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�EDITORIAL POLICY
The newsletter group,(a separate yet
supportive
group of the Northern Women's
Centre)reflects
the complexity of the make up of the
Northern
Woments Centre as a whole.
Being a smaller, unified group,
editorial
board of The Northern Woman will the
attempt through
collective creative and thought-provoking
comments,
to respond to, and express (through
a
consensus
of
opinion) their reactions to
various
articles,
letters and timely topics of interest.

Through such a policy it is hoped
Woman will become a tool for women that The Northern
to develop an
increased understanding of their
situation
and
forces affecting their lives.
EDITORIAL:

Our cover is a reproduction (thanks
to
Doreen) of a poster created by The
Chicago
Women's Collective. We feel it is particularly appropriate this month as we are
dealing in part with a VERY FRUSTRATING
ISSUE -- R A P E.
It has been calculated
that a rape takes place in the U.S.
about
every 7 minutes; few, however, are
reported and even fewer are convicted.

Here in Northwestern
Ontario there are
several rape cases presently in the
courts,
Unfortunately, it is doubtful that these
cases will produce any earth-shattering
results -- in fact, little can be
done until vast changes in
our legal
system and our social attitudes are
brought about and this can only
happen if we unite in our
actions.

rnly through a vast restructuring
of
our present society will the basic
cause of rape be eliminated.
Suggestions, reactions to and defence against
rape (such as those suggested in the
articles on 'Rape') are necessary

as
Istop-gap defence
techniques, for the
present. It must be realized,
however, that they are only stop-gap,
band-aid actions which treat the
disease rather than the cause.

A deepar analysis, then, of the
PROBLEM
ust be made, and the appropriate
action -- a UNITED ACTION
-- must be
taken.

SPEAK OUT
MORGENTALER SENTENCED TO l5 MONTHS IN PRISON

Dr. Kenry Morgentaler, who
has
described Canadats abortion laws
as "immoral, discredited and
an
affront to the people,"
was sentenced July 25th to 18 months
in
prison. A three-year
probation
period (during which Morgentaler
is forbidden to perform
abortions
except in an approved
hospital)
was also imposed.
c °K.+.

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�Our :eartion:

Wc are outrage('

p-e,:ent ahortl)-,

The appel2ate court decision over sror,'

A

+4-

a-, 4-

1`.

of last NovH-:r when a Court of
ueents Penh jury acluitter3
Morentnler.

c'n deny women a very LafAc
freedom....f-pFdom of the right
::c-,, we are further
in 011-00:
inecnze(' that a competent doctor,
who rtrcncly telie.e2 in justice,
w'

h. s teen -'..enior,

Touf.7,hobt the tr7Lal, Morrentaler
attr-.cker3 C:anaa'L !:lbortion laws

the frordorr, of

erying out Fin professional Obty.

as

part of I.hir
defenre.for s jc tice,
am !,J,rking
not ordv for me hut for the -women
of 'Tanada,

rentene

he sai

during pre -

orumer.ts earTler this

"1 ca.nnot- believe that_ an
or
immoral law c_an be up-IHeld for

zr.7)ntb-

en

Thin opprerrfon eonstitutes
thre-,_t to the further denial of
other basic frPe=Thms.
WE MUST ACT
N

n
f

*oat
e

still believe Very strongly

I hat what I di

was .n..ot

kno per,tae

Pr te your Fl, P.
only. morally

requlre(r)

r-ight buJ.

The n. P. Andras

r

House of Commons
Ont.

Yr. P. McRae, M.P.
House. of Commons
Ottawa, Ont.
Mr. KeitY. l'enner,

lioue of Commons
Ont

voice your stronr opposition to
thin outrageous violation of our
rights.

The Northern Women
Centre is pleased to announce
that we have found a co-ordinator, Estella Howard
Friedlander has taken on the duties of organizing
the volunteers, setting up programs, establishing
an office routine etc. etc.
The centre is open from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
daily and most evenings for meetings or just dropping
in from 7:00 pm.
10:00 p.m.
Lots of things are
going to he happening - consciousness raising, study
groups, action groups - watch for them-and participate
WE NEED YOU.
Phone 623-3107 - Drop in - 132 North
Archibald Street, second floor.

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�special report
KENORA, ONTARIO, September, 1974

The.Charge:

M. C., K. C., D.

B.

charged with "unlawful intercourse with a female, not the wife of any of them
without her consent, extorted by threats of bodily harm, gross indecency, and
causing bodily harm with intent to wound, maim or disfigure."
The Law: Mr Justice Goodman
Defense counsel John Bowles, Winnipeg
Crown Attorney Ted Burton, Kenora.
Complaintive: Ms. C. B. G. 35years, treaty Indian from Morson, Ontario,
mother of 13 year old and 15 year old.

April 1, 1974-April 5, 1974.

Trial #1:

Ms. B. G. drinking at a local hotel with a male relative.
Approached
in a friendly manner by D. B., joined him for a drink, accepted a ride home
as he was living near her place.
Accepted a further invition for a drink in his
apartment.
Immediately after she entered the apartment, two men entered, K.C. and
M.C.
She was then violated by all three of them over a period of 2 1/2 hours.

After her testimony, a mistrial was declared--her lawyer, Mr. Burton had
been seen talking to one of the jurors during a court recess!!

Trial #2:

June 10, 1974-June 14, 1974

The Facts

To be guilty of rape there must be vaginal-penis penetration without
Only one of the accused entered her in this particular manner.
Point of Interest- -the other two could have been charged as accessories
yet all were not guilty of rape.
1.

consent.

2.
Her lawyer, in court, made a statement of his cordial feelings toward
the M.C. family, in effect supportive to one of the accused.
Point of Interest--"good" family breeds "good boy"???

3.
Some of the blood, semen and saliva specimens found on washcloth matched
those of complaintive and defendents.
Clothes identified as hers were found by police in apartment of D.B.
Someone urinated on her hair.
Someone cut off a strand of her hair.
She was able to identify the three accused out of a police lineup,
She took police to the appartment where the assault took place.
Point of Interest--rape report phoned to police department about 4:15a.m.
Repeat call made at 4:35a.m.
Police arrived at 4:55a.m. (40 minutes for guilty
to cover any evidence).

4.
A taxi driver testified'h- drove the three men and a native woman to
D.B. apartment.

Point of interest--when questioned by police the next day, the dispatcher

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�ONTARIO, September, 1973 cont'd

J

had no record of the trip. She questioned all the drivers and they denied the fare.
If the four left together couldn't someone at the bar testify to that fact??

An "ornament" with several locks of hair was admitted to evidence.
Policeman testified that he had a strand resembling her
Her hair was not present.
hair but had lost the exhibit.
Point of Interest--so who else has gone through a similar ordeal?
5.

Mr. B. testified as father of D.B. that he was upstairs the entire time
of the alleged assault. He heard three men and a native woman go to the apartment in the basement. Nothing unusual was heard. There was no music as the stereo
was broken.
Point of Interest--He "heard a native woman"??? He refused to make a
M.C. and Ms. B.G. both testifid the stereo was playing.
statement to the police!
6.

The Decision:
1.

2.
3.

D.B. received 26
3
K.C. received 24
M.C. received 18

months
months
months
months

for gross indecency
common assault.
for gross indecency.
for gross indecency.

These are not the actual length of time these men will serve as they are
likely to receive an early parole.
,

The Local Rumour: The convicted men have not yet begun to serve their sentences
as they are fighting the sentence. True or false??

L. S.

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ONISINIMMMIIIMMINermmmwarftworanwomminwereierioc______

�LETTERS
July 26, 1974
To Whom It May Concern:

The Northern Women's Centre of Thunder Bay has been following the case of
Cecilia Big George and Kenneth Carlson, Douglas Brown and Michael Cedarwall.
Ms. nig George has been degraded, humiliated and hurt emotionally for life. These
three men only received a charge of "gross indecency" and you call this justice!!!
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Ms. Big George and her family.
As a group of women, we feel this case oppressive and unjust towards women.
For years man have been raping women and have been set free by our 'just' law!!
Many rapes have never been reported because of the humiliation and degradation
experiencedby women in the court rooms. When a woman has enough courage (as Ms.
Big George did) to take the case to court, she is abused and held in suspicion by
the court. She probably asks herself "Why did I go to the law?"
The Women's Centre has had discussions concerning this case and have come up
with certain questions -- 1. Why is it that the jury was made up of eleven men
and one woman??
2. Why were there no native people on the jury -- has Kenora not
been called a racist town -- then why was the case not taken to another city???
3.
Why did the doctor not make a thorough examination -- was this not mentioned
in the court room by the judge as "unprofessional attitude" -- and what is being done
about this doctor's attitude???
.

Ms. Big George must have gone through pure hell and we must admire her courage.
We at the Northern Women's Centre are behind her one hundred percent and feel that
not only has she been raped by these three (who were found innocent of the charge
of rape), but she has also been ravished by the justice system of Canada.
E.E.P.

PykPrman

I try not to think about that night
(was it that long?) but it hard to
forget within the closed boundries
of this court room.
Its a crazy situation, you know.
I
find myself questioning the reasons
behind it all. Was it my fault?
Did I, in fact, deserve it? Had I
encouraged an attack?
I have to stop degrading myself!
Do
people actually believe I wanted to
get raped? As a native woman should
i have been fully aware and prepared
for the consequences taking into
consideration I am a woman, especially
an Indian woman.

God damn!
Self-doubt is so cruel.
Why must I feel guilty?
I did nothing!

Those men did it..they did it
I must tell you what happened. Although
you might not believe women to be
innocent of inviting rape, please try
for your own sake to put yourself in
my position. You might have found
yourself at one time or other in a
similar circumstance but only a slim
line separates what happened to me
from what can happen to you.

It was getting late....the bar was
/going to close soon.
I had been
,/ waiting for a girlfriend who didn't
show up.
I had
beer but
I was
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not drunk.

�A man came over and we began to talk.
I can't remember if we introduced ourV...selves, but his name is now well-known
to me.

Bloor.

He seemed nice enough. He asked if I
-would like a ride home as he lived
/Close to the home where I was staying.
`I- I said yes.
What would You have done,
-truthfully?
We went out to the car alone.
I
remember feeling a closeness to him;
v' the kind that accompanies a kind
gesture toward you.
Everyone enjoys
being a matter of concern to some else
A matter of minutes later, he asked if
/1 would come to his house for a drink.
V The night was pleasant...so was he.
I consented.
Was that wrong? Are all
women hopelessly naive to man's
intentions?

woman

One man whose name I did not know then but I do
know now, Cotter, said "Shall we strip her and
rape her?"
Thoughts seered through my brain. This couldn't
be happening to me!
I
looked toward the door.
They must have sensed my intention as I was
informed that no one was in the house and it
would be useless to try anything. That was a
joke!
I might have stood a chance with one
man...but three? What utter helplessness can
compare to this!
They started taking my clothes off. My brain,
somewhat overloaded with the weight of my
situation repeated over and over that it was
an impossible situation.
I didn't hear myself
protest to them,
I didn't hear anything...
just their voices that seemed to echo from a
different realm.
-

This was indeed hell.
I
feel a blow to my head and I am shoved rudely
onto the bed.
Bloor did it.
Did I get up?
Did I struggle?
I remember sitting down when
I came in, but when did I get up?
Bloor positioned himself to my left; Cotter was
to my right and the other man, Caine, stood
near my feet. Wall took my pants off.
I closed
my eyes...I couldn't stand to watch.
They
finished stripping me.
Would it satisfy people
to say I struggled?
I didn't. They would have
killed me.
I know that now.

Are you asking if I had intentions myself?
I am not a child.
My sexual drives are as
any other woman if you are truthful about it.
I
can assume the responsibility of wanting to
sleep with him...but not that which actually,/
happened.

Is there some codified law or language of man
that ensures sexual access to any woman by
any man within the range of SOD miles merely
by accepting a drink in a man's apartment?
I must go on.

We stopped at a house and I followed him down
/to his basement suite.
I sat down cm4-4-11re-tred
/avid- seconds later I heard footsteps approach
the room which Bloor and I occupied. Then they
walked in.

-

Many of you might recognize the rush of fear
that envelops you.
felt as if someone had
kicked me in the stomach.
There was reason
for this fear...instinctive...rational? No
I.

matter.

It was there.

:Araeti,
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�I
felt a man's weight on my chest.
Bloor
sat on my breasts and before I could
protest he shoved his penis into my
mouth.
I cannot describe my repulsion!
At the same time Cane had inserted his
tongue into my vagina. I was sickened
and shamed beyond belief.

But this was not enough for them. Cotter
demanded that I masturbate him...I pulled
my hand away and a surge of pain went
through me when I felt something hot
pressed against my finger-nail.
A cigarette!
They were putting me
through this incredible torment and one
man was actually having a leisurally
smoke!

My body and my mind were beyond
comprehending the situation from one
second to another. How long had this
been going on? What would they do to me
next.

"Suriti-yeu_bitch".

Bloor climaxed in my mouth.
I felt sick.
My thoughts clashed in my brain.
It was
too much for my psyche to handle!
I
remember thinking that is only there was
someone to help me; if someone would
just appear, then I would have fought
with every ounce of strength I had.
Si-s-t-ersonly___y_au---11-ad-beeii there!

Caine tried to insert his penis into
my vagina.
Bloor moved off and I fell
off the bed. The impact did not hurt me..
I was beyond that kind of pain.
I remember seeing those men do those
things and yet not see them.
It was as
though I was watching a movie on a
screen.
Perhaps it was all in my mind
My brain could not handle that which
my body knew.
I remember clearly what happened next.
I won't forget.
Bloor stood near my head.
Raising his
penis he told Caine "I'm going to piss
on her face". Oh, God!
Caine turned my
face away but I felt the warm, bitter
mel.ling liquid dripping through my hair.
At the same time Caine climaxed inside
inside me.
He didn't stop.

There seems to be a void where time is
concerned.
It seemed as hours had gone
by before Caine finally got off me.
I
sat up somewhat dazed and said that I
wanted to go. They did all that could be

done to degrade a woman.

Or did they?

They stood huddled in a group away from me.
I heard one say to the other that I "was good"
and that he should try me.
He said "no", I
think.

My breath felt suspended; my body and soul that
of someone else when I heard the next words.
Bloor - "Lets drive her somewhere and kill her?"
This couldn't be happening to me!
Caine - "No".
I have to breathe!
Bloor - "Lets stick a bottle up her."
He's sick!
I
want to stick my fingers into
his eyes...to claw at his throat.

Cotter - "Its my turn."
Not again!
to walk again.

No.

I want to go.

Just to he able

Cotter - "Lay down."
No.

I said.

He pushed me over...face to the wall. He is
thrusting his penis into my rectum. The pain!
Someone has grabbed my hair!
What is he deing7
Bloor announced suddenly..."There, I've scalped
an Indian".
He cut my hair.
a knife

With what?

My God if he has

There's blood on the sheet.
Is it mine, I'm
asked.
I don't know.
My body is not mine.
I'm observing this from afar. A finger is in
my vagina.
"Yes, its yours."

Mine?

Mine?

Bloor has a rope in his hand. There are bells
on the end of it. They ring as he whips it
against my hack.
I
can still hear those bells.
The pain is mine...the body is not.

I asked Cotter to stop Bloor from hurting me.
His answer was to stick his finger in my vagina
as he could not get hard inside me.
I begged
him not to hurt me.

My face is forced towards Cotter's penis and
he thrusts it in my mouth.
My mind is swarming
with hatred. and shame.
Bloor and Caine are
laughing and saying, "Go to her Cotter, give
her one for me."
Within seconds I felt blows against my head.
My ears rang and my head throbbed.
Something
warm ran from my nose and I tasted blood in my
mouth.
Bloor kept kicking.
C El\-\\ch

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�I feel a sickening waim liquid fill my
mouth and pray this is the last. God
I just want to go home.
I
lay there
motionless, maybe now these men will
free me.

They're going to kill me!
I felt myself
sinking into oblivion.
It will be over
soon.

Caine saw the blood.

He stopped Bloor.
What happened after
that is in some doubt. Caine was washing my face...I remember that Bloor left
the room.
!:verything stopped.

My mind hesitated in acknowledging that
the ordeal was over, but my main
compulsion was to run even to the point
of begging for help from rapists.
I begged Caine to walk out with me.
Bloor was evil...a sadist, more so than
the others. My body warned me, my mind
warned me. Caine knew and complied.
I remember looking for my clothes, but
I don't recall when I dressed.
Caine
and I somehow ended up in the street.
He walked me to the end of theI block.
started to run. How long I ran I
don't know.
I stopped and looked behind.
What if they followed me.? Perhaps they
changed their minds about killing me.
No one was there.
My lungs were burSting; my body wracked
with feelings indescribable.
I ran
toward the bushes and there in solitude
I
sat on a rock and cried. The emotional
release was painful and yet welcomed.
Somehow I knew that I should and had to
do something.
Feeling alone and yet
determined nevertheless I decided my
course of action.
I phoned the police.
The ordeal had lasted 2 1/2 honr.

Those men are in th
just heard that the
the rape charge.
T
on the lesser charg
common assault with

So this is justice!
defiled me are to b

They say that the j
some kind of terms
the men if not with
This is only one of
in our legal system.

language that might
she asking for it?

Women can comprehen
to me...but I am su
imagine the full ex
and mentally this e
now.

These atrocities ha
happen again. Wome
be made aware that
vaginal penetration

If you can prove yo
accordance with this
one man raped me in
But emotional, spiri
possible.
Anal, ora
it is still rape.

There are four diffe
that ornament.
What
How they must suffer
they made to believe
Is it better to rema
your guts on the tab
it is treated with r

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�In this society, any situation is a
come-on for rape and only one criteria
seems necessary...be a woman.

Regardless of your past, your age, race,
etc. AS A WOMAN YOU ARE A POTENTIAL RAPE
VICTIM AND THE SOCIETY THAT IS SUPPOSED
,TO PROTECT YOU INSTEAD ASSUMES THAT YOU
TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF BEING
WOMEN, OPPRESSED WOMEN.
I
can still hear the crown attorney's
words -- "Now, Mrs. C, you're a married
woman .with two children... you knew what

you were doing when you accepted a ride
from this man and agreed to go into his
home."
Indeed, the onus is on us. The crime
committed was not against the state,
it was not against me; it was a crime
against women...all women. We can fight
these men, but that is not the answer.
The laws governing women and rape and
the interpretation of rape must be
changed.

For OUR sake, in the name of humanity
and sisterhood...UNITE!

D. WINKO
(The above was based on an actual
rape case.)

Women Organize Against Rape
-- Rose-Marie Neuman

-

was not t e women w o were comWe know that rape is very seldom

almost
nviction.
women

mitting the rapes, perhaps it would
be best to inflict a ten o'clock

ommon
n of the

curfew upon all men.
Since this sort of thing would
never happen in Canada, the question then becomes what does a
woman who's been raped do with her

on the
should

anger? Furthermore, what can be
done to stop rape from happening?

etc. In

Rape Crisis Centers

ape.

In

on the

e does;

em with
governa curfew

on the

Premier

since it

The beSt solution so far to deal
with our frustration is the Rape
Crisis Center. A rape crisis center's
primary purpose is to deal with the
medical

1

I

Is

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�rus ra ion am.,
problems of women who have been
raped. Initial contact with the victim
is

most often by telephone. The

volunteer who answers the phone
usually is not a trained counsellor of

any sort. Her purpose would be to
act as a friend. She or another
volunteer would accompany the vic-

anger

tim to the hospital and/or police

should she decide to prosecute. She

could then talk to the victim about
the experience and help her talk to
her family about it. Sometimes it is
necessary for the victim to get in
contact with professionals such as

are

lawyers, gynecologists and psychologists. The rape crisis center can 4Iso

make the initial contacts with these

people, some of whom may work
regularly on a volunteer basis with
the center.

The most important function of

risen g

the center, however, is the availability of warm, accepting people td
whom the victim can relate the
experience without feeling
guilt or
shame. The rape crisis center should
be staffed exclusively by women on
a twenty-four hour basis. The main
reason for this lies in the fact that if
a woman has been raped, quite often

she could not and would not relate
to a man no matter how warm and
accepting he may be.
Self Defence

The martial arts are not the only
forms of self-defence we can employ.

Get together with some friends and

wrestle and spar with each other.
Take turns playing victim and attack-.
er.

Practice

with each other. By

belief that there is usually going to
be a man around to protect them.

doing this, you can also help break
down some of our fears and inhibitions and build up confidence in our

While growing up most women were
not taught or encouraged to protect
themselves. Many were discouraged

or picking up objects to throw or

Women have been raised with the

from fighting or any of the other
so-called masculine traits like getting
angry. Consequently, we feel helpless
and have no idea of the strength and

potential power in our own bodies.
We also have no idea how to deal

with our anger and - yes -- even
how to hurt someone if necessary.

Every woman should learn some
basic techniques of self-defence. The
most common forms of self-defence
one usually thinks of are karate,
judo, kung-fu, etc. These are obvi-

abilities to defend ourselves.
Staying 'alert is important. It increases your possibilities of running
strike

with.

A

most

effective

response when grabbed from the
front is a fast and hard knee to the
attacker's groin. If attacked from
behind, move body to drive your'
elbow into the attacker's stomach
region.
Above all,

one

should

not be

.

afraid to hurt the attacker. If you, as
a woman, are about to be raped or
assaulted you should do whatever

you can with all the strength and
power you can muster.

ously the best and most effective
forms of protecting ourselves. If you
have the opportunity to study any of
the martial arts, by all means, do so.

They will all increase your agility,
reflex action, self-confidence, and
physical strength.

Thunder Bay---What Are We Doing?
Our city needs a rape crisis center
and more, better, and free self-defence classes for women. Presently there

is nowhere a rape victim can turn
here. The majority of local doctors

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�KARATE
and police officials are unsympathet-

ic and cannot deal effectively with
the victim's problems. Perhaps one

of the functions of the Women's

tMP'I'

Center (if we get the funding) can be
to establish a rape crisis center. Until

'Basically, karate is a series of
self-defence and counter-attack
tactics based on traditional
movements. These are run into
formal series called "katas" in
Japanese, and they are taught
and practised without change
year after year.

we do get together and organize,
nothing can or will happen.
Other Suggestions

Various other cities have tried and

are trying new methods of dealing

with the problem of rape in their
only with rape victims. Women in

other cities have organized transportation systems -and taxi-cab services

for women who must be on the

street late at night. There are even
vigilante squads forming where a

group of women will search out a
rapist who has not been convicted
and beat him up. Violent? Maybe. But
somehow i feel it, in this case,
justifiable. When women are frustratat

1

KARATE is an unusual activity in
that the experts are not in full
agreement upon its aims.
Selfdefenee or sport? Exercise or
philosophy? It is a dynamic form
of self-defence, but no form of
defence, however effective, can
guarantee to make you secure against
any form of attack.
If someone unseen hits you over the head from
behind with a bottle, no karate
ability will help you.

communities. New York has a seven-woman police rape squad who deal

ed

AA D

every attempt to go about

One importance of karate or selfdefence to women is in the development of the reflexes to the degree
that you would be prepared to defend
or ward off a blow and then have
time to run.

achieving satisfaction through legal
channels what other alternatives do
they have? Women are becoming

more and more angry with the lot
they've been given in our society.
Rape is one of the sources of this
anger. "It is not the police, the
courts, or men who will stop rape.
Only women wilt stop rape!" And it
will only stop when it becomes as

Most attacks can be warded off with
the urearm.
The soft inner side
should never be used as this leaves
the arteries open to injury.

dangerous to attack a woman as it is
to attack another man.

Oh, come off
Thunder Gay Hydro
Inquiry Nn. 74 42
TeniitIr clnAing: Tuesday. July 30,

12:00 NOONPlia...--

Immediately after warding off a
blow or delivering one of your own,
your arm should be withdrawn.
It
is important that even defensive
movements should be made constructively. To push the attacker's arm

1914

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�revolution, the family unit has
been scaled down from an extended
family, involving family members
other than parents and children, to
a nuclear family consisting of
father, mother and children. This
unit, the basic unit upon which the
economy relies and through which
family life is ensured operated
as an isolated unit in fulfilling
these functions.
It is maintained
primarily through labour outside
the home, most often designated
to men, with women providing a
maintenance function within the

r.---aiwa5, when he strikes at you may be

effective in that it prevents the
blow landing, but it does nothing
to stop a second attempt being made.
If, instead, the blow is deflected
with a powerful chopping action so
delivered that the sharp edge of
the forearm makes contact with the
underside of the attacker's
forearm,
forearm, the result is decisive
and painful.

home.

In examining the role of women
in society, we see that labour
both within the home and within
the labour force, can be assessed
with the same criteria as is a male
in terms of value to the economy.
The terms of reference are use
value and exchange value, and help
us clarify not so much how the
economy operates through the
nuclear family, but why our labours
both inside and outside the home
have inherent importance to the
economic'system by which we are
governed.
It is not essential for women to
attend regular classes for an extended
period of time. Three or four basic
movements learned properly and practised
regularly are all that is necessary.
The important thing is to BE ALERT and
QUICK ENOUGH to ACT INSTINCTIVELY and
then R U N

CORKY

THE NUCLEAR FAMILY

The family of today, termed the
nuclear family, derives its form in
the historical evolution of the
family and its relationship to
the economy. (*see Historical
development of the Family,- The
Northern Woman, issue xi, July
74, pg. 10).
Since the industrial

.

As labourers within the home,
rearing children, performing housework tasks, our labour is said td
have a use value to society.
As there is no further or direct
monetary value resulting from our
labours there is no exchange value.
The exception of course would be
if we performed these tasks for
pay, as would housekeepers.
Our labour
outside the home in the capacity of
clerks, stenographers, switch
board operaters, textile workers etc.
has again a use value to society as
well as an exchange value. Our efforts
in our work have a more visible
effect on the economy, in very
simplistic terms.

At this point it is important to examine
more closely the role of women to the
family, within the home.. While this
labour is absolutely vital to the
perpetuation of our society, it is
regarded on the whole as demeaning,

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�Osecond rate, important enough--but
0 relegated to women. Women as well,
0
view their labours as mothers, wives
and home workers with as much
disrespect, accepting these tasks as
a source of free labour. Any social
responsibility is thus avoided and
the alternative of collective responsibility allowing women access
to more meaningful
labour in the
labour force is neatly circumvented.
Women in the work force often carry
the ideas of inferiority to the wort
place in accepting wages and conditions
well beneath the rights and dignity of
any working person. By working as
well in the home, two jobs are fulfilled at the price of one salary.
(*see further discussion in next issue
of the Northern Woman--Working Women).
While it would be incorrect to understate the relationship of the family
both as economic unit, fundamental to
our economy, and as the source of all
family life; it must be understood
that with a change of roles, particularily as more and more women enter
force the role of women
to the family is also changing. More
and more women are calling for the
responsibility of day care to be
assumed by society to further enable
women to participate fully in the
labour force and to ensure adequate
child care.
It is through such expression that
women can activly participate in the
ongoing development of the family unit.
SHELAGH MUNDY

"OUR SYMPATHY AND THOUGHTS

GO OUT TO BETTY J. ON THE
RECENT DEATH OF HER FATHER"

C11,ANG7,-ON

STT-21-' TO WOIr-L-NIS 7QUALITY

rre Canadian legal system
helps perpetuate women's position
of inequality in our society'.
1:any of the laws affecting
women were originally
introduced to protect the
interests of the male dominated propertied family,
to ensure the'pmeuetion of
"le,;it4mate" heirs to reass on

the family (le. the fatherts)
wealth. Thus, ds defined in
the law, marriage is little more
than the exchange of a wife's
sexual fidelit:r for economic
support by her' husband.
these
laws, created to ;.protect the
interests of property owners
cause hardship to wo:ren of all
classes.

'fost couples enter marriage
s a partnership but the
legal system is more'irtarestd
in the average fa si l y as an
economic unit in which the
ndividu.' couple :is forced to
,(car the costs and provide
the labour necessary for
raising children with
virtually no support from
society. The husband is
held 1,,ally responsible for
the economic support of his
wife and children and, in
return, the wife cares for
the children and keeps house.

Corporations thus vcape
the costs ofprovidini7, the
facilities and benefits which
would free women of the extra
burden of work in the home and
allow us to enter the work
force on equal terms with men.
The lack of effective laws on
equal pay and equal job
opportunities further ensures
,4omen's particul&amp;rly intensive
exploitation. at work and economic dependence in toil: family.
In,7ED7T7' LEGAL CHANG7S A777. NrED7T2

' qual pay legislation

rust.

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�To Women's floual4tv
Chanre-Orm
S as the
be strengthened
and defender
teeth
posed
of
women's
rights
promising tc
put in..
the oqual
job by
opporthe requirement of
t-!).ntyabolish
laws.
rides home from work for womell
right
They
7Zarria
g e workers.
must be recogI7ed
n did not
explain,
in the
law anhowever,
an equalhow a stroke
of the penwith
suddenly
makes the
partnership,
the wife
streets
of Ontario
safe for
having
the right
to half
at property
night.
The
the women
marital
and real
beneficiaries
of such
incompatitlIty
the a move
will
the employers, not
of be
dl.,Torco.
mustthe
he women.
maa'e less costly

and lens len;'-ty.

Unfortunately, the abolition
of this protective legislation
nr7u,il "fielity" the
applauded by women who
eonditien for our legal
will never face the necessity
be rcoved
of right work.
No cn.e
r tbe books. Thin demar n consulted the women wZrl.ern
-ges in property laws,
involved.
Changes in our
the preccure during rape
7751 system must come only
cases, and an end to disafter con:,ultatien with
crimination aga'nnt
wor,en's organi,ations the
children.
labour movement, and representatives of the women most
must be remormd
directly affected by the changes.
criminalcodo.

-,12.

laws wh.i ch make wort-r.

r,

CPA O'ES ARE WEEDED

ion of maintenance

support nhoUld

sponsilllity of tlic

laws must be
o al7ow women to

essive situ.:_` inn

eing penadned b-T
ur children or

rir,hts.

'A woman

able to accept
another locality
he permission o f
nd.

v-,T,

I?

t for legal refor,

against accepting

ualdty", against

sound fine in
hich ignore the
men's oppression

frets the lefTal
The Tory govern.xample, recently

Legal reform is an it
-tep forward in the
for
- ,emen's r-uality ,
bficht
ut it is
only one step.
ror(ten's oppression
Is due to more than archaic
laws and malc-chauvinist ideas.
It is maintained by an economic
system in which, corporations
profit from women's low 1,ages
-t
and refuse to provide
iercices and benefits needed
to replace our labour in the
home.

The strug-le for women's equAity
before the lsw must be combined
with struggles for day care
for every child as a right,
educational, opports-rities for women, paid
--eternity leave, adequate

medical facilities for
maternity care and to ensure
our right to abortion, and
equal pay and equal opportunity
in all fields of employment.
These struggles will require

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�:_:ter campaigns of women
groups, trade unons and
political parties--in fact,

and men who see
the necessity for women's
',11ch struggles are
equality.
an important part of the overall fight to force governments to recover and use for

August Proclaimed
Anti-Rape month

of all woe

tThs bone:fit of t1-.e 1Canadan

people some of the wealth
nonopoly forporations have
taken from us all.

NEM YORK (Reuter) - A to-hand combat unless you are

I

coalition of women's groups a master or mistress at judo or
4 has proclaimed August anti- karate," Lieut. Mary Keefe,

irape month and called Wednes- commanding officer of the sex
ilday on police, hospitals, courts crimes analysis unit warned.
and legislators to stop viewing If the rapist is provoked hr
rape victims as the criminal.
may become even more violent,
A spokesman for the group sh,
said. "Your best defences
women
said
arc "often per- are to scream and run."
scented by police who do not
believe her, doctors who are A policewoman said victims
assssted by police range from lg
.

The fight for legal reform
is one important; step to
women's equality. The fight
for full equcility is just
beinrI_ni;--it In an integral
part of the struggle for
()alinm In Canada.

anything hut -.ensitive or profes-.:months to R7 years of age.

lsional, lawyers who put her sex,.
41ife on trial, and legislators who Sally McGee, of the Women's

make laws based on the myth Political Caucus, demanded
to he that legislators enact rape-law
reforms. The proposals would
fi raped."
"Rape is the rapist's crime, end requirements for corroborathat all women want

.; not the victim's. The sooner all tion-as New York did last
women understand that. and all March-and prohibit testimony
men believe it the sooner we'll on the victim's sex life, as Cab
he able to wipe rapists off the forma did a few months ago,

face of the earth." said Scottie

eprin.ted -fro irrl

The '::omen's Subcommittee

of the Metro Toronto
Comr,ittee,
communist l'art y of

Welch, co-ordinator of the NaItional Organirartion for Women's
Rape Prevention Committee.
A demonstration of how to at

tY-1

4-11,

sack the attacker was given
a news conference at &amp; police
A

i centre here.

A petite policewomen from

the sex

crimes.

demonstrated

Canada.

analysis unit
simple attacks

for use on a would-he rapist-eveq' or throat. kneeing
punching stomach, kirk

Ong shine. and grinding heel Into

:!instep "like putting out a cigti

WHv YOU SHOULD BOYCOTT
YOUR POSTAL CODE

7.; rette."
DON'T PROVOKE

"One good ppuneh may help
:save you, but never use hand-

ti

Jobs at post offices are being steadily
lAasel out by a,_Itcm9tion.

After all vry has
autom.:Ition.
the i::ovrnment paid vast sums to develop
our tech,nclogy if not to brnefit
as a whole. In!:tead of .-,onditiorin gdtting
1),,,tter

d,-;.e

tb
1-ettf,r

with a
"7--:rF. are

rry.r

to t17e

mrrd,

ard intellIp.enc,e of

and more dliretly
tke postal workers are losini7
deserved
orditens the7 ar.c
jol-s, pay and scniorit7.
1refitn - the cnefits of

fir

eir

yers of work.
The postal workers are not fighting against
increased technology but rather, only want
a say - a say in their future. This is
their right. We, therefore, must support
them - not only because they are right but
also to assert our right to have a say in
the use and beneffts of increased scientific
knowledge to benefit all of womankind and
*1-

mankind, too).
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�THE ONTARIO ANTI-POVER.

ORGANIZATT ON.I CX?A LITION

THUNDER BAY'S M MBER'S ON COUNCIL
The organization is an alliance
comprised of low-income groops. organized into which is called The Ontario
Anti-Poverty Organization/Coalition,
trade unions, community organizations,
church .groups and professional workers,
all of whom are dedicated to the
elimination of poverty in the Province
of Ontario.
THE STATED AIMS AND PRINCIPLES OF THE
OAPO/COALITION INCLUDE:
-The Guaranteed Adequate Annual Income
for all.

Full Employment Policies.
-Canadian Development of Canada's natural resources.
-Safe end adequate housing at prices
all can afford.
-Prescription drugs, dental care, and
all health services under OHIP.
-Equality in employment--equal pay
_for equal work.
- Expanded clay-care services for all.
-peace --in our community, and throughout the werld.

"...insufficient access to certain
goods, services and conditions of
life which are available to every
one else and have come to be accepted
as basic to a decent minimum standard
of living."
It is a sad commentary on our way of
life, especially in this day and age
of space travel, when science and
technology have taken such spectacular leaps forward, and when the
wealth and -affluence of the privileged few have been so greatly increased, that we have yet to solve,
or even begin to come to grips with
in a credible manner, the physically
and spirit-ravaging condition of the
veritable army of dispossessed who
are forced to live in this province
and country below minimum health
and decency standards.

The organization is deeply concerned
bout the extent o which.the large
r.ber of working poor are forced to
enffer a bleak existence in the most
abject and agonizing conditions of
poverty. However, the organization
urges all se cal services agencies to
support certain recommendations which
we feel will go a long way in era&amp;
icating poverty from this wealthy
nr vince of ours.

- SIZE AND SHAPE OF TIE PROBLEMa..
Poverty on the federal, provincial, and
rannicipal level is among the most
serious and distressing problems facing
our society today, and the size and
shape of the problem is truly one of
staggerirg proportions and of the
greatest magnitude.
rm:enz statistics reveal that
over five million Canadians, in
excess of one-quarter of our population, live below the poverty
line, which has been defined by the
conomic Council of Canada as,

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�Ontario Anti-Poverty

Organization/Coalition cont'd

It goes without saying that the
poor
are not poor of their own choosing;
they are the front-line
casualties and
victims of the social and economic
system under which we live and the
way
in which all levels of government have
failed to provide a full employment
economy.
The vast majority of the
poor want jobs at adequate wages and
the social and educational opportunities that have been denied them.
'he work ethic is not dead.
The very
fact that over 60 per cent J3f.
Ontario's
poor are working poor, with thousands

working for wages below the poverty
level and less than what they would
receive on welfare rolls, is evidence
enough that the work ethic is alive
and well.

Insult has been added to injury in
that the mein reforos embodied in
our
present Federal-Provincial social
security programs have been granted
largely as political concessions by
governments of the day, designed to
create a delicate balance between
yielding enough to take the steam
out
of any expressions of social
unrest
being exhibited by the mass of
Canadians, and leaving the distribution

of wealth and power undisturbed
and in the hands of the privileged few.
Seen in this light, our social
welfare measures are not only
a "hopeless failure", in terms
of the unmet needs of those
they are supposed to help, but
they contribute very largely to
the critical imbalance and inequality of incomes which exists,
a situation in which the real
wealth and assets of the
country are being concentrated
in even fewer hands at the top.

This point has prompted Canadian
Senator Chesley W. Carter to
make a rather revealing and
startling observation: "If every
working man and woman knew and
understood what that inequality
meant, and the economic implications it had for
"A thr6,'
children, there would be a revolution in this country."
The Croll Senate Poverty Committee
report and numberous other government reports and studies on the
question of poverty make it abundantly clear that the poor do not
intend to stay poor. They want a
greater share of the good things of
life and are demanding that all
levels of goverment work towards
providing minimum health and decency
standards in keeping with Article
25 of the United Nations Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, to
which Canada is a signatory nation:
"Everyone has the right to a standard
of living adequate for the health
and well-being of hinself and of
his family including food, clothing
and housing and medical care and
necessary social services, and
the right to security in the event
of unemployment, sicknees, disability, widowhood, old age, or
lack of livelihood in circumstances
beyond his control."
In our view there is a joint federal-

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�provincial-municipal responsibility
to co-operate in the establishment
of bold, new programs, and to enact the
necessary legislation, that will give
life and meaning to the above. This
means not only the creation of a Guaranteed Adequate annual income, with
which the majority of Canadians are now
in favour, and which in itself will
help to create a more even balance in
the distribution of wealth, but it
also means that while we are waiting for
this to be achieved, the FederalProvincial-Municipal existing social
assistance programs must be completely
revampiad to provide for substantially
increased social benefits and payments
to this Provincies welfare recipients
the elderly, the infirm and particularly the working poor.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE:

To eliminate poverty in the Province
of Ontario in the short term we believe will require an immediate overhaul
of the present social services legislation on the municipal and provincial
level, are shot through with a special
brand suspicious paternalism,are
grossly demeaning to recipients,
totally inadequate to their special
needs, bogged down in a mire of red
tape and bureaucracy with which even
professional social service workers are
unable to tope are largely punitive
in spirit and to a great degree, a
waste of taxpayer's dollars.
There is an abvious necessity for the
Municipalities and the province to
co-operate in the creation of thousands
of new jobs in Ontario, to develop
high job content secondary industry
in the province so that our rich treasure of natural and energy resources
can be used for the benefit of our
people, to actuate an urgently required massive home building prograM
which will also create thousands of
new jobs, and to develop community
worker programs which not only create
jobs but have proven to be beneficial
to the commumity.

_Am.Z.SC-Mtneaarra-7.'mar'',LIVa:

This means. that municipalities must
support the raising of the provincial
minimum wage to at least $3.00 per
hour.

Governments statistics, based on the
Senate Poverty Committee's Report
which established $5000 as the poverty
level for a family of four in 1969 anC
which, using their calculations, increases at a rate of $400-600
per year or an average of $500 means
that the poverty level for a family
of four in 1974 can be justly estimated at $7500,
We believe that the munici lities
must support the establishment of
Guaranteed Adequate Annual Income fo r
all, one that will assure every
resident a basic and decent standard
of living,

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�----.:41MgarAisiamszugraw_ 17464focrat

4

g

Itcently we commended the Thunder Bay
:social Services Committee's for it's
concern for the working poor residents
of Thunder Bay.
We cannot, however
endorse an assistance program which
would keep residents working at or
below poverty wages.
Unfortunately,
the poverty-strcken are in a position
:here any assistance is considered better
than none at all.
We strontiy recommend
an upgrading of their social assistance
programs.

'

he respectfully submit that all social
cervices agencys should follow the, lead
Di Metropolitan Toronto in demanding
that the Provincial. Government assume
it's responsibility to provide an equal
share, along ,lith the Federal

Government, of the funding required to
establish a program of assistance to the
working poor. The senior levels of
-

Government IlAve
power to tax the
e!ealthy industries and the top 20% income earners, to make iz possible to
establish such a program,

eloo beleeve that the fuliling required'
Ilbsidiee the working poor to bring
.item up to the poverty level should.
have to come froT the already tax -

MX"MIITIMMIEMEOZNEEMBINESVE:=7:
earners and many of whom are senior
citizens who have worked 25 to 40
years to buy their own homes and are
now fixed incomes. We do not believe
that such a program of assistance to
the working poor should be paid for
by other low-income workers who
themselves have no security against
increasing poverty.
"No nation can achieve true greatness,"
the Croll Senate Poverty Committee
reasoned in it's report (and we
would add neither can a Province or
a Municipality), "If it lacks the courage
and determination to undertake the
surgery necessary to remove the cancer
of poverty from the body politic... "
A new approach is urgently needed.
Such an approach must bring help and
relief at once to those in need, and
it must -provide the foundation for
policies that will ultimately eliminate the causes of poverty from our
society.

Eleanor Morin

to

' urdened home- cilners 'and tenants ir. Thunde

w ny of wham are low income wore

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
ELEANOR AT 415 Victoria Ave., 20
Thunder Bay "F" or PHONE 622-1538..

4

"3'©

1)

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CVISION
PDFCompressor
Z
/.
Ne..

�ME N OR'N WO= I s C:TTE77 EAS

IN CREDIBLE MR. DI VINEG , A

SENT OFF THE FOLLOWING LETTER TO
OUR MP S JESSIMAN AND FOULDS
H ON

SENIOR CIVIL SERVANT WITH THE

=ISTRY OF COMMUNITY AND
SOCIAL SERVICE. FOR HIS OBTUSE,
DEGRADING, DUMBFOUNDING,
UNLIBERATED MALE STATTTMENTS IN
THE JULY 18th, 1974 EDITION OF
TED GLORT': AND MAIL.
THE ARTICLE
AS PRINTED IS SUBMITTED BELOW.

L LIAM DA Val S

AND

it

110N

TIL: 0M131,TDSMAN ti

.

BR:II-NELL

CONCERNING THIS

HOW DO YOU, P `RS' ONALY , FEEL?

IS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU? DO WE
VG; f;'E YOUR OPINIONS?
E WO ',ILL)
APPRECIATE ALL
COMMENTS
OUR READERS FR OM

,ev-1-4 (

No heusekceper service

A woman's duty to stay home, official says
By NANCY COOPER
hie or permanently disabled.
It's a woman's duty to stay
Deserted or widowed fathhome with her children and ers do qualify, however, for
it's father's to have a career. the province's visiting hometo a senior civil makers' service, while the deserant in the Community and serted, divorced or widowed
Social Services Ministry. And mother who wishes to work
that's why two inequalities in outside the home is not althe way the province treats lowed to use the service, ac-

single

fathers and single
mothers don't bother him.

On the other hand, "It's not

scale. according
and the size of hi
cook". he said, and that's why 1
25 per
he agrees with governMent g Although
I e -p arent fa

my natural duty to sew and

policy that allows fathers to
apply to the municipality for

a homemake to come and

keep house, often at no cost to
the family. The only way a
single parent mother could

cording to Tibor Divinec, assistant director of the munici-

If a father is deserted by pal welfare secretariat.
his wife. or if she dies or di"It's a woman's noble
vorces him or is taken to an role," Mr. Divioec said yesinstitution, he is not elegible terday. "She makes that decito receive any money from sion t to stay home and bring
the province, under the Fam- them up) when she decides to
ily Benefits Act. Mothers in have kiddies." He told the
rethe same circumstances do porter that a woman who
qualify. The only way a man would consider getting in a
can receive Family Benefits visiting homemaker "is not
is if he is-deemed uneMploya- much of a mother".

qualify, Mr. Divines says, is
if she was a very poor housekeeper, in need of training.

And then the help would be of

a temporary nature.
Homemaker help for a single father can go on indefinitely, sometimes for years.
while the children are grow1

ing up. Ile pays on a sliding

headed by fath

vinec says that to
with the Governm

had only five req
fathers anxious to
and bring up the
rather than havin

a salaried homem
One father foug

tem and won. bu
he took his appea

tion on a CRC prot
'Ombudsman. A ps

report said that the

dren needed pare
and the father a
wanted to stay h
them. The provin

him Family Bene

would have am
about .:11.10 a mon

Mr. J. Jessiman, M.P.P.
Par /lament Buildings,
Queens Park.
TORMITO. Ontario.

Dear Mr. Jessimen:-

erege, for drugs. h
tio%. medical aid
special assistance
aa4lable to singl

:After the resulting
the man won the ri
efits, but Governme
stressed that this w

ception, not policy.

we wish to draw to your attention
certain
statements attributed to the inistry
of
Community
and
Social Serviced' official. Mr. T.
Divinic.
aa
reported
i
the July 18th Issue of the Globe and
Mail, W believe
that Mr. Divinicss Nstification of the
riln.l.Etryta
discriminatory end repressive legialatiorp
attention and we would urge you to initiaterequires your
action to
rectify this situation - both in terms of
erecting
chang
in the legislation and in encouraging
attitude
change
with the civil service.

We have long recognized that the
Ministry's
visiting homemakers service is regulated
in
a
way
discriminates against womea. Receut declarations that
of the
government's concern for equal rights;
and opportunities
for women had. however, prompted us to
hope that these
regulations would quickly be altered.
Apparently
we were
overly using
optimistic.
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�We aro avail mora a/arazd to learn that the

Family Deuefita %et 1.--,,igu1ation4 will crAntinue to discriminate

against men. It was coma4)aly assuged that the successful
appeal occasaioned by the public attuntion receirsd through
the Ombudsman Program bad rectiaed this zatuation. Will
it now be necessary for every father to obtain nation-wide
publicity in order to :;.4000170 his rigttDul eocial assistance?
we conaidc it deplorable that tbo province
has done nothing to eliminate its o
legislation that in
so blatantly sexist. It ts even wx-c appalling that a
govorment official rests that r;dst legislation is justificd.
140

are most seriously coome6 that an officLas who is

so obviously out of touch with reslitys is in a position
to ozerciso so much power over more unfortunate Ontario
citizens. Zne detrimental effect that this oppressive1,,gislattan will have c
the child' m affnated by theme
situations cannot be ovor smriha3isee
We truct that this matt a. uill be or concern to
1 Ii
xsA, every effort to right these
injustices
you azIO that. yca

In.

trP-Actb.

z-o-ordiantor
c.a.
J. Pouldas
o,c. H.=, 1,4m. Duvia
e,c. Hone R, Brunoll.

n.p.p.

are

avaUabe

4J.

r11IVL WILL.

NEVER BETH E SAMEJ

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�P R E A T

R

day or t'Ac of fun

WOMEN'S HEALTH COLLECTIVE
:ntarz,-sted in getting one going?
'Others are.
Join them. Contact

Estelle at 623-3107.

talkin(7...censciousness
raisin,.. yo name it.

Aur Just 16t(7:00 p.m.;
stay over if you can
Anrjut 17th, (all dy;

HIGH SCHOOL WOMEN
Want to get together with othe
2ohool women for action,
it

cc)n:,lousness-i-aising, ets:;.?

If so, contact Estelle at 623-3107.

tr.ap

*iF

GAS

hulVqk

Oa-1 31.

elk
62-3-13.5 6
IYTEREST77??
phone Women's Centre
at 6Z3-3107"rejarding food,

a ride, campinc, sui-41ies, etc.
Ir

CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING

:.7!_an't make both cillyn,

fed

Intcreste-d?
Croups 0-e now being
forme:1.
Phon,,I, 623-3107 and leave
your
name (at
an Women's
1 number,
SPEAKERS
Centre)!!

frc'e to drop In for an
our or so.
PLL WOMEN WELCOME

Thursday, August :;:a.th.--Warren Sundberg,

an instructor in KARATE, will be
to give a demonstration and answer
any questions concerning the use of
self-defense.
Up and Coming--Don Colborne,
a local lawyer who was involved with
the recent rape case in Kenora (C. Big
George vs. Brown, Cedarwail and Carlson);
will talk about the legal aspects of
rape.
All are urged to attend these
meetings!
.111M111.,14.1.,1701.7

C,1MV'S CF.11-ft-

r7-F'F77--'71777.,.

i.NP

TO CA "2 AL,CiO'J'L

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�w

;A;,)...K. VSCS f t ;
CA

p.x..--/ko

ok
TiE
A13)

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�WOMEN'S HEALTH COLLECTIVE
:ntarestsd in getting one going?
Cnlers are.
';oin them.
Contact
Estelle at 623-3107.

R E P R E A T
d'7,y or two of fun

frolic..relatinE
talkini7...consciousness
raising..
nrIme it.
ti

HIGH SCHOOL WOMEN
Want to get to
with other
h!,gh school women for action,
cc)nilousnosS-raising,
If so, contact Estelle at 623-3107.

Aurust 16t:1' (7:00 p.m.)

stay over if you can
and AuJut 17t,
(all (ivy.)

AMPS??
:_lee map

CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING
Intorasted? rt Groups a-e now being
formcd.
Phom- 623-3107 and leave
your name and nun':)er.

tIt

NIZSINitt

elk
62..3
2.5
INT7REST27??
Pleae phone Women's Centre
at 4413-31Orrejarding food,
a ride, camptn supplies, stc.0
If you can't make both drys,
fen' free to drop in for an

'hour or so.

WC= WELCOME
____---

SPEAKERS (at Women's Centre)!!

Thursday, August
. -- Warren Sundberg,
an instructor in KARATE, will be
to give a demonstration and answer
any questions concerning the use of
self-defense.
Up and Coming--Don Colborne,
a local lawyer who was involved with
the recent rape case in Kenora (C. Big
George vs. Brown, Cedarwall and Carlson)
will talk about the legal aspects of
rape.
All are urged to attend these
meetings!

0,.3"6 UNIV.
.

A..J

X *:-.;:01ir,OWEL

77777777n=

litre

CATALOGUE H-iE BOOK:).
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1'_.. _..7 TO

�LOS ANGELES (AP) - The
Barbie doll, a
baby, is sweet

imagine they're grown up.
sort of try out the grown-

billion-dollar
16 this year.

;role.

Millions of little girls are hel-

"Each generation has Wad

ping her celebrate.

certain common things in their

it o y s like Goldielocka
Raggedy Ann.

Barbie is the world's biggest
toy. To her young owners, she is a real personality.
To Mattel Inc.. her producer,
she is a $100-million.a-year en,ietting

or

"The Barbie doll has become
the popular one for the kids of

!today because
represents

terprise.

Barbie
contemporary

a

individual-whatever she is to
the child. She's ubiquitous en-

Eighty million Barbies have

horn sold since the doll was
created in Ma by Ruth Hat'filer, co-founder of the toy
manufacturer. Sales now run

ough to he a baby, a little girl
or a teen-ager."
DREAMS OF FUTURE

about six million a year.

Mattel says Barbie was deproject her owners

Teen-ager Barbie is 11112
inches tall. has long blonde hair

into adulthood

a wardrobe that would be the

little girls to put themselves

signed to

and is stylishly slender. She has

"Barbie enabled millions of

envy of a movie star. She is the
owner

of

airplane,

a
n

into almost limitless future lift
situations." he added. "Threugh

townhouse, an
dune buggy and

Barbie.

other luxuries-ii parents want

to pay the bill.

Why has Barbie

won

and young
hopes and

this

place in the hearts of girls?
'Barbie strikes a common

denominator as
her.''

were

adult.

future:"

able

to

Some

lives. their
for the

dreams

parents

say

ruefully

that once a child is bitten by
the Barbie hug there is no end

the All-

American good little girl, andthe child can both identify with
Barbie

they

project a variety of teen-age

to what she wants for her OIL

and want to be like
says Dr. Edward R.

"What's with this doll?" gaif
ped a father at the sight of Bar-

associated professor of

hip's

Ttityo,

medical school.

" Ch ild re n

since
as

which sell for ti to $1.50 each.

.

"Girls particularly ... have

objects which we call
dells which they love and kiss.
They do to dolls what their
mothers

do

to

them.

They

"When

doll has dresses. pantsuits.
coats., shorts and nightgowns

:hinge to develop their fantasies
around," he continued.
chosen

gown.

basic kit of apparel. But that's
only the start. The demanding

time
theirs
personalities grow. have used

immemorial,

wedding

does it all stop ?"
A Barbie costs ta to eFi with a

Child- Psychiatry at the UCLA

Barbie Celebrates

Rounding out her wardrobe
are a ballet costume, ski suit:

stewardess'
uniform.
tennis
costume, camping garb and

party dresses. Cost: t3 apiece.

Her 16th Birthday
TO CHRISTOPHER
On rainy days
when we're caught inside
and you cry for my attention
and my headaches
and I scream at you
and you cry again,
I think, perhaps,
I should have given you up.

Then I could spend my rainy days
reading, sleeping, writing
And on sunny days I could
Walk and visit and shop and play.
But on rainy days,
you would still be caught
inside, crying for attention
and
being screamed at by someone else.
e
Mary Deaton, Berkely, Californi
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Z'2

�FAMILY

HE
CONFEDERATION COLLEGE

OF APPLIED ARTS
AND TECHNOLOGY

PROPERTY LAW

WORKSHOP

SHUNIAH BUILDING
LECTURE THEATRE

111811111111111..

Thunder Bay

PROGRAMME

Sept. 20, 21, 1974

Friday, September 20, 1974
Chairperson

-

Ruth Cunningham

Director Women's Programs
Confederation College

8:30

7:30

8:30

-

10:00

- Symposium
Panel on the Ontario
Status of
Women Council

Saturday, September 21, 1974
Chairperson

-

Joan Packota

Past Pres. University Women's Club

8:30

9:00

Review of previous
evening

9:00

9:30

- Film Family Property Law

WOMEN - In 1975 "International
Family and
Uomen1.? Ye:Lr."
Property laws which discriminate
'hopefully' will
against;
that
be changed. it
'Northern Women' take an active
role in terms of implementing
such changes. This conferenc
is your chance to:
:1.13

a) become aware of discrimination directed at women.

b) to voice your feelings ana
to be part of the change
which will affect all of
us in the future.

Application forms are available at Conrederation College
and the Northern Uomen's
Centre.

9:30

-

10:30

- Marie L. Corbett
B.A., LL.B.

COFFEE AND DISCUSSION

12:00

2:00

- Lunch
(included in fee)

2:00

-

2:30

- Report of
Discussion Groups

2:30

-

3:00

4:00

-

3:00

- Coffee

4:00

- Laura Sab a, B.A.

4:30

- Closing Remarks

Pcgistration Fee is *5.00.
:a care and lunches are
provided.
Speakers will include:
Ms. Laura Ssbia,
Chairwoman,
Ontario Statue of Women Council.

Ms. Marie Corbett, B.A., L.L.B.,
Chairwoman, Justice Committee,
Ontario Status of Women Council.
Ys. Marjorie Pinney,
Executive Officer,
Ontario Status of Women ,Council.

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akA

�BOYCOTT...

DATES TO REMEMBER

KRAFT products
Women's Centre Meetins (General):
...ANGOLAN coffee
8 p.m....CALIFORNIA grapes
When: Every Thurs. eve.
&amp; lettuce
sharp
* 1:!ere: 2nd Floor, Fort Wm. YMCA ...CHILEAN Grapes
(Every woman welcome). ...your POSTAL CODE
* Need a Ride? or Child Crire????
623-3107
Call Women's Centre
623-3925
or Lucy
41,

ARTICLE DEADLINEi-.

AUGUST 20th. Send
articles, letters,
poems, suggestions,
questions, book
reviews, etc. tc:
Box 314, Stn. F,
Thunder Bay, Ont.

410 4646 410 411

TEE NORTHERN WOMEN'S CENTRE

wsletter Meetings ('The Northern
Woman' )

When:

Every Tues. eve.

-±3

8 p.m.
sharp

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

(Mon. thru Fri.)

WHERE: 2nd Floor - Fort William YMCA

Where: The Northern Women' s
Centre, Fort Wm. YMCA

to II ID 1110

OPEN:

13c' N. Archibald Street
PHONE: 623-3107

!i4114
Ob.

rxplorinfr, Polities

When: Every 2nd Fri.

@ 7 p.m.
sharp 1

(Aug. 2nd, 16th, 3 0 th )
Where: The Northern Women's
Centre, Fort Wm. YMCA

Return To:

kg

14

People Who Did THIS ISSUE: Doreen, Helen,
Noreen, Lucy, Linda, Eve, Laurie, Susan,
Estella, Marion, Corky, Eleanor, Rose Marie
(If YOU
...hope we haverJt missed anyone.
would like to be on this Honour Role, come
Meet
o
out to our Newg

THE NORTHERN WOMAN
Box 3140- Stn. F

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO
(Return Postage Guaranteed)

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�</text>
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                  <text>Northern Woman Journal&#13;
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. &#13;
&#13;
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. &#13;
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                <text>Vol. 1, No, 12 (August 1974)&#13;
&#13;
Topics Include:&#13;
Editorial Policy (Collective Consensus)&#13;
Dr. Henry Morgentaler Court Case&#13;
Special Report: Rape Case Kenora&#13;
Rape Testimony (Letter To The Editor)&#13;
Rape Crisis Centres&#13;
Self Defence&#13;
Nuclear Family – Division Of Labour/Labour Value&#13;
Marriage Law Equality&#13;
Postal Boycott&#13;
Anti-Rape Movements&#13;
Ontario Anti-Poverty Organization/Coalition&#13;
Caregiving Work &amp; Sexism&#13;
Local Announcements &amp; Events&#13;
Barbie&#13;
Family Property Law&#13;
 &#13;
Authors/Contributors:&#13;
Rose-Marie Neuman&#13;
Eve Pykerman&#13;
Shelagh Mundy&#13;
Eleanor Morin&#13;
Nancy Cooper</text>
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�EDITORIAL POLICY
The newsletter group, a separate yet supportive
group of the Northern Women's'Centre. reflects
the complexity of the make up of the Northern
Women's Centre as a whole.

Being a smaller, unified group, the editorial
board of The Northern Woman will attempt through
collective creative andtEought-provoking comments,
to respond to, and express (through a consensus of
opinion) their reactions to, various articles,
letters and timely topics of interest.
Throtedh such a policy it is hoped that The Northern
Woman will become a tool for women to develop an
inereased understending of their situation and
forests affecting their lives.

:A=0E-..._.--,.,;wismeze=agatimamamwaxmwr,

IIMI ME I WE I

EDITORIAL
/

This i1S40 is dedfeated to HEALTH
physical. For, as Simone de Beauvoir sat
confidence i4
own body i.e to lose c
For this ,"
is nelessiley that all
a knowledge but alio an understanding of

of

m

al and
have
ideace in oneself."
men have not only
eir bodies.
"Not

Up to this time the medial pronliedien has been allowed
to and willingly subscribes to a basic assumption
patient, particularly a female, is quiet, passive, that the
and
ignorant of her body. As a result very few
women have a
positive attitude towards the medical profession.
We are
tired of being subjected to long waits, short
and cursory
examinations which do not alleviate any fears or provide
answers to our questicns.
A doctor is not omniscent; every patient has the right
to question her/him and so receive clear informative
explanations. Only when we cease to
conceive of our bodies
as objects of mystery and begin to voice our desires and
to demand basic rights, will the attitude of the
medical
profession change.

Until the demystification of the body and democratizatization of health services becomes a reality for
all, we
as women, must increase our awareness of the
functioning
of
our bodies.
This Newsletter hopes to serve as a stepping
stone in
that direction.
It is time we stopped deluding ourselves
that our discomfort and dissatisfaction
in the medical
profession is a function of personal maladjustment
on all
our parts. The sooner we realize that our difficulties
ape
common and widespread, the sooner we can humanize the
sterile,
impersonal world of medicine &amp; health care.

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Women's
Tearcopy of CVISION PDFCompressor

�YOUR RIGHTS AS A PATIENT
How often have you left your doctor's
office with the feeling you were not
treated as an individual, that your
problems were not very important,
that your questions were not answered to your satisfaction ( if you could
bring yourself to ask them at all),
that you were rushed or treated in a
paternal manner?
Some women have long complained to
their friends about the doctor/patient
relationship. Some women have developed a blind loyalty to their doctors,
coming quickly to their defense should
they be critized, although they may
complain themselves about the treatment
they received. But now more -than
ever before women are becoming more
selective in their choice of tqho they
see about their health needs:
Because of the women's movement women
are discussing openly and honestly
their grievances toward many doctors.
YOU CAN CHANGE DOCTORS:

Staying with the same doctor means
s/he has forlied a medical picture of
you in he: or his mind, and s/he has
recorded your health problems which
can prove to be valuable when you
come for medical advice. At the same
time, the mere fact a doctor has
your medical history shouldn't bind
you to him/her if your not satisfied.
Records can easily be transferred.
You don't have to settle for a single
opinion:

You are well within your rights when
you set out to corroborate the findings
of any doctor.
A second opinion can be
particularly helpful when it comes to
the advisability of surgery. There is
a growing concern about the many hyster_
ectomies and mastectomies that are performed. Explore all alternatives before
agreeing to an operation.

The womens movement is the road
to knowing and appreciating onesel

You are not obliged to participate in experiments:
New drugs and new surgical procedures must be tried out on someone before
they gain acceptance, but if you happen to be that "someone" you have a
right to know it, and be informed
of the dangers involved.
Ca rtyr

tj

r

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1975:
International Women's Year

�YeiU ARE ENTITLED TO ARE.',SON

ABLE AMOUNT OF TIME &amp; ATTENTION
You have a right to expect
that s/he has set aside the
time to (1) give you a chance
to talk about the problem.
(2) Examine you. (3) Record
the details (4) discuss it with
you (5) Suggest what steps you
can take to solve it, and (6).
Answer any questions you may
have. You have every right to
expect PRIVACY -- you should be
able to EFII-Trankly without
fear of being overheard. Your
health records are privileged
information and should not be
maee :7-41,0,e te anyone who
is not directly involved in
your care unless you give your
permission to make this information available.
Continuity of Care

A backup doctor should be standing by to answer your calls,
or respond to any emergency,
when yous. on doctor is away.

te

The Preservation of Personal

7.5=17-m e man77-in which
you are cared for should be in
no way
affected by your sex,
social standing, or race.
Respectful and considerate care
is every patients due.

II

rCe.sZt.30A,00,p

lull Information Is Yours For
at t e pak,ient
117.7gE7Tknow can't hurt her" is

toe often the attitude of many
doctors. You have the right
to ask questions expect truthful answers and explanations
'ou can understand, also, the
name &amp; possible side effects of
medications prescribed.

t710..

CNC' tz

1%

EaKkAl_sA

Men go to great pains to avoid
talkie q about women in front of
them ('Not in front of a lady")
- it would give their game away.
To overhear a bull session is
traumatic to a woman: So, all
this time she has been considered
only, "ass", "meat", "twee, or
stuff", to be gotten a "piece of",
"that hitch", or "this broad"
tc
be tricked out of money
or sex
or love!
To understand finally
that she is no better than
other
women but completely
indistinguishable
comes not just as a blow but as
total annihilation.
ft

International Women's Year

Shulamith
Firestone
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�Ear
"The Foam"- Aerosol Vaginal
Spermic de
Description; White cream with the
consistency of shaving cream. It
contains a sperm killing chemical.
It comes in a can with a plunger,type plastic applicator.
Effectiveness
745am is not as effective as a diaphragm used with cream or jelly, or as
a condom.
If it must be used alone,
two full applicators should be inserted, as close to the time of intercourse as possible. If you absolutely
don't want to get pregnant, don't
count on foam alone.

Disadvantages
- Foam friltates some vaginas and
some penises. Delfen, which is most
effective, also tends to be most
irritating.
-Not effective enough to depend on.
- Using it can be a (brief) interruption of sex if the couple do not
treat it as part of the sex play.
-Responsibility is primarily the
women's.
Advantages
--Easily available in ctrug stores.
- Is effective in helping to prevent
VD.

CONDOM

(Rubber, Safe, Prophylactic)

Description:
A Iheath, usually make of
thin, strong latex rubber, designed to
fit over an erect penis to keep the
semen from getting into the women's
vagina.
Usually comes rolled up, unrolls to about 71A inches.
There are
no "sizes" since all are eensiderably
elastic.
Skin condoms (made from
animal membrane) are more expensive but
tend to cut down less on sensation.

Effectiveness; Used alone, a good
quality condom is 85-95 percent effective, with a spermicidal foam, 100 percent effective, depending on how carefully it is used.
(a) leave a half inch at the end of a
plain-ended one for semen.
(b) Unroll carefully to avoid catching
air in the end.
(c) Use a lubricant to prevent tearing,
spermicide) roam, cream, jelly, K-Y
Jelly, or saliva, but not vaseline. ;tppl
the lubricant after the condom is on the
penis.

(d) The man must hold the rim when he
withdraws his no longer-erect-penis afte
ejaculation; otherwise the condom might
slip off, and sperm will get into the
vagina.
In case of accident, use cream
or jelly or foam as quickly as possible,
Dieadvanta ,es

JELLIES AND CREAMS
SpermiciTa176
comes in
a tube with a plastic applicator. It
forms a film over the cervix which
blocks end kills the sperm.
Effectiveness
It is not as effective as foam, so
unless foam irritates, don't use
creams or jellies alone.

- Can ru n the spontaneity of sex, unless the man and woman can share the unrolling of the condom, making it an enjoyable routine of sexual foreplay.
-Many men claim that the condom dulls
sexual pleasure. Physiologically, this
claim is highly questionable. These mer
are usually refusing to accept responsik
ility for birth control.
.1cae.`fieta.4.e.tat.

Disadvantages Problems of leakage or
Advantage Can be bought at a drug
store without a prescription.
1975:
International Women's Year
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�evantages
aieap, easily avaibie, easy to use
A method of birth control that gives
, nee protectien against VD. It also pro
tects partners from infection like trichomonas.
- Condoms have a shelf life of two years.
A condom kept in a wallet or pocket will
deteriorate, but a high quality condom
can be used five or six times if cared for.
Put it in a glass of water temporarily,
thenwash it, dust with cornstarch, and reroll.

-

AN,-.11%

.Sr

DIAPHRAGM AND SPERMACIDAL JELLY
OR CREAM:

1880 - Diaphragm was a major breakthrough
in the liberation of women from unwanted
pregnancies.
Up until 1960 when the pill and IUD were
invented, 1/3 of all American couples
used the diaphragm.
DESCF PTION

It is made of soft rubber material and
is shaped like a shallow cup. It has
a flexible metal spring rim. It
should fit snugly over your cervix,
locked in place behind the pubic
bone and reaching back into the
posterior fornix of your vagina. It
comes in a variety of sizes, depending
on the size of your upper vagina. Tile
size you require is a difficult thing
for you to determine, therefore a trip
to the doctor is required.

FOW IT WORKS

Before a visit to your doctor, you
should examine yourself internally
to determine the positions of both tnbubic bone and the cervix. This 7.s
essential when fitting into place the
diaphragm. The doctor then fits
several rings of different size into
the vagina to determine the size you
need. After fitting the first the
doctor will or should ask you if you
can feel it. If you say "no" he or
she will take that ring out and insent the next larger size and this
continues until you can only slightly:'
feel the ring and that's your size.
There is a possibility that after a
woman has had a child, an abortion,
an operation dealing with the pelvic
area or has lost or gained ten
pounds, it might be wise to ')e refitted.

After the visit to the doctor you
should know how to Insert the device
yourself.
About a teaspoon of
spermicidal jelly or cream is smearee
on the upper surface of the diaphragL,
(dome up or down, depending on your
anatomy). Spermacide must not be
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�laced on the rim since this increases the possibility of displacing
the diaphragm during coitus. With
ona hand you squeeze the diaphragm
into a long, narrow shape. With
the other hand, hold the vaginal
lips apart, then insert the compressed davice into the vagina
until the far rim passes the cervix.
You then push the front rim up behine the pubic bone and chock that
the cervix is completely covered.
Plastic or metal inserters
facilitate insertion especially for
women with short fingers or dislike
handling themselves.

The diaphragm is most easily inserted
wh!1e crouching, squatting, lying
down, or standing with one foot
raised.
The diaphragm may be inserted no
more than two hours and not less
than 1/2 hour before sexual intercourse.
If two hours pass, an
inserter full of spermicide can be
injected into the vagina or the
entire procedure can be repeated.
You can walk around, bathe or
urinate with a diaphragm in place,
but you should recheck its position
,e'ter a bowel movement.
1J ter an act of sexual intercourse,

an additional application of spermieide must be inserted into the
vagina by means of an applicator
before each additional coitus.
After intercourse, l'Ira the
die; ~ eagm in for six hours or so
to ensure that all sperm are de-

Diaphragms made of plastic are
available in case of an allergic
reaction to rubber. Also, the
brand of spermicide should be
changed if either partner is
allergic to the kind being used.
The diaphragm is ineffective if
left in a dresser drawer or purse.
However, that is not the only
reason for its potential failure.
The device can slip out of position
for a number of reasons: improper
fit, cream on the rim, expansion
of
the vaginal walls during sexual
stimulation, and frequent insertions
of the penis.
The diaphragm is much
more easily displaced in coital
positions where the woman is above
the man.
The diaphragm and cream costs
about
$6.00.

