a Magnus production don't As you can possibly tell, like giving bad reviews because of my basic belief that any respectable company, be it theatre, music or dance, wouldn't be caught dead consciously performing a dead play, score or theme. I I I The recent Magnus production of Ugo Betti's Goat Iztand conformed to my theory, although obviously all productions don't, I'm the first to It was everything but dead, admit. with its basic ingredient of life Angelo's (Robert Seale's) presence, enhanced by those of the cast: Edoardo (Don Jamieson), Pia (Colleen Murphy), Agatta (Carole Zorro) and Silvia (Goldie Scheiman), who all served as foils. In fact, the play actually revolved around the lives of the three women living together on a remote island in Italy in the early 1950's. The island was inhabited by, you guessed it, goats. At the outset, we are confronted with a sparse, desolate setting. The women are all related to one another, and their initial appearances match this desolate mood. Their speech is terse, their dress, shabby and faded. They have lived "manless" and apparently "lifeless" existences for years and are terrified at any attempt at change. Enter a virile young man who makes it obvious immediately he intends to stay. The rest of the play deals with the changes and problems his presence creates. The women show signs of a revitalization of their joy in living. The trade-off however is that Angelo becomes the "stud' for all mother, daughter and three women: Their activities sister-in-law. The women's slavery is acknowledged; they feel an abhorrence toward their position subsequently. Although the women must partially wait for fate to free them, two eventually free themselves of his bondage and are forced into chang- In it together by Penni Burrell My picture is in this issue with a group of women from women's place. thought it didn't belong. At first, I'm new in this area--a woman, yes, cerbut not a Northern Woman. And tainly haven't done anything for the journal, except buy it at the odd time. A fifth anniversary issue should congratualte all those who saw the Journal through its rough, low energy times. Me?, then, in the picture? What right, what place have I? thought to myself. Wait a minute, may be new to the district, but have over the past five years, been around the women's movement. Not one thing consistently. Not even one city. I've travelled, fit into different places and groups to suit my needs and mood at the time. Like the movement itself, I've grown, lost initiative and gained it in other ways. So, what is the point of this issue? For me, it's to commemorate not I I I I I ing their previously isolated, dead existence in the process. Again, although the play was itself far from dead, it was also far Its from lacking in shortcomings. biggest was its ending, when Angelo's stairway to freedom is raised by Agatta and he dies at the bottom of the well amid his empty and discardThat seems to be ed wine bottles. the playwright's "easiest way out". The high irony, however, lay in the words spoken earlier by Angelo which echoed soundlessly at his "Everyone knows that all demise: women want to make love with the devil, because the devil plays The devil who plays hard-to-get". no more is killed by his own devilIndirectly, of course. ish ways. just the existence of one journal, at one place. It's to celebrate that it, and many other offshoots of the movement still exist, still function, and still give birth to other projects and groups. Just think of the conversations you've had (or may have, if this is your first introduction to the movement) because of the Journal...or that coworker who got fired for asking for equal pay or that mouthy woman that really said a couple of true things. Think of the growing, painful and joyful that's come about after you decided that you wouldn't put up with that guy (who thought you were cute when you were angry) ANY MORE. How won't know far have we all come? go back. And I've got the Northern Woman Journal, and my friends, and the other groups, both existing and gone, to thank for the last few years. My picture could be that of anyone...of you. I I =IS Books cont'd ents of great optimism and profound joy both physical and spiritual, the conclusion is less than encouraging: in the end we all settle for less, but for women, less is less than less. The despair felt by the main character of the book, Mira, stays with you long after you have read her last utterance...which is very poetic, like many parts of this novel. French has revealed the web as the hopelessly tangled mess that it really is. Freedom for women is not as simple as changing some legislation or providing the economic freedom that will allow women to develop. The,web is centuries of conditioning. It is perhaps even an eternity of a fundamental difference between the sexes. In any case, man is by necessity, the enemy. This conclusion may be a little strong for some women. But when Mira, who is not what one would oall an extremist, is betrayed by one of the rarist and too-good-to-be-true men ever to walk out of the pages of a book, the message takes an irreversible turn for the bad. It is not the women in the book who conclude that man is the enemy (all except for Val, that is) it is the reader. It is not an easy conclusion to sit with, especailly when men and women must go on co-existing in the world. The real horror demonstrated by is that in spite of what appears to be compatibility between the sexes, there can be no true meetintelling of minds. In spite of igence, sensitivity and a whole range of human virtues, there are still the myths of role-oriented happiness tempting women to stray from their true feeling---and in men, sets of basic assumptions and attitudes that cannot be genuinely attacked by a woman without the forfeiture of his love. Men may sympathize, but they can't really defy their nature, Marilyn French is a scholar of James Joyce, so that while her style may be that of a contemporary novelist without the pretensions of a revolutionary new form, she transmits much of Joyce's strict ethical code, which is none too lenient when it comes to matters of comprimise and human cowardice. In this French, case, though, women are at last subjected to high moral standards. Joyc, says a character, is an mcp. Mira, in spite of her accepted place in the institutions of society, is a kind of faceless, motionless exile, engaged in a constant struggle to sort out the lies, to get through the layers of nets that have been heaped on her from birth. She demonstrates that the mammoth struggle for us all to discover truth is an even harder struggle for women. Our minds and our souls have been perverted. But such is life, says French, whose narrator lashes out angrily that she cannot solve the dillemma in her writing because life refuses to be contained. She has imposed what control she can with her powers as a writer to make clear to us, a very grave paradox. "Truth is mortal illness", agree the women in Mira's enchanted intellectual circle. Truth is what the characters are painfully struggling to get at, yet even the slightest apprehension of it is everything but fatal to the socially adjusted, "normal" human being. Read this book. Northern Woman Journal Anniversary issue page 10 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �GERT GOES TO A WOMEN'S FILM PEST by Gert Beadle Dianne Ellis of Women's Research in the Vancouver Status of Women is of the opinion that the future of feminism would be assured if women were financially able to take advantage of opportunities to travel. The difficulty in establishing a true commmunication is by necessity curtailed when we are, for the most part, dependant upon the written word as seen and reported through someone elses eyes. Ellis's remarks were of particular attended The relevance to me as and Vancouver Women's Film Festival found myself in the presence of serious and creative women. There is a distinct advantage in being able to feel as well as see the thought patterns that produce the kind of film and video work which speaks to us directly as women and which painfully few of us may ever see. The three day Festival which took in late September of this year, place had been in the planning since October 1977 by Women in Focus, a Vancouver based group.It was supported by local feminists and producers. The publicized call for films and video work created by women, produced such avalanche of material that both an types of work had to be shown concurrently. All material was selected by a committee dedicated to the relevant expression of women's experience. They looked for material non-opressive to life styles or racial minorities and geared first of all to analysis of our present position in marriage, motherhood, legal and health systems. Also included were productions reviewing and depicting feminism as a political movement. Discussion periods to deal with both the merit and meaning of a particular film follwed each film category and included the filmmaker and the viewing audience. Barbara Halpern Martineau, a researcher of Women in the Media, outlined for us a history of women in the film industry. A strong speaker, she told us that in the four years that she has been reasearching the subject, she has uncovered hundreds of films made by women with no possibility of financial support or an opportunity to distribute their work. She spoke of the part played by women in the National Film Board during the war years and how following that period, creative women were forced back into clerical positions to make way for the retThere is no longer a legurn of men. itimate reason why women cannot prodOne has to stand uce films, she said. up and recognize that the public has been entertained so long by an industry that has used women as objects of ridicule and tittilation. Because of this, a change of menu is a little hard to translate into dollar value. The fact that women are appearing in the present structure means very little unless they have some power in the selection of material. In other words, the modern thinking woman is not entertained by the variations of love's old story as told by the mythmakers. She has a closer reality, a truer hope to communicate. Her challenge is to translate her vision into the support of commerce. At the preI sent time, those women who presented their films and tapes were hard pressed to even distribute their films among feminists because of the cost of duplicating them. An exchange library in Vancouver has an international clearing house for video tapes which has 800 titles of specialized concern. They will act as a distributor and invite new tapes for review and exchange. Among those films that personally found enjoyable were Great Grandmother, a history of prairie women using diaries, letters and interviews with pioneer women. Before the time comes by Anne Clair Poirer is a film exploring the conflicts a woman experiences in deciding whether or not to have an abortion. In long conversations with her sister, she discusses womanhood, sexuality, contraception and abortion. It is a very revealing document on the fragility of a man's I pride. A documentary on prostitution entitled The Screwing I Got by Eve Goldberg and Christine Saxon was interesting to me because it clearly portrayed Aploat the strong woman is not a!Do "! compassion for the poor human; clearly a slave of his own apetite. The look of kindly amusement that she bestowed upon her customer as he scooted out the door, should have been good for an award. Anastasie Oh Ma Chere is a fictional metaphor of a woman's condition. She is constantly assaulted by the patriarchal figures in her life--her husband, the police, a psychiatrist-- who will not allow her to live her life on her own terms. She represents a silent scream against the violence of the patriarchy. Ti Grace Atkinson; Radical Activist, Political Theorist. a Woman in Focus Production directed by Marion Barling. colour, 30 minutes. This tape was produced in Vancouver by an all woman crew. It is important not only for its content, but as evidence that women working under severe economic restraints, with whatever equipment they can muster, still produce something that is important and relevant. Ti-Grace, the woman that the film is about, was interviewed as to what her interpreatation of wh at it is to be a feminist and a radical. She discusses her book, Amazon Odessey which she describes as an historical document of one woman's evolution in the feminist movement. Some of the topics covered involved: the return to the age old institutions of marriage and motherhood, which she describes as "Reactionary Nationalism" Ti-Grace appeared as well, in Some American Feminists, a 55 minute documentary of the American Movement giving comprehensive coverage of their own history. At this festival of 300 active and creative women, there was reassurance that there is vitality beyond our imagining in so many places. The word feminist is not only becoming common place, but will in time be something to reckon with. Introducing the mechanic aside this kind of stereotyping and have undertaken training for traditions tionally male dominated trades. Celia Kenny, 20, of Thunder Bay is an oil burner mechanic. It was natural to follow in her father's footsteps. She started by assisting her father when he was called out on emergencies on cold winter nights. Passing him wrenches and other tools, Ms. Kenny demonstrated an avid interest in his work, an interest which he encouraged. Upon completion of highs school, she entered an apprenticeship course at Confederation College, passed her examinations and fufilled the requirements of approximately 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. Perhaps it was easier for Ms. Kenny than for most women because her apprenticeship was understaken under the watchful eye of her father of Remenda Burner reprinted from the Women's Bureau Newsletter Approximately two-thirds of the female labour force is concentrated in the clerical, sales and service sectors of the'economy. These occupations have been traditionally viewed as women's work and just as traditionally have been characterized by low Service. Ms. Kenny enjoys her work and the challenge of cleaning and diagnosing the ills of an oil burner. She sometimes encounters dubious clients who she pull out her licence insist that as proof of her expertise in this field. She points out that there are several disadvantages---travel to remote areas and the lifting of heavy pay. equipment and tools. But the chalThe majority of women continue to shy away from non-traditional occupations lenge and diversity of the work and the lucrative salary ($15-18 per hour) in the skilled trades and industry far outweigh any trepidation. Ms. Kenprimarily because they have been condny marri ed recently and plans to to consider these jobs as itioned establish a business with her husband dirty men's work. There is, however, sometime in the future. a small number of women who have cast Northern Woman Journal Anniversary issue page 11 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Women's Place plans evening activities Interested in making soap, or learning about the proper way to budget? Well you might be in luck if you drop into Women's centre every second Thursday evening to be a part of activity night. Plans such as this one for the upcoming year were discussed at the Annual Board of Directors Meeting for Northern Women's Centre, November 16. In the works for this year is a conference on Violence Against Women which is currently being organized to take place sometime in the spring. Some of the things that those present at the meeting said that they would like to see come out of the conference were: the establishment of pressure groups in Thunder Bay to deal with sexist ,advertisingi, pornography, sexual harassment on the job and other things that exploit women. -A crisis house established in Thunder Bay to deal with women fleeing from violent situations. The conference will be designed also to seek professional co-operation with people who deal with women threatened or victims of violence. The upcoming year is also the International Year of the Child. Women's Centre and people interested would like to become involved in putting on some programs. Some of the suggestions were to hold a seminar dealing with Children's Rights, to have fun days for the children, or even an actual conference for children to get them talking, an awareness campaign dealing with the abused child and children that are victims of incest. As is the case every year, the Women's Centre is concerned with fund raising and ways to build the survival fund. It was suggested that another book of poetry by Gert Beadle, published by Women's Educational Press in Toronto might be feasible. A benefit performance of Voices, a feminist play was susggested. A dollar for dollar campaign is being considered and a Woman's Festival of the Arts for regional women will possibily be organized. Massage Sticks, manufactured by Julie Fels and Sita are on sale for $5 at Women's Centre. They make a grea t great Christmas gift and are a super- Women's Place Printing Brochures Booklets Pamphlets Newsletters ier device in the art of relaxation and comfort. As a part of a plan to hold regular programs each second Thurs day evening at Women's Centre, the following suggestions were made: :hat discussion groups of particular interest get together. -that educational programs dealing with such things as stress, money matters, economics, political effectiveness and organizing lobbie Anyone who would like to get involved contact Anne or Monika at 345-5841. T Bay's first woman mayor has called for and pledged herself to developing a sound economic strategy for Thunder Bay. Her call for long rar planning is crucial to our city. With no apologies, the preceeding has been a biased report of the municipal elections and some issues from have the a Dusty Miller supporter. pleasure of being able to sound off about the emotionally and polttisally captivating moment of achievement and victory those committed to her campai committed a hundred times more than Marg and Mary are you listening?) So, for fear of appearing rude or boorish, suffice it to say that the changes in the air are welcome. Congratulations Thunder Bay, and once again to Dusty Miller and the camI paign. (By the way, ran into an old hadn't friend this weekend whom seen for about a year. After hearing of my support and the writing of this editorial, he made me mention th he has recently become involved with the insurance underwriters business "1 knac I must Wye myzeq az a in Thunder Bay and his entire office woman and a potitician...." I I voted for Dusty Miller '.) Joyce Michalchuk is a resident of by Joyce Michalchuk Thunder Bay and was formerly a full Anyone with a political tilt (or, time reporter fro the Chroncle Journa. euphemistically, leaning) and a bent She currently writes for the Northern for constructive change had their hearts Her many ConSounder. doneWoman good and the the night of Monday November talents include singingand andthreatplaying 13. The political presence the guitar which sh e has done ening black cloud hovering over the quite on local stages. 4sseffrequently campaign that turned into a deluge, was Dusty Miller's campaign. City administration has a new shot in the arm. Like a political campaign, success is achieved through hard work and dedication to the cause; for Mrs. Miller and her supporters, there were a number of issues to contend with. She cited her main reason for running in the people Dusty Miller's the mayorality racewho (ifmade a main reason mayorality campaign a success... had to be cited) as restoring order there were many women... and to city and hall. No administration or gave us a new woman mayor. group can function, or hope to maintain efficiency when serious rifts become evident within the structure. City Hall has been suffering to an extent, from this malaise in the last few years and especially since amalgamation, implementation of the ward system, the Arts Complex and more recently, Lodgepole and the issue of the chief administrative officer. The Arts Centre is necessary to the cultural to development andBay viability the Thunder Chapter of of the Thunder Bay. to high cost RightAlternatives to Life Association for spe housing such co-operatives (Castleing aasgreat deal of money on a CAOevery for the green) are vital as is to pamphlet mailed househol city. Long-term, intelligent planning in Thunder Bay containing misinfo for solutions for money the city is rather a could h The ation. and Dustyon Miller, Thunder requisite. beenInspent a valuable birth Bay has control chosen a campaign...something woman of political whit experience, proven andinwith wasn't even ability mentioned a pamphl a diversesupposedly and involved background who informing people. THUNDER CLAP THUNDER BOLT LETTER HEAD BULLETINS REASONABLE RATES No order too small (Some may be too big) 316 BAY ST. Northern .Woman_ Phone 345-7802 An n,i,ve rs a ry 1ssu,e,,pa9.e 12 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �The Canadian Psychological Association has established a Co-ordinating Committee on the Status of Women in Psychology. This committee is working on the implementations of the recommndations of the CPA Task Force on the Status of Women (Canadian Psychological Review, vol. 18, No. 1, January 1977). One sub-committee made up of three Calgary Psychologists, Jean Pettifor, Lorna Cammaert and Carolyn Larsen is looking into standards and ethical principles relating to psychologocal services for women. The scientific purpose of this subcommittee is to develop a casebook of examples where women have been involved in sex-biased counselling or therapy. The object is to make psychologists and the public more aware of the ethical treatment of female clients. To accomplish this purpose, the committee is collecting examples of situations from women who have been in or know of counselling situations with psychologists where sex bias and/or sex-role stereotyping have occurred.. These examples will be combined with the accepted e thical principles to develop current guidelines for counselling girls and women. The types of situations which involve sex bias and/or sex role stereotyping are generally of three kinds. The first is when women are encouraged by psychologists to enter continue, or return to traditional roles without consideration of other alternatives. While many girls and women may genuinely choose homemaker and mother roles, imposing these roles upon a person simply because she is female neglects the consideration of other viable alternatives and aspirations of the individual client. For example, women might be encouraged to have another child, not to pursue an ambitious career, but to stay married at all costs. This type of recommendation is given by a psychologist because he or she believes a woman "should" behave this way. Second, are biases in the expectations of women or devaluing of women. Assuming women have certain characteristics, such as being passive, quiet, submissive, because they are female can result in biased treatment. A psychologist may use sexist language or jokes, a patronizing manner or employ diagnostic labels on these assumptions. Often the behaviors in this category are subtle and difficult to identify or define. A female client may leave counselling sessions feeling angry or depressed and not know why. A third practise involveing sex bias is treating clients in an overtly sexual manner. This practise can range from over-emphasis on the female client's phyical appearance to the extreme of engaging in sexual intercourse with her, using therapy as an excuse. Another aspect of this type is the employment of double standards in evaluating the sexual behavior of men and women. Thus a psychologist might dismiss male adultery as typical behavior but condemn female adultery as disastrous to the marriage realtionship. The committee is requesting women and men to send them written examples of counselling sessions that fit these types of situations, or other examples of what they consider sex biased treatment. Submissions may be anonymous but should spec,ify the sex of the therapist. If you have been involved in psychological treatment relevant to this committee's consideration or know of examples, please write: Women and Ethics Committee, c/o Student Counselling Services, University of Calgary, 2920-24th Ave., N.W. Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4 UIC changes must be PROTESTED Changes in the unemployment Insurance Program were announced on September 1, 1978 by Employment and Immigration Minister Bud Cullen. The primary purpose behind the proposed changes is to deny UIC benifits to those who cannot find long term employment. Women, "the last hired and the first fired', will be hurt more than any other group in Canadian Society by these changes. The proposed changes appear to be the culmination of a campaign to force women back into the home, thereby leaving the impression that unemployment is really not so serious afterall. In 1977, the Liberal Government released a "Comprehensive Review of the Unemployment Insurance PrograH' which made incredible and uhsubstantiatedstatements about women workers. The Review stated that women misuse UI programs through non-availability and refusal to work and that secondary earners generated unexpected increases in 31 Benefit expenditures. The Advisory Council on the Status of Women warned that such sweeping generalizations about women claimants , which were not supported b y any data, should not be used for policy purposes. However the Liberal government has done exactly that: it has developed a policy blaming women for abusing the program and making it more difficult for women to collect benefits without carrying out a single objective study on women and unemployment insurance claimants. The twisted logic behind the proposed changes is that they will "require claimants to show a more substantial attachment to the labour force before qualifying for UI." Rather than admitting that high unemployment and the lack of economic planning are the cause of a tenuous attachment to the labour force among many Canadians, the government has chosen to cut them off completely, no matter how grave their economic circumstances. Several of the proposed changes will have a particularly devastating effect upon women in the labour The first proposed change would require claimants who had previously received UI benifits to find work at least equal to the weeks of benefits drawn in their previous claim. If a person collects benefits for 20 weeks and then finds work, that work must last for at least 20 weeks before the person can requalify for UI benefits. For many women who are more prone to lay-off than men and more likely to find short term contract work, it will be very difficult to meet this requirement. Secondly, the proposed increased entrance requirements for new entrants and re-entrants to the labour force will mean that claimants will have to work at least 40 weeks in the last two years, 10 of which must have been in the last year, before qualifying for benefits. While the government may have intended the new stipulation to be a shot-gun on young people, it is women, particularly older women who will be the brunt of the blast. Women who have spent years in the home are most likely to be unskilled and therefore only able to find work on a temporary basis. The new stipulation may force women, elderly or widowed to resort to welfare as their only means for survival. No cutbacks in the YEAR OF THE CHILD "Why should our children be the ones to sacrifice for Canada's sick,' President economy?" asks Mary Dennis of the Congress of Canandian Women, "Finance Minister Chretien's threatened cut in Family Allowance should , be rejected by Parliament4 "Family Allowances should be increaced and our children's rights defenJed, especially on the eve of INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD, 1979. In our week-end consultation with members and supporters in twelve cities found a unaniand six provinces, mous response--anger at the Liberal Government's callous and arbitrary treatment,--and also determination to defeat the Government move. We are calling on Canadian people, and esspecLally women, parents and young people to express their opposition to their members of parliament. "she I said. She said that to reduce the amount from $26 to $20 is a rude shock, and no tax adjustment vaguely promised for a year hence can possibly help the current stress on the majority of families. The majority of the people most severely affected will be single mothers who will likely be forced to go deeper into debt. "The federal government wants to save $2 billion, but why at the expense of children and of the unemployed and the poor?" questioned Mary Dennis. the CO-OP BOOKSHOP and RECORD CENTRE Excellent selection of Canadian literature, classics, film books, science fiction, craftsl, poetry, many unusual tttles. Best folk, ethnic and blues selection In town. Open till 8 each day and all day Sunday On campus every Thursday beside the Main Cafeteria 182 8. Algoma street., phase 345-8912 force. Northern Woman JOurnal Anniversary issue page 13 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Martha: of charity and visions by elaine lynch There are no black table cloths or candles in the places where Martha Portier calls forth "people who exist on a different plane," or reads fortunes through the cards. As a clairvoyant, the local woman treats her gift like any other talent with which one is born. She uses her vision, she says, for humanitarian purposes, and sees herself as a person--chosen for no apparent reason--to do good works for others. As a child, she treated her feelings and premonitions as a kind of game, but changed her philosophy when she was older and experienced more serious realizations. "I was born in Pearson Township, just outside the city. My mother died when we were quite young and we were brought up by my grandparents who were already didn't in their sixties. At the time, To take realize just how old that was on 4 children was quite a sacrifice decided realized that, and when would always help other people that could," explained Martha in any way over a cup of coffee in the kitchen of her boarding house on Newberry CresI . I I I I cent. Her early deeds were minor, but nevertheless for others. joined the Airforce and "In 1943 was stationed in Winnipeg. A lot of women including myself, had come directly out of strict sheltered environments where we never had any contact with men. Here it was different... and a lot of girls got taken for a figured, could Well the girls, ride. handle themselves and learn if both if parties involved were single, the man was married and taking a roll in the hay at the expense of the girl, could then things just weren't fair. feel when a man was married and if could even concentrated hard enough, would determine his wife's name. So approach the fellow in the mess hall and just say casually..."Hi. How's was a comAnne?...or whatever. Here plete stranger. They'd be surprused and say..."I didn't know you knew my wife",and that would be the end of the romance," laughs Martha. Not until Martha was married and moved to Kenora did she begin to take her unusual experiences seriously. "I lived in the Kenora-Keewatin area for 23 years working as a nurse and raising my children. I've been a single parent for 16 years. At the met a worked nursing lodge where would read her woman named Caroline. cards just for fun. Finally she said to to me during one of the readings... "You're not getting all of that from had to admit that she the cards." was using the cards and was right. still do as a prop or a machine to relax people.during a session." In Kenora, Martha also discovered Elizabeth, her spiritual guide whom she met through automatic writing. To this day, Martha claims that she has never read a book on psychic occurences like automatic writing. The phenomenon just took place. She invokes Elizabeth or one of her many spiritual guides in writing. She sits with her pen resting on the paper and suddenly the pen will begin to move. The handwriting is not her own. I I I I I I I I I I I I She simply holds the pen and it moves to form the message that the spirit wishes to convey. "Elizabeth, like all of my guides, has had many lives. So have we all. Her most recent life was spent as a nanny in England in the 1800's. She is like a guardian angel to me." Elizabeth told Martha to go to visit her co-worker Caroline on a Wednesday evening. She said!"Caroline is the medium." Because Martha was not familiar with Caroline's involvement with psychic phenomena, she was skeptical. Nevertheless, she followed her guide's instructions and on the following Wednesday night attended her first seance. As it turned out, Caroline's deceased father Jules, had been a medium. He knew about guides and the spirit world. The seance was held around a plain wooden table that had belonged to the man. "There was nothing magical about the appearance of that table, but saw it do some pretty amazing things,' said Martha who claims that the table kept time to a polka. It was at the Wednesday night seances that she discovered that unlike the others, Martha could actually see spirits. "Fascinating things happened there. We had peculiar visual experiences and a sense of smell. We would smell freshly cut hay or ploughed earth in the middle of winte;-,"said Martha. It was in fact, one of these unusual occurences that brought Martha back to Thunder Bay. In 1976 she visited the city for the Labour Day weekend. Upon departing for her trip, she had no intentions of leaving Kenora. However, while in the city, she got a message from a spiritual guide that there was a new job and a place to live within the forseeable future and within two weeks Martha was a cook for the Crossroads and a housemother for Woman's Thunder Bay South. Halfway House in It was very taxing holding down the two positions and she was devoting very little time to readings or contact with the spirits until an accident occurred which Martha believes was slightly providential. She fell down a flight of stairs and injured herself so that she could not work again. As a result she devotes nearly all of her time to , I readings. An actual reading says Martha, can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Her clieets are usually satisfied if not a little amazed. "I tell them things that give them insight into their own situation, teach them like family problems and where to look in the spirit world I talk directly." Her direct conversations are documented by some strange utterances communicated through automatic writing. She keeps them all in a binder and shows people who are interested the different handwritings and messages...like the one from the person who apparently just committed suicide. Being a medium does not interfere with her life's usual worldly concerns. She runs a boarding house to make a living. She is always standing by with concern for people in trouble and opens her door to women in crisis situations. "I have financial difficulties that are sometimes greater than the said to difficulties of others. was particElizabeth one day when had nothing, ularly frustrated that never meant was that and what have any money." would "Elizabeth answered that always have a place to live and food on the table and people to love and need?" love me...what else did "And when you think about it, Elizabeth was absolutely right." me. I I I I I I I I Still not right The changes to ammend the criminal code with respect to rape are a step in the right direction, says the The National Action Committee (NAC) effectiveress of the proposed legiswill lation brought forth last May depend however, on further amendments between now and the time Bill C-52 comes to a second reading. The demands were as follows: 1. Rape be removed from the Sexual Offences of the Criminal Code and placed with new assault offences which would prohibit what was formerly defined as rape (namely, vaginal penetration by a penis) as but one type of an offence of forcible sexual . 1 contact. 2. There should be more than one Martha claims that there is no art- offence, where the division between ifice involved in what she does. All offences is based not on a consideration of whether there was penetration of her powers and insights have been as defined above, but on the basis of discovered by natural means. Her sisthe degree of risk created or ters she says, are also gifted with suffered by the victim. special powers but are more private 3. These assaults should be governabout them. ed by the same concept of consent that Martha's outlook is slightly is utilized in other non-sexual astinged with religion. She sees herself as an instrument of God. do not "I am not a church goer. need a minister to talk to God for for help. Northern Woman Journal Anniversary issue page 14 I 1.41111 Coned next page PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �the claim that women were organically too weak to participate in the broils and excitements of elections...there were even some hardy souls among opponents who contended that women did Canadian feminists no longer seem not have the mental capacity to comglaringly apparent to contemporary prehend political problems." Canadian women. However, it was a mere The appalling attitudes imposed on 80 years ago that the suffragists chalCanadian women came from much of Canlenged the discriminatory legislation ada's male population and gave women a and narrow attitudes imposed on Canadian rallying point. A good place to start women. was law reform. The National Council of women was founded by Lady Aberdeen Once upon a non-person by Elaine Lynch and Joyce Michalchuk "We don't know yet what it is to be Canadian for many of the same reasons we do not know what it is to be women. An important reason is that Canada and its people, like women, have been traditionally defined by others. Marylee Stephenson WOMEN IN CANADA Perhaps we should not be distracted from our common concerns as feminists by attempting to give the women's movementa specific national identity. Our world unity as women is something to be fostered because, unlike most causes, the women's movement is not limited to one nation or geographic location. The diverse problems we share are universal. Nevertheless, it is likely our acceptance of the definitions of others that explains the absence of comprehensive and analytical histoPi-es written about the women's movement in Canada. In the scarce Canadian publications on the subject, it is not unusual to find the Canadian Movement described as following the American movement. The public library in Thunder Bay offers abundant information under "Feminism US" but nothing under "Feminism Canada". It is one thing to know that direction and valuable inspiration came from South of the border, but it is also important to know what we accomplished as "followers" and how that has ultimately affected women in Canadian society today. Before 1972 there was no literature on the women's movement written in Canada, outside of Nellie McClung's "feminist manifesto" entitled "IN TIMES LIKE THESE", written 34 years centbefore THE SECOND SEX and half a ury before Frieden's THE FEMININE MYST IQUE. To that point it had all been imported from the United States and With this in mind we look at femUK. inism in Canada. The changes brought about by early Not right conVd saults- in which the presence or use of theeat of physical coercion is presumed to negate any presumption of consent on the part of the victim. Again this would keep the issue of risk, rather than sex as central to the offence. These assaults should also be 4. neutral with respect to the sex of the parties involved, which would allow a case for charge in the incident of a homosexual rape. They ahould also be neutral with respect to the marital status of the parties involved, that is, a wife should be The purpose of the proposed changes are to shift the perception of rape from being a "sexual" to being a "risk-creating" offence. Rape as such has been removed from the code and new offences under the Indecent Assualt section of the criminal code have been created. Thus they have gone part way in defining rape as assaultive rather than a sex ual offence. The difficulties are these. First, since the new offences are still under the old Sexual Offences section of the Criminal code, there is still VOTES FOR WOMEN in 1893 to work on a series of law reforms to affect prisons and the protection of women and children. As a result of the organization, a chain of women clubs with similar aims were founded Fn communities across the country. There was a great need for leadership in Canada; people like Nellie McClung (possibily the best known and most outspoken of early Canadian feminists) and Dr. Augusta Stowe Gullen were inspired to work for personal emancipation and polboth itical status for women across the country. The need was for the awakening of a consciousness of reform'from within, and not so much for advice from without," wrote V. Strong-Boag in her introduction to Nellie McClung's "Canada in In Time, Like The4e. this matter as in others was intended to work out her own destiny, and the need was for leadership. NELLIE McCLUNG MRS. BORRMANN WELLS. WOMEN'S FREEDOM LEAGUE. Offices : 1, Robert Street, Ade 1phi, London, W.C. "Opponents to the suffrage faced the women with a formiddable array of arguements, some of which, while carrying a great weight at the time, seem nonsensical today," writes Catherine Cleverdon in THE WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE MOVE"Such, for example, was MENT IN CANADA. Nellie McClung's history of involvement in the women's movement went back to the days in Canada She stated "before the machine." her gratefulness at experiencing a part of her life before large-scale industrial involvement in the late 19th Century; she grew up in the farming countries of Chatsworth, Ontario and Manitoba, the daughter of Irish/Scottish praneers. The imposed hardiness of her early pioneer years no doubt had much to do with shaping the character of She was motivated Nellie McClung. to become involved in many "firsts": first woman to represent Canadian Methodism at the World Ecumenical Conference, the first woman on CBC's Board of Governors and the first Canadian delegate to the League of Nations in 1938. a very real problem about consent, since the concept of consent used in rape was also used in indecent assault female. Thus the onus would still be on the victim to prove a lack of consent. Thus NAC proposes that a further amendment be: 1. A definition section, or other means, must be utilized to ensure She was a case in point of strong that the concept of consent utilpersonalities with like philosophieef ized in these new indecent assault Nellie Mooney met her attracting. offences is the same concept as future husband Wesley McClung after that employed in other (non-sexual) first meeting his mother who was an assaults. early leader of the Women's Christian Secondly, the section did not remove While hearTermperance Movement. section 142, which allows for the ing a rallying speech given by Mrs. introduction as evidence, the vicMcClung, Nellie found herself captim's. past sexual history. Since tivated by the woman's "progressive is central to seeing rape as it philosophy," in her own words. She assault, the previous sexual histsubsequently met and married her ory of a person should have no releson, who was regarded as having invance to the case. Hence the further corporated his mother's philosophies amendment: in his own. Even today, he is conSection 142 be removed and the siderated a "liberated man" in terms Evidence Act (Canada) be changed to of feminist philosophy. make it clear that no evidence as to The issues of religion, terperthe past sexual history of the complis ance and female emancipation were aintant in the indecent assault closely allied according to her. admissible. however, Her feminist ideology, These further amendments need your support. Please wrtie to the Minister asking that these amendments be proposed. Northern Woman Journal Anniversary issue page 15 Coned next page PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Once upon a... cont'd from last page is illustrated in a statement on feminism and humanism: "The world has suffered long from too much masculinity and not enough humanity." This was the product of a heightened consciousness and a sharp awareness of the state of male/female relationships, particularly in the workplace but not excluding the home. "Humanity" substituting "femininity" is a way of illustrating the dichotomy of the masculine/ patriarchal aggressive attitude and the female implied or imposed subservience/passivity. In fact, the meanings of the words "feminine" and "masculine" should be explored to their very roots. Ms. McClung saw fit to refer to their one basic idea-- "humanity" -- as did Kate Millet when she explored the characteristics of femininity and masculinity in Sexual Potitiu. "Splitting" the sexes by means of defining them by certain nebulous societal impositions (and often by certain self-impositions) was seen possibly for the first time as fundamentally and ultimately harmful to the psychological and intellectual development of human beings. Her spirited voice was never raised more loudly or more eloquently than in her encounters with Sir Rodmond Roblin, premier of the Conservative Manitoba government of the 1920's, on the subject of women and industry. Her portrait of him in her book, The StAzam Run's Fa6t, was a devastating satire. He said he felt that "nice" women don't want to know about factories, let alone visit them, nor do they want or need the vote. To this, she replied: "By nice women you probably mean selfish women who have no more thought for the underpaid, overworked women than a pussycat in a sunny window has for the starving kitten in the street. Now, in that sense, I am not a nice woman, for I do care. I care about those factory women, working in ill-smelling holes, and we intend to do something about it, and when I say "we" I'm talking for a great many women, of whom you will hear more as the days go on." In 1912, after being asked to contribute to the Winnipeg Free Press and having had 17 volumes published, she joined the Canadian Women's Press Club. Subsequently, 15 members formed the Political Equality League dedicated to the enfranchisement of women. Much lobbying and support, both economically and politically, resulted in just a matter of time standing between women and the vote. Universal suffrage was granted in Canada as follows: Manitoba--Jan., 1916; Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Ontario, 1917 and Nova Scotia and the Dominion government in 1918. Following were New Brunswick in 1919, Prince Edward Island in 1922 and Quebec in 1940. Perhaps Nellie McClung's most noted and ironic "achievement" was in her efforts to obtain Supreme Court ruling of women as "persons" under the dubious BNA Act. The ruling will be 50 years old in 1979. AUGUSTA STOWE-GULLEN Dr. Augusta Stowe-Gullen discovered her political commitment to feminism through personal experience. Her obligation to support her invalid husband and her three children made it necessary for her to cope with the problem of being a woman in the teaching profession in Southern Ontario. Her frustrations motivated her to return to school, but because women were not yet allowed in the institutions of higher learning in Canada, she obtained a degree in medicine from a New York university. Upon her return and the establishment of her own medical practice, she organized women to lobby for the opening of the University of Toronto to Canadian women which was accomplished in 1886, the establishment of the Ontario Medical College for Women in 1883 and to secure factory and health laws and a better Married Women's Property Act. The group of Toronto women who formed the Women's Literary Club in 1876 to disguise and organize efforts to obtain suffrage culminated their efforts in the formation of the Dominion Woman Enfranchisement Association in 1889. The women in Ontario were very movement-oriented, and they concentrated their efforts in fostering and fanning the flames of the women's rights movement in all of the provinces. However, the varying degrees of conservatism in each of the provinces is reflected in the chronological order of the success of the suffrage movement mentioned above. The suffrage movement was not significant only in giving political responsibility to women. The consciousness of the groups formed at this time made startling discoveries about Canadian law and the status of women which lead to the formation of other lasting organizations. It also allowed some very creative and intelligent women a chance to carve out a profile in Canadian public life. THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN CANADA The conscious resurgence of the women's movement, formally recognized by the 1967 Royal Commission on the Status of Women In Canada is something we have all experienced either as participants or as a result of its consequences. It is significant, first of all, insofar as it relates to the past. "When one reads the new feminist side-by-side with the ones from previous generations, and even centuries, one is struct by the fact that, of what is being currently said and written, very little is new: it is an ever-repeating script. This is in itself revealing of the centuries-old state of the condition Anne-Marie Ambert of women. SEX STRUCTURE But, from our own documented experience in Canada, the "ever-repeating script" is not ever-repeating because of a lack of consciousness and/or efforts on the part of Canadian women. One of the major problems of the Report of the Royal Commission of 1967 is this: it is not how to interpret the hundreds of documentel complaints and items of data gleaner from 468 briefs and 1000 letters of opinion, but how to implement the Reports concluding Plan of Action and the Commission's 167 recommendations covering everything from Poverty to the Participation of Women in Public Life. By 1972 (five year's later!), a huge conference in Toronto indicated that women were very concerned by the fact that implementation had not yet begun. More frightening was the fact that they were at a loss as to how it would get started, There was a fear expressed at this time that recommendation 166, to establish a council of women responsible for a woman's voice to the government, would be used to fan off women's complaints...that any kind of action would just get lost in a government department. Perhaps these fears were justified. Seven years later, we have seen the establishment of the Federal Advisory Council on the Status of Women; we have experienced International Women's Year in 1975, during which government funding helped launch women's centres and open the lines of communication. We have opened our minds to both the extremely radical elements and the regressive movement. What we still have not witnessed is equal pay for equal work, the disappearance of discrimination generally, sexist advertising, financial security for elderly women or single mothers...the list goes on and on. Recent publicity to do with the women's movement suggest that it has the blahs, that leaders have either burnt out or sold out, or gone underWhether we choose to believe ground. The this is another thing entirely. point is that the seeds have been A consciousness has been planted. started that cannot be reversed by any media images. Statistics may seem discouraging but they are impro' One might choose to look to an ing. article by Marjorie Harris that appeared in the Weekend Magazine in Ms. Harris chose to concentral 1973. not on the celerities of the women'! movement but on t;:e feelings expressed by Canadian women of all ages in cities and on farms and rural communities across Canada. The feelings and realizations of these women were long in forming and drawn from their own life experience, Surely these feelings have not alter ed significantly. "Perhaps," writes Ms. Harris, when the cliches and atrophied image. of the feminist movement are swept away, the positive social values emanating from it will be recognized Since 1973, this seems to have been happening but has been misinter preted by a short-sighted, starwatching media. "Right now, no one can assume to know what a feminist looks or acts like or where she comes from. We ar, your wives and daughters and sisters and we are everywhere." WANTED--Vacuum cleaner to buy...must be reasonable....call 345-5841 Northern Woman Journal Anniversary issue page 16 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Reflecktions by carol auld the strike at the fleck manufacturing plant in centralia is over. the workers demands have been met--there are no more public meetings on how to support these workers. the media has moved on to other hard news items. all is considered settled. but is it really? the workers got what they requested and that is considered enoughan even generous--settlement. but have they demanded enough? of what real value is a few cents wage increase? the principle of this situation is important, ye$, it has also extolled the virtues of a union, but has it really changed the lives of the people substantially? essentially, they are still being exploited on a daily basis in the name of ever-necessary profit. (necessary even at the cost of human dignity) participated in the may 19 day of solidarity for the fleck women strikers in centralia, boarding a bus at 3:30 am at bloor and yonge in toronto, reaching centralia just after dawn. the bus trip itself was the usual confusion of poltical and emotional differences (this is a women's day no men should what me? i'm no lesbe on the bus" bian...i like men but don't get me if the strikers decwrong,eh7 ide to take over the plant we should help them all we can even if the violence is necessary...that is what the revolution is about...we MUST support them...but that's not what we agreed upon, we want this to be as peaceful i as possible we are simply showing our support by being there....that is not going far enough, if a riot erupts we must be ready to help them...they are our sisters!) partially drained by these exchanges everyone seemed to become revitalized as we approached the plant itself. the tension was on. would we succeed in closing down the plant for that day (the original intent of the organizers) or would the scabs cross the picket line into the plant anyway? in somewhat ironic fashion, the plant was already closed when we reached it. the strikers had been there since before dawn that morning and set up their vigil. the scabs did not show up. we marched peacefully around the plant for a while under the suspicious and contemptful scrutiny of the opp who were perched atop rooftops and nestled next to the building. obviously they were on the side of the fleck owners (partially owned by a government minister) but that, ofcourse, is predictable. however, it proved to be of no consequence-they were in their reacfacist sphere of the world tionary while we conducted our concern with the plight of our sisters. so the organizers of our protest were content- we had shown our solidarity through our presence, and that was all we had set out to do. and if that was what was wanted and needed by the fleck women i'm glad we were able to supply it. when they are ready for more...when everyone is, that is the time for a true revolution but that time has not yet come, which means that our work is not complete and even considering the possibility of completion of such battles is a fantasy. the struggles will continue in the world we are trying to change and amongst ourselves. the important thing is that we continue to try and understand and resolve these differences expanding our consciousness and working towards a more humane, equitable society. Carol Auld, formerly of Thunder Bay and known as a freelance writer for Lakehead Living, now lives in Toronto where she is involved in a number of literary journals and attended the Fleck strike rally for Solidarity this past summer. THE TBBbE SETTING: a short story by Rosalyn Taylor Perrett had been away from home for only a short time, yet it was long enough to feel alien in a familiar land. The kitchen did look different even if the same peeling vinyl wallpaper was on the walls. It was the table, the rugged hardwood table partly concealed in a startled white cloth that had not seen before. Also new to me was Mum's best chinaware brought out only for guests, and the slender stemmed wine glasses proclaiming an occasion. was apprehensive about the formal way the vegetables were laid out around the perimeter of the turkey, steaming from their separate floral dishes. Even the gravy looked dignified, satin smooth in a slightly tarnished silver jug. Five minutes had gone by, long enough for me to heap my plate with everything going on the table; still Dad had not made a comment or a joke about my appearance or the fact that had taken a shower the minute had stepped inside the door. had a vision of Mum briefing him on the do's and don'ts when dealing with a daughter newly returned from the outside world. There must have been some apprehension on their part, seeing me again. Was she going to wear her personally initialled, horribly frayed jeans? When they came and picked me up at the airport, Mum was pleased to see that had tactfully worn my dressI I I I I I I pants. he's so self-reliant. Soft music was drifting in from the "Pass the peas," Jim muttered. front room accompanied by the almost "Don't you mean, pass the peas rhythmic clanging of our four separate please?" Mum insisted, passing the chose knives and forks on plates. peas. to look around to see this instant "Yeah, thanks." who had changed besides me. My brother "Your brother lost his apetite and was still my brother, eating in the found an elephant's." Dad chuckled same studious way, watching the carrot at his humour but no one else did. on his fork as though it were going "You really are a solemn bunch toto run away and do a dance next to night," he complained. gazed across the table the potatoes. Mum was searching for a way to furat my Dad, fascinated by the movements could see her gonish the silence; going on in his face as he tackled ing through a list of possibile questa tough piece of meat. It was then ions. Jim preferred the silences, warmthat he watched me watching him and ly referring to them as "pregnant said blandly, but truthfullypauses". He lit a cigarette, proud of "What's the matter with you, can't the grown up world you believe you're home or are you his initiation into signalled by the presence of his own haven't picked on wondering why As package of Rothmans on the table. you yet?" into the he drew in, his face puckered "I'm just looking around." workings of a manly frown; then he sat "I bet this is the first real meal back in his chair and blew perfectly you've had since you've been away round smoke rings. from home." Dad looked over his glasses at me, "Well, it is the first goog cookscrutinizing the expression on my ing I've tasted for a while." face. "Naturally, no one cooks like "I imagine you say more when you your mother." are in school." Mum smiled briefly; she was pick"She's just a bit overwhelmed with ing at her turkey and not saying much. the journey and being home for the had not landed in the hoped that first time since the summer," Mum reamidst of one of their frozen silences It was nice the way she could soned. which usually followed a fight. There all times. see the best in me at was a slight knotted look about her "Esther, why do you always come to forehead. Was she inwardly worried speak for her side? Why not let her lived at about something? When herself, okay?" was her major source of worhome ry: could she be focusing her Motherly concern on my brother? Not him, Northern Woman Journal Anniversary issue page 17 I I I I I I I I Cont'd Next Page PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �cont'd The Table Setting at us for not being there to hold hin back. "How about some chocolate cake?" "Uh yes please Mum." My mother the temptress cut an extra large slice for me. "Esther when are you going to stop encouraging her; you know what all that sweet stuff does to her com- said a lot in thought said, speaking for my- "Well, my letter," self. I I I "I'm never here to read your letters; that's your Mum's job." "Oh...Classes are going well, have a good timetable and a lot of time to study." "ummph." "My courses are all relatively interhave good instructors." esting and "That's all very nice but how are you fixed for money': Your mother says you've had a few problems with finances. Ofcourse, you never mention it to I plexion." I I I me." "I get a bit short sometimes but haven't been what you'd call broke." "I give you $150 a month and you can't live off that? What are you spending it on?" "Books, transportation, food and personal items." "Booze?" "No Dad!" Mum shook her head at Dad, Jim stifled a yawn, the kettle was gurgling I quietly. "Have you met any nice boys at school?" Mum asked. "Er- Esther, would you mind saving that for one of your coffee drinking gab sessions; I'm trying to get to the bottom of this." "I'm not spending it on anything heard my little voice shouldn't," simper. "Jim here is going into auto-mechanics; he'll make money instead of costing me money." intend to pay everything "Dad, felt my can." owe you as soon as voice quake a little as it always does when my person is under fire. "That's what they all say. I'm not doubting the value of a good education, but it does not necessarily imply that you are going to get a job as an end result. You'll probably get married and that will be it, your future in a boxy little suburban home with a husband and two little brats to look after." "I don't think you believe that." said stoutly, regaining some of my misplaced confidence.'!...and if you think that, why are you helpI I I I I I I ing me out ?" "I don't know, that is not the issue here." He always took the defensive when "Oh a little bit of what you like always does you good," Mum put in. watched his irritation grow, feed ing on itself like a fire waiting to knew that he would have burn out. to rage until he reached a helpless calm. Then he would get quiet and reflective as though he were replaying the incident in his mind. "I'm glad you enjoyed supper. That was about $3.00 right there, but that's okay, I'll give you a bill at the end of the week." "John, don't talk like that You know how she is fixed." "Don't get upset Esther; it's just another joke." Well, don't keep such a straight face when you joke then." "Oh Esther, you are as sensitive as she is." Mum poured the tea and passed it to us, declaring a truce. looked at the lovely, languid mixture and hoped it would calm my tangled nerves. It tumbled down my throat, gone before knew it and didn't remember to taste it. Dad was working out an invisible plan of attack; peering over the rim of his cup, he was ready to move in. was trying to build a wall, hoping his words woul bounce off it. Mum was playing referee not sure which side would start. waited but he did not move in There was no tension. He sighed, took a sip of tea, laid his flat on tl table. He was about to get up. Was he walking away? "With all my complaining, I'm still pretty proud of you. thought you should know, that's all." His words to me, filled the room and for a moment hung suspended. reached out to him with a gesture had given up for lost--I smiled. he was being hedged. The kettle on the stove simmered watckied to a high pitched whine. the steam shooting upwards and forming little droplets on the glossy, cracked ceiling above. Mum automatically got up, hushed its protests, made the tea and dropped a quilted The world cover over the tea-pot bias silent until Jim scraped his :hair, getting up. He would probably sit in front of the TV. My brother spent countless hours there, watching other people's conflicts. At least these got settled in the form of neat and tidy little Epilogues. Dad was cracking his knuckles reflectively. He never allowed himself for to completely relax; his need perfection in the things he did kept him feverishly moving onward. Sometimes he overdid things, like the time when Mum was out--He had been working in the garden. The grass was trimmed, the rosebushes were pruned, but he got restless and went over the grass one more time. The blade pierced too deeeply and exposed the lawn to the hot sun. Blazing tentacles beat down and left a trail of scabby brown patches. He was mad at himself and I . I I I I I I I I I Rosalyn Taylor Perrett is originally from England. She attended Lakehead University. Her poetry has appeared in numerous Ontario Journals including Dorothy Livesay's CVII. She has worked as a museum Assistant for Old Fort William Histoi±cal Project. Wastaand Hind dog Karen itatkedwithKaten Wen atmort a yean i'd changed in some ways, she in others she wea pnegadat stitt seatching, we temembeted the ofd times, discussed the neo. . in atteyoay amidst garbage and decay, zeaAthing thtough btawn bags, sniWng ovettutned cans, eating room the Aubtee. at man escape, on above the stinking teiuse, 111111111111111 Please Contribute thkaim empty jam, one tematk, takenJoith a smite, 4houtis hoUcw threats, a guardian o.6 thecoasteland. she would see women ztim in 4igute and think VioZa Godette. 