Word of Warning:

It is best not to
'leave your disidinagm lying about
as
someone uninformed as to the form
of a diaphragm may easily mistake
it for an ashtray. Just a pun but
it did actually happen. Tee Hee!

Much of my material I gathered
the Magill Handbook on "Birth from
Control °
and the book entitled "Our
Bodies,
Ourselves'*.
Also thanks Linda for
the helpful article you
gave me.
Val Packota

s'n..oyed.

Touching is unnecessary. Simply
clean around vagina with a warm
washcloth and towel.
Occaeionally, hold the diaphragm up
to tne light and check it for cracks,
or holes, especially around the rim.
After use, wash the diaphragm witn
id soap and water, dry it gently
and pove-- it with corr
tarch.
diaphragm can be used during
menetration although conception is
unlikely at that time.
WK-a positioned correctly the
diaphragm cannot be felt by either
sexeal partner during coitus.
.

)

The secret is freedom and
that means no bras or Bridles.
You got to do wnat you want to
do and wear wnat you want to
wear. Everybody is so hung up .
on the matching game-- the
shoes have to match the bag
which matches the coat and dress
But the big question is, is it
matching your soul.
Janis Joplin
Village Voice
611111111111111111311=41111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111=111111111111011E.

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International Women's Year

�cQ

,

THE PILL
The pill is, at the present
have not done complete medical
time, the only birth control
histories and examinations.
Also
method that is 100% effective if
the side-effect and dangers of the
taken as prescribed ie. every day
pill, to certain women have not
for 21 days.. (depending on type
been thoroughly explained.
In a
of pill you take).
study done by the Vancouver Women's
HOW IT WORKS
Health Booklet - 32% of the women
The pill is make up of
surveyed said their doctors pressynthetic chemicals that ordincribed the pills without adequately
arily enable women to conceive a
checking their medical history..
baby.. The pill adds estrogen .and
The disadvantages and dangers
progesterone in synthetic form to
of taking oral contraceptives as
the body's own production of
any other product medication cannot
hormones.. Estrogen -- chemical that
be overstated.
acts on the brain centre that
controls the pituitary gland resulting in the gland to decrease
the production of eggT- prevents
development of other eggs--causes
Any synthetic chemical that
wall of womb to thicken and prepare
"messes around" with body chemistry
it to receive fertilized egg. Also
is dangerous to women susceptible
stimulates milk producing gland of
to various physical problems.
of breasts.
Progesterone--compleListed below are the reasons
tes preparation of the wall of the
you should not take the pill or
womb with a further supply of blood
good arguments for thinking about
and other fluids necessary for
other birth control alternatives.
early stages of pregnancyr--also
WOMEN WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE THE PILL
seems to prevent release of any
more 9ggs..
-diseases or conditions associated
to effect, the pill, adding
with poor blood circulation
a considerable amount of estrogen
-bad varicose veins
and progesterone prevents preg-pulmonary embolism (blood clot
nancy primarily by preventing thg
in the lung)
development of the egg in the ovary
-stroke
If a low estrogen level is present
-retinal thrombosis
on the last day of your cycle a
-heart disease
hormonal message is sent by the
-heart defect
pituitary gland which begins devhepatitis or other liver diseases
elopment of egg in the ovary.
-undiagnosed abnormal genital
What the pill does is raise your
bleeding
estrogen level enough to prevent
-cancer of the breast or of the repthat message from being sent.. In
roductive organs or a family
effect your ovary remain inactive
history of breast cancer
when taking the pill.
-lactation (nursing mothers should
DISADVANTAGES OF BEIM 100% SURE
not take birth-control pills
There are varied opinions on
-cystic fibrosis
the pill and problems linked with
the pill ie. blood clots, cancer
etc. However because the pill is
100% effective it is given publicity as giving women complete
contrel over their bodies.
Doctor links
HowPill may cause,,
ever we must ask in this article
what price do we have to pay for
migraines,
being 100% sure..
breast cancer,
The pill must be prescribed
by a doctor.
estrogen use
Too often the pill
BMA warned
has been doled out by doctors who
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Neurosurgeon links pill
to female infertility

.

�VOLUNTARY STERILIZATION ----A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

A significant change is occurring among many women
today. Vlereas in the past, most things affecting women
were out of their hands (parents, husbands, "laws of nature"),
today women are seeking control-- of their lives, of their
bodies. The control they demand of their own bodies has
had an obvious effect on our society ie.more money is being
put into development of safer and more effective birth control
methods, the abortion issue is being argued daily. Although
these changes are seemingly insignificant in light of what
should be happening, they still represent a change in
attitude from even 15 years ago, when abortion was something
that was never even mentioned by the average person. At one
time women never questioned the fact that they would have
children--it was inevitable--it was what women do. Women
are questioning now, though, and the answers they're coming
up with range from limiting the number of children they bear
to one or two, to choosing not to have children at all. When
the decision has been made not to have any (more) children
the question then becomes which birth control method would
provide the most effective, safest, long-term effects. Of to
two most effective methods--the pill (99A and the IUD(95%),
neither would appear to be too safe for any extended period
of time. The most permanent, safest method, therefore, is
obviously sterilization. It is one hundred percent effective
and is usually final. It is the only really permanent form
of birth control.
Choosing sterilization is an important decision. Most
people you talk to about it will probably react with shock
especially if you have only one child or none at all. You may
even have many internalized feelings yourself of infertility
meaning "inferiority". however, after these have been
examined and dealt eith, you will most likely run into the
biggest struggle of all--finding a docto who will perform
the operatinn.
I would like to relate my personal experience with
voluntary sterilization, which, I believe could probably
be generalized. I am a single parent with two children
who,at the time I started investigating sterilization, were
3 and 4 years old.
I have never been married. I had been
on the pill for 3 years, and given information that you
should go off them every 3-4 years, I was getting worried
about how ingesting this chemical into my body daily was
affecting me. Examining other birth control methods, I
discovered all of them to be unsatisfactory for me. The
nexr safest, IUD, made me shudder; I didn't like the thought
of a little bit of plastic and copper embedded somewhere in
my body. Abstinence seemed to be the my only out(sterilization
hadn't occurred to me yet). Being ayoung, sexually healthy
woman, it didn't strike me as being any kind of a viable
alternative.

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�s.
It finally occurred to me that I was only looking into
short-term methods. I knew I didn't want any more children.
The
thought of getting pregnant again filled me with terror; I paniced
every time my period was a day late.
So why not end my child
bearing "career" permanently? For six months I battled with
myself.
After all, I was only 20 years old; isn't sterilization
a rather drastic step? But, my children were getting out of
babyhood dependency and I loved the freedom it offered me. I
spoke to everyone I knew about it. Many of my friends (mostly
women) were incredibly supportive of my decision. The majority
of people though, men and women, were shocked. Their shock,
however only served to reinforce my deelson. I made an appointment with my doctor.
I wouldn't even have considered approaching
my gynecologist about it (a man who reminded me faintly of Robert
foung in a Marcus Welby-Father Knows Best combination).
I felt it would be fairly easy. After all, I was an "unwed
mother", and many people were adverse to propagating the race of
"illegitimate" children"( I wasn't too concerned about the
resoning behind it--as long as I could get the operation done).
7.4y doctor, though, was just a little too liberal.
He seemed to
think I had just as much right to have children as 3 married woman
did. lie insisted I would meet a man some time ("After all, you're
o attractive") and fail madly in love, want to get married and
give him a-child-of-his-own.
He also told me that if I were married
my husbands signatureend consent would give me the right to be
eternized if he said I could.
After talking to him for a while, he finally convinced me to
think abut it even though I already had been for six months or
more.
I went off the pill and on his advice, had an IUD inserted.
7-Tis argumeni-infuriated me after I had had time to think abet
it.
First of all, if I ever did meet a man I wanted to get into
a long-term relationship with, he would have to accept my children
as "his own".. I couldn't concieve of a relationship with a man
who related to them as my responsibility, alone, an attitude
which would be representative of an entire individualistic
frame of reference which I can no longer relate to.
A short time later I approached another doctor, a partner of
the first. His reaction was the same: I'm too young voisftdiOn,
I may change my mind, I may meet somenne etc.
A year later, when I was even more convinced that I should
have the operation done due to extreme discomfort from the IUD, I
approached another doctor. This time it was a woman, my reasoning
being that she might be able to empathize with my situation to
a small degree more than a man could. I was able to talk to her
quite openly about my feelings and she finally agreed to speak to
the gynecologist/surgethn about it. He agreed and they scheduled
my admission into the hospital.
I want into the hospital with no
fe&amp;lings of apprehension at all. I felt exhilarated; I finally
had some control over my body.
The operation itself was a simple procedure, only in use for
a year.
The procedure was termed "laparoscopy" and was done by
making two tiny innisinns in the abdomen and inserting a tube
called a laperoscope which is used to cauterize the tubes. I was
able to go home the following day. After I came home, I felt
P
eer_A3
sense of freedom, as if, now that I no longer had to
worry About getting pregnant, I could get on with the rest of my
life.

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�9.

My experience with the first two doctors made me realize
just how much the medical profession views women as not having any
Abotion, bibth control,
r7.Eht in determining their own lives.
ahild birth, and sterilization are all things which, although
they affect the woman directly are all somehoe removed from her
hands. Major decisions are made not 122: her but for her, either
by the man she is married to or by the man who a-Ter doctor.
The time is here, now, to start insisting that we be given
the right of control over war own bodies which will mean another
step in the direction of control overour lives.

THE MALE OPTION - VASECTOMY
To describe a vasectomy in the usual
idiotic T.V. type advertisement one
could say that "It takes away the
worry of being close".
WHAT IS A VASECTOMY? How is it performed?
How will it effect me? These are some of
the questions that bother the average male,
so, having had a vasectomy four years ago
I shall attempt to answer these questions
to alleviate any fears the male may have
about the possible after effects of a
very simple operation.

How will it effect me? After a month or so
you will not even be aware that you had a
vasectomy, and the location of any small
Will it
scars are generally impossible.
I would
effect my sex life? Rubbish!
highly recommend it as a viable choice in
the decision of birth control and it appears
to me ludicrous to have a woman go through
the major female operation of Tubal Ligation,
or have her take the Pill when a vasectomy
is such an easy answer.
Take this advice from a four year veteran!
Mike

.Generally a visit to your doctor to discuss
the operation is mandatory and some doctors
prefer the wife to be present, although this
depends on the doctor involved, and in my
own case all that was required was my wife's
permission for the operation.

Usually in the doctor's
How is it done.
The
office under a very mild anesthetic.
whole experience takes about half an hour.
The operative procedure is about ten minutes.
All the operation entails is the making of
two miniscule incisions in the "Bag" and
locating the two Vas Deferens, cutting,
tying and applying some type of plastic
The whole
bandage over the small cuts.
procedure is less painful than a visit
Although, it is usually
to the dentist.
suggested that one wait until the next day
to resume work; the only discomfort is a
slight pulling sensation of the testicles.
Because, one support tube is removed they
tend to drop until the muscles strengthen
The advisability of wearing an
again.
athletic support for a few weeks is
This slight inconvenience
desireable.
and a period of caution for about ten
weeks is usually advised by your doctor to
make sure that all live sperm have disappeared.

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�IUD

Page 9A

lomm INTRAUTERINE DEVICES

AVAILABILITY

Several devices which are pictured
here have been used by women. As
can be seen the design of these
devices has become less complicated
over time as a result of much needed
scientific work.
However, much more
research is needed in this area.

(A)

Most women should be able to make
use of this method unless the uterus
is exceedingly small or there is
excessively heavy mentrual flow and/
or cramping.
Also people with V.P.,
severe vaginal and uterine infection
should not use the IUD.
To be safe
make sure to have a full pelvic and
breast examination as well as pap smee
and V.D. tests if necessary.

(B)

(E)

(A)
(E)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
(H)
(I)

**

Majzlin Spring
Birnberg Bow
Saf-T-Coil**
Ota Ring
Dalkon Shield.

Hall-Stone Ring
Lippes Loop**
Zipper Ring
Margulies Coil.

most recent devices

HOW IT WORKS

No one is absolutely sure how the
IUD works to prevent pregnancy
there are several theories:

Over two thousand years ago Arab
and Turk camel drivers discovered
the principle of the IUD.
They
inserted tiny pebbles into the
uterus of female camels by means
of a hollow lead tube in order to
prevent pregancy during long journeys
through the desert.
During the nineteenth century IUD's
were used extensively in the United
States and Europe for a correction
of uterine displacement, treatment
of menstrual abnormalities and
infertility and in the later part of
the century, for contraception.

"The IUD, which touches the linin
of the uterus at several points,
irritates the lining and keeps it
from developing properly, so a
fertilized egg cannot find a good
place to implant.
The IUD speeds up the peristaltic
waves by which the fallopian tube
moves the egg down toward the
uterus.
The egg's journey of
4-5 days gives the uterine lining
time to become secretory under the
influence of progesterone.
Studies are being done to determin,
if the presence of the IUD
causes
hormonal changes which cause the
suppression of ovulation.
A fairly recent theory holds
that
the uterne wall responds to the
foreign body by sending out
macrophages - huge white blood
cells - which try to get rid
of
the IUD, and failing that, devour
egg or sperm or both. This is not
an infection."'

Today the IUD is usually a small
plastic device, placed inside the
Uterus by means of an inserter with
one or two strings extending from
1 - information taken
the vagina so that one is able to
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�INSERTION OF LIPPES LOOP INTO THE UTERUS

nylon threads

Page 9B

n
nylon
threads

INSERTION
Insertion of an IUD is undertaken during or just
after menstruation, or at the time of an abortion.
This is accomplished with the use of an inserter.
The diagram shows how easily the device is placed
into the uterus.

IUD's should always be inserted by
a well-trained person because of the
risk of infection.
In Canada this
usually means a doctor, although,
in other countries these tasks are
often handled by trained medical
technicians. However, the
demystification of the medical
profession which results from the
use of technicians seems to be
a long way off at least in this
country.

SIDE EFFECTS
Some women have more bleeding and
cramping than usual for the first
few days (One medical journal
suggests that one or two months
is not too long for bleeding to
take place after insertion).
One
can only assume that these were
"male" doctors who wrote the article.

ADVANTAGES

Eliminates worry about birth control
at the time of intercourse.
It is
easier than remembering to take your
pill or inserting your diaphram. It
is probably safer than pumping your
system full of chemicals.
In socialist countries where oral
contraceptives are frowned upon,
IUD's have been their alternative
and have been used extensively by
all women including those who have
not had children. The reason for
why the IUD is used less often in
this country appears to be the profit
motive.
The pill costs only pennies
to produce but costs the consumer
up to $3.50 or more per month. The
IUD, on the other hand, is a co.etime expense.
Obviously companies
manufacturing these devices will
push the more profitable of the two.

REVERSIBILITY

Chances of becoming pregnant after
removal are the same as before
using the IUD.
AtIONIM3011101101.00+1111INMIMMIIMIONMO.

REFERENCES
1.

BIRTH CONTROL HANDBOOK
4th edition, August 1970,
McGill University Arts and
Science Undergraduate Society.

3.

OUR BODIES OURSELVES
Boston Women's Health Book
Collective.
Simon and Schuster.
New York 1973.

4.
MEDICAL HANDBOOK
BIRTH CONTROL HANDBOOK
International Planned Parenthood
10th edition, March 1973,
Federation.
3rd edition 1968 Health
Press
Incorporated.
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�Page 9C

FOR MEN ONLY

NEW BREAKTHROUGHS

IN BIRTH
CAN YOU NAME THESE I.PD:s P

A
D
A. whirling dervish
B. silent spring

CONTROL

Several thousand male prisoners
have been using the Hot Rod
since April, and the results
"We had only had
look promising.
34 cases or third degree burns,"
she stated, and we are working
closely with the local Burn Unit
to see whether or not the patients
Prison officials
will recover.
have noted that since the advent
of the Hot Rod, there have been
When
43% fewer escape attempts.
asked about the correlation between
the use of the Hot Rod and the
incidence of prison breaks, the
warden replied, "Well, the men seem
reluctant to walk around anymore."

C. the drop kick
D. stiff upper
NEW HEAT WAVE KILLS SPERM

INJECTION DECAPITATES SPERM
lippy

RUTTING, N.M., July 10 - A simple
method of birth control by injection
of a liquid into the penis has been
discovered at the Rutting Clinic, by
Dr. Eve Weltsmerz.
"Using an ordinary hypodermic needle
such as used by junkies all over the
world, the new chemical formula
(pat.pending) will decapitate the
sperm, thus rendering it incapable
of entering the female egg,"
Dr. Wetsmerz declared.
Experiments on a thousand white
whales from the continental shelf
(whose sexual apparatus is said to
be closest to man's) proved the new
chemical to be 100% effective in
preventing pregnancy and eminently
satisfactory to the female whale
since it does not interfere with
her rutting pleasure.

ANDROGEN, FLORIDA July 10 Scientists at Mammary Research
Clinic announced today that they
have developed an entirely new
concept in birth control.
Based on the finding of Dr. Sharon
Suffrage, whose study on heat waves
was published last year. the Clinic
is testing the effects of heat on
sperm production.
Dr. Suffrage discovered that when
intense heat was applied to the
scrotum, the male's sperm was
Of course,
immediately destroyed.
so were the testicles, but Suffrage
thinks that this minor problem can
be overcome.
In announcing this new breakthrough
in birth control, Suffrage explained
THIS ARTICLE WAS TAKEN FROM
that she is presently developing a
"Her-self", 225 East Liberty
portable hot iron which can be
Ann
Arbor, Michigan 48108
applied directly to the scrotum by
(August, 1974)
The hot iron will
the man himself.
be marketed commercially by Suffrage
Pharmaceutical
Co.
the trade
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1975 is INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR
name "Hot Rod."

�FOR

EN ONLY;

G

iN_TalEaLCONTROL

IPD antrapenal device) IS TESTED
The newest development in male contraception was recently tested
Called the intrapenaldevice or the IPD, it is inserted
on male prostitutes.
through the head of the penis and pushed into the scrotum with a plunger*
like instrument. Occasionally there is perforation of the scrotum which
is disregarded since the male has no sensitivity to this area of his body.
No one really knows how they work or what the long range effects will be,

IMF:

but then, who cares?
Common complaints have been severe cramping, massive hemorraghing
and green discharges from the head of the penis which are merely signs that
the man's body has not yet adjusted to the "new resident." Hopefully these
symptoms will disappear within a year.
Ins usually are implanted with a string to insure quick removal or
for sado- masochistic "play." In cases where the sex partner has complained
of the string, the string is removed and then the IPD must be taken out
surgically.

PENIS COIL "STATISTICALLY SAFE"
INTERCOURSE, PA. July 10 - Dr. Sonia
Softig of the Blue Balls Birth Control
Clinic announced today the most effective
method of birth control since castration.
The device, which Dr. Softig invented, is
a microscopic oil which can safely be
inserted into the penis with very little
It will remain
discomfort to the man.
be
intact for as long as desired and
removed as easily as it was inserted that is, with a tiny steel rod which is
gently rammed through the penis opening.
The main feature of the coil is its
Experiments on a
retentive power.
hundred generations of pigs (whose sexual
apparatus is said to be closest to man's)
showed an expulsion rate of only 1.3%,
with a complication rate of merely 18%.
Dr Softig announced that the new coil
has also been tested on unsuspecting
male grad students who visited their
University Health Clinic during the week
An experimental
of July 1 - July 8.
study at Macho University showed that of
the 762 male grad students who were given
the coil, only 112 reported any adverse
effects.
Of these, 84 requested that the
However, they were
coil be removed.
informed that they would have to wait
until the study was completed before
they could have the coil taken out.
Dr. Softig has conceded that occasionally
a man will not be able to tolerate the
coil.
But she emphasized that this is
entirely the fault of that particular man.
"When we get such a case," she stated,
"we usually refer the man to a psychiatrist."

b-UMBRELLY UNFURLED'#
by Jane Field
Special Science Editor
PUDENDA, KANSAS, July 10 - An entirely new
method of birth control has been discovered by Dr.
Lura.Merkin of the Merkin Clinic. A tiny folded umbrella is inserted in the penis and opens automatically
when it has reached the apex of the shaft. The underside of the umbrella contains jelly (hence, the name
which causes the sperm to undergo a
chemical change rendering it incapable of fertilizing
the egg. Dr. Merkin said that the "umbrelly" can be
inserted in the penis without an anasthetic, and with
very little discomfort to the male. Thus, it can be
done in a matter of minutes, in any soundproof doctor's office.
Experiments on a thousand goats (whose sexual
apparatus is said to be closest to man's) proved the
sperm umbrelly to be 100% effective in preventing
pregnancy and eminently satisfactory to the female
goat since it does not interfere with her rutting
pleasure.

Dr. Merkin declared the "umbrelly" to be
statistically safe for man. "Out of every hundred
goats, only two died of intra-penis infection; only
twenty experienced painful swelling in the unerected
member; sixteen developed cancer of the testicles;
and thirteen were too depressed to have an erection,"
Dr. Merkin pointed out that early cancer detection
is a feature of the Merkin Clinic. Removal of one or
both testicles is now considered a simple operation
and has very little effect on a goat's sexual prowess.
Only one out of a thousand goats had to have a
radical penisectomy - that is, removal of the penis
as well as the testicles. "But it is too rare to be
statistically important", Dr. Merkin said. Other distinguished members of the Women's College of
Physicians and Surgeons agreed that the results far
outweigh the risk to individual men.

1975

-

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEP ?'

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�FAYILY PLANNING

There have been obstacles to the
practice of family planning. One of the
main obstacles has been the fact that,

She felt 1:hat education is comin,r,

until 1969 the Crimminal Code restricted
sale and dissemination of information

practice of family :Aanrino.).

regaridi 2..contraceptives.

flowAV(r, there still exists a ba_:rier
in fatily planning services and that is
one of education and infromation. It is

too little and tno late, people's
a'titudes will have to shift to
The

Dirthe states with all this knowled,-.
society has been afraid to move
beyond that.

surmised that most people in Canada know
about contraception, however, about a
third of all pre7lancies in Canada are
unplanned.
The advantaT,es of family planning
cannot be overestimated:

"If every child is a wanted child, chilren are better cared for, both physically
and emotionally. Y,others are subjected to
lower health risks if births are spaced
carefully. The assurance that anoter
child won't come before it's wanted helps
couples plan other material and non-material aspects of their lives with more
confidence.
And we know family planninf;
in the wide sense in which it must be
defined can assist some of the childless
to hear normal healthy habies.
amily
T-,lannin7. is not 5i. 5l'
T.'!.D.

It emodi

the insertion or an
a carerdl

if F';!dly

resourcs
or happy
res:)onle faily life."

,

hea]thy,

::]conomic Council or Canada

1:,arion Powell, Population Unit,
:;chool of :Iy;--,iene, Universiy (1 7oronto,

has been quoted in say in

that '!aving

A prevailing spirit seems to
that "we are our sisters keepers,.'
and we are not doing our duty to
others when remaining apathetic to
affairs that are constantly callinc;
for a change for the better.

Erma Stocking, Prov. Sec. of
sack. WilA 1914

access to birth control information is not
encvh. It is a very complex prol4lem to
rove people from attitude to practice.
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1975:
International Women's Ycal:

�ABORTION
PART 3

/1.

Far from preventing harm to
society, this law is instrumental in
causing harm to many women who,
desperate to rid themselves of an
unwanted pregnancy, endanger and

The final criticism of section 251,
(which states that it is illegal for

abortions to be performed except by
a qualified medical practitioner, who
has the consent of a therapeutic

abortion committee of three) is the
obvious difficulties involved in enforcing this law.

That this law is not, and has not
been enforced is beyond dispute.
Innumerable abortions have been

performed and continue to be performed in circumstances contrary to
the law, and yet only a tiny fraction
of these have ever been prosecuted.
The main reason for this is that it is

intrinsically difficult, almost impossible, to gather evidence of illegal

abortions. Almost always, 'illegal
abortions are carried out in a private
manner with all parties involved
consenting. Even those cases which

come to the attention of hospital
authorities and police cannot as a

rule be prosecuted, for usually the

women involved, who would seem to
be the logical complainants, usually

sometimes destroy their own lives
and health. It is hard to imagine that
even fear of prosecution would deter
them.
To argue that any of the above are

the real purposes of the section
merely,

is

believe, to cloud the issue.
Clearly, the original purpose was to
codify, what the legislators held to be
the prevailing religious and moral
belief. As a result, this original
purpose remains enshrined in section
251, although it is questionable
I

whether it now actually represents
the general views of society.
It is not the case that all Canadians believe abortion to be wrong.
A great many believe that there is no

moral or any other wrong in abortion per se. In fact, there are many
who find it morally wrong to restrict
abortions, because of the horrifying
results. How can these people, if

apprehended for their involvement in

proscribed abortions, justifiably be
found guilty of a breach of the law?

They would have no wrongful or

criminal intent - a requirement for
conviction under the principles of
the criminal law. And yet, so long as

In February of 1973
Leggatt, an N.D.P. memb
iament from British Colu
posed to remove section 2
from the Criminal Code. T
the House suggests appro

motion, but a word of c

needed: this was only a fir
and so the vote may well
agreement that the matter
ed. We are likely to wait
time for the second, a
reading of this bill. De
proposed change to the ab

is never brief, and so we sh
await a time when Parli
prepared to allow all othe

It would seem that the difficulty

to be set aside. What the
will be is an open questio
fully, there will be discuss
purpose of criminal law i
and of this section in parti

in obtaining evidence of illegal abortions, and thus the problem in
enforcing the law, centres around the
fact that most participants in the act

the decision will finally be

refuse

to divulge the identity of

those injuring them, or the precise
cause of their injuries.

-

well as witnesses, possible
complainants and prosecutors - do
as

not feel guilty about it, do not feel
that what they are doing is wrong.

Perhaps this suggests that the law is

not fulfilling its intended functions.

When established, one of the pur-

poses of the law was to protect
society against the dangers of unscrupulous,

untrained

abortionists.

However, as already pointed out, it

section

251

is

contained

in the
Criminal Code, it is in fact considered a criminal offense.

on the effects that the rest
abortion are having.
It is in parliament, I be

not by lawyers and judges u

arguments but by politicia
in response to public pr
what they deem to be pu
sure, as well as to their o
dual and party stands. Th
basically

a matter of va
opinions, and for the law

good, responsible law, it m
into account the honestly
ion of the citizens it is int

has had little success. In addition,

protect.

serve this purpose.

--Val Packota (member-Nation
Coalition for Abortion Law Rep

there are other laws prohibiting the
practice of medicine without a licence which would logically already

Another function of the law is to
protect members of society against a
dangerous operation. However, as an
abortion is a relatively easy surgical
proceedure, one wonders about the
emphasis given to this particular
operation.

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�ir

ibortion
LiCij INTEhrhETED:
in Northern Ontario (Fart f)

ieieORTION

- the following is a summary of the
research and articles done by Nan
HajnovIch and ;inita Dahlin, Staff
eriters for the Sault Daily Star.
Their articles appeared on January
2, 1973 - January 27, 1973 inclusive.
Ti is as difficult to get a therapeutic
abortion in Northern Ontario as it
is
uebec, a survey of hospitals,
whose record of 7.6 abortions for
every 100 live births come closest
to the overall Ontario figure of 17,
'Northern Ontario abortion committees
ere as strict as old-fashioned

school

merms.'

The north part of the province is
only one example of the uneven
application of Section 23( of the
eriminal Code since the federal
tnendment in 1969.

?en of M. hospitals in Northern
Ontario have therapeut:c abortion
eemeitteee, rareziru from ,:ochr,nele
Lady 'elinto hospital with seventy
beds to Sudeury il,emorial with 242
teds.

hospitals with such committee
also include Kirkland Lake, Dryden,
Kapuskasing and Kenora. Although
there is only one hospital in
Elliot Lake, Fort Frances, Hearst,
and Timmins, all of which have
more beds than Cochrane, none had
an abortion committee. Sioux
The
Lool&lt;out has two hospitals.
larFer one, with 70 beds, is an

Indian hospital run by the department
of national health and welfare. It
has no abortion committee.
In the 438 miles between Sault Ste.
Marie and Thunder Pay, there are
five smaller hospitals, none of
which have abortion committees.
Toronto General hospital did one
ninth of the therapeutic abortions
performed in Ontario in 1971
(1,816) and west Toronto East
General's 1,004 did one sixth of
all legal abortions in the province.
Iondon's Victoria Hospital did 1,380
and the Hamilton hospitals another
1 605 so that three cities carried
nearly one half the load for the
province.
(to be CONTINUED - PAFT Ii :

* hole of the Newspapers he:
Abortion Issue)

The
The

Therapeutic abortions done at six
hospitals, Thunder bay Xchellar an
.ort -.rtleer ilenerel Hospital, L;e1Alt

Mere Plemmer Nemoriel, Cudbur
emorial, North Pay Civi and Cochrane
Lady Nieto totalled 776 in 1971.
,empared with the number of live
births, the figure for this part of
e province worl,s out to 1.R.
FeportinR; hospitals comprise 75
of the hospital beds in those
institutions with abortion committees.
If those unreported did a comparable
number of abortions the figure for
the north might reasonably be placed
at 2.4, or one sixth of the Ontario
average.

1975:

International Women's Year

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�t,rt_er comple..8

oi

the legs, glide hands over buttocks to
central_ back.
2.

Slide hands all the way back to feet
and repeat #1 (all the way up legs)
with some pressure.

3.

Massage buttocks, knead the flesh. as if
At first work on both
kneading bread.
buttocks, then concentrate on one, then
the other.
(For this you can remain on
one side of recipient. No need to change
sides).
Rhythmic strokes.

Make small, 1/2" circles all over each
buttock using the middle three fingers
of your hand pressed tightly into a
triangle with the middle finger on top.
6.

Use thumbs to press in (toward spine)
and down (into back).
Hold each
press about 5 seconds. This is done
at base of spine on points indicated.

7.

Using thumbs make small circles into
spine and up.
Continue up to top of
spine.
Circles link together. At
shoulders do some kneading out to
upper edge of blade.

8.

Slide hands back to buttocks.
Locate
muscle columns up of back (about half
way between spine and side) and make
2-3 long, hard presses all the way up
these to shoulders, kneading again. at

Make larger circles all over buttocks
using heel of hand.
4.

5.

Spread fingers of hand wide apart. Place
hand firmly against lower slope of one
Now shake the buttock quickly
buttock.
first forward and back (30-40 shakes)
then side to side.
Repeat with other
buttock.
According to the Tantric teachings,
our psychological condition is more
dependent on the state of the spine
than any other part of the body.
You will surely agree to this when you
experience the deep sense of relief
and release when your back is thoroughly
massaged.
Spend your time well on giving
a back massage.

top.
9.

10.

Bend elbow.
Place hand on small of
back.
(Hold hand in place with your
foot.)
Use your fingers of one hand
as in #3 and thumb of other hand to
knead muscles under shoulder blade.
Repeat for other shoulder.

11.

Hold one of his arms in both your
hands.
Lift and push elbow in circnla
motion watching shoulder muscle.
When
you see it rippling you know you have
the right movement.
Repeat for other
shoulder (about 10 times).

12.

Slide back to top of buttocks.
Ask
friend to take in a deep breath and
hold. it.
After 4-5 seconds have him
breathe out and MOVE WITH HIS BREATH
pushing all the way up back, arriving
at shoulders as his breath finishes.
REPEAT TWICE.
(MUCH pressure).

Straddle your friend's thights. Give
several strokes all the way up to the
shoulders with some pressure.
(Gets
the circulation going)

ALSO USE THIS STROKE BETWEEN OTHER
STROKES. GIVES YOU A SHORT REST - TIME
TO THINK WHAT COMES NEXT - AND DOESN'T
BREAK CONTINUITY. FEELS BEAUTIFUL.

1W5:

Make circles into spine again using
whole hand.
Link circles as in #7.

International Women's Year

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�J.

14.

15.

Kneu

Shouldel-

Stand, straddling recipient. Hold
Lift and drop
his shoulders firmly.
them in rapid succession 40-100 times.

77-1/WA-.5 log
Care-RI/1/6 THE CEREMONY
MCHOLe YOU ge-LPA.-0

i-je- a:7- of r1 REAL
;TAM

Experiment with strokes you think
Do not hesitate between.
would be good.
Glide from one to the next. Try, lifting,
rocking side-to-side presses, tapping,
See if you can locate other
drumming.
tension-relieving pressure points like
those in 116.

'h.

Draw lines along all limbs and up spine
Called "connecting".
meeting at neck.
Scratch, tickle or slap his back as he
wishes to stimulate skin.
STICK AROUND FOR
A SECaNi2 ioN/4-E
PROOF REAO YOUR

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Alet---AP

/ you?

Man is defined as a human being and
woman is defined as female. Whenever
she tries to behave as a human beinr,
she is accused of trying to emulate
the male.

Simone de 5eauvoir
The Second Sex

1975:
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copy of CVISION
PDFCompressor
International
Women's
Year

�THE LAST (?)

/5

TA

There are people in Thunder Bay and in
We can talk about many controversial subjects
today -- religion, sex, politics, rape,other
abor-Canadian and American cities who
are
to face death in a realistic
tion, homosexuality -- some of which couldready
be
and
practical
way; many of them are
labelled as 'taboo.'
A real 'biggy taboo' we
members
of
a
memorial
society - a
tend to still avoid discussing is a dirty old
voluntary
group
of
people
who have
5-letter word: d e a t h.
joined together to obtain dignity,
simplicity
and economy in funeral
Let's take that dirty old 5-letter word
out
through advance planning.
of the closet and deal with it for whatarrangements
it
They not only encourage people to plan
really is -- a part of 1 wing.
simple arrangements but also encourage
them
to direct funds to worthy, lifeMany people say it's 'depressing,'
say it's
giving
They even encourage the
sad, but not depressing -- sad that a loved causes.
bequeathal of eye corneas so that the
one is no longer among us; sad that someone
blind may see, as well as lifesaving
in the prime of life has died of an incurable
organs
You don't have
disease, or has been killed in an accident. such as kidneys.
to
be
associated
with
a
memorial
society
There is, however, an off-shoot of death that
in order to be realistic and practical
can be depressing and that is when a bereaved,
about death, but it helps.
(If you are
shock-stricken family spends money it doesn't
interested in obtaining memorial society
have on an expensive funeral in order to
literature, either write to Box 501,
r influence rich relatives (who seldom
Stn, F, Thunder Bay, or 'phone 683-3051).
help out with the payments), or the
s, the boss, or whoever and, conseErnest Morgan, author of "A Manual of
goes into debt for months or even
Death Education &amp; Simple Burial" (Celo
It's also depressing that when there
available to pay for an elaborate
Press), writes: "About accepting death -we commonly act as if we, and those we
which means an expensive funeral)
love, were going to live forever.
money couldn't have been spent,
But
we are wrong, for all must die--nor can
on medical research, or an
we know when this will happen...........
nal fund, or world relief -- if
The subject of death has long been taboo
money to be spent, spend it on a
in our culture.
This is unfortunate,
ause.
for death is a normal and necessary part
of life.
t wonder "Why are you including this
Until we learn to face it
honestly and accept it, we are not
in The Northern Woman?" -- statistics
living at our best" and
that there is a higher and earlier
we are
to live with patience and gentleness and.
te among men which means that wives
love, let us be about it today, for life
tlive their husbands and are, thereis short."
ced with difficult decisions of great
at a time when mental and physical
Amen.
re at a low ebb. Women should be
Lucy Tett
ways to avoid spending life-time
or going into debt, prior to being
th having to make what may well be
expensive purchase in a life-time:
a funeral,
'When you come to love
tion to feelings of grief and shock
ime of a death, there is also usually
someone
g of guilt.
Those three powerfullyJ Does it mean you love
feelings can persuade the most levelerson to weaken, to even tell the
director "I just can't cope with all
those less whom you
ils - you go ahead and do whatever you
best..." then, when the statement
already love
in the mail a week or two later, she
y realizes that the funeral she hazily
Or do you come to love
ed cost much more than she thought it
d will put her in debt.
more &amp; more &amp; more
(?)
i

0

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�Electro- shock is a type of convulsive

therapy

-

used

in

our mental

hospitals today. 'Convulsive therapy
merely means giving a person an

artificial

convulsion.

Electro

-convulsive shock means exectl y
a convuisio,I
wfiat it sounds like

brought about by passing an electric
tirough a persoo,

Shock was discivered

as

marry

other hlleranies' were discovered; as
a treatment of the symptom and not
entire problem.
The groundwork for electro convulsive

Si locls

was

laid

by

a

Budapest psychiatrist in 1935 by the
name of Von Medusa. His research
on 'schizophrenic' people (people

who are out of touch with reality
and a label which many psychiatrists
apply at random) brought him to the
following conclusion:
Convulsions temporarily eliminate
'socially unacceptable behaviour'. He
chose the drug 'metrazol' as a means

of inducing a convulsion. The convulsions were so extreme that the
result

was the death (murder) of

Very little is known about the
other methods. Further, shock is
long term effects of shock treatment,
used as a form of punishment. If the
yet the medical profession continues
patient does not behave in a manner
to experiment with innocent people.
that is satisfactory to the staff,
One study on the effects of eictrohe/she is threatened with more treatconvulsiveshock reports:
ment --shock. Finally, after a series
result of shod, one
a
1. As
of shock, the follow-up care is often
experience confusion and memory
minimal or non-existant.
gaps .(loss of short term memory).
Shock is given to an individual at
2. There is a decrease in one's
the discretion of the doctor not at
learning ability after repeated shock.
the discretion of the person who is
3. There is a gradual lowering about
of
to receive it, especially if that
one's level of recovery as the number
person has been involuntarily comof shocks increases, i.e. ine memory
mitted. There are two types of
takes longer to recur.
people in the Thunder Bay Psychia
The lain. is Olaf eiectro convulsive
tric wards
voluntary 'incompeshock is nod because it works it

temporally eliminates the 'had' behavior (symptmn) and, vvnen the 'bad' behavior returns....you are
shocked again. The cause of the 'bad'

behavior is most often ignored. It is
ignored because a basic principle
which underlies rnost 'tilerapY

is

many people. The term 'murder' is

that of dealing with the individual
tents'

here because the individuals
who died as a result, where unknowing and helpless victims of 'scientific

are

used

and the individual's problems as they
tents'.
mani rested in a VOid,
ign oring or denying social/co

involuntary 'incompeAlmost half (48%) of all

and

mental patients admitted to Onta-

rio's 17 mental hospitals were forciband economic injustices wi ach ;exist
ly committed. The difference in the
for the majority of the population.
status of such individuals is the
A few years later, in 1938, two
Canadian psychiatric wards:. are
voluntary commits her/himself while
Italian psychiatrists took up the
filled with poor prmitple,
usually
the involuntary is committed by
cause. They developed a method of
working people and women. Stich
family or other institutions. The
creating convulsions through the use
individuals have been labelled 'moon
voluntary 'incompetents' still have
of electro-shock. The complication
tally ill' by the medical and legal
this time was, again, extreme convulthe right to decide what happens to
the psyc'liaexperts on madness
sions resulting in severe physical
them, the involuntary have NO
trists and judges. The experts Have
ini,tries and in some cases, death.
RIGHTS. In Ontario it only takes
spent many years compiling a listthe
of signature of one doctor to have
A paralytic drug called 'curare'
labels describing different 'types'you
of committed. When a person retie
was than intnduced by A.E.. Bennett
mental illness. The most common are
as a means of preventing physical
ses to accept the decisions of the
'schizophrenic', 'psychotic', 'alcs.y
injuries by paralyzing the patients
doctors and staff as is her/his right, it
holicipsychopath' and 'neurotic'.
muscles. Curare further paralyzed
is interpreted as a further sign
Once the incividual has been catagothe lungs and heart and, as a result,
his/her 'illness'. Thus even the people
rized she/he is locked up, 'treated'
many people died. Later less traumawho voluntarily commit themselves
and then processed. The treatment in fact have no rights. One Canadian
t:: muscle relaxants were introduced
too often is electro-convulsive shock.
and, once the bumps were smoothed
CommuniLv Health worker states:
out, electro - convulsive shock be- There are therapists who strongly
agree that electro-convulsive shock
came very popular. The reason for
research'.

should be banned entirely as they
it'swick,
popularity
was
economy.
It was
efficient
and
less staff
were

view its use as inhumane arid violent.
,eouired. Further, it was much easier

The more conservative therapists
for the staff to 'control' quiet and

agree in theory that shock should be
obedient 'patients'.
used only in extreme cases where
Presently, shock is a popular form
every other method of treatment has
of
'treatment' in Thunder Bay
Psychiatric wards. As Thunder Baybeen
is tried and failed. However, in
actual
practice, shock is often used
the regional hospital, all of North
form of 'treatment'
as the only
western Ontario's electro convulsive
without having attempted to explore
shocks are administered here.

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�shocK-

-At you're acting or feeling too

Very modern and follows the current
school psychological thought, that of
modification. Behavior
behavior
mod. (as it is called), appears to be a
very simple philosophy.: It says to

depressed for your professional
helpers they can shock We ink

Out of you with electric shock.
For the next few weeks or
month alter tins shock treat
mem, you'll be confused, 'iris
oriented' (sometimes not knowing where you are or what time
it is) and forget a lot of things.

reward good behavior and punish
make gigantic decisions, like, what

mal breathing and color are re
established (an ashen gray color
indicates serious complications
and should be reported mmedi-

the trick, they'll give you maybe
15, 20 or more shocks until you
cheer up and snap out of what

the staff imagine is
bugging you and them about
it

is

atel y.)

Some people may become excited andior combative if the nurse

2.

tries to control them...therefore
assistance or restraints may be

you. But don't worry; your
memory will come back in

necessary

about a month after they stop
shocking you. Also a few blood
vessels in your brain may have
hemorrhaged or ruptured after
50-100 of these 'treatments',
but you probably won't know it
(until it's too late).

some

Since most people are confused
and disoriented after shock...
keep them in bed

3.

4.

2.

jects are removed and long hair is
braided
3. Dentures are removed
4. Tight clothing is removed
5. Person receiving shock is toileted
and temperature, pulse and respiration are supposed to be
checked
6.

7.

Psnigs such as 'atropine' or 'dramarnine' are given in order to
prevent nausea and excessive salivation
Shock is usually given in a
separate room so that other

patients are not able to observe
- especially those who are next
in the line up
B.

shock, if so,
more drugs

An individtra may be frightened
at the loss of her/his mernbry
but the staff stands ready to
assure the person that it is only
temporary.

(from a psychiatric nursing text, 1971 )

call it

Why is electro-convulsive shock used?

There are many ways of looking at
this final question. As has been
pointed out, economically electro
convulsive shock is very useful. The
majority of Canadian psychiatric
hospitals are understaffed. Why? In
Toronto in 1971; only 4% of the
total Public Health Department budget was allocated to the mental
Health Division. Since there are too

few to handle the large number of
patients, other methods of 'control'

with quickly with the use of shock,
and as a result, hospital beds are

swallow

her/his

10. The person assisting in the administration nI Ike shock holds

the mouth gag and then puts

pressure on the patient's chin so
that fracture or dislocation of
t le raw will be averted.

behavior of mine, say drinking alcohol, is bad then he will try to punish

like I am unable to find a decent job,

not bite
tongue.

or

lar behavior.
For example, if a behavioral
psychologist decides that a particualr

are

necessary.

I

be drinking for significant reasons,

give them some

A mouth gag is inserted in the
mouth so that the person does

the desired position.

'good' and what is 'bad', and maybe
worst of all, what, is 'behavior'? The
aspect of most concern is that people
cannot be separated from the world
they live in, much less their particu-

ence nausea, dizziness, blurring
of vision and headache following

that the
extreme use of drugs and shock have
thus far provided a solution. Less
staff are required to handle drugged
or shocked patients, and in addition,
less time is required in working with
patients. Finally, symptoms are dealt

A special jelly called 'electrode
jelly' is applied to the temples
and then the person is placed in

is

An individual may also experi-

S.

Food intake is either restricted
or limited prior to shock
Hairpins and/or other metal ob-

behavior.

mod. runs amuk because it must

my excessive drinking and reward me
when I am not drinking. This of
may
course, is dangerous because

Procedures In Administering Shock
1.

behavior

bad

following takes place:
Respiration is checked until nor1.

If one or two shocks don't do

ever

However,

After the shock is administered the

It

seems

them
like my family is forced to live in a
slum and my children are constantly
hungry and in need of decent clothing etc. If the psychologist does not
look beyond the symptom (drinking)
he will identify me as ill and will try

to eliminate my behavior, most often ignoring the reasons for it.
Electra-convulsive shack is just
one way of destroying people in our
society. There are many -others, yet

we claim that people are important.
Psychiatric 'hospitals', 'prisons', 'old
folks homes', these are the reflecting
mirrors of our culture. These are the

mirrors we see ourselves
TN

in.

MOHN1NG .RAYIA THE

SENIS
C $H MALI/

GIVES TILE

POLLO*ING THANKS;
ELE
LORD OUR GOD,
ART THOU ,

KING OF THE UM TESE,
1

WA::j NOT hOHN A WOMAN.

emptied quickly. However, this solu-

tion must be questioned since, ac-

cording to one article on Ontario

psychiatric hospitals, 'In 1971, 67%
was the rate of re-admission in the
Toronto Queen St. hospital.'

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�rkrorNyl

RrAart...

011BWAY 'NATO KENORA AREA
iiii"ANOSIMMISMallitigevow,,,Tosvatteletut80,2467141Ma1/464,fiv 4aVotitamt..wmees..4onpAr.foxi....,sosisralt-

THE OJIBWA': YIARRIDK) SOdETY

STATEMENT

The following is
ihe Oiihway
rior Socieiv giving 41 brit f (iniline of the hisior\
;1

nature and role of ihe \y;irrior
in outline of the pt'('( ili siruggle
warrior society in Kenora.

lin 4. }lib...,

oTtry,wAy \.\.,\131.(totz

I, Since the origin (Air cominualties, all
Nations have had a Warrior Society,
2, The Warrior Society irises 10 protect ;Ind
serve calf. communities in times of war and opiiVesSiOn,

W'avviors come ()anti alliong--

the

hunters, trapp'l.irs, workers, women and Men,
young and olil,

The Warriors fought the invaders, the Evil-Ash
troops and the French troops and the Spanish troops
throughout North America. The warriors have also
fought the American and Cana lian armies. The
Warriors have fought against all attempts by foreign pov.,,ers to destroy Our corm-nu n:tics and way

Of governing ourselves. The Warriors have also
fought in the
Second World War in the Canadian Army against the Nazis in Europe. The
Warriors have fought in Wounded Knee (1973) and
in kenora and Cache Creek: (l971), 'cite Warrior
Societies of ;ill tribes and Nations have loo ht on
all fronts for the liberation of mankind vat for the
basic right of every human being and every family
and every nation against aggression. :U RI exploitation.

The Warrior Societies of all Nations and all
Tribes honour our Governing bodies 11111 Councils
as well as the policies of the people.
1. II' there is no war, our communities respond
to the specific conditions and to the needs of the
people. The Warrior Society participates inbuilding the new society and works hard to build our
Nations and our communities.
5. The 'Warrior Society is a tradition of all Nittioas, like that of the 11.1edicine Soc!iely,

1975:
1975:

Interne
Interna
The Warrior Society learns from the Theory

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and Lessons
the Land andevaluation
from the Great
that everyone must be free and follow the revolu-

�19

LETTER TO THE EDITORS

.

When the Northern Woman began, it dealt with basic emotion.
Many of us began to discover, for the first time in our lives, that
the frustrated feelings we had were not signs of insanity, but
rather of having to deny ourselves the rights: to be us, to admit

we had an ego, to try to be whatever we thought we had the ability
and stamina to be, and to be accepted for our intelligence as well
as our bodies.
The knowled-,e, understanding and acceptance that we really

could be and do whatever we wanted was explosive.

Sparks of new-

found friendship and tremendous emotional support of one another
flew in all directions, and ignited that almost-smothered desire
for life in its fullest sense.

That emotional support and accept-

ance that I found at first over- wheimed me, then fractured the

direction my life had been going in.

At last I was free to take

control of my own life and to set my own priorities.

The North-

ern Women's Conference in April, 1973 did that for many women,
and out of that conference grew the Northern Women and The Northern Women's Centre, both of which supported and communicated with
women as people.
For many of us it's been almost a year and a half since The
rIreat Awakening has taken place.

During that time, many women

have found the direction they want their lives to go, and have
made a lot of progress.

Their consciousnesses have been raised,

and they have graduated from lying on their backs to the walking
and running stage of development.

They're now taking on the

broader social issues (rape, abortion, conditions in other lands,
etc.) wnicn must be dealt with.

But what about the women who

are not yet aware of why they are in the situations they're in?
The Northern Woman is be7inning to reach above the heads of
women who are not yet out of the babyhood stages of development.
Co t
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�I'm not advocation a regression of the part of the Northern

Woman, or even a slower rate of growth.
caution.

I do, nowever, suggest

I don't want The Northern Woman to become so intellect-

ualized that only the aware woman can relate to it.

We must not for-

get that we have many sisters who are still floundering in situations
they don't quite understand.

Women are still ;roping for someone,

somewhere, who can look her in the eye and say honestly, without reI care.

broach or impatience, "I understand.

I'll Help."

I'd like to suggest that at least one page per issue of The Northern Woman be used as an "open" consciousness-raising forum.

There are

many women who are still too insecure (or have other reasons) to participate in a "closed" C-R session.

I would not object to a writer

remaining anonymous if she so desired.
be identified at first.

It is terrifying to speak and

As she shares her experiences and feeling,

sne'll become more sure of herself and wouldn't remain anonymous forever {haven't we been anonymous long enough?).

Also, suggestions on how to act and react to male-chauvinist acts

and statements would be helpful.

Example:

Are YOU a Women's Libber?

When I'm up. against a question like that, I usually ask the speaker

to explain the term, and then I base my reply on nis/her definition.
Sincerely,

EDITORS REPLY;

Your letter clearly expresses a concern many of us have been
discussing lately. Are we relating to women who still cling to the
obsolete social stereotype of helpless protected female. What can
we do about it? Everyone agrees we need another conference, however
as this is not possible, this year at least, we will start with your
good suggestion of an "open" consciousness-raising page.
We do have a problem though. We are getting very little feedback, in writing, about the contents of the newsletter, so have nothing
much with which to gauge whether we are in fact tdo"intellectual" for
some readers. Are they even reading it? We really are in the toddler
stage of development comparelto some of the analytical writings of
other women's papers.
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�s

Re-p

Aft-,

We do feel the newsletter is bringing issues to light in hopes of
making more women aware of some of the problems women are having,
because of their sex.
You are correct we cannot slow our rate of growth. We "can't slow
the train" but we can reach out more effectively so that women can
catch hold and ''et on board if they wish to.
We hope, Deanna, you will share with us more specifically how you
dealt with the obstacles and put-downs you encountered in order to
"take control of your own life".

--barb and Bonnie are anxious to get, the
children's room in operation.
All manner
of equipment and supplies are desperately
needed (a list is posted in the centre)
if you have anything to donate please

bring it to the centre or phone 6?07
for pickup.,

--Sita is moving to Macdiarmid (near
Nipigon ). this month.
She has a new job
there and a beautiful hose to live in.
She also has a. three month. old infant to
be taken ease of.
3he weAd like to find
someone who would he vii i ra to move with
her in the role of helper -- to 100x
after the infant and become part of the
family.
If you :know of anyone who might
be interested in assuming this position
or are interested. yourself, write to her
at this address;
3ita 'ieierthal.
Macdiarmid, Ont. or pho-e
at

--The funding we received for this newsWe would
letter is nearly all gone.
I ike to sontinue (publishing?) with money
received from subnriptonti. 10any of you
have been receiving. t'or: newsletter free
We thin4 we are worthy of a
of charge,
Hope ,you do
$2.00 yearly subscription.
too, MTIi:;;CRTBE COIl.
Sha.r
:our news-

letter with your frionds.
too would liKe fo

Perhaps they

345-57(,7.

--if you would like to work part-time

THIINIA-CHOLT

and are a school psycholint or he-

To Inc 'STEki':0 SHACK, Victoria Ave. who

haviour consultant cohtlet raren i?hodes
622-7541.

have refused to remove an obnoxious
advertisement from their window...
depicting a woman's breasts an stereo
spea4ers.
Breasts have one main functon
and being wired for sound is not one! "1

--Next month 's issue will he dedicated. to
WORi&lt;ING WOMN=N and any articles, letters
or personal experiences would be apprecPlease submit any material to
iated.
Box 314 Thunder Bay "P" by !'Th;v. 1st, or
drop off at the centre.

-- Watch for the "Northern women 's Centre"
grand opening, near th(tend of October.

To Helen Halet who was recently hired as
Women's Director for the '2hunder
Bay YVYWCA. Helen is also a very hard
worKer for The Northern Women's Centre.

irternational :kpmen'3 Year
1975:
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�A MOUSE IN WOMEN'S CENTRE !

Yes, it's true (a female one, of course).

!

!

I

don't

know how many are in the nest but I'm aware of one so far and so shall tell you about her
only.

She sat there, looking around at the women arranged in a circle.

Sometimes she'd

busy herself rustling papers, or scurrying out to the kitchen area, then back to the circle --

watching, listening, feeling uncomfortable about what she was seeing

and hearing but too

timid to do anything about it.
That mouse is ME -- and

I

have a very icky feeling about myself for not voicing my

thoughts and feelings at last night's Women's Centre Meeting at which Ruth Cunningham,
Director of Women's Programs, Confederation College, was unfairly

(in my mousey opinion

anyway) criticized for tile way in which the recent' 'Family Property Law' seminar was run.

The criticism came

from one who, to the best of my knowledge, hasn't attended one of

our Centre's meetings before.

Some of her criticisms were that the resource persons designated

as group leaders were not adequately knowledgeable of our laws; that secretarial students from
tie College's Legal Secretary Division were more or less coerced into taking notes (one student
per group) and, also, were allegedly told by some unknown person "It would be nice if you would

wear a dress."
I

I

appreciated having a non law-affiliated person as the resource leader in the group

was An -- though she couldn't answer all

the questions put to her (many of which were off

the subject we were supposed to be dealing witn), she had done extensive reading and

preparation which was more than the rest of us had done although we, too, were aware of the
seminar months in advance.

If a lawyer, for instance, had been our resource leader,

most of Us in.the group would have felt inadequate and unwilling to participate.
to me the main overall concensus of the plenary session:

I

suspect

It emphasized

that more education is vitally

needed in tne areas of matrimonial, family and property law, commencing in the elementary grades.
Regarding the note-taking roles of the College's secretarial students: these students
were not totally obliged to be note-takers
secretarial course in the first place).

(nor,

I

am sure, were they obliged to enrol' in the

Perhaps they saw this as an opportunity to practice

their chosen field of work and, at the same time, as an opportunity to learn about family and
property law.

I

think it was a beneficial and sensible arrangement for all concerned - the

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students,
the enlisted
participants,
the
College.

Coirtf.

�</text>
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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. &#13;
&#13;
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. &#13;
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                <text>The Northern Woman (Health issue)&#13;
&#13;
Topics include:&#13;
Editorial policy&#13;
Patient rights &#13;
Birth control methods (benefits &amp; disadvantages)&#13;
The pill&#13;
Spermicides&#13;
Condoms&#13;
Diaphragm&#13;
Vasectomy&#13;
Intrauterine Devices (IUD)&#13;
Voluntary sterilization&#13;
Male birth control breakthroughs&#13;
Intrapenal device&#13;
Penis coil&#13;
Family planning&#13;
Abortion law&#13;
Equal access to healthcare&#13;
Comics&#13;
Death &amp; family law&#13;
Electroshock conversion therapy&#13;
Ojibway Warrior Society Kenora&#13;
Letter to the editor&#13;
Local announcements &amp; events&#13;
&#13;
Authors/Contributors:&#13;
Val Packota&#13;
Jane Field&#13;
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                <text>1974-09</text>
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�EDITORIAL
This issue is dedicated to working women in an attempt to
increase women's awareness of themselves as workers. Women are in
the work force in large numbers and the proportion of women with
children who work outside the home is increasing. Yet, while the
proportion of working women is increasing, their situation in the
work force is largely unchanged. They are not spread evenly
throughout the work force, but tend to be concentrated in jobs which
These jobs are
are service, office and light indLotrial wonk, .
female,
role
in
the
home,
and include
generally exteneioas of the
cleaning,
chile
C870
and 'are of
duties such as food preparation,
considerably
loss than
the sick and elderly, Here, they are reid
with
dual
men, are generally non-unionized and nc.aally rust C01.3
&amp;ddcd
al
den
of
inadequate
home and work responsfbilities plus f:tie
child care.

When a history of working women is cxanined, we fleil that in
the earliest societies there existed a divi--,on of labour such that
men did the hunting and woman the gothoring. fo one ses: was
considered superior because both did the work necessary for survival.
Today, women's work has become low in eeeeesi and discrimfration on
the basis of sex has been repeatedly shown 'e )xict, We-r:en are
viewed primarily as a cheap labour noo: for use in times of national
need.
Women are generally employed in areas where labour costs form
the bulk of all production cost ;labourintensive industries),
which means more profit can be made by paying low wages than by
expenditures on machinery.
automating. Automation requires 7arge
of
sLch
areas
as the textile industry.
This is particularly true
factories
threaten
to
unionize and press for
If the women in the
working
eonditions,
they threaten profits
higher wages and better
decide
to
relocate
to where they can
and the company :7nvolved maT
Clown
wages)9
on
they
may
decide to
find better condiaons
replace
the
troublesome
workers.
automate afterall, and thereby

Automation, when used properly could benefit wcrkers by
giving them more time with their families, and by eliminating
boring or hard lat'our, but instead, It is used ase increase Profits
by eliminating the jobs of some, and le-ening the remaining workers
under the same pre-autometion condition. Many :omen in factories
today have jobs only because they ane cheaper than meehines.
Woman also plays a special role in her job because her
"femininity" is her greatest assets. She is used to attract
customers or to provide "charming service" (such as in the case
of a stewardess with the corn st makeup and the right amount of
bare leg). A secretary's ability te serve coffee graciously and
anticipate her boss' needs is taken as evidence of HIS importance
In additien to the actual
and the efficiency of the Company.
technical demands of the job, a w-man muot be peepared to sell
herself in order to promote her worknce and thus ensure her job,
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�OCTOZER
The Ontario Medical college for Women is established as a result of a meeting held
under the auspices of Toronto Women's Suffrage Assn., 1883.

Frances Nokes, appointed the first woman clerk ofthe Ontario Legislature -- Toronto 1973

Irene Florence Murdock is not entitled to a half interest in her husband's rtnching
business, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in a 4-1 judgement -- Ottawa, 1973.

Mrs kornoski was escorted from the Ont. Legislature after she tried to speak out ageinst
the Workmen's Compensation Board. She received a back injury in a Toronto factory 8
yrs. ago and was receiving $75. a mo. in compensation
Toronto, 1973

Donna Scott, named by Premier WM. Davis as the first non-civil servant to serve on the
seven member Civil Service Commission which sets employment standard for Ontario's
68,000 civil servants--1974

Sandra Niessen's claim that Algoma Steel Corp. discriminated against her when she was
refused an un-skilled labor job because there were no women's washrooms was supported
by the Ontario Human Rights Commission -- Sault Ste. Marie, 1974.

Coleen Miller active with
and Castlegreen was hired as consumer help officer for
the Federal Dept. of Consumer &amp; Corporate Affairs. Misleading advertising, unethical
sales practices, hassles over warranties call Ms. Miller at 623-1124 -- Thunder BaY,
1974

Michelle Dionne, first Canadian woman to be accepted at the University of Louvain
Belgium. Upon completion of the course she may become Canada's first female brewmaster -- Cornwall, 1974

a

Health Minister Marc Lalonde reintroduced in the Commons the bill on the Canada Pension
Plan amendments which would enable housewives to participate in the plan ---Ottawa,19744

Helen Harrison, aviator, who taught the fundamentals of flying to hundreds of men and
during her 8 yrs. in aviation has chalked up 2,4000 flying hrs., is appointed chief
instructor at the London Ont. Flying Club -- 1941.

The Mother-Led Union met Rene Brunelle, Minister of Community &amp; Social Services and
told him he had until spring to conceive a new approach to services for single mothers
or they will leave as many as 3,000 children with ministry officials -- Toronto 1974
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�Judge Ethel MacLachlan, first woman juvenile court judge and justice of peace in Canada,
writes to judges suggesting that their juvenile courts be supplied with women
probation officers -- 1921.

14
.146-

Charlotte Whitton becomes the first woman mayor of a Canadian city -- Ottawa, 1951.

Florence Baynard Bird, appointed in 1967 as chairwoman of the Royal Commission on the
Status of Women in Canada and recognized for her service to Canada by a Companion of
the Order of Canada, receives an honorary degree -- 1971.

Mothers-On-Budgets re-elect Colleen Miller president; Margaret Weaver, vice-president;
Elaine Daoust, secretary and Gerri Harrison, treasurer-- Thunder Bay, 1974

The Privy Council rules that women are persons
Senate -- 1929.

and are able to sit in the Canadian

Justice Minister Otto Lang said he intervened with Secretary of State Hugh Faulkner to
stop a grant to the Saskatoon Women's Centre, which advises women on birth control and
abortion -- Ottawa, 1974.

Of 43 persons contesting the 12 aldermanic seats, five were women, four won seats, the
largest female representation ever -- Calgary, 1974.

Nellie McClung, feminist, suffragist, writer, born -- 1873

Madeleine de Vereheres, a 14-yr. old girl, takes command of Fort Vercheres and successfully defends it for 8 days against an Iroquois attack -- 1692.

Sheila Noyes taught in Sierra Leone, Africa during July and Aug. as a volunteer with the
1974 Canadian Teachers Federation Project Overseas -- Thunder Bay 1974.

THE NORTHRILN WOMEN'S CENTRE spearheaded a local symbolic day of mourning in conjunction
with the National Action Comm-ttee on the Status of Women, which says the Bill of Rights
died last month when the supreme Court of Canada upheld a section of the Indian Act under
which native women who marry non-Indians lose their Indian status. The Supreme Court
ruled against Jeanette Lavell -- Thunder Bay, 1973.

Eileen S. Magill of Winnipeg receives her Private Pilot certificate and becomes the
first woman in Manitoba (and the second in Canada) to receive a pilots' license --1928; *

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�Women attending a weekend consultation. on International Women's Year were dismayed at
learning Suzanne Findlay, chairman of the Women's Program in the Secretary of State
department was losing her job, jeopardizing many project by a change in leadership two
months before I. W. Y. begins. Estelle Friedlander represented the NORTIII:a WOMEN'S
1974
CENTRE at the consultation.-- Ottawa

Const. Linda Druger, Thunder Bay, Const. Tosca Meier Kenora and Const. Barbara Winters,Renora are three women from N.W.O. who took advantage of the U.P.P.'s announcement that
women would be accepted as candidates for police constables -- Thunder Bay, 1974.
Elaine Tanner wins two silver medals at the Olympics in Mexico City -- 1968.
M.P.'s favor housewives joining pension plan. Welfare Minister Marc Lalonde hopes the
changes will be approved in time for them to take effect Jan. 1. -- Ottawa 1973 (moving
right along aren't they) see Oct. 10 &amp; Nov. 4

EX
R
0
Marjorie (Marnie) Clarke, appointed the new director of the Ont. Ministry of Labor's
Women's Bureau -- 1974
500 women from 96 communities (Diane Begg lawyer from Thunder Bay) attended a twoday conference on family property law -- Toronto 1974

3S, (from Thunder say) first deaf-blind person in the British Commonwealth
to receive a. bachelor of arts degree, University of Toronto, dies of brain tumor-19711)e
:ae -,3rown,

,....11.1

Despite widespread support the Commons talked out a,private members bill which would
have enabled housewives to participate in the Canada Pension Plan -- Ottawa, 1974.

* United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopts the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women -- 1967.

Declaration on the

NORTHERN WOMEN'S CENTRE holds official Grand Opening (too busy to do it earlier)
In the centre are a Free Children's Playroom, Library, Drop-in-Centre. We are involved
in a newsletter, health-care, rape-crisis, housing (crisis), day-care and all issues
which affect women -- Thunder Bay, 1974

The 30-yr. old Toronto Men's Press Club decided (43-34) to open its membership to
It will also apply for a change of name, dropping reference to men --1974
women.

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�NoveriesR

co h

t'ot

Raynelle Andreychuk, lawyer was elected as vice -president of the council of Canadian
Young Men's Christian Association -- Orillia,-1973.

* Dr. Emily Howard Stowe attends mtg. of the American Soc., for the Advancement of
Women and decides to instigate a similar organization in Canada 1876.

Jo

* Emmeline Pankhurst speaks in Toronto to the Canadian Club ( a male club) while on
tour of Canada to further the Suffragist cause -- 1909.

11

* Under the direction of Celia Franca, the Canadian National Ballet gives it first
performance at Eaton Auditorium -- 1951.

12

The Federal Government's $500,000 contract with Ronalds-Reynolds advertising agency to
promote International Women's Year, was describe' as a colossi-) waste of money at a mtg.
of the Ontario Status of Women's Council. They also deplore the $250.000 for one big
conference. Toronto, 1974

14

Mrs. Duzi common-law-wife of Mr. Chodak for 28 yrs. was awarded $60,000 by the Ontario
Supreme Court. She had been willed $500. and the bulk of the estate was to be distributed
among 6 of Mr. ChodaK's relatives living in Europe -- 1974.

*Margaret Atwood, novelist and poet, born 1939.
Nellie's, a crisis shelter for women, (named for writer and feminist Nellie McClung) has
been in operation in a big house behind the Y.M.C.A. at 275 Broadway Ave. since June- Toronto, 1974.

Ella White, the first woman manager of a credit union office in the city, retains the
unique post for 10 yrs.-- Thunder Bay, 1973.

If

21

23

for
* Gabrielle Roy, one of Canada's greatest novelists, is awarded Canada Council Medal
outstanding cultural achievement -- 1968.

NORTHERN WOMEN'S CENTRE ACTION PROJECT receives L. T. P. grant of $17,810 to employ
5 people -- Thunder Bay, 1974.

ti

Ann Shilton becomes the first woman principal of a public academic high school in
Metro -- Toronto, 1974.

2G

Lita-Rose Betcherman, former head of the province's women's bureau and Gail Brent,
lawyer, are added to the list of 40 men on the Ontario Labor-Managements Arbitration
Commission -- 1973.

28

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�NlovtAbER
Areal Inc. an organization supporting abortion reform has called for the resignation of
Justice Minister Otto Lang, saying he does not recognize the views of a majority of
Canadians on the question of abortion -- Ottawa, 1974

* Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of many books, the best known of which is Anne of Green
Gables, set in her home province, Prince Edward Island, born, -- 1874.
* Credits to Herstory (A Canadian Wo,
Collective 1974

01 "CH

s Calendar) by the Saskatoon Women's Calendar

"A MAN PUTS A WOMAN ON A PEDESTAL SO HE
WON'T HAVE TO LOOK HER IN THE EYE!"

"W
'GR
TO
WH

"WOMEN'S WORK IS NEVER DONE- OR RECOGNIZED OR PAID FOR OR
HONORED OR COMMENDED
Jocelyn Ward the Yukon Territories
representitive on the Federal
.Advisory council on the Status
Of Women 1974.

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�'Minn

De POLITICS Of
Men adore the Cosmopolitan - Playboy idea of a *liberated" woman, she is
allowed a Mind-of-her own and Stimulating
Career.
What sophisticated male wants to
live with a dummy or an old-fashioned
"door-mat", all hung up with hubbie and
kiddies? The New Doormat is fantistically
sexy, makes out a lot (and you don't even
have to marry her!) and manages, amidst
all this "liberation," to keep every
ounce of her "femininity". This means
she still does the housework.
Real liberation ain't easy.
"THOUGH WOMEN DO NOT COMPLAIN OF THE
POWER OF HUSBANDS, EACH COMPLAINS OF HER
OWN HUSBAND, OR OF THE HUSBANDS OR HER
FRIENDS. IT IS THE SAME IN ALL OTHER
CASES OF SERVITUDE: AT LEAST IN THE
COMMENCEMENT OF THE EMANCIPATORY MOVEMENT.
THE SERF'S DID NOT AT FIRST COMPLAIN OF
THE POWER OF THEIR LORDS, RUT ONLY OF
THEIR TYRANNY..."
----John Stuart Mill, ON THE SUBJECTION OF

the very beginning.

Which is that it stinks

Here's my list of dirty chores; buying
groceries, carting them home and putting
them away: cooking meals and washing dishes

and and pots; doing the laundry; digging
out the place when things get out of control
washing floors.

The list could go on but th

sheer necessities are bad enough.

All of us

have to do these jobs, or get someone else
to do them for us.

The longer my husband

contemplated these chores

,

the more repulse

he became, and so proceeded the change from
the normally sweet considerate Dr. Jekyll
into the crafty Mr. Hyde who would stop at
nothing to avoid the horrors of --housework.

womim.

As he felt himself backed into a corner lade
Housework.

What?

You say this is all

with dirty dishes, brooms, mops and reeking
trivial?

Wonderful!

thought.

It seems perfectly reasonable.