'L t must be nice to be ab'e to tuck your shitt into yout jeans,' WE WOULD APPRECIATE POETRY, SHORT STORIES, DRAWINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY WOMEN OF ALL AGES TO APPEAR ON THIS PAGE. BRING THEM IN OR MAIL THEM TO 316 BAY STREET. INCLUDE A RETURN ADDRESS AND WE WILL GLADLY RETURN THE MATERIAL SAFELY TO YOU AFTER USE. VioZa Godetke 111111111111111= Northern Woman Journal Anniversary issue page 18 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �MERRY CHRISTMil Eve Pykerman and Noreen Lavoie. front row: from left: Penni Burell, Monika McNabb, Gert Beadle, Anne McColl and Doreen Boucher. Mts. Ceauze tooked anound at the muddte and ceutteA. Just 3 days untLe. Chnistmas and otd Nick in the guttvt She catted up the wives o6 the gnomes and the elves Saying , "CET THOSE GJYS MOVING THERE'S NAUG-IT ON THE SHELVES:" Said Satty, "My old man is 6tat on his back, He was getting quite kintay and id-e owt o6 the sack." Welt Joy she was owing with taughteA., you zee Cause hen man ono z e said going owt PA a pee.. Sarah was mad as ate hat get up, cause She found ha man. Gam smoking up a ttee Gana said Randy had gone rather gay, He was out tromping and skipping with Rhoda's man Jay. Ceaws in disgust with the whote mate /Lace Stitt heft that bon Xnas she must tAy and save pace, So she nailied hen sisters aAaand ha with a speech "Those stupid otd gnomes a lesson we'te teach" She went dcwn to tanpavet and got otd Saint Nick's job HuAnied back home and 6-i red the zZob, She gave. ate the women the tobts oi the trade Announcing each wonkeA_ wou,ed be eqauity paid, YE - 60rs women who neatey want iIto get into the Chnistmas spun 4--/Everyone is invited to WOMEN'S PLACE / 316 Bay St/Lea, 'Decembers 21. The an gets undeAway atcten wank (say about Sisk) THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL ENTERTAINXEN - PRESENTATION that you won't want /amiss. Theyhammened and sawed, they painted and patished, They cut and they sex ed tee the wank was demo/ fished, They 6ified every order son, *az day..and packed, Ave. boxes on Santa's b-La steigh, They made the detiveAiesj ate down the -tine Even statted the peans pit, the veny next time. The gnomes and the eves and Santa Ceaws too are stite wondening what hit them PLOM out o6 the btue But Ws. Ceaus smited gA,{:Inty pn she very wee knau This was just the beginning o6 the equae /tights move.. Eon 6uAthe_it. inPAInation cate 345-5841) ADMISSION $2.00 MPH NEW YEE Northern Woman Journal, Anniversary issue page 19 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �THE CONFEDERATION COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY THUNDER BAY DISTRICT WINTER PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN GS 225 Women's Programs provides a variety of programs ZW 006 SOCIOLOGY OF SEX ROLES designed for women of all ages, married or single, in the FINANCIAL PLANNING SEMINAR FOR WOMEN stereotypes based on sex and relates how each of us is direction or just wanting to know what other women are affected in some way by these. thinking and feeling. There are no prerequisites. Forget 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 17 to April 25. about what your educational background is FEE or is$30.00 not. Come and learn, grow as individuals. In response to a programming recommendation put forth by the participants of the recent conference, Life Begins at 40, Women's Programs is pleased to offer a Financial Planning Seminar for Women. The seminar will address itself to such questions as: 1. Is RRSP really for you? 2. When do you need insurance both life and disability? 3. What are the four corner stones of financial planning? 4. What are the pros and cons of life annunity? A creditin elective business world or at home, looking for a change which reviews the assumptions and PART I - INTRODUCTION GS 219 WOMEN MAKE MOVIES THE NEW WOMAN & NUTRITION Can you recall one film you have seen that was directed by a -Eat properly and you'll feel better." Explore how the health of woman? The most popular image of the great director is male. today's woman is affected by nutrition. But women have been directing films since 1896. For a What are some common nutritional diseases that women are change, view over 35 films made by women. refreshing susceptible to? Included are feature, short, documentary, and animated films. How can your method of contraception affect your WOMEN nutritionalMAKE MOVIES is for everyone. It offers prize-winning status? international films to encourage a critical interest in the What. are some common misconceptions about influence food withof women on filmmaking. Some of the titles include respect to nutrition? Lina Wertmuller's "Love and Anarchy", Shirley MacLaine's Come share your experience and knowledge of nutrition a Half Of The Sky: A China Memoir", and Judy "Thewith Other group of concerned women. We will all grow! Collin's "Antonia: Portrait Of The Woman." 7-10 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 23 to March 20. 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 9 to April 17. ZW 001 FEE $15.00 FEE $20 In addition, money management, a look at successful spending saving and investment will be explored. Come and learn, it's your money! 7-10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19 9-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. FEE $15 includes Saturday lunch. ZW 007 WOMEN AND STRESS SEMINAR This weekend experiential program is designed to help women learn how to recognize adverse stress factors in their lives, and how to defuse destructive stresses. Each 'participant will be encouraged to "try on" some proven techniques to deal with CREDIT OR NON CREDIT. ZW 009 LIFESTYLE: SOLO A lecture series designed specifically for women who are single, divorced, separated or widowed. Lecture topics will include: Pack Your Own Chute Human Sexuality and/or alleviate her own stresses through biofeedback, INTRODUCTION TO NON-TRADITIONAL OCCUPATIONS relaxation and positive imaging, and through the develoment of wellness-oriented abits. creat7-10 ive, holistic Have you been thinking of getting back into the world of paid employment? Have you been thinking of some of the more -Women as Persons Women & Pensions (Widowhood) Focus on Change - Education/Employment Planning for Fun 7:30 - 9:30 Mondays, Jan. 22 to Feb. 26. NO ADMISSION FEE/ ALL WOMEN WELCOME ZW 010 APPRECIATING WOMEN ARTISTS A new kind of art history - one which seeks out women's work. Through a visual presentation utilizing 360 unique slides featuring the exceptional abilities of women artists from the early middle ages to the 20th Century, students will be introduced to the long-ignored perspectives of women. 7-9 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 25 to March 22. p.m. Friday, , Feb. . 9 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Feb. 10. -unusual" jobs that might be available? if seTth46-coutd-ttethe- E $15 course for you. Manpower is sponsoring, through ConfederaZW 008 tion College, and 8-week course for people who wish to seek EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN SEMINAR Two professional educators from Centennial College specializing in Women's Studies will present a one day seminar on: members of the "opposite sex." This course is designed to help 1. Post Secondary Courses & Components students: 2. Approaching Affirmative Action 1. Assess their own skills 3. Develop their job search techniques 2. Determine own skills The morning session will be of particular interest to all 4. Provide four weeks on-the-job training educators. The afternoon session is geared for persons The student will choose, with the help from the instructor, working in the area of personnel and affirmative action reprewhere this training will take place. The next course will begin in sentatives for the various ministries and agencies. January. For information call 577-5751, Ext. 353. To register 9 a.m. - 12 noon and 1-4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16. FEE NO CHARGE: REGISTER BY MAIL OR PHONE BEFORE contact your local Canada Manpower Employment counsellor JAN. 30/79. at 344-6601 or 623-2731. FEE $25.00 REGISTRATION IN PERSON AT THE COLLEGE IS PREFERRED. IF THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE, PAYMENT IN FULL (NO CASH) INCLUDED WITH THE REGISTRATION FORM WILL BE ACCEPTED. CLOSE FOR MAIL REGISTRATION IS JANUARY 5, 1979 SENIOR CITIZENS AGE 60 OR OVER, UPON PROOF OF AGE MAY REGISTER FOR ANY SUBJECT AT THE COLLEGE FOR A TUITION FEE OF $5.00 PLUS ANY LABORATORY FEE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MOPE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: CONFEDERATION COLLEGE - 577-5751, EXT.353 PLEASE REGISTER ME FOR THE Ozw 001 0 ZW 009 0 ZW 010 0 ZW 350 0 GS 225 0 GS 219 OZW 006 0 ZW 007 OZW 008 My cheque for MAKE CHEQUE PAYABLE TO CONFEDERATION COLLEGE 4N MAIL TO: is enclosed. NAME SOCIAL INSURANCE NUMBER ADDRESS REGISTRAR'S OFFICE, CONFEDERATION COLLEGE, BOX 398, STATION F, CITY THUNDER BAY P7C 4W1 POSTAL CODE PLEASE CHECK 0 OVER 19 0 OVER 65 PHONE (Bus) (Res) Refund of fees will only be made should insufficient enrollment force cancellation. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �110 Cools NOW NW Ekdk third En nontwo troisikno dam demos 220 RETURN TO: THE NORTHERN WOMAN 316 BAY ST. THUNDER BAY P, ONT. Return Postage Guaranteed 11111=1=1111111111111111111111 INSIDE: Happy Birthday Flashback....starts on page 3. The women's movement in Canada Tara cuts an album page 15 page 9 Remember the strike at the FLECK PLANT in Southern Ontario? Carol Auld does page 17 A short story by Rosalyn Taylor Perrett page 17 YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS DUE HAVE YOU MOVED??? PLEASE LET US KNOW BY CALLING (807) 345-5841. We must pay return postage to keep up our mailing list. Subscribe: PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 4 No 6 Description An account of the resource Vol. 4, No. 6 (December-January 1978-79) Title: Northern Woman Journal *5th anniversary issue Topics include: Commemoration of past 5 years of women’s movement in Thunder Bay Patriarchy & the oppression of men Letters to the editor The Northern Women’s Centre (past 5 years) The Northern Woman Journal (past 5 years) Rape & Sexual Assault in Thunder Bay Crisis Housing Women’s programs Thunder Bay Royal Commission on the Status of Women Northwestern Ontario International Women’s Decade Co-ordinating Council Women in music: Tara Books at the Northern Women’s Centre Magnus Theatre Women’s film festival Gendered division of labour First woman mayor Thunder Bay (Dusty Miller) Unemployment insurance cuts Year of the Child Bill C-52 to amend the criminal code for rape cases Suffrage & voting Short story: The Table Setting Poetry Winter programs for women at Confederation College Applied Arts & Technology Authors/Contributors: Gert Beadle J. Halonen R. Farrell V. Boileau I. Jarrett L.D. Conger B. Reimer Laurie Hill Brenda Cryderman Elaine Lynch Penni Burrell Joyce Michalchuk Carol Auld Rosalyn Taylor Perrett Viola Goderre Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1978-12 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2755/1979_Vol_5_No_1.pdf a32a4983c8e3a1446b9bf7f74da7d9a8 PDF Text Text (743 orilon FEBRUARY- MARCH 1979 50 0/ VOL. 5 NO.1 j 411111111111111111111% oman ourn cir PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �EDITORIAL, Women are up to a lot these days, as they gradually infiltrate the business world to become more and more the rule rather than the exception. This issue concentrates on many things. Rosalyn Taylor-Perrett talks to a self-made women, Lauretta Johnson who made it in the business world in the old days. We talk with an artist who is just beginning to see her work as a source of income, ON OUR COVER SiApa K6hop ekeated this beau,ti, 6we coven iettusttation i2a commegr °nate the Intennationae Yearn of the Child. S,ucpa was born in Fintand but raw Zivez in Thundet Bay. S he mo6tty doe ate tvoiLk 4c,A. hen Priend4. Hen itewsttationis appear in SALT AND YEAST. creasingly more visible, and almost Broadening our scope a little, this commonplace, in the world around us. Wha issue takes a look at what women it indicates is that a lot of speaking in Canada have of the Asian culture out and serious thought is resulting in to say about feminism and how it relates irreversable changes. Hopefully to their own experiences. It is time for some we will all be affected for the better us to recognize the unique battles by the best of these changes. of other women that are related to This year, 1979 has been declared the many years of an even more oppressive International Year of the Child. To culture and tradition than that which herald this commemorative year in prevails in North America. Are they new feature a this issue we introduce perhaps victims of a sexism that is entitled OUR CORNER which is for young a result of a racism that we ourwomen...i.e. well under 20. We decided selves feel and perpetuate. that this issue might also be a good It has been mentioned to us by one in which to recall an idealized readers and perusers of the Journal set of rights for the child...rights that women learn and benefit most through which might become formalized if the w exposure to the experience and ideas Year of the Child is successful. of other women. So perhaps it is time to focus on those very things by profiling diverse women in the pages of our paper. Women are doing. That is becoming in GERT'S GOSPEh The movement has the blahs! From the east coast to the west the spirit sags and we are left wondering if this crazy current we are so firmly plunged into is a madness that will pass. Are we solid? Are we committed? Do we believe we are a part of something that will last a thousand years? If we believe that what arrogance permits us the luxury of supposing, all our passion and fire will count for nothing unless it is our generation that turns the world around. What immature foolishness is it that drives us to make martyrs of ourselves for us end up snivelling because nobody recognized how allseeing and all-knowing we were. A poet said, "I've tasted every vine. The last was like the first. And yet I've found no wine, as wonderful as thirst." We are in the business of creating a thirst. But God help us if we imagine our role is perfecting the formula that will quench that thirst. We thirst for the reality of all we are. The true survivors of the planet. To come this far in history without being persuaded that we are invincible It must be is ludicrous to imagine. that we have the wit and intelligence to say what must be said, or to do what must be done. To be depressed because we haven't the sense of humour to view the scope of human response with all the grace of a winner is clearly a failing reserved for children. We owe blind allegiance to nc one or nothing. The term sisterhood does indeed call for some new code of ethics. If it did no more than recognize the diversity of the human capacity to think, it would solve a problem in communication. Self-interest makes us users and self-awareness recognizes how easily we fall into that trap. EVERY SYSTEM LIVES TO BE CHALLENGED, EVERY ATTITUDE TO BE EXAMINED. As feminists we are half the way there if would only realize this principle. The commonality of women is such a gut thing. The amount of time we spend proving our differences, hanging our guilt trips on somebody else is such a waste of precious time and energy that it is sure to do us may be accused of not facing all in. reality, but my response is that I I ient for our time. We can hide in a have faced it, stepped over it and dismissed it. cave or stand in the storm and enjoy the lightning. The times call for If my code of ethics is rooted in a total risk. Every route is worth my desire to bring the best possible coesidering that does not challenge committment to the movement, it is the core of individual integrity. not for duty's sake, please God, but Without that strong personal committmer for sheer love and gratitude for what to honour and self-discipline, we it revealed in me to me. Class means have nothing to offer. We have a resnothing to me. A feminist is in a class by herself. I've worked for love and ponsibility to study the history of I've worked for money and I've worked women and movements to be productive would recommend for pure pleasure. in the cause, to stand against presall three. People who think that sure inside and outside the circle. their justification for existence is Sometimes the feminist press itself pontification should never be taken is oppressive. It reeks of bleeding seriously neither by themselves or egos, and weary footsoldiers slogging by others. We perpetuate the class systhrough the mud, laying their tattem even in our small circles...the tered bodies on some man-made cross. doers doing and the deciders deciding No sense of humour, no light at the what they would have done differently end of the tunnel, no upward moveIf they hadn't been too busy with their ment of the spirit, just fuel for a own little world to do what the doers fire that they haven't yet decided did. It's a minor irritation, hardly what to do with. We are being led by the defeated, worth confrontation. Women riding on the backs of other tutored by the frustrated, and coopted by the powerful. But we whose women is a present threat. No true feminist would do it. No true feminist feet were bound for a thousand years whose genitalia is still being mutwould allow it. Rather than deal with ilated, whose bodies are sold and these truths, we cry "foul" and "butt whose minds have been stifled, have out" and sow disillusion in the whole movement. We have miles to go and a thirst to open this can of worms mountains to climb, We haven't time that civilization has kept a lid on. to hold a funeral service for every Are we like Pandora's box,filled how with dark dangerous things? Or are stone in the road, no matter to our own surprise, tougher much we enjoy the mourning ritual. we its than we knew, stronger than we supIn the foulest days of slavery, posed, more intelligent than we victims sang, "Some day, some day, from the dreamed. Will we find that when we we shall be released," up have thrown the garbage out, there gut and the bone they believed it. is enough love to build that woman The will to survive is rooted in the oppressed. The thirst is established of tomorrow ? Polarization is the act of an if it finds its first expression in uncontrolled fury; even if that fury immature person. Honest confrontatit is productive.. ion is exhilarating and God knows is di-rected inward, tell you need the practice.The movement is An old farmer like me will blueberries is bigger than any of us and that may that the best crop of be precisely where the difficulty lies found on burned over muskeg. It may never be full blown until we We are not the movement, whatever speak from the importance we attach to oursleves. are full grown. grass roots as one who never knew We are a small vanguard, lifting a had privprivilege and whom, if few lids, stirring a few pots, loosing (mainly from our own ankles) ilage today would give it away. It a few chains road to my would be a stone in the weighing a few alternatives, dabbling personal development. Two things we with political philosophy (man-made), alive and not have to learn. We are wild to give birth (without labour forever. To be fully alive one must pains ofcourse) and refusing to be impregnated with any idea but our be stimulated physically, mentally and spiritually. This movement has own. provided me with all three. It will Now for the good news. We are the live. a necessary ingred- not die while hope of the future I , I I . , I Northern Woman Journal, page 2 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Local committee fights sex role stereotyping by Monika McNabb had to fight to Six years ago visit my child's classroom and when suggested at a parent-teacher meeting that we look at sex-role stereotyping in textbooks, faces of "what are you talking about" stared back at me. Affirmative action in this area has been a long time coming and today we have the Lakehead Board of Education Committee on Sex-Role Stereotyping am a member as a of which representative of the Women's Centre The other members are involved in the educational field and the primary goal is to raise the awareness of educators regarding The Ministry the problem of sexism. of Education has issued a Resource Guide on Sex-Role Stereotyping and Women's Studies for teachers which includes suggestions, units of study and resource lists. To implement this guide, the following suggestions were made at the Sex-Role Stereotyping and Women's Study Conference held *ast September in Toronto: - encourage the regional Ministry to implement the guide by such means as a) discussion of guide with administration and Principals b) helping implement a course of studies at the Faculty of Education - inservice training for principals and teachers to raise the level of awareness in this area - Principals should be encouraged to include elimination of sex-role stereotyping in the schools in their -,177*#mm*mm000w goal-package - curriculum developed for the Lakehead Board should be reviewed for bias - the sex-role stereotyping committee of the Board of Education should continue to provide a team to go to schools for in-service workshops on P.A. days, and Principals should be made aware of this service. To date, the Committee has developed a presentation for Principals which can be given to I I I other groups as well. This includes the film "He and She" (delineates SRS) and how it relates to our concerns, statistics on women in the work force, single male parenting, giving examples and positive ideas on things that must be changed and a display of supportive material. Part of this display is a "trunk" of non-sexist learning material which can be circulated to schools. We have also previewed a film on Careers which is intended to be shown to children from grades 7-10. The Committee found the film to be heavily biased and decided to reject it. Letters were sent to individuals concerned with the production of it BRIEFS MAIDEN NAME Whether you are married, separated or divorced, you can change to your maiden name by the following: -take your birth certificate to Manpower or UIC office and ask for a Social Insurance Change of Name form. The person in the office will take your sworn oath that you are who you say you are. If there is no one in the office (i.e. at noon time) go to the Ministry of Northern Affairs on the corner of Donald & May Street. No charge of any kind is as well as to members of the Board of Education indicating that the film is not appropriate and should not be shown in schools. If you are concerned about this aspect of your child's education here are several things you can do find out what your child is reading and learning in school; make sure your child is being given open, nonbiased career counselling; make the next book you buy or borrow role free. Reading lists, articles, short stories, books and career counselling material are available in the Resource Library at Women's Centre. Why not use them? up a permanent residence for women who have been raped, sexually assaulted, and battered. They will also serve abused children. A questionnaire will be distributed to areas in their city, similar to the study conducted by the Women in Transition Project in Thunder Bay. It is great to centres being establsihed in the smaller communities such as Kenora, where there usually is a high incidence of rape and battering. Congratulations to Rossalyn, Diane and Diane. Eve and the Rape Crisis Collective involved. -this form is sent to Ottawa and when it is returned VOILA! Now to change your driver's license. Take the form and your birth certificate to the Department of Transport and tell them you have reverted to your maiden name and they will take it from there. If you want your name changed completely, this is another story and must be done through the courts and the Change of Name Act. Information provided by Donna Phoenix Recently on a visit to Kenora dropped into the Crisis Centre for Women. Three women have been hired under a Canada Works Project to set I The Resource Library now has a collection of 248 books with a couple of new ones on order which deal with sexual harassment and menstruation. We regularly receive 24 periodicals and magazines of interest to a variety of tastes including Akewesasne Notes, Gay Tide, Information - Status of Women, Kinesis, Pandora, Upstream, feminist newsletters from across the country, Perception (social commentary) and our latest is the always informative, interesting and funny New Woman. Reading, learning, growing is good self therapy. Take a positive step down to 316 Bay today! UTTERS Hi Everyone, Please renew my subscription to the Northern Woman Journal. Keep the change. wish it could be much, much more. enjoy reading your paper from the first to the last word. Have enclosed some Dryden Observer clippings and an interesting story that you might be able to use in the Journal or post on the bulletin board. Thanks so much for all of your concern in regards to women. Wishing you more and more success with the Journal. May it grow and reach more and more women. Can't wait for the next issue. Sincerely, Kathy Gunderson. Thank4 Kathy. Ut apwteciate it. I I Hello and best wishes for '79 from Kenora: became aware of your newspaper came to Kenora two months when ago and truly enjoyed the editorials, articles, letters and poetry...I am not fully aware of the struggle I I women have been and are experiencing but your newspaper helped open my eyes to a lot more wrongs within our society. Thanks. Hopefully, when everyone begins to realize that we are all people; living, working, fighting and struggling within the same sphere--then maybe we can all live, work, fight and struggle together for the comfeel that mon good. Until that time, that it is folks like yourselves who help to bring us closer to that point in space. Your efforts are appreciated and admired. Your brother, Brian Beaton I Editors, Northern Woman Journal, Thank you for "Once Upon a NonPerson". The article made me more aware (or, to use the jargon, heightened my consciousness) of people in this country who have done significant work in the movement for the rights and dignity of Canadian women and, as you intended for the reader, made me feel very proud of how far back in time the history (or, if you I)110:1 tiotA Think? 1.1JAITe! want to pun it, the "herstory") of this movement's activities goes. A clear, but brief outline such as you have presented backgrounding the women's movement in this country is very useful. It sounds glib, but it is true; with rights go, responsibilities. would very much like to see an article on the responsibilities of people who consider themselves feminists. mean a memBy the term "feminist" ber or supporter of the women's movement. Judith Petch. I I Northern Woman Journal page 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �known ONE WOMIIN'S WRY Ontario. Lauretta and Ray had a by Rosalyn Taylor Perrett how some men would try to bait her by showing her manager for Investors Syndicate Limited. She traditionally been done by men. They handled these jobs efficiently and found them enjoyable. teaches product development for this branch and called assist in various departments such strange metal part in his Lauretta presently Johnson is district a occasionally teaches Financial Planning and Investment courses for Confederation College. Lauretta laughs at her many early ventures into business when, as a small girl on the Prairies, she parlayed her weekly allowance of 25C into 75C or more by investing in a box of fifty .22 shells and shooting crows and gophers for the govern- ment bounty of 2C each. She became such a little "Annie Oakley" that by about age 14, the local Sergeant at Arms sometimes invited her to shoot at the local Armoury to encourage the soldiers. Lauretta attended business college in Brandon, Manitoba during the depression. At that time she spent half a day in class and the rest of the day working. Her first full time job was as a general office worker for Gillis & Warren Limited, one of Canada's largest automotive and Lauretta was often to on as shipping, purchasing, cataloguing, costing, counter sales, inventory control, etc. She was fascinated with every aspect of the business. She often saw where improvements could be made and was allowed to institute changes. In the Autumn of 1944, Lauretta's husband was killed. Since he was an only child, Lauretta gave his life insurance to his aging parents. She lost interest in managing the Goodyear warehouse and didn't see any future in working so hard when she no longer had a goal. When the war ended and her sister's and her friend's husbands were returning from overseas, Lauretta felt a desparate need to get away from Brandon. A man from Los Angeles, by the name of Potter, had been courting her. He had Ray been travelling into Canada representing the Industrial Wholesale Lincoln Engineering $45. a month which, she Missouri. Lauretta mar- Louis, Distributors. She received Company assured me, went a lot further in those days. She ried him. Ray's job kept him constantly travelling into Montana, North office manager and Credit Dakota, time to keep the books for accompanied him on worked her way up to Manager and also found two service stations. At that time, Gillis & Warren were distributing tires for Goodyear. When they decided that lack of warehouse space necessitated the discontinuation of tires, Goodyear had to make other arrangements. It was then that Lauretta wrote to Goodyear to say that she had experience in this field and was highly qualified. after, Soon took she charge of the Goodyear tire warehousing for Western Manitoba. It is interesting to note that she got the job because Goodyear had mistakenly thought she was a boy. "My job as manager came about because when I applied, I simply signed my name L. Warren. The manager of Goodyear knew my father and assumed that I was a boy," she explained. "It was quite a blow when he visited the warehouse and saw that a twenty year old girl was managing the distribution of tires, many of which were large tractor tires." Lauretta was married during the war to Charles Willis. He was an artist who became a Major in the army. He was posted overseas only five days after their wedding. While he was away , she worked hard earning as much as possible to help them get started when he came home. During the war years, to a tremendous shortage of male wcrkers, many women were hired to fill jobs that had due of St. a part and asking her to identify it. One day, one of them came in with a greasy hand. With a smirk he asked her what it was. Feeling quite irritable at the time, Lauretta replied briskly "It looks like a metal ars hole for a teddy bear." He was quite stunned but it did put an end to the baiting of the woman Automotive and Industrial Distributor. On another occasion after Potter and Kerr had opebed a Chain Saw Distribution Store, Lauretta, wearing old clothes had gone to the store to check the stock and sort things out. While working in the back repair section where it was cold and dirty, a man overheard her speaking to a cutter about purchasing a load of wood. He sidled up to her and putting his arm around her, said quietly, "You shouldn't be working in such a dirty place dear, I can get you a much better job as a chambermaid." Lauretta never let on who she was. Some time later, while sitting in her glassed-in office, she saw the same man come in to the showroom. He noticed her and spoke to one of the countermen who obvious- Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Lauretta ly told him who she was. He turned several shades of red and left in a hurry. business trips. It soon became evident that up the operation of the business in spite of the these Ray was chronic a alcoholic. Lauretta felt that if they could settle down somewhere and send down roots, she might be able to help him overcome his alcoholism. It was a lot of fun setting fact that the old building was so cold heating system and the so bad wear practically everything she owned to keep warm. Lauretta had to While Morley was Since the automotive business was the one she knew best, Lauretta began to do research for the best area in which to start, and technically in charge of the bookkeeping, Ray the Thunder Bay. While still shelves started. finally decided out on west, Lauretta contacted various factories, lining up the distribution of such lines as Spark Plugs, Friction Materials, Rubber Products, Engine replace- ment parts, Storage Batteries, Welding Eqip- ment, Tools, and many other lines. She persuaded her who had been in banking, to join Morley Kerr, the Company. Unable to locate a warehouse, their business "Potter & Kerr Limited" began in a small run-down building that now houses the Co-Op Book Store. Previously this building had been used for a Restaurant and evidently bootlegging and prostitution. Working late at night setting up shelving, putting away stock, etc. they were often visited by police, who were suspicious that something illegal must be going on. Men were fascinated seeing a woman in this type of business. Lauretta recounted two funny incidents. She noticed respected and throughout Northwestern selling and Lauretta the purchasing and general warehouse management, all had to pitch in to get up and things work care to for her children for a while but she remained on the Board of Directors and was always available for consultation. Ray never recovered from his alcoholism in spite of treatment. Lauretta divorced him, he was paid his full equity in business and he left for the States. Morley and Lauretta continued to carry on. In 1960, Lauretta decided to re-marry and move away. A good offer for the business and it was sold. Later on it was aquired by Acklands. After her marriage, received was Lauretta and her family to moved Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The marriage did not work out. As Lauretta worded it, "His greatest occupational hazard was getting his fingers broken if closed my purse too fast." I Lauretta divorced him and brought her family back to Thunder Bay. Since then, she has worked for Investors Syndicate as a salesperson. When she first joined the company, she was the only woman in a salesforce of over 700 men. Quite a number of woman have joined the Street which used to get so cold that when they came home at night and read the daily newspaper they afterwards stuffed it around the windows to keep the draft out. But it wasn't long before the business got off the ground. They had begun with only $12,000 capital and the gross sales for the first year amounted to approximately $80,000. Within a few years gross sales