That's what I

garbage, his front teeth grew longer and
pointier, his fingernails haggled and his
We both had careers, both had to work a

eyes grew wild.

Housework trivial?

Not on

couple of days a week to earn enough to
your life!

Just try to share the burden.

live on, so why shouldn't we share the
housework?

So I suggested it to my mate

So ensued a dialogue that's been going on

and he agreed--most men are to hip to

for several years.

turn you down flat.

high points.

said.

You're right, he

Here are some of the

It's only fair.

"I don't mind sharing the house work, but I
Then an interesting thing happened.

I

don't do it very well

We should each do

can only explain it by starting that

the things we're best at."

women have been brain-washed more than

Meanin:

we imagine.

like washing dishes or cooking.

Probably too many years of

Unfortunately I'm no good at thing
What I do

seeing media-women coming over their

best is a little light carpentry, changing

shiny waxed floors or breaking down over

light bulbs, moving. furniture.

their dirty shirt collars.

do you move furniture).

Men have no

(How often

Also meaning: historically the lower classes
such
conditioning.
Theyoptimization
recognize using
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essential fact of housework right from

(Blacks and women) have had hundreds of

�eJrs of doing menial jobs.

I would be a

Meaning: If I begin to get bugged by the

waste of manpower to train someone else to

dirt and crap, I will say "This place

do them now.

sure is a sty" or "How can anyone live

Also meaning: I don't like the dill stupid

like this?"

boring jobs, so you should do them.

I know that all women have a sore called

"I don't mind sharing the work, but you'll

wilt over a messy house or housework is

'oave to show me how to do it".

ultimately my responsibility.

:'oeninT.,: I ask a lot of questions and you'll

this sore long and hard enough it'll

Aavo to show ma everything, everytime I do

bleed and you'll do the work.

because I don't remember so good.

Also

and wait for your reaction.

If I rub

I can out-

wait you.

lon't try to sit down and read while I'm

Also meaning', can provoke innumerable

thoing my jobs because I'm going to annoy

scenes over the house work issue.

out of you until it's easier to do
theka yourself.

"We used to be happy!

ually, doing all the

Event-

ousework yourself

will be less painful to you than trying to
(said whenever it was

get me to do half.

his turn to do something)
irg: I used to as

happy.

oly IViatriftTov vz

80,=niaa, Life without housework is
Ories. No allarrel here. Perfect agreement.

HA nave different standards, and why
socol( I have to work to your standards.

"I've got nothing against sharing the

TOat's unfair."

housework, but you can't make me do it un
your schedule.

Meanin

passive resistance.

I'll do it

when I damn well please, if at all.

If

my job is doing dishes it's easier to do
them once a week. If taking our laundry,
once a month.
a year.

If washing the floors, once

If you don't like it, do it your-

self oftener, and then I won't do it at all.
"I hate it more than you. You don't mind
it so much".
Mearlim. Housework is shitwork.
worst crap I've ever done.

It's the

It's de-

grading and humiliating for someone of nut
intelligence to do it.

But for someone of

your intelligence...
"Housework is too trivial to ev n talk
about."

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�I CPA

Avs

tico.tetri \e.f.1 '44

Ala...P'

c66,1:NP ktik.

to home.
Also meaning:I am only interes;e
Wra t)o)/ Ccorlt2. --t40"4-e241exSclin how Y am oppressed, not how
I oppress other people. There
LC(Th ostelAtitkowirtottfore, the war, the draft and tile
c+ar
university are political.
rwb-VPirt.
Kfs CA13)Women's Liberation is not.

411 cAtweVeN, 1,-it) L\

r

;L.

%CCM

"Man's accomplishments have always depended

on getting help from other people, mostly
women.

What great man would have accom-

plished what he did if he had to do his own
housework?

Meaning: Oppression is built into the system
and I as the white male receive the benefits
of this system.

I don't want to give them

up.

POSTSCRIPT
Participatory democracy begins at home.

If

you are planning to implement your politics
there are certain things to remember.
1.

He is feeling it more than you.

He's

Meaning; It's even more trivial to do.

losing some leisure and you're gaining it.

Housework is beneath my status.

The measure of your oppression is his resi,

My

purpose in life is to deal with matters of
significance.

Yours is to deal with matters

of i-significance.

You should do the

housework.

2.

It is a traumatizing experience for

someone who has always thought of himself
as being against any .ppression or exploit,

"In animal societies, wolves, for example,
the top animal is usually a male even

where he is not chosen for brute strength
but on the basis of cunning and intelligence.
Isn't that interesting?"
Meaning;

stance.

I have historical, psychological,

anthropological and biological justification
for keeping you down.

How can you ask the

top wolf to be equal?
"Women's Liberation isn't really a political

ation of one human being by another to
realize that in his daily life he has

been

accepting and implementing (and benefiting
from) this exploitation; that his rational-

ization is little different from that of
the racist who says "Niggers don't feel
pain" (woman don't mind doing the shitwork)

and that the eldest form of oppression in
history has been the oppression of

50 of

the population by the other 50..

movement."

Meaning: The Revolution is coming too close

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�women mustn't strain themselves in the
presence of men---we haul around fifty
3.

Arm yourself with some knowledge of
pounds of groceries if we have to but

the psychology of oppressed peoples every-

where and a few facts about the animal kingdom.

I admit playing top wolf or who runs

the gorillas is silly but as a last resort
men bring it up all the time.
bees.

Talk about

aren't allowed to open a jar if there is
someone around to do it for us.

The

reverse side of the coin is that men
aren't supposed to be able to take care
of themselves without a woman.

Both are

If you feel really hostile, bring
excuse

up the sex life of spiders.

After sex,

for making women do the house-

work.

1.10,Ac

she bites off his head.
11+

The psychology of oppressed peoples
is not silly.

\ro

Blacks, women, and immi-

grants have all employed the same psychological mechanisms to survive.

Admiring

the oppressor, glorifying the oppressor,

wanting to be like the oppressor, wanting
the oppressor to like them.
4.

keep checking up.

Periodically

consider who's actually doing the jobs.

These things have a way of backsliding
so that a year later once again the woman
is doing everything. Use timesheets if
necessary.

Also bear in mind what the worst

jobs are, namely the ones that have to be
done every day or several times a day. Also
the ones that are dirty--it's more pleasant
to pick up books, newspapers, etc., than to
wash dishes. Alternate the bad jobs. It's

the daily rigid grind that gets you down.
Also make sure that you don't have the

responsibility for the housework with
6.

occasional help from him.

"I'll cook

dinner for you tonight" implies that it's

really your job and isn't he a nice guy to

Most men had a bachelor life during

which they did not starve

or become en-

crusted with crud or buried under the
litter.

He won

do the little things he always did becaus
you're now a "Liberated Woman", right?

0

course, he won't do anything else either.

do some of it for you.
5.

/.4/// /
t
Beware of the double whammy.

There is a taboo that says that

I WAS JUST FINISHING THIS WHEN MY
HUSBAND CAME IN AND ASAED WHAT I WAS
DOING.

WRITING A PAPER ON HOUSEWORK.

HOUSEWORK? HE SAID.

HOUSEWORK?

god how trivial can you get.

Oh my

A PAPER ON

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HOUSEWORK.

�OPPORTUNITY
FOR WHOM
fa true story)

A man offered me a job, said
I would he trained to help others
to learn to relax and rid them of
bad habits - bio-feedback he called
it.
On Nov. 23, 1°74 I went to
his place (of business?) and talked
for two hours. In that time we
bad two drinks. He said I should
relax first and we would get into
the training session afterwards.
About ^ o'clock he anked me to sit
in a comfortable chair and relax.
He turned on a machine with a flashine light which was to make my eyes
drowsy, and it did. His voice of
to sounding hypnotic and he asked me
to count from 20 to 0 about three
different times in order for me to
go deeper. Then he turned all the
lights out and made comments likeyou like my voice...you will return
to this place...nothing will stop
you from returning...my voice is all
you need to relax...
Then he turned on purple lights
(psychedelic) and asked me what type
of music I liked and I said popular.
He asked if I liked Country &amp; Western, I said no, but he put on Country
and Western music and asked me to
listen to each wor of the song. I
I would become more deeply involved
in the song and should dance to the
music with him.
(The songs were
sexy love sons by Jim Reeves.) The
2nd song was Welcome To My World"
He said my body should respond
to the words and I should relax
and feel stimulated? He said :sy
body felt good next to his and
that he was being stimulated. I'd
hed enough and I jumped beck and
said 'already'. He said yes so
I told him this wasn't for me and
put my coat and shoes or.
I ripped up the $10.00 cheque
he gave me and left, in a hurry. He
had told me that I would be paid
for every session.

I met one of the girls that
he is helping to lose weight and
she seemed completely fascinated by
him and had nothing but praiSe for
him.
It is my opinion that he has
hypnotised her and tried unsuccessfully to do the same to me.
I am concerned that other
women who feel they really need
epecial attention and relaxation
will be used by him.
As far as I
am concerned he wants a harem of
women to show off in public because
he told me that he likes to be seen
with beautiful women.
I also think
he is sick.
During our discussion he told
me he thought that women should be
used by men. To him it seems, we
are objects, but as far as this
liberated woman is concerned be can
go to hell
It's a crime that men like
this roam this earth.
I do believe
he is dangerous, especially to a
weak fragile mind.
I told this story to women at
the women's centre and reported him
to the police. I wish there was
more I could do to warn others of
this fiend.

-

sometimes wonder
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for rne

s8brniSSitica to -

�WHAT'S A HOUSEWIFE WORTH????

One method of measuring the housewife's worth is by determining how much her various
skills are worth on the open market.

Even this is not an accurate judge because such

jobs as cleaning have traditionally been low-status, low-paying jobs, while there is no
real indication of the value of child care.

The hourly value placed on thesejobs was

largely determined by Canada Manpower officials.
in large cities.

These are not average but the going rate

It's interesting to note that several studies have found that a housewife

with two or more children works on the average of 11 hours a day, seven days a week, or 77
hours a week.

Reprinted from

CHATELAINE, October 1974

HEAVY CLEANING
$15.40
a week

A good cleaning lady who washes floors, windows, stoves and fridges
Our housewives spent seven hours
can expect about $2.20 an hour.
a week performing these chores.

LIGHT CLEANING
$24.50

A housekeeper whose main job is to dust, make beds, do dishes and
vacuum, makes about $1.75. Fourteen hours spread over seven days
was the average for our participents.

BOOkr.EEPER, HOME

This category lumps together juggling family expenses, planning
meals, finding receipes and shopping. Our housewives averaged four
hours a week at this. A professional in any of these categories
would be paid at the very least $3.50 an hour.

ECONOMIST SHOPPER
$14.

COOX
$35.

LAUNDRY
$4.50

BABY-SITTING
$12.10

HANDYMAN
$4.95

A cook in a medium-prices restaurant who manages short orders as
Our
well as more complicated meals can expect $2.50 an hour.
housewives cooked about fourteen hours a week, including the odd
gourmet meal.

A skilled laundress makes about $1.80 an hour. Our housewives say
they spend two and a half hours sorting, washing, drying and ironing.

This is the period when housewives do nothing else but communicate
with their children. This is the most valuable aspect of homemaking
so the $1.10 an hour charged by professional babysitters isn't very
realistic. But unless the housewife has a diploma in child care
there's no other way of measuring it. The average amount of time
per week was eleven hours.
Our homemakers spend about three hours a week fixing the children's
toys, putting out the garbage, repairing the eaves trough. The
general handyman would get the minimum wage of $1.65.

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�Taking Johnny to his hockey game or Mary to the dentist is one of the most
time-consuming chores for the housewife. Economists tend to ignore this
In our urban society
job but there are men who earn a good wage at it.
it's become a major chore. A part-time chauffeur makes about $3.50. Our
homemakers spent a minimum of nine hours a week as a taxi service.

CHAUFFEUR
$31.50

Most women perform simple seamstress chores such as replacing buttons or
Others make their own and children's clothes, saving
patching jeans.
a great deal of money. Our ladies averaged three hours a week. $1.80 is
A fair wage for a working seamstress.

SEAMSTRESS
$5.40

PAINTING AND
DECORATING
18.00

Painting and wallpapering, antiquing or upholstering furniture is part of
the work week for many housewives. Ours averaged two hours a week. A
nonunion painter won't enter your house for less than $4.00 an hour.

44-

*`Luo1rt

-a

w'

my foot - ve been living with One for years 1"

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�This category includes gardening, snow shovelling, leaf-raking and keeping the bird feeder full.
Our housewives say they spend an average of
five hours a week as groundkeeper, especially in spring and summer.
Average wage for this type of work (not a professional) is $3.00.

GROUNDKEEPIII

$15.00

HOSTESS

When a husband brings home business associates his wife acts as a hostess,
serving drinks, cooking special meals. A hired maid makes about $2.25
an hour.
Our housewives said they worked two hours a week extra
entertaining.

$4.50

TOTAL
$174.85

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USEWIFE WORTH'
The journey to one's self is
short &amp; long
easy &amp; difficult
up &amp; down
this way &amp; that way
joyful &amp; painful
conscious &amp; unconscious
valid &amp; absurd
alone &amp; together
achieved &amp; never achieved
--all; some &amp; none of the above
Darlene.

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"NO WOMAN CAN CALL HERSELF FREE WHO DOES
NOT OWN AND CONTROL HER BODY. NO WOMAN
CAN CALL HERSELF FREE UNTIL SHE CAN
CHOOSE CONSCIOUSLY WHETHER SHE WILL OR
WILL NOT BE A MOTHER."
Margaret Sanger, birth control pioneer
and feminist, 1920

N

leCoIrtteue.1%ifb4-44

Vhle.

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�THE PRICE OF PROSPERITY
My name's
unimportant
only these hands
For six days a week
they work 10 hours
from 8-6
and on the 7th they
slave 12
These blistered hands
which have fed my
family since my 15th
birthday
My family
now so many nights
removed from me
Oh how I wish I was
back home in my kompong
playing with my sisters and
brothers under the mangroves
But here I am and
here I must stay in this
cramped room--a prisoner
between shifts
with eleven others
my sister wonders
whose names like mine
are unimportant
The Prime Minister says
the industry is booming
Newspapers say it's one of the
richest countries in the world

If my sisters and I
go on strike
they will chuck us
into prison
then what will our families dol
What can I do
My name is unimportant
I am one of many
I sweat blood
in a factory
in Harry's Sunny Singapore

reprinted from D.E.Centre
files

STICE?

People say
my American boss drinks
champagne for breakfast
I do not know
what that is
All I know is
the price of rice has
doubled since I came
here - a coffee and a
sandwhich in the city
cost me a days wages
That can I do
If I ask for more pay
they will say
I am a trouble-maker
take away my work permit
and send me home

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�Oct. 10, 1974 Don Colborne (lawyer) spdeker
the rape of Cecelia 2ig -Jeorge of Lenora

sut,;ect:Rape, particularily

Oct. 17, Father Bullefantispeal;er,subjecnesty International. Anyone
interested in a membership contac'c him at 623-2779

Oct. 24, Mary Lou Kufr,nok and Susan Sbleinhopi. from Early Childhood
Education Course. Subject:our suppor,; in opposi_rg the new Day Care
legi3lation or-ing brought forwr-iri by Margaret Birch

Oct. 31, Group discussion
Nov. 7 Diane Begg (lawyer )- subject. Internationomn's Year. Diane
atte ded the Ottawa conference as a rep"festative of N.W.C.

Nov. 14 - Discussion and planning of the workshop to be held at the
centre on Nov. 23, 1974
Nov. 21 - Film "Growing Up Female". Courtesy of Ruth Cunningham
Nov.

28 - Meet the candidates, held at the Labor Centre

Pee. 5 - Discussion on some topic3 from bonnie Kreps
Women's Movement in Canada"

book "Guide to the

Jaqui Beauregard led a discussion on the the ideas behin,3
consciousnc;ss raising groups

Dec.

Wolaen's Centre meant to
Der. 19- General discussion on what the
those In attsndane.

Thursde.12211111:122_117 L

ER

DATES TO

Women's Centre Meetings (General)

Genera, neeting on:
Women !.11 Cuban Society

* When: Every Thurs. 8 P.M.
* there: 2nd Floor, Fort Wm YMCA
(Ever woman welco
omen s

en re

ee

Georgina Garrett, speaker
Time: 8 pm
Place: Northern Women's Centre

ng

132 N. :A,rchibald St.

* When Every Mon. 8 P.M.
* Where Same location

Wt0.1 1AM, Sh5- pa- Co4t4D-CARL-NEEDs

Kra.

Come out to the first General
Meeting of International

Iomen's Year

If you want to be in a consciousness raising g2oup that will
be starting early In the new year, r)(-)ne the Women's 7entre,
what nisilt would
and leave your name, phone number, anrl tell us
be best for you
a t. the Northern
There will be no meetings held in the evenings
January 2, he first meeting of the
Women's Centre
now ;yr e a Tr
FOR ANY OTHER INFORMATION ON
WRATS HAPPENING PHONE THE CENTRE
or if you need a
623-3107
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ride or child care (22-V___a_.01.

�The second class status of women in
the work force is not an accident, but

As seen by the survey the highest
concentration of women is in clerical

rather an integral functioning of our
and service and recreation fields.
economy.

55%

A large "cheap labour pool"

of all the women in the work force labour

is necessary to ensure continued high

within these two catagories.

These

profits through low labour co ts.
occupations are in the non-industralia ed,

The employment grouping of women
are as follows: (from a 1970 gov't

statistics survey)

non-mechani

sector in which wages

are a major operating cost.

Therefore it

is essential to the insurance companies,

banks, hospitals, department stores, the
1970

Employment groupings for women
Managerial
Professional and
Technical

3.9%

17.5%
32.2%
8.3%
22.6%
1.6%
2.50
Farming
Craftsmen &amp; related 10.5%
Labourers (unskilled) .9%
Clerical
Sales
Services and Rec.
Communications

100.04

civi

service and city hall to have a large

pool of cheap labour available when needed.
We are it.

When labour power is scarce, women

become defined as an important part of the
work force, as was in early industrializat.-ion and war times..

Each war has brought

women into the economy in different

and

new capacities eg. the Civil War in the US
saw women start working as sales personnel
in stores at exploitive wages (over one
hundred years has past and we still labour

Ply

at exploitive and minimum wage rates in
these positions).

In the Second World War

women took over the industrial sector only
to be turfed out at war's end and told the

home is the right and natural place for
women's labour.

When women are not needed in the work
It,

force the "naturalness" of our position in
the home

emphasized and exalted and
1;:e-A

Col

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�constantly reinforced. through many aspects

in society...the media - TV, magazines

or

,

through psychology and science which det-

ermines our natural place and how best to
function within it such as with the Dr.
Spock phenomenon in the early post war 50's.

However, it is becoming increasingly
necessary that large numbers of women must
move into the work force.

In fact one

third of the total Canadian workforce is

women - this cannot be conceived any more

in terms of women deciding to go toNork
out of boredom or as casual labour as the
Canadian media would have us believe.
Women are a real growing and

itally im-

portant part of the work force.

The public

inflation, rising costs of food, re t,

and private sectors need women and obviously

water etc. and a desire to live in relati

women need to work (or they wouldn't work

comfort, many a man's wage can no longer

so hard for so little).

As was outlined in

a previous section on the n clear family
within the family the man's wage alto pays
for the socially necessary work performed
by the woman in the home (ie. unpaid

sustain a family as it desires.

Theref.

the woman must sell her labour pow
work force.

t'Jo

As of 1971, 60% of all wor-

ing women were married.

Working wom-i-i

receive much lower wages than working

-;-,

on the average, often. for performing the

sane tasks as many of us know.

A woman

worker receives approximately

the wages

that a. man receives.

T is means that the

businesses and corporations responsibletfc7-

the structuring of wage scales and the economy

(ie. those to whom we sell our ia

'power) receive in total three workers for
the

housework).

Therefore the economy gets

,

.ce of one and one half salaries

(man, woman and woman in home).

This is r,it

two workers for the price of one, -- the

discrimination but direct and undisr'

man's paid labour in the work force and the

exploitation of woman and her labour.

woman's unpaid, but socially necessary,

Three for the price of one and one half is

work within the home.

However, because of

the same ratio as two for the price of one

-

therefore, in order to make ends meet than.

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�1

accustomed lifestyle, a family needs 11 .

powerless and see our failure as individual,

salaries where they previously existed on

(From Women Unite)

one.

porations naturally try to prevent this

And "By Gosh The Price Is Right" for

those controlling wages and industry4

This phenomonon places a very heavy

The employers and cor-

group consciousness from rising.

As of

1967, only 17% of the women working were

double burden on the woman who must perform

in labour unions, the traditional defense

her usual household tasks as well as hold

of the working class.

down her job, and both to the satisfaction

ributed to many factors.

This can be att-

Women tend to re-

gard their work in the clerical area as un-

of her family and boss respectively.

Working women are both oppressed as women
and exploited as workers.

It is overwhelming to begin to imagine
the struggle confronting women who are heads
of single parent families -- i the wage for
twice as much work.

How is this exploitation maintained -'

why do women accept their roles and wages
in the work. place and why is it difficult

to break out of this present oppressive
structure?

important and trivial, feeling that their
work as typists, operators etc. is peripheral to the more important functions
within the corporations.

This is reinforced

by their positions in the home.

As women

see their true and correct place to be in
the home they therefore don't necessarily
deserve good paying and interesting jobs.

Organization of work is poorly structured
and overly

cratic so that much irvi^''

C.CA

Unfortunately women don't tend

AS LONG AS WOMEN ARE ENGAGED IN
HOUSEWORK THEIR POSITION IS STILL
said earlier as a pool of cheap labour,.
A RESTRICTED ONE. IN ORDER TO
ACHIEVE THE COMPLETE FMANCII-ATION
whereas employers certainly do.
Women
OF WOMEN AND TO MAKE THEM REALLY
accept lousy pay office rules, about clothes
EQUAL WITH MEN, WE MUST HAVE SOCI
ECONOMY, AND THE PARTICIPATION
and a compliment instead of a raise, not
OF WOMEN IN GENERAL PRODUCTIVE
because we are stupid but because we are
LABOR. THEN WOMEN WILL OCCUPY
THE SAME
POSITION
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Lenin
to see themselves as a group or as it was

�20
does seem tedious - work only for work's

ally this has always caused hostility on
the part of male workers and reinforces

sake.

There has been historically and gen-

all sexist attitudes.

These divisions be-

erally remains a relu tance on the part of

tween men and women in the work force are

male union types to involve women in

played up and played upon by the employer.

unions and centre some demands on women

who play men and women off against one

issues such as equal pay and day care.

another.

Historically as well, because of the

divide male and female workers and make
their interests seem uncommon.

unique position within the family and

At this point in time, unions, no

society women entering the work force
accepti

Sexism has always been used to

lower pay and wages would only

matter how ineffective they have proven in

eventually drive down the wages and con-

the past in terms of protecting women are

ditions for which they had been struggling

imperative in order that women better

to better.

Jobs which women accepted soon

became known as poor work, unimportant,
in reality shit-work unfit for men.

In

their position within the workplace and
consequently the home.

A desire to organ-

ize the service sector employees into a

turn when women were told repeatedly their

commercial and technical union (ACTE) was

work was unimportant they believed this to

launched last year through the CLC

be true for the working woman.

recently it was announced that up to i
of CUPE's membership are women.

Issues

which can be fought from a union base
have far reaching effects into the home.

A concerted effort on the part of organized labour to press for better and more
day care facilities could only relieve
the pressures women feel in the home if
their demand were met.

Enforcement of

equal pay legislation can only elevate
the status of women within the family
give a better sense of security.

Only

through collective action with other
women and those progressive and open
minded men who see the importance of
In the early industrial period many

pursuing women's issues and fighting for

unions such as the International Typo-

them can we Struggle to overcome not only

graphical Union in the USA instituted job

the physical day to day oppression of

classifications in order to keep women out

being powerless but the psychological

of certain fields and thereby protect the

oppression which rests upon it as well.

Women
historically
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been employed as strikebreakers and natur-

�WHAT ARE WOMEN'S STUDIES?
They investigate women and their relationships with their
families, society, and their country.
They try to ferret
what their general situation has been, is, why it is, what
it is, and what alternatives there are.
The courses are not meant only for women -- the feeling is
that all students, men, women and mature students can broaden
their view of humanity by taking them.
OPEN HOUSE - January 9, 1975 7:00 - 10.00 p.m.
Dining Room Conference Room
CONFEDERATION COLLEGE
WOMEN AND FILM -- An interesting collection of films made
from around the world.
Classes will feature lectures and
discussions about the influence of women on film-making, Art
and Industry.
Films, lots of them--long, short, documentary and animated- are part of the course. All of the films are interesting,
but doubly interesting because they were make by women.
WOMEN AND FILM not only offers prize-winning international
cinema, but a chance to take a new look at the Movies.
SCHEDULED FILMS:
Jan. 14 DANCE GIRL DANCE starring Lucille Ball
directed by Dorothy Arzner
Jan. 21 THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE ACHMET directed and animated
by Lotte Reiniger
THE ART OF LOTTE REINIGER
OLYMPIA DIVING SEQUENCE from 1936 Olympics directed
by Leni Riefenstahl

Jan. 28

LE BONHEUR directed by Agnes Varda
AbEL GANCE
HIER ET DEMAIN directed by Nelly Kaplan
;

Feb.

GERTRUDE STEIN: WHEN THIS YOU SEE REMEMBER ME directed
by Perry Miller Adato
HOW THE HELL ARE YOU? animated and directed by Veroni
Soul Lavender
Feb. 11 A SCARY TIME directed by Shirley Clarke
THE COOL WORLD directed by Shirley Clarke
Feb. 18
LEGAULT'S PLACE directed by Susanne Angel.
WOO WOO? MAY WILSON directed by Bonnie reps
Gore ROAD directed by Sarah Raxlen
Feb. 25 THE GIRLS directed by Mai Zetterling
Mar. 4
THE GIRLS OF MOUNTAIN STREET directed By Susan Gibbard
BEAUTY KNOWS NO PAIN
BETTY TELLS HER STORY directed by Liane Brandon
4

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�MAR. 11-LA_VIE REVEE directed by Mireille Dansereau
CYCLE directed by Suzanne Gernais.
(animation night)
Mar. 18
TRICYCLE directed by Joyce Borenstein
CIRCLES 1 directed by Doris Chase
EGIGMA directed by Lilliane Schwartz
UFO'S directed by Lilliane Schwartz
THE CRUISE directed by John and Faith Hubley
OPENING / CLOSING directed by Kathleen Laughlin
THE LITTLE MEN OF CHROMAGNON directed by Francine Desbiens
PARADISE LOST directed by Evelyn Lambart
THE HOARDER directed by Evelyn Lambart
Mar. 25 A VERY CURIOUS GIRL directed by Nelly Kaplan
April 1 JOURNALS OF SUSANNA MOODIE directed by Marie Waisberg
BRIDAL SHOWER directed by Sandy Wilson
ORANGE directed by Karen Johnson
LOONS NECKLACE directed by Judith Crawley

WOMEN IN HISTORY - 'TER STORY" Wednesday Jan. 15 - April 2
Instructor: Jeanette Johnson
Time 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
(for further Information Contact Ruth Cunningham, Director
Women's Programs Local 278-577-5751).

Stendhal wrote in the nineteenth century that "All the
geniuses who are burn women are lost to the public good". This
was less true at the end of that centure than at its beginning.
The Queen of England might disapprove of the wcomen's
suffrage movement but its success was inevitable. What were the
socia14 political and economic circumstances which br,:A,ght this
Who were those female pioneers in England and Canada
about?
who led the struggle for the vote, for education, for social
and legal emancipation? What had been the traditional role of
women in society and why? And how did it happen. that women in
some areas, such as Quebec, had to wait so long before it changeC
It is an exciting story and one which not only provides b-cter
understanding of the women's movement in the twentieth century,
but some real contact with women in history who have been for the
most of us, little more than names squeezed in between the kings
and the soldiers.
The course will trace the role of women in western society
from Eve up through to the reforming Pankhursts in Britain and
Nellie McClung in Canada. And if you have a special area of
interest, or some favorite personalities you would like to study
in more detail, there are suggestion and book lists set up for
this, as well as time set aside in class for study and discussion.
The final lectures will concentrate exclusively on the history of
Jeanette Johnson
women in Canada.

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�t S
AND WOMEN'S

LIT

LEAMEELETLIELLEMEELLIDEFIEUE
DOES

;UPPORTERS PUT-DOWN HOUSEWIVES.

=RATION MEAN ALL WIVES MUST WORK?
hamen's liberation supporters know
;hat all women now work. In fact,
=eh of the hard, tiring, and responable work is done by women. They
lork in offices, hospitals, schoolai
ractories, on farms and in homes.
Ithout their work, the economy would
Stand still.

42% of women in 1973 earned wages for
their labour, low and discriminatory
wages. Most of the other women worked
equally hard as unpaid labourers in
the home. Women's liberation supporters believe that all persons are entitld
to satisfying and creative work. This
is an indispensible condition of a just
Everyone deserves financial
society.
independence and social rewards for
that labour. And that includes the
housewife.
Far from putting down the housewife,
we believe that the job of raising
children is difficult, time-consuming,
and important work. So important that
it should be freely chosen and not just
assigned to those with blue eyes or
red hair or one particular sex. We
would like to see alternative ways of
raising kids, in day care centres, or
with greater participation of men, or
in communal settings.
Women's liberation does not have a
It isn't
blue-print for the future.
trying to create a society where some
characteristic like age, sex or race
determines your occupation or income.

2) NOT ALL WOMEN WANT DAY CARE FOR TH
CHILDREN, SO WHY SHOULD TAX MONEY BE
USED TO PAY FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANT
DAY CARE?
That question used to be asked about
public school education, and the answer
is the same now as it was in 1916. The
children of Canada are the responsibiltr
of all of us. And we must share in the
education and development of our future
citizens.

Good child care facilities help a child
grow and develop, both socially and
emotionally. We recognize that today
some families feel their children are
better off not being in the existing
centres, and in some cases that is true.
But we believe they must be available
to all families who wish to use them,
and we hope in the future that even
better facilities will be available.
Without universal free care, one parent,
usually the mother, is forced to remain
at home continuously with her small
children. As the Royal Commission on
the Status of Women stated, ''the
equality of women means little without
a day care program."
We are also concerned with day care
workers. The workers that care for our
children must like their jobs, must
receive adequate pay and hours ar'ork.
They usually don't get the conditions
of work or income they deserve. Agaiit is a case of an almost exclusively
female occupation being used as cheap
Parents must demand more, all
labour.
of us must demand more, it's the lives
of our children that are at stake.
Co,,

We very simply want all people to be
able to develop their potential without coercion, to see a wide range of
alternatives, to hire the freedom to
choose among these. We want all
people to have a full satisfying life
and to do that which is most fulfilling
and of greatest benefit to humankind.

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�f

al,

IF WOMEN'S LIBERATION. IS REALLY
CONCERNED WITH THE WELFARE OF ALL
PEOPLE, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IN THIS
TIME OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT, WOMEN
SHOULD BE DISCOURAGED FROM TAKING
JOBS? DO YOU AGREE?

First, Women's
The answer Is NO.
liberation believes that all people
And it is
are entitled to jobs.
clearly not workers, but business and
government which have created unemployment. Why should women always
he the first to suffer from the
decisions of a few high-placed men.
Lecendly, in times of unemployment,
jobs should go to those people most
in need of them. But we have never
given jobs or paid wages on the basis
of need.
And if we did, most of the

neen now employed would remain employed, because a wage-job is essential
to their survival and that of their
dependents. And in the case of two
persons in a fimily both receiving
decent wages (which is rare) why
should the woman have to resign her
job?
;hy not the person least
interested in a job outside the home,
or the one best qualified to perforr
hetesework and child care.

Thirdly, women's employment is usually
not relevant to men's employmentthey do not as a rule, compete in the
same labour maricet. Women have been
taLrht to aspire to certain occupations:
teaching, nursing, secretarial
work, waitresses. Men have been
taught to avoid such work.
Quitting
e
job as a hairdresser does not
create a new job for a steelworker.
The women's movement does not support
this division of labour--it believes
'eople should do jobs that interest
them, that they are capable of and
skilled in and women's liberation
doesn't believe that such utopian
ideas can be implemented until we
create a system where the public's
needs are given priority over private
pre fit.

4)

WHY DOES TH

OMEN'S

OVE

EN T

1

and rightfully theirs, makes them
pcinfully aware of the discrimination they suffer as women. A few
figures tell the story. In October
1969 the hourly wage of a male
general bakery helper was $2.35, for
a female $1.69; a main sewing
machine operator earned $2.61, a
The latest figures
female $1.56.
show the enormity of this gap. In
1972 the average male income in
Canada was $7,647--for women it was
ee

For those who argue, however wrongheadedly, that men are paid more
because they are the bread-winners
the facts show that in 1972 the
average income for male heads of
Camilles was :O_C,729 and for female
heads of 1E:Anil:Lee $4,696.

Thil

differential enables employers to
rake in superprofits in spite of the
Equal Pay Act which entitles women
tc equal pay for work that is
"identical or substantially identiee:
Now do employers get away with this
Tney may require the male worker on
the same job to do some heavy
lifting, or introduce some slight
change in his job which puts it Int;'
a higher wage category.
Or sometiele;
a similar job is given a different
name-, enabling the mole orderly or
steward to earn more than the female mursing assistant or hostees.
Often they don't bother it these
ploys.
Remember the recent k.
program which showed a male applion
for an accounting job being offer
substantially more than the female
applicant who was in fact he same
person wearing a wig and women's
clothes.
In sales occupations
Canadian women earn an average
annual income of $2,292 compared to
$6,096 for men.

5)
1..a'AIOS-frULIENEM1'1°Y
MENIAL, LOW-PAID AND DEAD-END
OCCUPATIONS? OR DO THESE BECOME
MENIAL, LOW-PAID AND DEAD-END
BECAUSE THEY EMPLOY WOMEN?

if

PC CU

Whatever the case, whether secretary,
The fact that women workers are litertelephone operator, store clerk,
cheated out of thousands or dollar
ally cheated
waitress, or teacher, the women
dollars
in wages
and
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is likely
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�below her level of competence with
little or no opportunity for advanceWomen's Iligher level of edment.
ucation is not reflected in her earnings; the average earnings for women
university graduates are less than
those for males with a high school
education. Because they were deprived
of rights for centuries, women have
represented a source of cheap labour.
To satisfy the need of the economy,
they have been pressured in and out of
the labour force. For instance during
the war they were encouraged to take
"men's jobs," and afterwards forced
back into traditional female occupations. The needs of their families
compel them to move in and out of the
They have been brought
labour force.
up to believe they have no right to
work and their place is in the home.
Unions, male-led and oriented, have
paid little attention to the organisation, and special problems of women
workers. Employers feel confident
that women in service occupations,
store clerks, waitresses, etc. are
easy to replace. Yet women are an
integral part of the labor force;
of all
which now includes about
and 47:,
single women aged 25 to
of all married women aged 20 to 24.
And women, the fastest growing sector
of tlee labor force, are beginning to
epelk up and demand action. Last year
they filed moet of the complaints
brought to the Human Rights Commission.
If you feel you are being discriminated against in any way because
you are a woman call the Human Rights
Commission at 3i -6712 or write to
apartment of
the Women's Lurcau,
Labour 400 University Aire., Toronto

Right Commission and by women everyYet nothing changes.
where.
Teachers are people who have
grown up in this system, and learned
its prejudices end biases, and unconsciously pass these on to the
Girls in schools often
students.
stand in separate lines, have different physical education, guidance
classes and clean-up rooms.
Girls learn to be helpful,
passive, submissisre and obedient.
(Imagine your anger if you saw
native kids being forced to play in
one part of the playground, while
layed in another.
the white kids
Why not the same' anger about the
separation of your daughters and
sons.) Our society doesn't control
our choices as much as it controls
our motivations and aspiraticne.
In an excellent article called
"Bread and Roses,", by Kathy McAfee
and Myrna_ Wood they try to explain
the domination of women's groups by
"The women who
middle class women.
benefit from education and relative
equality can see the contradicfltr
between its (Canada's) rhetoric
(every girl can be prime minister)
and their actual place in that
The working class woman
society.
might believe that education could
have made her financially independIn fact, because she has been
ent.
allowed to progress halfway on the
upward mobility ladder she can see
the similarity between her oppression and that of other sections of
the population. Beceuse tIsey have
pushed the democratic myths to its
limits, they know concretely bow it
limits them."

Ontario.
(e)

Ni

rep

R

EDUCA ION THEY WOULD GET MORE E(OALITY

From WomAn's Liberation Monthly
Newsletter - December 1973
Winnipeg Women's Liberation.

However cne must look
clearly at the education we receive
Our textbooks arc
in our schools.
fu]l of sexist ideology, women in the
kitchen, men at their jobs. This
sex stereotyping in books has been
documented again and again, by the
Royal Commission, the Ontario Human
Perhaps.

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�Throughout, the tone is one long whine.
Sure men are exploiters, snivels Fast, but
doesn't Nature command them to pair bond, to
defend their territories, to be agressive, to
prerer tne company or men to women. Perhaps
Julius Fast: THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF
MEN AND WOMEN AND HOW TO OVERCOME IT

Books on sex are good sellers. But now,
since Women's Liberation, so are books on
male-female relationships. Everybody is rushing into the market and here is the author of
Body Language, Julius Fast, with "The Incompatibility of Men and Women and How to Overcome It."
Mixing psuedo-psychology, psuedo-sociology, psuedo anthropology and no economics
whatever he tries to prove that men and women
He sets
are inately incompatible. He fails.
up as examples all kinds of stock characters;
the hen-pecked husband, the domineering mom,
the ambitious executive, they're all there,
and proceeds to draw lessons from them. It's
like trying to learn about life from t,v.
situation comedies.
To Fast the male has "always been a
predatory animal", a "predator with a brain".
He admits that animals
And women love it.
operate from instinct but that doesn't prevent him rummaging around the animal Kingdom
choosing a species here, a species there to
illustrate the inate nature of human beings.
Thus ants enslave ants , male baboons pair
bond, tropical fish attack their own kind.
Like people who try to prove their point
with quotes from the ekble, you can always
find something to cinch the argument pro or

we overdo it, he pleads, but it's sure
tough to be a man. It's interesting to
see biological determinism, so long used
to keep women in their place, used to
justify male chauvinism.
But finally the weakness in this
book and many such is its lack of economic analysis.
The different economic
positions women and men hold in our society
is central to any discussion of male-female relationships.

Joan Bari?

con.

The interesting thing about this book
is that at the beginning you start to believe that it is slightly pro-woman. Fast
states women's liberation positions but
Michael Korda: MALE CHAUVINISM
never argues them directly, just asks questions.tp women really want their husbands to
(paperback) Berkley Publishing Corp.
do housework? If men and women are incompatible shouldn't they seek their own roles?
This is a schizophrenic book exciting
and insightful; it nevertheless has strong
If a woman does a male job is "she achigving
faults.
the fullest expression of her own capacities
And so on.
Korda a New York film critic and
and attributes?"
columnist, is mainly writing about the
Yet to give the book its due, it contains a full statement of how men fear and
business world and the pressures on women
who try to succeed in this world. Rather
hate women.Fast seems to regard this as a
remote fromThunder Bay, one might say,
fact, regrettable but impossible to change.
yet I have seen the same mechanisms he
-I found it fascinating. In Thunder Bay, it's
describes used in our own educational,
difficult to find a man who will admit that
government
and copy
business
institutions.
male
chauvinism
even
exists,
much
less
give
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Male chauvinism seems to operate cohtin-you any information on the subject.

,

�Worse, though, is the book's elitism.
Korda dislikes the elitist nature of large
scale business, he knows so well and describes how women are as guilty as men in
his account of how female researchers at
Time magazine banded together to force
management to give them a chance at advancement at the expense of the secretarYet basically he sees the elitist
ies.
nature of the business world as a regrettable fact. Which brings up the ageThus. If, in our present
old question.
society, business,* government and almost
all large scale organizations are elitist
heirarchial, competitive and alienating,
why should women seek to "succeed" in
Should we wait and work for society
them?
to fundamentally change first? And what
should we do while we are waiting? stay
home? Accept our traditional place in
the cheap labour pool? And if we accept
that women should seek a place at the
"top" how can we remind them that there
is someone else at the "bottom" and how
can we convince both men and women that the
power that (sometimes but not always)
accompanies "high-level" positions should
meet the needs of people and in fact should
Korda neverreside
concerns
with these
fundamentally
withhimself
the people.
questions but it would be interesting to
hear the ideas of the readers of this news-

A Manpower Ad
"Young men with Grade 12
commercial training are
invited to register with
Mrs. Capbell. The receptionist will arrange
an appointment."

Advertised on the Job
Bulletin Board at the
Thunder Bay South Manpower office, found
November 29, 1974.

STATUS of

woakin9
wornem

letter.

Yet the book's emphasis on economics
is its strength and a realistic balance to
all those who want to deal with the subject
of women only in psychological or sexual
And it is the clearest most complete
terms.
statement on male chauvisism so far. Xorda
believes male chauvisism is a desire for
control and he spells it out from A to Z.
Books, the etiquette experts tell us,
are the most tasteful of gifts and here is
just the one to send to your male friehds
and relatives this' Christmas. But first
of course, READ IT YOURSELF.
Joan Baril

The experience of women in the
labour force reflects the nature of their
secondary status: they are marginal to
the productive system and are discriminated against on a sex basis. It is
structurally impossible for this
system to provide work for all.

The myth is that women do not play
an important role in pro duetion and that
when women work their jobs are temporary.
?/omen are considered incapable of performing jobs that are strenuous or require
"executive ability". In fact, almost a
third of the work fore is women, and
continuing to rise. And when there are
insufficient numbers of men to full the
market need, (as in World War 11) women
are drawn into the labour force in large
numbers in jobs that are ie,lually con-

sidered the province of men. We see that
happening in the mining industry at the
present time.

co,4,01
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�The real class position of women is again
emphasized by the fact that many university trained women can find no other work
than clerical: the first question that
they are asked is "can you type?".

'1-kztse.iwf% 4Q...scksrez,*Atcis.?
Women who work in "blue-collar" jobs
are concentrated in industry where the
rate of profit and therefore wages is low.
The plants are often small, and the goods
produced are often usually not essential
to maintain production in other industry,
i.e. consumer goods. Such plants are therefore hard to organize; it is easy to replace worders with scabs, (Dare Cookie
Strike) management can hold out for long
periods of time, and because of the low
capital investment involvet the plant can
remain inoperative or move to another
location where labour is cheaper. Only
17% of women who work in industry belong to
unions.
When theydo, they often find
even if most of the workers are women the
union is run by men who are unresponsive
to their needs, and who continue to negotiate contracts that do not give equal pay
for work of eqUal value to women.

Certain areas of work and professions
have traditionally been reserved for women
When we examine them (niassing accounts for
one third of women professionals, teaching 50%, the balance as social workers,
dieticians, medical and dental technitions,
librarians etc.) two facts become clear.
First, these are industrializations of
women's traditional role in the family,
and secondly, these are all jobs which
were originally low status and sometimes
working class, and have only recently be
come recongized as professional. Even in
these professions, women have secondary
status while men increasingly fill administrative and supervisory positions.
Qualifications rise and salaries and the
percentage of women in these jobs decreases
and women have experience of being passed
over in the search, for jobs in favour of
men with equal or lower qualifications.
This is particularily true of teaching.
The status of dieticians is a good example
of how the society does not recognize the
work of women as equal to that done by r
even though it has the same content. Food
science students at universities take
courses comparable to those in bio-chemisty
but the average wage of dieticians is half
that of a chemist employed in industry.

Coat

White collar and clerical jobs absorb
the largest number of working women. Again
very few women a e unionized, and they are
encouraged to see themselves as somehow
superior to factory workers. There are
special constraints on these workers;
secretaries and receptionists are expected to be attractive and pleasant as
well as efficient at their jobs.
Their
"uniforms" are paid for out of their
paychecks. They often serve a role not
unlike that of a wife to "tensionmanage" for her boss, serve the coffee,
_flirt with the customers, and even sometimes to work overtime for no extra pay.

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�There are fewer jobs for women than
women who wish jobs. Because many of the
jobs held by women require little specific
on the job training industry can profitably sustain a high turnover rate and does
not need to provide those services and
benefits which would in fact make employ-

IIF YOU THINK WEVE COME A LONG WAY
=HOW ABOUT THE 45 YEAR OLD WOMAN
WITH NINE CHILDREN WHO APPROACHED
HER DOCTOR FOR A TUBAL LIGATION
;AND WAS REFUSED BECAUSE HER HUSBAND
WOULD NOT SIGN THE CONSENTING
PA PEPS

Master-Servant

an equal opportunity for women. Few
jobs provide security_ when women are
Lack of maternity
'pregnant they leave.
benefits means women have no assurance
that their jobs will be available when
they need them, and they lose security
rights, Neither the'state nor the employer
provides day care. Women with children
face the choice of expensive private daycare centres whose cost is not deductible
from their taxable incomes,
or leaving
their children with a friend or woman who
"looks after" children in her home. In
this case, the tax is not just financial.
The psycholigical tolls of guilt, worry
that the child is improperly cared for and
strictures against being an unfit mother
are harsh. There are thousands of women
who are heads of families.
any of these
are forced to accept the degradation of
the welfare system because clothes, carfare and day-care take most of their small
paychecks.
Any women who works must perform two
jobs: that which constitutes her employment, and all the housework and most of
the child-care which constitutes production
within the home.
4*******************

WOMEN'S BUREAU._ CANADA DEPARTMENT
OF LABOUR CELEBRATED ITS 20th
ANNIVERSARY.,
Sept. 7,1974

Marion ROyce 73 and still active, was
the first director. Today Ms Royce
still transmits her interest in the
situation of women at work, and her
concern for women and girls who are
still going into traditional female
occupations.
"WE CANT'T GIVE UP". "This is one
problem that we just cant
give up
on.
I don't think people should be
pushed into one thing or another but the
the economic emancipation of women
is really most important."
"There is also a kind of freedom that
goes beyond economic emancipation and
what I wish most for women more than
anything else is that we can move out
of our narrow outlook and face other
issues, give leadership in other areas.
This kind of emancipation will happen
when women feel more secure as
individuals.
Then they can go beyond
themselves",

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�LETTERS

November 2/74
For all those responsible for
'The Northern Woman'
Thank you for a newsletter
that's becoming better every
issue. Although I don't always
agree with everything, its
good to know that women are
honestly and usually painfully
struggling to discover what's
real in human existence, And
we need a paper to communicate
these struggles or it's all
rather incestuous and useless!
Thank you.
C. Kouhi.

To the Editor:
Re: Abortion Controversy
In my opinion, it is a relatively
painless task for male "pro-life"
advocates to moralize about the evils
of abortion, while resting in the warmth
and security of philosophical armchairs-and all the more so--when they simultaneously uphold and practice the somewhat
outdated, yet still popular belief that
the nurturing and rearing of children is
the responsibility of women in our society
(commonly known as woman's work).
Contemporary records of court cases
dealing with paternal desertion and
certain sociological studies on the disintegration of the family tend to confirm
the prevalence of this notion, as well as
point to some of its serious ill-effects
upon the socio-economic organization of
the family. But in the light of these
facts, very little, if any mention., is
made by "pro-life" advocates (both male
and female) of the future "social" life
of the unborn fetus.
Certainly, social
environment, aside from that of the
uterine environment, must be considered as
an equally essential component of the
sustenance of human life.
The question of abortion, if it is
to have a sound basis of discussion, must
be transferred from the vague realm of
metaphysics to the "real" world of human
activity. Furthermore, not until men
begin to accept some basic responsibilities (aside from the traditional provision
of financial support) in the rearing of
children, should they have any say whatsoever, concerning the abortion question.
But the decision as to whether or not to
abort must always, and rightfully so
belong to women in society. In my opi.:
this point requires no further elaboration.
Brenda Colborne
Argus October 30, 1974

"IF A WOMAN GROWS WEARY AND AT
LAST DIES FROM CHILDBEARING IT
MATTERS NOT. LET HER DIE FROM
BEARING SHE IS THERE TO DO IT,"
Otto Lan ? Wron Martin Luther

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�December/74

.31.

Dear Sisters :-

women's issue from equal-pay-for-equalUp until now your newsletter has dealt with every
All of these struggles and issues deal with very real
work to rape to abortion-on-demand.
The one issue which, in a year of
problems of women fighting the male establishment.
Lesbianism.
publication of the Northern Woman, hasn't been discussed at all.is
for all women. It also means
Women's Liberation means freedom for all women, equality
self-determination. In Thunder
bodies
and
therefore,
sexual
striving for control of our own
(align themselves with the Women's
Bay there is a sizeable gay population who refuse to
The
Centre
because
they
feel
it is too dominated by men.
Movement or the Northern Women's
been and are totally
Northern Women's Centre and the Northern Woman Newsletter have
There
are other alternatives.
orientated towards working out man/woman relationships.
dealt
with
was
when a gay woman was invited
The only time it was
Lesbianism is one of them.
The turn-out from my understanding was very
to speak at a meeting of the Women's Centre.
of the meetings which drew a very large attendance.
large. In fact, it was apparently one
people present to hear about Lesbianiam
One wonders the reason for this - were all these
information to a lot of myths; were they there to investigate
and. to get some factual
they there, out of sen"sisterhood" and see if they had any gay tendancies; or were
(step right up, folks!)? Whatever the
sationalism, to see and hear a real live Lesbian
and the woman who spoke at that meeting,
reason, Lesbianism hasn't been brought up since
her sisters for real liberation from
instead of returning to Women's Centre to work with
Liberation meetings at the
sex-stereotyped roles, had to turn to (male-dominated) Gay
they could no
Thunder Bay has since been dropped as
university. The Gay Lib movement in
used to hang around. the door to try
longer contend with the people at the University who
What is her alternative now? The only place in Thunder
to get in and see "those queers".
consistently being hassled by straight
Bay for gay people to meet is a bar which is
people looking for a fight--or a sideshow.

Northern Women's Centre can start working
Surely, in women's struggle for equality, the
burden in this male-dominated society- with and for Lesbians who happen to hold a double
Bay
Don't pretend Lesbianism doesn't exist in Thunder
one of women who love other women.
the
Give your gay sisters a chance to come out of
and the Northern Women's Centre.
involved
in
the
dayWhen a woman isn't always
closet --let them know you support them.
to devote
she
has
a
lot
more
energy
to-day power struggle of working and living with men
to the Movement--Support her!
A (Lesbian) sister.

Dear Sister :-

We agree with you that much much more
Your letter was welcomed at the Women's Centre.
Our newsletter does deal with many
could be done in terms of supporting our gay sisters. problems do relate to male/female
problems that relate to women and, yes, many of those
problems directly relate to
relationships BUT most important we realize that those same
forced to live under. In other words
the type of system in which both man and women are
oppression. I do not agree
man's oppression of woman is simply a symptom of people's
by men coley because some women are struggling
that the Women's Centre is too dominated.
Not all women find their
to come to terms and improve their woman/man relationships.
There are many many women who do not desire to
solutions in women /woman relationships.
seeking to make them more
separate themselves from their man/woman relationships and are

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�32loving and understanding.
Sisterhood must go together with Brotherhood if we ever hope to
achieve the type of society based on true equality which we are striving for. If this
does not happen then we are simply perpetuating a 'Male Sex-role approach' that is, excluding the other half of the population just as men have done to women for so very very
long. 'Real Liberation' means to me much more than loving other women sexually, as you
implied. We do not agree with the fact that women may have come to hear our lesbian sister
for 'sensationalism'.
Women came with a sincere need to now more about lesbianism in
an effort to bring about a deeper understanding and feeling of true sisterhood. The woman
who spoke that evening on lesbianism was welcomed and loved by the women present. All
the women left with a much deeper understanding and feeling of true sisterhood.
The women left with a much deeper understanding of what it means to be a. gay woman and a
feeling of warmth and acceptance of pay sisters dominated. the evening. If that did. not
come across to our gay sister that evening then we are truly sorry.

If the Northern Women's Centre is not meeting the needs of our gay sisters that is only
because we need your help. We certainly are not pretending that lesbianism does not
exist in Thunder Bay or the Northern Women's Centre but we are not able to support nameless
people. You signed your letter a (Lesbian)Sister...well, who are you? If you want the
Women's Centre to help our gay sisters to come out of the closet you, at the same time,
have to give us something to work with. That we would like to work with is YOU. So come
on out...get to know us...let us get to know you and, most important, let's work together
to make this world a better place for all people to live in.
In strength and Sisterhood
Estella Friedlander
....1MINN.

Because she's a woman

.1

OWIDOIN

41,4NNOMININ

.10010....

1 Dear Sister:

she doesn't try to change me

late and I were really pleased to

she knows and understand a woman's ways;

receive your letter and would like to meet

I feel so free

with you soon.

to be what she sees in me

or many women,feelingsof lesbian-

it's so easy to be her lover

ism or bi-sexuality are unexplored or un'

because she's a woman.

resolved, and so there has been no em-

phasic put on this subject, both practically
If you want higher consciousness

1

I'll tell you what to do

We, then, cannot apologize but your

you got to talk to a woman

letter did prompt some of usllook inside

get her to talk to you

ourselves a little and we need the input

you got to build you a union and
make it strong

from our lesbian sisters.
1

Please contact us and we will discuss

and if we all stick together
girls it won't be long...

or philosophically.

this further.
1

Above from the albumAavender

Letters can prove to be

rather impotent and impersonal when dealing with our sexuality.

Jane Loves 'Women, Women's TAisic

Network, Women's Wax Works, 1974

Valerie Packota
1

George PDFCompressor
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of CVISION

�A Woman's
Piece

4...

is in the House

WOMEN IN POLITICS
There is a tendency on the part of some

people campaigning for office to think that
a change in political party's will result in

such things as an end to inflation, reduced
taxes and equality for women while still oper-

ating under the same economic and social
system.

As with inflation and taxes, true

possible to go any farther as the cost is pro-

equality for women cannot come under the
present system.

under the present setup, it is virtually im-

hibitive.

Traditional political

If the money were to continue to

parties are unable to implement the kinds of

come from the taxpayer, then yes it would be

legislation which would produce any fund-

prohibitive but in fact the money and the

amental changes.

At best they can provide

trained labour power do exist.

The problem is

only surface variations on the same theme.

they are unavailable under the present

This is because any meaningful changes would

system where the greatest part of this

have to come about through a change in social-

country's wealth is concentrated in the

ization processes, educational systems, mass

hands of a very few.

media and family structure.

have the money which could pay for the

For example, legislation exists which

The corporations

services of trained childcare workers

says equal pay must be given for equal work

who are presently unemployed and for more

but in practice this is not always so.

machinery for enforcing the law is inedequate.

adequate facilities. Unfortunately, even
if adequate child-care facilities were

There are ways to get around it such as chang-

instigated the problems are not over.

ing job classifications so that a woman doing

freeing women from the burden of sole re-

the same job as a man is given a different

sponsibility for child-care, we would be

title and lower wages.

freeing them to take a greater part in

The

Also, women are not

However, under our present

socialized to strive for higher positions

production.

and are generally encouraged to be content

economic setup there are no jobs avail-

with their role as secondary labour.

able.

An example of how true equality cannot
come under the present system is shown by the

By

Women are in fact unable to take

an equal part in anything except unemployment.

eoutfit

lack of universal, free, 24 hour day care
facilities.

The provincial

gov't states

that while they will make slight improvements

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�Basically there are two major pro-

Our only hope as women to gain a trul;

blems related to the present political

equal place in society for all women is to

set up A) those parties which are in

fight for fundamental changes in the ec-

power either directly refuse changes

onomic, social and political setup and not

which would affect the status quo or

be content with partial or token responses

because they must work within the bound-

to our demands.

aries set by the monoply corporations
they can only introduce token, reformist

legislation which has no other purpose
than to placate the people and make them
think a real change has taken place. B)
those parties which say they do want to

make real changes find out that these are
virtually impossible under our present
system.

For example, in Manitoba a bill

was passed which stated that something
like 50% of the civil service should be
women--including executive positions.

This has however at present proved to be
an impossible task because of our socialization process which still conditions
women into secondary roles behind the typewriter or in the cafeteria.

The women power

is just not available to fill the ranks and
as a result, the legislation is impotent,
or "all show and no go".

What would have to

be done would be to provide the necessary
upgrading skills and change salary brackets
as an immediate stop gap measure,

On a long

term basis, restructuring the educational

system making provisions for socialization
of child-care and housework would help to
change the present role women are forced to
play in our society.

"I HAVE MET BRAVE WOMEN WHC Aix; x
EXPLORING THE OUTER EDGE OF
HUMAN POSSIBILITY, WITH NO
HISTORY TO GUIDE THEM, AND WA
COURAGE TO MAKE THEMSELVES
VULNERABLE THAT I FIND MOVING
BEYOND THE WORDS TO EXPRESS IT
Gloria Steinem

-11

Lbsaarromearrawarrammeer......senorwerwasegar......1~,

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�ffi

WOMEN &amp; BUSINESS
Some Conclueions by Erna
Paris Chatelaine Nov. 1974

dare to pursue an independent life.
Even if we have to work, as do a
quarter of a million of us who
are deserted, separated or
divorced, we may still feel guilty.
Yet in some elementary way,
and perhaps this conditioned guilt
factor, we haven't overcome the
very first hurdles to equality
at. work.
They are:
1)
General access to good day car_
that will relieve a working mother
and not upset her.
2)
Birth control information and
devices, Especially for the poor.
The availability of abortion as
a release clause from accidental,
unwanted pregnancy so that the extraordinary human experience of
parenting becomes a voluntary and
deeply wished-for-happening.
Legislating equal rights without meeting these conditions is like
dabbing powder over a pimple.
Sooner or later it will reapperar,
redder and sorer for having been
abused.

For the record, it appears that
three million of us have some or all
of the following in common:
1)
"Women's work" such as clerical
work, nursing, social Work, teaching, and child care Etill moans
automatic low status and low pay.
2)
When men and women do similar
work the men are almost always
paid more than the women.
3)
Canadian women do not have equal
opportunity at work.
Ve are passed
over for promotions. We train the
very men who become our supervisors.
4)
We have equal pay laws in this
country, but they don't work, rf
we do break nto management we
rarely reach the middle levels where
reel decision-making power begins.
5)
One out of every three of us does
clerical work, but we're not org enized and we have no bargaining power.
6)
Assumptions are made about us to
our great disadvantage. It is
assumed that we will not relocate,
"AS LONG AS THE REAL POWER IN THE BELL
so no one bothers to ask us. It
TELEPHONE COMPANY IS WHITE AND MALE AM
is assumed that we hill drop out of
NOT CALL IT PA BELL."
the work force perranently when we
marry or start a family. It is
assumed that we are too illogical
and emotional to handle the tough
nitty-gritty of daily business.
It is assumed that we lack Strength,
persona
erection and ambition.
Some of these assumptions may
be true for some women. But when
individuality is ignored and judgments are made on the basis of sc.':
alone, the result is out- andout
discrimination.
7)
We've read the B ble and gone
to church and studied Freud too,
and not unnaturally some of picked
up the dea that we didn't really
measure up to men.
Somewhere along
the way the biological ability to
bear children was expanded into a
"biological suitability" for
serving and taking care of everyone
else's basic needs. 'So when we
want for ourselves, we often feel
guilty.
If we're
mothers,
we may
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feel like ogres if we do not give
if 4,11

�PAM MEADY: 'PAPERPERSON1

PAM MEADY, 13 year old paperperson for the Chronicle Journal,
seems to have it'all together' at
a very young age.
Pam was offended and angered by a
newspaper ad which was directed to
paperboys. The ad said paperboys
grew up to be prime ministers and
great lawyers. No mention of girls:
Pam says 'Well, watch for me to pop
up as the first woman Prime Minister
or at least get into politics or law."
Pam is a very aware young person who
realizes "girls have to be better
than boys because when a girl makes
a mistake cr doesn't do a good job,
then people will get down on all
girls - so we try harder."
She is also very busy putting her
awareness to work. She increased
her paper route from 80 to 107 customers in just a short time. One
carrierwoman
we'vestates
had in'she
25 years.'
elderly
is the best
Pam is a junior leader in Brownies,
plays the violin and guitar and is a
member of the senior orchestra. She
crochets and knits, has 21 pen-pals
around the world and is an avid
scientist. She recently won an
honourable mention at the science
fair in Calgary.

Tow does she feel about boys? "1
('She'd
like them as people."
better--she might need their vote
one day' says the Chronicle-Journal)*
Pam was always out when 'The Northern
Woman' tried to contact her but,
during a brief conversation with her
mcther, we learned she also is an avid
reader (could some literature be by
feminists?) and also gives her male
teacher a hard time (trying to raise
his conscicusness perhaps). Her big
desire, thou h, is to make sure women
get more recoznition in this male"Women have been
dominated. world.
lower-class creatures; it's time they
got up in the world."

*Our observation of the

.1.e-

Jourria.1 7tatement is that a
women who are now eligible to vet -

are not taken 16-8-, seriously by
politicians and we should be mor
aware of thie attitude. Thee nee
our vote. :., united vote J.
people concerned about women's
issues is the only power we now
have. Let's use et, and encouryoung women like Pam to take an
interest in becoming politically
in

rThe Northern Woman' wirhes you luck,
Pam, in any and all endeavours of your
choice.
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�Many women are disappointed that the Women's Studies Course will NOT be a
fcredit course. Are they not important enough???Are they in fact courses
designed to keep those 'silly' women busy...give them e hobby. For example;
the Herstory of Women is one to be proud of sisters....but how proud is the
college???Obviously not proud enough to give the course 'respectability'
by awarding it credit. How sincere is the college in recognizing women's
role in herstory. Would you be more willing to take such a course if you
were awarded a credit? If so, contact the Women's Centre by letter or
contact Ms. R. Cunningham, Director Women's Studies, Confederation COTIege.
LETS JUST SEE WHERE THE COLLEGE REALLY STANDS IN RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTION
DE BY WOMEN.

A-

114 litIDERCLAP 4tc

To Ruth Cunningham for her
recent appointment to the
Ontario Status of Women
Council. Ma. Cunningham is
Director of Women's Programs
at Confederation College and
replaces William Saskoley of
Dryden.

Did zou know that our CHILDREN'S
1 Room is now available for use???
IThe hours have tentatively been
set from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
1 to 5:30 p.m.

UNDE ikboLl

--

To Gloria Moody for her
"impression" (Lakehead Living)
Nov. 6 of "Lakehead Ladies".
Gloria if you feel the need
to do something more worthwhile than pursue your "natural
fashion competiveness; come
and see us.

(Monday through Satvday)

If your child/children have use for
Ithe room now, please call a day in
/advance to Alison Tett (Children's
tRoom Coordinator) ® 623-3107
623-392_5
or Helen Halet @ 623-8411

oroargawb

EIVExT

For those interested in using the
°Al iI I
room, a general meetin will be
AN.
8,
in
TAN.
held at 8 p.m., WED.,
1
Centre. (Tile
Northern Wamen's to
WorvIE
share
ideas
on
purpose will be
Hi child-care-cooperative among
y Erg
parents, needs, etc.).
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tinirERN

Lv---,

�NEWS I
Womer File
We are attempting to set up a
womanpower file to assist us in
alleviating some of the
problems we are encountering,
at your women's centre. We
know that many of you cannot
volunteer your time in helping
to staff the centre BUT we also
realize that you may have
other resources that you would
be willing to contribute if
given the chance to do so.

On Saturday the 23rd of
November we of the Women's
Centre held workshops in
order to aid us to help
you more effectively. We
had many very good resource
women here and they spoke
on a number of very important facets of counselling
and different contact places
where we can refer to if
the need arises.
Among the workshops that we
experienced were those of:

Women and the Law---Mary Tomlinson
Crisis Councelling---Estella Friedlander

Welfare Rights--

--Dawn St. Amend
Community Resources---Margaret Phillips
Birth Control and Pregnancy Councelling---

--Eve Pykerman

Some of the immediate crisis
situations that arise which we
cannot contend with are:
1) transportation. Do you have
a car at your disposal?
2) one night housing assistance
3) help in the children's playroom.
4) care for a child in your
home, for a woman in a crisis
situation
Some of the resources we have
already compiled are women who
can:

--provide counselling
--do crafts
e --type and own a typewriter

--pmevide real estate information

-- provide legal information
--eindex and operate the library

We also have women who can
speak and provide information
on the women's movement, rape
crisis, sex-role stereotyping
and the health collective.
We need, and we all can benefit
from, any services you may have
Call and leave your name and
number for the
File"
623-3107

All in all it was a very
succeesfull afternoon and
much was shared and learned
by
everyone
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�Editorial

cont'd

Much of the material for the foregoing has been
unabashedly
fted from a publication called Women at Work in
Nova
Scotia which
los produced by the Halifax Women'T-Bureau, Irii=i7e7=
a
similar publication can be produced for Northwestern
Ontario;
as
part of our International Women's Year project.
In summary, the Women's Bureau article states that
many of
the problems are not unique to women,
The struggle to live on
salaries which buy less every day, to find jobs when
unemployment
is constantly growing and tc find satisfaction
in
jobs
which use
only a fraction of our skills, are problems faced
by both women
and men. But these problems
are further complicated by men who
still fight to maintain the small privileges
now have over
womene They may refuse to su -ort the demandsthey
of women for equal
pay, not realizing that a solid 8.2lance of workers
could win
higher wages for all, and keep one group from being played
off
against the other,
A recent example in the news pointed
civil servants in Ontario were prepared to
against the Davis Government: a setdement
not include a positive step being taken to
discrimination against women

out that while the
strike for their demands
was reached which did
eliminate wage

In the civil service, women (who are called seamstressoss)
who sew women's clothing are paid lens than men (who
are called
tailors) who sew men's clothing_ because
they perform "different
jobs",

In addit7_on men may refuse to take
responsibility for
housework, or to press for day cane, believing
that these are not
their areas of concern,
Only when the wcking class movement as
a whole takes up the struggle for women's rights
can important
progress be made toward building the unity necessary
ive women's liberation movement and improved working for an effectall.
By keeping the struggle divided, it leaves both conditions for
gr aps
powerless against that which really controls
usthe
drive
for profit,
Year after year, we fight for higher
wages
only
to
have
them
taken
back th-cugh increased costs
food and rent, We need decent
housing, healthy food and spacie'for recreation,
but these are not
available to all of us because they are not
profitable enough.
All of these are manifestations of
a system which creates
problems that cannot be resolved until the
interests of the working
people and the goals of society are ono,
But
building a new
social order will not automatically eliminate the
problems of women,
although women's oppression would no longer be
a
key
to profit, and
this would help to create the conditions
necessary
for
the true
liberation of women.
1,1411

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�NEWSLETTER NEWS
It will be two years in April we have
sent out a newsletter to interested
women and men. It was put out by a
relatively small group of people. But
as our membership and enthusiasm grows
and as our awareness increases " of the
needs of women to know what is gibing on
in the world of women's issues, it has
become clear that we need the support of
more,of our readers. You can help in
many ways. FIRST: GET THE NEWSLETTER..
SUBSCRIBE FOR $2.00 a year. (16, bargain
when you consider the price of postage
and papell Please let us know of any
change of address or if you don't wish
to receive it any longer.
FILL OUT THE
?ORM AND SEND IT IN NOW If you don't
have the $2.00 tha$ okay, but send in
your name. SECOND: Read the newsletter
and tell us what you think. Call the
office 623-3107 or write a note. Don't
just sit back and fume about something
you read in the newsletter, share your
feelings. THIRD: Every woman is living
every day (whether you realize it or not)
the issues that the women's movement
talks about--so tell us about what it's
like working where you work, how it feels
to be a young mother, a single parent,
a student or an older woman in Thunder
Bay (or wherever and whoever you are.)

We can't learn about each other and our
world unless we talk about it. So let's
use the newletter as a convenient way to
get together. Nobody has to be an expert
nobody is. But among us all we can find
ways to say what we want to say.

L1S4YLn: W"KT

Ott

Y OtJ sikY

SuascRIB

C

SVMCN/PI/ON5 !!
*

*

*

d 4ET mil:

Enclosed please fin

4

;:,"2.00 ('.,5.00 for institutions) for my

subscription to 'The ik1011THERN tau/JAN..

.

11"1

"F4
4

NAME (Please print)
4

ADDRESS:

PHONE NO:

NEW SUBSCRIPTION

a

4
4
*
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�NEXT ISSUE

3 0 Y C 0 T T

(GIRLCOTT?)

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S
YEAR

CALIPORNIA LETTUCE &amp;
GRAPES
KRAFT..
FIRESTONE ...ANGOLAN
COFFEE
POSTAL CODE

DPAELINE FOR PRTICLES:
JAN. 31/75

Our Newsletter
fund is newly depleted.
Please send in your $2.00
Subscription SOON
DOrATIONS WELCOME ALSO.
NOTE:

People who did
this issue:
LINDA
NOREEN
DORrEN
GEORGINA
fiLISON

"HAPPY

19 7 5

SIST-rf.ES"

RATE,

ESTELLA

27,
Cv.-N,p7

/-

plaavv4,0,46-1&gt;VoksoakkAVu

..rtrau 0 ku.

0 ISO
.0

ULX04.\-.)ON

sytiDc,)
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�</text>
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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. &#13;
&#13;
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. &#13;
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                <text>Vol. 1, No. 14 (November 1974)&#13;
Title: The Northern Woman: Working Women&#13;
&#13;
Topics include:&#13;
Herstory (October &amp; November 1974)&#13;
Housework Politics&#13;
Economy &amp; Value/Worth of Housework&#13;
Local Announcements &amp; Events&#13;
Low-wage Women’s Work&#13;
Formal Division of Labour &amp; Its Value&#13;
Working Conditions&#13;
Women’s Studies (Confederation College)&#13;
Working Women &amp; Women’s Liberation&#13;
Book Reviews&#13;
Status of Working Women&#13;
Comics&#13;
Equal Opportunity for Women&#13;
Women’s Bureau, Department of Labour&#13;
Letters to the Editor&#13;
Lesbian Equality&#13;
Women in Politics&#13;
Legislation for Working Women&#13;
 &#13;
Authors/Contributors:&#13;
C. Kouhi&#13;
Brenda Colborne&#13;
Estella Friedlander&#13;
Valeria Packota&#13;
Erna Paris</text>
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s
k.)444)00VL.

t,

'1"14

r\

&amp;r.
f),7

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�AM
I am a deep river

bedded on rock
who knows what
subterranean streams

have kept me undiminished
what magic filters

of the soul still keeps me loving

Infinite and Indestructable
I hold the seed
of the world

in my rebellious Belly
only I know
the strength of the destroyer

that sleeps in eyxcurrents

only I know how
much I would risk
for a calculated Inch

written by Gert Beadle
(for the International Women's Year
Planning Seminar, November 1974)

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�EDITORIAL

...It was at an international meeting of women in 1971
held in Berlin that the idea of International Women's
Year was conceived. It was decided to bring the proposal to the United Nations. This proposal met with
favour and at the twenty-seventh session of the General
Assembly, it was brought to fruition.
1975 was proclaimed International Women's Year based on the theme
Equality, Development and Peace. The machinery to
mark this important event has now been set in motion
in most areas of the world. Locally the recognition
for starting this work must go to Ruth Cunningham of
Confederation College and some of the women of the
Northern Women's Centre.

I think it is fair to say that having the United
Nations act on International Women's Year was a great
victory for women everywhere. It recognizes the
tremendous contribution women have made to the development and advancement of humanity throughout the
centuries. At the same time it provides an opportunity for womenthroughout the world to step up
work to put an end to the e.xploitation of women and
the discrimination and prejudice against us which still
exists in many areas of the world.
International Women's Year .should be considered the
beginning of a decade of intensified activities to
}bring equality to women. We hope that 1975, as women..
work together everywhere, will help all of us to see
OUT problems more clearly and make each of us more
conscious of the role we can play in this common
struggle.

...We cen see at once that the theme of Equality,
Development end Peace allows for a wide range in
reference to issues which can be covered in discussion,
covered by resolutions, and around which projects
may be planned.

Many issues have already been raised by women.
Among the most urgent are equal pay for work of equal
value, adequate daycare, the rising costs of all commodities which, are seriously eroding the quality of
life, the lack of proper housing in many areas, etc.,
etc.
All these matters and many more are of great
concern to women everywhere.

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�2_

We would urge that we do not allow ourselves to
be sidetracked. That we do not "run off in all
directions at once"- as someone once said, but rather,
that we enter into serious discuesion, put forth
so that together we might come
serious propositiY
up with a sound program which will cepture the imagination of the women of the region. We believe that we
have here in North=sestern Ontario a unique opportunity to make 1975 a milestone in the struggle for
equality for women and at the same time lesve a legacy for those who come after and who, hopefully, will
drive some benefit from our efforts.

We must not allow International Women's Year to
Every project must carry within it the
be wasted.
kernel which will add something to the struggle for
ae must not allow ourselves to
equality for women.
be directed into areas which will not- and I underscore will not- contribute anything to this cause.
There are subtle- and some not so subtle- suggestions
coming down from the superstructure which have already been imposed on women regarding International
Women's Year without women h'eving been consulted.
These must be probed and challenged, accepted or reIf we accept without question all decisions
jected.
of
which have already been made for us ie. setting up
type
the
budget,
deciding
whet
the budget, alloting
of activities will get a major portion of funds
aveilable, hiring of an advertisitng agencey to do
the publicity, etc., etc.
If we submit to this type of treetment without
protest, we will ourselves be helping to perpetuate
the paternalistic attitude towards women which we
profess to be fighting against. I conclude with n
parody of a widely used edvertisitnr slogan:
By gosh, the time is right!"

(This is the text of Micky Murray's introductory
speech at the International Women's Year Seminar,
November 29, 30, and December 1 held in Thunder
Bay 1974)
THE OFFICIAL UN EMBLEM FOR IWY

A dove for peace,
biological symbol
for women, and
mathematical sign
for equality.

The work of Valerie
Pettis, New York
graphic designer.

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�HER/TORY
DECEMBER
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR planning seminar for Northwestern Ontario was held at
Confederation College and the NORTHERN WOMEN'S CENTRE for the purpose of discussing
and planning joint projects for the women of Northwestern Ont. for International
/omen's Year (IWY). Twenty-six resolutions were passed. Thunder Bay, 1974
Mayor Jane Bigelow won re-election to a second consecutive term, defeating three
opponents. London, Ont. 1974
*AMAMI. WU'

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal has upheld a Court of 'queen's Bench ruling that rape
victims are not obliged to answer questions regarding previous sexual relations.
oegina, 1974

3

ulas*rw.grAstvwe

an-wil. as.

OW1110t0e09.1,

The Toronto Women's Yellow Pages, a non-profit directory selling for $2.00, lists how
to find a special woman.
Women in trades, crafts, professions, businesses, arts and
non-traditional as well as traditional fields are listed for the many people willing
to employ qualified women, but have difficulty locating them. The small yellow booklet also includes services and organizations directly related to women. Toronto, 1974

c

Susanna Moodie, author of Roughing It In The Bush, a record of her early pioneer
experiences in Upper Canada, born, 1803

6

Senora Hortensia Allende, widow of Chile's late President Salvador Allende, has been
lecturing in Canada, urging Canada's government and Canadians to let the Chilean
political refugees come in. Toronto, 1973
Reginae Tait of Toronto, and Roseanne Sutherland of Sudbury, are the first lay women
among its benchers since its incorporation in 1822. Benchers have the power to disbar
or punish lawyers or refuse admission to the society.
1974

* Members of the House of Commons take home the report of the Royal Commission on the
:itatus of Women, Ottawa, 1970

6

7

3

Ianette M. Georgeson, first woman bank manager, was appointed manager of the TorontoThminion Bank, Victoria Ave. and North St. She is also the first woman manager in the
western division of Toronto-Dominion banks comprising of half of Ont., Manitoba and
(;askatchewan. Thunder Bay, 1974
Karen Magnussen voted top Canadian female athlete. 1973
Beryl Plumptre chosen Canada's most newsworthy woman. 1973

18

Deana Lee-Smith, first and only woman on the university of Toronto faculty of
architecture staff. In Canada, of 3,300 registered architects, only 63 are women.
Lee-Smith states women architects have the hardest time of all in North America-in the classroom, on the job site and in finding work. Toronto, 1973

19

Jan Tennant, first women to be seen reading the National News on ac.
new Tv show, The Fit Stop. Toronto, 1974

20

She also has

4Se Mat,

Mary Stewart, swimmer, is named Canada's woman athlete of the year, 1961

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�23

Margaret Trudeau was named as the CP woman of the year, 1974
I53abel le BoUrdais; author of The Trial of Stephen Truscott, named Woman of the Year
.ey Canadian Press women editors, 1966

The English translation of The Tin Flute by Gabrielle Roy is published, 1945

23
24

* Marlene Stewart Streit, golfer, is selected Canada's outstanding woman athlete 1963 26
Hon. Judy LaMarsh chosen Canada's most newsworthy woman of the year for the third
time, 1967
huth M. Cunningham, appointed to the newly formed position of director of women's
programs, The Confederation College of Applied Art and Technology, Thunder Bay, 1973

28

have
The first ten women, graduates of Armed Forces boot camp at CFB Cornwallis
elected to pioneer the entry of women into the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace
and Ordinance Engineering at Camp Borden, Ont. 1973
,

of
Suzanne Findlay has her job back as head of the women's program in the Secretary
vocally
State's Department after she appealed, and women's organizations supported her
members of
and in letters and telegrams to the Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers, and
people
-something
unheard
of
in
civil
Parliament. There was an audience of 100
service circles--when her appeal was heard.

31

* Credit to HEFSTORY published by the Saskatoon Women's Calendar
Collective (On sale at The Northern Women's Centre)

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�Womens Work Comes Alive in '75

International Women's Year, 1975, is the year when women
focus creatively and ambitiously on projects and issues that
are of special concern and importance to them. A seminar at
Confederation College held November 29,30 and December 1
on International Womes year (IWY) demonstrated the enthusiasm
and dedication of women in North-Western Ontario to a great variety of
projects and campaigns of interest to every woman.
Seventy- -five to one hundred women from numerous communities
in N. W. Ontario, rural areas and Thunder Bay representing
specific women's groups or associations of many political,
religious, ethnic and social backgrounds came together to
share information about the plans and hopes Oft N. W. O. women
and to provide information on existing or prospective national
and regional activities and resources. Out of the discussion
of the situation of women in N.W. Ontario- with its positive
side and problem areas defined - the delegates formulated
recommendations for N.W.O. women in 1975. These recommendations
were compiled into a list of twentyfive resolutions
that were presented, amended and voted upon during the final
session of the seminar. The delegates then committed themselves
to initiating certain projects that particularly
interested them.
A priority list of resolutions was compiled,
based on the number of women who will participate in the area
they specified as being the most important to them.
An "Information Caravan" is the project that most women
wanted to see materialine,-.This would travel throughout
N.W. Ontario, and include the following programs:
-educational informations i,e. on resources, speakers, contacts...
-research and studies informatoLon
-books in a library and for sale
-films

-information on employment practices, day care, birth control,
health care, legal aspects of marriage
- craft displays and general entertainment
Accemmedations for nnmen in crisis situations that would
provide a .warm and understanding atmosphere was a high priority
among the delegates at the seminan. Eighteen women indicated
that they want to create a travelling feminist theatre group,
for purposes of entertainment, culture and education.
Many women indicated that a program of political education
directed at women is necessar7, This would embody such subject
matter as party politics government structures and ideologies,
looking at all levels of government
This would also serve to
encourage women to get into politics, and support women in
running for office, and would be offered in all N. W. Ontario
communities.

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�Of speCial pertinence in this issue is another high
priority: a comprehensive study with respect to women and
This study would encompass the participation
work in N.W. Ontario.
reae of women in the work force, unions, wages, hours,working
conditions, day care,, unemployment and all other related
This information would be published as a report
aspects.
so that it could be available to all interested persons.
An information booklet listing films, books, resource people,
speakers etc. needs to be printed so that it can be used by the
individUal groups and organizations in Thunder Bay or surrounding
regions_
a
There are still more projects, such as establising
scholarship fund, researching into and developing sex education
classes in schools, writing a history of pioneer women in
I. W.; Ontario, that are areas in which any woman can participate.
Aside from project oriented resolutions though many
"campaign resolutions" that involve pressuring the government
to change some of its policies affecting women were passed.
These resolutions were mainly dealt with by telegrams to
appropriate government officials, stating our position on
such issues as abortion, the firing of Jue Findlay as director
of Women's Programs andday care.
A steering committee of'nineteen women, representing
most North-western Ontario communities, will co-ordinate
these projects that will be born during I.W.Y. Limited funding
is available for those projects needing it the most. Hopefully
the imagination and dedicatipn pf women whp participate in.
these projects will minimize expense and develop them in a
self-supporting way, independently of government influence.
The key to the success of the many exciting and challenging
prospects only now in the planning stages is YOUR participation.
We need all the womanpower possible to insure that all of
these worthwhile plans become reality to better the lives of
since the United Nations is so
women in N.W. Ontario.
generously granting one whole year for people to focus on the
status Of.51 of the World's population - women - we must act
now to prove that in 1976 that majority (Us!) will not be
overlooked, ignored or pacified.
Think about what you'd like to see happEin to improve
your situation, or broaden your horizons, or improve the .position of women in N.W. Ontario. Then communicate your ideas or
hopes cr intentions by phoning: "The Northern Women's Centre"
(807-622-3989 or Box 314 Thunder Bay 'F') or Helen Halet
(F.W. YMCA Thunder Bay 'F' or 623-8411). Let's make 1975 a year
in which women are recognized as an energetic and decisive
force for change
-- Georgina Garrett

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�AN

OPEN

LETTER

TO

SUCCESSFUL

I am speaking to all of you
who have 'made it' in a man's
world. I am speaking to the women
bank managers, and the women
doctors, and the women race car
drivers, and the women athletes,
and the women politicians, and
the women astronauts, and the
I am speaking
women scientists.
to all you women who have become
rich and successful and who are
saying things like 'I "m not a
women's libber" or "I made it so
any woman can' or "I believe in
femininity" or "I'm already
liberated."
I have a few things to say
to you that are very important.
First. You did not make it
You are where you are
alone.
today because of the hard work,
the sacrifice, the imprisonment
and death of thousands of women
before you. You owe your position
to the women who fought to liberate
you from corsets and long skirts
and fainting spells and the "the
curse" and legal non-existence, and
forced ignorance, and idlesness,
women's weakness" and a firm
and
belief that you are incapable of
doing a man's job. The women's
liberation movement is now new--it
has existed for hundreds of years,
and you are part of the first
generation to reap some of the
benefits gained by these brave
woman. Do not for ai this.
Second. Femininity is not the
issue. When women's liberation says
that platinum hair and pancake faces
and uplift brassieres and girdles
and giggles are the symbols of
women's oppression, we mean just
They are SYMBOLS; they are
that.
You
not the source of, oppression.
cannot eliminate fascism by banning
swastikas any more than you become
a fascist by wearing one. Swastikas
were a good luck symbol in many
Symbols are different
cultures.

WOMEN

In North
in different cultures.
America women do not wear veils.
We do not suggest for one minute
that a woman is liberated by going
is the
without a bra or makeup.
media that has made an issue of
these things--not us. Women's freedom
is not in any way dependent on how
we dress, despite what the liberated
fashion mongers would have us believe.
Third. Freedom is not the
same thing as being successful.
When you say you are liberated you
are saying that you do not experience
the normal prejudices of being a
Of course you don't. You
woman.
have made it in a man's world. But
it is still a man's world, and what
you call liberation will not be true
freedom until it is the right ofall
woman, not the privilege of a feW.
Women's liberation does not deal in
exceptions--we deal in averages.
And the average woman still faces
many prejudices in her everyday life.
You are not liberated until all woman
are liberated.

I

There are still a lot
Fourth.
of women who have gained nothing from
the long struggles of our foremothers.
They are poor women, Indian women,
Black women, immigrant women, working
class women, very young women,
very old women, lesbian women,
single mothers, insane women, and
"fallen women".
The Women's
Liberation movement is concerned
with continuing the flight for
women's freedom until all these
women share the security of a good
job, like the one you already have.
They too are working hard, under
adverse conditions and against
It is no wonder
increditble odds.
that women like you are still the
minority. We want to keep on
fighting against prejudice and
ignorance, at whatever cost, until
condtions are equalized for all
women and men.
This is what

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�Women's Liberation is all about.

boo

Fifth. When you say that
you do not support women's
liberation, you are standing in
the way of these impotent
advances, and negating the
advances that have already been
made.
You are taking advantage
of a good thing and forgetting
to give credit where it is due.
You are not really a self-made
woman.
Remember this.
Sixth. As a woman who has
made it" you are in a position
to do a lot of good.
You have
money that could go to help the
women's movement. You have a
hungry press waiting for your
pronouncements on anything and
everything. This is a plea to
yoU to understand the importance
of the women's movement. To read
some books and look at it objectively before you pass judgement
publicly. To speak with women
who work for women's liberation
and consider what they are
saying.
Times are changing and
nothing we can do can hold them
back
So instead we must start
taking control of some of the
chancres, and do so responsibly
by thinking beyond our own
lives and our own small circles
and our own selfish needs.
Women will move ahead with or
without your help.
History
has shown that this is inevitable.
But how much smoother, how much
less violent, how much easier
these changes would be if you
would help them.
Think about it.

review

THE LACE GHETTO
Nunes, Maxine,and
aTENE7White: Vioronto New Press, 1972

11

.

-

Slick ad copy--"Keep her where she
belongs.." or porno flicks -- "Hips
and tits" it's all the same in the
Lace Ghetto.
An overview of reasons for the women's
movement, "The Lace Ghetto" shows
brutal shards of truth in nine major
,areas, including CR. You cannot
help but be moved by this showcaSe
of ignorance and heartbreak.
Deprecating advertisements, cartoons,
selected quotes, the "hidden persuaders" that distort women's
value, are naked on the pages-- shown
for what they are--along with transcribed discussions, that show what
they have done.
The authors do not seek to liberate
women Into the roles that men now
play and they also recognize that
freedom will be a new, and possibly
frightening, burden. Perhaps books
like theirs will make women courageous enough to risk the bearing of
it.

Lace Ghetto is a highly emotional
book, and is also easy and fast reading ideal for newcomers, and rejuvenating to those who have begun
to feel that 'what4s-it-all-fort-anyhow,-I'm-just-knocking-my-headagainst-a-stone-wall'
syndrome.
M.L.

Sincerely,

Judy Rain
(Canadian Woman's Paper
The Other Woman)

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�WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED AT TEE WOMEN'S CENTRE MEETINGS
..._

.

.

Jan 2, 1975 Women in Cuban Society, Speaker Georgina Garrett, who was a
visitor to Cuba recently
Jan 9

Open House held at Confederation College to discuss Women's
Studies Program -

Jan. 16

The Mentally Retarded. Spaaaera Norma Sheridan and Marion
Babcock.

Jan. 23

Special moetlng on "A Women's Right to Choose.

Jan '10

Rape. Speaker Debra Lewis of the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre.

Feb. 6

Micky Murry on history of international Women's Day.
Brainstorming on that should be included in an international
Women's Day Program for March 8, 1975

*********.1-t.****-*********************
Thurplunitsht meetial
The regular Thursday night
meetings at the Northern
Women's Centre will concentrate on organizing an
International Women's
Day Program up until March
'8.
We need Woman owerl
Please come ou
ecause
this special day needs all
the support and attention
it can get.
!ach Thursdays
8 pm
Northern Women's Centre
Planning for Internatioal
Women's Day, March 8, 1975
followed by informal
socialising.
SE

you there.

STUDY GROUP
A couple of people have expressed interest in joining a. study group.
The purpose of the group is to get together women Who would like to
learn more about the women's movement and make friends at the same
time.
So far I have visuali:ed that the group would meet every week
or two to discuss a book that one person has read with a different
Person being responsible for having read a book at each meeting.
The
person would describe the book and relate what things in the book
related to her and What things she did or didn't like about it.
Hopefully this would attmulatc conversation around each person's feelings
about the boo. Any suggestions are welcome.
If you are interested or know anyone who is please leave a name and
phone number and an indication of which day or evening is best.
I
have the list,
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�CONTACT PEOPLE FOR THE FOLLOWING

.NINE PRIORITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR

RESOLUTION #1

Information Caravan

Liz Jobbitt
939-2057

RESOLUTION #2

Crisis Housing

Estelle Friedlander
622-3989 (days)
Marg Lanchok
887-3343 (Nipigon)

RESOLUTION #3

Theatre

Kate George
Georgina Garrett
622-3989 (days)

RESOLUTION #4

Political Education

Bernice Cain
597-4523 (Atikokan)

RESOLUTION #5

Information Booklet

RESOLUTION #6

Working Women's Study

Shellie Wisner
344-6949 or
577-7707

RESOLUTION #7

Scholarship

Audie Williamson
344-4566

RESOLUTION #8

Sex Education

Shellie Wisner
344-6949

RESOLUTION #9

History of Pioneer Women

MAILING

Mickey Murray
344-4562

ADDRESS

'Northwestern Ontario International Women's Year Council
P. O. Box 314
Thunder Bay 'F', Ontario

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�RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT THE NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR SEMINAR

Held at Confederation College
and the
Northern Women's Centre
the weekend of
December 1st, 1974

ASOLUTION #1
e it resolved that a co-ordinating council
1:e formed to gather and dispense information
d have the responsibility for co-ordinating
oint or individual projects for Northwestern
dtario.
d further that the members of this council
ill represent all of Northwestern Ontario.
.d that the members of this council be
olunteers from, or elected by this conference.
nd that this council should apply for funding
or administration, travel and other expenses.
d that this council be called "the Northestern Ontario International Women's Year
'ouncil".

RESOLUTION #2

be it resolved that an Information
Caravan be formed to travel throughout
Northwestern Ontario.
and further that the following programs
be included with the caravan.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)

(g)
(h)
(i)
(i)
(k)

(1)
(m)
(n)
(o)

(p)
(q)
(r)

research and studies information
educational information i.e. on
resources, speakers, contacts
books be available for sale
films

workshops of different issues to
be formed
include a permanent library collection
include information on Family and
Property Law
general entertainment for and by
women
information on sex-role sterotyping
in family and educational institutions
information on employment practices
information on the formation of
consciousness raising groups
information on day care
information on birth control and
natural birth
information on mental and health4care
information on "growing old" and
problems that surround this phenomenon
information on crafts and being
prepared to display crafts
information on legal aspects of the
institution of marriage
aspects of International Women's Year
be included.

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�13.
RESOLUTION #3

be it resolved that there be set up a travelling
theatre group specializing in feminist theatre
for purposes of entertainment, culture and
education.

RESOLUTION #4

be it resolved that a project be set up for women
in a crisis situation. Accomodation should be
found where they may encounter a warm, understanding atmosphere. This would not be a Women's
Centre, but a home for women in crisis - young
women, aged women, unemployed women, etc.

RESOLUTION #5

be it resolved that an information booklet be
printed listing films, books, resource people,
speakers, etc. that can be used by the individual
groups and organizations in Thunder Bay and
surrounding regions.

RESOLUTION #6

be it resolved that a history of our area be
compiled, describing the role of pioneer women
and outstanding women in various fields up to
the present day in order to record the contributions of women to Northwestern Ontario.

RESOLUTION #7

be it resolved that scholarship funds for women
be established commemorating International Women's
Year, to aid the needy parents with a priority
given to single parents who are returning to
school.

contact Audie Williamson - 344-4566

RESOLUTION #8

be it resolved that we utilize the resources
available in Northwestern Ontario to engineer a
program of political education directed towards
women, embodying such subject matter as party
politics, government structures and ideologies;
looking at all levels of government.
and further that it be directed towards
encouraging women to get into politics, and
supporting women in running for office, to be
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offered
in all Northwestern
Ontario communities.

�RESOLUTION #9

be it resolved that we utilize all resources and
data available to undertake a comprehensive study
with,respect to working women in Northwestern
Ontario.
and further that it would encompass the
participation rate of women in the work force,
unions, wages, hours, Working conditions, day
care, unemployment and all other related aspects.
and further that this study be made available to
all persons in Northwestern Ontario.

RESOLUTION #10 (a)

be it resolved that a comprehensive prof; am be
developed in the schools with respect to sex
education, birth control and V. O. counselling,
tand all other related aspects o health care.
and we press the Board of Education to rake
quality education in every area availah:.2 to
every person, regardless of sexy and tha: course
content in programs be evaluated as to tleir
portrayal of women i.e. in history cou3es.

RESOLUTION #10 (b)

be it resolved tiLat the Boards of Education in
Northwestern Onta rio be surveyed as to the
availability of w omen counsellors in high schools
for planning curt. iculum programs and career
preparation.
and that boards b e pressured to hire female
staff in May of 1 975 where there is no female
counsellor available.

The above ten re olutions deal with projects
for Internationa Women's Year. Women who
attended the sem nar wrote down which project(s)
These
they were intere ted in working on.
lists were compiled by Helen Halet.

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�The following resolutions are "CAMPAIGN" issues
many of which were immediately dealt with by
telegrams, etc.

# 20 pressure for increased awareness
and abolition of sex-stereotyping in
materials and practices.
(From the
Federation of Women's Teachers
Association, Thunder Bay).

RESOLUTION

# 11 protesting the displacement of
Sue Findlay from her post as Chairperson
of the Secretary of State Department's
(See Herstory in this
Women's Program.
issue re: Sue's appeal).
# 12 protesting th.e funding for
conferences and advertising of IWY and
the slogan "WHY NOT?".

# 13 that pressure be put on the Federal
Government to upgrade existing child care
facilities and develop better child care
programs.

# 14 offer support and agitate for high
quality health care and information
facilities in an out-reaching manner for
all Northwestern Ontario, highlighting
women's needs.
# 15 that the women of Northwestern
Ontario campaign for a Candian stamp to
commemorate IWY.

#.16 protesting Otto Lang's recent stand
on abortion and pressure for the removal
of abortion from the Criminal Code.
# 17 prior to the enacting of any new
Family Property Law, it be subject to
the scrutiny and criticism of all Ontario
women.

# 18 that the women of Northwestern
Ontario campaign to pressure the Department
of Labour to take a more active role in
prosecuting violators of the Ontario Human
Rights Code and the Empolyment Standards
Act to actively seek out and investigate
violations of the law.

19]

# 21 collective action by women to
urge the governments to respond and to
cope with inflation and institute an
inquiry into the cost of food, housing,
etc.

#-22 PLEDGE OF OUR NORTHWESTERN
ONTARIO WOMEN'S CONFERENCE AS PART
.OF THE PROGRAM FOR INTERNATIONAL
WOMEN'S YEAR - 1975
1.
Promoting the peace efforts of
women's groups and other national and
international organizations and
encouraging on the part of all women
of the world, the promotion of detente
in the world, international peace and
co-operation among states.

(a) Combating, colonialism, neo-1
colonialism, foreign domination
and alien subjugation, apartheid
and racial discrimination.

(b) The realization of the principal
of the right of people to selfdetermination.
(c) Dissemination of information
concerning the United Nations
charter and activities as well as
the principle of international law.
2.

Participation of women in safeguarding peace which would promote
economic, social, cultural and political
conditions that contribute to the
advancement of the status of women and
men.
3.

Facilitating the free flow of
information and ideas among countries
having due regard for their sovereignty
and non-intervention in their domestic
affairs, on the contribution of.women as
well as men to peace and promoting the
# 19 pressure for a continuation and
stepping up of the campaign for equal
exchange of visits by women of different
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study
common problems.
work for work of equal value.

�FEMINIST NEWS SERVICE
On December 27th, 28th and 29th, the
first National Women's Press Conference
was held in Saskatoon.
(The second ane
has been tentatively been scheduled in
Winnipeg sometime in March.)
Present at the Women's Press Conference
were representatives of Women's Press,
Women's Centres, Canadian Women's
Educational Press, and newsletters from
feminist organizations. We proposed
to establish a Feminist News Service
(FNS).
We will be laying the groundsvotk
for this in the next two months before
the National Women's Centre Conference
at which there will be a discussion of
a news exchange.
So, in other words,
there are now two distinctly separate
conferences being planned for the near
future; one a Press Conference and the
other a Women's Centre Conference, both
of which will be devoting variable
amounts of time to the organization of
the Feminist News Service.

To Be Televised:

The Film "Would I

7741=7=rk", followed by a panel
discussion on Da Care in Thunder Bay
by Bonnie Ward, e en a et, a e
Sikerbol, Julie Fels, Rose-Marie Neuman
and Sandra Livingston will be televised
Wednesday Feb. 26 at 6:00 PM
-

Thursday Feb. 27 0 8:30 PM
Friday Feb; at 6:00 PM
on Cbannel 7.

Good communication between women's
groups is necessary. Two examples of
the need for communication are
Otto Lang's interference with the
Saskatoon Women's Centre grant from
the Secretary of State did not become
general knowledge in some cases for
several months.

Women's groups in British Columbia
were dissatisfied with what
government was doing with International
Women's Year.
They were informed that
they were the only province complaining.
It took two months to find out that
most of the women's groups across
Canada were also unhappy.
The future of the Feminist News Service rests
on participation of all women's groups
across Canada.
Although over 30 women were
present at this conference from Victoria to
Toronto, we felt that this was not complete
enough representation for a national network.
Therefore, at the next Feminist News Service
Press Conference, we plan to have participation
from all the groups in Canada.
... from "The Founding Mothers" of Feminist
News Service (FNS), terminal in the
Waterloo Women's Centre.

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�HELP. IT HAPPE
A Visual Arts

°loot Tor NWO WomP-

Two Thunder Bay women, Margeret
Smith and Helli Emak, have applied
to Secretary of State for funding
to contact, organize, assist,:
and promote women artists from
al over North-western Ontario.
The need for support and sommuniation between artists of this
region has been acutely apparent
to these two women, themselves
artists and teachers. Female
artists in North-western Ontario
suffer because of isolation,
lack of funding and publicity,
and qualified instruction, criticism, and appreciatIon, as
well encountering the traditional
discouragement of serious endeavor of artistic women.

Because this is International
Women's Year, there is a budget
set aside for this region to
allow for the development of
programs such as the one Margaret
and Heili are proposing. Their
project will reach. women presently producing visual arts
(i.e. painting, sculpture,
macrame, pottery, etc.) and
will provide encouragement and
exposure of their work® A van
will travel to all NWO communities
to exhibit or collect art, or
to allow for the meeting and
organization of women artists.
The grand finale of this project
is to be a week-long festival
of NWO's visual arts produced
by women. This festival will
include workshops, and an exhibit of works that will be
appraised in a constructive way
by qualified people from all
over Canada.

If you have any Intercot or do
any work in the field of visual
art, please contact:

Margaret Smith
High St.
Thunder Bay P

Helli Emak
154 College St,
Thunder Bay P

can_ru see...?
Do you want to see more
women in politics?

Do you want to learn
more about politics?
PHONE: Liz Jobbitt

939-2O7
and become involved

t

The #1 priority for International Women's Year
as decided at the conference in November was to
form an Information Carayan tp travel throughout
North-western Ontario.
If this project is to receive money and assistance
from the Secretary of
State it must be organized
immediately. If you have
time, energy, or ideas
please contact Us immediately, The address
Committee for Informatthn
Caravan,

North-western Ontario
International Women's
Year Council,
Box 314,
Thunder Bay F, ant
jobbitt
or:
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939-2057

�ON PERFECTION

In man's world of skin
Only face and form
Are relevant,
When choosing friend
Or foe.
And man has said
That I am beautiful,
"So close to perfection."
He has said,
That I should be
Placed on a pedestal
And displayed
As in an auction
Where the countance
Counts and gold,
And feelings fail to
Sell.

But do not ask me
"What is perfection?"
For I do not know,
Yet in man's world
Of sanity,
Only mind-over-matter
Is relevant,
When choosing sane
Or insane.
And man has said
That I am hideous
Deformity, one he
Dares not face.
"So out of line"
He has said
That I should be
Gotten rid of
Like a prisoner,
Gist into a dungeon
Where living is
Lying to creation
And speaking is
Sinning against
Perfection
But do not ask me
"What is perfection?"
For perfection
Is inane.
Kate Parkkari

" The duties of a woman,
because she is a woman,
are great and she is expected to carry them out.
If you want to be a creative artist and a decent
soul, a "real" woman, and
a "real" human being, then
think you have to work a
lot harder for it".
Dora DePedery-Hunt
Eclectic Eve
January - HERSTORY -1975

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�COMING UP

We are constantly being asked to provide speakers for many
different occasions. It would be good if we could fill them all.
It's encouraging to see so much interest because it's important
that people begin to understand how women have been treated in
the past and what we can now do to change it. It is also
important that people see that those of us who have begun to
learn are not what fear has made us out to be - bra-burning
ball-crushers. It's also good in that, by doing these things
we can all learn how to present our ideas to people without
feeling that we are inadequate for the task. But naturally,
that's how we all feel the first few times. For that reason
it would be a good idea for people to have someone along for
support and even better if that person has done some speaking
previously.
Here are the engagements that have been requested. If you can
help in any way please call the centre,
February 13 - Estella Friedlander and Lisa Bengston will be
going to Atikokan to speak about International Women's Year.
February 22 - There is to be an Intracultural Conference in
Kenora. Rose-Marie Neuman and Linda Spenard are attending to
participate in a discussion on Rape. Anyone else who is
interested in attending please let them know as the could use
a ride.
March 14 &amp; 15 - Nipigon is arranging workshops. Estella
Friedlander and Lisa Bengston from Secretary of State will
saeak at the dinner. Jeannette Johnson will be doing the Women
in Herstory workshop. Anyone else who wants to go either to
speak or listen should see these people.
March 17 - There has been a request for a woman
Women and Abuse. Anyone interested in doing the

o speak on
please call ua.

March 25 - Rose-Marie Neuman will be speaking to a class at
Westgate High School about Women and Sexuality. Anyone else
interested, please call her.
April 16 - Kenora has asked us to arrange workshops for women
leaving high school. Topics of interest to them include:
non-traditional careers, women in society, working women, women
and the law (marriage). Julie Fells will be giving a workshop
on Birth Control and Sexuality. Mar Thomlinson will be doing
a section on women and the law and a career as a lawyer and
Jeff Cryderman will be doing a talk on a career as a horsewoman. Anyone else who is interested in going to speak or just
listen and learn and provide us with support please call Jacqui
at the Centre©
April ?
Bonnie H
(623-1918) has requested someone to
lead a group discussion for the Women Teachers Federation at
a day-long seminal. Anyone interested please call her.

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�Geraldton has requested speakers for the workshops they are
having there for the purpose of starting a centre. We are
Please
expecting a letter from them with more particulars.
call the centre all those who are interested.
PROGRAMS

It would be educational, interesting and fun to begin some
programs at the centre. Anyone who is interested in participating in learning or teaching or helping to organize such
programs please leave your name at the centre.
MEETINGS

We are trying to make the Thursday Night meetings educational
and sociable. If you have any suggestions on subjects you
would like to learn about, contact us and we'll be glad to help
you organize a meeting around that topic.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR COUNCIL
Next meeting: February 22, 10 am, Confederation College
Conference Dining Room, second floor - all welcome.
Last Meeting Progress:
Crisis Housing Brief is being
presented to City Council soon.
Two Theatre Groups, one amateur and erne professional, have
applied for IWY funding.

The Council has applied for a grant to hire a part-time secretary. Until then they still reed volunteer help... urgently.
Ruth Cunningham attended the Manpower Conference at Quetico
about redesigning jobs to employ women.
Publicity help is needed. Atikokan and Kenora already have a
publicity committee - we don't - HELP1 There will be a meeting
February 19 at 7:30 pm at the Fort William "Y".

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�Mothers On Bud ets
out there. MOle has several committees formed in preparation
for the Flea Market. Were all learning how to make and do NEW
THINGS,
Come on down any day or afternoon and sit and get acuainted. Remember, new members are always welcome. Our regular
meetings are Wednesday night at 7 pm. Babyzitting is provided for
those from 4 - 9 years. Our clothing depot is open Monday,
ednesday and Friday from 1 till 4 pm. andEnyone on low-income
can get clothes FREE.
Maureen

NOTES FRO4 YOU} ANSWERING SERVICE

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
The general meeting on Thursday, .February 6, was devoted to
procuring ideas for international Women's Day.
The program
it was decided to work towards consists cf:
Approaching the mayor to have him. make an official proclamation
to the city of Thunder Bay that March 5 is International Women
Day,

Booking the Labour Centre as a place to have an IWD educational
celebration,
This has been done but the cost is high - $ 85
for the meeting room and more for anything else, such as a day
care room.
Suggestions are welcomed concerning organizations we
can approach who may donate the cost as their contribution to
International Women's Year.
Creating a theatre program for the morning. A brief has been
prepared requeeting $ 245 from the federal IWY funds for costumes,
props, etc. The next step is to find some neat women's plays
and do some practicing. Anyone who has play suggestions or Is
interested in being involved, please phone us at the centre.
It
is important that this be done immediately as there's less than
a month left in which to practice.
Preparing an International Lunch, Mickey Murray has approached
her group of the Congress of Canadian Women and one other who
have agreed to supply some ethnic dishes.
Please, we need more,
because we hope advertising will bring a good turnout.
,And finally, arranging for some women's entertaining in the
afternoon. We have received word that there will be some ethnic
music and dance groups.
In addition, Sharon Lund of Earthshine
(623-1492) will be arranging for some womn folk singers.
At the same time, that afternoon there will be book and craft
displays. If you are interested in contributing ?lease call
the centre and well put you in touch with the appropriate people.

A letter has gone out containing this information to all Thunder
Bay women's groups.

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�WOMEN S

1NTRES CONFERENCE

There is to be a Women1s Centres Conference here in Thunder Bay
on the evening of February 28, end March 1 and 2, at the Royal
The money is coming from the federal IWY funds.
Edward Hotel.
The purpose of it is to create a federation of Canadian Women's
Centres and also to share problems and payoffs in the hope that
we can improve the lot of the centres.
Advisor- Committee

Paul McRae's office has requested that we form an advosory
body to supply him with input. Rose-Marie Neuman has arranged
that and their first meeting is to be February 13.

Lpeakia
On February 6, Jeff Cryderman, Julie ?els, and Estella Friedlander spoke to a group of Jaycettes on the morality of abortion.

,Estella Friedlander spoke to TAB (Take A
Also on Februar'
Break), a women a group, on the women's movement.
0 0 */#1.

On February 5, some 30 men and women picketed the Sports
The issue concerned the Thunder Bay Female
Celebrity Dinner.
Atheists of the Year, Jeannie Tuomi. Ms. Tuomi was to be
present at the event to recelve her award ... but that's all.
Neither she nor her family or friends were allowed to attend
the dinner or the festivities afterward, nor, for that matter,
could she even be on the main floor of the Ortona Legion,
where the event was held. She stayed in the basement with the
Boy's Junior Baseball League. Reason, given: men's night out think we should arrange a white's night out. Some somments
from men involved: one newsperson said the picketers should be
put
put in cages; Mickey Mantle - guest speaker at the dinner don't have this Women's Lib in Texas".
It is the opinion of the picketers that sports is an area of
interest to reces, colors, creeds, religions and sexes.
CONGRATULATIONS

On February ii, Lewy Smith was chosen by the Advisory Committee
to the Women's Centre to be-tle new Crisis Worker. The previous
worker in that capacity, Estella Friedlander, has moved to the
Outreach position, Alison Tett is Child Care Worker, Georgina
Garrett is Education Worker and Jacqui Beauregard is Office
Worker.

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�INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY * MARCH 8th
eee did International Women's Day come about?
It arose out of the early struggles of women in the industrial countries
for their rights as workers, as mothers and as citizens. It was on
March 8, 1908 that women textile workers in New York went on strike against
the exploitation and the intolerable conditions in the fire-trap sweatshops with placards bearing the slogans, "Votes for Women," "Higher Wages
got Women," "We want bread and roses." Joined by immigrant mothers of
the slum tenements of New York's east side and by the socialist women
who were campaigning for votes for women and for women to join the needle
trades unions, they gathered and marched on the streets in huge demonstrations.
Jane Addams, the founder in 1899 of the first settlement house in the
United States, author of Peace and Bread and outstanding humanitarian,
gave leadership and support to the abolition of the sweatshop system
and the organization of women workers in unions, realizing that world
peace could only be assured under sonditions of economic justice.
It was on her conviction of the need for ensuring the principles of
economic justice and world peace, that, in 1915, she founded the
International League for Peace and Freedom.

Jane Addams was one of the most outsteeding and vigorous supporters
for setting in motion the principlealpf this demonstration, for
unionization, the demand for protective legislation such as workmen's
unemployment and old age insurance, safety and health laws,
as well as child labor, wage and hours laws.
The strike of the New York textile workers and the success of the
demonstrations came to be felt throughout the United States and other
parts of the world. Itseffectiveness was recognized at the Second
International Conference of Socialict Women in Copenhagen in 1910 attended
by women from 17 countries, when Clara Zetkin, the great European socialist
champion of women's rights and of peace, and leading figure in the Conferenoe, proposed that March 8 be set aside each year by the women of the
world, as International Women's Day, a day in whoch women everywhere
should demonstrate their solidarity against militarism and war, for full
equality for women and for the security of the family.
The celebration. of March 8 has thus become a great historical tradition- a demobstration of international importance in the unity of purpose for
women everywhere in the struggle for the attainment of a world at peace.

March 8, 1911, was the first International Women's Day celebrated in
several countries.
Since the end of the Second World War, which brought the defeat of
Nazism, the women's international movement grows stronger from year to year.

"Ry 1945 saw the greatest impetnW in the women's movement immediately on
the heels of the victory over fascism, when in the spirit expressed by
the women in Ravenebruck concentration camp to end war for all times,
women from 14 countries came together in Paris to form the first
international women's congress at which the Women's International Democratic
Federation was born, pledging to mobilize the women of the world for a
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optimization
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lasting peace
world, using
to defend
the rights
of copy
women
and to PDFCompressor
struggle

�-2-

ceaselessly for the protection of the faadly and children.
The Women's International Democratic Federation is continuing in its
pledge and to date has succeeded in mobilizing over 200 million women
from 97 different couhtries, with-110 affiliated organizations, in its
ever broadening program for unity in the struggle for peace, for
freedom and independence of people, for equal status of women in
economic life, for the security of the home and the human rights of
children.
In 1950 during the weekend of International Women's Day, the Congress of
Individual women and represenCanadian Women held its first convention.
tatives of women's organizations without regard to race, religion, politica
beliefs or affiliation, were invited to partake in the program.
Their efforts are mainly directed to petitioning for peace, for full
employment, equal pay for equal work, higher old age pensions, for a
full housing program and for a Canada-wide health plan.

PLEASE NOTE: International Women's Day was modelled after Suffragette
Day which fell on the last Sunday in February.

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�Lk global thunderclap to the. women
of the world, who's voices will
be heard long after International
Women's Year.

2D
o the Knights of Columbus. We
ould like to see your organization
pend the money you are wasting en
"Fight abortion" billboards. TV
programs and newspaper ads put to
use helping children who are livinE
and wanted instead of on the unborn and unwanted.
.

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�over all women reaches that
voice a of irtWiYRTFOr
dollars Two Woman. Northern
for postage and ink,

�</text>
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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. &#13;
&#13;
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                <text>Vol. 2, No. 1 (January 1975)&#13;
Title: The Northern Woman: The Birth of International Woman’s Year&#13;
&#13;
Topics include:&#13;
Poetry&#13;
Herstory (December 1974)&#13;
Northwestern Ontario Information Caravan&#13;
Women in the Workforce&#13;
Thunder Bay Women’s Initiative &amp; Grassroots Organizing&#13;
Book Review&#13;
Local Study Group&#13;
Local Announcements &amp; Events&#13;
Local Resources&#13;
Northwestern Ontario International Women’s Year Seminar&#13;
Human Rights Code &amp; Women in The Workforce&#13;
Childcare Programs &amp; Facilities&#13;
Decriminalization of Abortion&#13;
Peace Promotion &amp; Support for Marginalized Groups&#13;
National Women’s Press Conference&#13;
Women Artists &#13;
Mothers on Budgets&#13;
International Women’s Day&#13;
 &#13;
Authors/Contributors:&#13;
Gert Beadle&#13;
Georgina Garrett&#13;
Judy Pain</text>
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�EDITORIAL POLICY
The newsletter group, a separate yet supportive group of the
Northern Women's Centre, reflects the complexity of the make
up of the Northern Women's Centre as a whole.
Being a smaller, unified group, the editorial board of The
Northern Woman will attempt, through collective, creative
ana thought provoking comments, to respond to, and express
(through a concensus of opinion) their reactions to, various
articles, letters, and timely topics of interest.
Through such a policy it is hoped that The Northern Woman
will become a tool for women to develop an increased
understanding of their situation and forces affecting their
lives.

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�EDITORIAL

We are devoting this issue to children--our
most valuable
We hope you will enjoy our efforts, and that
you will
respond by writing to us expressing your opinions.

_resource.

Perhaps an accurate measure of a society's level
of awareness
could be its approach to the raising of
children
and
the
care
afforded
them.
In 1959, the U.N. General Assembly adopted and
proclaimed
a Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
The first article states
explicitly that:
WITHOUT ANY EXCEPTION WHATSOEVER, all children
shall be entitled to these rights without
distinction or discrimination on account of
race, colour, sex, language, religion, political
or other opinion, national or social origin,
property, birth or other status whether of
tirself or of tir family (see page for a
discussion of the new pronouns).
Some of these right: are:

- special protection to enable children to develop fully
in all aspects of life
- the right to a name and nationality
social security, adequate nutrition, housing and
medical services
- special care, treatment and education for handicapped
children whether the condition be physical,
mental or
social
- love, understanding, security in the family and
society, with particular care given to those children
without a family or to those without adequate
means of
support
- full and equal opportunity in education, play and
recreation
- the child in all circumstances shall be among the
first
to receive protection and relief
- protection against ell forms of neglect, cruelty and
exploitation, and shall not be the subject of traffic
in any form
- protection from all discrimination and brought up in
a
spirit of friendship emong peoples and with
the
right
to
live in peace
Even a brief glance at the policies of
shows that all children are not permitted these different countries
rights.
For example,
in North America, it often appears as though
children
are
produced in
order to have a never-ending supply of
naive,
trusting
minds
which
large corporations can train (via television)
to be consumers of
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�of cereals, smarties and Mattel toys.
In many countries, children still spend, their
entire
lives being victims of sexism, poverty, racism and
war--seldom
experiencing anything but hunger, confusion and fear.
Butesome
nations take great pride in the potential of their
children
and
see to it that every child, regardless of race,
sex or status of
birth, receives the higheatquality,nutrition,day
care, education
and, recreation.
Such is .the ideal--what we are. strivinis.forsees
where the burden of a Child's care is not pladed solely,
on individual
"parents,:where tha state too recognizes its responsibility
to-the
future generation. We have a long way te-got
Women
and
men
through
out history have struggled to make their lives
betters-adults
are
able to recoghtee their oppression, and ultimately
fight
against
it.
Children do not have the poi4er to fight, they are
inevitably
the
victims.
-

We sometime delude ourselves into.thincing:that
only
other countries victimize the children. We forget esboutthe
children
of poor familiosewho cannot .complete their
education because they
must get jobs to help aupport,a large family,
in
the North who must eat mercury poisoned fishthe native children
H
Whilestheegovernment
studies, the problem", or evens the female children
who are "career
counselled" into becoming nurses or teachers
wSiile their brothers
become doctors and principals.
For many countries since 1949, June L has
been.. celebrated
as International Day for Children.
On this day, women and men all
over the world who are conscipus of their
reoponsibility to defend
the rights aLd happiness of children,,
come together to evaluate the
progress made to date and map out plans for future
struggles.
The Women's International Democratic Federation,
in l965,
expressed the-hope that "everywhere on earth, International
Childreftls Day will become a day of struggle for
children's rights.
Let us insist 'on an end to all'aggressiOn of
peoples.
Let us fight
for diaarmament, understanding and peace,
because
our
children
need
peace as flowers need light.

Perhaps we in Thunder Bay could make this
June 1 a very
special day by expanding the activities which
have
traditionally'
been carried on by such organizations
as
the
Congress
of Canadian
yomene' We' could examine carefully the questions
of
universal
free
-day care, sexrole stereotyping in schools,
the
fate
of
children
in other countries, responsibility for childrearing
in the family,
on, children and advertising,' and many other childrelated
Women and men interested-in working on such
a project,
contact us at the Northern Women's
Centre,
2nd
Floor, F.W.
., 622-3989.

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�Letter to the Editor
Children: The Victims of War.

We haveiheard much lately
about the victims of the war
in VietNam. The children
were flown out of VietNam,
their country, by (as President
Ford put it) a Mission of

unadoptables" (children
of mixed blood or
handicapped in some way)
in our own country that
are being passed over now
because adopting a Vietnamese

Mercy.

child 'is fashionable.

We must examine this
situation carefully, from the
perspective of the children who
are being brought to countries
such as Canada and ask ourselves why this has happened
and what consequences it will
have.
First of all there is the
matter of children being used
as political footballs. All
of a sudden, the welfare of
these children has become of
primary importance but where
was all the concern when
American Planes were bombing
North VietNam and Cambodia?
Surely there were children
in those countries whose lives
were endangered, who were
orphaned by the war. Where
was the Mission of Mercy then?
Where arpo the missions of mercy
for the.people of Chili who are
being imprisoned and tortured
by the military dictatorship or
the 1500 Haitians who are
presently in Canada living in
fear of being deported back to
their own country where they will
be imprisoned or killed?
And what of the fate of
children who will be adopted by
Canadians, Americans, or
Australians? It goes without
saying that these people must
be concerned and loving people
but we have many so-called

It

frightens me 3ust a little
to think what will happen to
these children when they are
no longer "fashionable". Will
they be rejected by our society
because they are "different"?
And what about the rights of
these children to be raised
in their own culture,in their
own language, and with a pride
in themselves as Vietnamese.
We Canadians, no matter how
well meaning we are cannot
provide this if we are not
part of that culture.
Instead of using the
money which governments
apparently now have for
financing adoptions why not
use it for relief in the form
of medical and food spplies
in all areas of
to chiidre
Southeast Asia regardless of
the government in power.
Furthermore, if the
Canadian government is
prepared to adopt children who
have suffered in the war, then
maybe they should also be
prepared to stop shipping war
materials to the USA which
then ships them to Saigon.
If the children of
IndoChina had been allowed to
determine their own destiny
from the beginning perhaps
fewer children would be
orphans today.

Name witheld, on request.

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�Richard Parson cutilues the fipecific referral; that he considers eseential to the

true liberation of all childron, including hie cm. Po m Mo Magazine
March, 1974
The Right to Self eterisinatiori0 Children should have the right to decide the
This is the basic right upon which all
matters which affect them. rot directly.
Children
are
now
treeted
ae
the private property of their parents
others depend.
on the assumption that it iv 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 end bring about an end to the double standard of morals
and behavioir for adults And children.

2121AatitIllihsEhative Romp Bnyiropments. Self-determining children should be
able to choose from among a variety of arrangements: remidences operated by child-

kinds of
ren, child exchange programs, 24-hour child-care centers, and various
their children
schools and empoyment opportunities. Parents are not always good for
4
million
children
are
abused
annually
in the
some people estimate that ae many az
children
run
away
each
year.
United States, and that a half million

211221gtikEssp2hsive Dellee. Society must acoommodate itself to children's size
.

childand to their need for s7-Ife space. To keep them in thoir place, we now force
actually
desren to cope with a world that ia either net built to fit them, or ie
for
children,
there
If the environment were lees daneerous
igned against them.
would be less need for constant control and. supervision of children by adults.

Infornatone A child oust have the richt to all information ordinarily
that meaeo
available to adelte--includine and perhapo especially, information
adults uncomfortebly.
The

it

Children ehoeld be free to design their own educThe Right to Educate (}we?I 1
ation, choosin free among rany options the kinds of learning experiences they
Compulsory education
want, including the option not to attend any eind of school.
threatening
quality
of
education in North
must be abolished because the enforced
sohool,
to
hate
the
subject
matter, and tragAmerica has taught children to hate
Children
are
programmed,
tracked,
and
certified in a
ically, to hate themseleer.
standardized
educated
products
acceptable
to
the university
process of stamping out
Education
can
change
only through
oommurity.
military, business and ineleetry, and
those
exploitert
and
oppressed
by
it--the
the the achievement of new rights for
children themeelvea.
Children should live free of physical
Corporal punishment
threat from those who are larger ane more powerful than they.
is used impulsively and cruelly in the home, arbitrarily in the school, and sadIt does not belong in our repertoire of responses
istically in penal institutions.
dO-rt
to children.

The RiOt to Freedom fransical Punishment..

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�11122ight to Sexual "freedom. Chil.dren should have the right to conduct their sexual
lives with no more restriction than adults. Sexual freedom for children must include the right to information about sex, the right to nonsexist education, and the
In fact,
right to all sexual activities that are legal among consenting adults.
children will be best protected from sexual abuee 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 mistxust their own reactions to people. They are denied any information about their own sexuality or that of others. We keep them innocent and
ignorant and then worry that they will not abe able to resist sexual approaches.

The Right to ronomi c Power.

Children should have the right to work, to acquire
and manage money, to receive equal pay for equal work, to choose trade apprenticeship as an alternative to school, to gain promotion to leadership positions, to
own property, to develop a credit record, to enter into binding contracts, to engage in enterprise, to obtain guaranteed support apatt from the family, to achieve
financial independence.
The Right to Political Power, Children should have the vote and be included in
the decision-making procese. Eighty million children in the United States need the
right to vote because adults do not vote in their behalf's At present they are no
one's constituency and legislation reflects that lack of representation. To
become a constituency they must have the right to vote.
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 the parents as well as
Every year a million children
the system, and a uniform standard of detention.
get into trouble with the law. One out of every nine children will go through the
juvenile court system before the age of IS. At any given time about one hundred
thousand children are in some kind of jail. Some are held illegally, many have not
committed any kind of crime, most have done nothing that would be considered a crime
if done by an adult, and none hal been given a fair trial with due process of law.
The juvenile justice system vacs designed to protect children from the harsh treatment of the adult justice system - -but it is more unfair, more arbitrary, and more
cruel.

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�reports
INTERNATIONAL WOKEN'S YEAR
WOMEN'S CENTRE CONFERENCE
For the first time, on Feb. 28,
March let and 2nd, 1975, in Thunder Bay
Ont., 85 women from women's and native
*omen's centres from across Canada met
to discuss the possibility of forming
a. federation for communication and
mutual support. Every province in Can.
was represented.
The idea, however, of forming a
federation was rejected by the 47 voting delegates on the basis that such
action would be too premature, and
might be damaging to bring this heirarchical structure and defined image upon
ourselves before we require such a vast
mechanism.
The following are a list of motions
which were CARRIED:
(a) That there be established an Internal
National Communications Network )etween
Women's Centres
(b) That the Clearinghouse for Feminist
Media investigate the need. for an archival
resource centre and be asked to collect
material and be responsive to Women's
Centres
(c) That we support the Feminist News
Service
(d) That ae a temporary measure each centre
regionally and or culturally affiliated,
appoint a 'Jason person to form an emergency phone link

(e) That an annual general meeting be held
next year at which time we will discuss
the communication!: network
(f) That we strongly support regional and,
cultural affiliations for those centres
wishing it

HOW THE COKKUNICATIONS NETWORK WORKS

some cases maybe on either side. This
contact will continue across the country.
Each liason Centre then makes a
collect call to every Women's Centre in
its area, but the call must not be accepted
hang -up and phone back the Liason Centre
for the message. This divides up the
costs of the calls between individual
Centres.
Any Centre responding to an Emergency
call must supply feedback to the Centre
originating the call concerning the specifics of any action that they have taken.
The originator of the Emergency action
must then correlate the feedback and inform the Liason Centres of the results,
they will in turn inform the,) Centres
within their region...GOT THAT????

et

On the eve of International Women's Day,
March 7, a. message was relayed across the
country from St. John's Newfoundland to
Victoria, B.C., to test the Emergency network.

FROM TEE NORTHERN WO

°S CENTRE LOG BOOK

March 7, 1975
.. Two telephone calls from Ottawa, one
in French and one in English, with the
following message:
Ahnee!
Le roseau Nellie eat bien in vie
et va de levant. Legalite pour nos
soeurs,
Ahnee! Network Nellie is alive and well

and marching fcrward. Equality for our
sisters. Happy Birthday to our Emergency
Telephone Linkup!
Hippy International
Wamen's Dar.

This meeeage rae panse6 by us to the
Li aeon Centre wept of ue, Winnipeg, and
to cur area Centres or contacts in North
Bay, Kenora, Nipigon, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Atikokan and Geraldton.

It is for Eeergency only. The origif there are any other Centres or contacts
inator of an emergency call contacts their
who wish to be a part of Network Nellie,
regional Liason Centre, who will in turn
please
contactcopy
us, of
ifCVISION
you are PDFCompressor
in Northern
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the nearest Liason Centre, which in
Ontario.

�WEEKSND SEMINARS IN NIPIGON
5111.11111111.

Ou March 14 and 15th, a core group if
t,,out seven women organised a two-day
seminar in Wipigon with the intention
of growth for women, awareness of International Women's Year,. and sisterhood
with other women.
The weekend started off with an excellent
talk on Women in History by Jeannette
Johnson, followed by a question and
answer period. The evening ended with
a wine and cheese social.
The next morning the women reassembled to
hoar a talk on nutrition by Barbara Lalonde
follewed,by a talk and demonstration by S.
Sittlinger en making a glutin substitute
meat recipe. Cary Hansen spoke on health
foods.
Site followed with a talk on ideas
behind Yoga, and followed this with a
Yoga demonstration.
After Imnch, the women reassembled to hear
a. wztel discussion.
Lillian Wolter introduced each member before they talked about
their experiences of being a female perilciratnt in their fieldoof work. Present
were Mary Tomlinson who spoke about Women In
Lay., Ve Lindsay, whet talked about women in

%dministiation, Maureen Harvey on Creative
Homemakers, Sister Gaye, on women in the
Church, Grace lemurs an women in politics and
L. Kruger, who spoke on women in the O.P.P.
ftezca.
The women broke off into discussion
groups and returned later to have their group
3 a.ders report on ideas brought out in their
diecnesionsi An evident lack of time prevented the discussion groups from pursuing
interesting and exciting discussions.
The discussion groups broke off and the women
went into individual workshops. They were
cc:uprise&amp; of
a)

b)

Comeer film en self breast-examination
Cardiac resuscitation demonstration

0 Display from the Bookstop, Thunder Bay
d)
e)
f)
111

local Library display
Nerthern Women's Centre (Thunder Bay)
display
Art Club display
Arts and Crafts by the local Craft Guild
Pankins by June Jeeffreys

i) Teacher's Federation Films en 'Sports
and Women'
Nutrition film and display
j

k Yoga workshop
1

Daily exercise routine for women

In the evening, a supper was held at the
United Church basement with Lisa Bengtsson
and Estella Friedlander as guest speakers.
Free day care was available. Both wine
and cheese and dinner were subsidised in
order to make then abailable for all interested women.

Over the two-day period, 123 women signed
our guest book, including some guests
from Thunder Bay and Geraldton.

RAPE CRISIS, gailligh

ATTENTION: Need has already
been established for a Rape
Crisis Centre. We have dealt
with several cases but with
the opening of the harbor this
summer more volunteers are
urgently needed to deal with
potential cases.
Volunteers are needed now
for driving, counselling and
handling the telephone on a
rotating basis. When enough
volunteers are available a
training workshop will be
offered to introduce you to the
legalities, socializations,
basic interactions, and simple
telephone procedures.
Presently we are operating
only from 9 AM to 5 PM but with
_your help we can make this a 24
hour service.
The Rape Crisis Phone
Number is ,623 -11L63 and should be
used only for a crisis.

To volunteer your help
please contact the Northern
Women's Centre at 622-3989.

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�10
THE BU

ON

In spite of much publicity regarding
the government's spending for Internatienal Women's Year, many women are still
not aware of the reasons behind the refusal of most women to wear the "Why Not"
button.
As far back as last July women's
groups and individuals, were questioning
the spending of $500,000 and the hiring-of
a male dominated firm (Ronalds-Reynolds)
for the publicity campaign. The campaign
was endorsed by Health and Welfare minister
Marc Lalonde, who is also the minister responsible for women's programs.
The whole campaign is geared around a
outs catch-phrase 'Why Not'. (Why not let
women be a bit more equal, what have we
got to lose? etc.)
On Dec. 18, 1974, a protest was sent
to the Federal Government as a result of
Northwestern Ontaric IWY seminal- which unanimously adopted the following resolutions
'Whereas we protest the funding of an image
oriented promotional campaign and where
we cannot accept the -logan 'Why Not?',
which we feel is negative, ambiguous,
frivolous and offensive and where aa we see
no need for a large administrative buudget
THIREFORE be it resolved that this seminar
express our objection to the Federal Government.- and further we would strongly recommend, instead of allocating money for
conferences, and advertising, that the
Federal Government use these resources to
fund the campaigns and projects by the women
in various provinces and regions.'
The Toronto Globe and Mail (Tarn 25,
1975 creates Prime Minister Trudeau'e sexist comments which were made after being
queetioned about criticism by two women
Liberals--"thats the trouble with ladies,
they bitch.after the fact". (Thats the
trouble with prime ministers--they don't
got their facts straight".)
The principle issue is why were women
not,asked. International Women's Year is
for women. We have not been asked how we
-thought funds should be spent--we have been
told. Why not cancel the advertising
campaign; use the money thus saved to provide day care or scholarships for women to
become doctors, lawyers, administrators,

a

1TH T"
[2Ggnift)
Nornen Unite

on

May 10th!

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MEMO FROM MAY 10thMARCH COMMITTEE
c/oYWCA, eo WOODLAWN AVE. E. ,TORONTO
Dear Friends,
In an effort to ensure that
International Women's Year does not
turn out to be all talk and no ; ,e.
action...we. have chosen to concentrate on these five major issues.
Only united action will show the
government of this country the
strength and support of the women's
movement and emphasize the issues
which women believe require action
both. locally and nationally. We
urge you to organize a march or
other action in your area for May
10th or to band together with
other groups for a regional
demonstration.

seen. -- advertising executives? WHY NOT.

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�ATTENTION LESBIAN WOMEN'-_

In early February two local
women and two women from out of
town met and pooled their resources
(financial and otherwise) to open
a club in Thunder Bay. It was _
really a first for Thunder Bay as
the club membership is open only
to Lesbian women and Homosexual
men.
It opened offioially the
weekend of International Women's
Day(March 7,8) which, whether it
was coincidental or not,
"

.

Tentative plans are being made
now to offer activities from Such
day to Thursday ranging from
dancing lessons to sports (floor
hockey, badminton, Judo lessone)
and card games (ie. Bridge). New
suggestions for activities are
always welcome.
It's been rather slow-moving 1,
to this point as scele people still
seem to feel reluctant to offer
their support.
The manage,---------was pretty close
to the point of being
totally discouraged
until a sister from
out of town visited
one weekend and left
a note in the suggestion box saying "TO THY,
GREAT GODLESS: Thank tDeee

seemed like a great time. ment

for it to happen. Gay
people in this city,
prior to this, had no
other place where they
could go and feel safe,
comfortable and relaxed
about expressing their
sexuality - even through
dancing - with the person
or people they chose to
be with.
Membership is closed
to prevent the entry of any
curiosity seekers and to
protect the anonymity of the clientele.
New peale can come in if
they can satisfy the people at the
door that they are "sympathetic"
towards the objectives of the club.
For the present the weekend
is the most active time at the
club.
Friday night there are coffee=
houses and the managers are trying
to establish a weekly program for
this time which hopefully will
include live entertainment, films
and speakers. Every Saturday night
there is a dance held and they've
managed to obtain liquor licences,
making it possible for beer and
alcohol to be served.
f

s:stors 14.,:o worked to get

this place together and
keep those friends and
coins coming."'

It was a great lift.
So to all those
brothers and sisters interested,
COME OUT ! !...fcr friendship,
support and fun.
For any further enquiries as e
location of the club (it can't b.
public for obvious reason) or any
other questions or cencerne, cant
the Northern Wemen's Centre at
622 3989 and one of the people tLcr,
will put you in teurh with someone
who can answe.c. Jour ciestions.

"If you want higher consciousness
I'll tell you what to do.
Yougot to talk to a woman
Get her to talk to you.
You got to bta.ild you a union

and make it strong
And if we all stick together
girls it won't be long..."
(Women's Music Network
Women's Wax Works, 1974)

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�See Dick Run, See ane Sit
LAX

AD BOARD OF EDUCATION COMMITTEE ON
SEX ROLE STEREOTYPING

This committee is finally of the ground -committes members are..Davn St. Arland, John
Halet, Joan Halonen, Stan Dromisky, Ihor
Kosyra, Diane Fawcett, Hugh Cook, Jean Robinson, Susan Garrett, Ed Prinselaar, Ruth
Cunningham, Levy Smith.
The first priority of this committee is to
become aware of the extent of sexism in arias
of the school agates such as, textbooks,
staffing practises, curriculua, special education, classroom practises and physical education.

I AM DEAD,
BUT YOU ARE MY SON,
YOU WILL DISCOVER WHY WE EXIST.
I DIE,

BUT YOU ARE MY DAUGHTER,
YOU WILL GIVE BIRTH
TO OTHER DREAMERS...

Read at a display of the National
Museum of Man and the Natural
Sciences - - Ottawa

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�elDrn4
Ch dren's Books
The Second Sex, Junior Division
By ELIZABETH FISHER

We live in a sexist society. Almost . obviously, are female. Hens, too. In
from birth we are indoctrinated with "Rosie's Walk" by Pat Hutchins a
the notion of male superiority and hen walks unscathed and unnoticing
female inferiority, male rights and through all kinds of dangers-refemale duties. It is in the earliest enforcing the stereotype that nothing

years that children form images of ever happens to she's. Sylvia the
their worth, their future roles, the Sloth is the heroine of a not unpleasconscious and unconscious expecta- ing book. Somehow the female Sill,
tions placed upon them. Investigating mall tend to be those whose names
books for young children in book are synonyms of derogation. Petunia
stores and libraries I found an almost the Goose, Frances the Badger
incredible conspiracy of conditioning. suspect the choice of these animals
Boys' achievement drive is encour- reflects the low esteem in which
aged; girls' is cut off. Boys are women are held. A rhinoceros is
brought up to express themselves; male, a hippopotamus female. Leo

-I

all too often defines them. They were
producers who functioned in -agricul-

ture and home industries such as

spinning and weaving, who worked
side by side with their men. Evidently the folk tales survive because they
have certain psychological validities.
In the more modern downgrading
of the female, not only are animals
generally male, but personifications

of the inanimate-machines, boats,
engines, tractors, trains, automobiles

-are almost invariably so. In life,

ships are she's; In picture books- -

Little Toot, Max's boat Max in
aonni's snail in '"The Biggest House "Where the Wild Things Are"
the female ranges from dull to dethe World" is a he who has a have yet to come across one that was
grading to invisible.
father but no mother, in clear contra- not a he. Automobiles, at least in
Since females comprise 51 per cent version of biology.
France where the Citroen D. S. IS
Only in Noah's Ark does Biblical (deesse-goddess) is highly admired,
of the population of the United States,
one would expect them to be equally authority enforce equal representa- are often thought of as feminine, but

-I

girls to please. The general image of

represented in the world of picture tion for males and females. Except not by picture-book authors and ilbooks. On the contrary they vary be-

for Random House's "Pop-up Noah," lustrators. One exception to the masculinity of machines was written
back in 1939 when Virginia Lee Bur-

tween 20 and 30 per cent. There which has eliminated Mrs. Noah and
were five times as many males in does not show the animals in equal
the titles as there were females, four distribution on the cover - males
a right edge of course. The
times as many boys, men, or male have
wives of Ham, Sheri) and Japheth,
animals pictured as there were fe- present in the Old Testament, were

ton created Mike Mulligan and his
steam shovel Mary Anne.

This marked absence of the female
applies even more strongly to books
missing from all three children's ver- about blacks. Analogies between racsions I examined. Things hav s come ism and sexism date back before the
to a pretty pass when one has to go 19th century: both Mary Wolistoneto the Old Testament for an upgrad- craft and Thomas Paine compare
three major prizewinners for this ing of the female.
black slavery to female slavery. In
year, displayed together on a table at
It should be mentioned that folk this country the woman's rights
Brentano's, were all about males: tales tend to treat women somewhat movement of the 19th century grew
"Sounder" about a black boy by Wil- better than do books with contempo- out of the Abolitionist movement, asliam Armstrong, "A Day of Pleasure" rary settings. Possibly this is because today's Women's Liberation Moveby 1. B. Singer, and "Sylvester and the former are often based on themes ment relates to the Ciyil Rights Movethe Magic Pebble" by William Steig. of come-uppance and vindication of ment. History repeats itself. Just as
Where are all the missing females? the underdog, spontaneous products black men achieved enfranchisement
Have they been exposed to the ele- of wish fulfillment and the uncon- long before black or white women, so
ments, as with primitive tribes? Or scious, while the latter are written in the picture-book world have blacks
are they sequestered behind walls, to please or to sell. After all, although achieved integration with whites and
as in Southern Italy or the Near Fast? Hansel comes up with the device of representation for themselves withThis preponderance of males is not dropping pebbles so that he and out a corresponding integration for
limited to humans. Animals in books Gretel can find their way home, it is the female, black or white. One of
are male for the most part. Elephants, Gretel who disposes of the witch by the earliest (Continued on Page Z)
bears, lions, tigers are males or, as in pushing her into the oven. Wives are
the Balm books, isolated females are smarter than their husbands, and woMiss Fisher is a writer and
shown in the company of a majority men make fools of the powerful. The editor
of Aphra, a feminist magazine
of males. In the veld it is the female folk tales reflect a pre-industrial NaA Fontinkt Litelaty
lion who does all the work; in the ture where, though women may not
All lit A, 1c o; 33:2,
picture-book world she doesn't exist. have had equality, they did play vital
St»
nt. NOM
There are some books about female functioning roles. They were not con Know Inc.
animals, and an occasional reference suming or sexual objects, justified
P. 0. Box 10197
to the female ofOCR,
the species.
Cows, only byusing
motherhood,
as today's world
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males. In special displays the situation was even worse. The fantasy
worlds of Maurice Sendak and Dr.
Seuss are almost entirely male. The

(412) 681 -3400

�ci

xi toy soldiers ano eitntite
while a girl is on the ground trains. Two female enimata
re- watching. Successive pages play with a tea set and a dolt
Hole" about black and white same might be said for myand
show a boy fishing, a boy roll- In the Scarry orchestra, out of
sponses
to
Suzuki
Beane
boys swimming together, and
in leaves, and another hold- 28 animals playing instrusince then there have been a Eloise, both of whom are pre- ing
ing a rake, while a big girl ments, the two females were
sented as highly exceptional.