had reached over a million dollars annually and the company employed twenty-four people. Branches were opened in Fort William, Atikokan and Geraldton. A chainsaw store was also opened. Later, a new building was purchased on Memorial and the Port Arthur and Fort William branches were amal- agreements must be strictly honoured and only the finest products available should be handled. Lauretta has achieved a good many firsts. Not many women become managers at the tender age of twenty, especially in an area that is still predominantly male. When asked why it is that so many women stay with traditionally female occupations and don't venture out, she felt that the biggest barrier women from their owri hesitation. To quote face is Lauretta, "The meek do not inherit the earth, they come last." She believes that women have a great deal more ability than they give themselves credit for. Lauretta's father did not believe in a stereo-typed job-world. He was closer to the old pioneer stock where the women stood shoulder to shoulder with the men and there was no discrimination. They didn't dare discriminate, they couldn't have managed without women. Lauretta admits the that earlier on in her life she Terrace She has more respect for When reviewing Lau- sciously aware of them- Geraldton, Longiac, Schreiber and Bay. retta's career in business it becomes clearly evident that there is a driving force behind this sequence of events. Lauretta's success was not luck, it was years found women quite boring, they were always talking about their kids. women who are con- selves as individuals. She finds herself interested in vital issues for women e.g. equal pay for equal work. She is also concerned about the number of Not women in the job world incidental but planned. The war years had proven to be a testing ground for not be part of a pension plan. Generally she hard work. of women to find out what they were into a capable of. Lauretta did not stumble career in the business, she chose it. "My father was in this of work. He was line Warren of Gillis & Warren Limited. In a family of four girls, there is always one who is father's boy. My family did adopt a boy when I was about twelve but I was always a pal of my dad." The other reason why Lauretta chose this line of work was that she loved every aspect of it. When she defined "success" and the meaning it held for her, she felt that it is necessary to love a career so much it no longer is work. She stipulated that it is important to have a clearly defined goal. "If you have to walk barefoot behind a plough, keep in mind that you are going to own the farm." She does not believe success is easily won. There is a lot of sacrifice and a lot of work involved but also a lot of gamated under one roof. Many more lines of joy. merchandise had been added and much of it was arriving by the carload. mobility of success, The Company was well- log cabin, he was Company since that time. Lauretta's work takes her to Dryden, Sious Lookout, Automotive & Industrial Lauretta and Ray rented an attic room on Waverley Avenue baby boy in 1947 and in 1956 they adopted a six year old girl. Lauretta left in a famous because he had enough brains to get the hell out." To achieve success in business one must be scrupulously honest and offer first-class service says Lauretta. Business Another quote who, when they retire, will notices that men are becoming increasingly cautious since the onset of the women's movement. She scarcely noticed any discrimination during her career but now she is aware that men consciously measure their words to avoid being accused of discrimination. Lauretta, now past sixty, has no plans to retire. Currently she is studying to obtain her degree as a Chartered Financial Planner. Her son. 15 presently taking time off from University where he has been working on his Ph.D. Her daughter is married and Lauretta looks forward to becoming a grandmother in the Spring. Lauretta's children are no longer living at home, but she has a boy living with her whom she supports. He comes from Borneo and is in Canada to further his education. Lauretta, who has a great sense of humour, enjoys telling her friends that he comes from the Iban tribe, who until recent years Lauretta is fond of using, which personifies the were head-hunters. She "Abraham Lincoln wasn't famous because he lived they say 'so long, don't says, "My friends don't say 'good-bye' anymore, lose your head.'" Northern Woman Journal, page 4 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Somewhat of a recluse, Gayle's ambition now is to go to art school in Toronto; not for ideas, she stresses, just to broaden the scope of her tech- MT FOR ART'S SEE and in natural settings---or two women that are part of the same women- to reflect a dual personality that feel exists. Men don't interest me as subjects. guess because feel that woman is the total--you know-- back to the womb kind of thing. put them in natural settings because identify women with nature." Her work is original. One thing she has never been able to do is copy. Yet at one time in her career, another local artist accused her of doing just that: copying. "About three years ago, a friend encouraged me to do something with my work, so decided would go to see 'someone capable of giving me a critical evaluation. I've always liked criticism, whether it's negative or positive. don't mind just so long as it isn't a neutral reaction. This woman who went to see was an artist herself. She was very snippy with me. She looked at the pictures and said,"What graphics mag azine did you copy these out of? They will never sell in Thunder Bay. The people around here like pictures of the Sleeping Giant." was crushed." As a result, Gayle made her work private again. Only recently,friends in Taos, New Mexico, a small but nevertheless thriving arts centre, took about 25 paintings for display there. He work is striking, indicating a very definite style. Each picture has a great amount of detail, some certainly taking hours just to complete the shading. All of her renderings, both of nature and I I I I I I I I I by elaine lynch nique. "I don't feel that I'm going anywhere here in Thunder Bay." It's not the social life she misses "I tend to stay to myself. don't join groups, women's clubs or go to PTA meetings. figure that teachers, like all of us, have their jobs and th they should, be left to do them as they know best." "I've never joined the formal women movement," she adds. "There's too rrich pressuring that goes on in those circl, You're not free to have your own thoug basically read what everyone has to sit bask and form my say and then don't believe in a own opinions. lot of things that the women's movemen think in some ways that has done. they are spoiling it for themselves." Even though she is a recluse, Gayle has been convinced that late spring would be a good time for a formal show ing of her work here in Thunder Bay. "I probably won't show up when it happens, though," she cringes. "Basically I'm a very shy person. But will certainly be dying to find out what people's opinions are. Really don't have much confidence. If it hadn't been for the encouragement of friends, never would have bothered," she I I I I I I Gayle Chapple is a woman in her thirties who has been through a lot: 2-divorces, learning to be independant, the births of her 3 children, and moves from Thunder Bay to Toronto, to Winnipeg, Edmonton, New Mexico and back to Thunder Bay again. Through it all her desire to create says. works of art has survived. Fortunately, quite a few people Gayle has never really perceived who have seen Gayle's work think that herself as the kind of artist who has she has a lot to offer the art world. something to sell to the world. She But even if her pictures are not a pro. began drawing as a child in Thunder fit making venture, the will keep on Bay. But parental pressure steered doing them. It's as necessary to her her away from making art a career. as breathing. "My parents always encouraged 40,111011"'women are beautiful and ornate. She guess I'm is attentive to sharp and minute detail me a great deal. But and also has a sense of flamboyance, just naturally a rebellious person. occasionally using gold paint. didn't go in for art in school," Apart from a few brief steps forward, she explains sitting in the living To people who repected the ConGayle has never actively marketed her room of her huge 1914 landmark home. federation College Support Staff But her surroundings reflect an artist's work. She has illustrated the Indian for picket line which was made up Act for the Ontario Native Women's Assoctemperament. The unique decor and the most part, of secretaries and iation and did work for a now defunct bits of paraphernalia communicate female kitchen workers. local native clothing business. Other a strong sense of design. than this, she expresses her aesthetics After highschool, Gayle studied in the window fronts of local clothing nursing. She didn't like the professtores. Right now, she says, she is a sion. So she went to Toronto to study To a locally run florist...that little tired of window dressing and would modelling and hairdressing. There she is owned and managed by a woman, for like to devote all her time to art work, met her first husband with whom she an advertisement that the Northern "I've spent the last ten years learnhad 3 children now ages 12, 11 and 6. Women's Credit Union received in the ing," '!she explains; "I guess learning Again her career was unsatisfying. Christmas.Even thougl to be independant. After my first marriage, mail just before She became divorced. At some point the letter is sent by women to women learned that really didn't need a man. she returned to Thunder Bay. Looking the following excerpt reads: could manage quite well on my own with for work, she responded to an ad At times the giving becomes a my children. My second marriage was that would eventually take her to major problem to the busy executive. hardly a marriage. was on my own most Winnipeg to become a window dresser Along with all the extra work that the of the time. As a result my children have (her present profession). Since that season brings, he has to contend learned to become very independant as time she has lived in Edmonton and with the problem of what he is gowell." Taos, New Mexico. Once again she is ing to give and where he is going At one time Gayle was surprised at how --.in Thunder Bay. to get it. After all, his employees easily her three children adapted. During all of this, she entered her and clients are very special people second marriage which also ended in "This is the first time that they and he needs a gift that will show have been in a school for 2 years straight. divorce. his appreciation of their services They moved with me, made their own lunchThroughout all her experiences, to him during the past year.... es since they were about 5 or 6 and they and all her different roles. Gayle And so on... Do you see our point? have always been very accepting of new perceived herself first as an artist. peeple around them." "I've always worked to relax. Presently Gayle shares her large use pen and ink, acrylics home with her children and 3 boarders. Primarily and currently, watercolours. When feel the impulse to work- "We all kind of fe4l into this On Thursday, February 15 at house. We get along well and take whether it be in the middle of the 8:00 pm, the Women's Centre is care of each other. This is a very onight--I get up and do it," she says. pleased to have Dr. Pat Wales, pen household. It's not that there is Gayle has never had the confidence Chiropractor, as guest speaker no discipline," she says looking at to go public. Her work, which usually on NUTRITION AND CHIROPRACTIC her son, who has just arrived home from centres on the themes of women and AS IT RELATES TO STRESS. school but has not inhibited the flow nature has long been the object of Try to attend this informative of conversation. "We talk about things friends' admiration. Some have been evening just for the health of openly...when were in the mood," she her customers. it! laughs. "I have always drawn women...alone I I I I I THUNDERCLAP I , THUNDERBOLT I I I I Thursday night I PrOgraMMing I Northern Woman Journal, page 5 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �TAXATION UNTANGLED or, CHALK UP ANTE dismay...pension, UI...Health Ins., and then the biggest bit of all- Taxation. And as you wondered where all that money goes you may have had your first labour force insight. There are two main reasons for reprinted from the Advisory Council on the Status of Women's THE PERSON PAPERS HAVE YOU EVER FILED AN INCOME TAX RETURN? Filing an income tax return does not seem to have achieved the importance it deserves. In itself, it is a rather tedious, somewhat difficult task which requires a little knowledge of basic arithmetic. But doing it is the first step in coming to terms with Taxation and the reason why taxes are structured in one way or another. Taxation Untangled is not a handy guide to help you file your return. Instead it explains the principles that lie behind our tax structure and shows how they discriminate against women. DISCREET DISCRIMINATION It is not that there is one set of tax laws for each sex. You will not read "Men deduct $2,000. and women deduct $1,000," for this would cause an outcry. As this paper will explain, the discrimination is far more subtle than that, and most of it would not normally come to your attention. It is possible that even if you are among the fortunate few who are acquainted with the joys of tax returns, you may have filled in the facts and figures like an obedient automaton without stopping to question why that deduction or this credit or those particular exemptions. Those days of unquestioning tax payi ing must end at once if we are to rid ourselves of this costly inequality. It will not be easy, but we must learn about taxation and then demand that the laws be changed. Understanding Taxation: Whether you are young or not so young you probably joined the work force out of necessity--you needed the money. And probably, also, when your first payday arrived you received your first workforce awakening. A large bit had been taken from your cheque by way of deductions. You glanced among the columns with mild Tax test is an island: Taxes exist because we live in a society with other people and it is easier to provide common services like roads, sewers, garbage collection, schools, police protection and hospitals from a common money box. Also, everyone stands to gain from a well-run, developing economy with adequate defence. IF WE DO NOT LIKE THE WAY OUR TAXES ARE BEING SPENT, WE EXERCISE OUR lath slice- .i8,298' to $31,368-45.7% ta 9th 8th 7th 6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st A( B( 2.The Tax Base ) 1st slice:$654.X 7.8% ...$51.01 2nd 3rd 4th 5th HOW ARE WE TAXED? In theory we are taxed according to how much we earn, on the ability to pay principle. The more we earn, the more we should pay. After we have filled in the tax form and arrived at our Taxable Income, we look up the tax table and find out how much au( taxes are for that year. The tax table is a very simplified version of the Tax Schedule on which it is based. This is a great advantage behaving to do a cause it saves us lot of difficult calculations. On the other hand, it means that most people never get to know how the tax system works. The tax schedule is a pyramid made up of thirteen building blocks. Each block represents a slice of taxable income and each slice is taxed at a different rate. Here is the pyramid used in 1976 for Ontario residents The percent rate at which your Total Income is taxed. C( Income 4.Exemptions and deductions. D( Declared income before exemptions and deductions. ) ) Legal ways of reducing some peoples taxes. 5. Taxable Income E( ) A person who uses tax loopholes to avoid paying taxes. 6. Marginal Tax Rate. F( ) Types of income that are taxable (Not all of them are) 7 Average Tax Rate 8. Credits G( H( ) ) Amounts subtracted from Total Income Amounts deducted from your tax payable 9. Tax dodger I( )Total income minus exemptions and deductions 10. Loopholes J( )The % rate at which your last few dollars are taxed. 9=r 5,-.1 8=H ii=9 Z=d 6=3 01.=0 If your Taxable Income for 1976 was $6,535, for example, your total tax would be $1,586. This is how it is calculated (hold on to your hat): ii) People do not have equal opportunity in life. From the moment of conception, everyone has a different chance in life. Depending on family circumstances, ethnic origin, sex, educational opportunity, health and occupational chance or choice, our financial success will vary. Tax monies are used to correct the most flagrant of these inequalities, providing family allowance to parents, welfare to the disabled or the very poor and pensions to the old. Taxes recognize the different ability-to-pay depending on opportunities. The more you earn, the more taxes you should pay. ) slice-$14,377 to $18,298-40.5% tax slice-$11,763 to $14,377-35.2% tax slice-$9,149 to $11,763-32.6% tax slice-$6,535 to $9,149-30.0% tax slice- $3,921 to $6,535-27.4% tax slice-$2,614 to $3,921-26.1% tax slice-$1,307 to $2,614-24.8% tax slice-$654 to $1,307- 23.5% tax 7.8% tax slice-$654 or less VOTE. TO WHET YOUR APETITE FOR THE GOODIES TO FOLLOW, WHY NOT TRY THE MIX AND MATCH TEST. JUST FILL IN THE MISSING NUMBER IN THE EMPTY BRACKET. 1.Ability-to-pay principle 3.Total taxation: No 'man' i) THE TAX SCHEDULE 13th slice-more than $78,420-61.3% tax 12th slice-$56,973 tp$78,420-56.1% tax 11th slice-$31,368 to $50,973-50.9%; £=0 L=9 I. =V :NOIIMOS IS31 XVI slice:$653($1,307-$654)x23.51 $1' slice:$1,307($2,614-$1,307)x24.8: slice:$1,307($3,921-$2,614)x26.1: slice:$2,614($6,535-$3,921)x27.4; $1,585.' In this case your marginal tax ratethe rate at which your last dollar m taxed-is27.4%. Your average tax ratethe rate at which your total income taxed-is about 150 (Total Tax Payable divided by Total Income x 100). Don' be impressed when people (usually HI men) tell you how the government is fleecing them with an exhorbitant ta: rate. It is the average tax rate tha counts. A person with a total income of $25,000, while having a marginal rate of 45%lhas an average tax rate of only 20%. DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR RICH PEOPLE- TAXES ALLOW THE PICH TO GET RICHER AT THE EXPENSE OF THE POOR. WHAT IS NOT TAXED? at your Income Tax ReIf you look turn you will see two main ways that the government arranges not to tax your income: Deductions and Credits. We shall look briefly at each of the i)DEDUCTIONS are sums of money which may be deducted from your total income.Some of these Deductions are called Exemptions. There is a person exemption for each taxpayer ($2,090 for 1976), each "dependant spousd' ($1,831 in 1976) and each dependant child ($392 for children under 16 and $719 for children over 16 in 197 There is also an age exemption for those over 65 ($1,307 in 1976). Other exemptions include sums granted for disability, for expenses while attending university and for child care expenses. There are also some fairly new deductions which are particularly discriminatory because most women cannot afford them. Some examples are the Registered Retirement Savings Plan, the Interest and Dividend Income Deduction and the Registered Home Ownership Savings P1 They will be described in more detai in Chapter 5, THE LOOPHOLES, where will be explained how they benefit the rich at the expense of the poor The main problem with all these deductions and exemptions is that they discriminate by giving greater tax relief to those who earn the most. This happens because, as we have seen, people with a higher income also have a higher marginal ta; rate. A $1,000 exemption, for exam- Northern Woman Journal, page 6 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor I �DNE FOR DISCRIMINATION ple, will bring the following savings: Taxable Income $5,000 $15,000 $55,000 Saving $274 $405 Marginal Tax Rate 27.4% 40.5% 56.1% A considerable difference! ii)CREDITS are the fairest way of not taxing income. This is because they are deducted from Tax Payable rather than Total Income and thus affect everyone in the same way. At present they are allowed for such things as political contributions and investments costs, and ACSW suggests they should be much more widely used to iron out the discrimination against women in our present tax laws. Tax Credits could be used to eliminate sex discrimination in Taxation. HOW ARE WOMEN AFFECTED BY TAXATION There are two ways in which women are discriminated against by taxation in our society. i)Our tax laws favour the richer Canadians and by-and-large women are far poorer than men, and ii)our tax laws are so designed that they tend to reinforce the inferior dependant status of women in society. In the following chapters, this paper will show the ways in which women are controlled by and discriminated against in the present tax system. SISTERS, WE'RE BEING GYPPED WANTED Average man seeks woman to cook? clean house, care for three children under the age of seven, act as hostess at occasional business or dinner party. Successful applicant must be able to shop wisely, garden, decorate, budget, mend and provide comfort. Possibility of unpaid job in family business for the right applicant. Annual salary: Nil, plus board and share of bed. Hours: flexible, about twelve a day. No fringe benefits or pension. Good looks bonus, but not essential. Until Death do us Part: Marriage may hold the promise of security and romance, but let's face it, what other job would dare to advertise such terms and such conditions? It's enough to break a union organ izer heart. And perhaps it is not the too much to suggest that it is failure of marriage to live up to expectations, coupled with the woman's growing dissatisfaction with working conditions that explains the current failure rate of marriages. Canadian Tax Laws reflect and entrench the unpaid position of homemaker. HOW MARRIED WOMEN ARE AFFECTED BY TAXATION a)Married women who have no income because they are homemakers do not pay taxes. Oddly enough, this is not an advantage. For the payment of taxes is a positive act which gives citizens the right and responsibility to have a voice running of the country. Of in the course homemakers have the vote, but in terms of their pocketbooks, where it really counts, they can only speak through the income of their spouse. This tends to alienate homemakers from $561 political processes of Canada. b) Let's look at the effect of the exemption the husband gets for a "dependant" spouse. As the government increases this exemption each year to follow the rise in the cost of living, many married people applaud. But in fact the spouse exemption does little for the homemaker. Far from being a dependant, the average homemaker provides essential services that are worth a lot more than it costs to support the her. Worse still, the spouse exemption hampers homemakers from taking work outside the home when they want to work. This may be because the husband is reluctant to let go of his dependant spouse tax relief. Next time you come across a woman house cleaner or a babysitter who wants to be paid in cash and does not want to declare her income, remember it may well be pressure or persuasion from her husband that led her to choose this illegal course. The Married Exemption makes tax dodgers of cash-paid homemakers. How are Womeo-Working in a Family Business Affected by Taxation? At present our tax laws do not allow the owner of a family business which is not incorporated to deduct any salary paid to a spouse. This means ofcourse that there are many wives doing a great deal of work for the family business and are not being paid, pensioned or protected or receiving the proper benefits from their work. Incorporation is a fairly heavy expense for a small business and obviously would not be done if the only benefit would be to give a fair deal to a spouse who is already giving free services. Tax laws discriminate against the unpaid spouse in the family business. HOW ARE WOMEN IN THE LABOUR FORCE AFFECTED BY TAXATION? Women in the labour force are usually working because of economic necessity. They can be divided into two groups--single women without dependants and women with children. Our first comments apply to both groups: On average, women in the labour force are earning far less than men. In 1974, the average wage for all Canadians was $10,038, but the average wage for men was $11,736. and for women it was $6,734. Ofcourse, this meant that women paid less taxes than men. But they still paid more than they should have according to the ability-to-pay princple. This is because the less money you make, the less jazzy deductions you can afford, and therefore the greater the propottion of your income that gets taxed. Secondly, we would like to draw attention to the double role that women with dependants assume. The work day includes the paid, taxed hours spent at their work force job and also the unpaid work that they do as homemaker. Such women have very little time for leisure or career enrichment. HOW ARE SOLE SUPPORT MOTHERS AFFECTED BY TAXATION? Sole support mothers are such womenn4 Statistics show that they are among the poorest people in Canada today in with an average annual income 1974 of $5,910. The poverty line for 1975 for big city dwellers for a family of five was $9,388. How do sole support mothers manage to bring up their children?? Once again our tax laws exacerbate an already difficult situation. For the present they do not allow lump sum payments which may be made upon separation or dissolution of a marriage to be tax deductable. In consequence these payments are usually spread over a period of time--in order to be a deduction--and thus the separated spouse with the dependants, usually the woman, is tied to the fortunes and whims of her estranged spouse. THE LOOPHOLES In a fair system of taxation, every taxpayer would be able to take advantage of any benefits offered. In Canada in recent years some new deductions have been introduced which provide a large tax saving for those who can afford them. Recent statistics show that, alas, most Canadians do not have a hope of using these benefits.And, ofcourse, they are entirely beyond the earning capacity of most women. We call these deductions, The LOOPHOLES because they are in fact a way for the wealthier Canadians to avoid paying taxes...quite legally, and at the the other, less fortexpense of all unate taxpayers. For each time that less taxes are paid by those in the upper income brackets more will have to be paid by the others. This amounts to a massive subsidy to the "loop- hole users", but ofcourse it never appears as such reports of government expenditure. Hidden tax Subsidies are not subject to annual review or publication. SEEK TO ABOLISH BUT MEANWHILE USE LOOPHOLES! Since all Canada's poorer people are discriminated against by these tax loopholes, and women in particular, this system should be opposed and changed. But if it is to remain, obviously as many women as possible should try toI take advantage of it. It is even worthwhile to borrow the money to purchase CONT'D PAGE . Northern Woman Journal, page 7 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �A CHILD'S BILL OF RIGHTS Because 1979 is the International Year of the Child, we thought it would be interesting to print a set of reforms outlined by Richard Farson in 1974. It is clear that, even though the matter of children's rights were being thought over in 1974, in 1979 we still have a long way to go: 1.THE RIGHT TO SELF DETERMINATION. Children should have the right to decide the matters which affect them most directly. This is a basic right upon which all others depend. Children are now treated as the private property of their parents on the assumption that it is the parents' right and responsibility to control the life of the child. The achievement of children's rights, however, would reduce the need for this control and bring an end to the double standard of morals and behavior for adults and children. 2.THE RIGHT TO ALTERNATIVE HOME ENVIRONMENTS. Self-determining children should be able to choose from among a variety of arrangements: residences operated by children, children exchange programs, 24-hour day care centres, and various kinds of schools and employment opportunities. Parents are not always good for their children. Some people estimate that as many as 4 million children are abused annually in the United States, and that half a million children run away each year. 3.THE RIGHT TO RESPONSIVE DESIGN. Society must accommodate itself to children's size and to their need for safe space. To keep them in their place, we now force children to cope with a world that is either not built to fit them, or is actually designed against them. If the environment were less dangerous for children, there would be less need for constant control and supervision by adults. t. THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION. A child must have the right to all formation ordinarily available to in- adults--inciuding, and perhaps especia information that makes adults uncomf_.-_- ortable. 5.THE RIGHT TO EDUCATE ONESELF. Children should be free to design thei own education, choosing from among mar options, the kind of learning experier they want, including the option not tc Compulsor attend any kind of school. education must be abolished because th enforced threatening quality of educat in North America has taught children t hate school, to hate subject matter ar tragically, to hate themselves. Childr An addiction, whether it be to food, alcohol or some form of drugs, is an acquired problem that has physical, cultural and psychological It is not really known causes. whether an addiction is biological and hereditary, environmental, It's cure, in or pbychological. short is taking responsibility for one's addiction and making it unnecessary by achieving a feeling of self-worth. On the evening of January 10, 26 women gathered at Women's Place for a seminar on Women and Addictions as a part of the evening programs Addicted! JOAN OF ARF them to addictions. "Women tend to suffer more from victimization than men,"she said. "They feel guilt because they tend to blame themselves for things and in turn, men also blame women. To overcome guilt is to overcome the stress that leads to addiction. Once a woman becomes embroiled in selfblame, she gets into failing to deal with responsibility...'It's can't am bad...' hopeless because will do it a lc stop doing this, so These are reasons for many addiction( and their justification," she said. I I I series. Joan Gale of the Addicition Research Foundation brought along a kit dealing with women and addictions A WOMAN'S EXPERIENCE OF ADDICTION A videotape entitled All In The Same IS INSEPARABLE FROM HER EXPERIENCE Boat demonstrated how the various AS A WOMAN. MANY ARE FRUSTRATED, pressures of being a housewife can POOR AND SLOTTED INTO INFLEXIBLE ROLES. lead to addictions that interfere with a woman's role as homemaker and TAXATION CONT'D Plan mother. 3. Registered Home ownership Savings one of the Loopholes because the saving "There seems to be a real need foi In November 1974 a new loophole was in taxes will pay interest on the loan the exploration of women and addictlaunched. Every taxpayer is now allowed many times over. ion in Thunder Bay. We plan to use to put $1,000 a year for ten years into Remember--Financial Independance is the Savings Plan. this film extensively in the city ov( a Registered Home Ownership BASIS OF POWER This money is never taxed if it is eventthe next few months," said Joan. HERE IS A SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE LOOPThe Addicition Research Foundation ually used to buy a home or home furnishHOLES: provided some interesting and startlings.It is only available to first home1. Work Expenses and Business Expenses. ing facts about women and addiction: owners. Every wage earner is allowed to deIt -General Practitioners are more like Again on the surface it looks good. duct 3% from an annual income up to a to prescribe tranquillizers to woment is intended to "assist young people in maximum of $150 for work expenses which to men presenting complaints. accumulating the capital required for a do not have to be specified. This is not down payment on a house." -alcoholism develops more rapidly in very much. However, statistics show that once women than in men. However, self-employed people and again, these same young people were not alcoholism develops later in life fc owners of small incorporated businesses in- the ones who could afford this luxury women than men usually between the are allowed many business expenses which $1,000 vestment and tax saving. Note that 28 and 33. are not available to salaried workers. at the Marginal Tax Rate of 7.8% means far the majority of women drinkers, drit 2.Registered Retirment Savings Plans: less relief than $1,000 at 61.3% Marginal at home, alone. All Canadian Taxpayers are allowed to Tax Rate. -9 out of 10 men leave alcoholic wive put money into a Registered Retirement Interest and Dividends' Income 4. out of 10 women leave while only Saving Program each year. The limits Deductions. alcoholic husbands. $3,500 are 20% of annual income up to Last but not least of the loopholes -most often alcoholism in women is for those who already belong to a comis the $1000 deduction which is allowed denied by those in a position to hel and $5,500 for pany pension plan for interest on dividends on savings, them, i.e. husbands, friends, childr, those who don't. bonds, mortgages etc.its stated intent and family. As long as the money remains in the was to keep savings and investments in -women's alcoholism is often diagno It should also be plan, it is not taxed. Canada (a praiseworthy goal), but need as a psychological disorder which de mentioned that it is possible for the we point out that this incentive once fines the woman as emotionally ill higher wage earning spouse to invest ,,again means a higher share of the taxes rather than addicted to alcohol. this money in the name of the other spous Jana thus less buying power for those who Part two of the program on pills and thus if the money is withdrawn, it is have little money to invest. jother drugs will be presented later then taxed at the lower rate of that the year at an evening program. spouse! Women and their problems with addictions are unique. Sita, an expert on Yoga, massage and Tai Chi openid the program with a discussion of the different stresses that affect women and that can eventually lead ' 1 Northern Woman Journal, page 8 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �10.THE RIGHT TO JUSTICE. Children must have the guarantee of a fair trial with due process of law, an advocate to protect their rights against parents as well as the system, and a uniform standard of dentention. P. THE RIGHT TO ECONOMIC POWER. Every year a million children get intc Children should have the right to work, trouble with the law. One out of every to acquire and manage money, to receive nine children will go through the juv 6.THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM FROM PHYSICAL equal pay for equal work, to choose trade enile court system before the age of apprenticeship as an alternative to PUNISHMENT. 