I was overwhelmed
en'eree in this direction was anuievitz,
And the
gratefulness.
with
"Swimming
Beim's
Jerrold

spate of books about blacks and
whites and about blacks alone.

But the only picture book I
found about a black girl was

Jacob Lawrence's "Harriet and
the Promised Land" based on
Harriet Tubman's life. Ezra

Jack Keats has done several

Though there have been women doctors in this country for
over a hundred years, and pediatrics is one of their preferred
specialties, there is not a single
woman doctor to be found. Women are nurses, librarians,

high up in a tree balancing

leading a small boy walks by. assigned those drawing - room
a double-page spread clichés, the piano and the
with a huge tree in the center harp. The percentage in the
pictures seven boys and three New York Philharmonic is no

Then

girls. One of the latter is on better, but at least there the
the ground, helping a little boy women play cello and bass

up into the tree; the other two viol. Many pages had only

males as protagonists, but tha
picture books about small boys, teachers-but the principal is are on low limbs close in to one page which showed only
the
main
trunk.
The
boys
are
always
male.
They
have
emoand a recent one of his, "A
women was . .. what else? "In
Letter to Amy," does bring in a tions; they get angry; they dis- shown adventuring, one hang- the Kitchen." The most infuing
from
a
rope,
the
other
five
girl, but irr a token and not al- agree; they smile; they approve climbing way out or high up. riating page was entitled
together flattering way. Peter or disapprove; they want to
"Things We Do." Melee in
is bringing Amy a letter to in- please. What they do not do is Other pictures show a boy Scarry's book world dig, build,
in the sand, a boy in
vite her, the only girl, to his act. Boys do; girls are---a highly drawing
break, push, pull and do 15
birthday party, when he bumps artificial and unsatisfactory di- a tree, and boys planting trees. other active things, includine
Note
that
there
are
19
boys
into her accidentally. Amy runs chotomy.
eat. The only two nines teaway in tears. Later, the other In a country where over 40 pictured to eight girls.
do are watch and :sit
boys say, "Ugh! A girl at the per cent of the women work, I Another seemingly innocent males
What kind of world will a
know
of
only
one
picture
book
book
is
William
Steig's
"CM,"
party!" but she comes anyway.
girl educated on Scarry
One little girl can make it in about working mothers, Eve a clever pun-puzzle book with little
expect to grow into? It's a meaMerriam's
"Mommies
at
Work."
diaby
captioned
pictures
a group of boys, from Robin
ger, thankless, and urirewo.:-..,Hood's Maid Marian on down But it wasn't in stock in any of
through the centuries, but she'd the book stores I visited. However, while commendablebetter know her place.
Virginia Woolf pointed out there are Mommies who split
that throughout literature wo- atoms, build bridges, direct TV
men were generally shown only shows, who are dancers, teachin relation to men, and this is ers, writers and doctors-it is
still true in the picture-book also highly apologetic. The end,
world. Friendship between boys "all Mommies loving the best
is much touted; friendship be- of all to be your very own
tween boys and girls is fre- Mommy and coming home to
quent; but friendship between you," (my italics) gives it away.
girls gets less attention, though We don't feel the need to say
surely this is a norm In life. about Daddy that he loves his
The frequent depiction of one children more than his work.
girl in a group of boys would Couldn't Mommy matter-ofseem to represent wish fulfill- factly like working and baby,
ment for girls as well as boys. too, as Fm sure many do?
A boy is considered unmanly No boys and girls must get

logue in letters. This is a funwonder bet',
ny book but implicit attitudes ing prospect. Noidentify
with
about girls and women are re- boys. and girls
vealed. There are twice as the boy's role in life.

Particularly sad is the n!3°
many pictures of boys as girls
in the book, and the girls tend alization that these books is
to be passive or helpers. When Perpetrated by women as wale
they do anything, they do it as men-women authors, ill

badly or are discomfitted. A trators and children's ,7.1e,4,.k...boy is shown on skates; the itors. There are very good reagirt has fallen down. A girl sons why women so ofiaer
no
turns

a

somersault,

but it "fawn like the sprite"

doesn't agree with her, she is phrase is Mary ;.,- enistonecralt's

dizzy. A girl dancing

in a

-but isn't it about time we

field of flowers is an excep- stopped? It's true that till rani
tion and, giddy from the un- men have had all the orover,
tesual activity, she Is in ec- and in a world steeped in pa-

are angry fe- triarchy, women internte;ee tie_
males, several of them, but no notion of female .iufeeh:
in a group of females, but a girl the message-it's all right to angry males. Male work is re- and transmit it to he Lee
who achieves acceptance in a work, but only if your work spected; a boy tells a man generation, perpettetig 111-z
group of boys has evidently is subordinated to your role as writing at a desk, "If you're cycle. But awareness is co
raised herself, the exception mother. What does it matter busy, I'll run away." Women us. The task of bringing wt glthat proves the rule of general that that will last twenty years are never shown in this con- en up to full human status is
Stacy. There

and the rest of your life may text; they are at everybody's
Since there are so few fe- well be spent as supernumer- service. A woman tells formales in the picture-book ary, doing some kind of busy tunes - the supernatural has
world, one would think they'd work? Or semitrained and at offered one of the few exciting
be very busy, but such is not the bottom of the labor heap? outlets for women down

not going to be easy To start
here, however, at the earliest
years, should bring reauns.

not do. They do not drive cars. thers, and children, instead of Movement,
One of the worst offenders
Though children see their moth- the simple sharing we could
ers driving all the time not a achieve if men and women In this brainwashing about
single description or picture of were taught to expand their roles and expectations has,

Women: A Journal of Libera-

female inferiority.

Protests

about

the

retro

grade situation have alter:fly
the case. What they do is highly This is the kind of contradiction through the ages, and witches risen in the Women's Liberaan
limited; more to the point is the that produces guilt and neu- and still making it, in and out tion Movement, incite:
sheer unreality of what they do rotic conflicts in mothers, fa- of the Women's Liberation article in the first. issue of

a woman driver could I find. roles.

perhaps, the most influence-

tion. Women
movement are

ar!!!:.,

writing new
children's books. A confeeence
is planned to educate c%iidren's book editors. Several
groups have protected orire eiae
school -textbooks and "Sesame
Street" to some effect. The
dedicatee.
quarterly Aphra

In the world today women are A few other books, selected Richard Scarry. His "Best Word
executives, jockeys, stockbrok- not entirely at random, will Book Ever" is a big illustrated
ers, taiddrivers, steelworkers, show some of the methods by dictionary with the Scarry
in picture books these are non- which children are indoctrinat- trademark, humanized animals,
ed at an early age with stereo- demonstrating meanings and
existent.
Little girls in picture books types about male activity and activities. Scarry's male-fe- part of each issue to fesonliet
tend to be passive, though female passivity, male involve- male divisions are scarifying: criticism of various aspects of
sometimes manipulative. They ment with things, women's many more males, naturally, our culture, with articles en
walk, read, or dream. They sel- with emotions, male dominance but they really do get to do child-care books and chilleenni
dom ride bicycles; if they do, it and female subordination. "A everything. Toys, for example, television in prospect. As the
is seated behind a boy as in Tree Is Nice" by Janice Wry, are defined by showing 13 movement grows, so will the
Dr. Seuss's "One Fish, Two Fish, illustrated by Marc Simont, male animals playing with ex- protests. Editors and authors
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Better meet chance
citing toys-a
tricycle,copy
blocks,
Red Fish, Blue OCR,
Fish." When
I seemingly innocent,
came across a little girl sailing devastating when analyzed castle, scooter and rocking now, head on, than be forced

�PARENTS ANONYMOUS

4111411~11..

Parents Anonymous is a
self-help group of parents who
offer immediate relief to other
parents who feel they are
abusing or neglecting their
children.
We offer a telephone
service (heart line) to the
troubled parents. 'Through
this they can release their
frustrations, anger and
tempers over the telephone
rather than on their children.
Our basic concept is that
parents helping each ether
to help themselves can use
the continuous communication
through the telephone and
the meetings to try to change
our habits on a day to day
basis.
Parents Anonymous is a
non-profit group, completely
autonomous and all services
are free.

"IN THIS COUNTRY WHERE THERE ARE
SEVERAL STRONG, WELL-ORGANIZED
ANTIABORTION LOBBIES FOR THE PROTECTION CF UNBORN FETUSES, WEI ISN'T
THERE EVEN ONE CITIZEN LOBBY CONCERNED
ABOUT PROTECTING LIVING HUMAN BEINGS
THAT SUFFER IN SILENCE AND QUITE
OFTEN ARE SLOWLY TORTURED UNTIL
THEY FINALLY DIE?" Doris Anderson
Editor Chatelaine

Can spank
not strike,
husband told
KINGHORN. Scotland (Reu-

ter) - Alexander Ratt lay was
fined $11.5J for hitting his

wife's face-but be could have
smacked her bottom with impunity,
said.

a

magistrate here

Magistrate George MacKay
told Rattlay, 26, "it is a wellfact that you can
strike your wife's bottom if

known

Our basic rules of
privacy and confidentiality
are strictly followed.
In Parents Anonymous we
owe our allegiance soley to
ourselves, to our children
and to the effectiveness of
our service. Hopefully, our
efforts will be beneficial to
ourselves and our children.
Our primary objective is
the rehabilitation of damaged
relationships between parents
and children.
This will be
done by instilling within the
parents the strength and selfconfidence to re-chanel our
destructive attitudes and
actions into constructive ones
by changing our habits on a
day to day basis.
Parents are welcome to
attend closed meetings every
Monday at 6:00 PM. If you are
call 683-3220 after
6:00PM Monday to Friday.

BUT I LOVE HIM

I

But I love him
Her beaten face against his chest
But I love him
Her pain chills the air
Don't take the baby please
Please
Please

I

but I lov
it's your fault, you wouldn't
listen - - - you asked for it
you deserve this punishment
of being my wife - - mother
woman, our sister
but I love him
Come I say, I want
to help
please
please
please
but I love him!
I hope they come and get their
kid soon
I don't want to get involved

wish, but you must not
strike her on the face."
"r believe that reasonable
chastisement should be the
duty OCR,
of everyweb
husband
if his
by Estella
a long hard
day!
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wife misbehaves," he said.
you

�REPORT: N.W.O. International
Women's Year Co-ordinating CouncilMarch 22nd, 1975

If you are not already aware, N.W.O.
has a council to co-ordinate projects
for I.W.Y. in Northwestern Ontario.
This council evolved out of the
seminar held in Thunder Bay in Nov.
1974.
On the following page is a
map which represents the communities
that the council is attempting to
involve.
Presently the majority of
communities are represented on the
council and constant attempts are
being made to involve all of N.W.O.
The Council meets on a monthly basis
here in Thunder Bay on a Saturday
from 10;00 - 5:00 at Confederation
College.
The purpose of these meetings is to draw together the communities in N.W.O. in an effort to
a) identify area concerns and needs
b) actions necessary to meet such needs
c) the role that the council can
play in meeting such needs

The major project now underway is
the I.W.Y. Travelling Caravan. This
project's starting date is May 1st
and will continue until midSeptember on a $10,000.00 budget.
The $10,000.00 was a grant received
from the Secretary of State, Women's
programs-I.W.Y. Provincial Funding.
This travelling caravan will carry
information on:
Health care, Legal concerns of women
and children, Women in the work force,
Sex-role stereotyping, Education ....
and much, much more.
Watch For Us....
We will be visiting you.

For further information please contact
the I.W.Y. Council at P.O. BOX 314,
THUNDER BAY F, Ontario.

A second project now un
is the Crisis Housing for`
and children. Tentative boi os
(2). are being investigato
City Council has been moo',
responsive. Hopefully the ,W0
houses (in co-operation with
the Ministry of Community and
Social Services) will be underway before long.
For more information write to
Mary Tomlinson C/O I.W.Y.
Council.

A third project now underway
is the History of Pioneer Women
of N.W.O. A committee has
been formed and is headed by
Mickey Murray who also can be
contacted cjo I.W.Y. Council.
GET INVOLVED.

A fourth project underway is the
compiling of an "Information
Booklet" listing all women's
groups in N.W.O. aria- the

functions and services that they
provide within their respective
communities.
If you are
involved in a Women's Group and
wish to be involved in this
project please contact the I.W.Y.
Council.

The next meeting to take place is
on April 26th.
If you have any
issues or concerns that you feel
should be brought up at this
meeting please write to us
ahead of time.
The purpose of the N.W.O.
International Women's Year Coordinating Council is to be a
voice of women and women's
concerns. We offer our support
and would like to encourage
your participation.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR is
for ALL people.

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�LEGIS ATION TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

The Women's Teachers Federation
held a Women in Politics conference
April 23 at the Royal Edward Hotel.
Kay Sigurjonsson addressed over 200
women, and the one man in attendance.
She said it matters not if women
are making progress in the media,
management or any other traditionally
male occupations. The advances are
insignificant if the final outcome or
policies are determined by men.
Nationally, politics affect every cause
that women are fighting for.
Ms. Sigurjonsson has been approached by three of the existing parties to
run for office, but very frankly, the
"boys club atmosphere of the House is
not for her. Hopefully, other women
who can tolerate the boredom, bickering
and pettyness of the members, will not
let this deter them from becoming
involved.
We need more women in the
House who will support women's issues
and who have a good grasp of the overall
needs of the Nation.
Women who do not wish to run for
office can still take political action
said Ms. Sigurjonsson. Women have
political clout that is not being used:
petitions and letters are tools for
lobbying and for applying pressure to
government.
After the speech, the participants
assembled in smaller groups for discussion
Women were urged not to let this evening
be the end of their interest in politics.
A Women in Politics questionnaire
was distributed by the Northwestern
Ontario I.W.Y. Co-ordinating Council, this
being one of their priorities. The
questionnaire is designed to assist the
Federation to plan another progremme as
soon as possible; hopefully before the
next election.
GET INVOLVED, write the Council,
Box 314, T.B.F., or phone 622-989.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S
YEAR
The following is a letter which
was sent to women throughoUt the
region:
On March let and 2nd
approximately 70 representatives
from various Women's Centres from
across Canada met in Thunder Bay
for a two day conference. We' are
sending along a report of this
conference compiled by Kitchener/
Waterloo Women's Place.
The importance of developing
strong regional communication as a
'first step' to a country-wide
communications network was realize
and so we are contacting you in th
hope that you will be willing to
take on the responsibility of
contact person for women in your
community who are now organized or
who may some day organize around
concerns of women.
If you cannot
be our 'contact person', please le
us know and/or refer us to another
woman.

We will attempt to share wit
you information about our activitt
(our newsletter is one source), as
well as whatever information that
we receive via the nationwide
communications network dubbed
Network Nellie (after Nellie Monty
set up at the Women's Centres
conference.
Hopefully, you will devote
some of your energy in keeping us
informed of events, attitudes and
concerns of women in your communit
Who knows, someday soon we might a
get together in the district for of
own regional conference. Anyone
want to plan this?
Happy International Women's
Year.

In strength and
sisterhood,

CONGRATULATIONS Ruth Cook on winning the
handcrafted afghan we raffled recently.
The rest of you make arrangements to buy
Estella Friedlander
tickets on the next one; we'll draw for
Northern Women's Centre
it June 12 at the Policy Meeting.
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�W}{

TELEVISION MAKES ATTORNEY-

I WAS A CHILD I PLAYED WITH THE
BOYS

GENERAL SICK-US TOO
In a Chronicle-Journal art; c le

recently, Attorney-General, John
Clement, was quoted as saying, hI
watch less television these days
because I'm frankly sickened by what
I see". He was referring to the
violence to which we are all subjected.
Even shows whose format was
once fairly bland have been revised
to cater to the ever-escalating
demand for murder and destruction- shows like Adam 12 and Kung Fu for
instance.
Unfortunately, the
viewing audience includes very
young and impressionable children.
John Clement stated, "There are
more murders in a few hours of prime
time television than there are in
Toronto in a year." Further, he
estimated that the average 15-year
old has seen more than 13,000 killings
on television. How does this affect
our children?
Researchers have shown that
children are affected by filmed aggression. When the situation permiTS,
they often model specific aspects of
the behaviour they watched.
For
instance, children who watched films
of an adult who kicked and jumped on
a life-size, inflatable doll, very
often im3,tated the specific actions
when given the actual doll.
There
were similar effects even when the
films featured cartoon characters;
the effects were more dramatic if
the filmed aggressors were male, and
if they were rewarded for their
behaviour, or if they were not
punished.
On television, the aggressors
are most often male, and very often
they are supposedly the "good guys"
who reap considerable rewards.
cow VA

when I was a child
I played with the boys
and (because I was only a girl)
they made me
be

the Indians

y name was Pox Women
and they hunted me
like doge
my name was
White Bird
and I flew to escape them

my name was Last Star
the last of my people
my name was Sunset
for they caught me
and burned me
my name was Won't Talk
for I never
betrayed us
time after time
the boys shot me down
and I came back
Red Witch
wild and chanting
came back
Ghost Dance
came back
Bad Dream
came back
an't Forget
and Crazy-With-Grief
I know where they went
those boys with their guns
they're still hunting Indians
look
you can see, their names are
Spills Blood
and Kills-Without-Mercy

from Ms Magazine by Mary Mackey
1975

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�A44CierNeAr

Cce"eetti,

ct)

And what about the victims of
all this aggression? Although it seems
as though every group is victimized on
television, we are very concerned about
how women are so often assault0 and
brutalized.
Our children notAlearn
that aggression is statistically normal,
but also that the recipients of this
aggression are too often female.
(If
you doubt this, just count the number
of times women are hit or thrown about
on your television screen.)
The values of our society are
learned by children not only through
parental guidance and example. The media
also presents a picture of our culture
and our values. What are the values
our children see on television? They see
that brutal and assaultive behaviour is
often respected and rewarded.
It all helps to perpetuate the
"macho" image of males, and it pushes us
further down the road of dehumaniLation.

CHILDREN

1A1_14A

When one suggests that children can
be raised outside of marriage, the audience looks horrified, as if such unmarried parents would be inflicting pain
deliberately on their children. Indeed,
the notion that children should be raised
within the nuclear family structure in MO
reinforced that one wondered if children
raised in a group family before the institution of monogamous marriage came into being felt vaguely uncemfortable; or if two
people have children within marriage for
the sheer gratification of knowing they're
"doing the right thing,"
That wondering must be done either
facetiously or naively, for the nuclear
family provides an unhealthy atmosphere in
which to noise children. Undoubtable there
are unpleasant alternatives, but to suggest
that marriage provides the bent environment is the result of narrow thinking. Foesibilities for non-restricting, Joyous and
creative child-rearing exist, but for the
most part, outside of marriage as it is
structured today.

Why must the raising of a child be
limited to two people, and within that relationship, narrowed almost exclusively to the
biological mother? Nebulous questions are
raised about the child's need for "secerity"..
However it has frequently been pointed out
by the most conservative of °experts" that
children in a family are much better off if
their father participates in active, positive ways in the children's liven. Thiel
suggests that another person can benefit the
child's growth immensely. Why tan the child
not have the benefit of inter-reaction with
several adults, and non-biological brothers
and sisters? Why should this create felling.* of insecurity, when before the development of increased mobility and suburban
sprawl with its "little boxes" made for the
nuclear family unit, the "extended" family
produced unneurotic children, probably more
happy than those of today.
If a child had other adults besided its
parents to turn to when troubled; if it had
other people it could relate to maturely and
responsibly; if it had playmates when it
needed them, yet privacy if so desired, there
would be no "generation gap"--the irrecon-

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�eilable alienation of the child from
The generation gap is only
parents.
the direct result et children raised
within the uncommunicative atmosphere
of the nuclear family.
Let us examine the relationship of
the child to the parent in a nuclear
family. A child is with its mother and
only its mother for most of its waking
houre. When its father comes home from
work, he is too tired to appreciate
his child, and its mother is tired of
its company4ocrying and constantly fulfilling its reeds, so it is put to bed,
its crying ignored as much as possible.
"(A married woman's) child is too
much cared for, too diligently
regarded during the day and, when
her husband returns from work,
soon banished from the adult
world to his bed, so that Daddy
can relax, The Oedipal situation
which is always duplicated in
marriage is now intensified to
a degree which Freud would have
found appalling. Father is very
really a rival and a atranger.
During the day the child may be

is certain is that there has been
too much attention from one person
who is entirely at his disposal.
The intimacy between mother and
child is not sustaining and healthy.
The child learns to exploit his
mother's accessibility, badgering
her with question and demands which
are not of any real consequence to
him,.blaokmailing her into buying
sweets and carrying him. Depend10
ence does not mean love!"
If women weren't conditioned to
nk that the problems of "postpartum blues", "housewife syndrome",
and resentment towards her children and
husband were their own fault instead of
the "situationa" the "situation" would
change, and motherhood could allow true
A woman is a human being
fulfillment.
before she is female, and thus her need
for growth, intellectual stimulation
and the company of adults doesn't cease
with the event of pregnancy.
Georgine Garrett
-Mlit,'64,79114.1.*V.,100,81,W,gteWS00421%t

HI LDREN

-----.1111etia-a&amp;urettearkotionR

a

A

WHAT THEY LIVE

child lives with criticism

s/he learns to condemn,
If a child lives with
s/he learns to fight,

hostility

The seeds of sex role playing and male chauvinism

start early and are planted in subtle ways. t'arents

f

he is abet, like all small children, sensitive and gets his
feelings hurt easily, you will make him asharnedof his

/he
If a
/he
f a
/he
I a
s/he
f a
s/he
If a

sensitivity anti react to hurt feelings by becoming
super-obnoxious and bullying. Or he may start to
withdraw. Little boys should be exposed to dolls,

:if a
lache

pretty objects and attractive clothes, just as little girls
should be exposed to toy cars, mechanical toys, and

f a
/he

do this without even realising they are
contributing to the perpetuation of this bullshit. The
child will want to repeat dime actions you
acknowledge with your approval, spoken or
otherwise, and will try to repress those reactions for
which you show disapproval or which you ignore,. If
you only express pride in your son being big, tough,
loud and aggressive, and refuse to acknowledge that
may

blue jeans.

If a

child lives with ridicule
learns to be shy,
child lives with shame
feel guilty,
learns t
child lives with tolerance
learns to be patient,
child lives with encouragement
learns confidence,
child lives with praise
learns to appreciate,
child. lives with fairness
learns justice,
child lives with security
learns to have faith,
child lives with approval
learns to like her/himseIf.
child lives with acceptan,-

a.r. :.l friendship

Cie learns to find love in the

Peci
tkorunkrLi

or ltd

Ta.mvssaiikongis

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�There was a young woman who swallowed a lie
We all know why she swallowed that lie,
Perhaps she'll die.

There was a young. woman who swallowed a rule,
live to nerve others, she learned it; in school.
She swallowed the rule to hold up the lie....perhaps she'll die.

There was a young woman who swallowed some fluff,
Lipstick &amp; candy &amp; power &amp; puff.
She swallowed the fluff to sweeten the rule,
She swallowed the rule to hold up the lie,
We all know why she swallowed that lie......
Perhaps she'll die.

There was a young woman who swallowed
a line,
di like

fivit dumb, baby, you suit
me fine.v
She swallowed the line to tie to the fluff.
She swallowed the fluff to sweeten the rule,
She swallowed the rule to hold up the
Perhaps she'll die.

There was
was a young woman who swallowed a pill.
Might have said no hut she hadn't the will.
She swallowed the pill to go with the line,
She swallowed the line to tie up the fluff.
She swallowed the fluff to sweeten the rule.
She swallowed the rule to hold up the
Perhaps she'll die.

There was a young woman who swallowed a ring.
Looked like a prinGess &amp; felt like a thing.
She swallowed the ring to make up for the pill.
........ etc ........ Perhaps she'll die.

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�There was a young woman who swallowed
some Spook.-

'Stay at home mother, take care or
the flock'
She swallowed the Spook
to go with the ring ....... etc .......

ne day this young woman woke up &amp;sale
swallowed so much
'
I wish I were dead.
swallowed the Spook...... etc
rhaps I'll die.
-

She ran to her sister,
it wasn't too late
to be liberated -- regurgitate.
She thoW up the Spook,
She threw up the ring, looked like
a princess &amp; felt like a thing,
She threw up the pill,
and she threw up the lint.
II like tem dumb baby, you suit me fin 00

She threw up the fluff &amp; she threw up the rule.
'Live to serve others,' she learned it in school.
And at last she threw up the lies.
We all know why she threw up that lie.......
She will not die0
N, WICKS

Ala

mot Cinders' *AIM: Bert it, ;rale tteuelnist,,
and take your slipper with yAss,

THE GLOBE AND MAL" THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 1915

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�as I tuned to :72-emerset on TV,
'

7rd a male actor say to the

netress who pays hiE wife something
went like this:
"you have to
etav hone with eurta:. yet unborn)
ehij.d.
He deserves your fullest love
ar.:7 attention.
Psvchologists have
that the mother is necessary
t'elat even the first few weeks are

Unfertanately, the-line
psychologists is largely
Thved to be truce,a,7en by pshol"
But
this is changing,
andG0
libenatien
shu),d help
n the pnocess.

one child he studied had been
hospitalized for 9 months, and the
parents had not been allowed to
visit ever. Bowiby lid not take
this into account, nor did he
mention the effects of the illness
itself,
the kind of care the
child received in the hospital
(rir=iw mueh was it played with,
:7alked te, etc.) The only thing

Bowlby felt inc)ined to talk
abeut was the Nother child e a pa:i' -1tin4,
A ;e11nd eye has a)vays been
turnar3 to the other factors 5n tho
,;11(-4

t.sf instittlr-nuif.zed children.
ha 7e last thei:e

Mace ehildren
who is toebe-heldneost ren-

eeble fer the belief that the
.natra7
thesingle-most
--ertant element in the child7s life
John.Bowlby, He has written
on the subject end was supportes n.fl'antial as the
Organizat!en. Moot of
=: was do17,
the 195Ols and
researchers have attempted to
his questionable assumptions
i

r:?cia7::ch is enmplicated

neo other than lust the motherrelatonshin, and the ooneluJust dolat hold wat-ere.

el eve;

'hat the mother-child

'e esc-nti-14. for thl
, mentat henithc,
The offe3ts

caratien (7-rLicu)
before
of 5) are extensivo and
eeible.
According to him, the
are snr.., aocrehensi) and
they suffer fro incoar la and
of appetite; aad they evidence
-al

ors social interaet"_on.

children are also elera like'y
delinquents.
Zou
that all the children -1)-_

''_od were raised in institutions
,in separation frem iqom occurred
ne they lin,! been hospitalized,

pare:.-ce ;threug'r Cea!-,h, they may

haee been "neaten and taken away fro
their nar.3nts, or any 'ether of a
number of reasons, Yet all their
pi-oblems are suggested to be a
result of meithar-enhi)d sepanation,
The.

prcef for the conclusions is
One study
showed that 54% of 500 delinquents
studied had full time mothers, and
46% had working m&amp;,hers, These
often :ull of w-)les.

rumbee suggest fall time otheis
hare a cv,eaten chance of rai3'..-,g

delinquents, but the re?esnehers
concluded that oni:ing women were
in sons ';-nn7 respons ible for Colin-

qneneyt
mother;

When in doebt, blame the

TILJe as-.e -any waye in wnich cM1Jren may be rs.nea-.:
groups, so
ind4.vidua1 women reed not asEneme the
fall burden of responsibility, and
so that eaci, woman need not dup:liente
en e
OWD; the work done by every
other woman.
In soela7.ist enuntnIes
;here the children are the responsibility of the collective, in the
kibbr- ,lm of isnael, and in our onn
day -are centres, such a situntion
ex-sts. :lora people sre looking at
these forms of child care in a new

d'd not take into aceou.t any

;tied are beginning to write

other factors which wena),d
those ebildren,
Fe v example,

of the possible benefits for both
mother and 0.-.5.1d.

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�The prevailing attitude regarding
motherhood is designed to keep women
at home, and off the labour market-except in times of war and national
emergency. When we are no longer
reeed, we're sent packing back to
our kitchens. Dr. Bowiby (remember
him?) believed women are responsible
for providing their children with
constant attention day and night, 7
days a week, and 365 days in the
year. If the child must be hospitalized, maybe the mother ehould go tool
Thus tho psychology profession has
worked to keep. women tied to the home
and their children.
Instead of looking at just the motherchild relationship, we should be
looking at all the things which help
children to grow.
We should look at
things like paternal deprivation (one
study showed that paternal deprivation
occurred 5 times more often among an
Pritario reform school population than
did maternal deprivation); also the
need for adult models of either sex;
consistency in child care; the individual differences and needs with
1.ch each of us is born, and how we
can best meet those needs; the kind of
handling and the amount of handling
and stimulation each child needs.
The emphasis should be on how we can
best raise children-what kind of
things are important and necessary.
The emphasis should not be on the
mother-child relationship alone.

Women are beginning to question
whether or not motherhood must mean a
neverending round cf diapers,
dinnev:4 and dishes. A lot of us
believe many of these j:Je-jobs can be
socialized (taken off cur hands),
The
question is, "how many" and "how can
we do it", For instance, we might
have government-Tun cafeterias;
laundries and child care centres. The
cost would be minimal and the service
excellent.

In China, where the children are
the responsibility of the Collective
they are taught among other values
to care for each other. The focus
is on eo-operation. What is
important is that the goals of
child care are made very clear to
everyone involved. What are the
goals in our system? In our children, we stress an out-dated concept
cf masculinity and feminity which
incorporates to varying degrees,
aggressiveness, competition and
emotionality. If we all work
together, maybe we can come up with
something which gives Canada's
children a truly equal chance to
grow and learn.
Our present system of day care is
haphazard and over-burdened. How
can we, as women, feel really free
to choose a career, when it must be
at the expense of cur children?
When will the alternative be worth
having?

I believe it is possiblo once we
have excellent day care available
to everyone. For this to happen,
we must exert pressure on the people
in power to divert money and energy
to this area.
Come to Women's Centre and help us
write a brief to government.
Call
up the Social Planning Council
they have put together a survey
which is supposed to identify the
needs of our community with regard
to day care. Write to your local
MP and tell him if you're dissatisfied with existing facilities.

-

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�Women's Right to Choose
In conjunction with a crossnumerous abortions as pregnancy
Canada Day of Protest, a workshop
occurs. We feel that there are
and demonstration took place, here,
very few women who really like
in Thunder Bay, on Saturday, April
the idea of abortion, but the
The message of these events
12th.
need to be allowed the last resort
was Abortion Lair Repeal and the
alternative of abortion makes tno
release of Dr. Morgentaler.
"right to choose" approach necCentering on the issue of
essary.
morality, Jacqui Beauregard
considered such questions as: Is
abortion murder? Will it lead to
euthanasia or loss of respect for
life? and Will it become another
method of Birth Control? The
concensus reached by the 30 -40
people in attendance was that
morality is a personal e ncern
-,r
and
that legislation
individual morality is insulting,
unjust and unnecessary.
The effective analogy of a
fetus to a kqueprin'-, used by
Jacqui, pointed out the argument
for early abortion. The longer
the delay in termination of
pregnancy the more developed is
the blueprint for life.
Quality of life or humanity
was also considered. The decision
to abort an unwanted pregnancy
shows more respect for life than the
alternative of an unwanted,
unplanned pregnancy which brings
pain, both emotional and physical
to the woman involved as well as
an unwanted child.
As well as chairing the
workshop, Valerie Packota discussed
the legalities of ab r.:1_1- the
ineffectiveness of present
legislation
of inconsistent
Also because
on the agenda
at Satu-,day's
application
and vague
workshop
was a interpretation
discussion of the
of the definition
of "health".
Dr. Morgentaler
case. Quebec
TheCourt
argument
which suggests
of Appeals
overturned a
that a woman
would
useverdict
abortion
Montreal
jury
acquitting
as a method
of birth control
Dr. Morgentaler.
An appeal by
implies Dr.
thatMorgentaler
women
irrespons
to the Supreme
and needCourt
legislation
to resulted
control in his
of Canada
them lest
they
run
ott
and
have
being sentenced to 18
months in
Bordeaux Prison.
Dr. Morgentaler
is a reformist, in favor of
repeal of abortion law. Acting
on his personal conscience, Or.
Morgentaler performed abortions
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on his
acting
accord with their needs and in

�Women'

AlEht_to Choose (rontid)

Demonstrators moved do downtown Thunder Bay
North to continue the
protest.
April 12th was considered a National Day of Mourning
for Dr. Henry
Morgentaler, for all women who suf.tered and died
at the hand- of
butcher abortionists, and for the death of
the Canadian Bill of Rights.

L

lizer

!:411.

Lew

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�FREE TO BE. .YOU AND ME
1972 Bell Records, available on loan from
THE NORTHERN WOMEN'S CENTRE

Children's Books Available from the

This joyous album of songs and stories
for children and other people gives the
movement toward true equality between the
sexes a gentle push in the direction of the
future.
The concepts of Free To Be..are the
essence of peoples liberation.
WILLIAM'S DOLL, IT'S ALRIGHT TO CRY,
PARENTS ARE PEOPLE, ATLANTA, to name a few
of the pieces, help us to recognize that
the new male and female image will emerge
in coming generations if children can be
freed from the stereotypes of the past that
have been taken seriously for centuries.
The new father burps his baby, and the
new mother has other interests besides her
young child, but parents as a team remain
solidly basic.
Frankly..both hate housecleaning, but
women may now say so, and doing the chores
together is recommended.
FREE TO BE..YOU AND ME is a courageous
first attempt at breaking new ground in
areas of concern to children and adults
alike.
It starts from a base line of respect for the right of all human beings to
be themselves without too much concern for
what boys do as boys, or girls as girls.
By raising doubts about traditional restrictive models for man and women alike, the
record opens up for children the happy vista
that all individuals, male or female, are
people above all.

The Sheep Book by Carman Good Year,
The story of a farmer and her sheep.

NORTHERN WOWS CENTRE LIBRARY

Joshua's Day by Sandra Lucas Surowiecki.
Joshua learns to cope with anger at his
day oars centre.
Exactly Like Me by Lynn Phillips. A
lively story about an independent girl
who is proud of what she is.

Did You Ever. A rhyme which invites
children to try out a variety of activities'

Martin's Father
A young boy and his father engage in play
and household activities together.
Jo, Flo, &amp; Yolanda. The story of triplets
who reveal their individuality.
Carlotta and the Scientist. A penguin
sidetracks to adventure on her way to
gather fish for her husband and baby.
Grown-Ups Cr- Too,

For all ages.

Lathing But a Dot by Bobbi Katz.

112221EltyGirls and Bon by Eve
Nirrias.

The Double Mirror, The Mushrooming House
and I'm a Child of the City by Esther
Sokolov Fine.
Inaloosiak and the Grizzly Bear. (from
the 0.I.S.E. Women's Kit)
Nand- and ti,EIe/LiL2ifjUby BeverAey Allinson.

Emcniltualstin by Jan Andrews
If you would like your own copy of any of
these books, inquire at the omen's Centre.
We have the ordering addresses and respective prices. Rost are under *2,00

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�DAY CARE

Is there a need for more day
care in Thunder Bay? The Lakehead
Social Planning Council conducted
a survey during July and August
of 1974 and concluded 'YES', more
child care services are greatly
needed.
Many respondents
expressed groat concern over the
inadequate, unsatisfactory
arrangements they found necessary
to make, due to a lack of quality
day care.
Based on the results of the
survey, the L.S.P.C. presented
number of recommendations to the
City, community agencies and
school boards, urging them to work
either directly or co-operatively
in order to:
1) expand municipal day nursery
facilities.
2) provide infant care, and
investigate the possibility
of associating a centre with
Senior Citizens facilities.
3) allocate space in all new
apartment and housing
developments for child care,
4) operate one day care centre
24 hours per day, 7 days per
week.

5) provide before and after school
and lunch hour programs.
6) provide emergency service.
7) provide subsidies for homemakers service.
8) hire a Child are Co-ordinator,
to maintain a reference for all
availablenehildecare sereicen,
9) advertise existing services.
10) provide a service for students
and staff of Confederation
College and Lakehead University.
11) provide child care programs in
places of employment,
.

Beeponse by the City has been
quite faverable and plsna for '76
include;

2 additional municipal day
care centres,
a day care centre associated
with Grandview Lodge, Home
for the Aged,
1 additional Private Home
Day Care Supervisor,
a child care co-ordinator,
2 after-school programs, rn
by Parks and Recreation.
The Thunder Bay Chamber of
Commerce has formed a Child
Day Care Committee to investigate
employer responsibility in child
care as well as allocation of
space in new housing and apartment
developments for child care.
Both Boards of Education will
be distributing a questionnaire
via the students, to obtain
specific data on the need for
lunch hour and after school
programs.

A Handbook of Available
Services for Children is
presently being compiled, and
should be available by the end
of June.
For further information,
contact Kate Sikerbol at the
Lekehead Social Planning Council,
995 Memorial Avenue, 344-1841.

1 m

1.he

-

lT-1 amlnist News Service has

announced its existence and will
attempt to present women's news
, without the traditional biases of
other media groups.
Ten regional
irepresentatives will coutrlhut
material via the Waterloo headquarters.
This bilingual news agency
is currently seeking donations.
Anyone interested in learning about
the service, or wanting to subscribe

IcqAtact Wpm I's Ceatmi

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4

�Northern Women'e Centre
P.O. Box 314
Thender Bay, Ont,
March 21, 1975
e Minieistor Trudeau:
All Members of Parleamentt

We believe that a realistic approach should be taken towards cue half the population of Canada. We have heard that nothing should hold back
women from achievire their
full potential. We are now wondering whether government
etatements regarding women are
really concerned with the iesues or whether they are solely propaganda distributed
across
Canada because it is International Women's Year. It is time for action, not words
If women are to take a meaningful place in Canada then all aspects of
women must be
considered.
Women are only ac strong as their youngest child. Lack of day care cannot
help but limit the options open to women. One cannot think about choices
open to women
without considering their children.
We strongly advocate increasing tax deductible child care cost from $500 per child
to a minim= of $1,200 per cheld. $1,200 is the very minimum that
a family might spend
in caring for one child when both parents are not at home.
Fathers, in exceptional cases, mey claim the child care deduction.
We believe however, that if this deduction Is not open to all fathers, as well as the mother, it is a
form of sexual discrimination which contravenes the Canedien Bill of Right's.
Since
either parent is allowed to pay income tax on government child allowances then tax dedeetable child care coats should also be able to be claimed by either parent, when both
form a functioning family unit.
At present, only a working parent may claim these deductable expenses, the parent
who is a student should not be penalized. By disallowing this privilege to student
parents, the pattern of low paying jobs may be re-enforced, at many parents would not
be able to pay both high tuition fees and child care costs. Such action on the governents part may be considered to be irresponsible as valuable minds are not able to receive necessary training in order for them to make the best possible contribution to
their community. In thia way, the government by their 19th oeetury
practices, are contributine to the "Brain Drain."
The wyman who stays home to rear hor children is doing a valuable job to her country.
She is raising young citizens who will eventeally interact within their community. She
has had the difficult teak of transferming self-gratifying infants into socially responsible adults. In spite of her arduous and formidable tase, she receives very little
compensation or eneamragement from her society. We strongly advocate that such othere
who remain home with their children should receive all Canada Pension Plan end Unemployment Insurance contributions from the beginning of the last trimester of pregnancy (or
when she leaves work) until her child is a least 2 years of age (or until she returns
to the work force.)
Only- by such meaeures will all Canadian citizens maintain a sense of pride in themseines as human being*, and as Canadians.
The force of the woman's vote can topple unresponsible and uncaring governments or
can strengthen encouraging gevernments. The power of our vote potential has been too
long ignored. We are no longer prepared to allow members of parliament with unrealistic
views of women to rule, Canada with 19th century e.tttudas
It is time to write 20th
century social laws and convention on the statute books.
Jenny Beck
(Thie petition it presently in cieculation. Pleatse collect as many eignaturec as
eoseible, on the reverse side, and return to the Northern Wenen's Centre.

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�WE, THE UNDERSIGNED. 217nITIaq roh TUE "FOLLOWING;
1.
THAT TAX IXDUCTABLE CHILD CARE COSTS SHOULD BE INCREASED FROM MO. PER YEAR
PER CHILD TO A MINUMIN OF $1,200. A YEAR PEh CHILD;
2.
THAT THIS TAX EOMPTION SHOULD BE ALLOWABLE TO EITOR FATHER OR MOTHS?;
3. THAT THIS IMEMPTION SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE CLAIMED
BY PARENTS WHO ARE STUDENTS
AS WELL AS SALARIED PARENTS;

MAT SUCH EMIRS WHO REMAIN HOKE WITH MIR CHILDREN SHOULD RECEIVE ALL
CANADA PENSION PLO AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS.
4.

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�drinks
the given
the Soft
children
in and
his hamburgers,
school are being
delight
of millions
American children
behavior
modifyingofdrugs.
may have In
hidden
side-effects.
the past
five or six years,
Dr. Ben.he says
Feingold,
a San Francisco
allergy
specialhe has treated
approximately
one
hundred
s
hyperactive cases.
any of these children
often characterized in early infancy as
"crib rockers" and described later as
rva"frenetic" or exhibiting compulsive berohavior like beating their heads against
at
wills- -had already been put on drugs.
cRitalin or amphetamines make adults
s
more active. But they slow hyperactive
children down. The scientific explanation
is
of this pheriomonon is still conjectural.
In about 80% of the cases in which the
children had already been put on drugs,
y
Feingold found out that once the children
%
had been put on a diet which cut out
artifical food colorings and flavorings,
it was possible to completely discontinue
the drugs without adverse behavioral reactions.
On the same diet, about 50-60%
es
of the hyperactive children not already
ut
on drugs returned to normal.
Why are food additives so all pervasive in our food? Simple. The more
vadditives, "the higher the potential profitmargin," writes Food Engineering, a leading trade journal.
The nation's top food, drug and chemi, a
cal corporations have developed synthetic
iladditives into over a $500 million a year
business, churning out close to a billion
pounds of them in 1970. Additives cut
w
manufacturing costs. Cakes that once
needed eggs and butter need only tiny
n
amounts of synthetic flavoring and colorrol
ing and emulsifier. Fruit juices no
mply
And often the price of
longer need fruit.
those "convenience foods" is more, even
though the cost of producing them is less.
atAn average child's breakfast ie
loaded with nonessential flavors and colors
added to entice the child. Then the
that
conscientious and concerned parent gives
e
the child vitamins, usually chewable, which
are also loaded with additives.
Feingold notes that over the last 10
or
years, the increase in the profitability
lo
of producing flavors and soft drinks paof
rallels the increased incidence of hyperactivity and learning difficulties among
school children.
her-self Nov, 1974

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�Sc art date.

he

At the behest of several irate
American mothers, we recently paid a
visit to one of New York's largest
toy stores, The Dumpling Shop, to inspect their new line of baby-dolls this
being the source and object of the petition.

g.

Shop

against the simple abstractioncf material
greed and commercial exploitation which
daily confront us--these are part and parml
of the system, dues of the freedom club and
cheap at the price. Surely, however, we do
Ilave a right to ask: have we really so depleted exploitation that it has come to this?
And moreover, where then is it to end? One
is forced to wonder, even to speculate with
dread, What next? Little Victor Vomit?
Little Katy Ka-Ka? Don Diarrhea? Sill Sammy
Shoot-Off?!!!
No, we cannot, will not, buy its Our
answer to Mrs. Leyton-Reims:
Yes, you may
indeed count on us. Our presses and our
staff stand ready to shoulder a man-size
burden in carrying your cause forward, which
by our light, is also the cause of every
right-thinking parent throughout this grand

"It is quite unspeakable," wrote Mrs.
Leyton-Reims of Westchester.
"My club is
taking action. May we count on you?"
it is, of course, a bit off the
track for a freethought magazine like
our Realist to become involved in controversy of this sort, Still, what's the
use of it all if you can't take a stand
occasionally, at least on matters of
cultural importance. After all, these
are serious times- East and West locked
in dynamic struggle, our own culture
land.
faltering, indeed at times floundering,
in a sea of cynicism and failing beliefs,
youth desperately seeking values--so that
it was with a heavy heart that we came
away from The Dumpling Shop, after having
seen the item in question, namely: the
so-called Little Cathy Curse Doll-Complete with Teeny Tampons.
This "doll", we were blandly assured
by the management, is merely a "logical
follow-up" on last season's highly successful Tina Tiny Tears--The Naughty Nappy
Doll ("She Cries Real Tears and Wets Her
Beddr).
Whether or not it is a "logical
follow-up" is, at least in cur opinion,
not the principal issue, at hand; the
principal issue is that of taste, or responsibility, and of common decency.
On these three counts we judge both
The Dumpling Shop and the manufactures of

green Review

the Little Cathy use Doll to be in
serious default. The lavisth arrangements
for the display of this so-called doll
occupy a prominent section of The Dumpling Shop's smart fourth floor. Stretched
overhead is a huge colorful circle-like
banner which features a happy little girl
holding the doll and exclaiming crossly:
"Why, Cathy Curse, I do believe you're
staining!
I think you'd better have fresh
panties and a teeny tampon!"
Certainly it would be naive in the
extreme to raise shrill and pious protest

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�ILLEGITIMATE CHIL1I3i
Being aft unmennied mother I waa
interested in reading an article in
Weekend Magazine Vol. 23, No. 21, 26th
May 1973, 'Children Who Aren't'.
After reading over the poeition I
had. put_ my natural born een. in, first

let me share IMMO of the comments with
pea,

'Children Who Aren't' speaks about
illegitimate children, or children who
are born oeteide a legal merriege.
"In Canada, Legitimacy Act in
all provincee sort, grade end label
ehildren with no more feeling than in
tho grading of hogn or egge. To be
graded as legitimate, one's parents
have been or believed they h
been,
legally married, or have had the carriage annulled, Adopted children aloe
qualify.
Al) other children ate un-

ut

lawfUltlh

"If Emily (an illegitimate child)
had been berm in Nee Realend or Denmark
er Bolivia, Sweden, or a_ host of ether
cauntries with updated laws, she wouldn't
hare been expoeed to euch emotional or
financial indignities (contesting a
eill). In those places
the legal concept of illegitimacy hee been eliminated, and all children are equal before
the lawo regardlese ef the conditions
of their birth. In the UE, recent
nourt
docisiond have held that such diecriminetions against children is uncenetitetional."
In a ruling- where a relative made
preteision fox 'ay sister's ehild,
Reancy" the judge agre*d Rodney enould
not Inherit; "Obviously" he amid in

effect, "Aunt Marion didn't knew Redney
was illegitimate, if she had the moat
certaiely would have onid 'my sieter'e
117aeiltimata child, Redney'; add had
alas known the boy wee illegitieate shn
might well not have left her money to
hint"

siders bastards the children of anyone."
The court recognize that the law
ie out
of harmon with present-day
social policy,
but they feel it is their duty to
intro
pret the lac, riot make it."
Some countriee like New Zealaad and
Norway, give all children equal right?
without dietinctions and regardiese of
legitimacy.
In 1967 the United Nations adopted,
at a basic human right,
the principle that
every pereon, once his filiation has been
eatabliehed, hall have the
same legal
status es a person born in wedlock.
nee
years later, Canada still has not
accepted
this basic. creed. Canada ranks
among the
unjust and the barbaric with respect
to
legitimacy lawc."
Tha above, at mentioned, were from
an
article by Frances Porteue; after reading
I found that I was in en unesual position,
being the mother (unmarried) of
one
netrral born child and one adopted
I sought legal advice. I was given child.
a legal
paper to read and quote from it
the followinge

"A bastard or illegitimate
child is
one born out of lawful wedlock.
The
legal peeition of the illegitimate
child
was, under he COMMOA 1nal,
very different
and more restrietei than that of the
leaitimate child.
at common law nn illegitimate is
nellius filliue (the son of nobody) and
cannot therefore, he rise-andante
or
collaterale (cannot lawrully inherit
from father). Statute law has,
however,
changed this to a large degres. (This
scunds geed but in, in fact, very
cow.
plicated, ac the child can only
claim if
paternity bee been proved and if there
is
now widow or lEelful issue.)
At coon law an illegitimate is
nulliue filliur and, therefore,
aacendante or oollaterale
cannot inherit from
him--his only heirs are the heirs
to hie
body.
This peeition hes been cempletly
revereed by utatute as both the intestate
succeseion Act and the Wills Act
declare
An illegitimate child to be treated as
if he were the legitimate child of
his
mother."
In my case then it is clear that my
natural born child is labelled as the

%ince the nobility had trouble
Leeping bloodline paro, it eam decided
that to preserve the order of inherite
ance those born (nitride of wedlock
ehouId be censidered to be "nobedy'a
child."
This basic premiae was eeaffiruen in Canada AB recently et the
30s, when the courts ueed as precede
cent a catee from 1742 where, t
judge
eeeeened, "I know of
no
esee
that
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�*4.1eitft9~.±MAISMIONA,A.ORMIUMY

WHAT ARE OUR CHILDREN WORTH?
'son of nobody is this too the state of
ay adopted child? Apparently not
The case for universal, free
"An_111231-LnIp child beeomes le-itimday care
ate when he is admiztl, Section 0,i, of]
the Child Well
Act
tatee that for al4
There is an ever-increasing
purposes an adopted child becomes upon
demand for day care. Each of the two
adoption the child of the adopting
municipal centeee in Thunder Bay have
parent and the adopting parent becomes
welting lists of approximately 100
the parent of the child a if the child
Parents are generaaly dishas been born to that -rarer.: In 1a7117satisfied with both the quantity and
wedlock."
quality of existing day care.
Therefore my eecond child is lege
One possible solution is to open
itimate;
a eimple solution then, I doptS up day care centres along the costmy natural born child and thereby legcutting principles of Colonel Senders
itimise him. Not so easy, armed with all and Ronald McDonald.
In C-nada,
this information T. appreathed a social
where we feel health care is not an
worker at our local branch of Health and
area where huge profits should be
Social Development, she was completely
made, should we not protect child
sympathetic and offered to approach the
care also?
judge who handles Adoption hearings. Th
When corners are cut, it will be
answer came recently; while he was famat the expense of our children:
their
iliar with my case (having granted my
meals, poorly paid staff, huge adult/
first application for adoption) he had
child ratios, minimal toys and equipnever heard of such a thing--a mother
ment.
True, we can always legislate
adopting her own child in order to legagainst really bad conditions, but
itimize him!1! To which I reply You
the laws will only set minimal
may never have heard of this pracedure
standards.
One way we can ensure
before, but it is perfectly legal, for
optimal conditions is to have our
the obvious and following roasono
government take care of child care.
"The effect of legitimation is elect., Then we can look after the best
the child becomes legitimate from birth
interests of our children, free of the
"far all purposes" or "for all purposes
profit motive. And we can make child
of the law of the Provinces." (notable
care available to everyone--not just
exception 8.7 Legitimacy Act)"
th people who

pers.

1

JRS
UP Lethbridge Alberta (A Women's
Place Publication)

can afford it.
In New York, in June 1970, there
was a conference for business execuIves entitled "Profit possibilities
in Day Care". We must move quickly
to prevent such a free-for-all when
it is the development and education of
our children which is at stake.
Another solution is to have
companies offer child care to their
employees. Or
danger here is that the
companies can offer such services as
fringe benefits, with a view to getting
unpaid oveettme, rotation shift work
and fewer demands for raises/promotions.
Again, if the government assumes the
responsibility, we can avoid this problem
Demand of your federal MP that he
work to get us universal, free day care.

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�WHY BOYCOTT KRA 'CO?

D

Our aim in launching this boycott is to
put the National Farmers Union into a 4A10
position to bargain loilectively on bebe
half of oar dairy producers, for a price
on the milk they ship, just as workers
in a trade union bargain for their wages.
64si $ ttha Ws7
We have picked Kraft to boycott because
(
tvt)s
it is the corporation that dominates the
field.
If we can get it to the. bargaining table we will have made a break through that can be broadened to the
rest of the industry.

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We decided upon a boycott after years of
frustration with few results.
We started out with good arguments, We
approached the Canadian Dairy Commission,
the Ontario Milk Commission and the Onto
aria Milk Marketing Board with facts and
figures to show that milk shippers
weren't being paid enough and that the
dairy industry, could afford to pay more
out of the enormous profits taken from
our
polite
hearings and nothing more

We learned through this and other experiences that these marketing agencies,
which are supposed to be for the benefit
of the farmers, are nothing more than
fronts and agencies for the big monopolies.

We asked Kraft to meet with us but they,
turned us down cold.
So we set up a picket line around a Kraft
plant and received tremendous support
from the truckers who refused to cross
our line. However, they were threatened
by the company agent, the Ontario Milk.
Marketing Board, and. we were threatened
with eninjuction. so we took our pickets
off.
Even though we won a pay increase,
it isn't enough.
It seemed our only alternative, short of
holding our milk, was this boycott°
pleases support it

Thenks, The Men and Women of the National
Farmers Union
.

Cxtrt t.10+At.Hf
4

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�A FABULOUS CHILD'S STORY
Once upon a time, a baby named X was born. This baby was named X so that nobody
could tell whether it was a boy or a girl. Its parents could tell, of course, but they
couldn't tell anybody else. They couldn't even tell Baby X, at first.
You see, it was all part of a very important Secret Scientific Xperiment, known
officially as Project Baby X. The smartest scientists had set up the Xperiment at a
cost of Xactly 23 billion dollars and 72 cents, which might seem like a lot for just
one baby, even a very important Xperimental baby. But when you remember the prices of
things like strained carrots and stuffed bunnies, and popcorn for the movies and booster
shots for camp, let alone 28 shiny quarters from the tooth fairy, you begin to see how
it adds up.
Also, long before Baby X was born, all those scientists had to be paid to work out
the details of the Xperiment, and to write the Official Instruction Manual for Baby X's
parents and, most important of all, to find, the right set of parents to bring up Baby
X,
These parents had to be selected very carefully.
Thousands of volunteers had to
take thousands of tests and answer thousands of tricky questions.
Almost everybody
failed because, it turned out, almost everybody really wanted either a baby boy or a
baby girl, and not Baby X at all. Also, almost everybody was afraid that a Baby X
would be a lot more trouble than a boy or a girl.
(They were probably right, the
scientists admitted, but Baby X needed parents who wouldn't mind the Xtra trouble.)
There were families with grandparents named Milton and Agatha, who didn't see why
the baby couldn't be named Milton and Agatha, instead of X, eves if it was an X. There
were families with aunts who insisted on knitting tiny dresses and uncles who insisted
on sending tiny baseball mitts. Worst of all, there were families that already had
other children who couldn't be trusted to keep the secret.
Certainly not if they knew
the secret was worth 23 billion dollars and 72 cents-and all you had to do was take one
little peek at Baby X in the bathtub to know if it was a boy or a girl.
But, finally, the scientists found the Joneses, who really wanted to raise an X
more than any other kind of baby-no-matter how much trouble it would be
Ms. and Mr.
Jones had to promise they would take equal turns caring for X, and feeding it, and singing it lullabies. And they had to promise never to hire any baby-sitter.
The government scientists knew perfectly well that a baby-sitter would probably peek at X in the
bathtub, too.
The day the Joneses brought their baby home, lots of friends and relatives came
over to see it. None of them knew about the secret Xperiment, though. So the first
thing they asked was what kind, of a baby X was. When the Joneses smiled and said, "It's
They couldn't say, "Look at her cute little dimples!"
an X!" nobody knew what to say.
And they couldn't say, "Look at his husky little biceps!" And they couldn't even say
just plain "kitchy'coo." In fact, they all thought the Joneses were playing some kind
of rude joke.
"It's an X" was absolutely all they
But, of course, the Joneses were not joking.
would say. And that made the friends and relatives very angry. The relatives all felt
embarrassed about having an X in the family.
"People will think there is something
wrong with it!" others whispered back.
"What could possibly be wrong
"Nonsense!" the Joneses told them all cheerfully.
with this perfectly adorable X?"
Nobody could answer that, except Baby X, who had just finished its bottle. Baby
X's answer was a loud, satisfied burp.

A.WWetsf

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tint41't

�By the time X grew big enough to play with other children, the -Joneses'
troubles
had grown bigger, too. Once a little girl grabbed X's shovel
in the sandbox, and
zonked X on the head with it
'Now, now, Tracy," the little girl's mother began to
scold,
"little girls mustn't hit little--" and she turned to ask X, "Are you a little
boy or a little girl, dear?"
Mr. Jones, who was sitting nearby, held his breath and crossed
his fingers.
X smiled poli.tely at the lady, even though X's head had never been zonked
so hard
in its life.
"I'm a little X, X replied.
"You're a what?" the lady exclaimed angrily. "You're a little h-r-a-t,
you mean!"
"But little girls mustn't hit little Xes, either!" said X, retrieving the
shovel
with another polite smi le.
"What good does hitting do anyway?"
X's father, who was still holding his breath,
finally let it out, uncrossed his
fingers, and grinned back at X.
And at their next secret Project Baby X meeting,
the scientists grinned, too.
But then it was time for X to start school.
The Joneses were really worried about
this, because school was even more full of rules for
boys and girls, and there were no
rules for Xes. The teacher would tell boys
to
form
one
line,
line.
There would be boye' games and girls' games, and boys' and girls to form another
secrets.
The school library would have a list of recommended secrets and girls'
books for girls, and a
different list of books for boys. There would even be
a bathroom marked BOYS and another
one marked GIRLS. Pretty soon boys and. girls
would hardly talk to each other. That
ould happen to poor little X?
The Joneses spent weeks consulting their Instruction
Manual (there were 249i pages
of advice under "First Day of School") and
attending urgent special conferences with
the smart scientists of Project Baby X.
The scientists had to make sure that X's mother
had taught X how to throw and
catch a ball properly, and that X's father had
been sure to teach X what to serve at a
doll's tea party. X had to know how to shoot
all, what to say when the Other Children asked marbles and how to jump rope and, most of
whether X was a Boy or a Girl.
Finally, X was ready. The Joneses helped X button
on a nice new pair of red-and
white checked overalls, and sharpened six pencils
for X's nice new pencil box, and
marked X's name clearly on all the books in its nice
new bookbag. X brushed its teeth
and combed its hair, which just about covered its
ears,
and remembered to put a napkin
in its lunchbox.
The Joneses had asked X's teacher if the class
could line up alphabetically, instead of forming separate lines for boys and
girls.
And they had asked if X could use
the principal's bathroom, because it wasn't
marked anything except BATHROOM. X's
teacher promised to take care of all those problems.
But nobody could help X with the
biggest problem of all--Other Children.
Nobody in X's class had ever known an X before.
What would they think? How
would X make friends?
You couldn't tell what X was by studying its
clothes-overalls don't even button
right-to-left, like girls' clothes, or left-to-right,
like boys' clothes. And you
couldn't guess whether X had ak4.rl's short haircut
or a boy's long haircut. And it
was very hard to tell by the games X liked to play.
Either X played ball very well
for a girl, or else X played house very well
for a boy.

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C-01471)

�3

Clearly, nothing at all was wrong.
comfortable about buying a present for a
football helmet would not come and visit
flowered romper suit pulled their shades

Nevertheless, none of the relatives felt
Baby X. The cousins who sent the baby a tiny
any more.
And the neighbors who sent a pinkdown when the Joneses passed their house.

The Official Instruction Manual had warned. the new parents that this would happen,
so they didn't fret about it. Besides, they were too busy with Baby X and the hundreds
of different Xercises for treating it properly.
Ms. and Mr. Jones had to be Xtra careful about how they played with little X. They
knew that if they kept bouncing it up in the air and saying how strong and active it was
they'd be treating it more like a boy than an X.
But if all they did was cuddle it and
kiss it and tell it how sweet and dainty it was, they'd be treating it more like a girl
than an X.
On page 1,654 of the Official Instruction Manual, the scientists prescribed, "plenty
of bouncing and plenty of cuddling, both. X ought to be strong and sweet and active.
Forget about dainty altogether."
Meanwhile, the Joneses were worring about other problems. Toys for instance.
And clothes. On his first shopping trip, Mr. Jones told the store clerk, "I need some
clothes and toys for my new baby." The clerk smiled and said, "Well, is it a boy or a
girl?" "It's an X, Mr. Jones said, smiling back,
But the clerk got red in the face
and said huffily,
"In that case, I'm afraid I can't help you, sir."
So Mr. Jones
wandered up and down the aisles trying to find what X needed. But everything in the
store was piled up in sections marked "Boys" or "Girls." There were "Boys pyjymas"
and "Girls underwear" and. "Boys fire engines" and "Girls housekeeping sets."
Mr. Jones
went home without buying anything for X. That night he and Ms. Jones consulted page
2,326 of the Official Instruction Manual.
"Buy plenty of everything!" it said firmly.
So they bought plenty of sturdy blue pyjymas in the Boys department and cheerful
flowered underwear in the Girls Department. And they bought all kinds of toys. A boy
doll that made pee-pee and cried "Pa-pa." And a girl doll that talked in three languages
and said, "I an the President of General Motors." They also bought a story book about
a brave princess who rescued a handsome prince from his ivory tower, and another one
about a sister and brother who grew up to 'be a baseball
a.er and a ballet star, and
was which.
ts of Project Baby X checked all their purchases and told them to
They also reminded the Joneses to see page 4,629 of the Manual
make Baby X feel embarrassed or ashamed about what it wants to
ets dirty climbing rocks, never say "Nice little Xes don't get

, "If X falls down and cries, never say "Brave little Xes don't
rse, nice little Xes do get dirty, and brave little Xes do cry.
gets, or how hard it cries, don't worry. It's all part of the

ses pushed Baby X's stroller in the park, smiling strangers would
that a boy or a girl?" The Joneses would smile back and say,
ngers would stop smiling then and walk away.

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COart'D

�Some of the children tried to find, out
your favorite sports star?" That was easy. by asking X tricky questions, like "lAtes
X had two favorite sports stars; a girl
jockey named Robyn Smith and a boy archery
champion
named Robin Hood. Then they dsked,
"What's your favorite TV program?"
And that was even easier.
X's favorite TV program
was "Lassie," which stars a girl dog played
by a boy dog.
When. X said that its favorite toy
was a doll, everyone
girl. But then X said
that the doll was really a robot, anddecided that X must be a
that X had computeridsd
it, and that it was programmed to bake fudge
brownies and then clean up the kitchelp.
After X told them that, the other children
gave up guessing what X was. All they
knew was they'd sure like
to.see X's doll.
After school, X wanted to play
with the other children.
baskets in the gym?" X asked the girls.
"How about shooting some
But all they did was make faces and gig4le.
"How about weaving some baskets
in the arts and crafts room?" X
But they all made faces and
asked the boles.
giggled behind X's back, too,
That night, Ms. and Mr. Jones asked
X how things had gone at school.
sadly that the lessone were okay,
X told them
but
otherwise
school was a terrible place for
It seemed as if Other Children
ad X.
would never want an X for a friend.
Once more, the Joneses reached for
their Instruction Manual.
Under ",Other G1dre,
they found the following message; "What did you Xpect?
Other
Children have
obey all the silly boy-girl roles, because their
parents
taught
them
to Lucky
you don't have to stick to the rules at all!
All you have to do is be yourself. 1)4.
We're not saying it'll ba easy."
X liked being itself. But X cried a lot that
night, partly because it felt a0aid.
So X's father held X tight, and cuddled it,
and couldn't help crying a little, toc,
And X's mother cheered them both up by reading
an '7citing story about an enchanted
prince called Sleeping Handsome, who woke up when
Princess Charming kissed him.
The next morning, they all felt much better,
and little X went back to school
with a brave smile and a clean pair of
red-and-white checked overalls.
There was a seven-letter-word spelling bee in class
that day.
And a seven-lapboys' relay race in the gym. And a seven-layer-cake
baking
contest
in
the girls'
kitchen corner.
X won the spelling bee. X also won the relay
race.
And
X almost won
the baking contest, except it forgot to light
the oven.
Which only proves that nobody's
terfect. One of the Other Children
noticed something else, too. He said; "Winning
or losing doesn't seem to count to Y.
X seems to have fun being good at boys' skills
and girls' skills." Come to think of it, said
be X is having twice as much fun as we are!" another one of the Other Children, ntaaySo after school that day, the girl who beat
X at the baking contest gave X a loig
slice of her prizewinning cake. And the boy X beat in
the relay race asked X to race home.
From then on, some really funny things began
to happen. Susie, who sat next to X
in class, suddenly refused to wear pink dresses
to school any more. She insisted On
wearing red-and-white
checked overalls-just like X's. Overalls, she told her
parents,
were much better for climbing monkey bars.
Then Jim, the class football nut, started
whe6ling his little sister's doll
carriage around the football field. He'd put on his entire
football uniform, except for
the helmet. Then he'd put the helmet
in the carriage, lovingly tucked under an alit set
of shoulder pads. Then he'd start jogging around.
the field, pushing the carriage and
singing "Rock-abye Baby" to his football helmet.
He told his family that X did the
same thing, so it must be okay. After all, X was
now the team's star quarterback.
1

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�Susie's parents were horrified by her behavior, and Jim's parents
were worried
sick about his. But the worst. came when the twins,
Joe and Peggy, decided to share
everything with each other. 14ggy used Joe's hockey skates,
and his microscope, and
took half his newspaper route. Joe used Peggy's needle-point
kit, and her cookbooks,
and. took two of her three baby-sitting jobs.
Peggy started running the lown mower,
-'aid Joe started running the vacuum cleaner.
.7
\
Their parents weren't one bit pleased with Peggy's wonderful
biology experiments
or with Joe's terrific needlepoint pillows.
They didn't care that Peggy mowed the
lawn better, and that Joe vacuumed the carpet better.
In fact, they were furious.
It's all that little X's fault, they agreed. Just because X dcean't know what
it is,
or what it's supposed to be, it wants to get everybody else
mixed up, too!
Peggy and Joe were forbidden to play with X any more.
So was Susie, and then Jim
and then all the Other Children. But it was too late; the Other
Children stayed mixed
up and happy and free, and refused to go back to the way they'd been before
X.
Finally, Joe and Peggy's parents decided to call an emergency meeting of
the
school's Parents' Association, to discuss "The X Problem."
They sent a report to the
principal stating that X-was a 'disruptive influence.'
They demanded immediate action.
The Joneses, they said, should be foreced to tell whether X was a boy or a girl.
And
then X should be forced to behave like whichever it was.
If the Joneses refused to tell
theeFarOnts' Association said, then X must take an Xamination. The school psychiatrist
must Xamine it physically and mentally, and issue a full report.
If X's test showed
it was a boy, it would have to obey all the boys' rules. If it proved to be a girl,
X would have to obey all the girls' rules.
And if X turned out to be some kind of mixed-up misfit, then X should be Xpelled
from the school. Immediately!
The principal was very upset. Disruptive influence? Mixed-up misfit? But
X was an Xcellent student. All the teachers said it was a delight to have X in their
classes. X was president of the student council.
X had won first prize in the
talent show, and second prize in the art show, and honorable mention in the science
fair, and six athletic events on field day, including the potato race.
Nevertheless, insisted the Parents' Association, X. is a Problem Child. X is the
biggest Problem Child. we have ever seen!
So the principal reluctantly notified )(As parents that numerous complaints
--about X's behavior had come to the school's attention. And that after the psychiatd rist's Xamination, the school would decide what to do about X.
The Joneses reported this at once to the scientists, who referred them to page,
85,798 of the instruction Manual. "Sooner or later," it said, "X will have to be
XAmined by a psychiatrist. This may be the only way any of us will know for sure
whether X is mixed up or whether everyone else is."
The night before X was to be Xamined, the Joneses tried not to let X see how
worried they were. "What if-?" Mr. Jones would say. And Ms. Jones would reply, "No
use worrying."
X just smiled at them both, and hugged them hard and didn't say much of anything.
X was thinking, ,What if-? And then X thought;
No use worrying.
At xactly 9 o'clock the next day, X reported to the school psychiatrist's office.
The principal, along with a committee from the Parents' Association, X's teacher, X's
classmates, and Ms. and Mr. Jones, waited in the hall outside. Nobody knew the details
of the tests X was to be given, but everybody knew they'd be very hard, and that
they'd reveal Xactly what everyone wanted to know about X, but were afraid to ask.

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�TA was terribly quiet in the hall. Almost spooky. Once in a while, they would
hear a strange noise inside the room. There were buzzes. And a beep or two. And
several bells. An occasional light would flash under the door.
The Joneses thought
it was a white light, but the principal thought it was blue. Two or three children
swore it was either yellow or green. And the Parents' Committee missed it completely.
Through it all, you could hear the psychiatrist's low voice, asking hundreds of
questions, and X's higher voice, answering hundreds of answers.
The whole thing took so long that everyone knew it must be the most complete Xamination anyone had ever had to take. PoorX, the Joneses thought. Serves X right,
the Parents' Committee thought. I wouldn't like to be in X's overalls right now, the
children thought.
At last, the door opened.
Everyone crowded around to hear the results. X
didn't look any different;
in fact, X was smiling. But the psychiatrist looked e.terrible. He looked as if he was crying!
"What happened?" everyone began shouting.
Had X done something disgraceful?
"I wouldn't be a bit surprised!" muttered Peggy.
e test?" cried Susie's parents.
"Or just
rents.
dear," sighed Ms. Jones.
"Sash," ssshed
ng to speak."
oat, the psychiatrist began, in a hoarse
ou could tell he must be very upset-"in my
ted a parent impatiently. "Sssh! sashed.
young X," said the doctor, frowning, "is

outed another parent. "...just
the
said the psychiatrist.
ren. And then the others began yelling, too.
own.
id. The Parents' Committee was angry and
ole Xamination?
Didn't X have an identity
t X any kind of a misfit? How could it not
And why was the psychiatrist crying?
as smiling politely through his tears.
cause it's wonderful! X has absolutely no
!
As for being a misfit--riduculous! X
u, X?" The doctor winked. X winked. back.
oe's parents.
"We still want to know!"
gain.
"Well, don't worry. You'll all now
to tell you."
e parents grumbled suspiciously.
at once.
"He means that by the time X's
!"
hrough the crowd toward X's parents. "How
d then he reachedjout to hug them both. "if
"I sure hope you'll lend me your instruc-

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�Needless to say, the Joneses were very happy.
The Project Baby X scientists
were rather pleased, too.
So were Susie, Jim, Peggy, Joe, and all the Other Children.
The Parents' Association wasn't, but they had promised to accept the psychiatrist's
report, and not make any more trouble. They even invited Ms. and Mr. Jones to become honorary members, which they did.
Later that day,,all XXs friends put on their red-and-white checked overalls and
went over to see X., They found X in the back yard, playing with a very tiny baby
that none of them had ever seen before. The baby was wearing very tiny red-and-white
checked overalls.
"How do you like our new baby?" X asked the Other Children proudly.
"It's got cute dimples," said Jim.
"It's got husky biceps, too," said Susie.
"What kind of baby is it?" asked. Joe and Peggy.
X frowned at them.
"Can't you tell?" Then X broke into a big, mischievous
grin.
"It's a Y!"