18. At any given time about one hundr( school, to gain promotion to a leadership thousand children are in some kind of Children should live free of physical position, to own property, to develop threat from those who are larger and jail. Some are held illegally, many a credit record, to enter into binding more powerful than they. Corporal punhave not committed any kind of crime, contracts, to engage in enterprise, to ishment is used impulsively and cruelmost have done nothing that would be guaranteed support apart from obtain ly in the home, arbitrarily in the considered a crime if done by an adult school, and sadistically in penal instithe family, to achieve financial indepand none have been given a fair trial tutions. It does not belong in our endance. with due process of law. The juvenile repertoire of responses to children. justice system was designed to protect 9. THE RIGHT TO POLITICAL POWER. children from the adult justice syst( 7. THE RIGHT TO SEXUAL FREEDOM: Children should have the vote and should but it is more unfair, more arbitrary Children should have the right to conbe included in the decision-making and more cruel. process. Eighty million children in the duct their sexual lives with no more United States need the right to vote restriction than adults. Sexual freedom for children must include the right because adults do not vote in their behalf. At present they are no one's to information about sex, the right to nonsexist education, and the right constituency and legislation reflects to all sexual activities that are legal that lack of representation. To become among consenting adults. In fact, children a constituency, they must have the would be best protected from sexual right to vote. are programmed, tracked and certified in a process of stamping out standardized educated products acceptable to th university, military, business and industry and community. Education can change only through the achievement of new rights for those exploited and oppressed by it--the children themselves. abuse when they have the right to refuse--but they are now trained not to refuse adults, to accept all forms of physical affection, and to mistrust their own reactions to people. THE BEST PITCHER IN TOWN! The batter stands ready for Fast Fanny's throw. The umpire watches carefully, ready to go. and the game remains tied. Fanny's first pitch and the It's hard to know which team fans begin to shout..."STRIKE will break the tie, but the game ONE", the umpire yells, "Two goes on and the spirits stay HIGH! more strikes and you're out." Yes it's true, I'm a girl and I watch my mother wipe the at that, only ten--but I can tell dirt from her pants. Adjusting you that Baseball IS NOT JUST FOR her cap, she gives the catcher MEN: a quick glance. Women begin to My mother is a pitcher, Fast chatter, "OK Fanny--Another Fanny by name, with eight other strike. Put it right past the women who play a fine baseball batter just the way we like." game. Women on the field ready SO...if you're a girl growing for the play. All positions up...wondering what you can do... MOTHER IS A PITCHER are covered...Fanny's pitch is REMEMBER--it's more than cooking by Maxine Kahn on the way a stew, or sweeping a floor or The pitch comes sailing right Get nine women together and over the plate. The batter swings-- tying a shoe... Perhaps you'll write music or what can they do? it's a hit---but wait.... dance on a stage or pfactice medThey can do more than sweepShelly Shortstop is moving far icine for a decent wage ing or cooking a stew. to the right, Leaps in the air OR More than washing a floor as the ball comes into sight. Imagine yourself with a bat and or tying a shoe. She's caught it--Shelley Shorta ball...or perhaps you're an Perhaps they'd write music stop has stopped "the hit"-umpire making the calls... or dance on a stage, or pract- the ball has landed right in And with eight other women ice medicine for a decent wage. her mitt. WHAT COULD YOU DO? But imagine nine women with "GOOD PLAY", yell the women, Perhaps you'd play baseball.. bats and with balls and a woman "One out and two to go..." YOU CAN umpire making the calls. And the next batter steps up and and Get nine women together and waits for the throw. WOMEN DO::: what can they do? Perhaps they'd Fast Fanny is at her best. play baseball. They can and... Strikes two batters out in a row. THEY DO: There's "Fast Fanny"-my_,mother And I think to myself, "Hey, that's my mom out there--and I FAMILY PLANNING IN FINANCIAL who stands tall on the mound, want everyone to know." takes her windup and looks TROUBLE around. Her arms are strong, her Monique Begin, Minister of And I sit in the stands as the legs firm on the ground. FAST National Health and Welfare, innings go by. Batter after batter has announced a reduction of FANNY, my mother... almost 50% in the ministry's family planning grants program, effective April 1, 1979. The cut entails a drop from $2.1 you keep youA heakt you ztitt have the twine million in the current fiscal deep in you pocket wrapped anound your. 6inget year to $1.1 million in the bunted in utea6ez that puffs the coAd next. Believing as we do in wheAe no one can nob it, atound my neck, the importance of contraception Ii id in the otd)s but you ingot o6 gabaiLdine cotton, we should make our views on thi< to untie the knot we aAmed by yowl. handz, cutback known to the Minister. LETTER LOBBY iizt clenched, you have tacked it avay. Via& CodeAte when you 6/teed me 6tom your. coniinement. Viaa GOdetke, Kaminiztiquia, Ontrotio Write to: The Hon. Monique Be-gin Minister of National Health and Welfare 558 Confederation Bldg., Ottawa, Ontario Northern Woman Journal, page 9 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �BOOKS: archaics and anarchists 4. Woman must depend on a man for fame. Brown, Jeremy and David Ondaatje. Her only immortality is love. (p. 234) CANADIAN BOOK OF LISTS. Penguin Press (Toronto 1978) Paperback $5.95. 5. Cooks are always temperamental. by Joan Baril if you flattered them, they did better. thought nationalist"At last", 'If you didn't, they wilted. They were ically, "A CANADIAN Book of Lists." like women (p. 139) For I, like other triviamaniacs, loved reading fact and folly listed in groups 6. Listed under "Canadian Hang-ups". of ten. "Involutional Ennui: In women who But as sexist quip followed sexist don't know what to with themselves and quote my enjoyment soured. Thus, this menopause" (p. 30). The same hang-up is list: listed for men but the word "menoA SAMPLER OF 10 ABNOXIOUS QUOTES FROM pause" is changed to "retirement." THE CANADIAN BOOK OF LISTS: 1. No woman can resist the opportunity 7.The woman who enriches her husband to join in that most fascinating of all with her admiration and her ready resports--man-hunting. (p. 279) sponse gets her reward--from her husband. (p. 18) 2.When you educate a woman late in life, it always sort of upsets her. 8. In point of intellect, the aver(p. 284) age woman cannot reason and think. But she can argue. (p.18) 3. Under the heading "10 interesting Facts about Eskimos" the following: "According to an Eskimo proverb," A 9. A woman wants to be taken not adored. man's best friend is his dog, better (p. 18) even than his wife." (p. 331) 10.At certain moments, even an ugly woman, if she has lived with the sun and th ewind, can be sexually attractive. (p. 18) I Some of this material is several years old, brought back for laughs presumably. But even the contemporary 1950's air, like reading lists have a back issues of "Calling all Girls". Ten Rules of Etiquette for Canadians asserts, "a woman should never carve meat or fowl at the table" (p. 140) and in "Important Ways that Women Can Please Men," we read that we can please "by appearing to be dumber than he, which, let's be frank, is not all that difficult."(p. 231) Oh, deja1950-vu: And please note the lack cif a complimentary list of ways to please a woman. Published to coincide with the hol-iday gift-buying, this book was the Christmas turkey of 1978. A resounding Thunder Bolt to authors/ compilers Jeremy Brown and David Ondaatje tie to our ultimately destructive it recognizes the size of the machine Like Freud, sexual arrangement. that has been created as a result of Dinnerstein believes that the infant our own ambivalence toward life. Whether identifies the woman as the first or not things can be changed is source of comfort and nourishment. difficult to foresee dubious. It is It follows that woman is also our people living in man-made civilizations, first blame object for pain and coping with the constraints and imperhunger. She is the first power focce atives it has placed upon our lives against which we rebel for autonomy. and at the same time working towards its She is the one who presides over overthrow. One way she recommends is our early triumphs....and our humilthe mutual participation of malesand iations. The male who orbits outside females in the care of infants throughthis close, deep-rooted union comes out their formative years. But against to represent the more neutral force, the odds of outside society un the link to the outside world. Women, doing all that has been done in says Dinnerstein, are the "dirtythe home, the effectiveness of goddesses" connected with the mystery a new childraising arrangement of birth and life and yet also carried out on such a small scale associated with our abrupt and rewill not change the direction of sented initiations into selfhood. things significantly. This book gives the reader a great The result is that women become the deal to ponder. It is not terribly main focus of blame and hostility both for men and women. As the mother difficult to read, but care brings figure we know in childhood, she repthe most reward. It is also an excelresents a power that must be restrained lent way of getting in touch with and oppressed in society outside the the work of Marcuse, Brown and de Beauvior, and an inspiration to consult family where she is banned from posher original sources. itions of knowledge and authority. For the die-hard seekers of truth, But it goes much further. One must The Mermaid and the Minotaur is most read Dinnerstein and her years of definitely recommended reading. research and careful reflection to understand our basic impulse (both men and women) towards being controlled and in turn dominating others. This will Phelps, Robert. BELLES SAISONS: A COLto control and manipulate things LETTE SCRAPBOOK. Farrar, Straus and around us (which manifests itself overt- Giroux, New York, 1978. Hardback $15.00. ly in men) to somehow partially conquer ings. by Ann McColl the unchangeable fact of mortality, Superficially, it is a pretty outperpetuates the intolerable oppression rageous proposition. Dinnerstein is of women and the yet more intolerable only too aware of the fact that her This book is far more encompassing deadly progress of the male species theory will evoke rage in many readers, and absorbingthan one would expect towards the destruction of the entire particularly those not patient of a scrapbook. It provides an entrancenough to follow her arguement through. human race. ing protrait of a truly liberated Dinnerstein also relies heavily But then,ber book is not intended French born woman, one who transcends on the work of Herbert Marcuse, Norfor the reactionary defender of the the female stereotype by her refusal man O. Brown and Melanie Klein. In status quo. to acknowledge the social convention proving her thesis she uses literature, Starting with an anthropological of her time. Collette was a writer of social history and popular culture. explanation of the development of many famous novels based on her own After clarifying the universal psychpeople, Dinnerstein focuses on the actress and a respected life, an ology of the problem, she goes on to human infant's long period of helpdeal with why male dominated revolutions part of the Parisian Avante-Garde. lessness and dependancy to expJain The scrapbook chronologically fail andson a more contemporary level, how women got themselves into a outlines Collette's life in a sympathetwhat went wrong with the New Left and role that present-day technology ic manner, affording the reader a the reason for the resurgence of outhas made unnecessary and obsolete. very real insight into the life of raged feminists. She then turns to Freud (carefully a truly remarkable woman. The really frightening thing about refuting his theory of penis envy) The Mermaid and The Minotaur is that to deal with a neurotic psychological DINNERSTEIN, Dorothy. THE MERMAID AND THE MINOTAUR:Sexual Arrangements and the Human Malaise. Harper and Row, New York 1976. Hardcover, 14.00, Paperback available. by Elaine Lynch The Mermaid and the Minotaur was recommended to me by a male acquaintance. Previous to that had not heard of it. After reading the book, found it rather surprising that a thesis so radical and so urgent has not been more explosive among people with serious social concerns. The book, a very good one, might also be titled: Beyond Freud and de Beauvior; firstly because the author, uses the theories of the two innovators of thought and,secondly, because she has, like de Beauvior, created a theory of female subordination of such magnitude and complexity that it is difficult to discuss adequately in a mere book review. Using anthropological and psycho} logical theory as her initial basis, Dinnerstein asserts that society is now rapidly moving toward the destruction of the world. The reason for society's terrifying course is due to our present sexual arrangements, and specifically the female monopoly of early child care. Motherhood is far from being a sacred biological given. It is,rather, the thing that produces quasi-human beI I Northern Woman Journal, page 10 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Asian women in Canada: coming to terms with obsoletes Reprinted from the Asianadian, Fall/Winter Vol. 1 No. 3 by Momoye Sugiman For centuries Western Culture has viewed Asian women through a distorted lens, creating two disparaging images: the vacuous, submissive, exotic sexual servant--and the vacuous, submissive, virginal domestic servant. The efficacy of popular Western literature, films and television in keeping alive these stereotypes is evidenced by the fact that we, as Canadian women of Asian origin, still encounter flat, preconceptions of ourselves in everyday interaction with non-Asian Canadians. ...we are beginning the essential process of demystifying ourselves, not only by questioning our mythical media images aad hidden herstories, but also by giving expression to our creative talents and voicing common concerns, aspirations and frustrations--the thoughts and feelings that have remained silent for too long. Before we can expect to raise the consciousness levels of other Canadians tu:4-a-Lui/S Asianadian women, we must first heighten our own awareness of ourselves and erase any traces of the geisha girl mentality. We have to begin to challenge the sexist division of labour, the political distribution of personality traits--and our "place" in this male-centred society. We have to examine the various ways in which rigid cultural traditions of our ancestors continue to stultify and subjugate us. In order to fully understand our particular struggle as Asianadian women, it is also necessary to recognize the fact that our history, culture,social sphere and psyches are markedly different from those of Asianadian men. The oppression and exploitation that we suffer is more intimate. It is a combination of the personal and political, arising not only out of racism and capitalism, but ultimately out of sexist ideologies deeply rooted in all Asian cultures. Thus, our struggle to assert our rights and identities as Asianadians is complicated by an added dimension of ignorance amongst allies, i.e. Asianadian men. (A fairly valid analogy can be drawn here between our situation and that of Black women in the American civil rights movement. Like us, these women were made to feel doubly inferior, since they too were expected to defer to the 'male ego' subordinating their special needs and concerns as women.) It is horrifying to realize that a Confucian ethic in terms of the role of women still exists in Canada. A surprising number of Asianadian women still practise self-denial, deriving their personal identities and feelings of self-worth from their roles as daughters, wives and mothers. There are still many women among us . today who would not consider a career as a viable option, for they have been indoctrinated from birth to believe that keeping a man happy, by taking care of his children, house--and penisis their chief vocation in life. It must be acknowledged that in some families, women actually exercise much more power than their husbands. Yet, tradition dictates that they allow other people to think that the husband is in control. In any case, for a great number of women in the Asianadian community, the narrow definition of 'womanhood' is so deeply entrenched that any woman who violates the norm by challenging a man intellectually or in the work place--or who manifests lesbian tendancies--or even demands to have heterosexual desires fufilled, is automatically labelled "agressive." She is therefore "masculine and unfeminine". A lot of us have assiduously begun to defy the sex-role system but,generally speaking, Asianadian women are still at the awakening stage. Faced with the complex relationships between sex, economic and social class and race, how do we Asianadian women fit into the Canadian feminist movement? The development of this seemingly amorphous movement has shown us the common oppression of women has different ramifications in different racial and social classes. Certain divisions have emerged along economic and political lines, giving rise to distinct factions: radical feminists, socialist feminists, liberal bourgeois feminists, etc. As Asianadian women, is it necessary to add to the divisiveness by separating ourselves from other women? Or is it possible to work out our unique problem within existing groups? We must concede that the complex differences between feminists are very real and should be respected. And we should never ignore the fact that our experience as Asianadians sets us apart, not only from non- Asianadian women, but from each other as well. Cultural upbringings, political leanings, degree of assimilation and level of feminist consciousness may vary drastically...However, while recognizing the distinction...it is still important to strengthen our links with women all over the world by finding a fundamental ground... The next question facing us is that of trying to define the enemy. ...Not all men are (excuse the cliche) There are sevmale chauvinist pigs eral sensitive and enlightened men who actually support us in our struggle...for they too are in a state of powerlessness and are equally hurt by the prevailing sexist conservatism. Placing the onus entirely upon the capitalist system would also be an incomplete explanation. Eliminating capitalism will not guarantee an immediate, magical change in the way men and women treat each other in their personal lives...The condition of women has to improve now--not at some nebulous point "after" the revolution. As long as the idea of women as personal property lingers in the minds of men, the personal oppression will continue: despite any sort of institutionalized, or legislated equality. The enemy to be eradicated then is the sexist system upon which-our society is based---the system which equates aggressiveness with manhood and passivity--i.e. pathological passivity with womanhood... As Asianadian women we must analyze the roots of our oppression and establish roots of communication with one another. We will have to decide on where we stand on issues that directly affect our daily lives and futures. SEXUAL SLAVERY IN CANADA...THE STORY OF JAPANESE WOMEN...See next page tAlotattn (Women a 7.5% Dividend set at meeting The Northern Women's Credit Union announced at its annual meeting Jan. 29 that it has tripled its assets.' in the past year. It is monitoring current interest rates and with the 3 increases from the Bank of Canada over the past year, an increase from the current 12% per annum may soom be necessary. Savings and Term Deposit accounts After an examination are now available. by the Ontario Credit Union League, all things are reported to be in order. The distribution of surplus will be evidenced in the 7.5% interest it will pay in dividends. Northern Woman Journal, page 11 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �SEHUM AMERY IA CAIIADA: Our Herstor by Cassandra Kobayashi This story is about women who came to the New World, the women who are our mothers. I have written primarily about the Japanese because of limitations of time and energy. I hope others will share their stories about women from other motherlands. As sisters in a world that perceives us as 'Orientals', we face common prejudices. By talking about our situation, the real and apparent differences can be sorted out. If we are clear about ourselves, we can unite against those who seek to confuse us by diyiding us against ourselves. The history of men is different from Women may live side by side our history. eat the with men, work in the same fields, the but our experience is not same food, By discussing what our foremothers same. endured, perhaps what we mean by roots and However, due to culture will become clear. the paucity of written material left to us by our foremothers, we must look for our the lines written by men, story between For example, in Roy Ito's The about men. excerpted in the A/ftivat ozi Mankichi Omutca, we are told last issue of The ,Aianadian, how our hero arrives in British Columbia, then fishes and a lumber mill, in works after serving Canada in World War I, 'setBet tles down' in Port Essington at age 28. He did not have "Mankichi needed a wife. himself, qr the money to go back to Japan he asked his parents to find him a bride." Because arranged marriages were the norm in Japan and most of the Western world it is not extraordibefore this century, nary that Mankichi's wife was chosen for she was selected According to Ito, him. Also hard-working family". from "a good, of importance was being of the same ken and socio-economic background (locality) and possessing domestic talents, good health to produce sons. A wife ability and the providing the support and a means of was maintenance -- activities necessary to hold it into a to make family together, the "Mankichi needed a viable economic unit. that he desired means (my emphasis) wife" the services of a woman qua domestic serchildren/sexual outlet. vant/mother of his bought her a sewing machine, the better He to perform her duties. female role is Such a concept of the not merely pragmatic for the harsh life in In traditional Japan a frontier culture. the wife's role was essentially the same as Women universally. almost it is today, into husband and family pour their energies while he goes into the world and makes history. Just because we are not overt targets of racist attacks today should not make us a Our security depends, to complacent. great extent, upon Canada's relations with Because Canada was friendly with Japan. of immigration Japan during the early years was economically advantageous to it (i.e. maintain relations) and because the Japanese government was highly interested in the welJapafare of Japanese wherever they were, nese were not included in the ban on immiUnlike gration by "unassimilable" groups. the Chinese immigrants who had to pay a $500 head tax from 1883 to 1923, Japanese entered Canada under the free entry clause of the However, beAnglo-Japanese trade treaty. ginning in 1908 'gentlemen's agreements', by which Japan promised to limit immigration Unwere as effective as any outright ban. til 1928, the controlled maximum did not include wives and picture brides, but following the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923 and the end of the picture brides in the U.S. in included the 'gentlemen's agreement' 1921, \\ \ \'' \\\ \ , , Unfair? \\ ' \ 0 \ \ , , We deplore the stereotypic, condescending depiction of Chinese women as cute, Little, dark breasts are brown China Date's. but the Chinese women are obviousexposed, ly viewed as children, peering with innocent wonder at the physically more adult-like White woman. Isn't it interesting how Wes- N\ -, '''''') tern artists unabashedly exploit non-Western women in the nude (c(). Nationat Geogiutphic) as though they are object of the 'local colour'. Asian women are not all brown and do not all look alike. And many do not find a white-skinned woman a source of curiosity or fascination. rying 'mongolians'. The relationship between sexism and racism has been discussed extensively with respect to the American Black Movement. The hierarchy of male over female, and white over black sets up tensions that are often expressed in sexual terms--lynching including castration, Black Power machismo, the Black sex kitten and Black Womb of Africa. While the rape metaphor is applied to white/ Black relations, 'peaceful penetration' is the term used to describe how the Japanese operate. In all cases, white men speak of 'profrom the male anicourage, tenacity, their industry, and their tecting white womanhoqd' mals of other races. Saskatchewan in 1912 skills what gifted Canadians they are." Not all Canadians share Trudeau's ap- and British Columbia in 1914 passed legislaparent gratitude. Many believe we should be tion to prevent white women from working for Women of 'other races' were thus 'shipped back where we came from'. While we Asians. not worthy of protecting. Japanese women may perceive ourselves as Canadians, others were said to be "so subservient still consider us Japanese. that they Such individueasily become prostitutes," and "many a Jaals would not openly advocate repatriation. By praising the Japanese Canadians, they can panese is supposed to make his living by the The pimp who somehow ease their consciences sufficiently prostitution of his wife." to justify repressive measures against other lives off the avails of prostitution is unigroups. (note: Immigration Act, 1978) versal, but charges that Japanese (or curSimilarly, when women's accomplishments rently Blacks) are natuhaety prone to such in certain fields are recognized, the implibehaviour is a xed herring. As Simone de cation is that anyone can make it if she Beauvoir said, there is no fatal hereditary This society factor, no psychological defect. wants. This is simply a lie. "The runs on the unpaid, unrecognized labour of truth is that in a world where misery and women. While individually we may be lucky unemployment prevail, there will be people for most to enter any profession that is open." enough to escape the gilded cage, women, motherhood and wifely duties are all It is not the woman who is to be condemned, we are expected to engage in, aside from the but the society where prostitution is the 'oldest profession' in the world: prostitu- "least repellent option." quota of wives and children in the annual 150 immigrants. Whether women and children are included was a negotiating point in an expensive Yet as recent international game of wits. there is still a notion that Japan as 1976, takes an interest in the lives of those who On his tour of Japan, Prime have left her. Minister Trudeau described the success of NiZei despite Canada's sordid' record of the on berepression and then thanked "Japan, half of all Canadians for the contribution made to Canada by the men and women of Japanese origin who have shown through their tion. Women's usefulness as a sexual object for men underlies both prostitution and marriage. Engels remarked that the wife 'differs from the ordinary courtesan only in that she does not hire out her body like a wageworker, on piecework, but sells it into slavery, once and for all." There has always been a notion that male humans have an absolute need for sexual intercourse. Therefore, one of the basic functions of the family is having the wife provide approved sexual outlets. In the Dsbrizei era before the arrival of picture des, prostitutes provided the hequi/Site sexual outlet for the population of young single men. Even beWomen were interchangeable. tween the prostitute and wife there was substitutability. However, in order to mainwives and prostitutes were tain monogamy, artificially distinguished-- good girls vs. bad girls. Thus, on the American mainland, prostitution by Japanese women was suppressed by requiring the Consul General of Japan in San Francisco to approve the application of men requesting an imported woman for a wife. If he was among the 10- 30% who did not meet the financial and moral standards, he ould likely remain womanless because California ; law prohibited whites from mar- HERE AND NOW Canadian culture is said to be multiethnic, a mosaic as opposed to the American meUing pot. Indeed, we find individual groups celebrating their holidays on the streets or in community centres. Grand cultural expositions are held (e.g. Toronto's Caltavan), during which visitors can experience the food, drink, dance and crafts of other cultures. However, these types of activities are merely the visible tip, of the iceberg. Culture and ethnicity involve much more than putting on traditional costumes. The social structures and customs which govern individual behaviour underlie and give purpose to the trimmings. It is where my personal expectations intersect with the cultural expectations, be they Japanese Canadian or mainstream Canadian, that I begin to question the value of maintaining my cultural inheritance. reprinted from the ASIANADIAN (in part), Vol. 1, No. 3 Northern Woman_Journal, page 12 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �"VOW eCAMAI Caleb pee WO Pomp put1 Bulk third INSIDE ins En timbre bonte dams O The story of a self-made woman, before the page 4. time of a new consciousness 220 RETURN TO: Artist as private person...an interview THE NORTHERN WOMAN page 5. with Gayle Chapple 316 BAY ST. THUNDER BAY P,The ONT. subtle discrimination of our income page 6-7 tax system Return Postage Guaranteed Rights for Children:are we big enough to let them happen, or too much used to page8-9 the role of seniority rules A look at books Asianadian and feminist page 10 page 11-12 61111/11111/111=11/1111/1 YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS DUE U MOVED??? PLEASE LET US KNOW BY CALLING (807) 345-5841. pay return postage to keep up our mailing list. cribe: VI, mart gt 6 4Slil-reetr, er al, bd. A.014 tt uss) mar usittaSse ftraftrifort Lamt kWrtf% Ao-acceions' PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 5 No 1 Description An account of the resource Vol. 5, No. 1 (Feb-Mar 1979) Title: Northern Woman Journal Topics include: Women in business Lived experiences of Asian women in Canada Sexism & racism International Year of the Child Feminist movement losing steam Sex-role stereotyping in textbooks Affirmative action Sex-Role Stereotyping and Women's Studies Conference (Toronto) Changing your name after divorce Women’s Centre resource library Crisis Centre for women Kenora Women in art Income tax returns & sex discrimination A Child’s Bill of Rights Women & addiction Women in baseball Family planning during financial trouble Feminist book list: good & bad (excerpts incl.) Northern Women’s Credit Union Sexual slavery in Canada herstory Challenging racist stereotypes of Asian women Authors/Contributors: Gert Beadle Sirpa Bishop (cover illustration) Monika McNabb Eve Pikerman Judith Petch (letter to the editor) Rosalyn Taylor Perrett Elaine Lynch Maxine Kahn Viola Coderre (Kaminstiquia) Momoye Sugiman (article reprinted from Asiandian vol. 1, no. 3) Cassandra Kobayashi Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1979-02 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/16/2756/1979_Vol_5_No_2.pdf bb26f35b3087cdbc5487d4631462c3f3 PDF Text Text oman N?Ttigstrn April - Pkay, 1979 VOLUME 5, NUMBER 2 journar WTI -1107 SEEING, OURSIEbUIES this oil by Anna Akerval was one of the pieces at the art show. See centre spread. PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �EDITOR& Strategy and job creation programmes the primary benefactors of government There will be little reason to 5)lay-offs in the public service as well restraint. celebrate the 50th anniversary of as changing the rules for paying pubis not too difficult to come to It women becoming persons in Canada. lic servants. the conclusion that the government 1')79, the_year of this anniversary has a strategy of discriminating aEqually apparent is the plan by the is also the year that women are facgainst women, particularly married Liberal Government to ensure that ing attacks unparallelled since 1945. women are the primary benefactors women to keep them out of the labour Over 50 years ago, Magistrates of the restraint programme. The force. The campaign became most Emily Murphy and Alice Jamieson of cutbacks will save the taxpayer very apparent in 1978 when the government Alberta, first women judges in Canada, little but deprive women of much introduced policies that will have a were challenged by lawyers as to the needed services and benefits. Included more detrimental effect upon women legality of the sentences they were in these are the revision of the than men: imposing, on the grounds that they family allowance system, the slashing 1)the tightening of the Unemployment were not legally persons under the of family planning grants and the Insurance Programme. British North America Act. Appointdiscontinuation of funding to rape 2)reduction of the Outreach employment ment to the Canadian senate was denied crisis centres. services programme. on these same grounds. Five women, 3)cuts in training allowance for married Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Irene women So what's to celebrate?! Parlby, Louise McKinney and Henrietta 4)removal of women from its Employment Muir Edwards petitioned the government for a ruling. The Five Persons Case Language difficulties was sucessfully settled when the Privy The Thunder Bay Multicultural AsCouncil in England ruled on October 18 For an anthology on the subject sociation opened an immigrant inform1929 that women are persons un the of child molestation, we are seeking ation centre in early January to proeyes of the law. first person writing--stories, poems, vide assistance to people who are exThe courts continue to be biased journal entries, etc, by people who periencing language difficulties. and downright contemptuous when it have been molested as children. We The information centre is looking comes to dealing with women. In Sept. are also interested in writing by for people who are interested in 1976, Ontario Provincial Court Judge other family members and by children. working with newcomers. if you speak Vincent McEwan contribtued the unrelAll material should be true, although more than one language and have a few iability of a 48 year old women's you may change names or use a pen hours to spare, you are invited to testimony to female menopause. In Sept name. Please type and enclose a stamped, join the volunteer staff. Call 683 1977, B.C. Provincial Court Judge self-addressed envelope. Mail as soon 6251. Les Bewley in passing down a light as possible to: Ellen Bass, 240 Day sentence to a man charged with assaultValley Rpad, Aptos, California, 95003. ing a woman stated, "You know, women don't get much brains before they are 30... " I FITEEFIESTEED" And then on October 31, 1978, the tragedy- SHORT,STORIES BY WOMEN: Supreme Court of Canada ruled that 1. Length--1,500 to 6,000 words Press Gang Publishers is collecting Stella Bliss was ineligible to receive 2. Deadline for submissions--August maternity benefits and stated that any original, unpublished short stories 15, 1979 (We'll get back to you by inequality between the sexes under UIC by women for a book to be published Oct. 15, 1979) next year. We are looking for stories rules "is not created by legislation stamped 3. Please enclose which explore and illuminate the real but by nature." .xperiences of women. Some pssoble sug- envelope. Recognizing that attitudes usually 4. Stories should be typed double spaced. change last in the courts, women have ;estions to expand on: 5. Copywright will revert to the author --women working with each other, in always held out more hope for governfolllowing publication. Now that hope )ffices,factories, restaurants; in the ments and legislation. 