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�Mary Tomlinson who has worked
so hard to get emergency housing
for women in crisis. The cityowned houses on Tarbutt Street
have been made available, $11,700
has been allocated to the
project
and the city is co-operating
all
down the line.
(Anyone who is
interested in helping to
and maintain the Shelter organize
should
contact Mary through the Women's
Centre.
Keir Thornburg, for being'born
the first month of Internationalin
Women's Year

To Mr. Shewchuk, banquet manager
for the Royal.Edward Hotel, for
perpetuating the stereotyped, false
image of a 'women libber'.
Yr. Shewchuk was overheard spouting
off, during the I.W.Y. Women's
Centres Conference held at the Royal
Edward Hotel, about the braless, in
timidating, jean-wearing femalgz that
invaded the hotel for the weekend.
During his derogatory comments, the
woman involved in the 'conversation'
with him, asked with trepidation, if
they were all from Thunder Bay--and
sighed with relief at his reply, that
no, they were from all across Canada.
To protect your eyeballs frorn further
strain, Mr. Shewchuk, not to mention
the hotel's 'reputation', perhaps we
will choose another hotel for our
next conference.

aisile

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�THE NITTY GRITTY OF NON- NVOLVEMENT
or

why there are so few women in the struggle

WHO'S GOT THE TIME?
FIGHT FOR UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO FREE QUALITY CHILD CARE AND JOINT
RESPONSIBILITY IN THE HOME!!

Ea' HOt4tiih7

gat ccyjctriict,)S4

6k)01,0 Se-

BoLDHL1rC4
Ritir

1

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�WH ANT° S

III A p P

NC-?

IN PROCESS

Policy meeting at 8PM
The format of the
general meeting has been
Every 2nd Thursday
changed.
will be used for educational
meetings. Speakers and/or
films will be available for
these evenings.
Alternate Thursdays the
Policy Committee will meet.
This committee is made up of
14 women who are making all
the decisions for the centre.
Anyone wishing to have a voice
is welcome.
The topic
May 8th Education night.
for tonight is Sexual Stereo-

May 1st

typing.
8PMe
May 9th Final date for submission of

resume for job vacancy at the
Centre.

Job opens May 19th and lasts
approximately 1 month.
May 18th General Collective
Meeting at the Centre.
Picnic Child Care will
be provided by Dan George
and Bob Mc Gowan.
May 22nd Education night at
o PM.
Ruth Cunningham
will speak on the Status
Of Women Council.
May 31st Flea Market at Fort
William Gardens.
Donations of white elephant
items, books,records, plants,
crafts and children's clothes
are welcome.
Phone the centre for
collection of these items.

A thunderclap to Diane Bauman
who has made a work of art in
wood to commerorate International Women's Year--it's the dove

symbol with the sand =signs

.

incorporated.

And to Craig Bauman for the
handcrafted wooden truck which
sure gets a lot of use in the
children's room:

Welcome to Noreen Lavoie who has
joined the full time staff at
the Centre--she must be out of
her mind to take the job! And are
we glad she is.

Congratulations to Estella
Friedlander who has been hired by
the Privy Council work with their
Travelling Caravan throughout
Northern Ontario. We couldn't be
better represented. Good luck
Estella.

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�POETRY:

********
BY GERT BEADLE
****************
Mother

.

Playing God

A thousand poems
I feel like God when mixing dough,
are written to
obsessed with yeast and oleo
perpetuate the myth of you.
however dead to human eyes
Cast in bronee
I know this dough has got to rise.
or carved in stone
And I shall mould it tenderly
that tender, twisted
into the shape that pleases me.
Smile is known
Little loaves to go with fishes
to bare the head
crusty ones for cheese and wine,
And bow the knee
curley buns in curley dishes
in reverance or agony.
saffron hued andcardamom.
Fount of wisdom
Call the children in, it's dark
Seat of power
bring the stranger in the park,
testing, testing every hour
Bring them all in from the rain,
that silken web.
Mother's playing God again.
So gently does she
lay responsibility
for martyrdom
upon her progeny.
They fight the rising bile
that calls for flight
and guiltily accept
the spider's bite.
The love that will not let the young go
belong to God.
It was not meant
to fetter or possess
Jimmy
The faith that spurs
the crippled bird to flite
He was shy, big of eye
returns it safely to the nest
so polite
for rest.
Alittle man his Mother said
going to be just like
G.B.
his Dad.
* **
So pressed, so clean, he muttered
but I wanted jeans,
Ah, lover, that was just a fadsome childish whim
that you had, look at Dad
Don't you want to be like him?
you look so grown up,
so trim in shirt and tie
If you were like some other kids
I think I'd die.
I looked at Dad and saw no help
he had already sold his scalp.
Hurry Jim Say good-bye
grow up fast before you die
For if you don't it's very sad
you're going. to be just like. your Dad.

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�NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

DUE TO A RAPIDLY INCREASING MAILING LIST AND LIMITED FUNDS, WE FIND WE WILL HAVE
TO DISCONTINUE SENDING COPIES OF THIS NEWSLETTER TO THOSE OF YOU RECEIVING
COMPLEMENTARY COPIES.
PLEASE RESPOND BY MAILING THE $200 SUBSCRIPTION FEE, OR INDICATE BY LETTER OR
PHONE, THAT YOU WISH TO REMAIN ON THE MAILING LIST.
PLANS FOR CHANGING THE FORMAT OF THE NEWSLETTER ARE UNDER WAY ENABLING US TO PRODUCE
A LIGHTER WEIGHT, EASIER TO. READ (no staples), MORE INFORMATIVE VERSION OF THE
NORTHERN WOMAN.
PLEASE SUPPORT US. DONATIONS ARE ALSO. WELCUKED.
NOTICE.
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SUBSCRIBED THANK YOU AND PLEASE DISREGARD THIS

CHILD EYES

These child eyes measure young
the shifting shape of love

and in their secret place
they light the sacred fires
and paint bold arrows on their face.

Small savage circumstance has made
a naked warrior with a blade

"THE RICH BREWER WHOSE BUSINESS IT
IS TO ENCOURAGE DRINKING, IS OFTEN
THE LARGER GIVER TO THE WORK OF
CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY, AND IS OFTEN
EXTOLLED FOR HIS LAVISH GENEROSITY:
AND SOMETIMES WHEN WOMEN THINK ABOUT
THESE THINGS THEY ARE STRUCK BY THE
ABSURDITY OF A SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWS
ONE MAN OR A BODY OF MEN TO ROB A
CHILD4OF HIS FATHER'S LOVE AND CARE
ALL YEAR, AND THEN GIVES HIM A STUFFED
DOG AND A LITTLE RED SLEIGH AT CHRISTMAS AND CALLS IT CHARITY."

wedging the first stone
in the barricade,

.

Nellie McClumg
In Times Like These
1915, reprinted 1972

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�taifusa

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xog fits iau

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�</text>
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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. &#13;
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Title: The Northern Woman&#13;
&#13;
Topics include:&#13;
UN Human Rights Declaration of The Rights of The Child 1959&#13;
Oppression/Victimization of Children&#13;
Sexism In Career Counselling&#13;
International Day for Children&#13;
Women’s International Democratic Federation&#13;
Sex-role Stereotyping&#13;
Children: Victims of War (Letter To The Editor)&#13;
Child’s Bill of Rights&#13;
Thunder Bay Women’s Centre Conference for International Women’s Year&#13;
Rape Crisis Centre&#13;
“Why Not” Campaign&#13;
Reproductive Justice Rights &amp; Legislation&#13;
Gay And Lesbian Club Thunder Bay&#13;
Lakehead Board of Education Sex Role Stereotyping&#13;
Sexism in Children’s Books&#13;
Parents Anonymous&#13;
Poetry&#13;
Northwestern Ontario International Women’s Year Co-ordinating Council&#13;
Women in Politics&#13;
Violence in the Media&#13;
Child Marriage&#13;
Sex Role Playing &amp; Toys&#13;
Maternal Deprivation&#13;
Abortion Law Repeal&#13;
Dr. Henry Morgentaler&#13;
Women’s Right to Choose&#13;
Day Care Access &amp; Legislation&#13;
Food Additives &amp; Health&#13;
Children Legitimacy Acts&#13;
Single Motherhood&#13;
Adoption&#13;
Universal Day Care&#13;
Kraftco Boycott&#13;
Baby X &amp; Gender&#13;
Alternative Gender Pronouns&#13;
Local Announcements &amp; Events&#13;
&#13;
Authors/Contributors:&#13;
Elizabeth Fisher&#13;
Estella Friedlander&#13;
Georgina Garrett&#13;
Jenny Beck&#13;
Gert Beadle</text>
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�EDITORIAL
For most of us involved in the Feminist Movement,
instant recognition of our oppression was very unlikely. It
is more probable to assume that although we were exposed

This issue, therefore, is an effort to further assist women

to inequalities and sexism very early in our girlhood, this
recognition of our oppression did not occur, or was not
acknowledged as being a problem of being born a female.
However, if it was recognized at all, it was likely to be

in their climb to a higher awareness, hopefully causing
them to examine the power structure in the family,

viewed as a personal Rot a universal oppression.

question whether we are indeed full and participating
citizens of Canada, and with the realization of the
inequalities that are accepted and utilized to restrict

The growing stages of our awareness (raising of our
consciousness) can be compared to the rungs of a ladder.
We all began on the bottom rung. Conscidusness-raising is
the first step up from the bottom rung.
Our educational system and our day-to-day living does
not usually provide us with the perceptions and knowledge
that allow us to effectively discern areas of discontent and
oppression. External influences such as women's conferences, women's centres, feminist literature, rap sessions
with our friends, women's studies, films, conscious
ness-raising (CR) groups, do contribute to internal recognition Of our oppression. Click, click.

government, education, law, and refuse to accept any
longer, their oppression. It is hoped women will begin to

women's full participation, will direct their energies and
activities to eliminating the barriers that prevent women
and men, from realizing their full potential in our society.

The rate at which our consciousness' are raised is
different for each person. Unfortunately some people,
because of fear or ignorance will never acknowledge or
recognize women are oppressed. However, for those of us
concerned with personal growth, development and independence, for all women, we'll continue our climb,
confident that growing numbers of women are joining us.

*********************************************************

LETTERS

EDITORIAL POLICY
The newsletter group, a separate yet supportive group of the Northern Women's
Centre, reflects the complexity of the makeup of the Northern Women's Centre
as a whole.
Being a smaller, unified group, the editorial board of THE NORTHERN WOMAN will
attempt, through collective, creative and thought provoking comments, to
respond to, and express (through a concensus of opinion) their reactions to,
various articles, letters, and timely topics of interest.
Through such a policy it is hoped that THE NORTHERN WOMAN will become a tool
for women to develop an increased understanding of their situation and forces
affecting their lives.

Dear Everyone:
What a marvelous Newsletter! I'm referring to your "Working Woman" issue.
It was really well done. Please add
my name to your subscription list.
Ms. Jean Elioff - - Mississauga, Ont.

Dear Newsletter People:
...I'm enclosing my two dollars. If
I have already renewed mrsubscrip
ion, please put the money towards
your expenses - I feel a great sense
of pleasure when I read each issue
and would like to continue to support
your efforts. Keep up the terrific
job!

Best always Heather Kibzey--Thunder
Bay.

Editorial Policy addition:

We are the collective who publish the material that you contribute and
read in The Northern Woman,
We
etc. so
A great
for the

work together, reading, discussing, typing, printing, distributing
that all of us will have a satisfying and thought-provoking journal.
deal of time and work and personal commitment are the prerequisites
product that you are reading.

The Collective appreciates contributions that indicate a concern for
women and enthusiasm for the tabloids role in education and provocation.
Nevertheless, as feminists, we will not publish in this paper material that
is offensive and opposed to basic premises of the Women's Movement. As
workers on this paper, we assume the responsibility of edit on behalf of the
ideals of feminism.
This issue, then, is NOT publishing a lengthy letter that disputes a
women's right to choose to have an abortion. In the future, The Northern
Woman will not be a vehicle for destructive bias or organizational propagand

We wish to thank the many
contributors for their
good response to our requests for articles, poems
and reports.
The material that could
not be included in this
issue will be in the next.
Our apologies to those who
submitted reports which

In Sisterhood
Linda
Helen
Lynne
became obsolete before
Gert
being printed.
Doreen
As it took us so long to
Georgina
get this issue out, all
Noreen
subscribers are guaranteed
6 issues, before renewtheir subscription.
Special thanks to some
very nice people on the
ARGUS and to Dawn
Hassett, for their help.

Dear Women:
Just had my first encounter with the
Northern Woman. Had never heard of
youpeople before. Read it cover to
Was really impressed. Such
cover.
a lot of 'food for thought'. Do you
have back copies?
Sincerely, Donna Williams--Thunder
(Sorry Donna, no back copies)
Bay.

Dear Jacqui, Helen, Lynne, and someone who's name I can't read:
Many thanks for sending the reports
of the National Women's Centres Conferences. What got me even more exited was the newsletter - a really
great collection. It has evoked admiring comments galore, and the cartoons have given us joy. The idea
of focussing on one theme at a time
is being much discussed as a result.
Also... I appreciated getting the reports and newsletter, not only did I
get a lot out of them, but so have
many others.
In sisterhood and struggle, Suita
Cordell -- Hemingford Road, London
England.

letters cont'd page (13)

the northern woman page (2)

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�PORT ARTHUR CLINIC
Unfair To Women
In light of the fact that the OM A is seeking a 35% to 50% pay increase for doctors, a review of the Port Arthur Clinic
strike is timely. The following letter was sent by the Strike Committee of the Service Employees Union, Local 268, to
every Women 's Centre in Canada.

Sisters, we ask for your support in our efforts to negotiate with the Port Arthur Clinic Administration, for decent
wages, adequate benefits and Union Security. Attached is a summary of our union demands, also, a history of our negotiations.
We have approached you as a potential ally because of your expressed concern in women's issues.

The Port Arthur
Clinic strike illustrates many of the injustices encountered by women workers in general.
Too often, women's wages are viewed as supplemental, not essential, yet 50% of the strikers are either single or heads
of family. Their wages mean survival, for themselves and their families.
The fact that there is a constantly available labour pool from which to draw cheap female labour, makes it easy for
the Administration to hold out and break the women who are striking. Too many women need jobs and too few opportunities exist'for women workers. Women, out of necessity, accept low pay and unsatisfactory working conditions.
Before the strike, Clinic Administration defined working conditions and set wages without the workers' participation.
Salaries and benefits were markedly less than those enjoyed by male workers. No union protected the women from
being fired without just cause.
When the women agreed to strike, there was little respect for their picket lines. Even the police worked to make it
possible for the doctors to transport scabs to work. The public has not,been vocal in its support of the strikers, and
trade unions could be much stronger in their support. The strikers haveAharrassed and ignored on occassion, and have
felt it is a sign of their sex. They feel men's picket lines are treated with much greater respect.
Please help us in our struggle to set a pattern for all Clinics to follow so that female support staff across the Province,
and across Canada, can bargain more effectively for better wages and working conditions.
In sisterhood and struggle.
The strikers have asked of their employers a 15% wage increase, 50% OH IP payed by the Clinic and union security.
The public and press have criticized them for withdrawing their vital health services, yet the doctors even now are
threatening withdrawal of their services. Some doctors have already done so. It is interesting to note that a 40%
increase will mean to the average doctor, $17,200 and a 15% increase will mean to the average clinic striker, $800.

North Bay Women's Centre
Dear People from Local 268:

The North Bay Women's Centre
supports you in your efforts
to obtain partial hospital
coverage, wages comparable
to those earned by others
doing similar work, and complete union security.
We deplore the methods being
used to break your morale.
Nurses recently received large
increases in pay and certainly did not ge: rally get disrespect and ha'rassment even
though they u&gt;ed the male
"strike weapon".
We hope, through united female
effort, you can secure what is
still less than reasonable in
this inflationary period.
I. Nickerson

LES PAM
80 Rue Church
Moncton, N.B.

co

Northern Women:

Following is the letter
we sent to both the SEIU
local 268, and the Port
Arthur Clinic.
"We strongly support the
demands of striking Service Employees International Union, local
268 in Thunder Bay. We
feel that if it were a
"Men's strike" things
would be very different.
The owners are medical
doctors earning a substantial salary off public funds and we are
astonished that they are
not paying their employees adequately.
It is clearly evident
that, even in our day,
women in the medical
profession earn substandard salaries.
Let it be known that LES
FAMS a feminist association oppose the treatment being imposed on
these employees.

cause scabs

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�I'm not a women's

Why Men Should Be
The following bits and pieces are
quotes made by notable individuals, all

on the subject of women. The quotes
themselves are notable in that each one

puts women down. Often, when we
identify such anti-woman sentiments as
the ones. which follow, we are met with
great anger and hostility. What is most
surprising is that we are the objects of
this anger. We are labelled paranoid and
overly sensitive. No anger is directed

toward the men who have made the

statements which put women down!

If we are not met with hostility, we
are asked, "So what?What is the point
in drawing attention to something as
unsavory as what has been said about
women? Well, there is a point, and we
hope it emerges for all who read this
article. Largely, we wish to draw attention to the fact that each man who said
something unpleasant about women, believed he described all women. That few,
if any, felt it necessary to qualify his

opinion, and to suggest in anyway that
even some women did not fit his description.

Until just recently, I really believed
that these things applied to other women--that I was the exception, and that
a man who could say horrible things
about women in general, could say only

good things about me in particular. I
only needed the opportunity to prove
myself as that 'exceptional woman'. But
now I see that I am not an exceptional
woman. I see all around me sisters who
could also be considered exceptional

women. As an exceptional woman, I am
lost in a sea of exceptional women.
If such is the case, let us all work to

destroy the inappropriate attitudes regartling women. Let's work to shake off

the unattractive stereotypes which effectively keep us from recognizing our
true value.

We must first recognize that any

No ovaries are good enough to work

to save, no testes are bad enough to
remove.
Physican at a National Health Conference.

We must start with the realization

that, as much as women want to be
good scientists or engineers, they want
first and foremost to be womanly companions of men and to be mothers.
Bruno Bettelheim (Psychiatrist)
Men in every conceivable walk of life
have made their feelings public.

good reason to. We fully envision, however, that in the near future we will fly

women into space and use them the

same way we use them on earth--for the
same purpose.
Astronaut James Lovell

Churchmen have said some pretty
unpleasant things about women in general, hence, pretty unpleasant things
about you and me.

It is not good to marry. What else is
woman but a foe to friendship, an

of us

once prefaced

our own

remarks with this handy little statement.
The speaker then goes on to outline all

Not

the issues that she believes in that do,

however, coincide with Women's Liberation.

What does she think Women's Liberation means? Who does she think
makes up the Women's Movement?

One thing the movement is NOT, is a
collection of women who agree on every

Heard

issue affecting women today, or stand
behind every woman who voices an
opinion on women's issues. It is NOT a
club (contrary to what the Chronicle
Journal might believe), or a group or
society which has a finite membership,
so that you must identify with all its
members, or that their actions reflect on

Henry Kissinger

you.
It IS a movement--a d efinite force

Some of the words in current usage

within society moving towards a certain
goal-the right to free ourselves from all
stereotyped roles which no longer fit or

which describe you and me include:
Whore

satisfy us.

Honeypot
Old Hag Hot Pants
Hot Pants

To one woman, this may be the right
to be considered for any job she wants
to do. Another may emphasize the need
for adequate day care centres to care for
her children, while she alone supports
her family. Others concern themselves

Hussy
Slut

Piece of Ass
Snatch
Cockteaser
Maneater
Ball- buster
Box

Bitch
Cunt
Douche Bag

Old Maid
Easy Lay
Blow Job

Quotes,

Most

on a hobby.

titudes and the individuals who espouse

them. We must create a unity among

"I'm not a Women's Libber, but..."

For me, women are only amusing, a
hobby. No one spends too much time

Piece of tail
Loose twat
Butt Bouncer
Dry Humper
Little Woman

women which will make it necessary for
men to revise their opinions.

libber but..
Countless conversations begin this way.

Well, we've never sent any women
into space because we haven't had a

anti-woman statement is meant to apply
to each of us, and to each of the

women we love and respect--our mothers, our daughters. We must have the
courage to speak out against these at-

CD
CD

Good Fuck

with the protection of the rights of a

Atlantis,

The first edition of Atlantis will be
published in the fall of 1975, and we
are now soliciting subscriptions and donations. Any scholarly articles concerning `women's issues' or creative writing
by women authors should be sent to:
Donna E. Smyth, Co-ordinating Editor,
ATLANTIS, c/o English Department,
Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Sco-

tia.

rape victim. Still others may work towards receiving wages for housework.
Some women demand abortion law reform, malcipg abortion an issue between
a woman and her doctors. Professional
women fight for equality and respect /77
their work. Stewardesses and secretaries
demand better wages for their skills. To

housewives, it may mean the desire to

be respected, and considered, while they
provide support to the entire family, or

simply, the need to have one day a
week to themselves.

No one is asking you to burn your
bra, have an abortion, speak in public,
denounce all males as chauvinists, or

for any other

Pussy
Cream Machine
Nympho

bear the responsibility

Thoroughbred

Libber, but..." is hollow. It

woman's deeds or words.

The statement, "I'm not a Woman's
has no

meaning if you are actively working for
changes in your own life that will open
the way for other women. Even if you
are coasting along on the wave of
change that others are creating, then

you are part of this movement.

inescapable punishment, a necessary evil,
a

natural temptation, a desirable

cal-

amity, a delectable detriment, an evil of
nature, painted with fair colours.
St. John Chrysostom

wt) an
rx-N

Every woman ought to be overcome
with shame at the thought that she is a
woman...Nothing is improper for man
who is endowed with reason; much less

for women to whom it brings shame
even to reflect of what nature she is.
St. Clement of Alexandria
quotes continued,

The voice of a woman is an invitation

to lust and, therefore, must not be

heard in the church.
St. Thomas Aquinas

Even political activitists, who fight for
the weary and downtrodden, have failed
to recognize the value of women, or the
oppression of women.

The position of women in the movement is prone.
Stokely Carmichael
Doctors and psychiatrists have a par-

ticular view of woman which is inaccurate to say the least. With psychiatrists, it is dangerous, for it says something of their concepts of normal (for
women) and healthy (for women).

the northern woman page (4)

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�CONSCIOUSNESS RAISING MEETINGS-

what goes on
What is consciousness raising, and just
what goes on in a consciousness raising
group? CR is a process through which
women come to their own conclusions
about themselves and society. We work
from the concrete experience of being
women. When more than two people have

suffered the same oppression, the problem is no longer personal, but political
(meaning the consequence of a power
structure--law, education, etc.).

Avoid possible distractions and interruptions.

CONSCIOUSNESS RAISING

In :C R we go around in a circle,
speaking in turn. This is very helpful in

Week 1: Parents: Discuss your
parents and their relationship to
you as a girl (daughter). Were

what aboutgiving
men? each member a chance to compose

Talking herself
over theand
sensation
of being
her thoughts.
It also helps us
trapped, or to
being
worthless,
or demandlisten
to each other
and it breaks down
treated of
with
respect (as Women
a
ing to be feelings
competitiveness.
who
person) with
a man
not productive.
have
beenisleaders,
when coming to CR,
Often, menhave
do not
take women's
thouto wrestle
with their
old ways and
ghts and feelings
So women
end to speak.
give seriously.
other women
a chance

up doubly Women
frustrated.
whoAlso,
havetheieelings
always followed have

related
under discussion
those to
to push are
themselves
speak to
up.
being female. It is important to stay on the topic and
As Bonnie
writes
book, CR does
getKreps
as much
out ofinither
as possible.

"Guide to not
thework
Women's
in abstractly,
whenMovement
people talk

CR is not group therapy, although for
some it may replace the need for psychiatric help. The basic assumption of the
therapy situation is that there is an ideal
feminine nature and psychology, and that

unhappy women are sick. We say our
personal problems are political and should have political solutions. We discover

in CR that our personal problems (that
many of us feel inadequate, 'neurotic' or
fearful) are shared with all women. As we

progress through discussions, we realize
the problems are not us at all. We go from
'me' to 'us'--the particular to the general,
the individual to society. In CR, women
begin to wean themselves from masculine

values, or at least look at them more
critically.

The male dominated world, especially
the media has a lot to say about how we

should look and what we should be -mother, wife, sex object. Therefore, movies, commercials and even pop songs may
now make you angry, as you continually

find yourself being viewed as an object
(or caricature) and not as

14 WEEK OUTLINE FOR

than 20 years.

a

person.

Catcalls and wolf whistles on the street
turn out to be universal agonies.
In CR, we can expect friendship from

women and their honesty and support,
and goodbye to the old myth that women

don't like each other and can't work
together. ("I'm a man's woman " will
sound very silly.) We begin to identify
with more women. Our feelings about
women become more generous. We care
about the women on welfare, waitresses,

our own mothers and
daughters. Through CR, we begin to
clerks, nurses,

recognize that our private humiliations
are universal and part of a larger pattern.
In a society where all the major institutions protect male perogatives, women
have only themselves to turn to. Conditioned to view males as our protectors,
and every other woman as a potential
rival, the act of communication among

Canada", men
badlyor
need
get on
with We do not
theorize,
talktoabout
others.
their own liberation.
a (male)
sociolo-experience.
challengeAs
another
woman's
gist has said,
the experience
male sex role
No one's
has tois fit into a
representedpreconceived
by two strong,
silent have
types:gone all arpattern
express hishas spoken,
John Wayne,
can't and-everyone
oundwho
the circle-,
feelings toward
women,
and James
should
the group
talk Bond,
about what has
who doesn'tbeen
havesaid
any.and
Thedraw
consequences
conclusions:about its
says Dr. Charles
Peek, are
tragedy
-relevance-Ito
the aposition
of of
women.

our society. Dr.
Peekyour
isn't group
puttinglose
theits sense of
rfoirtiet
blame on cowboys
andevolve
playboys,
purpose and
into howa therapy group,
ever. He puts
it oncollective
the waydecisions
males areas to what is
making
socialized. Growing
up male
means
being problem.
the best way
to solve
a personal
groomed toAnother
be a real tendency
man, and aisreal
toman
view the
doesn't show
his emotions.
group
and the supportive relationships
This uglythat
'stereotype
is aclearly
somedevelop as
final goal
of CR. Often,

thing menclose
will have
to understand
in and the
friendships
are formed

themselves,weekly
and something
ought
to
meetingstheycan
become
social
fight if theyevents.
want to
become
human
When
the real
group
is not together,
beings. Men
will
have
to analyze
when
it is
fragmented,
it isthe
sensed fairly
fundamentals
of The
theirgroup
sex role
thenable to help
soon.
thenand
is not
destroy it as
we women
destroying
others,
becauseare
it cannot
meet the needs
ours. Meanwhile,
men
$houlcl
of Nothing
of the women in its stay
ownout
-group.
our movement.
They
don't
know
what it
moves.
Under
these
circumstances,
intermeans to grow
up female
in ourleading
society,
minable
discussions
nowhere can
any more than
know
what itcan
means
tohere.
takewe
place.
Nothing
grow
grow up male.
Besides,
insofar
as
they
While One", of the purposes of CR is to
need their male
egowarmth
butteredand
up, acceptance
and have among
create
been led towomen,
believe the
it isCR
their
right,should
who isnot become
group

there to doait?
Us, right?
we don't
closed
circleAnd
wherein
the sense of a

need that kind
of feminist
burden incommunity
the middleisoflost. And it
larger
our own consciousness-raising.
must be remembered that our ideas can

I hope men
withand
it, because
it through
onlyget
be on
tested
expanded

certainly would
be nicer
to deal
action. CR
is a method
of with
communication
them if they
a bitit,more
liberated.
andwere
through
women
have discovered
They mighttheir
evencommon
stop fighting
us whenbut the disoppression,
we try to liberate
covery ofourselves.
our oppression is only an initial

stage in ending our oppression. It is not a
clOs and don't
from personal experiences
solution.

start with friends or strangers who

number is between 8 and 10. Expect to

You have to live

with you the rest of your life. Joe may
run off to Indonesia with belly dancer.
Your kids (if and when) may go to Mars
or Afghanistan or take up organic farming You'll still be with you, and if all you
had in life was Joe and the kids, what's
tett for you won't be worth talking
about.

or

were boys?

friends who

Week 2: Family: Discuss your
relationship with women in
your family.
Week

3:

Childhood:

Discuss

problems of growing up as a
girl, who were your heroines?
What

were your favourite
games? How did you feel about
your body changing at puberty?
Week

4:

Men:

relationship with
lovers, bosses, as
Have you noticed
patterns? (It's the
terns you always
for)

Discuss your
men, friends,
they evolved.
any recurring
recurring pat-

want to look

Week 5: Marital Status: How
do or did you feel about being
single, married, divorced? What
have been the pressures, family
or social on you?

Week 6: Motherhood: Did you
consider having children a matter or choice? Discuss the social
and personal pressures, family
or social on you?
Week 7: Sex: Have you ever

felt that men have pressured

you into having sexual relationships? Have you ever lied about
orgasm?

Week 8: Sex objects: When do
you feel like one? Why do you

want to be beautiful? Do you
ever feel invisible?

Week 9: Women: Discuss your
relations with other

women.

Have you ever felt competitive

Givin' It Back

Have you ever felt attracted to

lose a couple in the first few weeks.
Do not start unless you are prepared to
commit yourself for 10 to 11 weeks. Our

another women?

first group stopped
fiir the summer
and
Now feminists
have published
some

you have been called selfish.
Have you ever felt that you

never got started
again. answers to male chauvinist
suggested

Meet once
a week
at list
each
others'is designed
putdowns.
The
of retorts

homes, or to
even
better,
a community
disarm
andatraise
the consciousness of
centre suchunliberated
as a Church
or school. This
men.
hypocrisy of male protection in all its
will keep the element
of competition
For the man
who asks,out
"If you're so
forms, from chivalry to 'special' legislatof the meetings,
by making
itare
impossible
liberated,
when
you
going
to take
ion, but also to discover that a common
to show offme
housekeeping/entertaining
out?",
the
woman
should
reply,
bond exists between all women. We also
skills.
"When 1 get to take home a cheque the'
find emotional After
strength.
the first week admit no new
size of yours".
CR doeswomen
not break
up marriages
or find your
or 'guests',
or you will
For .the male who whistles or makes
families; it group
gives you
the
tools
to
work
backtracking to the comfortable
catcalls
on the street, tell him his pants
with on yourfirst
own.topic
If anything,
bringsof the new
for theCR
benefit
are unzipped.
a marriage, as you stop
strength tomember.
When asked, "How about a little
blaming yourself
everything.
The ruts
Tryfor
very
hardfor good
attendance, as
smile?", a feminist could say, "How
that we have
fallen
into
are
not
just
CR is a continuing process whereby
about a little respect'?
individual mistakes
Theyare
are removed or
feelingsorofaccidents.
vulnerability
If a mate says he does not feel like
the inevitable
results
of as
a socialization
broken
down
the feelings of friendship
helping his wife clean up she could say,
process which
geared
to keeping
womandistrust
grow.
It is very
important that
"Help? You're not helping, you're just
en in their place.
The strongest
for within the
this growth
remainforce
constant
doing your share."
perpetuatinggroup.
this system
Asto skip the
It is isa isolation.
good idea
Since prospective employers often ask
long as wemeeting
stay apart,
each woman
all together
when two or more
a female, regardless of her qualifications,
isolated in her
home
andit.the facade of a
cannot
make
whether she can type, she can reply, "I
perfect marriage,
and
continue
to blame
Have
a diverse
group
(married, single,
don't type or stereotype."--especially if
ourselves, wedivorced,
will remain
oppressed.
CRwithout
is
those
with and
childshe doesn't want the job.
a powerful means for building the bonds
If a male should say, "I'm a male
of sisterhood.
Sisterhood
can should
truly benot be more
chauviniM
and Fin proud of it.", the
ren).
The
age
span
powerful, and it need not be to the
female could say, "I bet you're proud of
detriment of relationships with men.
being a racist, too."
Question: "How can you, a mother,
go out to a daily job? Answer 'My
,

your brother

with other women for men?

have expressed an interest in CR. A good

women allows us to discover not only the

Consider yourself first

you treated differently from

children are addicted to eating."
Question: "How come a nice girl like
you isn't married? Answer: "Sheer
luck", or, "I haven't asked anyone yet."

Week 10: Behavior: What is a
`Nice girl'? Discuss the times

were expected to smile even
when you didn't feel like it?
Week 11:
feel

about

Age: How do you
getting old?

And

your mother getting old? What
do you fear most? What aspects
of aging do you look forward
to? Do you think the problems
are different for men?

General: What are some of the

things that got you interested
in the women's movement?

'If we women are ever able to
pull ourselves out of the morass
of self-pity, self--destruction
and impotence which has been

heritage for so long as we can
remember,

then it is perhaps
even more important that we be
supportive of each other's
achievements and successes and
strengths, than it is for us to be
compassionate and understanding of each other's failures and
weaknesses.'
Ansel ma dell'Olio.

the northern woman page (5)

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�SHIFTING GEARS by Nena&amp; George O'Neil
the time of the death of a -loved one.

Book review by Freda Kamstra,

However, with the rapid changes occurr-

The following book review by Freda
Kamstra is particularly relevant to this
issue. The book deals with changes, and
how we learn to adjust to changes. One of
the greatest changes some women exper-

our modern lives, we do not
provide rituals to take care of all the
ing in

coping stages in all the human crises.

Some of Dr. Karl Menninger's coping
devices from his book 'Vital Balance' are
mentioned in Shifting Gears: I) physical
assurance, like eating, drinking, smoking,
drugs, sleeping, exercise, work. 2) venting
emotions, like blaming, taking it out on
loved ones, psychosomatic illness, crying,
cursing, laughing it off. 3) substitutes for
action, rationalization, talking it over

ience comes through consciousness
raising. o* e of us can see in the
description of Shifting Gears, the very

process we underwent. The book could

be very useful as an extension of
actual CR group.

an

Shifting Gears is such a great title for
this book about dealing with crises, eg.,

with friends and family, watching TV,

going to movies, going on a buying spree.

The O'Neills also mention the common
one of running in panic in any direction,

death of a loved one, end of a friendship
or marriage, end of a job or career, birth

eg., extra-marital affairs.
Once we have allowed ourselves some

of a baby, leaving home, or any of the
hundreds of major changes that we, being
human, may face in our lifetime.
The O'Neills point out that we all face

of these coping steps and can accept and
appreciate ourselves, imperfect though
that may be, then we can start looking at
the crisis, head on. We can begin to solve
it. If we stay in the coping stage too lone,
we avoid the crisis and prolong it. Our
gears are stuck in the eating or drinking
or chasing or whatever the coping device
may be, and it takes us over. We become
a slave to tin coping device. Psychosomatic illness, or rationalization, or
blaming, or smoking, or any of the other
devices may become our director, and we

and go through similar steps in
getting through them. It is in knowing
and understanding these steps as we go
into them, that eventually we are able to
get ourselves into high gear again. Like
shifting gears, one, two, three--we say
`Y_ah, yah, that's how it goes! I'm into
crises

the pain or confusion or nausea, or whatever. I'm human and I'm getting through
this in the human way. Hurray for me!'
We can then get over the hill or through
the mud with a great new feeling of our
own worth--a re-birth into the life journey with spontaneity and hope.
Nena and George O'Neill suggest that
most of us seldom get into high gear. We
let ourselves get stuck in the second last
gear of coping. Coping is a very important

never really become fully alive and in
charge of our choices again.

a crisis, when the

The O'Neills describe two major categories of crisis:
the Catalytic Crisis
happens as a result of events outside of
us. For example, an apartment building is
torn down, husband leaves, job is over. It
happens suddenly out of nowhere. 2) The
Crises happen when the basic assump-

emotional and psychological earthquake

tions we live by are suddenly changed. We

stage in coming throw

is too devastating to figure out what is
happening. Like being thrown overboard
into unknown waters, we must hang onto
something that will allow us to float until
we can get our wind and see Clearly what
to do. We cannot swim right away. We
have to let ourselves have a coping stage.
Society's rituals have taken care of this in
the past for some of the major changes,
eg., we know and understand the necessity of rituals and caring and sympathy at

cannot go back to the way it was before
the earthquake. We must go on with the
pieces that are left and some new ones.
The word for crisis in Chinese writing, the

O'Neills point out, is made of two equal
symbols, one stands for danger and one
for opportunity.

Shifting Gears spells out three crisis
phases we will go through: 1) Physical
and psychological turmoil--upset stomachs, sleeplessness, heart palpitations.
You feel lousy and cannot think straight?
2) Painful pre-occupation with the past.
"I've wasted all those years in that

d----d job", or "on that d----d

Period of
person", "If I'd only ";
remobilization of our resources, with an
action step in some direction. This is the
point where we begin to shift gears.
In order to deal with crisis and have it

work for us instead of destroy us, we
must `go into the crisis', experience it
fully. The O'Neills suggest that we face
up to not only what we feel, but also ask
ourselves these difficult questions. "Is
there anything about my personality that
makes rue feel the way I do? What past
events in my life have a bearing on what I
am feeling now? Is my attitude preventing me from seeing the problem clearly?'What is need of me .to change In what
ways can change By asking these, and
finding answers, we will discover the true
nature of our crisis and who we really are

and who we want to be. This is

the

"WOW" point, the "Hallelujah" exper-

ience of re-birth.
I think Shifting Gears is an ideal group

study book. When two or three people
share crisis experiences in relation to the
O'Neills' objective crisis steps, they will
discover how to help each other get into

high gear. One of the most important
necessities for me in shifting gears, was
one friend, who could listen and not give
advice.

I hope you read the book. There is so

much more that I didn't touch on, that
may be just the bit you are looking
for--like this, "a creatively mature person
knows that finding herself is an on-going
process throughout life, ,and for her,
doing is more important than having,

experiencing more important that possessing."

************ REVIEW 4-4Part 3 - Our Nature,

All women are housewives

-

Part

I

In

-

Beginnings,

that we hold together, both materially
and emotionally. the lives of the men

Welfare mothers are women who have
already

won some money from the

government for their work in the home.
But welfare money is not nearly enough,
it is hardly enough for a woman to live
on. But it is money she gets independently from any man. If all women
demand money for housework, we will
have the power to refuse supervision by

addition to all our homemaking

skills, our 'natural' woman's role demands

All Women

with whom we live and work We are told
we're
goo a
managers, of
the
tedious--family budgeting, day to day
conflicts, maintenance of our homes.

lazy, and that they get money for no

Whatever our status at the workplace,
whether we are secretaries or executives,
we are expected to bring with us these
`womanly' skills. We bolster our bosses'
egos, and keep things running smoothly.
We are responsible for both the physical
(is there coffee? is the office neat and
cheerful?) and spiritual environment in

Welfare mothers and all mothers is Wel-

home.

case workers or inspectors.

The government tries to make

us

believe that women should be ashamed to
be on Welfare; they say these women are

our work both inside and ouside the

work. But the only difference between

Yes, we care about our families, our
mates, our bosses. What we fight are the
expectations, and guilt we feel when we
put ourselves first. Our role cuts our own
throats. When we are good-natured and
loving, we are manipulated. When we act
upon our own impulses-- admit we are
tired, display our dissatisfaction--we are

mothers have no husband. The
money which the government gives a
woman on Welfare is not just for her
fare

children, it is so she can and will do the
work to raise her children. Housework is
a full-time job for all of us, and whether
we are married or have children, or work
outside the home, or not, we all want to
be paid for this job.

Part 2 - Our Work,

Housework is a full-time job; we can't

punch in or punch out. We are on call
from the time we get up in the morning
till we go to bed at night. Because our
work is unpaid, it is stretched out to
cover the entire day. Our time is not our
own; we are always cooking, cleaning,
fixing, babysitting, shopping, comforting,

fighting to make ends meet. In 1975,
women are still using a rag to dust the
furniture; we are still sweeping our houses

with a broom! But because we don't get

paid for the work we do, since it

is

`natural' to us, nobody cares how long it
takes.

When we go out to work because we

need money, we are forced to do a
AC7,411t11ilv
Al %di 41 11'

el'IC 4411111

IR! Fro,

Are

double shift. We work two jobs for half
the price of one! Because women are used
to working without wages, the bosses can
pay us less and get away with it. We work
in jobs that are extensions of housework,
as secretaries, nurses, teachers, waitresses,
social workers. On the job we are

expected to smile, be sexy, be good
listeners, make coffee for our bosses. And

condemned as selfish.

Part 4 - Getting Together,

As housewives we are separated from
each other in our many individual homes.

Even if we work outside the home we
have no time for meetings or just socializing with other workers because we have
to rush home to fix dinner or pick up the
kids. But as women, we all share the same
frustrations because we all work as
housewives. By finding the time to get

together and talk we can explore our

common experiences and our differences.
We can discover strengths in our various
situations; whether we are at home, at an
outside job, married or single, mothers or
childless, we can use our power in these
various
make
situations--together--to

changes for all of us. We may have to
gin by demanding time off from home
or office or free daycare for our children

ust so we can all meet together. Each
step is a struggle but each struggle builds

our power to refuse that work we have
een doing all our lives for free. When we
demand .Wages for Housework, every step

e take together will make us stronger!

at night, we go home to more work, to
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�Thunder Bay Anishinabequek,
The Thunder Bay Anishinabequek, our
local chapter of the Ontario Native
Womens' Association ( O.N.W.A.) was
formed October II, 1972. It is not
incorporated but is investigating the possiblity. It is one of the 37 locals in

Ontario - quite a compliment for a new

Thunder Bay

is

a

Mothers on Budgets,

self-help group composed of volunteers
in the executive and in the membership.
Our most recent election occurred at Our

On June 16th, our group
hosted a luncheon for two
single parent groups.:

Native Womens' Festival (to be described
later). The new executive consists of:
Mrs. Priscilla Simard, President: Ms. Anna
Spuzak, Vice-President: Ms. Christine
Rochette, Secretary; and Ms. Beverly
Sabourin, Treasurer.
Our aims and objectives are simple and

Budgeting

viable as we try and incorporate them
into all proposed projects and activities.
These are as follows:

a) To enlist and organize the energies
and efforts of all members and associate members in promoting the aims of
the O.N.W.A. and in particular the
aims and objectives of the local chapter.

b) Take advantage of government pro
that will improve and will
advance the ambitions of the organization.
c) Visitation programs in homes, hospigrams

tals, jails, etc.
d) Interpret the problems of Native
people to agencies, etc.
e) Promote job placement
f) Social care for Native children in
local homes.
g) Education
h) Develop awareness of government
legislation
i) Promoting the use of Native language
in homes, schools, etc.
j) Setting up information in bus
depots, etc. for Native people.

We sponsored an
Indiin Awareness Workshop, March 2,
1974 at the Indian Friendship Centre
for the benefit of the foreign student at
Lakehead University. Her Native people
from the community met with students
and discussed various topics, such as
adjustment to city life, culture, employment, education, etc. and shared life
experiences. Special attractions include
dancing

Indian

and

an

Indian

Food

Banquet. It was very interesting and very
beneficial to all involved. Our local does
several fund raising projects. These
inclu d e coffee houses, penny auctions
bingos (held at the Indian Friendship
Centre), hockey pools, bake sales, bazaars, etc.

Various members of our club

perform speaking engagements, seminars
and workshops upon request from various
agencies, institutions, clubs, etc. Our local
Anisishinabequek has sponsored several
social activities for the community
ranging from the annual Chirstmas

Banquet and Dance (at the Friendship
Centre)

the

annual

Native

Children's

Mothers

and

Single Parents. The groupsNipigon

from

were

and

Geraldton, with a couple of
members from Red Rock.
They came down by Grey
Goose on the morning bus
and went back that evening.

The Ministry took care of
their transportation to and
from the bus depot. There
were 10 women here. We
spent the afternoon talking
about what MOB was, and
our current activities. They
were quite interested to
hear of our experiences.
MOB has a pilot project
going called 'Freedom
Week'. We received a grant
for special camping from
the Cambrian Presbytery of
$1,000. The United Church
is renting their camp at East
Loon

to

us

from

July

18-25th. What makes this
camp unique is that it's set
up for mothers only--those
on FBA and Welfare, and
single parents.
Word just came back today
from the city that they

working,

would contribute $50 per
mother toward babysitting
fees. The balance needed
would come from the funds
we have for camp, after the

food is bought. A student,
Bates, was hired

Marilyn

through the Secretary of
State program to co-

ordinate the camp and set,
up activities and crafts. This
camp is now closed to further applicants. Hop9fully this
can be done again next year.
`Sanity House' is an idea
where single parents, mothers or fathers, can leave
their child or children for a

period of from 1 to 3 days
while they have the time to
recuperate and gain strength
to handle their children and
themselves again. Right now
a survey is being put together to show the need for this

Northern Woman of any

future action.
Have a nice summer, and
see you down at MOB sometime. We are open Monday

A joint report on where we are at
with the city Social Service dept, in regard to the TarbuttCrisis Houses, sparked
a discussion on ways and means to make the
public more aware that Northwestern Ont.
has more than it's share of physically
abused women, a fact we are reluctant to
speak of above a whisper.
The service directory for women is
proceeding as planned, thanks to the efforts of Liz Jobbitt, She has been the
driving force behind much of the Councils
activities in this year of the woman.
Sarah Weber who has been selected to
co-ordinate the Herstory project made a
presentation of her progress to date and
stunned us all with her organizational
skills and energy. She will be about the
area very soon. We suggest anyone with a
skeleton in their closet should nail the
door shut.
A small discussion on a suitable
fate for mardee, Lakehead Living's gutsy
sister, took place. Like a sliver under
a fingernail, she is not above stooping
to nit-picking to expose like trivia.
Witty enough for fun and games but
hardly one you would like to walk a mile
with. On the off chance she may have
done us a favour, an affectionate back
of the hand to mizz Edelstien, The Ms.
here being macho sister.

to Friday from 9 a.m. till 4
p.m., and our phone number is 623-2863. Our clothing depot is open Monday,
Wednesday and Friday from
1 to 4.

Maureen

Nan MacDonald,

The Nortern Woman congratulates Nan MacDonald for
fine campaign as a Communist candidate in the

her

Nan was the only woman in the
Thunder Bay area to run. Those of us who met her

Provincial elections.

recognized in her a personal commitment to the ideals of
democracy and justice. Good luck to Nan in future
ventures.

support.

is still not in sight. However,
I'll let readers know via The

organized a Fashion Show for the General
Assembly of O.N.W.A. We also pride
ourselves in having helped draw up
various
recommendations
made
by
O.N.W.A. on behalf of all Native VI/o-

ourselves, our brothers.

The council met to-day Sept. 18th
at Confederation College, for our monthly
session, with a representation from
Kenora, Red Lake, Atikokan, Fort Frances
and Kaministiqua, as well as local members. The year moves on and this councT1
must consider what has been done and
wherethe impetus will take us from here.
The report on the tri meeting of
representitives from Con, College, the
Northern Women's Centre and IWY Council
accentuated a growing awareness of how
similar are the goals we move toward. It
was suggested we channel our energies
through the Northern Women's Centre as
our year winds up. A motion to make the
Centre a gift of all documentation our
office has collected at our years end was
passed without dissent.
A decision to hold the Oct. meeting
on the 25th, so that we may attend the
Magnus Theatre's production of a Doll's
House in a block was unanimous. Further
news of theatre activity was the planning
of a non-sexist childrens play, which
this council will help finance.
A discussion on a press release in
support of the women workers in their dispute with the Port Arthur Clinic, enforced our original determination that we
must come out strongly in our support and
that we must be seen publically with that

facility. NIP is working on
this with us. It's been a lot
of work already and the end

Christmas Party and various others. We

mens' Groups and presented to various
relevant cabinet Minister. We pride ourselves in cooperating with other Native
arid Non-Native _organizations and in
promotes harmony and unity amongst

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR CO-

ORDINATING COUNCIL

provincial organization. Our local Anishinabequek has a membership of 175 out
of approximately 250 Native Women in
Thunder Bay. We are pleased to outline
the various projects and activities of our
local over the past three years. We are

proud of our organization which

REPORT FROM THE NORTHWESTERN ONT.

moved
0+4
see page 12

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�HOUSEWIVES OF THE WORLD ARE ASKING
FOR WAGES FROM THE STATE. THAT
COULD BE ONE ANSWER, BUT UNTIL THE
REAL THING COMES ALONG BETTER DIVY
UP FELLOWS.

Marriage &amp; Money
I consider my credentials for
the following observations indisputable, 40 years of continuous engagement in a power struggle over a
priority list, is in itself a fair
record for endurance of not intellect.

That it has taken me so long to
discover the answer lies in a solution where everyone wins and nobody
loses, only makes me a product of the
myth of my times--Man is wiser, Man
is stronger, only a Man's hand can
keep the ship on course. To even
question the direction showed a lack
of trust that even you could find
hard to forgive yourself for.
In choosing a mate we have made
what well may be our last free choice
Every choice we make now will be made
in the light of what is possible in
someone elses judgement. We will consider children, circumstance and propriety. We will consider the ego and
pride of our mates. But if we consider our own desires we will know
immediately that our whole moral fibre
has begun to rot.
What to do!
It is here the priority list begins to get fuzzy.
Marriage has presented us with a list
duly sanctified by church and state,
all others are perverse, self-serving
and non productive. It happens to all
of us men and women alike; it is the
root of all our discontent, perhaps
the solution to our dilemma.
I wonder how many of us are
prepared to admit that our lives are
suffocating with superfluity, not because it represents a true priority
but rather because we have settled
once more for the possible, knowing
what we really want is beyond our
grasp; cultivating an appetite for
possessions to fill up the hole and
smother the sound of what cries in us
for free expression.
The young mother who finds the
entire burden of the emotional health
of her children has been laid at her
feet, will suddenly have a burning
desire for housing beyond their needs.
She puts his nose to the wheel for
thiry years GOT YAH! NO need to feel
guilty its on the list.
A small homicide we feel perfectly justified in
committing.
Man the banker, man the protector
man the provider; the poor devil is as
much a victim of the myth as we are.
One wonders at his reluctance to give
it up, but give it up he must for until
we know, gut strong and bone deep we
are in this together we will engage in
a war of wills that will fill the garages with cars that are his, houses
with things that are hers, while
neither of them will ever achieve the
satisfaction of a real desire realized.
The woman who boasts she has
access to the joint account is whistling in the wind and she knows it, for
unless her sense of personal guilt is
firmly tamped down, her skin thick
enough to survive that meeting with the
board JOINT IS JOKER! I am afraid to
speculate on how many basically honest
wren that little ploy has made chronic
liars out of.

I am firmly convinced we have to
have a new perspective on possessions.
if we ever stop phantasizing long
enough to see houses as sherlter, food
as sustenance, clothing as protection,
cars as transportation; it is just
possible we may have something left to
share at large and with each other.
Sharing is not something men do
well. Women are more likely to have
a giving spirit. It may be one of the
reasons men have tried to keep control
of the family purse. He sees his
sweat, which he equates with $'s spent
on a generosity he doesn't share. For
this reason alone it would seem in his
best interest to consider his wifes
fair share as something quite outside
his concern. He has gotten used to
thinking of the pay cheque as his, He
likes to think the sharing he does is
due to his generosity not because it
in any way belongs to her.
The service
labour market today is over run with
under privileged housewives forced to
evaluate themselves in the only currency relevant--dollars and cents.
When she says we can't manage on one

well you have earned.
I have begun to see life in terms
of how we infringe our priorities on
the rights of others. From the childs
allowance to the credit cards women
use like weapons to punish men for
depriving them of responsible,choice.
This general predisposition to suppose
removing controls will destroy all
balance is a myth that no one gives
greater credence to than those women
who have accepted the status quo and
depend on their wit and cunning to get
their share and more than their share.
It is this woman who will push hard to
keep her sisters in line,

11
Women

Women should stop opposing
other women and learn to work
together in their common cause.
This phenomenon is called polarization and occurs when women

who sat at home resent women
who work and vice-vers. There
is terrific hostility between
men

because of the abortion

issue. People seem to ioilkat this

situation only in terms of black
and white. There is total agreement about one portion of this
issue. We all want to cut down
on unwanted pregnancies. If half
the energies that these two
polarized groups spent were put
into seeking a compromise or
working towards a solution it
would be mind boggling.
British

Columbia

provincial

court Judge - Nancy Morrison.
1974.

IF WE HAD A WAGE - PAGE 8,
- Number 36 'THE ACTIVIST'.

-we could spend more on food;

high prices means more work
for us--we have to search for
pay cheque, what she is really saying in
many cases is WHY SHOULD I TRY!
To persuade men the proposition is
only just, but to their advantage, is
the case I'd like to make.
The truth
is--money in marriage is not worth anything outside the bare bones of necessity, if it does not allow a secret
hope for a priority which may have no
justification whatever in the eyes of
your partner. It is the dreams we give
up, the hopes we bury, the plans we
scrap that will do us in.
Sharing to me means running a
tight ship., It means each of us contributing to the maximum to that part
of our lives we have pledged to survival, It means sitting across a
table and splitting the profits from
this marriage we have made our business, right up the middle. It means
freedom of choice, not having to ask
any more; not having to explain, not
having to apologiie. More than this
it means not having to pretend to be
grateful for something you know darn

the cheapest supermarket and

then find a hundred ways to

make hamburger interesting.

-we could send the drapes to

the dry cleaners.

- we could go out to dinner
when we're tired of cooking.

-we could take a course, or get
the education we never got before.

-we could send our children to
camp for the summer.

-we could buy a washing machine instead of going to the
laundromat.

-our husbands could take a day
off to be with the family.

-we would have the

choice

whether or not to work outside
the home.

-we would have the money to
take a bus and leave for a while
real vacation) or
leave for good..
-we would have the choice not

(and take a

to have children or to be able
to afford to have children.

-men would realize that even
though we love them, doing
their housework is work and we

love it!
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�poems...
CROWBAR,

Leigh, I need your help.
I feel I'm nailed to a solid wall
of traditions, habits and vague sense.
Until recently I didn't mind being there.
Whatever I was, I was the same as
EVERYONE ELSE'

The Dandelion

While walking through the puzzle of life,
Where pieces that fit seem to suffer less strife,
I stopped to pick a dandelion,
And upon my possession, the flower began dying:
I stood looking at the flower's golden glo,.
Amazed how its stature had drifted so low.
Predictability robs it of all appreciation,
The beauty ignored by it's common creation,
And for conforming so well with all that.s around. it,
It feels the resentment of the flowers that surround it.

And '

,ew -

not be possessed, predictable nor common,
n I conform to another soul's pattern.
Th- gh I may stand alone, as that may be,
have to be, uniquely me.
I
ice a dandelion on summer's day
C
it wither, and die and drift away.
I co
Nor
F

But now there's a crowbar in the area.
I've been partly pried off that wall
before. I Know what it's like.
You're still part of the wallInit
You're a little bit of your own board.

i

LE NI

The more you achieve your identity
as a board, the less you are
a part of the wall.
I've never been close to being
a complete board before.

Man! Can't you Hear Your Woman Calling?
'What did you do all day?'
Doesn't wait for an answer
'Is the paper here yet?'
She stands at the sink for the third time today,
And
she aches frOm the labours of keeping things fine
And she thinks 'If only once he'd offer to help'
Man! Cant't you hear your woman calling?

I know someone who was
only attached by a tack and
she freaked and got herself
completely and sucurely nailed on.
She can never get away now.

But I feel such a strength
in the premonition of this crowbar.
This is no ordinary crowbar
pulling an ordinary raid.

She watches him leave, to the salt mines he says,
And she silently wishes she was going instead

I think I.M gonna get it this time.

No pressure, No 9 to 5, All the day to herself,
Man! Can't you hear your woman calling?

Oh, they'd talked of itoften,
How she needed a change,
But he'd patted her head, said how lucky she was,

I mean, I want to be a board.
You know that Leigh.
I want to be thought of
in terms of you and.the other boards.
But, what if I don't make it?
What if it turns out I'm not
made of wood?Maybe I'm
compressed shavings. Did you
ever think of that?EH?
Yah! What if?

You boards are all alike.
You figure because you got off the wall
we all can. WELL I'M SCARED.
I think this crowbar is going
to just YARD me off and
the nails will SCREAM as they're
torn out and my mind will have
a big bruise. But then
I guess when that's over with,
You're home free, eh?
Question?

Yeah, I guess it'll happen all right.
Will you be around in case I feel
a little sick after?

Men have stood
shoulder to shoulder
with men
They have done it
in pride
and with pleasure
They have bled
for a cause
that unhinges the mind
fo justify
killing each other
They have wasted
the seed
of each others' loins
Spent it
like snow in a desert
for the living
forgiving uterus they rule
Conveniently waits
to be plundered
Then why is it
woman who fears
looking down
when she sees
woman kind in the ditch?
Why is it woman
wh&amp;always decides
what Sister of hers
is a bitch?

you're such a fine,
fine board Leigh
Marnie Smith
Oh,

She had worked on it hard and the cake was all done,
The filling, the icing, the finishing touches
She proudly brought it in and cut him a piece
And he ate it and silently he left the room.
Man! Can't you hear your woman calling?
Her head ached, Her feet ached, the day had been bad.
She finished the story and kissed them goodnight.
And she quietly wished that the children had once
Heard their favourite stories being told by their Dad
Man, Can't you hear your woman calling?

She had seen her uptown and knew it was foolish.
%envy her fine clothes; the way her hair had been done
She'd wanted to boast of her home and her children
BuTher tongue had been quiet
And she'd walked home in shame for the way she had felt
Man! Can't you hear your woman calling?
It may have been a touch, a smell or a memory.
And a rare and warm feeling rose once again.
The radio picked up the mood and her favourite songs.
So she fixed up her hair, made a special meal for him.

And tie arrived.
With dirt on his boots, Not even a smile,
And said 'Tonight after supper we'll work on the budget.
Man! You should have heard your woman calling.

LEN:

the northern woman page (9)

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carried by men.
One day a man asked
me, "Whkt are you doing in an old
folks IPme?" I had to tell him
there just isn't any other place
for me and people like me. This attracted me to him, to think I can be
with elderly people and still keep my
mIndo He used to play music which
also attracted me and many other
things. 'It was too late to do anything about it when I realized how
much he had come to mean to me.
I
knew loving me had no advantages for
him, but I also knew he could add to
my life and make me more of a woman.
Just at the point when I began to feel
like a real woman, he was taken sudenly away from me. The feeling I had
for this man was bigger and stronger
than I'll ever have again in my life
for anyone. When I sat beside his
casket I wanted someone to lay me down
beside him for I knew my life would
never mean the same to me again. Now,
no matter where I go, or what I do, I
02
get a lump in my throat because I feel
he should be there with me. One thing
I know,-there will never be anyone else 4
for me, I don't want anyone else, it
would kill me for sure. I'm sure many
women like me have felt this way because a man wants a wife, not a handicapped person like a child to.be looked
So this is a small part of what
after.
it is like to be a handicapped woman.

#:;?

Since writing this for us Mary's book
WHEELS ARE MY FEET is on the book
shelves. As sisters we congratulate
her and wish her well. Edo

WOMAN AT SIXTY
age. It's a time

nest, loving, or
nity. It's a time

have learned to
p and give. of an
when you might

f knowing less

ering how pleas-

dn't know, and

t, alas, you have

ok. You cannot

arned from pain

the meat in the
aw, the heart of
forever peeling

The Women's Movement operates on

r;

two levels--the Vocational and Status !,

level which society accepts much more ?..
easily than looking down into the level
that is the heart and guts of female V,:
discontent. After all, money and position t7,4%.;

are accepted goals in this Western never- 4
-never-land, By looking beyond this legit- f.16:

imate aspiration, we are in grave danger el
of naming the disease, and having to find
the cure. I have this horrible nightmare
that one day, the whole sex will die of
lock jaw, still mumbling, "I'm happy, I'm t';.:
happy", because they're ashamed not to ..s
be.

bage, things that

At 60, one has passed through the rf,.:
Valley of Indecision where the heart and 0
mind take you. You've learned to say no,

mptuous way a

or yes, when it pleases you. On reflection
you opine. Love is lovely to get and give,

awareness like
can be dismissed
g `women's lib-

The absolutely

hat a segment of
rrogance to call
having no resp-

t to a quality of
feels bound to
or a sex object is
ng we are used

s libber. I don't
hom or why! I
op doing what
loving, giving,
optimistic,

`

but you find yourself a bit surprised to
see people still betting their lives on it.
if you know and dare that on this
planet Earth, in 1975, your Sister's children are slaughtered by bullet and blade
and deprivation? that she is battered and
beaten; that government and state harass
and humiliate her; that law discriminates
against her; that religion penalizes her. If
you know and care about all this, you're
a feminist. And if you're 60, you'll stand
up and say so.
Gert Beadle

the northern woman page 10

ren:th
and wit.
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�Women in Crisis Have aPlace
CRISIS HOUSING FOR WOMEN

In the files at the Northern Women's Centre, you can
find the words "crisis housing" dating back to its
beginning as an idea. It was a project, hoped and planned
for, and recognized as an essential service in the present
social structure where financial tension, alcohol and
frustration daily produce more than enough problems
that can precipitate crisis. The files catalogue the need,
providing hard evidence that here was a handful of
concerned women who knew the score, and who passionately wished to do something about it.

To this end, Mary Tomlinson, pursuing a legal career
in the offices of Glowack and Tilson, drew up a model
of a crisis shelter and petitioned the City with a view to
securing a house on Tarbut Street at a nominal rental.
The case she made was well received, and for a time, it
seemed as though we would have an active part to play
in both planning and function.
In this

first flush of success, funding was obtained

from Grenville Group Homes, whose boys' shelter project
was defunct. Also, a small housekeeping grant was

obtained from Secretary of State. But, there is many a
slip twixt cup and lip, as thepoet says. The City, in its
wisdom saw Crisis Housing as an idea whose time had

come, and prodded by some flack from anxious tax
payers, budgeted to provide and maintain three houses to

be operated by their own Social Service Department,
leaving us with egg on our faces and a small sack of
money.

Since Mary's departure for Osgoode Hall was immin-

ent, the Committee, with whom she had planned the

project, became a legal structure operating for the time
being under the existing Charter of Grenville Group
Homes. Having delegated the responsibility of both funds
and philosophy, she left for Toronto.

We are happy these houses are becoming a reality,
even though no mill wheel of the gods can possibly turn
as slow as a City planned project. We are not crushed by .

the fact that the City has assumed full control of the

housing aid. The large majority of these crises stem from
marriage breakdown and desertion or physical assault by
the male partner.
The changing roles and status of women in North
America are thrusting many women unprepared into
independance. Today, the separated or deserted wife

does')nt return to her parents' home. According to the
Royal Commission on theStatus of Women, 90% of
single parent families are headed by women, and one
third of these families are poor. In many cases of
marriage breakdown, alcoholism and physical violence in

the man force the wife to leave the family home with
her children.

For the women and her children in the midst of such
an emotional and physical crisis, Thunder Bay has little
to offer. She needs time, space and support. She needs
to consider whether she has the strength or the desire to
make a major change in her family's life style. Can she

support her children alone? Would it be better for her
and her children to return to their former situation? Is
this possible? Can she do anything to resolve the
conflicts which made her leave that situation?

If she decides that she wishes to return, or to support
her family alone, more problems arise. How can she get
money--by working or by applying for family assistance?
Is she likely to find work? Does she need training or
education? Who will she find to care for her children if
she works? Can she afford good care or any care? Can

she fill the shoes of two parents for her children? Are
they suffering due to the recent crisis and change in their
lives? Will her husband contest custody of the children?

Should she see a psychiatrist? Will she find a suitable
place to live in her price range? Will she 'find friends?
Will her children have to move to another school? Will
they find friends? Has she made the right choices?

Large numbers of women, with and without children,
become independent every year. The women who has
been isolated in her home for a number of years with

shelter are the "be all and end all" in crisis situations.
We are unanimous in agreeing not to invest in the

small children may be completely unaware of the services
her community offers. She needs information as well as
immediate necessities such as food and shelter and

Somewhere between theideal and bureaucratic logic,'is

make it on her own despite the training she received as a
child, despite her experiences as a dependant in marriage.

project. We are, however, not satisfied that just food and
physical structure of the city-planned shelters, but to use
our resources in supplementary services beyond what the
City is prepared to provide.
a

part for us to play. Our meeting with City Social

Services confirms this. WE MAY SPEAK, WE MAY NOT

clothing. She needs to know that help and encouragement are available to her, that other women share her
problems, and that each woman can find the strength to

These are the things which theHousing Committee
feels are most important. Yet, too often, the steps taken
by the City in setting up the homes, indicate these things

MAKE POLICY, they have informed us. So speak we
shall, until the good people of this community realize
that just outside the wall of their own safety and
indifference, women and children are mentally tortured
and physicall abused without any option for choice.
Unless crisis housing provides that option, it will not

are not "top priority" for the City. We will speak, we
will demand to be heard. We will pressure the "policy

meet the expectations ()Alined in the model as conceived
by Mary Tomlinson.

Housing, or, if you have talents and energies to offer,

An increasing number of women, especially those with
children, are finding themselves in crisis situations, in
which they desperately need emotional, financial and

makers" if we can't make policy.

If you are interested

in

learning more about Crisis

contact Gert Beadle, any Wednesday, at 345-5841. We
will print more news on the progress of the Crisis Houses
next issue.

The three houses on Tarbutt St.
officially operon October 20th.
There was a waiting list for accomodation, and at this date Oct. 21st
these houses are FILLED. Ed.

Congralutations to Lynne Thornburg

Congratu

who was hired by Confederation
Lynne's position
College in Sept.
is assistant to Ruth Cunningham, who
is director of Women's Programs,
Continuing Education division.
The addition of Lynne to the staff
will give Ruth some healthy positive
support and will serve to strengthen
the existing good relationship
Women's Centre has had with the
College in the past.

lations

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114141111

4*

lt4t=:11
the northern woman page (11)

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�Want A Wife
I belong to that classification
of people known as wives.
I am A Wife.
And, not altogether incidentally, I am
a mother.
Not too long ago a male friend of
mine appeared on the scene fresh from
a recent divorce. He had one child,
who is, of course, with his ex-wife.
He is obviously looking for another
wife,
As I thought about him while I
was ironing one evening, it suddenly
occurred to me that I, too, would like
to have a wife.
Why do I want a wife?
I would like to go back to school
so that I can become economically independent, support myself, and, if need
be, support those dependent upon me. I
want a wife who will work and send me
to school. And while I am going to
school I want a wife to take care of my
children. I want a wife to keep track
of the children's doctor and dentist
appointments. And to keep track of
mine, too. I want a wife to make sure
my children eat properly and are kept
clean.
I want a wife who will wash the
children's clothes and keep them mended.
I want a wife who is a good nurturant attendant to my children, who
arranges for their schooling, makes sure
that they have an adequate social life
with their peers, takes them to the park
the zoo, etc. I want a wife who takes
care of the children when they are sick,
a wife who arranges to be around when
the children need special care, because, of course, I cannot miss classes
at school. My wife must arrange to lose
time at work and not lose the job. It
may mean a small cut in my wife's income from time to time, but I guess I
can tolerate that. Needless to say, my
wife will arrange and pay for the care
of the children while my wife is working.

I want a wife who will take
care of MY physical needs. I want a
wife who will keep my house clean. A
wife who will pick up after me. I
want a wife who will keep my clothes
clean, ironed, mended, replaced when
need be, and who will see to it that
my personal things are kept in their
proper place so that I can find what
I need the minute I need it. I want
a wife who cooks the meals, a wife
I want a wife
who is a GOOD cook.
who will plan the menus, do the necessary grocery shopping, prepare the
meals, serve them pleasantly, and then
do the cleaning up while I do my studyI want a wife who will care for
ing.
me when I am sick and sympathize with
my pain and loss of time from school.
I want a wife to go along when our family takes a vacation so that someone
can continue to care for me and my
children when I need a rest and change
of scene.
I want a wife who will.not bother
me with rambling complaints about a
wife's duties. But I want a wife who
will listen to me when I feel the need
to explain a rather difficult point I
have come across in my course of studies, and I want a wife who will type my
papers for me when I have written them.
I want a wife who will take care
of the details of my social life. When
my wife and I are invited out by my
friends, I wanta wife who will take
care of the babysitting arrangements.
When I meet people at school that I
like and want to entertain, I want a

wife who will have the house clean,
will prepare a special meal, serve it
to me and my friends, and not interrupt when I talk about the things that
interest me and my friends. I want a
wife who will have arranged that the
children are fed and ready for bed be -.
fore my guests arrive so that the children do not bother us.
And I want a wife who knows that
sometimes I need a night out my myself.
I want a wife who is. sensitive to
my sexual needs, a wife who makes love
passionately and eagerly when I feel

PEANUT BUTTER IN AN ELECTRIC
BLENDER:
BOYCOTT KRAFT
Makes 6 ounces peanut butter.
Be sure blender container is
completely dry.
1. Empty 1 cup shelled fresh
or vacuum-packed peanuts into
the container. Cover and
blend on highest speed for 5
seconds.
2. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable
oil to the ground nuts, cover
and blend on medium speed for
about 60 seconds, or until
nuts are ground and churned
into peanut butter.
3. Put in a jar with a tight
fitting cover. Store in the
refrigerator.