6. Author will be paid a $100 fee for come, volunteer work; too has been quashed. stories upon publication. To mark the fiftieth anniversary of _political activity PREE GANG PUBLISHERS women as persons, the Liberal ad-- -women in the future 603 POWELL ST. -- -girls together: at school, in ministration has given women two VANCOUVER BC special roles to play: groups 253-1224 To be martyrs by accepting the blame Whatever mode of fiction the writer 1) (press gang is a feminist publisher) to be comedy for high unemployment; and 2) may choose: realism, satire, , ANTHOLOGY UTTERS To whom it may concern: have just read for the first time, an issue of the Northern Woman (Oct. 1978) and have found it most perceptive and relevant in its portrayill of the very unique problems faced by the northern women. A recent immigrant have been struck from the "south", by the inappropriateness of strategies developed by southern women to suit southern problems-a primary resource industry town just does not offer the to urrant§e of options available ban women and consequently it is harder to overcome the feeling of powerlessness many women experience. I Perhaps other issues already do, in apologize for the ill which case informed suggestion. look forward to the coming issues, and keep up the fine work. Yours sincerely, Audrey Anderson Red Lake, Ontario I I I From this end of the typewriter, Thunder Bay seems like a booming metapplaud your ropolis and although very excellent efforts to address would the northern situation, welcome articles whose focus moved to the smaller communities so that more women could feel truly included. I I Northern Woman Journal, page Dear Margaret, Enclosed please find payment for the subscription to the Journal and a little something extra--thanks so much for sending the material down This Journal is splendid, not only that, but it is becoming famous. A couple of days after it arrived, Mr. Theron Krawer, the Hamilton based representative for Secretary of State came to see me re: the summer was attacking the depprogrammes. for its cutting of the womartment en's programmes, showing him your material. He had seen the Journal before, and his remarks were very complimentary. So are mine. Thunder Bay women have manages to sustain a great deal of the momentum in many of their activities. ... Peace Love and all good thoughts, Novia Hebert Carter. ov gern 316 Voma Im-.4iretir,, tWinVer The NORTHERN WOMAN JOURNAL is feminist newspaper that is pub lished 6 times yearly for the people of Northwestern Ontario Content is determined by an Ed itorial Collective which meets bi-monthly at 316 Bay Street. Submissions are welcome but subject to the Editorial polic of the Collective. I 2 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �MARCH 8th: The Celebration blues International Women's Day brought a host of celebrations in the region that were very well attended and very successful. People attending from Thunder Bay were very impressed and inspired by the activities that were held in Fort Frances and Atitkokan. The following are accounts from the two celebrations. RAINY RIVER DISTRICT: The Rainy River District Decade Council held its first celebration of International Women's Day on March 8, 1979 in Fort Frances. The event included a pot luck supper, arts and crafts displays, verbal and visual presentations from several district women's groups. Over 150 women were present and many favourable comments were received from those in attendance. Ruth Cunningham of Confederation College Women's Programs was keynote speaker and Gert Beadle gave a poetry reading that was a distinctive highlight. Because of the favourable outcome, the women hope to make the celebration an annual event. ATIKOKAN: To commemorate International Women's Day in Atikokan, an article appeared in the local paper explaining the significance of the day. There was also a special television program put on by Atikokan TV Productions featuring an internview with Ruth Cunningham and Bernice Taylor of the Decade Council conducted by Linda Wiens. The interview covered womens' issues, careers and opportunities, the aims and interests of the Decade Council, their sun-committees and regional efforts. MARCH 8--a day that was acknowledged in many different ways all over the world. In Thunder Bay, March 8, International Women's Day was celebrated by approximately 80 women at the Thunder Bay Labour Centre. The evenings discussion centred around a rather serious set of issues. Sponsored by the Northern Women's Centre and the International Women's Decade Co-ordinating Council, the program began with the showing of the film GREAT GRANDMOTHERS, which looks at the contribution of early immigrnat women to the development of Canada. Panel discussion was started by Mickey Murray, who was later awarded a scroll for her special contribution to the activities of the Decade Council. She spoke on the history of International Women's Day and the current international objectives of women, particularly in the peace effort and the preservation of the family. Dr. Margeurite Neelands addressed the problem of hospital bed closures in Thunder Bay and the general lack of care facilities, for the chronically ill. Margaret Boone who is active locally on Committees working to deal with and educate the public on the problem of child abuse, told of what is happening locally in this area. She stated that an increasing number of reports on the problem of child abuse does not necessarily indicate that the number of abused children are increasing, but perhaps that people are more aware of what to look for and more willing to report their knowledge of a problem. Margaret Phillips of the Lakehead Social Planning Council closed off with a talk on the new Unemployment Insurance legislation and its adverse effects Upon women. The evening was wrapped up with coffee and cake. Open letter to the women:Rainy River District Sharing the first International Women's Day held in Fort Frances, "In Praise of Women", find myself unable to stop praising. With every opportunity that arises find myself affirming that am part and parcel of that valley where women are somehow bigger, deeper and less given to paranoid fears in their relationships with other women. It is normal, say, no great surprise to find one hundred and fifty women of all ages, from every church and service club, praising each other, feasting together, showing and telling what they have done and what they hope to do, making music together. It is the northern air, say, perhaps the water (ugh), certainly the mineral in the soil. There is tension in the valley and although it is not of your making, nor will it even be partially solved by your input, the fact remains; it is you the women who will heal the wounds and restore the Valley to sanity. You will do this because you have always done it and because you are wise enough to know that bitterness and hatred has nothing to give to the future but destruction. The history of Women In The Valley has I I I I I shown us to be (you will notice say us) resilient and resourceful. The future will hopefully prove us to be pragmatic in consolidating our strength to make the necessary changes in the roles that have up to now, discouraged the free sharing of viewpoints and the interchange of nuturing affection. The level of consciousness in the CFOB radio station is abysmal. The term "LIBBER" dates the mentality. When in casually conversation, expressed the need for women to establish a closer relationship, it was immediately equated as a sexual response and a further observation that women could never be equal to men, since the moderator had consulted some Hockey Jocks who had declared that we would never have enough muscle to shoot the puck. SUPERWOMAN also functions here, dismissing her six children with an airy wave of her hand, being all things to all people, feeling totally )iberated from Pastor Peter, and having a great form as well. could not decide whether she should be decorated or investigated. wanted nothing so much as to be able to assure the moderator that only his mental capacity was under threat. I I I I The accessability of the local Cable TV station is a great asset to communication. One immediately feels a youthful vision that is able to transcend old myths and the present prejudices. In that same vein, the Rainy River Decade Council, who sponsored the Celebration of Women, has opened the door to honest sharing that deserves the respect of every thinking woman. The groups represented here, whether sorority, church group, service club, artist, entertainer or worker in the cause of women, have one thing to offer that is basic; to be of some use in the evolution of the time allotted to them for action. Like a giant net spread under today's trapeeze artists, you have nutured the arts, kept alive your cultural uniqueness, involved yourself in your community's welfare and your children's education. But nothing you have done so far will reap future benefits for your daughters like the celebration of yourselves as women and the praise of each other as productive and confident members of the human family. GERT BEADLE, Northern Woman Journal, page 3 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �LET'S TALK KENORA RI IN WE THE WIVES OCAL M M MMMMMMMMMMMM 111111111111111111111111IMMA. MMMMM " What a farce! Those women had absolutely no business being on the scene at all. They don't work for Boise. Their husbands do.... " D. Sinclair, pub. MM AM 10/ A Kenora Miner I MS 1 r mom. mmo I r - U IN ',1". R 111 I I' I I MI MS r . WI MI MEMO I MN EV OMMO MMMMM MEM A MMMMMMMMMMMM .7119111111 MMMMMMMMMMMMMM IR MMMMM =MOM 1111l MMMMMM Ai IS 1 W F, IW IR A MIME MMMMM F OMR 'MMIMI AI I/ fill MMISIIIIIIII 1 If -7. P Jr' l ...MU OMR gm,-.WIMP .A. A MOM- I ' I 11 All Al I 1MM WZ- IM- I A - I e .A AMR I MMMMNI I I AMOMMOMMII MMMMMMM V tOMF :I'. wpm. --- 111111111MMW II:MOW - Amy I MMMMMMMMMM 4 MMMMMMMM MIIIIIMMOMM &NOW MMOMMLOMMII :1111M11MEMFAF ALM, Virilad11111 11111111M1111 M - I 111MIM ...WM AP ---.1". MOM M V-. 1111110._ Sm.7.81 mow 1. AL 'II V AS BIND VINO I 1110.-% .,1101.- i ,31 ' IMMOA 1. A. ME, .. 77MOW MI. I . SIM /EMI%Mi. immr. M svomalimmur , ... MIIII A 1.! /e. MMMMMMMM MISIMMIIM IMMOMMOMOSMOMMOM 'EMS IMO, II - OMMOMMAMMIIIMM MMMMMMM OR..-7IIMMOMMOMMOM Mb. 7 A 1 10711111MOMMOMMONOMMEW I I 0 Ii I MOM MMMMM OMMOMMOMMOMMIIIIMMOMMOM II A," IF 1 A I ' OM IM, JAM 1 In Kenora, Ontario, the strike W IV, AIM 11 ir IN l' 45MM I I MMMMM MOM A r f I AL MMMMMMMMOM I at Boise Cascade Lumber and Sawmill MMOR WM I OEM M OEM drags on. Apart from the effects 111111111111 upon the striking workers, there men make $64. per day with no room have been serious changes in families, and board and in addition they pay for resulting in the militancy of the wives of the striking workers,who are their own gas and transportation. It is interesting to note that striking for the removal of an ownerNot only is there the daily picket that have spent the most operator clause. The wives have joined the 2 women duty confrontation to face, but the time on the picket line were not only the treattheir husbands on the picket lines, conflict with the police has spilled charged but also fingerprinted, given ived, sevto the disapproval of the media and over to cause incidents after hours. a mug shot and assigned a number. together We are very concerned with the monstrate safety of our children walking to and at there in the vicinity of the from school that is Off duty officers have been known Boise Cascade mill. The Boise buses orted by to harass the women of striking workers, and pulp trucks travel at high speeds. ice--we live here and we have the sidewalk on Third Street North. One day, the children were actually made and have even pinched behinds on the picket line. In the 1°6.31 bars there enjoy ourselves over a We are outraged at the sudden Preto walkright some to distance on the road is constant harassment from the poldrink with out having the OPP breathing because the police were blocking the judice being expressed against women. down our necks. Don Sinclair, publisher of the KENORA .IMF AM'/ , I I / / A ' . l r t , A " I I i the union local Cascade_ physcially they proc- MINER AND NEWS has been abusive to the women who feel that they have a right to partcipate in the strike... and has treated them as somewhat of a joke...as you can see in parts of his columns. ring the e, was the process the media. news restrikers the media. wists etters. before tter to only ast noted print We feel we have a right to participate because we the victims of a total absence of income and we certainly can't ignore the number of police in a town of 11,000. (*Note: Don Sinclair claims he does not discriminate against women and demonstrates this by saying that 65% of the KENORA WINER NEWS employees are women---We wonder what the wages of these women are and are curious to know what their jobs are with that paper.) The following is a letter to the Journal from Shirley Ronald of Kee- watin ....We are all very nervous about the police. We women don't know which one of us will be picked up next and charged and treated like a criminal. My husband has been arrested. As for myself, have been struck, thrown, verbally abused etc, by our own FINE police force. " am afraid of the law now. My children have lost all of their respect for the law...After they saw how the police treated their mother and the other women. My Brother is a police officer here and we have not spoken to one another for 4 months. He told me that the extra police were brought in here for our protection. Then showed him my bruises and he hasn't spoken to me since. When he is in the cruiser, and pass him, all can do is turn my head. am afraid to admit that he is my brother now.... I I Tragedy has been the result of this strike. We feel that the death of 53 year old James Portman would never have occurred if it had not th charges Mr. Portman been for this strike. court had been working 12 hour shifts, 7 nforcement days a week since October 11. The ff the fellow who was responsible in the al to deal accident was not qualified to do the r is not job he was doing--Jim Portman was not It is volved doing his regular job either. nts, all rather ironic because Portman was NMENT also the Safety Supervisor. to join When Leo Bernier was approached about this incident he said that it of the was up to the company and not the here government to deal with the problem. It is very suprising to see where CANADA MANPOWER stands. They have accused the strikers of strangling the economy and of robbing the company of profits. They ask the strikers how they can expeeps) ect the company to pay $100, per day in R' (in our wages plus room and board. ly unfounded WHOSE SIDE IS THE GOVERNMENT ON and why do they distort the facts. Our I I I AS MOMOM 111111f Ea I MMMMM f I immumploommr Fr MR.7.:. , II I .' I I Wil , MEM "IMMUNE II . 1111 M 'MEOW IF ' F I IIIMMFAA. ...MEW. 1.IIW F I / IS cu. _ 6 II lorm-mr e MEI. AN O Alik AMER 11111111111111111111/ 1 MIMEO 111M1b -AIM I True to the cause, Shirley Ronald THE FOLLOWING IS THE ACCOUNT OF ANOTHER STRIKER'S WIFE, ISABEL ULAK: My husband has been involved in a legal strike since October. This has been a real education for me and my family. wrote to our local members of parliament. They both replied very politely but no help seems to be forthcoming in either case. Our local newspaper does not seem to be very supportive either. On Friday February 23, Don Sinclair, I cont'd , page 4 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Publisher, KENORA MINER AND NEWS wrote, "Those women had absolutely no business being on the scene at all." Surely this is not an illegal act or the women on the scene would have been charged. Why should women not support their husbands, fathers, or any men in their family emotionally, mentally or physically if possible. This erudite writer with expressions such as "this one was also the Pitts" (Not to be found in the Thornedike Barnhart World Book Dictionary- or is it a spelling error?) and sentences---"This time helped by the picketers wives." (sic) He did not seem pleased with the article written in the Winnipeg Tribune or the Newsmagazine feature aired recently. He stated, "Tune into C.B.C. Newsmagazine Monday evening and watch our town be dealt another kick in the pants that isn't true. (misplaced adjective clause) Mr. Sinclair wrote,"I didn't think the CBC news department prefabricated their journalism but know now that they do." He wrote about this program at least nine or ten days before the public had a chance I to see it. As a woman, am very unhappy with his remarks about women who are sticking by their husbands and trying to I help them. Perhaps in the long run, we and our families will have become a far closer unit for having supported each other. Sincerely, Isabel Ulak. Living on company land live in Camp Robinson, Ontario, ninety miles from Kenora. Camp Robinson is a bush camp owned by Boise Cascade, and the only family camp left in the area. Since the strike started here on Octoner 11, 1978, I've been heavily involved in it myself; writing articles to the newspapers, organizing :campaigns for moral support, and writing artftles to government officials, law authorities and Boise Cascade executives. For the first couple of months after the strike began, sat back and took in what was happening until could stand it no longer and had to speak out. could no longer stand to listen to the lies Boise Cascade told, or watch the O.P.P. aCt as strike breakers and harrass our men and their families. It is evident that the O.P.P. are biased by their persecution of certain individuals and they seem to dream up any charge at all to get the picket leaders off the picket lines and away from the strike. To add insult to injucy, the officials in Kenora and the government are supporting the company and the O.P.P. in their escapades. When the strike began thought it would be dealt with fairly, but as time progressed, could not believe what was seeing. have lost all faith in our law authorities and government, and never dreamt that Boise Cascade could be so callous, calculating, cannibalistic and down right dirty. could spend hours writing about the injustices to the strikers and things that have taken place, but will confine myself to the Camp RobI I I I I I I I I I inson area where live. An O.P.P. helicopter flies over the The Camp Robinson men have been camp site regularly, checking for vehicles and snow mobile trails to especially centred out by Boise Cascade, since the majority are active report to the cruisers. Some vehicles in the strike and strong union members. have been stopped and checked as many Out of 14 members who have pickas four times within fifteen miles. It eted seven have been charged and is also known that our phones are ordered off the picket lines, along bugged as several incidents have happene with being jailed several times. to make this a fact. My husband has spent seven days in don't know how much longer the jail, and all seven of those days were government can take the back-benching needless. He was charged with making stand that they are taking. Are they a threatening phone call to a foreman, so misinformed or near sighted that and thrown in jail for five days. His they cannot see what is happening here? conditions for release were that he They are the only ones who can put forth surrender all firearms, keep away some rules and regulations for the from Boise Cascade property O.P.P. and Boise Cascade to follow and leave the district of Kenora within instead' of letting them run the 36 hours. The District of Kenora is strike as they damn well please. Our approximately 5 to 8 hundred miles> livelihood is' at stake here. We are square and we live right in the middle respectable citizens who can only of it. Being that am in a leg cast take so much injustice or pushing and have been for five months now, around and it is time to put a stop my husband refused to leave me. Our to this charade before more families sewer is frozen til spring and we and people's lives are torn apart. burn wood for heat. This along with ...we stand by the facts 100 percent. other circumstances such as a shortage Marlene King, of money to move, no place to go, and Camp Robinson, Ont. the question of how authorities can banish a man away from his home in the 66 I think their husbands middle of winter brought cries of outrage. My husband contacted a union lawyer, who appealed and notified my husband that papers were being drawn own disputes. up in the Kenora court for a stay it more orderly until court five days later, and that he was to remain at home until then D. Sinclair, PUBLISHER On Saturday afternoon, the O.P.P. KENORA MINER AND NEWS arrested him for failure to comply THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT PREwith the conditions and stated that PARED BY THE WIVES OF STRIKING LOG they had no knowledge of any such papers AND SAWMILL WORKERS UNION 2693 MEMand he was kept in jail until Monday, BERS THAT HAS BEEN WIDELY DISTRIBUTED when the judge signed the necessary THROUGHOUT THE KENORA REGION: paper. It appears that the judge took sick and the papers never got to him For eight months now, we have to be signed although they were there, viewed the Boise Cascade strike in and the courts are closed on the weekKenora and Fort Frances with keen ends. Is this justice?? He spent those interest and involvement, being days in jail needlessly. At court on the wives of Strikers local 2693. Wednesday, the 36 hour condition was We have been filled with sadnes$, dropped and the case remanded until disgust, and frustration. We've watched June 20. It would appear that this helplessly as our men have been needstrike has created the rule that lessly and unjustly jailed, given crima man is guilty until proven innocent inal records for being strong minded an and is sentenced before trial. Meanand fighting for what they believe in. while who will repair the damage We've watched families and friendships done to my husband by having his name fall apart because one or the other broadcasted on radio and TV like is on "the wrong side of the fence." a common criminal. He has never had We have seen our men off to the a criminal record prexiious to this. negotiating table full of optimism, Boise Cascade has constructed a only to have them arrive home more shack at Camp Robinson for their secbitter and militant each day. We urity guards, hired from Sentinel have burned with rage as company securSecurity in Winnipeg. These security ity guards patrol our homes continuous guards patrol the camp 24 hours a day ly,,..Is it really necessary for and we are under constant surveilance. Boise Cascade to know how many times The shack is full of cameras, a day our vehicles leave the driveand radio equipment. Our every movement way, or what time each night our closely watched, written down and lights go off? They are only serving reported. We have had OPP cruisers to antagonize an already explostve stationed at the Camp Robinson turn situation. off for over a month now since Boise We have spent many hours protesting Cascade started moving equipment and and calling out for logic and fairness hauling wood. Several homes in the camp in this situation, only to watch hundhave been searched and the women reds of O.P.P. officers, supposedly and children harrassed by the officers. called in to keep the peace, aid Boise Will our children respect the law Cascade in their daily whims and after what they have seen and heard? strike tactics, by allowing Boise free All vehicles travelling in and out run of our towns and woodland areas. of camp are checked and reported. It Were they sent to keep the peace, or baffles me as to why this harrassment to be put at the disposal of Boise? is necessary. It's evident that the These O.P.P. Officers are merely only reason they are doing this is puppets to this multi-national nightbeeause this is Boise Cascade property, mare. Where does the O.P.P. involvefor there are no check points for peoplement end? Does their involvement involv( going through Kenora or Fort Frances. I I I are big enough boys to their ...they do than the women." handle . cont'd to page 6 Northern Woman Journal, page 5 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �iledged to make the money they make our country. So to Boise Cascade, primary employe of our region, our only message is that intend to stay and work in Northwesterr Ontario, by choice, not necessity; to build it into a better place to live for ourselves and our children. In order to make anything work, we must al give and take. We have given a lot to you in the past and you have taken, No It's your turn to give. To all others, our government authorities, labour boards, and the media who grumble about the inconveni( of this strike and wonder what we are complaining about....come on down her sue. Most of us were born and raised here, for r a while and do our husbands jobs and others have moved here by choice and work with us a while. We guarantee and we'll be damned if we will give up you won't wonder what we are you, our right to live and work here by a complaining about, you'll know. company such as Boise forcing irrational WIVES OF STRIKERS issues upon us. They should feel privLSWU 2693 Were you not elected by the people, for the people? Are we only votes on election day? If this is so, then guarantee you, you will have a good deal less votes next election day. That Boise is trying to break our union is evident. People may call down unions if they wish, but in this issue we back ours 100%. If not for our union we would be totally at the mercy of companies like Boise Cascade that cares more for profit than it's employees. To this company, who is steadlly reaping the wealth from our country,' we are nothing more than numbers on the payroll, as dispensable as toilet tisI flying Boise executives to woodcutting sites in their O.P.P. helicopter, or include taking full control of our highways and town roads? The O.P.P. stops traffic for any length of rime suit Boise, while we, the taxpayers to must sit and wait, taking a back seat. Boise is moving equipment to woodcutting sites and hauling wood that they promised they would not do at the beginning of the strike. Do we have faith in these people? Contractors have been cutting wood and stockpiling since the strike began. It seems that they meant to break their promise all along. The O.P.P. is costing millions. Are we the taxpayers not paying for this calamity!! We have sat and listened to our Federal government quote statistics on inflation and repeated warnings of, "Canadians must tighten their belts, we are nation living in debt and must stop living so high off the hog and start budgeting." And then we listen with amazement as our government states that millions of dollars ($400,000,000 to be exact) will be granted to Pulp and Paper companies to help build their industry. WHO WILL BENEFIT MISTER PRIME MINISTER?? Will we benefit?We who face life-time debt and multiple lay-offs if the "owner-operator" issue goes through? Are we not also a part of the pulp and paper industry as a human resource, does this industry not also belong to us? Should we not also benefit? Since it is our taxpaying dollars that you are so liberally granting to Boise Cascade to upgrade their operation, then it seems a shame that Boise Cascade sees fit to force us into debt to upgrade their operation. We have met with the Minister of Labour and called out to the government to really see what is hapofficials pening and speak their minds. Are they afraid to incurr the wrath of Boise Cascade? Is this multi-million dollar corporation more powerful than our government and more important that your people? Are you afraid that they may close up operation? This area is one in of the best pulp and paper areas the world. We are worth millions to Boise, so fear not my friends, they won't pull out. Even if they did, there are plenty of speculators who would jump at the chance to buy this area from Boise, and probably would do a hell of a lot better job running it too.Are we, the people of Northwestern Ontario not worth anything to you? Mr. Leo Bernier, our honourable MPP, where have you been the past eight months? Come out, come out wherever you are. It seems that you have not wished to comment on the strike at all Tell your friends!! The Northern Women's Credit Uns on an intensive membership ion We encourage our members drive. to seek other potential members. Tell your friends about us. Recently