NORTHERN

WOMEN'S

CENTRE

like it, a wife who makes sure that I
am satisfied. And of course, I want
a wife who will not demand sexual
attention when I am not in the mood
for it, I want a wife who assumes
the complete responsibility for birth
control, because I do not want more
children.
I want a wife who will remain sexually faithful to me so that
I do not have to clutter up my intellectual life with jealouies. And I
want a wife who understands that MY
sexual needs may entail more than
strict adherence to monogamy. I must
after all, be able to relate to people
as fully as possible.
If, by chance, I find another
person more suitable as a wife than
the wife I already have, I want the
liberty to replace my present wife
with another one. Naturally, I will
expect a fresh, new life: my wife
will take the children and be solely
responsible for them so that I am left
free.

When I am through with school
and have a job, I want my wife to quit
working and remain at home so that my
wife can more fully and completely
take care of a wife's duties.
My God, who WOULDN'T want a wife?
by Judy Syfers

Since September 15, the Northern Women's Centre has been
in a new location.
When the Y announced it's

decision to sell the building on
Archibald Street, we were given

a month's notice. With limited
funds for rent, and few choices
available, we had not found
anything suitable by
end,

month's

and we were given

an

extension of two weeks. During
that time a woman involved in
Women's Centre agreed to rent
the first floor of her home to us.
As tenants of the YMCA, our

relationship with the staff was
always amicable. Director Robin
Wilson, Roberta Mills and Ed
Heinz deserve special thanks. We
are aware our 'radical' image has

necessitated their 'going to bat'
for us many times.

We are now comfortably situated at 120 West Amelia Street
(directly behind the Toronto
Dominion bank on West Frederica Street). The entrance is at the
back of the house.
There is a volunteer staff
person regularly at the Centre on
Mondays

and

Tuesdays,

9

through 5, and periodically on
Fridays. The phone number is
still 622-3989.
Regular meetings (socializing
get-togethers for now) are every
second Thursday. The next
meetings will be October 23 and
November 6.

The next issue will have an
article on "Where we've been

014

0+kt

044

04.20 and where we're going" with
Centre activities.

the northern woman page (12)

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�the northern woman page ( 13)

Welcome to Fort Frances

Profile on Pioneer Women
Personal Interview,

ANSEA JOANNA MC-

area. Betty had become able

LELLAND

to help

Ansea is ninety three. She
is named Ansea because, as

1964, Ansea was eighty two,
and whe had to make what
she says was the hardest decision of her entire life. She
found she could, together
with Betty , have a room in
Riiny Crest home for the

she said, 'my mother had
run out of enthusiasm for
children and names by the
time I arrived.

I was the

seventh child. So, when the
doctor suggested to her how
was happy ,to oblige.'

Ansea began as a second
American. Her
grandparents emigrated to
generation

'lite first night we were

from Norway,
and the family subsequently
Wisconsin

here,' she said, 'Betty woke
me up to ask, 'Mum, do you

became dairy farmers there.
There was a great love and
respect for education in our
background, she said being a

like this place? 'Of course! I

said, `do youl'Oh, yes,' she
said, 'I do, I do. It's just like

the Marlborough Hotel in

girl did not deter me from

Winnipeg.' She sounded so
thrilled, I knew I had made
the right decision. I realized

graduating from the University of Wisconsin.' Her husband-to-be, a Canadian,
William James McLelland,
played football for Wiscon-

way as an engineer. 'I loved
community spirit of

the

that early time,' Ansea recalls, 'I was interested in

poetry and drama, and

I

directed several plays, my
first child was born there--as

bonnie a boy as you would

want to see. It seemed as

though nothing could hap-

In 1923, our
daughter Betty was born
and became a factor in all
pen to us.

decisions we made then and
I still make.' Betty was
injured at birth by what

Ansea feels was an incompetent medical man, more

the house. In

aged in tort Frances.
Betty's sake, I felt I must
make a break with the past.'
So she sold her home, and
her treasures away, and came
to live in rainy Crest.

nice it would be if I were
named after his wife, she

sin. They married in 1909
and went immediately to
Hannah, Alberta, where he
went to work for the rail-

in

she needed the color and
concerned with saving time
than in assisting with what
should have been a normal
birth. This view was reinforced by the countless journeys they made seeking help
for Betty.

By this time, they had

been
town

transferred

to

the

of Rainy River in
Northern Ontario. 'I went
for a ride along the river',
she said, 'and I was persuad-

ed that here was the most
beautiful country in all the
world. I still think so. It was
here I realized there was no
help for Betty outside
myself, and I determined
that she would realize all
the potential she had. Because I liked golf. we made

a small putting green on our
lawn, and the neighbours
soon got used to

seeing

Betty trying to put mind
and body to the task of

movement of people around
her. She helps with the
coffee. Everybody loves her.
She loves everybody.' Ansea
says,

'I am not what you

might call a success, but I
have done the thing most

sinking the shot.'

women do very well, I 'have
taken the fabric life gave me

born, a son, and she tells
how Betty loved the baby

and made as lovely a thing
as I could out of it. Women
need beauty in their lives. If
it is not found outwardly,

Ansea's third child was

and how she, Ansea, refused

to let her hold hp until she
spoke the word baby: and
how Betty, who had shown
no inclination to speak until
this time, finally screamed
the magic word.
In 1965, Ansea's husband
died. She had seen her sons

become professional men,
one

a doctor and one

a

professor, both leaving the

then we must find it inward-

ly. Betty at 53, wears the
unlineu tace of one who has
perfect confidence in the
goodness of her human
family. She radiates affection. Ansea is responsible for
this, which makes her a

fitting subject for our celebration of the best that is in

us for our first new issue.

LETTERS CONT' D

Dear Sisters

Enclosed find love gift for
your newsletter. We must keep it
thriving. It is a voice, a true
voice that calls us to consider all

that we are. Keep it cool and

keep it honest and let the chips
fall where they may. Woman's
relation to woman is a fascinating theme in itself. The fact that
men have made laws knowing
women will police women to
enforce them shows how deeply
our divisions are. If women ever
become champions of their own

sex we could pack the parlia-

ment. It makes my 60-year-old
blood run hot just to think of it.
The fact that two political
parties will have women in a
leadership race this year makes
me wonder if we will placidly
survey a stacking of the cards
against them without protest.
Gert Beadle

Editors note: Gert
sent us the above
donation after reading the last issue,
on children, of The
Northern Woman.
Some of us next met
her at the National
Women's Centres Conf.
in March, where she
impressed us with her
poetry and philosophy
Since that time Gert
decided she wanted to
bo one of the collective.
She has been
a real inspiration to
us particularily durthe times we thought
we would never get
this, our first tabloid, finished.
To

know her is to love
her. Age has not
been a barrier in the
bonds of sisterhood
between us, and this
collective is fortunate indeed to have her
with us in our struggle.
A collection of Gert's
poetry is presently being compiled through
the Feminist News Service and will be published by a women's
press. The proceeds
are to go the the Women's Liberation Movement via Women's Centres
in Canada.

C
C
C

Thunder Bolt, A Thunder Bolt for
Eleanor Jacobson of Kenora for shaming

her tribe in the year of woman. May the
Great Spirit cause her to daily confront
herself in the mirror of life till she realizes
there is nobody there.

Thunder Clap, A Thunder Clap for

Rosemary Brown for making the word
`feminist' a beautiful, gutsy thing for any
woman to be.

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�Getting Rid of Sexism
Sexism, in its original
sense, referred to prejucice against the female sex.
In a broader sense, the
term now indicates any arbitrary stereotyping of
males and females on the
basis of their gender. McGraw-Hill Publishing Co
has designed a set of guide/lines to make its staff mem'hers and authors aware of
the ways in which males and
females have been stereotyped in publications; to
Show the role language has
played in reinforcing inequality.
Job stereotypes
(a) Though many women
will continue to choose traditional occupations such
as homemaker or secretary,
women should not be typecast in these roles but
shown in a verity of professions and trades.
(b) Similarly, men should
not be shown as constantly
subject to the "masculine
mystique" in their interests
and attitudes. They should
not be made to feel that
`their self-worth depends entirely upon their income
level or job status.
(c) No job should be considered sex-typed, and it
should never be implied that
certain jobs are incompatible with a woman's "femininity" or a man's "masculinity". Thus women as well
as men should be shown as
accountants, engineers,
pilots etc. while men as
well as women whould be
shown as nurses, gradeschool teachers typists,
etc.

Women within a profession whould be shown
at all professional levels
including top levels. Women should be portrayed in
positions of authority over
men and over other women,
and there should be no implication that a man loses
face or a woman faces difficulty if the employer or
supervisor is a woman. All
work should be treated as
honorable and worthy of reInstead women and
spect.
men should be offered more
options than were available
to them when work was stereotyped by sex.
"Masculine" and "feminine"
(a) Members of both sexes
should be shown as having
human strengths and weaknesses, not masculine or
feminine ones. Characteristics that have traditionally been praised in males
--such as boldness, initiative and assertiveness- should also be praised in
Characteristics
females.
that have been praised in
females--such as gentleness, compassion, and sensitivity--should also be
praised in males.

(b) Women and girls should
be shown as logical thinkers
problem solvers, and decision makers. They should be
shown as interested in their
work, pursuing a variety of
career goals, and both deserving of and receiving
public recognition for their
accomplishments.
(c) In descriptions of women, a patronizing tone
should be avoided, as should
sexual innuendos, jokes, and
TO be avoided: focuspuns.
ing on physical appearance
(a buxom blonde): using special female-gender word forms
(poetess, aviatrix, usherette):portraying the typical
woman as weak, helpless, or
hysterical; making women
figures of fun or objects of
scorn and treating their
issues as humorous or unimportant.
Examples of steroetyping:to be avoided; scatterbrained female, catty
gossip, henpecking shrew,
frustrated spinster. Jokes
at women's expense--such
as the woman driver or nagging mother-in-law cliches- are to be avoided.
the girls or the
NO:
ladies (when adult females
the
are meant). YES:
women.

girl, as in, I'll
NO:
girl check that.
have
YES: I'll have my secretary
check that. (Or use the
person's name.)

in Publications
,NO: salesman. YES: sales
representative; sales-person; sales clerk.
NO:chairman. YES: presiding officer, coordinator,'chairperson.
NO: foreman, YES: supervisor.
(d) Language that assumes all readers are male
should be avoided.
NO: You and your wife.
YES: You and your spouse.

ings.

Equal treatment
(e) Males should not always be in first order of
(a) Parellel language
should be used for men
mention. Instead, alternate the order: woman and
and women.
man, gentlemen and ladies.
NO: the men and the ladies.
YES: the men and
the women, or the ladies
and the gentlemen.
NO: man and wife. YES:
husband and wife.
(b) A woman should be
referred to by name in
Ontario Regional Day Care
the same way that a man is
Conferences, Sponsored by
NO: Bobby Riggs and Billie
the Ont. Welfare Council.
YES: Bobby Riggs an L
Jean.
Northern
Conf.--Thunder
Billie Jean King.
Bay,
Nov.
14-1t.
EveryNO: Mrs. Meir and Moshe
one
Welcome
write
Kate
Dayan.
YES: Golda Meir
Sikerbol,
Social
Planning
(c) Different nomenCouncil, 409A George St.,
clature should not be used
"Phone
(807) 623-7017.
for the same job according
to whether it is held by a
WATCH Channel 8, Cable tv
male or female. example:
series on the Suffragette
flight attendant, not
steward or stewardess;
Movement.
Listed as Masterpolice officer, not police (sic) piece Theatre--Sun. at
9:00 and Fri. repeated. (If
man or policewoman.
you have difficulty receivin
(d) Different pronouns
should not be linked with Channel 8, adjust your fine
tuning.) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
certain work or occupat-

What Goe
on Here!

uy moss °I us wno nave seen

NO: libber (a putdown).
YES: feminist, liberation-

BITTERSWEET

ist.

People words
In references to hu(a)
manity at large, language
should operate to include
women and girls. Here are
some possible substitutions
for man-words:
NO:
mankind. YES: humanity, human race, people.
man's achievements.
NO:
human achievements.
YES:
the best man for the
NO:
the best person
YES:
job.
(or candidate) for the job.
YES:
NO:
manpower.
human power or energy, workers, work force.
Avoid, when possible
(b)
the pronouns he, him and
his in reference to the hypothetical person or humanity in general.
The average American
NO:
drinks his coffee black.
YES:
The average American
drinks black coffee.
Occupational terms
(C)
ending in man should be replaced by terms that can
include members of either
sex unless they refer to a
particular person.
NO: businessman. YES:
business executive; busmanager.
insurance man. YES:
NO:
insurance agent.

ions on the assumption
that the worker is always
(or usually) female or
Instead, either
or male.
pluralize or use he or she
she or he, or s/he.
NO: the consumer...she.
YES: consumers...they.
NO: the secretary...she.
YES: secretaries...they.
NO: the breadwinner...his
earnings. YES: the breadwinner..his or her earn

Bittersweet,

an

the first few programs.
exhibition

of women

in

Ontario:

1900-1975, will be at Confederation College of Applied
Arts and Technology, in the Concourse, from November
1 to 8.

Through the imaginative use of cartoons, photographs
and original graphics, Bittersweet reflects attitudes which

have shaped women's lives the last 75 years. It reveals,
sometimes whimsically, the achievements and defeats of
the women of this province.
An eclectic vision, Bittersweet encompasses the lives
and personalities of Ontario women as diverse as Agnes
Macphail, the first female member of Parliament, and
Roza Brown, the infamous prospector from Kirkland
Lake. By inviting you to pose behind the figure of a
glamourous 'beauty queen', in the old fashion circus
manner, Bittersweet spoofs this stereotype. It pokes fun
at the advertising world's empty-headed housewife; urges
women to become more politically active; documents the
number of women elected to Parliament; the legal status
of women and the official history of the Person's Case of

1929, whereby Canadian women were legally recognized
as people.

Bittersweet is a visually exciting and stimulating
display which has been researched, designed and assemblFinanced by
ed by five energetic Toronto women.
government and corporate grants, Bittersweet will be
touring to thirteen communities throughout Ontario.

CONFEDERATION COLLEGE
The College has appointed a new Supervisor of
Women's Programs, Lynne Thornburg, to work with the
Director of Women's Programs, Ruth Cunningham. Together they will continue to offer courses designed to be
particular interest to women. For example , this
January Women in Canadian Literature, and Women in

of

History will be offered. Also, Assertiveness Training is
scheduled to ilappen, and. A Look at Housework is in the
planning stages for January. Contact either Ruth or

Lynne to learn more about Women's Programs.

Is there

something you would like to see happen, some ideas you
__have for courses? They are the wnmen to talk tn

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CVISION
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woman
page (14)

�Being a woman is:

coming home from work--and starting in to work:
unpack groceries, fix supper, wash up the dishes, rinse
out some laundry, etc., etc.
-

CHAUVINISM - unreasoning attachment to
one's group

feeling responsible for more lives--your kids, your
man's, your parents--but never, never your own life
-

MALE CHAUVINIST - a man who exhibits unreasonong attachment to his
sex
FEMALE CHAUVINIST - a woman who exhibits
unreasoning attachment to
her sex

- discovering you need an abortion and really learning for

the first time what your man, your parents and your
society think of you--frequently, paying for that knowledge with your life

learning to be very tactful if you have men working
"under you"--more likely, learning to always be working
-

(The Ku Klux Klan were chauvinists.)

OLD MASCULINIST - woman's place is in
the home
- they are biologically
inferior
- they are mentally and
physically unable to do a
man's work
NEW MASCULINIST - women have a special
place in life
- willing to admit we are
intelligent but still limited

under men

- becoming an executive, and being asked to order the
delicatessen food for an office party
getting older, getting lonelier, getting ready to die, and
knowing that it wouldn't have had to be this way, after
-

all.

Selections taken from Barbarous Rituals, a chapter in
Sisterhood is Powerful.

wages for housework,

OLD FEMINISTS - believe women can be like
men - "Anything you can do I
can do better."

hour day, 7 days a week? Why, after all
that work should she get no recognition,

NEW FEMINISTS - sex roles are obsolete

out to work, on top of all we have to do

Why should a housewife work a 24
and no money she can call her own? Why
should women nowadays be forced to go
at home? Why should we go home from a

job to work in our kitchens for free while

REFORMED FEMINISTS - desire to work within the system for change

men doing overtime are earning extra
money?

RADICAL FEMINISTS - Cultural - women's
oppression is caused by
men
- Socialist - call for
dramatic social change
- capitalism is the
cause of women's and
men's oppression

Some people will say it's because we

do this work for ourselves and for our
families. We do. But a lot of other people

are making money out of our labour. If
we didn't do housework and raise children, industry, government, and.everything
else would grind to a halt. The money for
wages for housework must come from the

government and from all the employers
who couldn't do without our work. They
may say they can't afford it, but they're
holding on to the wealth that we create,

REACTIONARY FEMINISTS - manhaters - would
like to do to men what they
did to us

which we need now more than ever.

While we're gathering the strength and

numbers to win this we will fight for the
time and money we're entitled to wher-

SEXISM - the superiority of one sex over
the other is enforced either
tacitly or overtly or both

ever we can get them.

Women are always struggling for time
and money. Women have been protesting

SEXIST - anything or anyone who practices
the above

and backing up their claims in various
ways. Sitting in with children at Social
Security and Welfare Offices, non-payment of rent and utility bills, demanding

LIBERATED PERSON - one who is aware of the
implic4tions of the actions
of him or herself and others
and who recognizes the equality
of all people and who practices it

paid time off from outside jobs to do
shopping and to look after the children
are just a few examples. Women have
learned to fight back.

Wel info fkz.

ce vviFNS
THIS YEAR THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA PLEDGED FIVE MILLION
DOLLARS TO BE USED THROUGH THE SECRETARIAT AND THE
SECREL'ARY OF STATE FOR "INTERNATIONAL WOMEWS YEAR".
WOMEN COMPRISE A SLIM MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION OF
CANADA. NEXT YEAR THE GOVERNMENT HAS PLEDGED FIFTYFIVE MILLION DOLLARS TOWARDS THE UNITED STATES CELEBRATION OF THEIR BICENTENNIAL.
EVERY
IN OCTOBER THE GOVERNMENT IS EVALUATING IWY.
WOMAN IN CANADA SHOULD ALSO BE THERE TO GIVE THE REACTION OF THE WOMEN OF CANADA TOWARDS THE INEFFECTUAL
ACTIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT TOOK THIS YEAR.
OCTOBER 25TH IN OTTAWA. SEND DELEGATES
BE THERE!
AND SUPPORT, IT'S TIME TO MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD.

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the northern woman page (15

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�Men With Men
Most women tend to believe the gutsy
beer commercials that show men having
'robust good times', off with their buddies,
away from women. According to a psychologist involved with the men's liberation
movement, this is a myth.
"Men's relationships with other men are very poor. Many
men say in C.R. that they haven't had a
male friend since they were 14. Men are
taught that they must get their main emotional fulfillment from a relationship

CONSCIOUSNESS RAISING:

A WAY TOWARD MEN'S LIBERATION

The unliberated man patronizes and
uses women;
has no real male friends,
only a peer group he must impress. He
ignores his children, and leaves them to
the "little woman," unless they in some way
reflect on his image of himself, (i.e. if
his son is good at sports).
The unliberated man "keeps a stiff
upper lip," never admits a weakness;
won't ask directions until hopelessly
lost; never cries; and never loses his
cool. He dominates conversations with
women and subordinates men by steering all
talk to his area of interest and expertise.
The unliberated man totally defines
himself by his job and his income. He
constantly compares himself with other
men's successes and failures. His purpose
in life is to go from success to success.
The more money he makes, and the more expensive trappings he can flaunt, the better
person he thinks he is.
This is a portrait of a human isolated
from women, other men, children, and even
from his own feelings. This is the man
that the men's liberation movement wants to
reach.
From the very beginning of the Feminist
movement it was said that men must be liberated, too.
However, most men tended to
laugh off this idea.
"There is a tendency among men to regard liberation as a 'women's problem',
not men's, we're fine just the way we are,"
states Warren Farrell, men's liberation
spokesperson and writer, "wheras in Sweden,
liberation is regarded as equally a concern
of men and women, and is referred to as the
'sex role debate'". That is, the Swedes
are able to see sex roles as affecting the
whole fabric of society, not just a few
dissatisfied women.
_

a

way

with the opposite sex."
Contrary to the image of male friendships in movies and in T.V. commercials,
male relationships in real life are businesslike and superficial. Men might benefit from
the C.R. group by learning to confide their
true feelings to a group of men they would
normally be closed with. They could develop
trusting friendships instead of coming on like
Mr. Cool to other men.

toward
men's

liberatio n

.

Despite this prejudice, the idea of
men's liberation is slowly gaining ground
and the way in which it most often begins,
is through the men's consciousness raising group.
The male rap group is a gathering of
equals, which may or may not have a leader
directing discussion. They meet to discuss such topics as men's relationships
with women, with other men, sex roles
and sexism.
The group is both supportive
"(offering empathy and understanding) and
challenging because of the ingrained
quality of male role socialization in
America.
The very nature of men's problems;
their fear of looking too closely at themselves, their inability to be vulnerable,
to admit weakness, makes it doubly difficult for them to seek help at a consciousness raising session.
In his book The Liberated Man, Farrell
maintains that the unique aspect of men's
C.R. groups is, for the first time, "men
learn to ask a peer for help." Usually
this peer group of males is the one with
which the man would be the most dishonest
and closed.
"As each man learns to confide in his
peers, he learns that all men have similar
problems. He comes to regard his unmet expectations not as unique failures which
need psychological help, but as false measures of manhood."

The Provider
Women wonder why men are so inextricably
wrapped up in their jobs, why it is that if
men lose their jobs, they seem to lose their
identities.
Psychologist Pleck says, "it's because
men aren't trained to get satisfaction out of
other things in life. Losing a job is much
more of a problem if nothing else in your life
is satisfying. And, there is tremendous
training and socialization of men to evaluate
and compare them-selves by their occupations."
In C.R. sessions men might discuss ways
to share the breadwinner role with their
spouse (assuming they shared domestic chores
as well) so that each could have more free
Men could examine the way in which they
time.
are sold the success image by Madison Ave.
Then they could evaluate how much of their
obsession to work is to maintain an artificial
status image. They could learn to balance
their work, and to develop other areas of
their verso
their own 314.1a....aclzatjust
a provider.

Physical Contact: Touching
Why can't a lot of men touch other men,
or women? Pleck answers that the fear of
touching women (except in a sexual context)
is because of the male fear of coming into
contact with his own emotions. "The one way
that it is legitimate for men to get emotional support from women is sexually."
"Men don't touch men," says Pleck,
"because they are terrified of homosexuality.
There is a little more physical contact among
athletes, but it is very ritualized. For example, it's only o.k. to hug at certain times,
like after the touchdown."
Men who constantly repress their emotions
get all sorts of stress related diseases like
athsma, heart disease, ulcers, and high blood
pressure. Sensitivity workshops could help
men overcome these repressions, and enable
them to get in touch with their emotions.
In C.R. sessions straight men could
re-examine the origins of their fears
about gayness, and learn to recognize
gay, men as brothers, and friends.
A little research into the men's
liberation movement enables women to see
that men are locked into rigid sex roles
as much as women are, and that the men's
liberation movement compliments our own.
by Joy Dunham

err"-tirrE"

HER-SELF March 1975

,

,---)
w.,,,,,
r1'

===r

----the northern woman page (16)

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�I'

RETURN TO: THE NORTHERN WOMAN
316 Bay St.
Thunder Bay, "P" Ontario.
return postage guaranteed

Poet

Poston
Canada

PMye alb

Pon

Bulk

En nombie
troisierne

Canada

third

class classe
220

(six IssuEs)
4.3 9-2 YEAR
7 0,Q BUSINESS
OR LNST I Turtost

GIFT'

DON/AT-101i

5

GREAT FULLY

ACCEPT-D
WANT 70 GET INVOLVED

?

CALL 345_5241 Awl
WE'D. OR SWV. AF-Tfi

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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. &#13;
&#13;
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&#13;
Topics include:&#13;
Editorial Policy&#13;
Letters &#13;
Port Arthur Clinic Strike &amp; Allyship&#13;
Women Solidarity&#13;
Stereotypes &amp; Sexism&#13;
“Women’s Libber”&#13;
Consciousness Raising Meetings&#13;
Disarming Woman Hate&#13;
Book Review&#13;
Welfare for Women&#13;
Housework/Unpaid Labour&#13;
Gender Roles&#13;
Ontario Native Women’s Association&#13;
Mothers on Budgets&#13;
Northwestern Ontario International Women’s Year Co-ordinating Council Report&#13;
Marriage &amp; Money&#13;
Poetry&#13;
Disability Justice&#13;
Aging&#13;
Crisis Housing for Women&#13;
Kraftco Boycott&#13;
Fort Frances Pioneer Women&#13;
Sexism in Publishing&#13;
Ontario Regional Day Care Conference&#13;
Bittersweet Exhibition&#13;
Women’s Studies Definitions&#13;
Wages for Housework&#13;
International Women’s Year Government Funding&#13;
Men’s Liberation&#13;
 &#13;
Authors/Contributors:&#13;
Nena O’Neil&#13;
George O’Neil&#13;
Leni&#13;
Gert Beadle*&#13;
Marnie Smith&#13;
Judy Syfers&#13;
Joy Dunham&#13;
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                    <text>NORTHERN

Volume 2

Issue 4

V9MAN

Womeirs 71.e.e.
-)
A-ey4.0174( jookiN(

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�'Dear readers:
This journal

with you, and hopefully you will respond with your interest

The theme of this issue is "Women in Distress' We have
eviewed issues and Areas which are particularly stressful to
women. The abortion issue is still hotly debated, and the
utcome will help to determine for many women and children
he quality of life they will experience. We have looked at the
problem of alcoholism as it relates to women. We have talked
about the struggles of welfare women, working women and

union women. We have looked at the area of health care and its
nadequacies as they relate to women.

are

merely symptomatic of a social system which fails to recognize
and
basic human rights - the right to adequate food, shelter
medical care - the right of each child to grow in peace.
Too often, we focus on the "freedoms' we enjoy - the
reedom to buy a white or a green dishwasher, the freedom to
have one or two cars. We talk of the freedom of free speech,
he freedom of the press, the freedom to belong to any political
at our
party, the freedom of choice. But when we look
freedoms, we find they are often illusions of freedom. It is the
talk time. Why
people with money who get the press and the
else must we form an altenative press? Our provincial government attempted to eradicate all political parties except the three
largest. How great is our freedom of choice? Women who wish
to choose whether to work inside or outside the home, find the
choice less than free. We have to take into account the fact that
we have very little day care at prices we are unable to afford on
salaries that are far from adequate.
and valuable
If we, as women, wish to make lasting
changes, we will have to address the underlying causes and not
merely the symptoms. We will have to establish priorities and
policies which grant each of us the very basic rights to which
we should be entitled.

and support. There is no way we can continue to keep unpaid
subscribers on our mailing list. This journal must in the final
analysis support itself or die. With the ,ailing of this issue we
will therefore revise our list but not without regret for we truly
believe

we

are

POLICY

he newsletter group, a separate yet supportve group of the Northern Women's Centre,
eflects the complexity of the maxeuppf the
orthern Women's Centre as a whole.

an

instrument of growth that you should

respond to. PUT A CHEQUE IN THE MAIL, BE A SISTER:
.."4"

Irdsor.a....r.r.....vr.e.-T-..r.T.C.V.A...41.
ear Editor;

On behalf of the NorthwesInternational
Ontario

ern

Year

Co-ordinating

omen's
would like to indiCouncil,
cate our feelings on crisis housing in Thunder Bay.
During 1975, our Co-ordinating Council has on its list of
priority projects - crisis housing.
To this end, a grant was obtainI

ed for assistance in setting up
such a place in Thunder Bay.
Our hope is that the purpose

of such a refuge would be to
assist "women in transition",
who are in need of advice, job

J.- V' .0

Dear Sisters:

Abortion is one of the fundamental

issues

of

woman's

a

right to choose, however in the
where

system

rignt

the

to

choose is governed only by the
amount of capital one control5
one has at her disposal. There
are women in this world, in this

'country who cannot conceive
of women fighting for abortion.
These women are poor, black,
they have had forced
Indian
abortions, preventing them
from having the children
-

they've wanted.

In focusing our energies on

counselling, encouragement, and
roof over their
a temporary

this single "issue" women are

need and want comfort, guid-

great number of women in
England, Canada, U.S.A., and

heads. Women in this position
ance, reassurance and relevant
information and such interval

housing should serve this purpose.

EDITORIAL

mailing list of over 700. With the

a

exception of exchanges most names have at one time been a
paid up subscription. Into this office flows the life of the
movement, an ongoing record of the hopes and thought and the
creative talents of women to whom sisterhood has become a
reality. We volunteer our time and energy to share this harves

EDITORIAL

Almost without exception, the problems we face

is

has

Certainly the facilities should
be well maintained and guidelines
rules

and

drawn

appropriate

house

up, but the top

priority should be for the welfare and future of the women
in the homes. Trained (women)
counsellors should be available

to talk to these women, try to
'build up their confidence, and
inform them of their rights, and
then help to direct them in the

alienating and not speaking to
Thirfd World countries, who are
struggling for the basic right to
have children without forced
abortion.

the only
The only issue
possible strategy to which we
-

one

should apply ourselves
which asks for capital for the
money we so desperately need
to take control over our work our minds our bodies. Wages
for Housework S$. Then we
can choose if we want children
or abortions, marriage, to type,
to serve, to smile, to screw, to
be a lesbian, to be straight, to
cook, to do whatever we want

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization
using a watermarked
eing a smaller, unified group, the editorial
way in which they want to go.
will
attempt,
This is not the time in their
oard of THE NORTHERN WOMAN

is

-

-

bI

.."

Dear Sisters:
Just read

your latest issue

and thought it was terrific.
haven't seen one for quite

I

a

Here's my cheque for
$3.00, and keep up the good
while.

work!
Anita Lange
Dear Friends,

Have received The Northern
Woman regional journal in the
mail. Your newletter has been
sorely missed here for its information and contact but if
this paper is the result of receiving no newsletters then - we
rejoice!

Marvellous, good work! Your
first issue in newsprint looks
really fine. Please do not take
us off your mailing list. Do you

have time to write us how the
transition came about and why?
want to also applaud your
wages for housework content in
the issue. Stand by for oui
I

special

issue being put out by

the Toronto WFH Comittee.
Every distinct region in Canada

should

have

a

"regional

journal". Perhaps, in your letter
to us, you could write it so
that other newsletters could
learn from your experience so
that we could print it as we

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�SOCIAL WORKERS DILEMMA
The high cost of being a
professional social worker is not
something the average person

you know food is hard to come
by but pills are in plentiful

thinks about. That the cost is
less for those motivated by

supply.

What do you do she asks, if
you are a single parent mother,

economic status, professional
recognition and other power
trips is evident, but for the

possibly
you are

parture of your last child and

truly committed, those with a

you realize with its leaving your
basic source of income and
security is gone. Would it be

to

desire

real

meet human
have to jettison

needs, who
many an ideal for, a computerized formula, the price is exor-

strange

case in the cold light of reason,
so the social worker can expect

with you. What can you do if

the

you

to move among the
victimized portions of society
system,

that

in

has

many

been touched by
the desperation thay have presumed to have all the answers
never

cases

for.

case-

a

worker asks when you see a
woman under the care cf a
psychiatrist with countless bottles of pills on her table, counter
top, fridge and wherever else
you could imagine. When her
total income is $179 and her
is

you evicted if you live in low'. rental housing. Your mothers
allowance may be cut off, you
may have to pay back a suitable amouni: retroactive to your

been down it, what can you do
when you see what, for the
Grace of God could have broken you, has broken her. When

fall from Grace or endure the
humiliation of signing an official document stating that you

testimonials included
here cannot convey the sense of
The

woman

I

asks

fitted me with a diaphram.

why? why? why? why? was I

I

became pregnant while wearing
the diaphram. The same doctor

treated this way.?

confirmed my pregnancy and
to pursuade me to go
through with the pregnancy as

tried

My husband and

had one

fights in which he
physically abusive in
front of our child. I convinced

he said I would be sorry later. I
explained I was not prepared to
marry the man by whom I
became pregnant, that I had

locked him out as I was

been unemployed and had just
obtained a job; and that felt

I

of many
became

him to cool off by c ng for a
walk.

I

very frightened. Het ed to get
back in by breakin j the door
locked
down with an axe.
myself in the bedroom and
I

I

I

should be the one to decide
whether to go through with the
pregnancy or not. The doctor

phoned the operator who called

agreed to refer me to a psychiatrist. had a brief conversation

the O.P.P. The police arrived

with the psychiatrist which did

and took him away. My eight
year old and

I

managed to get a

I

not deal with my being pregnant, however

I

did tell him

little rest. My husband arrived
home at 8:30 a.m. and informed me the O.P.P. had checked

about the birth control meth-

motel down the

for an abortion. My doctor said
if had $250., (which don't),

him

into

a

road for 'his' own good
and
left him at his word not to
,

was using.
have since
been informed I am not eligible
ods

I

I

I

I

I

could go to Minneapolis.

I

5 points
5 points
inadequate bathroom facilities .
5 points
.

I

for

other unsatisfactory conditions.
2 points
(must be specified)

Receiving the maximum points
for the above can total 30

points. for waiting:

points.

1 year
2 years

Other ways to gain points:
Residency in Thunder Bay (up

3 -years

1 point
2 points
4 points
6 points
8 points

4 years
5 years

10 points.

6years

The good and caring social
worker
must challenge the
system. When she ceases to
question she has become a

robot and hence a liability to
human progress. We can help if

we are informed as to the role
plays and the things that
trouble her about that role. If

.she

you

are a social worker in
Northwestern Ontario, if your
area of concern is people, you
have-something to contribute to

this dialogue.

woman wheliglititatinfalliers

There Was an old
With ail this red tape, what else could she do
am a mother. have three
children. left them eight years
ago. It all happened while I was
separated from my husband. At
I

I

kids. My husband paid the rent,

his way of keeping
tabs on me and at the same
this was

time seeing the children once a
week.
The

tell her the same thing, she'd

phone me quite upset, I'd feel
worse. He was so pSychotic
felt he might carry out this
I

threat.
refused to let him in the
I

house to see the kids if he was
by himself as I was very frightened of him. He has sent me to
the hospital before with injuries
requiring stitches.

One morning he came to the

house around 6 o'clock. The
kids were sleeping. He broke
the lock on the door and came
in. He jumped on me in bed.
struggled, but was trying not to
make any noise because I didn't
I

want to wake the kids. So

I

lying there.
Afterwards when he let me up I
was bleeding so I got dressed
and used a pad.
My babysitter came about
ended

up

just

I

here

Two days later when I went
home Vic wouldn't leave. That
night

after

supper

still

he

wouldn't leave so I walked out.
My friend tried to get me to go
back because of the kids but I

was too scared to do it while
he was still there. For two
nights I stayed with a friend.
Then
moved into a hotel....
The only time went back to
that house was to get my
I

I

separation was quite
strained at the time. One of the
reasons being he kept telling me
he was going to kill himself.
Then he'd call his mother and'

I

help me.

3C

.

lack of recreation space
2 points

years, 2 points, etc)
Notice to vacate other than

was open and honest with both
doctors believing
would b(
left the kids
able to have an abortion. an this time and
now angry and desperate anc with her. My husband was still
looking for an illegal abortion there. Instead of going to
school I went to a friend's
The
Women's
Centre
wa:
sympathetic but not able tc house and broke down. From
I

received no protection but was left to the
mercy of this maniac who
could have returned to carry
out his threat to kill me.

bother me.

overcrowding
disrepair

to 10 year), (1 year, 1 point; 2

the time I was going to school
and supporting myself and the

My doctor recommended an
I.U.D. and not the pill for birth
control as I am prone to possible side effects of the pill.
infected from the
became
I.U.D. and the same doctor

frustration, anger, distress and
in some cases acceptance that
were expressed during the relating of these events. Without
each

HOUSING:

following criteria used to estab-

I

testimonies

drunkne

Percent of income spent

maxi-

of a recipient of mother's
allowance is a matter of grave
concern. Straying from the
straight and narrow may get

not even aware of her

being

points.

The big computer is also the
keeper of virtue it seems, and
what goes on in the bedroom

financial predicament. When the
road sne has travelled has been
so bitter and cruel and so
familiar to you for you have

exception

rent:
0 to 25%
no point:
26% to 29%
3 points
30% to 34%
5 points
35% to 39%
10 points
40% to 49%
15 points
50% or over
20 points
Abnormal financial commit.
tments
15 points
Separated families because (21
lack of accomodation . . .15
points
Aggravated health factors because of present accomodation
15 points
The waiting period can be used
to gain points if there has been
no offer for accomodation-extra

the

(cause

parties, damage, etc

-

rent is $170, when her psychic=
Grist

viewer

you are to eat she must find a
place for not more that $75. If
she is unable to do this, she
must consult the big computer
and it will tell her to be object.
ive
in other words, forget it.

right to their
do,

cause

PRESENT CONDITIONS OF

I

place you deserve. She's a little
handicapped, of course, since if

own individuality.

What do you

acquire an OHC housing unit.
(the numbers listed represent
the maximum number of
points. Judgement of the interdetermines
mum or less.)

though
understand theres a
half-assed promise of one laying
round somewhere.
Information which is not
generally made public is the

case worker is looking for this

the case-worker
a

in common law hanky
panky. Although this machine
is impervious to sentiment of
any kind, gossip and innuendo
will light up all its buttons and
send it vomitting out eviction
notices without
having
to
justify its actions. Unfortunately we are not sufficiently civilized to have an appeal board
that will hear your defence alengage

society thinks you deserve. The

own impotence, a system mat

OHC's Point System
Upon acquiring enough one can

will not

will find you the kind of place

gle with a system mired in its
neither
nor the case

if you're

you

hands of the social worker. She

The good and caring social
worker doesn't last, she burns
out, not from a.heavy case load
but from the day to day struggives

can't work,

swear

a
shade too young for the pen- lish elegibility for tenancy in
sion, if your disability allow- Thunder Bay low rental housance is $130 and you have a ing. We believe it should be
notice of eviction? Where can public knowledge, and perhaps
you take the furniture you have it will be of interest to our
lovingly cared for, because it's readers.
the only thing you have ever
owned. The answer lies in the

without questioning the criteria
that has been formulated by a
hierarchy

if you felt panic, fear,

resentment for the years you
played the role of mother?
Could you be excused if you
played sick to keep your child

bitant. As the young nurse is
conditioned to examine every

to be programmed to fit

handicapped, when
faced with the de-

solemnly

it was a short trip to the

was nineteen when
had
my second child. The doctor
I

I

was too young to have
my tubes tied. He prescribed
said

I

the "pill".

I

got pregnant again.

learned after, the "pill" is not
reliable during the first month.
The doctor did not tell me
I

that.

I

should

have

used

a-

nother means of birth control
during this period.

clothes.

I had went off the pill. When
missed my period the doctor
informed me this was "normal". Later,
was told by a
second doctor this was "normal" A third doctor said I had
an
infection. Finally after
weeks of worry the fouth doctor informed me I was in fact
I

I

By my calculation

pregnant.

approx 16 weeks. This fourth
doctor and one other arranged
for me to have a therapeutic
abortion.

I

entered the hospital

and was prepared for a hystotomy, then at the last minute
the fifth docor said the board
had refused my case. I was sent

home. By this late date

I

had

to either go though with the
pregnancy or go over to the
States. I went to the States.

More TESTIMONIES
FROM WOMEN

in the next issue

doctor's and then the hospital.

3
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�MOTHER was a DYKE
by Reva

WHAT DOES IT MEAN
to be a mother? What does it
mean to be a lesbian mother?
These two questions are fully
related as motherhood itself
is a large and unending task
and being a lesbian just adds
that much more pressure to

the issue. As the mother of
an 8-year-old daughter and as

a lesbian who shares her life

with a lover,

I

feel prepared

to make a few comments on
the subject of lesbians as
mothers

related

and

prob-

lems.

My own

personal

ex-

perience has been positive so
far but, dire consequences

could have resulted from a
of incidents. The
main problem, I find, is trynumber

the people she has felt free
with have not freaked out or
reacted badly.

am waiting

I

for the axe to fall one day,
or have we really reached the
age of enlightenment?

requests

many

get

I

from my daughter. "Bring
me a. father." "Why don't
you get married?" "I want a
sister

or

a

brother." Any

divorced or widowed mother
must get the same requests,

but do they feel the impossibility of fulfilling such demands?

I

do not

plan

to

create such an environment
for her and must repeat time
am happy
and again that
being gay and with my
woman. As she gets older,
I

pleas

these

more

become

happiness and rightness versus the "don't tell people"

infrequent. As a matter of
fact, I do believe she has
accepted us as a couple and
loves us both as parent fig-

attitude one must adopt with
children. If it is so good and
mother and her lover are so

still the attitude of "you are
cheating me out of a father,

to balance the fact of

ing

happy, why can't my child
speak freely of this to any
and averyone she feels like
telling about it? Obviously
we know the answer but how
does one make it sensible to
a child? I haven't fully solved

this problem so far and my
daughter's;

pronouncements

could have created havoc on
a number of occasions. It is

only with a bit of luck that

ures.

Occasionally

there,

is

sister, brother, a normal life"
but we can cope with it.

AS with any adoptive
parent, there is always the
problem of acceptance on
both sides. The lover must
accept the fact that she, too,
constitues an authoritative

figure, must be prepared to
mete out punishment when
needed,

when

love

and

to respect this new authority
and if possible, to love her as
well. In our home, both
aspects have come to maturity and there is a good balance of war and peace and a
lot of loving for everyone.
How do feel about my
child choosing a gay lifedon't bestyle? Personally
lieve we have any control
over the sexual identification
I

I

of our children. Weren't our
straight?

parents

want

I

many things for my child: a
strong sense of self worth, an
ability to give and receive
love, an inner peace, the
ability to cope with whatever
life happens to dish up. If
she can incorporate all these
ideals then where she sleeps,
or with whom will make
little difference to me.

are many other

There

problems related to being a
lesbian mother but since they
aren't my present problems I

have decided not to go into
them. Being a mother is no
easy task. Being gay comes
with its own set of problems.
Being

a

mother

gay

is

combination of both.
being a mother and

I
I

a

like
like

being a dyke, too.

reprinted from
Nov. 1975.

times,

gay

needed. The child naust learn
"111111111Iliwonloolll

A HITCH TO THE HOOTCH
alcohol

Though

has

beer

associated, at Ieasttraditionally,
with strong male sit around the

pub holding their liquor types,
this is proving to be quite misleading.

Women

dig

holding

their liquor too - though many

Some

researchers

feel

that

women don't constitute enough
of a statistic to even be included in most studies, whereas,

women are in fairly isolated
situations, and studies would

have to be taken to the en-

for different (vis-a-vis
men) reasons and not with the

vironment familiar to them, e.g.

same glossy social approval men
have developed for themselves.
As more information starts

haven't been done sufficiently

times

to drip out of the male dominated poll taking world we start
to hear of a higher occurrence
of female alcoholism, and we
start to believe that awareness
and support should be developed (along with a little understanding of cause and effect.)
Femininity has generally meant

the

home.

As

these

studies

yet, we can't really say what
of alcoholics are
percentage

women though indications are

that there are more than the

LCB and/or government would
like to be held responsible for.
indicated, information
As
is
regarding women vs. liquor
Limited but here are a
feW
generalizations made which
might be valid. It seems women

these broad generalizations we
understand that anyone addicted to anything in this
society has a massive chore to

up enough motivation
to change. The forces working
against us push us toward self
destruction and addiction and
until the roots of these forces
muster

are dug up, and good health
doesn't seem like an anti-social
disease,

cannot

we

expect

sweeping strides toward mental
and physical well being.
It has been difficult for so

many of us being isolated and
unsure

of

ourselves.

Women

that have come from situations
such as broken homes, poverty,
alcoholic parents have had a
hard struggle to stay on top of
it all. The Women's Liberation
Movement hopefully will, or
has, begun the establishment of

being neat, pretty and most of
all in control. Now Alcohol just
doesn't fit into that definition -

do not start drinking to excess
until relatively latiz20's - 40's
when
the oppression of

therefore women have not been

womans' role appears most
stark, children are grown, the
future seems too predictable.

a healthy woman image.
Now we're becoming stronger
and hpefully can eventually

Generally a large group turns to
drink as an anti-depressant, a
non prescription drug showing,
possibly that there was a deeper
emotional need before the alcohol replaced it as the oversymptorn. It is a fairly well known
fact that women out number

Bonnie Beckwoman
taken from Pedestal, Jan. 1974

to expose any of their
drink or drug habits without
able

suffering the most abrupt conflict of image.
We tend to hide out, slipping

out to the liquor store before
anyone catches us and slipping
before anyone
home
knows we're gone. Women tend
to be so secretive that the
back

woman next door may be an
alcoholic and no one will ever
find out.
Alcoholism
has

been

among

women

so extremely unac-

socially that many
have gone for years without
consulting a physician for
general medical reasons, in fear
ceptable

she

tion.

might disclose the addic-

men radically in mental hospitals and psychiatric outpatient

turn to each other for support
instead of the laundry hamper.

CI
OP

°

clinics.

Women respond best to indi-

vidual attention and treatment
for alcohol addiction. This is in
very sharp contrast to the pattern of effective treatment for
men, where-group
indulgence
A WOMAN'S
CREDITisUNION
common and group -treatment
most positive.
Though
make that in
We have
justwe
learned
the city

of Toronto a Credit

union for women has just been
formed. If we are persuaded

Something to, think about and
we will have further informa-

tion in later issues as we cor-

respond with this credit union
and see how it works and is
working.

IN

that freedom begins and is
being
on
weighted
heavily
responsible in
and
capable

money matters we will think
soberly about the implications
this new venture coud have on
us as women who are about to

THE IMAGE OF WOMEN AS
OBJECT OF AGRESSION

new independance
consider
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Every day women
are prefor ourselves and hopefully for
a

our sisters.

sented

as

being

appropriate

�TriblidAN
For 16 weeks, during the past year
four women in Thunder Bay undertool( a "Women and Stress" probe,
with a grant from the Dept. of Nat'l
Health and Welfare. The following
information is from the detailed report, compiled in Sept. 1975. The
complete report is on file at the
office of The Northern Woman.

and

STRESS

ceive as stressors of everyday
living.
Once these are identified
approaches to deal with them can
be suggested, alternatives offered,
preparation and internalization
and socialization of these means
presented.
Individuals then have
the options to activily integrate
their lives in a more comfortable

Respondents judgements of their own
physical health, mental and emotional
health, and physical fitness is totally subjective.
Interviewers
often
felt the women responding were either
unaware or unable to admit or recognize her own image. The most common
was being overweight.
Table 2 is the
respondents self rating.

way.

The concept of stress has to this
time been almost exclusively applied
to those life events of a crisis or
occassional nature in terms of available research. The concept that ongoing types of stress could and do
lead to physical and psychological
illness and breakdown has since been
widely introduced by Dr. Hans Selye,
currently of the University of Montreal.

Discussions with the Northern Women's
Centre, the Laxehead Social Planning
Council Daycare Committee, the Director of the Family Life program at
Laxehead University, as well as other
resource persons, led us to address
the research to the problems faced by
non-working mothers, with children
under the age of fourteen.
It was our impression that many
factors combine to create stress for
these women:
lacx of adequate daycare;
absence of spouse through death, divorce, or temporary absence in the case
of bush worxers, trucx drivers, salesmen,
lack of supportive groups such
as family, close friends, or women's
groups; inadequate housing situations;
socioeconomic status; mobility and
access to transportation; perception

The inherent difficulty of measuring the physiological effects of
everyday stress situations over a
period of time, caused the reliance
for stress information to be the
self-disclosure of the respondent
"feeling upset".
The incidence of
headaches, increased heartbeat,
mood change, depression, seems to
indicate an accurate subjective reporting of physiological effect.
Respondents often used the terminology "My nerves are bad when....
happens", "I don't seem to have
enough energy", as well as reports
of itching, hives, sxin eruptions,
or scratching and stomach aches.
Women reported when they felt a
case of "nerve" coming on they did
such and such. The respondents
seemed to want to change or make
more effective ways of reducing
A common exstressful situations.
ample was "Yelling" at their children which may have resolved the
immediate situation with the children, but created stressful feeling
about themselves.

The criteria for development of the
stress profile will be concerned with
the negative stress. The interviewers explained to the women that a response of "never" meant the situation
caused no noticeable effect on their
A response of "seldom" meant
mood.
that when the situation occurred
there was a noticeable but small
change in mood, physical activity or
behavior. A response of "sometimes"
meant the situation caused very noticA
eable effect on-their mood, etc.
response of often meant a disturbing
change in mood, etc.

Data collection was done through
A total
the interviewing process.
of 352 valid interviews were ob-

median of all scores for that particular situation.

It is the intent of this study to
make a plea for more research to be
directed to the everyday situations
that women deal with and perceive as
stressful in negative or troublesome ways. It is our hypothesis
that daily distress situations may
not have the magnitude of "life
change" or "life crisis" events, but
are of significant importance in the
illness behavior and health behavior
of women. There is also the suggesstion that daily stress may have a
greater and more intense cumulative
effect than crisis stress. The
popularization of Transcendental Medition, Bio-feedback, Yaga, Massage,
health foods, physical fitness and
many other approaches to the more
relaxed, healthy approach to living,
all seemed aimed at reducing the
stresses (distresses) of living.
Any or all approaches may be useful
to individuals, however it is the
intention of this study to identify

It would have been more useful to
have recorded the number, type and
frequency of illness and visits to a
doctor over the past year than the
broad rating used in this questionaire

The raw data reveals the details of
each situation in raw score terms.
For the development of the profile a
mean was determined from the scores
of all those that responded with some
stress to that particular situation.
The intensity score is the
Table 3.

tained.

of role and self-concept; isolation
and climate peculiar to Thunder Bay.
Our objectives in developing a research design in this area was then
to obtain descriptive data on what
conditions presently exist with women who have children in Thunder Bay,
and to determine the nature of any
stressful situations.
In addition we
felt that it would be useful to attempt to evaluate the function and
effectiveness of community agencies
dealing with these women, and discover what services, if any, existed
to aid with stress reduction.

a probe

Table 2

Mental and emotional health
Physical fitness
Physical health

Table 3

POOR

FAIR

12

23

36

55
13

7

GOOD

AVERAGE

VERY GOOD

132
82
115

108
138
92

69
34

119

*

STRESS PROFILE
Ranxing of stressors as per Women and Stress Questionaire
Stressor

Mean frequency

Children quarreling
Disciplining of children
Children's bedtime
Daily homemaking and child care
Preparing supper
Preparing for special occassions
(Christmas, birthdays etc.)
Supper time
Winter
Facing another day (getting up)
Changes in the weather
Spouse late for supper
Obligations to family
Child's-children's relationship
with school or teacher
Discussion about money
Lack of privacy
Fear of being alone
Children returning from school
Obligations to self
Keeping supper waiting for spouse

Median intensity
2.39
2.10
1.68
1.72
1.62
1.78

2.88
2.47
2.47
2.39
2.35
2.22

1.61
1.79
1.32
1.41
2.09
1.46
1.71

2.19
2.17
2.16
2.13
2.13
2.07
2.04

3.12
1.78
1.64
1.24
1.61
2.08

2.03
1.99
1.99
1.98
1.97
1.96

* out of a total of 38
CONTINUED

on page

g

5

th.L.,ugh examining what women per-

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�WOMEN AND STRESS

MCia01065 I HATe

&amp;noz

ne B05

GDR&lt; I hATe.

TO tOORIc I

continued

Daily stress events listed on the questionaire were gathered from conversations
with women's groups in the community and
a small pretest sample conducted. The
collected data appears to suggest that
although the stressors frequency of
impact on the respondents lives is relatively
small the occurrence of the stressors
is on an ongoing or daily basis.
These stressors continually demand
adaptive behavior in order to mainLORA? A
SOMETIMES
THIIJK...
tain some sembelence of order in
ESCAP_Ati, I1H1,
ie2.
otr 1-1
living processes. From this observation it can be inferred that daily
stress may have an acumulative effect
on the individuals ability to adapt
and thus lead to a breakdown in physical or mental health. Unfortunately conversations with resp. were
not recorded in detail, however there
was agreement among the interviewers that the probability of at least
50% of the respondents have at someI AM MARRIP2
.}D:7101)
time sought help (usually their docKtmeWeR
tor) for depression or frustration in
coping with their lives. That most
of these women had received either
tranquilizers or "pep" pills as a
crutch to help them cope. The women
expressed to us their dislike of using pills and voluntarily stopped
taking them. It is interesting to
note that taking prescribed medication
is the least used stress reducing behaviour.
TABLE 4
*
The ranking of stress reducing mechTARIA 5
anisms appears in Table 4.
Stress Reducing Behaviors Profile
Many women gave their own other beRespondents self disclosed
haviours they observed about thembehaviors for reducing stress
Behavior
Mean frequency
selves or ways they reacted to stress.
A complete list is in Table 5
Talk with spouse
3.24
# of women
2.96
Yell at children
The control of the stress situation
26
Be
alone
to
thinK,
daydream
2.95
Become depressed
in a passive response is usually
Religious
readings,
church,
7
2.88
Cry
The
external to the individual.
dial-a-message
2.87
Headaches
stressor may not be recognized or
4
Watch soap operas
2.8'7
Drink coffee
accepted, being in some instances
Listen
or
play
music
5
2.65
Talk with someone other than
an awareness of "something is both8
Visit
with
friends
family
member
Everyering me" Kind of feeling.
Meditate or do yoga
5
2.61
Smoke
cigarettes
day psycho-social stressors may
4
Run away
2.57
Talk
with
children
be perceived as too unimportant or
4
Bite finger nails
2.57
Yell
at
spouse
threatening to admit to onesself
5
Lose
temper,
scream
2.55
Take
a
bath
or
shower
or persons one interacts with.
2.50
Do
housework
*out of a total. of 17During the interviews this was men2.41
Sleeplessness
tioned innumerable times, "I can't
2.35
Heart beat quickens, nervous
tell my husband I hate supper
"Who can I tell I sometimes
hate my kids, husband, parents, in
laws etc." "How can I tell my husband the demands of taking care of
the house and Kids is too much for
me to handle sometimes." The Kids
are always fighting, I must not be
a very good mother." From the
stress reducing mechanisms it appears that "talking things over
with spouse" is the most frequent
stress reducing respons, it may not
Legitimization
be the most useful.
of daily psycho-social stressors
needs further research.
The mean number of stressors for all
respondents is 19.0. The mean number
of stress reducing behaviors is 19.8.
No inference or correlations are
made between the two scores. One
male houseperson insisted he was a
mother and wanted to fill out the
questionaire. His wish was complied
with and the data kept separate. It
is interesting to note that his perceived stress is almost identical to
the stress profile developed from women respondents.
His total number of
stressors is 19.0 and the total number of stress reducing behaviors is 17.
Men who were at home during the interviews did also mention their own feeling of being left out because "I have
stress too."
time"

Eat

Read
Watch TV
* out of a total of 32

2.26
2.26
2019

In the process of doing the interviews, the interviewers were often admitted into the home with "you sure
came to the right house," or it's
about time someone was concerned about
housewives,". An anecdote that seems
to reveal a gross lack of self awareness was reported. The respondent
willingly and quickly responded to
the questionaire, little seemed to
bother or upset the women according
to her responses, everything was fine,
no upsets over anything in her life.
She was extremely obese and after the
questionaire was completed, the woman
consumed an entire bag of cookies.
During the cooky eating the resp. gave
an intense self-disclosure of all the
things that really upset her. The
interviewer was in conversation with
the resp. for two hours. The questionaire for this woman was not included in the data as it was obviously meaningless after the intense
disclosure.

The women in this survey were asked
to indicate whether any of a presented list of services would be
useful in assisting them in coping
or reducing stress in their lives.
Table 7.
An observation that the
top four stressors on the stress
profile relate to interactions with
children, yet the desire for parent
education courses is wanted by less
than half of the 352 resp. Is this
a reflection on the supposed
thought that women are supposed to
know how to "mother" and admitting
difficulty in relating with their
children and seeking assistence is
to reinforcing of feelingsof inadequacy.

The women surveyed appear to be
generally satisfied with their role
It should be noted that
in life.
disstress is not necessarily an indicator of unhappiness or dissatWomen know and expect
isfaction.
stress in their lives, the problem
seems to be to learn to accomadate the stress so it can be lived
with in a responsible manner.
fiT'D

it

6

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�POETRY

ous core issue.
MY CHILD

The destruction of my chihk

was gradual.

At one she was a flower
Blooming, snuliitg, guiless

At two
She danced when she walked
if we try
At three.
to write
Already I had built a wall be
what we thin
you want tween us
At four
us to write,
I and the withers took: turns
doesn't that
At fire she was closed,
get us The
into
wall had been built,
Our work- was. complete
this whole
She was socialized
mind-readin

J

She was
thing, and

open up
a can of
worms

AV

from
E AND MOVE

11111W

ire

CLASSI FIED
30 Words free for Women's
Publications,
Services/Jobs,
Place to live. Sent to the

NorthernWoman 316 Bay St.

Thunder Bay "P" or phone
345-5841.

women with carpentry skills phone 345-5841
or 622-4637.
Wanted

Our sisters stand
outside the warm
with lips and lingers blue
no-chance it seems
for justice now
they bend &amp;live sacred cow
that holds our health
at ransome.
Our sisters cry
into a wind
that shatters
human silence
and ponder well
a spirit call
to violence.
Break them, smash
them to the- wall
these idols of our ages
give thew over
to the wind
they are unwritten pages.
for flesh aitd blood
are pilloried
upon the cross of need
when even sacred cows
hare leave
to ride a horse of greed.
Gert

Woman's

Every

THE CLINIC STRIKE

/

Almanac

1976 -- Appointment calendar and handbook available
from the Women's Press 305,
280 Bloor St. W. Toronto. A

List of their publications

is

TO A PEACE ROSE

One day when I was feeling

available on request.

blue

(there vvasn't one thing I could do
gestetner operator,
that didn't end up wrong)
needed to work on I.W.Y.
'Twas years ago, the kids were
Herstory
Project,
starting
small,
Jan. 16, 1976. Phone Liz
For heaven's sake, how they could
Jobbitt, 939-2057.

Typist

-

bawl.

The house looked like a wind
went
The IWY Council is publish- through
And scattered each thing which
ing a directory of women's

organizations in N.W.O.was
Anyto.

Then in my garden I did see
groups wishing to be listed

A miracle
just meant for me.
Liz Jobbitt, RR
1,
A Rose in bloom - a perfect
Thunder Bay "F"
contact

Sight

'nand

Like God had whispered, 71's
Toronto Women's Bookstore,
alright."
85 Harbord St., Toronto, has
books, has books for, byLong
and after leaves and petals
went
about
Women,
non-sexist
children's
records,

books,
posters,

I remembered beauty, heaven
women's
Sent
buttons.

Write enclosing a stamp for
the mail order catalogue.

Dorothy Redford

7

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�had been our major concern;
women
had burned out and left the
meanwhile

ABOUT US
In the last issue, a history of
NORTHERN

the

WOMEN'S

CENTRE, what has been happening, and possibly where the
centre is headed, was promised.
There are three separate parts
of N.W.C. being: it's past, dat-

ing back to a three day conference in the spring of 1973 at
which time approximately 50
women decided on the last day,
that they saw the need and

Were willing to put energy into
the formation of a women's
centre.
The

second part of the
centre's being happened when a

about

meetings

in

Wesley Church. It was to be a
space
for women to learn,
share, give and receive support
in a non-competitive
phere.

atmos-

A full time co-ordinator was
hired; a library of books and
pamphlets, supplemented by a
from the
Brodie St. Library, was set up.
A separate space for children,
collection

special

later became a Child
Care Co-operative, was made
available. The centre became

which

the meeting place for the newsletter, general and business
meetings, counseling, and socializing.
Funding from Secretary of
State was received, however, we

continued our own fund raising
buttons,
posters, raffles and flea market
participation. The money we
raised ourselves was rewarding,
by

selling

books,

but in no way could we have
functioned without money
from the government.
We were already in high gear
with workshops, speakers etc.,

when in Dec. 1974, six people

were hired to co-ordinate different activities, through L.I.P.
The community and existing
social service agencies were al-

ready aware of our willingness

to give support to any and all
women needing it and now
more than ever women turned
or were referred to us in increasing numbers. We had in
effect become another social
service agency, albeit underpaid,
unrecognized
and
frustrated
that the existing agencies used

but did not take us very

us,

seriously when we tried to take
a

more

compassionate

role

towards women in a crisis situation. In spite of warnings from
women who could see how we
were being taken advantage of,
we continued to "never say no"
to a woman in a crisis situation.
After all we were being paid,

taxpayers money at that, and
v+,e had to prove ourselves, to
ourselves and the community.
Cidn't we?
Problems during this time
were
many.
Unequal
work

loads, particularily for the Crisis
Co-ordinator,- and at times all
the staff, were discussed and
re-discussed

manently

and seldom perresolved. Our con-

tinual efforts to encourage new
women to become involved (in
spite of sacrificing principles')
met with little success. Volunteers
away

and the collective' fell
leaving the work and

decision making to the "paid"
staff. What had happened to
our original aims and objectives
for the centre? Or had we
really any?
"Support for
women" was such a generalized
interpretation of a women's
centre,

easy

to agree to but

-iifficult to implement because

ing

alization the most, ourselves.
As
part of the women's
movement we seemed to be

draining
vacuum, this period on L.I.P.
in

energy

an

replenished. The demands

made on the centre- left little
time nor energy to support the
very women who needed revit-

However, in spite of opera-

public speaking
innumerable
engagements; speakers came to

growing intellectually, emotionally and politically, (rape and
housework are political) in a
direction seldom compatible to
relationships with friends, hus-

talk to us and meetings, meet-

bands,

was

a

were

busy one. There
workshops, film nights,
very

lovers

and

employers.

So, on the one hand we were

the format
meetings;
ings,
changing from general to busi-

dealing with the frustration,
desperation and hopelessness of
women's lives, lobbying to
change oppressive legislation,

ness to policy. They were "all
women are welcome meetings",

however, it has taken us up to
the present time to realize that

and on the other hand strug-

tight money policy, it is doubtfull women's programs will be
considered as worthy of funding, so we will make do with

without a phone for three
weeks. This time gave the few
still actively involved a
of relief, a breathing
space, a time to re-evaluate
priorities, not just for the
centre but for ourselves.
This re-evaluating process is
of

us

sense

what we have for as long as we
can.

The location of the centre

-

westfort area - does not make
us as accessible for dropping in

still happening and to date no
committments to programs or

as did the "Y", however, June
there 1 a4 s 4. a.ys and Fri.
10-3 and welcomes anyone who
cares to come around. Meetings
are still every second Thur.,
is

activities involving the centre as
a whole has happened. Instead

personal committments to the
newsletter, IWY council,
CABAL, free from the pressure

Jan. 22, Feb. 5, Mar. 4, 18 etc.
They are still "all women welcome" meetings. Could be a rap

of being representativee of a
body of women, are given.
Most importantly, for the
core group involved, is the

session, film speaker, or a game

of charades. Hope to see you.

centre's function as a place to
have some fun, laughter, long
relaxation. Does the
woman's movement really have
no sense of humour?
overdue

NORTHERN WOMEN'S CE NTRE

YMCA became available, after

year of

and committment was not be-

ideologies.

"place" the 2nd floor of the
a

centre as their personal energy

it does not define goals nor
ting

leadership

no matter what you call it, it is
not a good introduction --for a

Important,

gling to direct and control our
own changing lives.
Many women had, as a r cult

new member and also that most

people do not necessarily want -=
to share in the responsibilit
the group. Most women

t

it/ I/

ch other, share and
our lives.

y the centre will be

return.
We hosted a national
ference of women's cen

for "education" and
n who have moved

seminar that led to
formation of the I.W.Y.
ordinating council, recogr

the

housing for women.
International Women's ,o small sons needing
brought with it more directtion a school was

committments, butA copy of'the Public
this time we had already slit was obtained and
more

ourselves too thin. The nd necessary steps
crisis ceni.ie functioned fby one. An Unorgan-

few months, then due to I Section was formed
of support from volunteersa public meeting of
enforcment agencies, held at Mrs. Holmes

had to be Mrs. Neill served the
continued. a CARAL groumonths as Treasurer
Thunder Bay had been staff Years as Chairman.
separate from W.C. with )ard was interdenomcontinuing to dispense ith Roman Catholics,
control, VD, and abortion iple and Presbyterians

physicians,

ssor

was appointed

In June 1975 L.I.P. fun roll drawn up with

the centre notices sent out and

not. The phone continued realised the Board
ring the mail arrived in bun
There were letters to an
petitions to circulate, rec
for speakers and work s or
fill, appointments to but in
Women continued to phonesociety
come to the centre, mainly us disinformation or to encouniat longs
sympathetic listener. Mosil

as

a

the staff had to look for of blood
work to support themslfor that
but remained committed, cy when
what they could when mys becould, in fact many of how far
core group remiirection
centrally involved. Most oThat we
organizational and world ended
sponsibility was carried bylves and

original

women and most were lit for, is

to wonder where :e of be-

ning

were going and why. Thst core.
community

Bay's

wt women

of

had not taken the centre lye with,
own.

We

puzzled

overt

honest

apathy of women. We knq to find,
were good women, compE on both
ate and caring, compromis without

in order not to al

times

women in the communit
to the majority of womi
were still those "wome
bers".

The women's centre h;

limits

he

and proved the need for

finished,

the
accommodate
the new women

,

were given credit for initii

was

of the

some

solve

it
duction to the centre did

mation.

the

is

?.elings and gut react-

of

type

this

ceiving

also

centre's function as a nurturing,
energizing place, where we can
ther and be in touch

the

educating children. '
se not to apply to
By this tine. St. Arrhy this past fall, feel
Presbyterian Cht.lrch
pay the rent
.

Main St. was dosedOilould
sundry expenses out
sentable for, a class.,roorn.nainin7 Secretary of
italic and books wereand have a volunbanegdanatitehachte8r

(3'41person

on

limited

a

the government's

soon the Presbyterian
pi.a.sn
was overcrowded and

that pervasive
philosopy that believe

women's primary socia
tion
and

is

to provide ten

compassion...the

in

notion that the needs o
should

the moment.
process, more

women will gain experience in
setting up manageable priorities,
and so lessen the sense of frustration in seeming always to be

in a position of trying to destroy a brick wall when your
only tool is a darning needle.
Jane Taylor

in one year. Then foilov

e that door or put
hat is plainly now

gredient, and for the good of

world, we must find it.

There is a new chicken coming
out of the egg these days, still
prepared to love and forgive
but not regardless. We who

were born to believe we must
wear the mask of deceit to

acceptable in this man's
world, will cling to the trappings that hide us from ourselves and others; but the us we
saw in Landfor's presentation
cannot
be
broken without
be

knowing how much we are

sponsible for our own chains.

re-

the whole person.
is open ended and
sublimits, and
I

Vim-net-is

liberation

i5..

is not the end of

-

it should concern
eginning of a larger
ch is beginning to
eye. We
r minds
vision to see
beyond our differgoal that is yet to
will be won by the
take the women's

the

-iously and have in
iught us inch by
m a position of
ie.
these

reasons

'the

more the merrier

I

the IWY council
will hold another
3rly spring, where
t

to discuss what

Women's liberation

.

done for us and to
-capture those fine

iur founding semtalk freely about
that were too
s that were unrealat were too heavy
ecommit ourselves
j

a

logical

deter-

ourselves and our

trap":

Movement at
Through this

change from a Public Scht
a
Continuation School
eventually a High School.

"comi

the

more so, than any other type
of evaluation for the Women's

In 1937. a Public Schoi
built and enlarged to c
the size from 4 to 8 class'

to raise the con-

calls

le Self-evaluation on the part of
centres is as important if not

buildings pressed into sen

come a part of what M
Adams

TD MYSELF

class rooms.

bloodshed will take more love
than either sex has shown thus
far, yet that is the magic in-

the

of

-he safe, the known,
till need their sisters
ice that the risk and
was ready for te bu.siall worthwhile.

I AM Awom AN
GIVING BIRTH

!ver
I

.

and

euert.Nne

daneinq 4.o9other

whoever

am petitioning

iers to phone me
the office on Bay
me if you would
I

seminar.

be woman's m

not exclusive concern".