the Ontario Credit Union League raised its interest rate to 12 percent on borrowed money. This could have adverse affects. If our capital should fall short of meeting the loan demand, we will have to borrow from the OCUL at this rate of interest. To encourage new members and to better serve our existing members, we have recently expanded our seri vices : A) TERM DEPOSITS of a minimum of $100. will gather an interest rate of 8.5% df left in for a period of six months. TERM DEPOSITS of a minimum of $100. will gather an interest of 9% if left in for a period of one year. The interest for both term deposits is to be calculated semi-annually. B) SAVINGS ACCOUNTS with a minimum of $50. which can be added to in multiples of $5. with an 8% annual interest rate, claculated quaterly on the minimum monthly balance. Chris Torrie has recently been hired as the Credit Union's Treasurer Manager. It is now possible for women's groups and organizations to belong to the Credit Union under one memThe former stipulat&on bership. for a group membership was that 50% of the members of the organization had to be members of the Credit Union Since this has been individually. changed, we encourage organizations and groups who have bank savings accounts to keep their savings in the Credit Union. PIM IERE PEOPLE ARE Canadian Women's studies ies carvers de is femme CWS\CV SAYING ABOUT Women's Place Printing CENTEMELM. CCALEGF PLMLICATION "GREAT!" A creative new magazine for women: articles, interviews, poetry, book reviews and much more. CWS/CF is a bilingual quarterly for all women subscription rates: Institutional 515.00 Individual $10.00 VA QUALITY JOB...QUI AND INEXPENSIVE!" Brochures Booklets Student single copy Pamphlets 5.00 S 3.00 send to: CWS/CF, Centennial College 651 Warden Ave. Newsletters Scarborough, Ontario MI L 3W6 MY NAME IS No order too small MY ADDRESS CITY PROS 316 BAY ST. CODE Those 3L5-7802 Northern Woman Journal, page 6 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �THE UIC GAME! NEW RUbES VICTIMS care arrangements. But women can't qualify for daycare unless they are already working." The UIC benefits have been cut this year from 66 2/3% of a persons wages to 60%. This will mean additional hardship for women because they only make an average of about 53% of what men make,to begin with. Part time workers workers will no longer have access to U.I. unless they work 20 hours per week. More women than men are part time workers. restraints. Changes deny benefits to people unable to find long term employment. EMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT: All Canadians are aware that the Women are the last hired, first country has had some problem with fired which makes them largely afunemployment over the past few afted by the highere entrance reqyears. However, women should perhaps uirements for repeaters. After colbe especially aware of the problem. lecting UI, the claimant must find "We must attack propaganda that work for at least as long a period we presently encounter that 'blames' as they collected. Many women can womenfor the present economic crisis'! only get work on a part time or Marg Phillips emphasized. temporary basis. For example, one myth alleges that New entrants and reentrants into working women are all secondary wage the labour force will have to work earners and only marginally attached tp 40 w eeks in the last 2 years and 10 the workforce. to 14 weeks in the previous year to "By wage standards, yes women look qualify. This will affect all young people, male and female, but will to be secondary wage earners, but not because they want to be," said Phillips. uniquely affect older women trying "And how can women become anything but to re-enter the work force after marginally attached when they can't get years of homemaking. adequate daycare and training programmes What these changes amount to for that make them eligible to become older women and women in other categoeies is that 263,000 people will full fledged members of the labour Women in the workforce have yet to be contended with by the government as is evident in the recent changes to Unemployment Insurance in the area of eligibility and new policies on Daycare, said Marg Phillips who gave a presentation on the Unemployment Insurance issue at the March 8 IWD celebration at the Lakehead Labour Centre. Restraints in government spending since 1976 have mainly been in the area of human services. Women have been the first affected by the these force?" To demonstrate the way in which this assertion distorts the actual situation of women, Phillips cited several stat- K not qualify for UI benefits under the new legislation and therfore at least an additional 130,000 people will be turning to welfare. CUTS IN TRAINING ALLOWANCE Adverse effects can be expected from the cuts in government training grants. It is, under the new legislation, impossible to collect UI benefits and receive training allowance to make a person able to get off UI and onto the labour force. Further, training allowance to a woman whose husband is working will be cut from $45, per week to $10. per week, hardly enough to cover the cost of transportation, let along day7 care, sai d Phillips. Cutbacks will also apply to OUTREACH Programs which funded a number of women's employment centres. The National Action Committee on the Status of Women recently put forth the following resolution in response to the government legislation: "BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE WOMAN, JUST AS THE MAN AND THE YOUNG ADULT OF BOTH SEXES, SHOULD HAVE THE UNDISPUTED RIGHT TO WORK AND THAT THIS RIGHT SHOULD BE FUNDAMENTAL FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: ECONOMIC,PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, SOC4AL AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF THE NATION." FROM the RESOURCE hIBRIIRY istics. by Monika McNabb In fact, of the 3,600,000 women in Sexual harassment on the job and the Canadian Labour Force in 1975, consumerism have several things in 1,146,000 were single and self-supcommon - they are commanding more porting, 347,000 were widowed, separated news coverage as relevant, problemand divorced and 767,000 were married atic areas of concern to women, they to husbands making less than $10,000 further illustrate the case of woman per year. One would be forced to as victim and they are two items conclude therefore that women were which have been added to the Resource not working for superfluous cash, but Library. to support themselves, their childSexual Shakedown: the Sexual ren and share in support of the Harassment of Women on the Job by family. Lin Farley is now available in Women are accused of being the Thunder Bay only at Women's Centre. cause of unemployment, However, Ms. The Canadian counterpart Secret Phillips countered, women are the Oppressions: Sexual Harassment of victims not the cause of unemployWorking Women by Leah Cohen and ment. Women are the victims not the Connie Backhouse will soon be cause of unemployment. Women are published and Leah Cohen will be aldi off jobs in higher numbers than giving a speech and workshop on this men. Women usually assume low paysubject at the Women Against Violence ing jobs, are less likely to belong to unions and are often part time workers. All of these factors amount to an inelegibility for seniority and special training, thus making women more dispensable. Another accusation directed toward women is that they take jobs away Conference here in May. On sexual harassment, Lin Farley says "In the history of men's misuse of women, this abuse is a relatively recent arrival and is related to man's need to preserve his dominion over modern work". Because men do have dominion and control over most of modern work, women are "prey" as consumers as well eg: car and house purch ases and repairs; unfair business practices; high prices; phony schemes - and because we are not informed about Consumer Rights and Res ponsibilities, we leave ourselves susceptible to being ripped off. As the result of a two-day workshop with the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations we are better able to provide information and guidance for you on this subject. from men. "Not so," stresses Ms. Phillips. "Women are in different labout markets from men., therefore they are not directly competing. Women are in job ghettos performing tasks that men are not willing to do at wages men would never accept. The large percentage of unemployed men are in occupations that have very few women." "Women are accused of abusing UIC," she continued, "But they are in a catch 22 situation. They are cut off UIC because of unavailability for work...i.e. they are unavailable because they haven't the proper child 11 HE Re- BRINGTVE REVOLUT1014 1404E. Northern Woman Journal, page 7 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Live nay know what you have done teatize you have a66ected a Zi6e mint. tememben my teAtmizing moment's the Emotiona pain wLU tazt 4oteven.. in youA zick mind L t waz Zovemaking simpZe bucking i.twais much mote. oppAezzian degnadation humiZiation violence. knav .thins . understand. and then with yowl con/science i cane you, tive. gage o'hanton stained glass by Estelle Howard SONG OF SOLITUDE I often wonder at the time what chance had I a dark hebraic maid against fair Helen? Donna Phoer which is dc material. I Women in Ai eration Co] presentatic the openinc Poor Miriam I think you knew your savage knowledge of the world and black nocturnal lust must fade beneath those northern lights; how could you not lose dusky face beside that myth that launched a thousand men? Nevertheless you understand the rose of Sharon never will a lily make nothing can whiten this small hand. LYNNE KOSITSKY on March 25. Batik by Claire Cikalik THE YOUNG GIRLS TOO SOON From out of the past Like some unawakened dream Realism comes I hear them say, They feel sorry for me, Sitting all day Doing nothingT'was only yesterday Mother grew old. The young girls spend too many daydreams misting over tattered pictures that burst into ... amber and gold Flashing like the blade of a knight who's coming always coming Yetnever there. JUDY ROBINSON, Espanola ALEATA E. BLYTHE Makwa, Sask. in the silence 1 the chrystal poi when all the pn beyond son flower the seeing in t, weaving by Pat Ryan she wished she had carried him when he was small and brown as a betel nut waiting to birth now he grew dark and luminous into her life and she wondered how long his first mother mourned him CHINOOK Like leav her stemn She bends that L Another too cold for a Lynne Kositsky Northern Woman Journal, page 8 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor . �SEEING OURSELVES....an art show of work by women, many of whom have never put their work on display before. The purpose of the exhibit was to get the art work of women where people could see, discuss and appreciate it. Oraganized by Menika McNabb, SEEING OURSELVES presented the work of 10 women. The opening night was well attended and generated some interesting discussion. Looking it over. Lifeline There is engulfing lonliness which lies outside my window every night as I decipher and recalculate the length from here to other lives. h her art work a variety of who teaches a se at Conferdgave a slide discussion at EING OURSELVES The world rotates and I taut spider spinning off the Earth wave thread into a timeless universe dull blackness which negates my insect gaze in the webbed finality of silent nights I understand we lose our scanty tightrope strung across the stars and go crashing sightlessly into eternities of dark galactic forests. Lynne Kositsky Anna Akerval, batik, ink, photography SEASIDE HOW IN WINTER like a long ago school day, the street looks amiss, an once stolen kiss by stringed mitts freezing to metal railings. Viola Goderre ils by Diane Paroby The cottage gkeet4 me empty dampne44 ceing4 and hoveAs I'm WV though and walk thnough 41 ant ADOM4 to Witch on the etecttic blanket Seems i_tis /mining out and -tn... that damned ADO4 again! Now to tight my ofd btack iiton heaters then the 6iteptace a wett thought p&tn to avoid a coughinghouse of wood, moke! Onty Aaingatek &tipping 4teadity into the bucket punctuates the stittsad quiet. dedned night, es from a crying heart ere never intended Viotet Winegatden landscape in oils by Lorraine Harris Viola Goderre. WARD 2- SHIFT 12-8 AM ling together wave wantonly the sterile storm ?r. boughs ROBINSON, 7anola The old lady looked Over her thick rimmed specks And glared at meEnvying my youth? My apple red cheeks? My light, quick step? I doubt itShe said, "You know, One half of this world Is made to screw the other half And I think we got The short end of the stick." ALEATA E. BLYTHE Makwa, Sask. Northern Woman Jounral, page 9 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Findings & outcomes of the ROYAL COMMISSION life in a small town Remember when the Royal Commission on the Northern Environment came trapsing through the north? If so, you may be interested in the background paper that expresses the cumulative opinions expressed at the various hearing held in the small towns throughout the region. The entire publication can be acquired by writing The Royal Commission on the Northern Environment, Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor St. West, Room 801, Toronto, M4W 1A5. However, to deal with it in part, the following is a representative portion of Chapter 5 from the section entitled WOMEN IN THE NORTH SEEK JUSTICE: ...the Commission learned that traditionally, it would be left to the native women to break camp, move family and belongings and set up another home following the seasonal pursuits of hunting, trapping, fishing and gathering. Trapping has often been a male-female team effort among native people, with the women helping to set traps and retrieve the catch and invariably scraping the furs and tanning the hides. Today in the north, trapping, commercial fishing and wild rice harvesting are usually partnership efforts for men and women. At the turn of the century, white women came to live in the north in some numbers during the second phase of "civilizing" the country, the period after the wilderness had been mapped. Traders' wives, missionaries, teachers--they all contributed to life in the north. Later came the miners' wives, the bullcooks working in the lumber camps and the women of easy virtue in the mining boom towns. For women, the north meant adapting themselves to a rough and narrow lifestyle created and dominated by men. It was not a comfortable life nor a familiar one... While there was some contact between native and white women over the years, close friendships were unusual... The division still exists to a considerable extent today in northern towns, i.e. white people live in towns, native people mainly in shanties on the outskirts or on reserves...: In recent years, some younger women of both cultures have been learning to recognize feelings and life experiences that they share in common, goals which can bring them together as women... Issues raised by women in the north were basically similar to those voiced by their sisters in the south. They need facilities for pre-school children to allow mothers freedom to seek employment or pursoe cultural interests. They want interval houses to allow them protection from beatings or abuse. They want job opportunities to give them greater economic independance and allow them to have a greater say in the devel opment of the area. The problems northern women share with their southern sisters are compounded by the realities of living in a remote community. Isolation, inadequate housing, lack of cultural and recreational facilities and a shortage of activities and occupations outside the home all serve to make life harder for women in the north: "Fear, isolation, lack of financial resources, transportation and child care are all factors that make living in the north a very difficult place for women to grow and participate as citizens of Ontario." (NWO International Women's Decade Co-ordinating Council, Nakina) An almost total absence of paid employment opportunities for women characterized a number of communities visited by the Commission. One reason for this lack, the Commission. One reason for this lack, the Commission was told, was the dependance, typical in the north, of an entire community on a single employer, generally a resource extraction industry: "In single industry communities... the majority of jobs will be male oriented and the traditional female employment opportunities will not be as prevalent as in a more diversified southern community." (Timmins Women's Resource Centre, Timmins.) In part, there are few jobs for women, daycare services and facilities are inadequate and costly; and without daycare facilties, the new jobs for women are further out of reach... With few opportunities for employment outside the home, a northern woman is restricted to her home and family. Concern was expressed about: "...the alarming increase of men- tal illness of young women attributed to the never-ending stress associated with caring for small children in cramped company houses, trailers or mobile homes." (NWO International Womens Decade Co-ordinating Council, Nakina.) Not only do women experience the psychological strain of isoMen too lated northern communities. suffer the tension of an unstable way of life. Tragically, the victims of their frustrations are often their wives and their children: "...The top priority expressed by women in the communities we visited was the desparate need for crisis or interval housing. Small communities lack even the minimal social support services..." The stresses of women living in' isolation are ,compounded for those who come to the north later in life, perhaps following a husband who has found employment: "Those of us born here are accustomed to the conditions. We value our environment four independance, selfreliance and pace of life while recog- nizing mutual dependancy in times of emergency...To newcomers...the weather conditions! can be debilitating, inadequate housing...demoralizing, the absence of medical service close at hand frightening; and recreational and educational facilities virtually nonexistent for women, depressing.... (Kenora Women's Coalition, Kenora) Many women are concerned that expansion and new development would cause further problems. An influx of workers, both single and married, imposes a burden on a community which may not be able to support it. Once again, those who suffer most tend to be women and children: "The social impact of (development) will effect all members of the community, but it may have a particular impact on women, their children and their communities. Aggravated housing problems, the pressures of overcrowding and the deterioration in the public utilities...would fall mainly on women who, during the long northern winters are often alone at home." (KenoraRainy River District Health Council) Native women in particular feel the negative impact of development. Sometimes an isolated native community is forced to absorb an influz of people without any preparation or assistance... The Commission was reminded that development, with its influx of transient workers, creates other problems for native women: "We are concerned with the sexual exploitation of our native women, through the availability of alcohol and out communities being close to the camps; the evidence of violent attacks on women, rape, illegitd imate pregnancies, unwanted children, prostitution and venereal disease will rise beyond a social problem.(Ontario Native Women's Association, Geraldton) Generally, the women of the north, both women and non-native women, recognized that industrial activities of some sort are inevitable. Consequently, they were determined that Northern Woman Journal, page 10 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �her term in mid May. The same Royal comission complete that conducted future undertaking not bring with communities designated for the the hearings and publsihed the The report them problems comparable to those that you have just read will fund are a three study Red Lake, Ear Falls, Souix experienced in past developments... this year month QUALITY OF LIFE study Lookout, Hudson and Ignace. Each commun"Traditionally, economic developthat will cover phase one ofity a hopeis at a different stage in the ecoment in single industry northern fully, positive process. nomic development process. communities has not included the The Quality of Life Study, Awhich womanwas or group of women will co-orexperience, knowledge and concerns first tried in the one industry dinatetowns activites in their communities of women. This has resulted in male of northern British Columbia a very andhad bring other women together to disoriented communities at all levels, It got women cuss together issues relevant to their experience economically, socially and politically positive effect. talking about economic development as women and in single industry towns. The The needs of women and children hopes for thei r communities. They women began in each community met for contact have been given only marginal recogto feel confident that their imput into a training and introductory seminar in nition.(Kenora Women's Coalition) economic decisions was not Dryden, only valid, March 20. From their submissions to the but extremely beneficial to both The themcontacts are as follows: Royal Commission, it was clear that RedofLake--Freda the Isaac, Ear Falls--Josie northern women want the opportunity to selves and the other members community. Let's hope the same process Barlow and Rae Kiebuzinski, Souix Lookbe involved in decision-making, to out--Kathy Keisel, Hudson--Barb Lewis is started in Northern Ontario. help determine the future of the and Bev Enstrom and in Ignace--Isabel communities in which they live and Huston and Christine Jacobs. to secure equal rights for their sex... As well as bringing together women Jill Torrie was recently employed The story being told by by the the economic women in their communities, the contacts will development committee in the preceeding report overseeing may not be this study, to carry out Phase be responsible for producing an informexactly encouraging....But ative document on their community and one.there may assist in organizing a workshop. She began work February 25 and will be hope. ENDNOTE or creative feature writing. All this, for the sake of 'exposure', in an attempt to develop that special discipline that she felt was necessary to write well. She withstood the unspoken and saLetime spoken judgement of friends who refe,-red now, feeling relieved, slightly exhilto her reporting as a hobby, which no erated.All the while, that small glow doubt kept her busy now that"the childgrowing a little, to remain there, in ren had left". These remarks relegated her consciousness. her to an odious position of filling in As the span of time lengthened, time, now that the important things hope grew and she wandered through her of her life had slipped away (the bearing days with suppressed excitement: "they" and rearing of children)), rather than were giving it a second look, that facethe fufilment of a life-time ambiless group of persons who worked for the tion to write. And then the feeling magazine and read unsolicited manuof panic, in case, perhaps, that she scripts, relegating hers perhaps, to was indeed indulging in a silly hobby that special pile of "possibles". "kept her busy". Surely this was Kay, freelance journalist-photographerthat this force within her that striving, covered local events in her small town had to be put into words was real, was for three newspapers and two radio indeed a talent which had to be heard? i stations. This led to further coverage The long working hours: her apprenticefor the women's page in the daily synship towards fluency. dicated paper which ultimately launched This summer she had gone camping her into feature stories and a weekly and canoeing with her husband. Coming column. by JOYCE DUNN,' home from these trips, tired and sunShe attended Council meetings and s supreme burned, the sleeping bags and boxes sat through countless stultifying sesden, of stale left-over food crowding her sions, dashing home later that night a riot of colour, kitchen floor, she would look up her to evolve a coherent report out of in the fragrance hurried scribblings and remember the what had been the trite haranguing of wers. glow of sunsets and the opalescence a group of well-meaning aldermen. In y is her life of early mornings. In between the order to fight back the antipathy she e says: plague of so-called friends, who dropfelt radiating from the mayor, who, o anything!' ped in uninvited as they passed. with his back to her, was constantly answer her trying to silence the vociferous alder- through in their campers, crowded cars or worse, the grown children of friends men, she developed a callousness, a o the flowers." long forgotten, who stopped for a free poker faced indifference. At public meal, she managed to write of her m hearings, she would wedge her way been an opressive day. travels, jubilant of the good coverage through the small group of citizens the long envelope in her she got, and best of all, the reward squeezed into the small village office, at at the kitchen table and of extra payment. She felt gratfied, o as they protested the attempt on the ough the window of the grey and her growing bank account gave her world of Novemeber, letting the part of the paunchy real estate agent, of self worth. But, late at a sense of cold momentary despair en- to turn their residential area into a' night, thoughts tumbling in her mind, She knew again the destructive coomercial zone. Or she would sit she would go down to her basement room ailure and disappointment. That stolidly through lenghty discussions and write her stories. on garbage disposal, or the installation glow in the back of her mind, Kay looked down at the letter and of water pipes. deep in heart?, extinguished. smiled wryly. Sometimes a few words Sometimes she got angry phone calls. rted whe she first mailed the would w be added to the rejection slip, At first she shook and stammered, but anuscript, punctuated, neat; or a letter inclosed instead with some as time wentron, she grew brave, devult of all the scribblings, kind criticism telling her either that eloping a toughness, doing her research heets from the typewriter, khr story was banal, or too melodramthoroughly, avoiding abvious pitfalls. ts of the original inspiration ,atic or, from a small magazine, that launched the agony and ecstasy Conquering sheer panic at camera failure the back log of manuscripts was too her palms sticky with sweat, she faced the story. And here it was, big to accomodate her contribution. the group of posing Chamber of Comightly worn looking in the She would seethe, die a little, the merce executive members, her confident ssed envelope,' rejected. glow extinguished, leaving in its stead, smile belying confusion. That too, e years, Kay had invented a a world where there was no life, theree. After tailing the manuscript, she overcame by learning the intricacies fore no tastes, no scents, no colour. of the camera which, in her profession, consciously despatch its For days after a rejection she would carbecame an extension of herself-, the to the farthest part of her visual reflection of factual reporting ury it deep, forgotten for ORT STORY OTHER IN fi CliNYON ' cont'd next page Northern Woman Journal, page 11 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �icacy proffered with the same enthusiasm the impact of the glittering river as the showing of the flowers, would be seen from her living room window. All followed by accounts of grandchildren, ephemeral in texture, the force of whose pcitures crowded the top of the imagery pressed upon her mind's eye, old upright piano. to be revealed in the written word. At last, ready to leave, Kay would It was later on in the day when kiss the faded cheek, detecting that the phone rang. By this time Kay had quick flash of sadness clouding the thrown the manuscript in the drawer a bright eyes. As Kay reached the rickety already full of other such dismal fai. gate, she would smile, adjusting it ures. Giving the rejection slip a cur back on its warped hinges, a small delay sory glance (no comments this time) as she turned her back on her old friend. she went back upstairs and started to By the time Kay had slipped behind the make her Christmas cake. She was hapwheel of her car, Mrs. Blossom had pily mixing the fruited batter with moved forward a little and was standing her hands when the persistent ringing amongst her flowers with that look of of the phone interrupted her. yearning that Kay was noticing more and Nerves taut, exasperated, and more, a look which betrayed the impatedge to her voice, Kay snapped: ience that the 88 year old woman felt "Hello..." There was a slight pause, ry this dead weight in her heart, her nortoward her great age, compelling her to a rustling then the sound of Mrs. mal good humour gone, the edge of her say often as she now stood on the Blossoms voice, a little frightened, temper sharp. But eventually an inner perifery of the life she loved so saying, "Hello, hello, is that you strength would rise within her. Undewell: "I don't do anything." Kay? I hope I have the right number... feated she would gather up her forces Kay decided to write her tribute in Ashamed and contrite, reassuring and go back to her old self and to interthe form of a poem. As the clock ticked her caller, Kay held the receiver viewing local celebrities, old-timers, away the afternoon, she wrote effortless- delicately, as she would a flower, any attending Friendship teas and Council ly, each ward carefully chosen, comparing listened humbly with child-like gratmeetings. Mrs. Blossom'scspecial charm, to her itude as the familiar rough old voice Trapped in her local environment, bright garden. Later on, she took the in its hestitant, modest way reKay longed to soar, to reach out bepoem down to her den, typed it and mailed jected the poems praise, thanking the yond her boundaries. The closest thing it off to the little weekly paper. writer for its tribute. Her increasto an escape was her column., which was Kay did not think too much of her ing deafness making conversation over an expression of either her concern, poems. She likened them rather to the phone virtually impossible, Mrs. humour or sometimes a description of the lyrical tunes children could Blossom acutely embarassed as always, a rural scene in her own small town. dance to, or to the violets that grew by her lack of hearing bid Kay an It was her poems, however, that in the shade of tall grasses by mountabrupt goodbye. gave wings to her spirit, creating ain streams in the summer. Happy and Replacing the telephone delicately, a momentary perception of life, a total insignificant, a personal pleasure, in order perhaps not to break the magjoyful understanding of the world an indulgence which the people who ic of the moment, her moment--this spe around her. On sunny days she would read them enjoyed. Once, she had ial joy, Kay deposited the instrument run down to the river with Domino, the sent a group of what she considered back soundlessly, the opressiveness black and white mongrel dog, to sit her best poems to a magazine, but she of the day gone. No one could mar, by the shore and watch the water turn had never heardl...A great writer had criticize or reject the intrinsic black,as the rays of late afternoon sun once compared sending off poems for happiness she felt at times like emblazoned the leafless trees to gold, publication, to the dropping of a these. against the dark autumn sky. Picking up feather into a canyon. a stick for the dog to chase, she In flashes of cruel self-analysis walked along the gravel shore and as Kay wondered what possesed her to she did the poems would echo in her brain continue in this pursuit of life as Joyce Dunn is a freelance journalist, and clearly, like music in words, spring she so often saw it--the trembling and creative writer who lives in to her mind.Like a girl then, laughvision caught on the wings of a song, Chase British Columbia. ing, she would chase the dog back up the hill to the house and there, at the kitchen table, quickly snatching up a piece of paper, she would write in words the poetry of sound she had heard by the river. It was last week that Ruth Brown, editor of the local weekly paper, had asked if Kay would write a "little something" for the S-- Weekly, to commemorate the occasion of Kitty Blossom being chosen Mother of the Year. As she sat down to write the "little something" for Mrs. Blossom, Kay had smiled happily at the memory of the old lady showing her around her small women agqinst mence garden. Each spring, by special invitation, Kay was summoned to this bowery of colour, with the important news that "the orange lilies were out in bloom" and that the delay of even one day would diminish their glory. In the balmy fragrance of the spring day, Kay was introduced to each and every flower, until with supressed excitement, which had begun with the careful study of the first flowering bush, the old woman guiding Kay round the corner of the house, would come upon the orange lilies and point them out proudly, their gleaming petals unfurled like mute horns proclaiming the joy of spring. Later on, the tour over, Mrs. Blossom would lead Kay into the dim parlour, cluttered with the memories of a long life and invite her to partake of that special dish, Gooseberry Fool. The del- A CONFERENCE MAY 18 , & 20, 1979 FEATURING KEYNOTE SPEAKER TOPICS COVERED: HELEN LAFONTAINE TRUDY DUNNE LEAH COHEN JOANIE VANCE RAPE********BATTERED WOMEN*******SUBTLE VIOLENCE TO BE HELD AT Confederation College in the Shuniah Building. THE CONFERENCE IS FREE OF CHARGE, HOWEVER IT IS NECESSARY TO PRE-REGISTER FOR MEALS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND BROCHURE WRITE: Women's Centre, 316 Bay St., Thunder Bay P or call 345-5841 sponsored by: NORTHERN WOMEN'S CENTRE, RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, NWO INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DECADE CO-ORDINATING COUNCIL, WOMEN IN TRANSITION CRISIS HOMES INC. Northern Woman Journal, page-12 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �It's spring....a time when fashion designers haul out their new lines and attempt to create an excuse for people to spend money. Although women are pretty 'much past the question of clothes, it is interesting to note the re-emergence of the emphasis on fashion that has taken place over the last few years. Even MS. MAGAZINE finds it worthy enough of a feature article entitled "How to get dressed and still be Yourself". Fortunately most of us are beyond the mentality where it is of any great concern. But here, just for a laugh, we reprint an article that appeared as a "RETORT IN A SPIRIT OF SERIOUS LEVITY", in the CANADIAN HOME JOURNAL January 1932. The author, Martha Banning Thomas has gathered her wits to respond to an article that the CANADIAN HOME JOURNAL, Novemeber 1931 by one Dr. Benge Atlee entitled "Are Women Sheep?". The article accuses women of frivolously modelling themselves on the Paris and London dictators of fashion. The respons to his assertion was overwhelming, but two responses were chosen...the following and one by Judge Emily F. Murphy, first women magistrate in all of Canada. Both and thought provoking. Add are witty so we present: BU T AREN'T MEN PE\GUINS busy for their firms some where else. No one with an honest heart, will try to lay the invention of a single, modern convenience at her door, not (circa, 1932) even the hump-hair pin or freewheeling ernity, etc. What a place man, oh what But she did her bit about destiny. a place this poor spinning world: Yes, it's a man-made world--bless their By being beautiful in a deadly sumptWheels turning. Whistles blowing. Facpompous little hearts:: And it all began uous way, and by selecting important tories screaming with energy and proa number of thousands of years ago during people like Ceasar and Antany' for her duction. No colour anywhere, but posa period known as ".THE BRUTE MANAGEMENT playmates, she nearly cracked up civsibly flowers. (Was God all wrong SITUATION." A girl had to pretty and sly ilization She invented high bloodabout beauty?) No parties, no fun, no and crafty in those days to get her own pressure, and gave the outstanding quarrels, no children bothering about way.And more often than not, she got a portrayal of a vamp. Those men ...just millions upon millions of smart clip on the head with the family were intelligent, too. Emperors and business suits going to work in the cudgel. All this must have been rather such in their own home towns, orators, morning. trying. dictators, the leaders of their people. It's a deperate vision, rather. But what could she do? What can a canDon't deny that the woman had as much Isn't it---honestly? And here we might ary do about an eagle? Absolutely nothing power as a fleet of oil-burners. be bold enough to mention the names but chirp at it and hope for luck. OfAfter that, time went on, as it alof a few out of hundreds of women, who course, in a manner of speaking, the ways does somehow--until fashions for have exercised a world-wide influence? woman got used to being dragged around men got gayer and gayer. Women just Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton by the hair of her head, of being hurled about gave up competing, and went a(organization here, surely), George hither and yon in the spirit of sport, of round in the sulks. Silks, satins, Eliot, Mrs. Siddons (the great tragic being tossed about at the caprice of her plumes, laces, curled ringlets, slashed of the English stage), and in modern darling, protective Neanderthal hubby. sleeves. Magnificent: But was it manly? days, the Pankhursts, Jane Adams, This went along for quite a while, in Everybody thought so at the time. Men Edith Cavell, Margaret Sanger. Who fact several hundred of cycles. Then the put on stylish wars, and women praised can calculate what they have done? beginnings of civilization began a faint, them in a crafty manner, and did more Nobody. feeble twitter. Caves were more or less and more what they wanted. But to return to clothes--always a abandoned, bludgeons thrown away in favThere were the female Medicii for man's petulant wail. Is there (be brave) our of swords, art, literature, buildinstance. There's a family for you. anything more depressing than a bowler ings and organized war cropped up deterSome of them bad, very bad. And the hat? More fatiguing than a claw-hammer? minedly. Women learned to manage their Borgias. But lEterature still works More dismal than masses of white shirt affairs with greater craft and skill. up a fever and dumb ague for them. The bosoms, stiff ties, black evening Helen of Troy happened. She did not hand that rocked the cradle, fooled clothes...the endless formal procession erect an assembling plant for cars, but the world. Give them gals their due. of Penguins at a party? in her girlish (sheepish) way she was They matched their wits with strength, Oh, sometimes could scream for a the cause of assembling large armies precedence and crushing dominance. And dashing, red sash, satin knee breeches who fought and raged about the city gates, they've sent their somewhat doubtful ...anything to lift the deadly pall and kicked up a memorable dust. She names ringing down the centuries. of black. They're all alike. All scared homes and humanity. wrecked heroes And so forth. There was Good Queen of being conspicuous. Not a noble achievement, but they couldn't Bess. No use going into that. Everyone Dispiriting sight! And if we women Take this idea home and live stop her knows what a booby she made out of the wore the same? The world would go inwith it a while; it's a good one. One elegant Essex. Women auch as she do not sane. haven't more time now. I've need to herd together in corporations, woman had the world by the ears. She got got to whip around the corner and orand holding companies, and lodges and results. Poets sang of her, wrote volder a couple of solid business suits. parades. They encompass a whole epoch umes of blank verse which boys and One will have to do for frying eggs in themselves. girls to this day must translate in and doughnuts and washing the dishes and sweeping etc. It will soon be order to be called educated. Certainly you must allow Helen her slice smelly and spotty and reeking of a Now we come to something else. It's of international influence? She did pitiful to think how soon after this men thousand kitchen odours. The ether will nor require a Wall Street...she was due for calls, having the parson in got scared.Scared of being pointed at, a panic all by herself. for tea, errands, pcinics, movies, picked out in -a crowd, commented upon. informal suppers given for the husband's Gradually they laid aside their beautQuite a while before this, men's law partner. iful, colourful attire. They swarmed clothes took a turn for the better. And I'll be laughed at, and hooted by the thousands, into homespun, dull, They discarded for good and all,the drab fabrics, that made them look exactat and made utterly miserable. By whom? old fashioned one piece leopard skin. By men...dear brothers and sisters...! ly alike. (It has occurred to that magThey went in for pleated,short skirts men who like their ladies well-dressed. nifying glasses might have been made at with a smart design embroidered on the By men who poke fun at plain straight time, though really don't know. hems. They wore flathy helmets, and thinking, resolute, somewhat unfeminine Anxious wives could thus go about se(irchbelts and breastplates. And tunics. ,women who have fought valiantly for ing for their husbands in the dun colYou simply got nowhere without a tunic. oured crowd (But this is beside the point)their less vigorous sisters. And there was much purple and fine Women are not men, nor ever can be. Pilgrams and Puritans clung to wide, linen here and there, even rings and But aren't men...penguins? white collars and silver shoe buckles, bracelets. but a cherry ribbon for the hair of their Then naturally, there was Patty, ladies, was blasphemy. Yes, the woman known to students of history as Cleosubmitted. They had to. Give them the patra. But her pals called her all bone and frame and sinew of the mole, sorts of cute little names, even great leave out the charm, gaiety, love, matbig strong men who should have been PO' MARTHA BANNING THOMAS. . I , I I I Northern Woman Journal, page 13 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Understanding PRO-CHOICE Canadian Association for Repeal of For an individual Abortion Law membership ($15.) or family membership ($25) send a cheque to CARAL, Box 527, Station Z, Toronto Ont. M5N 2A6 Recently the Right to Life organization in Thunder Bay has been appearing on local talk shows, and carrying on a drive for memberships. To balance the picture,we present the following explanation of what it means to advocate Childbirth by It is important when ponderChoice. ing this often emotional issue to keep the facts in mind. It is only then that a sane and healthy decision is made. WHAT IS CHILDBIRTH BY CHOICE? Briefly, childbirth by choice means freedom in planning one's family. It means not being FORCED to bear a child. It means not being FORCED to have an abortion. We believe that a woman should have the freedom to choose whether or not to continue an unplanned, undesired preganancy. We believe that restrictive abortion laws, far from solving the abortion problem, only make it worse. Canada reveals that one third of those obtaining legal abortions in 1976 were under 20. This is a regrettable situation. But consider what might have happened if those abortions had NOT been granted. For women under 20, the physical costs of compulsory child birth are particulatly high, since it is a well documented fact that pregnancy in either the early or late childbearing years increases the risk of maternal mortality. Further adverse consequences for the adolescent may be interrupted education, restricted marriage opportunity and general economic hardship. There is also a greater risk of mortality and illness in the infants born to adolescents. One sees then, that compulsory childbirth in adolescence costs society dearly, in both human and dollar terms. UNWANTE DNE SS Opponents of abortion law repeal appear to centre their concern for life on fetal life. They do not seem A WORLDWIDE TREND: to consider the fate of the unwanted At the beginning of 1971, 380 of child produced by compulsory childthe world's people lived in countries birth. Two studies, comparing children where legal abortion was liberally born to mothers whose request for available. By early 1976 the figure abortion has been refused with a conhad increaded to 640, nearly two trol group of children born to mothers Few social thirds of the world. who had not requested abortion indicate changes have ever swept the world so that the former are worse off in every rapidly. The worldwide movement, in repspect...Forssman and Thuwe, after evidence on every continent, reflects; a 20 year study in Sweden, reported an increasing willingness by national that children born to women whose legislatures to face the reality of applications were rejected showed a abortion as a major public health issue. significant pattern of social and The international record shows that emotional disability. A study in Prague prohibition of abortion does not preof 200 children under the same cirvent its practice. Restrictive lews cumstances yielded similar results. only assure that abortion will often Ofcourse psychiatrists have long recbe inexpertly carried out under cland ognized the damage caused by maternal estine circumstances, rather than rejection, and some of them believe safely performed under hygenic condthat one of the most important goals itions with competent medical superof preventive psychiatry is the prevision. vention of unwanted offspring. LIBERALIZATION AND WELL-BEING ADOPTION Many countiqes have liberalized One often hears the glib slogan, access to abortion, including sever"Adoption not Abortion". Those who al societies that have much in common hold this view are either unaware of with out own --U.S.A., France, Great or indifferent to the trauma of giving Britain, AusLria, Israel, Italy, and a child up for adoption. In fact, the Scandinavian countries. women who have experienced both giving Although different laws, policies a child up for adoption and having and judicial decisions have evolved an abortion invariably say that abortion in each country, the official durisis less traumatic. and studies which dicition in each case is the same- compare the psychological reactions the physical, mental, social and of three groups of women (those who economic well-being of the woman had an abortion, those who gave the concerned. child up for adoption, and those who None of these countries encourages kept the child that they bore), found abortion, or enforces compulsory that although all groups experienced abortion through its laws or policies some stress, it was clear that the and most emphasize strongly the adabortion patients fared better convantages of preventative contraception. siderably than those giving up children But each state tacitly recognizes in for adoption. its laws that without broad access The number of newborns available to abortion, legally, for the poor for adoption have in fact declined in as well as the rich, maternal health past years for a variety of reasons. and family well-being will suffer. The idea that some women should be FORCED to have babies so that others ADOLESCENTS may adopt them is surely unthinkable Many women seeking abortions in Canada are adolescents. Statistics in a democratic society. GREATER HEALTH RISKS WHEN ABORTION REFUSED Advocates of Compulsory childbirth often make the claim that women who seek and obtain abortions suffer grave psychological and physical consequences. This is refuted by the emminent psychiatrist Dr. Wendall Watters, who, after a thorough and painstaking analysis of many studies states that "A woman is at greater risk to her mental health when she is refused safe, legal abortion, if that is what she really wants, than if she is granted one. Committees refusing abortions in such instances are contributing to the ill-health of Canadian women." He continues, "Apart from the risk to her emotional health is she is forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term, a woman is at a greater risk medically. The mortality rate following childbirth is much higher than that following abortion." In addition, he states,"The rate of immediate complication following induced abortion is low. Further, it is related to the length of gestation (very low in first trimester abortions) it is realted to the procedure utilized (very low in vacuum apirations), and it is related to the experience and expertise of the health care personnel (very low in free standing clintis, where high volume provides an opportunity for operating skills to be perfected). SUBSTITUTES FOR CONTRACEPTION? Supporters of restrctive abortion legislation argue that readily available abortion becomes a substitute for contraception. Studies carried out recently in the U.S., however, indicate the contrary: most women,,,,fraim, who have sought and received legal abortions request contraceptive advice and materials and go on to use them responsibly. This experience is similar to that reported in other countrtes. In Great Britain, where ready access to abortion is combined with a thorough programme for public education in contraception, the abortion rate is one of the lowest in the world. Conversely, in most Latin American countries, where abortion is severely restricted and contraception is not promoted, the abortion rate is among the highest. It is not surprising, in fact, that most women, given the choice, prefer contraception to abortion. Even if there were no other dimensions to the abortion decision, it is common sense that few people regard any surgical operation lightly. CONTRACEPTION Many people believe that there would be no need for abortion if all couples used contraception except when they desired pregnancy. It is true that if reliable family planning information, education and services were universally available, the number of unwanted pregnancies could be significantly reduced However, failures can occur with all current methods of contraception, and even responsible users of EFFECTIVE methods may occasionally find themselves faced with unwanted preganancies. More significant is the fact that several conditions existing in our society create a climate where couples may experience unwanted preganancies. Otore,-51 Northern Woman Journal, page 14 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Since contraception was against the law until 1969, there is no tradition of sexual responsibility in this country. *Many people still reit), on INEFFECTIVE methods of birth control to prevent pregnancy. It is often difficult for adolescents to obtain contraceptive services and information. In this age of effective female contraception, the male may not always be aware of his equal responsibility. *In this age when doctor-provided contraception receives so much emphasis, many people are not aware that effective contraception (especially effective when used in combination) are easily available at the corner drugstore. *Contracpetion and allied subjects are inadequately covered by our medical schools and thus doctors often give poor advice on this subject. *The government supplies free brochures about birth control to all who ask for them, but unfortunately the quality of information is not always reliable or useful, especially with respect to respect for life in society, leading to the advocacy of euthanasia and other Nazi policies. In fact, no country in the world has legalized euthanasia, not is considering doing so, although 640 of the world's population live in countries where abortion is legal. It is also note worthy that Nazi Germany was the only durisdiction in modern history which has punished ABORTION WITH THE DEATH PENALTY. And Nazi Germany was the only jurisdiction in modern history that legalized and enforced euthanasia. CANADA"S LAW Abortion is legal n Canada only when a hospital abortion committee certifies that a women's life or health is likely to be endangered by the continuation of a pregnancy. While appearing to promise access to abortion for serious reasons, the law places many obstacles in the way of women seeking the termination of unwanted pregnancy, and in fact denies abortions to many Canadian women who need them. Section 251 of the criminal code teenagers. requires that abortions be performed WHO IS PRO-ABOTION?? in only approved or accredited hospThe most effective way of reducing itals which have a Therapeutic Abortthe abortion rate is ofcourse the ion Committee of at least three docactive promotion and encouragement of tors. The Committee must rule on is difficult to It contraception. applications for abortions and none understadd therefore, why self-styled of the doctors on the Committee is "right to life" organizations either allowed to perform the operation. ignore contraception or actively oppose it. Malcolm Muggeridge, a leading spokes- There are several shortcomings in the law as it stands: man for these groups, has publicly proNo hospital, even though publicly claimed his opposition to contracpetion. One "right to life" organization, Birth- financed is encouraged to establish a Therapeutic Abortion uommittee. right, includes the following position No hospital, even if it has a Ther on contraception in its constitution: apeutic Abortion Committee is required "The policy of every Birthright Chapto perform any abortions. ter and everyone of its members and *No provision is made for the many volunteers in all the Chapter's efforts hospitals outside the major cities shall be to refrain in every instance which cannot find the means to estfrom offering or giving advice on ablish such committees and perform contraception or sterilization and abortions. to refrain from referring any person No woman applying for an abortion to another person, place or agency is allowed to appear before the Therfor this type of advice." apeutic Abortion Committee. This attitude is one which helps *No right of appeal is allowed where to create conditions resulting in a woman's application for abortion more unwanted pregnancies and thus has been denied. more abortions. The claim of such organizations to be "anti-abortion" DISCRIMINATION is therefore not entirely accurate, According to Statistics Canada, only and, objectively, their stance could 271 out of 1359 hospitals have Therealmost be described as "pro-abortion". peutic Abortion Commritees. A survey (The only other "pro-abortionists" are done by DOCTORS FOR THE REPEAL OF THE back street butchers and some questionABORTION LAW reveals that the number able commercial agencies who profit is even in lower. And some Committees excessively from restrictive abortion never grant abortions at all. Thus, laws.) Canadian women cannot be assured of SANCTITY OF LIFE equal access to legal medical procedIt is often held that the sanctity ure. of life is an absolute moral prohibOpponents of freedom of choice deition against abortion. But this plore the fact that a disproportionate view is far from universal, even within number of abortions are carried out the Roman Catholic Church. A well known in some hospitals in big cities like Catholic philosopher, Daniel Callahan, Toronto. They neglect to add that these urges that a "mother should have are the hospitals that often provide a bias in favour of the sanctity of safe abortions to women deprived of life so that abortion would be the them in their own community. (Some LAST rather than the first choice women have come from as far.as Newwhen an unwanted or problem pregnancy foundland to obtain an abortion in occurred. It ought to be avoided if Toronto. These same women, of course, at all possible, but as a part of resdo not and need not travel to Toronto po'ssibility for the dignity of life, to ontain obstetrical services.) it would be morally acceptable if INTERPRETING THE STATISTICS duties to self, family and society, Supporters of restrctive abortion made it the only reasonable choice laws claim that the annual government for her." statistics for therapuetic abortion EUTHANASIA demonstrate "a massive and accelerating The opponents of freedom of choice increase in the number of abortions often link abortion with what they in Canada." This view of the statisterm a progressive deterioration of tics seems to suggest that Canadian women began having abortions when the present law was passed in 1969. In fact, women have always sought abortions when they were unwillingly pregnant, and have had to resort to dangerous illegal procedures when no safe, legal help was available. It is obvious during the past seven years, safe, legal abortions have been replacing illegal ones. But because of our restrictive abortion law, many Canadian women are still forced either to travel to other countries for safe abortions, or to seek out dangerous back street abortions in this country. PUBLIC OPINION As long ago as 1971, the Canadian Medical Association resolved that the decision to have an abortion should be made solely by the woman and her doctor. The Canadian Psychiatric Association has stated that abortion should be removed altogether from the Criminal Code of Canada. Many other well respected organization have echoed these resolutions. A majority of Canadians agree. A Gallop Poll in October 1974 revealed that fully 620 of the adult population believe thatithe abortion decision should be left to the woman and her physician. DEMOCRACY Criminal law in a free society fundamentally reflects a consensus that certain activities should be forbidden. There is a consensus in Canada, for example, that attacking a person on the street or robbing someone are criminal acts. But there is no such consensus about abortion. To impose one moral vie of abortion upon everyone in a pluralistic society, therefore, contravenes the very basis of our criminal law. As Alan Borovoy, general counsel for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association states, "In a totalitarian society the tendancy is for the rulerss to decide how the citizens shall live. In a democratic society, the objective, as much as possible, is for each citiz( to decide for himself." THUNDER CLAP to the Fort Frances/Rainy River District women for their admirable celebration of International Women's Day. THUNDER BOLT REAL ESTATE to the Realty Co. 60 PROPERTY FOR SAL responsible for the ad you see here. It was spotted by Helen Lovekin in the March 10 edition of the REALTY LIMITED REALTOR Chronicle Journal. 911 VICTORIA AVE 623 1431 ULU HUSBANDS BEWARE! Do not show this to your wife because she will kneel down in this plushly carpeted living room and plead, then sit in the formal dining room and beg! She'll satisfy your taste buds in this large kitchen, pull off your shoes and love you in the private master suite! Well throw in the carpeting, drapes and dishwasher. You need not woke up just call! Northern Woman Journal, page 15 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �THE CONFEDERATION COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY THUNDER BAY DISTRICT Spring Programs For Women ZW 002 WOMEN IN THE WILDERNESS Would you like to develop your skills and confidence outdoors in the company of other women, who, like yourself, need just a "nudge" to change their whole outlook on outdoor living? What would it be like to pack your backpack or canoe and head out on your own, or with others, assured of your ability to not only survive, but comfortably enjoy yourself outdoors? Experience the wilderness--it's great. Tuesday evenings April 3rd to May 29th 7 to 10 pm and one overnight (optional) Facilitator: H. Hyer Fee: $30.00 ZW 011 FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR WOMEN A mini course which will serve as an introduction to the subject of Financial Planning. The course will address itself to such questions as: 1.Is RRSP really for you? 2.When do you need insurance, both life and disability? 3.What are the four cornerstones of financial planning? 4.What are the pros and cons of life annuity? In addition, money management, a look at sucessful spending and investment will be explored. Come and learn, it's your money. Thursday evenings, April 5th to April 26th- 7 to 10 p.m. Instructor: L. Johnson Fee: $15.00 ZW 007 Women's Programs provides a variety of programs WOMEN AND STRESS SEMINAR This weekend experiential program is designed to help women learn how to business world or at home, looking for a change in recognize adverse stress factors in direction or just wanting to know what other women are thinking and feeling. There are no prerequisites. Forget their lives, and how to diffuse desabout what your educational background is or is not. tructive stresses. Each participant will be encouraged to "try on" some Come and learn, grow as individuals. proven techniques to deal with and/or alleviate her own stresses through biofeedback, relaxation and positive imaging, and through the development of creative, holistic, wellness-oriented habits. ZW 015 Friday, May 4th, 7 to 10 pm and WOMEN AND HEALTH CONFERENCE Saturday, May 5th, 9 to 4:30 pm Sponsored by the Lakehead Women Teachers Facilitator: J. Evans Association of Ontariof..aimed at Fee: $15.00 exploring the isssues realted to health, this conference offers a variety of workshops to choose from. 1. A Lifetime of Eating 2. Fitness at Home REGISTER EARLY TO AVOID DIS3. The Pill and its Alternatives APPOINTMENT EITHER AT THE 4. "It Could Happen To You" REGISTRAR'S OFFICE (8:30 5. How to Talk to Your Doctor am to 4:30 pm) OR AT THE CON6. Stress-Distress TINUING EDUCATION OFFICE 7. Menopausal Myths ROOM 163 (4:30 pm to 8:00 pm) 8. How You Stand--the importance of good posture. *PLEASE NOTE: This Conference is open to regional women teachers until April 1. After April 1st, remaining empty IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INseats will be open to other interested FORMATION ON THESE OR OTHER women, on a first-come basis. WOMEN'S PROGRAMS, DON'T April 27 and 28th, 1979 HESITATE TO CALL 577-5751, Fee: $7.00 designed for women of all ages, married or single, in the EXTENSION 232, 352 or 278. Z W 016 THE NEW FAMILY PROPERTY ACT & SUCESSION DUTIES An information seminar on the new Laws that affect you. Come and learn about them. TUESDAY, APRIL 17th,1979 at 7:30pm RESOURCE PERSONS: P. Smith & J. Packota FREE SENIOR CITIZENS AGE 60 OR OVER, UPON PROOF OF AGE MAY REGISTER FOR ANY SUBJECT AT THE COLLEGE FOR A TUITION FEE OF $5.00 PLUS ANY LABORATORY FEE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: CONFEDERATION COLLEGE - 577-5751, EXT.353 Northern Woman Journal page 16 PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor �Cowls NOM Pa Commis 11111111111111111=1111M Pomp pa. Ennornbre thiddyno clan doirse Sulk third 220 INSIDE: Art and Poetry, seeing ourselves 8-9 RETURN TO: THE.NORTHERN WOMAN 316 BAY ST. THUNDER BAY P, ONT. Return Postage Guaranteed Life in a Srall town...the findings and 10 outcome of the Hartt Comission KENORA STRIKE- The wives talk back....4 YES women are NOT sheep...But aren't men PJiNGUINV 13 Understanding the stance, "pro-Choice"14 IWD in the region 3 1.111111111111111/11110 YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS DUE HAVE YOU MOVED??? PLEASE LET US KNOW BY CALLING (807) 345-5841. We must pay return postage to keep up our mailing list. Subscribe: PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal Description An account of the resource Northern Woman Journal Published in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northern Woman Journal (originally called Northern Woman) started in 1973 following the first annual Northern Women’s Conference in order to keep the conference attendees connected. Initially serving as a newsletter of events, local issues, and women’s resources, the Northern Woman Journal quickly became a diverse publication reaching national and international readers. Not only did it serve as a newsletter to keep local women up to date on feminist issues in Northwestern Ontario, but also as a safe space to discuss women’s resources, law, politics, economics, health, racism, sexism, homophobia, feminist organizing and activism, transnational feminist issues, poetry, feminist reading, feminist art, and women’s diverse lived experiences.One of the longest-running feminist perodicals in North America, the Northern Woman Journal reached its end in 1995. Throughout its 22 years, the Northern Woman Journal was produced by its many collective members, with membership evolving year to year. For many years, the journal worked closely alongside and shared space with the Northern Women’s Centre and the Northern Women’s Bookstore. With the exception of a year-long government grant in the 1970s, the journal relied entirely on subscription fees and donations in order to maintain publishing, which presented challenges throughout its entire existence. As stated in an early version of the editorial policy, “only by a free and open exchange of views and opinions will we develop a basis for unity which can be used as a basis for action.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Woman Journal, Vol 5 No 2 Description An account of the resource Vol. 5, no, 2 (Apr-May 1979) Title: Northern Woman Journal: Seeing Ourselves Topics include: Thunder Bay Multicultural Association seminar for language barriers 50th anniversary of women becoming persons in Canada Call for short stories by women from Press Gang Publishers International Women’s Day Boise Cascade Lumber strike - Kenora Northern Women’s Credit Union Sexism in unemployment insurance Northern Women’s Centre resource library Poetry Art Royal Commission on The Northern Environment Women against violence conference Understanding pro-choice Confederation College spring courses for women Authors/Contributors: Anna Akerval (cover art) Audrey Anderson (Red Lake, ON - letter to the editor) Novia Hebert Carter (letter to the editor) Gert Beadle Isabel Ulak Monika McNabb Estelle Howard Lynne Kositsky Gayle O’Hanlon Aleata E. Blythe Judy Robinson Viola Goderre Violet Winegarden Lorraine Harris Joyce Dunn Martha Banning Thomas (circa 1932) Canadian Association for Repeal of the Abortion Law (CARAL) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Northern Woman Journal Collective Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1979-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Published on this site with permission. Language A language of the resource English