The needs of others

In Sisterhood
Gert Beadle

8

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�Although the pros and
cons of abortion are of
vital importance to every
woman, they are, in fact,
only one of many areas
where the rights of women
are being infringed upon

Dear Sisters:

Letters

Your new format and
broader scope is most
appealing and just what
we need to provide communication between all
women in our area, no
matter what their role
or philosophy. So often
we bask in the fellowship
of sisters who share our
ideals and cease to make
the effort to understand
or reach out to those
with whom we disagree.

man's right to choose).
We are all sisters, but
it is obvious that women
on both sides of this
issue believe most strong,
ly that they are right.
As in any situation where
strong commitments have
been made and compromise
is virtually impossible,
the credibility of the
individual involved is
threatened and little
else they have to say is
taken seriously because
it is overshadowed by the
monstrous core issue.

Over the past couple of
years I have become increasingly distressed
over the polarization
that has taken place between women involved in
the 'right to life' movement and those who uphold the ideal of 'a wo-

and where supportive and constructive
dialogue is needed to
Keep us united and
working for similar
goals.
This issue
needs to be discussed
and there are many vehicles through which it
can be brought to the
attention of the public.
It is my fear, however, that the Northern
Woman will polarize so
many of its readers that
the many other areas of
concern to women which
also need discussion
will lose credibility.

if we try
to write
what we thin
you want
us to write,
doesn't that
get us into
this whole
mind-readin
thing, and

open up
a can of
worms

We worked on this issue:
Lynne

Robin

Maureen

Catherine
Bev

Ruth

Estelle

Sharon

Laurie

Doreen

Noreen

CLASSI FIED
30 Words free for Women's
Se rvices/Jobs,
Publications,
Place to I ive. Sent to the

NorthernWoman 316 Bay St.

Thunder Bay "P" or phone

SUGGESTED
READING
To Deliver Me of My Dreams Elizabeth Avakian

345-5841.

women with carpentry skills phone 345-5841
or 622-4637.
Wanted

Every
1976

Woman's

Almanac

and Cassandra Wilson

Appointment calendar and handbook available
from the Women's Press 305,
280 Bloor St. W. Toronto. A

Law Is Not For Women - June

List of their publications
available on request.

Rape:

The

For Women

First Sourcebook
Noreen Connell
-

--

is

Caldwell

You Can Go From There from
Here Shirley Maclean

Women and Madness

Phyllis

-

operator,
needed to work on I.W.Y.
starting
Project,
Herstory
Jan. J6, 1976. Phone Liz
Jobbitt, 939-2057.
-

gestetner

Chester

It's my

Yours in positiveness,
Janet Owen

Those of us that formed the collective
for this journal recognized the trap
the issue of abortion could set
and hoped to avoid it.Any notion that
we were cool and impartial viewers of
the human scene would be hypocricy in
the truest sense,the very nature of
t
our level of consciousness compells
us to a biased approach.eur commitment
to the concept of sister hood demands
this journal to bleed with and for
all women regardless of their point of
view.To question the motive of bias
is to question conviction and conviction
is the stuff of the soul and needs
no apology.It follows therefor that
all bias has it's roots in well intentioned soil and must be viewed in the
context of healthy exchange.
An ancient Chinese philosopher said
(there was a time when men knew, before
men told him what he ought to xnow)
perhaps that is the blessed state we
wish for women,to have the surety that
removes them from all biased manipulation
so that personal choices are made
between them and their own conscience..
We value your letters and if they
are written without rancour,with the
same respect we intend to show you
your difference of opinion is
noWebarrier
will not
to however
mutual understanding.
play the game of
confrontation with anyone,our position
is well Known.We are in good company
with '
status of women council and
other progressive thinkers.
If we are to use Women In Distress as our central theme we cannot
skirt the issue,we can however not
lend ourselves to the bitterness the
subject provokes,The point in Janet
Owens'letter is well made,we have
taken it seriously and hope that you
our readers will do the same.
To Mary Kay of Brandon you are quite
righttto take a shot at a sister
because she took a shot at her sisters
is not good but it only goes to show
we are not above the self-righteous_
ness we deplore in others,Hang in there
Mary Kay we progress.
EDITORS
?

Typist

Now

guing.

Dear Readers

Do you want us
to write what we
thinx,or what
we think you
want us to write

Gert

AB I said earlier, your
paper reaches out to all
women and I low( forward to reading about
and hearing from women
who share my views as well
as those with whom I would
differ. I sincerely hope,
however, that the cool refreshing waters of this
excellent publication will
not be muddied by becoming the forum for destructive and fruitless haran-

Turn

-

Joyce

-

Robin

Beaton

Sisterhood is Powerful
Morgan

MORE SUGGESTED READING
Future of Motherhood Jessie Bernard
When Morning Breaks B. Aptheeker
Canadian Establishment

The IWY Council is publishing a directory of women's
organizations in N.W.O. Any
groups wishing to be listed
contact Liz Jobbitt, RR 1,
Thunder Bay "F"
Toronto Women's Bookstore,
85 Harbord St., Toronto, has
books, has books for, by and
about
Women,
non-sexist
children's books, women's
posters,
records,
buttons.

Write enclosing a stamp for
the mail order catalogue.

9

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�r.rary

Profile on Pioneer Women

During the 1940's it. was
hi ought to Mrs. Neil I 's atten7
Lion that
a
Public Library
would be an asset to. the
community. A copy of the

Library Act was obtained and
studied and step by step the

A profile of a pioneer woman,
submitted by Ginger Ball of

instructions were followed rlead-

ing to the opening of a Library.
in 1947. To get per misSrbn to
start a Library one must I-ave a
petition signed by the people of

Geraldton.,

d.,eicontio 4.ezildr.ftwe,

Mrs. Dorothea Neill

the community and present said

Mrs. Neill arrived in Getald-

petition to the elected officials.

ton in 1935 and took up residence in a small three roomed

This was done in December
1945.
The First Library operated

log cabin down the train tracks
from town.

from the High School Annex,

She was fortunate that she
had a log cabin with a floor in

January 1947; Later it moved
to

it, many people didn't. She also
had a water pump in the kitchen which produced a pint of

water at a time before it needed a rest. Wash water was car' ried from the creek and heated
on the large wood cook stove.
A gas lantern provided the only
light for the small home.

ing.

Music Festival

The Music Festival Committee had Mrs. Dorothea Neill as
the first Chairman. The first
Festival was conducted in the
Ukranian Hall, at the corner of
Hogarth Avenue and First St.
W. The Rotary Club later took

Second St. W. This home also
pump

in

the

kitchen

which served until the water
main was laid along Fourth ave.

It was in 1937 that electricity
was available and Mrs. Neill was
able to make use of her perfectly good washing machine which

over

wash board. Running
water finally came to that area
and a great wash day was observed with no water to carry.
the

With two small sons needing
School
studied

St.

and

and

loving,

hated

and

That we should want to he
Marilyn Monroe when the math.
woman of Challot is so near
our natural bend, is the mystery of our generation; that we

necessary

was appointed

a tax roll &amp;awn up with

some funds realised the Board

should want to mince about in

the chain mail that society
has fashioned, to make us disavow that spirit in us that longs
to stride as purposeful as a
panther with the smell of blood
all

in the wind, to settle for that

our

innermost

core.

That men find honest women
almost impossible to live with,

this

By

time St. Andrew's

Presbyterian .Church,ottg2 on
Main St. was closed!,
presentable for a class room. Furn-

iture and books were ordered.
and

a

teacher

hired.

Geraldton.

School

The Educational Institutions,

too

the Presbyterian Church, the
Public Library and the Music

soon the Presbyterian Church
was overcrowded
and other

Festival, are all living testimony

buildings pressed into service as
class rooms.

to the efforts of Mrs. Dorothea,

fn 1937. a Public School was
built and enlarged to double
the size from 4 to 8 classrooms

grown and she is many times a

in one year. Then followed

Neill.
Mrs.

Neill's

children

have

grandmother. She enjoys her
retirement years spending the-

a

change from a Public School to
a
Continuation School and
eventually a High School.

summers in Geraldton and the
cold winter months in warmer,
climates.

There is a new chicken coming
out of the egg these days, still
prepared to love and forgive

be

up hating both our selves and
those we think we did it for, is
the natural consequence of be-

educating children.

gredient, and for the good of
the world, we must find it.

neath our skin, shows how far
we have gone in the direction
of peace at any price. That we
have done it for love and ended

torium was later used for the
Festival and most recently' the
Auditorium of B.A. Parker Public School. For 28 years the
Music Festival has played an
important part in the lives of
young people in the Town of

was ready for the business of

bloodshed will take more love

but

and

the

than either sex has shown thus
far, yet that is the magic in-

sleeping beauty mentality when
Dianna the huntress bays be-

traying

steps

assessment notices sent out and

to the situation.

hating, tormented and tormenting, and always underneath it
all stuck with the knowing.

and

as members.
An assessor

worked out their own remedy

loved

Act was obtained and

The first board was interdenominational with Roman Catholics,
Jewish people and Presbyterians

Government recognised that fact. The people
within the community met
each need as it occured and

passion that hangs us high and
good we saw ourselves bought
and sold, used and discarded,

was

first four months as Treasurer
and then 7 years as Chairman.

Provincial

did not see herself in the presentation, fills me with despair
at the extent of our self deception. From innocence to the

school

taken one by one. An Unorganized School Section was formed
following a public meeting of
25 people held at Mrs. Holmes
restaurant. Mrs. Neill served the

Andrew's Presbyterian Church.
The beginning of the Public
Library and the Music Festival.
Geraldton was a thriving
Community long before the

painful
A beautiful,
hour of self realization. To even
consider the possibility that one
woman in the viewing audience

a

necessary. A copy of the Public

community. She worked for the
establishment of the education-

magic,

education-

an

Mrs. Neill was instrumental
in many projects within the

T.V. REVUE
Vivaca Land fors, I am a woman

of

used for years for the
Festival. The High School Audi-

she washed the families clothing

system, the building of

sponsorship

was

to the lack of electricity while

al

the

Festival. The Curling Rink Hall

had sat idle for some time due
on

the

the Centennial Library
opened in the permanent build-

By 1936, the family moved

a

building at

.when

to the present home at the
corner of Fourth Ave. S.W. and
had

small

a

corner of Main St. and .FOurth
Ave. S. Still later; it operated
from the upstairs of the Post
Office (during the 50's) followed by the last move in 1967,

not regardless. We who
were born to believe we must
wear the mask of deceit to
acceptable

in

this

man's

world, will cling to the trappings that hide us from ourselves and others; but the us we
saw in Landfor's presentation
cannot be broken
without

knowing how much we are responsible for our own chains.

SCFPORT SUSAN SAXE!
T-shirts and posters,
"Sometimes It's Ver., Hard for a Woman to
Make Herself Heard"; shirts for adults in
blue or gold, S,M,L,XL; children, S,M,L,
gold only--S4 postpaid; posters, red, blue,
black on yellow, $3 postpaid or 3 for $8.
Photo-poster, "I intend to keep on fighting
.," black on red, S3 or 3 for $8.
Snxe poem, "Self Defense," 75c, 3 for
Free leaflet about Susan on requeFt. ,47r
der from:
Susan Saxe DFense Fund, c/o
N.L.G., 1427 Walnut St., Philadelphia,
PA 19102.
Additional contributions for
her Boston defense gratefully received!
.

.

that women find honest

men almost impossible to find,
calls for new thinking on both
without
sides. To do it

s Vert

&gt;e)

c)

4)

C,

eet
c.,

h*e hersa

hear

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�it di )11' it as to what
scenario, yoUr
came next in
friend: infc,.r.ted you of tile
specifics of the next escalation.
And sometimes, if that wasn't
possible, the female you were
with (embarrassingly -enough)

we have dealt with so far that
isn't normally seen or even
partly exposed. Also because

you knew that when this was
liked

really

girl

unhooked and off would not be
far away. Maybe as soon as
next week. When older,. the
night. And you also
same
sensed that you were getting

closer to the core of sexuality
the

at a swim patty when she only

had on the bottom part of a

two-piece suit, or was she wearing

jeans,

or .did she have

a

skirt on? Whatever the case,

you usually ended, up rubbing
crotch getting your hand

her

(as one variation of the phrase

in her pants. Then you

goes)

sort of played around above or
on top of her slit and eventual7
ly got .a finger in it, and by
accident
on your,;,,p:evious intelligence
briefings) - found the "magic':

button" And soon (usually), all
hell broke loose and more than

Women in Neighhourhoods

622-8197

the agenda.
There were, in retrospect,
many funny occasions that
cropped up in this initiation

Community Action Centre

545-0921

Mother's on Budgets

622-2863

I

don't really need to

And that pretty much covers
the pre-coital scenario. Except
it was described in a semi
humorous
male,
were

Family Counselling Agency 623-9596
I

vi

tiA Li hi

r

r

,L

r.

In conclusion the study gives a
picture of the daily situations
that women with children are dealThe magnitude of the
ing with.
stressors does not appear large.
The impact of stress on lives
doesn't appear to be very intense.
However, the realm of daily stress
situations that are perceived or
reacted to as stressful need to be
explored in greater detail. There
is an implication that the known
relationship of major life events
or life crisis to impaired psychosocial functioning and/or phypical health may also be 4elevant
to daily stressors.

Legal Aid

345-1972

Telecare

344-1192
I

Smith CLINIC (alcohol &amp;
drugn)
Crisis Housing
Human Rights Commission

manner and,
many of these events
terrifying. You, most

often had to take the first step.

And you could

be

rejected.

Refused. Denied. Cold and flat.

And that could hurt. Hurt bad.
In your own eyes and in your

344 -2431
623-2711

I

475-1693

.

TABLE 7

Would any of the following services be useful to you in coping
with stre
Yes

Employment Standards Act 475-1691

Municipal Day Care

Special interest courses 231
187
Opportunity to continue
education
173
Parent education groups
157
Neighborhood recreation
groups
99
Credit counselling
93
Women's Centre
Marriage education courses 75
Drug or alcohol counselling47

gm.

rustra{-mod.
stave et.

No
91

126

3441-3922

622-2450

?

Pr 0 1&gt;t t hot

colibz.ct tk

yet- in the

scri pt.

344-5571

Crisis Intervention

Continued next issue

before, you didn't quite
know what to do with yourself
fucking wasn't

Social Services (City) 623-2711

cess of sociali-zed sexuality.

ever

if

I

energy clearly from that pro-

vide the girl s with a topic of

trance 4 inches higher than you
found it to be?). Now here
there are many variables: was it

--number of subtle (or not-sosubtle I ways what, was next. on

What stuns me now is that
originS of the tragedy of sex

ressed her hip, worked around
to her ass, pulled her close to
announze if :t 'hadn't already
been discovered-) the existence
of your penis and give it some
pleasurable friction (and pro-

of you had imagined the en-

622-3999

probably have your own to tell.

battle of the breast. You car-

the vaginal entrance (how many

1

talk about them because you

mixed metaphOr). Then began
the assault on the crotch, in
steps similar to those of the

you slowly plogressed toward

345-5841

The Northern Woman

Northern Women's Centre

process.

geographically

gossip Wei ?if you were erect).
They yOu worked down to the
side of her leg. Then the front
of her thigh. Then with a deep
breath, and microscopic steps,

1

I

to call

1

let you know in any one of a

you, and that getting the bra

(excuse

numbers

good

be

were ever

tION r.

the

might

with another lime. And if you

THE SOCIALIZED PENIS

achieved,

you

female

which)

COMMUNITY

134
149

ACTION CENTRE

201
204
216
247

345_0D02. cri..31-15-O90Z.1

male friends' eyes. Being scared

to try and therefore not trying
could just as easily become the
subject of psychological selfpunishment

and

social

Canadian Association for Repeal of the Abortion law

ostra-

cism. So there was always this
elementary duality: while apparently the aggressor and con-

queror, you were captive to a
judgment by the female who

"The purpose of CARAL is to ensure that no woman in Canada is denied
access to safe, legal abortion.
Our aim is the repeal of all sections of the Criminal Code dealing with
abortion, and the establishment of comprehensive contraceptive and
abortion services, including appropriate counselling, across the country.
We regard the right to safe, legal abortion as a fundamental human right:'

would accept or reject you.

Also imortant to remember
is how mese events were reported
to/discussed with ." male

friends after the party or date.
Or

gone

over

in

your own

I WANT TO JOIN CARAL!

mind, again and again, detail by
detail. How every step along

Phone

NAME (Print)

the initiation ronte was stimu-

lating and could/did cause an
erection (remember the 4-hour
erections and blue balls?). How
we compared notes, made tact-

ADDRESS

ical sJggestions, commented on
important signs -heavier
breathing, torso writhing, aggressive hands, a more daring

Name of Federal Riding or Member

involvement of teeth,
goose bumps, erected nipples,
and when menstruation occurred or was expected to occur.
Which girls like what since in
those days "relationships" were
short-lived and you never knew

Street

City

Pf61:Mae*"

OCCUPATION

Enclosed is my financial contribution of S.....

tongue,

(Be as generous as possible--programs like this are costly.
Minumums - individual $5.00 - family $10.00 - groups $50.00
31.00 minimum)
Students, senior citizens, unemployed
I AGREE WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF CARAL.

_

1

Signature

Please return application &amp; cheque to: CARAL, Box 424 (0_ Cambridge, Ont.

11 1!

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�HOW TO SAY NO TO STORASKA
In Oct. 1975 the Arthur St. Public
Library showed the film "How to Say
No to a Rapist--and Survive" by
Frederic Storaska, author of the
book by the same name. Only about
20 people viewed it--requests being
made that the film be shown again
with resource people present.
The film was brought back and was
to be shown again in Dec. with a
panel member present from the Northern Women's Centre.
In the meantime, the centre had
received information, directed to
Colleges and Universities in the
States, warning women of the "Lecture-entertainment" of Storaska, who
styles himself as "the nation's
authority on rape" and too there
was a warning that a film and a
book were also being distributed.
The Feminist Alliance Against Rape
Newsletter suggests that "Storaska's
organization is nothing more than
his booking agency. No feminists
belong to or support Storaska's
National Organization for the Prevention of Rape. The National Organization of Women condemns Storaska, and describes protests organized by women attending his performances on campus.
Four women from the Northern Women's Centre were allowed to preview the film before its scheduled
showing. The public showing was
cancelled due to inclimate weather.
In the opinion of the women this
cancelation was fortunate as the
advice offered is dangerous.
Storaska advises women not to
scream or resist, but to be humble
to the rapist; this is contrary to
the findings of the majority of
police and psychological researchers.
Rapists seek out and expect
vulnerable women, and often flee
when they discover that their
victim is not. It ignores the
effectiveness of an initial, aggressive reaction which transfers the
element of surprise from the victim
to the rapist.
Storaska
on film, was seen as
that of a "performer", attractive in
appearance and presentation but condesending and patronizing in attitude. To advise women never to resist the most violent, humiliating
form of male aggression against women, is to ask them to return to
their traditionally passive, accepting role in our society. These are
the very roles from which women presently struggle to free themselves.
In this sense, Storaska's film represents just one more technique of
male oppression, which we as women
can do without.

This film is being boycotted in other
cities in Canada, and should the
Library intend to show it again in
Thunder Bay, we would do the same.

Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape by Susan Brownmiller, Simon and Schuster, N.Y.
510.95
Against Our Will has been described as "long awaited", "lusted after'',
(Time, October 13, 1975);
"monumental" and "chilling" (New York Times Book Review,
October 13, 1975).
Since feminists working in anti-rape organizing, and other
interested persons have indeed waited a long time
and somewhat impatiently for
Brownmiller's book, it may be valuable for us to examine why this hook at(Jt rape
is being recieved with such interrest and acclaim.
BrownmilliT7 stated puronse in
writing this work has been to give rape its history, in order that it may he denied
a future; and this is where the value of the book lies.
One facet of the work of the feminist movement has been to reclaim women's
history.
Forgotten women figures who played key roles in documented history, writers,
artists, activists, researchers, etc., have been revealed to us by feminist historians.
More important, though, than the achievements of individual women, is the hisf.ory of
social, religious, and political movements of women which existed in the past.
Further, through the study of archeology, mythology and folklore, women are beginning
to unearth something of our unwritten history.
Feminist writers, filmmakers, and
distribution companies have attempted to disseminate knowledge of this history to
contemporary women.
But why?
It seems that firm grounding in an historical perspective provides us with the sense of continuity and sisterhood often absent in our
,

lives.

This is the key to the impact of Brownmiller's work.
By exhaustive research
and documentation, Susan Brownmiller has'provided a vindication of our ideas ahsmt
rape, ideas which origionally stemmed for the most part from individual pain and
anguish.
In the past, rape and the threat of rape was percieved with terror
an
individual level.
The pain felt by individual women who have been raped has grown
in the last five years into a mass confrontation with sexism on all levels.
Brownmillers book documents the idea that rape is a political act, used by men as a
tool of oppression against women.
This is not to say that Against Our Will should be accepted with unqualified
praise.
The main body of the work, with its extensive documentation is extremely
valuable.
However contradictions are apparent and must be resolved.
One of the most
obvious difficulties occurs with Brownmiller's wholesale acceptance of the present
criminal justice system.
The idea that 50-50- integration of the criminal justice
system on all levels could reverse male domination of that system is, quite simply,
unrealistic.
Brownmiller does not recognize the necessity of women gaining actual
power, as opposed to numerical parity with men.
She does not see a total restructuring of the male-dominated power structure as a concrete goal, muchless a definite
possibility.
Furthermore, an important function of rape crisis centers is omitted
by Brownmiller in her description of anti-rape organizing in Chapter 1?, "Women
Fight Back".
The idea of crisis centers functioning as agents of change, as i.,ressure
groups confronting existing institutions, as political groups, is omitted, "any crisis
centers which have been operative for a period of years have come to the realization
that it is necessary to be much more than a "crisis" center, dealing with rape primarily after-the-fact.
Constant contact with women who have been raoed only reinforces
the need for work in basic organizing for all women to eliminate the threat of rape
from their lives.
Since this chapter is in part a description of actions women can
take to regain some measure of control over their lives, the inclusion of this concept
would have been valuable for Brownmiller's readers.
In light of Brownmiller's research,
it seems inexcusable that the few suggestions of concrete actions she does make are so
ineffectual and out of touch with reality.
Brownmiller's analysis of prostitution and rape, and her subsequent denunciation
of legalized prostitution as a deterrent to rape, is accurate as it stands.
However,
she does not approach prostitution as a means of survival necessary to some women.
She
fails to make the connection between an oppressive, capitalistic economic system and
the reality of women selling their bodies in order to survive. In general, the issue
of class is dealt with inconsistently throughout the book.
It is necessary to read
the entire work carefully in order to piece together Brownmiller's overall perspective.
For example, in Chapter 6, The Police-Blotter Rapist," she uses police statistics of
convicted rapists to present a profile of a rapist as primarily lower class.
It is
not until the last paragraph of this chapter that Brownmiller even alludes to the fact
that rapists come from other than lower class backgrounds. Then she does so in an
indirect fashion with references to Greek mythology.
The concept of the rapist as a product of a "subculture" of violence is also
put forth in this chapter.
The term subculture is in itself extremely misleading, as
it implies a culture distinct from the main, or dominant culture. Rapists are a
product of the dominant culture, and Brownmiller herself provides extensive evidence
for this, in her discussions of movies, songs, pornography and other elements of our
culture which degrade woman.
Against Our Will is Jndoubtably a work of major importance, and should be read
with care by all women who are working now to eliminate rape from our society.
Also,
this book has the potential to challenge those entrenched attitudes in our society
which have nurtured the commission of rape as an act of power. As such, Against Our
Will goes a long way towards Brownmiller's goal:
to deny rape its future".
FG-veLiinx.it

by Nancy McDonald

M
DA,

Thunder Bay has not had a Rape Crisis
Centre for some time now. Regretfully it closed after being operational only a few months. Money commitment from volunteers, lack of
support from police, phycicians,
etc. contributed to its demise.
However, Thunder Bay has a real need
for a centre and any interested individuals or groups that would like
to put time and energy into initiating one are asked to call N.W.C.

tot -4.9)00.,04. cam

Iv'

622-3989.

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�ABORTION ? I N CANADA

and expose the main
question: do Canadians want
issues

an autocratic society, which
attempts to impose a com-

A BRIEF ON THE

mon morality by

ABORTION QUESTION

fect

probably

is

the

motivation behind the move-

the

by

Prepared

Humanist

Association of OttaWa, June
1975.

Our purpose here is to
evidence
briefly
examine
available on some aspects of
abortion on the world scene,

and to bring out two facts
which

we

Canadians

feel

need to face squarely before

there can be any resolution
to this ongoing national con troversy.
The first type of evidence has to do with the

prevalence of abortions. One
can go to a number of places
for reasonable evidence concerning numbers, we shall use
the most dire t, a survey by
International Planned Parenthood

Federation

1973.

in

This survey provides the first
fact: in most countries of the

world the abortion ratio lies
1:8

about

between

(one

abortion for 8 live births)
and 2:1, .whether legal or

illegal, with a world average
of 1:2. To-day 60% of the
world's population

lives

in

countries where abortion

is

allowed

for

reasons.

In

medico-social
the remaining

countries the fact that abortion is illegal has not pro
duced a low abortion ratio:
it

is

often very high, about
in

1:1

Italy and

Latin America

parts of
example.

also useful to recognize
that the prevalence of abortion is not new. For example, a ratio of 1:2 was
quoted for the state of
Michigan in the last century,
and abortion was unregulated
in
from about
Britain
1300:1800.
It

is

What

are

the

conse-

quences of this world pattern
for Canada to-day? Obviously
the frequently heard argu-

ment that abortion amounts
to murder must be considered unrealistic, because a large

proportion of the women on
earth would then have to be
murderers (the average family

has two to three children, so
that each woman on the
average must have one abortion). Secondly, the concern
often expressed about the
increase in the abortion ratio
since 1970, as revealed by
Statistics Canada (1:8 in
1973),

is

misplaced.

These

statistics refer to therapeutic
(legal) abortions only there
-

are no firm statistics for illegal

abortions in

Canada.

The evidence we have suggests that the number of illegal abortions in Canada is
decreasing to balance the increase in legal ones. This behaviour is consistent with the
world patterngiven above.
Most important, howthe consequences
concerning legislation. The
data from Italy and Latin
ever,

to

ment

IN CANA. DA

are

America, for example, shows
that
restrictive legislation

repeal

conscience of its members to

enemies

major democratic societies with which we are most
the

closely
France

Britain,
United

patient.

cap-

members of
to respond appropriately to the challenge
of
International
Women's
Year
by
supporting the
We

urge

Parliament

to

determine whether this
relationship observed in pre-industrial societies is relevant
to contemporary society, a
personality profile was constructed in a recent sociologithe

associated,
and
the

States, have made the latter
choice, and left abortion to
the discretion of doctor and

tured in warfare. In an effort

cal

repeal of Section 251 of the
Criminal
abortion

Code,

Canada's

law, and that expansion of gevernment birth
control programs in order to
attain a lower abortion ratio

study of 96 students at
University of California.

Here again

a strong correlation was found between sup-

humanely

port
for
the
statement
"abortion should be punished

and
effectively.
The government position that
the the present law is a suit-

by society" and statements

able

which

two extremes is not correct.
Firstly, it does not work
equitably,
but,
secondly,

characterize a disrespect for life, such as ''violence is really necessary to
our problems" and
solve

good for children who disobey a lot". Even more relevant to us is an analysis of
the voting pattern of the 98
of

our

compromise

between

repeal of this law does not
represent an extreme position. Repeal represents a
moderate one which leaves

"hard physical punishment is

members

woman,

between

the

ex-

tremes of pro and anti abortion. This middle position is
backed by many responsible

Canadian

1968-69 session, which included reform of the abor-

Canadian institutions such as

tion law, and also on the bill

Women and the
Commission,
the
Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Federation of University Women,
the United Church Women,
the
National
Council of
Jewish
women, etc. The
reason for their support is
that repeal of the law is
connected with valid empirical
evidence
regarding
consequences; as illustrated
earlier. Usually this middle
position is mistakenly called
Status
Roayl

to abolish capital

punishment. Here 80t voted

for both reform bills

or against both reform bills,
a social pattern in agreement

with the two other studies.
(it should be noted that correlations give the trend in a

society but do not apply to
any

individual,

given

who

may support a particular issue for reasons quite differfrom the

ent

trend.

It

is

important for the individual
to

recognize,

however,

trend in society he/she is also
supporting).

repeal of the law who are
also urging more effective

What then are the consequences of this second fact

birth control programs which
would reduce the need for
abortion.

for the abortion question in
Canada to-day? Virtually the

only argument put forward
by those who are against
that abortion is morally
wrong because it shows dis

respect for human life (slogans
"pro-life", "right-tolife", etc.). This is an understandable instinctive response
to the always unpleasant
problem of abortion. However, the above scientific

zeal, but if

net

consequences

of the two facts developed
above is to de-emphasize side

does not lead to a low abortion ratio. It appears that "...
every normal woman seems
to assume the right emotionally to achieve motherhood
and to renounce motherhood, whether it is legal. or
not". The effect of restrictive

public media have this king of

legislation, a cruel
access to
way, by refusing
proper medical care. This af-

present

Woman As..f rom pg.
We have begun to realize that
influence

and

are

properly

concerned about extensive exoosure, especially of children,
to violence on television. We no
longer believe' is appropriate to
black

people

or any

minority group in such a way

for Repeal of the
Abortion taw (CARAL) visited
Association

Thunder Bay CM November 6,
in connection with her nation-and

n

tour.
CABAL
the city
arranged for her to do two T.V.
interviews and one for radio for
the purpose
of
outlining
CARALS aims and objectives.
From all

reports these interviews went very well indeed.
During the evening she spoke to
about 20-25 women at an infor'mal meeting at the Northern
Women's Centre.

the

a

Only one third of "approv-

relatively un-

view of Canadian
opinion is desired we recom-

ed" hospitals have set up therepeutic abortion committees
which makes it impossible for

mend the 1974 Gallup Poll
(62% in favour of repeal) or
the Chatelaine Poll (over 70%

contradicted by the evidence.
These studies in fact support

The

discriminates

Jean
Forden,
Vice-president of The Canadian

biased

studies show that this argument is not merely misleading, but is actually directly

between a safe, legal abortion
and an unwanted child.

the law to be applied equitably
with the result being that it

VISIT 'HY
CANAL tiFliiESENTATIVE

Jean explained that CARAL
government
position leans toward the was established in November,
right wind extremist groups 1974 as an "Umbrella" organizformed especially to influ- ation to give individuals and
ence opinion on this issue. interest groups working toward
The enormous petition de- removal- of the abortion laws
livered recently to parliament from the Criminal code, a
is certainly a tribute to their national voice.
Thus

legalizing abortion has been

permitting women to choose

of

pro abortion in the media. In
fact everyone normally feels
a revulsion for abortion-, but
it is the groups who support

the

the view that the quality of

Available from all fine bookstores.

the Advisory Council on the

in the 1967-68 session which
either

MORGENTALER
The Doctor Wbo Couldn 't Turn .4 way
by Eleanor Wright Pelrine
$9.95

the choice to the individual

parliament who voted on the
omnibus reform bill in the

proposed

77w Doctor Who Couldn't
77 rill Away

the maximum lextent possible? It is no accident that

the practice of slavery, and
the killing, torturing and
of

MORGENTALER

society, where reliance is
plated on
the
individual

Canada's

present abortion law.
The second fact we
wish to establish comes from
studies in anthropology and
sociology. A study of 23
primitive cultures shows that
a
strong correlation exists
between punishment of abortion and disrespect for life,
as evidenced by, for example,
mutilating

repressive

legislation, or do they want a
humanistic,
multi-cultural

main

in favour of repeal in 1974).
I

hat states or implies thay are

appropriate objects for derision,
exploitation or violence.
If the sort of magazine I
have
described consistently
showed a Newfoundland fisher-

man, and Indian or a Black
person in such a manner, there

would be an outrage protest.
Members of these groups would

quite properly see this sort of
thing as being unacceptable. As
a female and a Psychologist, I
say that current presentation of
women as objects of aggression
is just as inappropriate.
The fact that women are
assaulted and raped in our culture

is

not a reason for such

1

presentations. Newfoundland
Indians and Black

fishermen,

people are also exploited and
assaulted physically and psycho-

logically. The fact that this is
inappropriate is why we don't
present such images in public
media as models any more.
It is time to get such images

of women at least out of the
easy

access

of children. This

could be quite simple accomplished by not putting these

view. Any
adults who wish to buy them
magazines

can

out on

perfectly

easily

ask

for

them.

Lois Hayweiser,Ph.D.,
Psychology Department

poor

against

women, and women in isolated
and outlying areas. Also the

definition of "bealth" is left up
to the individual committees
-

some committees take the narrowest definition, that is, the
physical

well-being

of

the

woman while others may go to
the broader definition and take
in the psychological well -being
of the woman.
An important point to remember is that abortion is a

fact of life and will remain so
fail-proof contraceptives
available. CARAL regards
the right to a safe legal aboruntil
are

tion as a fundamental right.
The key words are "freedom of

choice". If we can get abortion
out of the criminal code, it can
be treated as any other medical
matter
a Private concern of
patient and doctor.
Jean went on to say that the
second consideration
of
-

CARAL is to press for better
sex education and the establishment of comprehensive contraceptive and abortion services.

A discussion took place

re-

garding the situation locally and

one woman passed on the information that there -may be
only one hospital in Thunder
Bay performing abortions. It
became apparent that we need
to bring the information for
this area up to date. We should
also set up a "watchdog" committee to ensure that we do not
lose some of the rights now
granted under the present con-

fusing law.

In order for CARAL to be
effective it requires the finan-

cial as well as moral support of
everyone. Those
more restrictive

working for

laws which
would send desperate women to

street butchers are well
organized and heavily funded.
back

You will find a clip -out membership form in this paper please join CARAL now!

13

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�the

insufficiency often resulted in

By Jack Litewka
This is to a certain degree, a

personal story. I felt the need
to make it public because
have sensed for a long time,
and now see more clearly every
day, the disaster of sexuality in
its present forms. Some women
I

have been struggling with this
reality. They have attempted to
expose the male/female myth in
the hope of creating a healthier
reality. But most men have
been (at best) silent of (at
worst) dishonest-and
often
ignorant and defensive. This
essay is an attempt to help men
begin talking among themselves
and hopefully with women.
The people who should have
initiated the dialogue are
psychoanalysts
and
psychiatrists: the pscho-healers. But

they have failed us. And themselves. By and large, they have
concentrated their energies on
helping people adapt to realities
of the social system rather than

examining the foundations of
that system. But, like the rest
of us, these people are damaged. And being damaged, they
incapable of dealing with

are

their own experience. Have you
seen much written or spoken
about masturbation? I haven't.
The psycho-healers, most of
whom are men, always talk
about the phenomenon of masturbation as if it was "other,"
"out there". Have you ever
heard-

psycho-healer

a

say,

"When I masturbate(d)...?" Of
course not. They are incapable
or terrified of dealing with their
own experience. So I am attempting to deal with mine,
with those of men know, in
I

an effort to help us begin- to
deal more honestly with one
aspect of male socialization.
Like the psycho-healers, like
everyone, I am also damaged. I
may be incapable of asking the
right questions. I know I'm not

able now to supply the "answers" that are needed. Desperately needed. But I'm going
to try, and I hope that other
will

trying.
Through persistence and honmen

begin

also

esty and perhaps by accident,
we'll end up asking the right
questions and be better able to
answer them.
I'm very grateful to a few
close friends, male and female,

.who are involved in this strug-

gle and who have given me
support and encouragement and
criticism and chunks of their

own lives in the writing of this
essorr I'm also very happy
the Women's Movement exists
and that many women are com-

:nitted to undoing the damage
done to all of us. I am not
going to re-discuss what women

writers have already explored.
The sexual socialization of men
in this century is what I want
to deal with. More specifically,
socialized sexual response. Still
more specifically, the socialized

penis. My penis, not just those
of other men out there.
*
I

*

*

was raised in America and

learned

-

as did many other

boys in my chilhood and men I
know now - to perform sexually on desire or request. This
performance I think can be
considered the norm, an ability
that most males wanted to
develop or maintain. The males
who didn't conform to this
norm usually felt incomplete,
unskilled, or unmanly. And this

self-damning fear and anxiety,
while other "healthy" males
who automatically or easily
conformed to the norm just

cruised along, dropping anchor
in this or that port when entertainment's hunger urged.
I think
I am typical of most
American males when I say that
getting aroused, getting an

erection, was not a major problem

in

If there

adolescence.

was a major problem, it was in
not knowing what to do, or not
being allowed to do anything,
with an erection. So you had to
learn how to hide it or deal
with the embarrassment of its
discovery.

don't know when

I

I

the past week on vacation just
reading, resting, doing odd jobs -

not masturbating- and enjoying
the absence of tension. Again,
it wasn't a hassl
because the
woman knew me and I knew her

and we both knew people the
other had slept with, so it was
chalked off as a freak with
of us to blame. We
touched along the whole length
of our bodies and discussed
basketball, politics, and our
social/sexual histories. She fell
neither

asleep.

couldn't, my brain

I

me, having scary
thoughts about a present (temporary) or impending impotency,
and resolving to do something but not knowing what.
gnawing

at

began

to be annoyed with the way
I

a

ance. And for that reason, too,
it may actually have been the
only way
could start the
examination.)
also read a lot
of feminist writings, and continued to have many and long
I

I

talks with a few close friends,
all of whom are intensely involved with the liberation of
people. I learned much during
this time (a lot of which I
already knew
but couldn't

make cohere), not all of- which
lends itself to this essay. But it
,all fed into an increasingly less
diffuse puzzle.
Incident 3. This occasion was

similar in almost all respects to
Incidents 1 &amp; 2, occuring about
18 months after the first in-

women and men relate. Like
most men, I think,
only dealt
with a relationship when I had
experienced enough and was
troubled enough to look back
at

that to look at "other"
sexuality, to learn from second-hand experience, was a
safer path and one of less resistand

previous relationship. But

by the time one seriously be-

second

made me decide to seriously
analyze the way I had been
I
sexually
socialized.
now
understand that the incidents
occurred because I was already
grappling with the origins of

my sexuality.

Ilncident 1. A woman I like
(and who liked me - "love"
may be a mythic word so it is
not being used, especially since

it has nothing to do with erection) and

I

were in bed together

for the first time. We talked
and hugged and played. To my
surprise and dismay,
didn't
get an erection. At least not at
the propitious moment (I did
I

erections now and then
throughout the night). And
have

I

didn't know why. Maybe was
just too tired or had been fucking and masturbating too much
(though that had never been a
I

problem before). But it didn't
disturb me too much because
the woman was supportive and

we both knew there would be
other nights. So we rolled together,

smelled

other,

each

heard our breathing, and had a
lovely night despite absence of
coitus.

assumption: it had to be me or
the woman
was with. But
since it had happened with two
different women,
figured it
was me (though there might
have been similarities between
the women and the situations).
I

I

But since I had performed sexually in a normal way many

times in the year between these
incidents,
assumed that it had
to be something about these
°articular women in combination with me.
I

My immediate concern was
my own fright. The "no erection at the right time" syndrome
had happened to me twice.
I

was scared, very scared. Images

of impotence hung in the air
and wouldn't disappear. So I got

in touch with an old love who I
still spend a loving night or two

with every five or six months
and with whom I had always
had good sexual chemistry. We
got together two nights 'later

and history prevailed: my penis
had its timing back and perI

formed like the stud
was
always meant to be. Which was
a tremendous relief.
But
still had no answer to
I

I

my question: why didn't get
an erection at the right time on

I

Again, I didn't know why. But
I
knew it wasn't from being

too tired or fucking or masturbating too much, since

I

hadn't

slept with a woman in about a
month and since
had spent
I

two different occasions when
was with women
wanted to
be with and who wanted to be
with me, when there was mutual attraction and social/political/intellectual compatibility?
had a few clues, a few hunches,
a few theories. But at best they
were very partial answers. So
I

I

started to do a lot of thinking
and isolated myself from old

I

Also, there was some hope
because perceptions were begin-

ning to clump together.
It became increasingly clear

to me that

to find

in order

answers to. my emerging quest-

would have to go back
and retrace the steps that were
parts of my sexual history.
Simultaneously,
was thinking
that if my socialized sexuality
was in
way similar to that
of °vier -nen, then my formulaions,

I

I

realize now

and

then over her

throat.

Then

the

face

an

outer

ea'

of the waist above th
( ma ybe-not-yet)
hip
bone:

Here let us take a deep breat
before the great leap upward t
the breast, which is a bold ac
broken into a number of ritua
istic steps. First the hand ove
one breast, with blase and br
between your hand and th
female's flesh. This is a mov
that took
special
courag
(balls?)

and was very excitin

for it seemed a new level

c

sensuality (which it was for th

female, but for the male? nc

tions wouldn't be idosyncratic

only a -,ew level of expects
tion). Tien came a kind c
figure-eight roving over th

to my experience. And as clues
found me,
remembered old

chest from one breast to th
other (if your position allowe

talks with young male friends
and checked them against re-

- how many right-handed lover
out there?). Then a sneakin
between buttons (later unbu .

I

cent talks with adult male
friends. It seemed that we had
all gone through a basically

similar process (with countless
variations). Even those males

who had not conformed to the
norm, who didn't perform sexually according to the book,
were affected by the norm process (sometimes resulting in a
devastating social and sexual
isolation). So I thought it

would be worth the effort to
construct a norm, however
flawed, to determine what

shape that image took. And to
see if that image could teach.
*

*

toned) so your hand is on th
breast with only the bra sepal
ating you from flesh. (or if th
procedure was too uncouth
too

visible

to others

in

dusky room or impossible

th
br

of a no-button sweater
you worked underneath th
garment from a fleshy bell
cause

right up to the bra.) Then, b
of gradually develope
finger dexteity, you begin t
means

attack the flesh of the brew
itself, working down from th
top of the bra into the cut

And if you hadn't yet picke

up any signs of female corn;
licity in your previous exper

*

ence, it was often clear heft%

The Initiation of a Young
Male: in looking back on my

she sat and breathed normalh
your fingers didn't stand

sexual experiences and those of
male friends, a very definite
and sequential
pattern was
evident. I'm
talking about
actual (overt) sexual events, not
subliminal or imagined or representational sexual experience.

chance

I'm thinking of adolescent time

did

(I

the neck, and run your finger

Then the belly. And after, th
upper belly and the rib cage

determined

repeated patterns (and there
were) of male/female sexual
activities that I could learn

that this was a cop-out, a refusal or inability to look at my

finger

sides

was

in adolescent terms when males
begin to experiment and devlop

something from.

your

and someone who
had
gone though many things with
over the years: this was just
going to be another thing that

I

loves and potential new ones.
decided to read a lot of
19th-century porno literature,
hoping that there might be
I

with

Again, the woman was support-

that

I

I

sponds to your hands. First yo

enough to maybe, just maybe,
it through to solution.
see

I

In the following year, I had a
few relation ships and my penis
was its old arrogant self, so that
one night seemed an unexplained oddity and was pretty much
forgotten. My sexual life had
the same sexual dynamic as my
previous
sexual
history, so
things were back to normal.
But then came round two.
Incident 2. Similar in all
respects to Incident 1. No
erection at the right time.
Again,
did have erections now
and then throughout the night.

young

(lobes especially). And middl
ear. Then lower back (at whic
point your tongue might COVE
the ear as a stand-in for th
absent hand). Then the tend

we would have to deal with.
an

learn more as th
female (hopefully) n

and

seek,

through her hair (music, please

wasn't as fright-

I

ive

made

being th

me).

ance

I

of course,

instrument made to respond t
the musician). You, as a your
male, are told(or figure °IT
what sensitive spots you shout

Then you go for the back c

going on and had the reassur-

Simplistically,

complex harmonies (with th
woman,

shoulders

the

Between

instead of dealing with male/

In the last year and a half,
something happened to me on
three separate occasions that

process you learn to use yoi
hands to round out the orche
tration, at first with simpl
clumsy Chords and later wit

and third incidents, my sexual
life had again been normal (for
ened because I had already begun to figure out what was

and lai,g)- s at the absurdity. Or
tragedi.

You kiss a girl. You kiss
girl a number of times. Yo
kiss a girl continuously (make
out). You kiss a girl contii
uously and get your tongs
into the act. All though th

second.

This time

represses wiat one knows, or
stands under it intellectually

lows.

just hug and grasp. The- yo
make
little circles on he

to examine male/female
relationships, it is usually too
late. Because one has already
been thoroughly socialized. So

or refuses to examine them, or

I

cident and 6 months after the

gins

female relationships, one is
incapable of examining them,

ha%
among the many men
known and talked with, th
sequence runs roughly as fo

their knowledge and expertise.

I'm thinking about things you
sequentially

as

you

got

older. With a few total exceptions and an odd irregularity or
two (like fucking a "whore"
before you'd kissed a "girl")

self, my own sexual experience;

cerniki on page 11

14

(bras were worn yen
tightly in my junior high schoo
so that nipples were alway

pointing up at your eyes).

I

she wanted to be helpful, shy
would deeply exhale and mov
her shoulder forward so then
was space between the bra an(
the breast. (Women's coopera
tion during all these events
i

interesting topic and mall,
should be written about by
an

woman.) And here came th

rainbow's gold - the assault or
the nipple. While a kiss wa
exciting, and cupping a breas
breath-taking, the conquest o
the nipple was transendent

Partly because it was the only
part of a female's anatomy tha

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�News Br iefs

PEARL WARMAN - SISTER

women. The Biggest complai-t.

London women

Three

working as waitresses and
bartenders have been award-

ed a total of $1,633 in back
pay.

Janet Baillie, Rose Jackand
son
Paula Hill, employees of the Ramada Inn in

London, were receiving the
minimum wage. They worked

in the upstairs lounge of the
motel,

drinks and

pouring

serving patrons both at the
bar nd at tables. Male bartenders
pouring and serving
drinks in a comparable area
downstairs were being raid
three dollars per hour. No
male bartenders were employed upstairs.

The employer felt that
the wage difference was justified because the upstairs
lounge was quieter and more
pleasant place to work, and
because the women had more
to earn tips
there.
However, Mr. Samuel
Lerner, Q.C., who presided at

opportunity

hearing at the London
Court House
in October
20th, ruled that the work
the

performed by the waiters and
waitresses was substantially
the same and that under

Section 33 (1) of the Employment Standards Act a
wage differential was not
justified.
Complaints under this

section of the Act have resulted in assessments against

eleven employers during the
first ten months of this year.
A total of 76 employees have
received back pay amounting

against stereotyping or
demeaning the female rote,
was

which accounted for 30 percent, and ads showing women
as sex objects or obsessed with
their

own

physical attractive-

ness accounted for 22 percent.
The Council advises the public
to help eliminate offensive ads
in the following Ways:

Tune in to the underlying
message and try to recognize
what the ad is implying about
the role and behavior of wom-

en;

Complain to the product
manufacturer, the TV or radio
station or publication carrying
the ad, the advertising agency,
if you know it, and to the
Canadian Advertising Advisory
-

Board,
1240
STreet,
Bay
Toronto;
If possible, put your com-

plaint in writing rather than by
phone, and make it clear that
unless you get a satisfactory
reply, you will stop buying the
advertised product;
Carry through with the
threat, even if the substitute you
buy is less satisfying;
Tell friends, neighbors and
-

-

workmates what you are doing
and encourage them to follow
your example;
-

Keep the Ontario Status of
Council informed of
interest. The address is

Women

your

801 Bay ST., 3rd floor, Toronto.

NOTE: 'About Face' is avail
able from The Northern Warr.
en's Centre.

,FORT FRANCES WOMEN

to S33,907.

GOING PLACES

A COMPLAINT THAT GOT

Mrs. Edna Avis -was named
chairman of the board of gov-

SOMEHWERE

ernors

A spokeswoman for the VanStatus of Women in
Vancouver; British .Columbia
recently wrote the following

couver

letter to the Vancouver Calendar Magazine: "Dear Sir: May I
draw attentiona to the ad in
your March issue showing two
hardhats in a manhole gawking
up at a naked pair of legs with

the caption "The Longer
Better"...

The

the
sexist

female

equivalent to this ad would be
picture of a group of secretaries

staring at the boss' crotch with

the same title... On behalf of
the 1400 affiliated members of
the Vancouver
of
Status
Women,
would appreciate a
prompt reply."
I

She

the

letter from
marketing director of the
received

this

of Confederation Cc'
lege, which serves the largest
geographic area in Ontario.

There are 12 other members of

the board,including one other
woman, Mrs.
Thunder Bay.

A.

Powell

of

Christine Johanson has been
?warded

a

Canada

-

U.S.S.R.

exchange scholarship for studies
at Leningrad State University.
She will also research in Moscow.

Governor-General of Canada,
Jules Leger, was presented with
a beaded jacket, designed and
hand made by Nancy Jones.

Nancy was the first woman to
win the Canadian open beaver
handling contest in 1969 and
has since received considerable
praise and publicity for both
her pelting and designing.

B&amp;H Cigaretter Co. in response:

"Based on your letter and several others, we are withdrawing
the "Longer the Better" ad
from the campaign mix as
quickly as possible, and are

Dorothy Redford

STRIKER
The story of Pearl Wardman, battle scarred survivor
of the Fort Frances Clinic
strike is not the story of
cut and dried statistics.
Beyond the reasons for the
strike and the outcome of it,
we find a woman who loved her
job, and if members of the
public are to be believed,
was very good at it. It is
also the story of members of
the medical profession who
once had her affection and
trust, losing all semblance
of both for reasons that do
no credit to either their profession or themselves as human
beings.
"I am not bitter", she
Said, "I am sad, for I have
to consider, if they are capable of such smallness, such
petty viciousness, as they
displayed when their position
of power was challenged, how
safe in their hands is the
patient whose very life may
depend-on them?"
Pearl, who won the gold
medal in her-class for theory,
believes she is black listed
in so far as her profession is
concerned. More than a year
later, as a volunteer in a
blood clinic, the doctor present treated her as a pariah.
It is ironic that first
consideration of the advantages of a union in the
nic was sparked by staff being summarily dismissed without just cause, it is further
evidence of_their naivete
that they began in high hopes
confident the years they had
served the clinic, the loyalty they had shown the doctors would serve them well
in their struggle for job security.
Approximately 18
months without a contract,
poorly paid, some of the
service staff under $2.00
an hour, they decided to go
CLINIC
STRIKEand all hell
theTHE
union
toute,
broke loose. Peirl thought
They say thiswas
week-end
will and
wrap it up. The clinic strike will
her position
valued
be over. David Suzuki on discussing a racial incident said "what
Talkingmetois her,
one
Secure.
really depresses
the people who watched without
canprotest".
see why
she
became
the
I
guess thats where I'm at, this horrible feeling that
leader
and
lightening
we have
lostthe
the capacity
to carerod
enough to protest. That we
justify
and alibi and
evade the
forwillthe
doctors'
wrath.
Shetruth of what happened in
midst. That
once moreperson
right is might and arrogance does'nt
is our
a strong
positive
need to apologize to anyone. The Port Arthur clinic will ramain
whoa running
doesn't
soremince
on the words.
conscience of all the thinking citizenry of
Where
once
she
washopefully
comlimented
this community and
will manifest itself in a real
from it's
andexodus
trusted,
sheservices.
becameTothe
have invested any faith in it's
capacity for human
response
only possible to the simple
(expletive
deleted)
that iswill
minded.
lick my boots.

taking down the outdoor ads
front across Southwestern Ontario. We apologize for personally offending you with this ad

health clinic.
her and others b
have allowed a h
egotistical stra
flaunt power tha
earned or deserv
Pearl hopes
a brief at the I
in Thunder Bay,
hopes to meet th
Arthur Clinic st
also have reason
the ethics of th
profession.

"Ah l
Let

consi

us

that is sheathed
ed

in

ha

a

ours.

Strangely

shaft may be jus

for a fron
F Driest' as the e
for survival. Whe
and taken advan
cuse

times by people
gling to maintain
we must protest
death. What is
limits our protes
rhetoric, that thi
hopes

in

our

some seed of con
take root and wit
a relationship, a

be lifted from us

against the
bare our teeth
enough already..
back or I'll bre
are

Then having done
the most heroic a
thing we have eve
mired in the guilt
lived up to our ow
ing image.
hav
we mourn, have
I
I

have

lost

(dare

husband. On clos

may find our loss
compared to the

compatriot who
compulsive, funct

a handy little ga
tool kit.

MOTHERS ON BUDGE

Mothers on Budge
group of low-inco
For the most par
single parents s
children.

We hold get toge
second and fourt
of the month.

For Feb. 25th me
having a lawyer
talk about Women
the area of sepe
divorce, custody
credit etc.

We meet every se
night at 7p.m. a
Cal
ing Street.
further informati
Maureen

and hope that since we are
trying to be socially consicious
that you will support us...
GETTING THE MESSAGE

majority of advertisers
oroducing ads which are
objectionable or offensive to
The

are

women, the Ontario Advisory
on
the
of
Status
Women has found. In a recently
pub i shied
report, "About

Council
Face",

the

Council examined

4.

the results of a media-monitoring experiment whi
tamed a
random

sample

of

ha

confuse the targ
with the knowl
though our moti
the only blood o

Ontario

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�SPEAKING OUT
ON

PROSTITUTION
'

The following paper was presented
at an all-day fillibuster of a New
York State Legislature hearing on
Prostitution as a victimless crime.
by

Susan Brownmiller

As with most other issues of
women's liberation, the problem of
prostitution is unbelievable complex,
resting as it does on economics, psychology, sexuality and the male power
principle. There are some who say
that the male power principle embodies
the first three points. To be perfectly honest, that's what I'd say.
One fact about prostitution I'm
sure has not escaped your notice: the
buyers, the ones who hold the cash
in their hand, the ones who create
the market by their demand, they
are all men, gentlemen, the same
sex as yourselves.
In the 1940's, the Kinsey Report-which was probably the last
really documented report on sexuality--stated that two-thirds of all
American men have some experience
with a prostitute.
In 1964 R.E.L.
Masters estimated that the figure
was closer to 80%.
Now the stock your sex is buying with dollar bills is human
flesh, for the most part, but not
always, the same sex as myself.
I say "not always", because in this
city you can go any evening to the
corner of 53rd St. and Third Ave.
and see men buying other men for
This is seldom talked about
sex.
Again the buybut it is relevant.
ers are always men.
Now the myth has it that the
female prostitute is the seller of
her own flesh, that she is a free
participant in her act, that she has
made a conscious choice to sell her
This is a male myth, one that
body.
your sex has rather successfully
popularized for your own self intIt has not only absolved you
erest.
of your responsibility in this terrible crime of buying another human
beings body, it has conveniently
shifted your guilt onto our shouldThe law in this city is appers.
lied to punish the woman and let the
man go scotfree.
Now there is something else
that the male sex has always tried
to do to cover up its crime: it
has tried to seperate the women engaged in prostitution from the
rest of the women in the culture.
It calls her "the other", it marks
her the bad woman, it sends her to
jail, and it tells the rest of us
that we are very good and virtuous and we have nothing in common
with her.

Well, gentlemen, I have good
news for you. We have seen through
that little myth; the feminist
movement identifies itself with
the female victim of the male created institution known as prostitution.
Now, I am white, and middle
class and ambitious; and I have no
trouble identifying with either
the call girl or the street hustI've
ler, and I can explain why:
been working to support myself in
the city for fifteen years, and
I've had more offers to sell my
body for money than I have had to
Now when I see a
be an executive.
young women hustling on the street,
I see a young woman like myself who
has ambition. But she has no opI mean, what else could
tions.
She could be a waitress,
she be?
she could be a secretary, she could
be a welfare mother, she could be
somebody's wife.
There was a time when I was
working to support myself as a
waitress and a file cleric, The disparity between my reality situation
and my ambition to be an actress,
was so great that I gave serious
thought to the social pressure to
And that is
do a little hustling.
something, gentlemen, that I really
don't think you comprehend, I don't
think that anyone has ever asked you
to sell your body, or presumed that
your body was for sale. I wonder if
a cab driver has ever turned to you
and remarked, "I see you're little
short of change.
Perhaps we could
I could steer some
work together.
customers your way." I wonder if
a man has ever walked up to you in a
hotel lobby and muttered. "What's
I wonder if you've ever
your price?
applied for work in a bar and the
owner, or manager, looked you up and
down and said, "Are you sure you're
over eighteen? Why don't you come
downstairs with me and prove it?"
Now these were all experiences
that happened to me at a time when
perhaps I looked more vulnerable than
I am today, and when I was certainly
So now perhaps you
more desperate.
can understand why I identify with
the prostitute, and why, when I see
a front page headline in the New York
"Mayor Stepping Up Drive on
Time,
Prostitutes and Smut", I know in a
very real sense that it is me and my
entire sex that the mayor and the
Times are talking about. And when
this mayor appoints a task force of
six men and no women to study the problems of pimps, porn, and prostitution, giving equal moral weight to each
category, I know that his fad.lure to
appoint even one woman is not an
oversight, it's ,just that the boys
have decided they've got to get together and do a little superficial
something to preserve their fun.

Now I am worried that your
hearing today is to open the doo
to the legalization of prostitut
Gentlemen, if you extend th
definition of government-inspect
meat to the sale of human flesh,
you will do it over our dead bod
ies.
The women's movement will
tolerate the legalization of sex
slavery in this state. Yes, the
is a prostitution problem. It i
expressed by Judge..., who has w
ten:
"Most men who visit prosti
utes would be considered normal.
It was expressed by Judge.., who
began to hold prostitutes in his
court without bail after he got
some complaints from friends of
who were in town for a Bar Assoc,
iation hearing. They claimed th
were actually being harassed by
men on the street. Well, if Jud,
Schwalb were to put on a skirt a
walk down 42nd St., or even Fin:
Ave., any afternoon, despite his
hairy legs, I think he would beg
to understand what street harass.
ment is all about.
It is women

are being harassed, day and nigh .

and they are being harassed by
and not the reverse.
There is a serious problem
in our society, when women with
bition must sell their bodies be
ause there is no other way they
earn $15,000 a year. There is a
serious problem when men think a
ess to the female body is, if no
a divine right, at least a money,
right.
Prostitution will not end ii

this country until men see
And man will not see
as equals.
women as equals until there is
So it seen
end to prostitution.
we will have to work for the ful
equality of women and the end tc
prostitution side by side. In
the meantime it seems to me, it'
foolish to prosecute a woman for
a crime in which she is the vicBut it is equally repreher
tim.
Bible to let a man go free for t
criminal act of purchasing anotler's body.
Now that concludes the fors
part of my testimony. I had a
great deal of difficulty writing
these words down because, as the
poet Adrienne Rich said in anot}
er context, "this is the oppress
ors language," And it's very clo
when you start to write about pi
stitution that you're using the
oppressor's language, which is
the male language. The institu
tion is defined by the woman:
prostitution; but it is the man
There is
who does the buying.
formal word to describe that maJ
we have just a couple of slang
words like "john," "trick," th.
the prostitute uses. Perhaps
that's because it's all men and
men have never felt the need fo
a specific word in the language
that defines something which is
Anyway, I've h
their province.
trouble, and because of that I
feel that other women from the
movement must speak now....
taken from The Other Woman
June 1972

16
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�RETURN TO:

THE NORTHERN WOMAN

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Thunder Bay P, Ontario
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�</text>
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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. &#13;
&#13;
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. &#13;
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Title: The Northern Woman: Women’s New Regional Journal&#13;
&#13;
Topics include:&#13;
Women in Distress &#13;
Editorial Policy&#13;
Quality of Life&#13;
Letters &#13;
Social Work&#13;
Social Workers Burnout&#13;
Violence Against Women (Testimonial)&#13;
Lesbianism &amp; Motherhood&#13;
Alcoholism&#13;
Woman’s Credit Union&#13;
Violence in the Media&#13;
Woman &amp; Stress Research&#13;
Lakehead Social Planning Council Daycare Committee&#13;
Comics&#13;
Poetry &#13;
Art&#13;
About Northern Woman Journal&#13;
About Northern Women’s Centre&#13;
Suggested Readings&#13;
Pioneer Women&#13;
Media Representation of Women&#13;
Abortion Law Repeal&#13;
Male Socialization&#13;
Book Reviews&#13;
Rape Crisis Centre&#13;
Dr. Henry Morgentaler&#13;
Access to Abortion&#13;
Media Representation of Black People&#13;
Feminist News&#13;
Port Arthur Clinic Strike&#13;
Mothers on Budgets&#13;
Prostitution &amp; Patriarchy&#13;
Prostitution &amp; Victimization&#13;
 &#13;
Authors/Contributors:&#13;
M. Gibbons&#13;
Bernice Cain&#13;
Ruth&#13;
Pat Leslie&#13;
Mary Kay Burch&#13;
Jacqueline Hétu&#13;
Mallory&#13;
Reva&#13;
Bonnie Beckwoman&#13;
Dorothy Redford&#13;
Gert Beadle&#13;
Ginger Ball&#13;
Vivacia Landfors&#13;
Dr. Lois Hayweiser&#13;
Jack Litewka&#13;
Susan Brownmiller</text>
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�EDITORIAL

41010:411:1/01/0.7.sar...16.S.17_4401r

My heartfelt thanks to my sisters
from the
Northern Woman's centre
who were so supportive and helpful during my recent surgery.Also
to friends and neighbours and sisters who sent gifts and flowers and
cards.
Your kindness will always
be remembered.
In sisterhood ari love

I ,W,Y,

WHAT IF THE DRUM
THAT BEAT
THE OLD YEAR IN
AND OUT
WAS HOLLOW
WE DANCED,

Noreen Lavoie.

WHAT IF. WE KNEW

THE PEOPLE
V11-10 MADE THE DRUM

AND CALLED
THE SHOTS
WERE LAUGHING,
TO HELL WITH THEM
WERE DANCING,
FOR WE WILL
MAKE OUR OWN DRUM
AND BEAT IT TOO,

WELL WRITE
THE MUSIC
AND THE WORDS
AND KEEP ON MOVING,
STEP -STEP
SHUFFLE -WHIRL
AND HUSTLE,

PRAYER

Deliver me from sure things
they are so obviously rote,
footprints
hardened in cement,
open privy doors for one intent
and little goals established
by the ant.
Deliver me from what
know is there,the plodding
plotted life,the cushion
in the snare.
Direct me to the danger
of the leap,
one flight on faith alone
before
sleep
out where the dice is tossed
the caged bird sings,
want to see the colour
of her wings.
I

EDITORIAL

POLICY

he newsletter group,a Separate yet supportve group of toe Northern Woman's Centre,
eflects the complexity of the makeup of the
orthern Women's centre as a whole.
Being a smaller,unified group,the editrial board of the Northern Woman will attempt
hrough collective,creative and thought prooking comments,to respond to,and express
through concensus of opinion) their reactions
o, various articles, letters and timely topics
f interest.
Through such a policy it is hoped that
IE NORTHERN WOMAN will become a tool for
Amen to develop an increased understanding of
ieir situation and forces affecting their

I

I

Ives.

THE LEGAL SANCTION OF RAPE
The Criminal Code of Canada
lists a crime called rape.
Perhaps the fact that it is
disguised as a "sexual offence"(which only happen to
"immoral" people) is what
enables the court system to
ignore it.
Ignore actually
isn't the right word.
The
court sy tem seems determined
to prevent successful prosecution of rapists. Eventually then, it may be hope4.
a woman will no longer have
the audacity to demand that
a criminal who has assaulted her sex organs, attempted
to demean and exploit her,
and who presents a constant
threat to theviecurity of
the community,Be brought to
justice.

It would be too blatant for
the system to simply request that the crime be eliminated from the criminal code.
Some people might then take
So the
notice and object.
process must be one of removing the crime by preventing
juries from convicting rapists.

have just
How is this done?
come to the end of a year of
watching the process unfold.
The particulars could vary
I

Send this coupon to your local MP.

THE NORTHERN WOMENS CENTRE.

The Northern Womens Centre, whose
function has always been to
encourage womens' groups to
participate, now extends an
invi tation to any womens groups
in Northwestern Ontario to use
the premises for their own
meetings. All bookings can be
made through:
June Cryderman,
Nothern Womens Centre,
120 Amelia St., West,
Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Phone;622-3989 (Tues.&amp; Fri.)
(10 a.m.-3 p.m.)

BELIEVE THAT RAPE CRISIS CENTRES PERFORM
I
A VALUABLE SERVICE WHICH IS DESERVING OF
THE ISSUE OF PERMANENT GOVERNSUPPORT.
MENT FUNDING OF SUCH CENTRES SHOULD BE
THE SUBJECT OF IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION
AND ACTION.
NAME

ADDRESS

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

depending on the specific biases of judges and the skill
and fluency of defense lawyers but the following examples
give a good picture.
1) Since rape is not such a
serious crime anyway(?) rapists are generally not held in
After all, no man
custody.
should have his liberty restricted just because he took
away the liberty ofsomeone
When court assizes are
else.
held prisoners in custody are
This can result
tried first.
in there being no time left
to hold the rapist's trial.
So time goes on, memories
become less clear, the victim
is left in a state of trauma,
and finally if schedules
work out the rapist is tried
some six, eight, or twelve
months after the crime was co!-mitted. By then, the system
may think, who cares anyway.

OVER

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�CONTINUED

FROM

EDITORIAL

PAGE

(the rapist) lost control and
A broken leg
slapped her.
could be explained similarly,
no doubt, by the rapist saying
I

"she stormed out of the room
didn't want to
said
after
see her again and fell down
The rapist needs
the steps".
only to get someone to claim
that his own injuries predated
the time of the rape. The credibility of such a witness in
terms of his or her vested interest in the rapist isn't questI

'WomeN3

WANt

to 6e, Rfire_t)."

I

ioned.

2)There are rules governing admission of evidence in rape trials which apply to no other case
of criminal assault. One of these
is the ease by which testimony
regarding the complaint itself
may be excluded. If a rape victim
reacts in a normally terrified
manner after gaining freedom
from a rapist and reflects on the
possibility of retaliation for
reporting him, on the horror
stories she's heard about the
treatment of rape victims,and
attempts to seek advice from
trusted people she will find that
in court a jydgement will be
rendered that she did not make a
complaint at the first "reasonable" opportunity., No consideration apparently is given tothe
unreasondble state of mind hnmediately after the crime. The
result-a jury suddenly realizes that they are spending days
determining a case in which theyy crime
've never heard that
was reported.
3) Because, as a judge recently
stated it,"the previous experience of the law" indicates that
rape is a charge too readily made
by a "girl" on the basis of fantasy, jealousy, or spite,jurors
are cautioned that it is "dangerous" to convict a man unless
there is corroborative(supporting) evidence to the victim's testimony. Barring the existence of
an eyewitness to the crime this
usually means evidence of physical injury. This is not reasonable considering that rape is a
form of assault which does not
necessarily leave physical signs,
particularly if the rapist admits
to intercourse (with consent,of
course).
If a woman has been
verbally threatened into submitting to the rapist there will
be no physical injury. Why is
rape victims who must
it only
permit further injury and possible death in order to prove
a crime? Because, society says
any woman should prefer death to
forcible intercourse.
It is especially critical to note
that even when both the victim
and the rapist have incurred injuries these are not considered
corroborative if the rapist makes
up any semi-plausible reason
for them. For example, the victims face and head are bruised
because "she (the victim) insperformance and
ulted my sexual

4) As in any trial the judge is
responsible for giving instructions to the jury. This involves an explanation of the law
and of the factors which must be
present in order to convict
the accused. The judge also reviews the testimony presented,
points out what evidence could be considered corroborative,
and comments on what s/he considers to be important testimony and what questions or issues the jury want to pay particular attention to.
It is here that the judge shows
either the informed objectivity or the judgmental bias which
s/he brings to such a highly
If a judge
esteemed position.
personally holds false and biased assumptions about rape and
about women who are raped and
allows it to show in the review
of testimony and in the other
comments the judge can easily
negate the jury system. Jurors
in criminal trials are called
upon to make a kind of decision which is unfamiliar to them,
which is most difficult and
often complex. When a person
has to make this type of decision the perceived opinion of a
"legitimate authority" (the
judge) becomes all the more

The most abvious, of course,
is that a woman's "character"
has some important bearing in
whether it is permissable to
rape her. For trial purposes
this is disguised a bit by
making a woman's "character"
ortant in determining her "cre
ibility (whether she is to be
believed). Poor character can
be defined as a woman who part
cipates in social functions wi
men, likes to have a good time
socially and enjoys mutually
agreeable sexual experiences.
The logic of how this relates
to a person's ability to tell
the truth totally escapes me.
The obvous indicator of credibility is whether a person ha
a history of making false statements about people or events
This, of course, is not relevant in rape trials. What
is really being said is that
a woman enjoys screwing then
no man should get in trouble
just for giving one when "she'
didn't want it. The time and
place is his perogative. The
judges and defense lawyers
i

i

just say this in fancier language.

Most of the time in a rape
trial is spent in examining
whether this myth of "poor
character" applies to the case
at hand-out in examining the
circumstances and events of
the assaut. Because, if the
first is true, the second is
irrelevant.

Another important myth is that
"girls" think the best way to
get back at a man who has offended them is to say-RAPE. Leal
not be absurd: With the pubicity rape has had it is too
incredible to believe that mos
women don't know at least
something about the way such
influential.
a
charge is handled. Any othe
When a judge says that a jury
means would be more effective
should consider as"important"
in "getting back" at a man tha
testimony the fact that a woman
charging
him with rape.
accepted a dinner invitation
Why
does
it happen? First becwith a man knowing that it would
ause a deviant male has a larg
be at his home, that she had
population of people who (becsexual intercourse with a man
ause of physique or cultural
(the one who was later to rape
conditioning) he can either ve
her) knowing what she was doing,
bally or physically threaten
and tells them that "it would be
into submitting to some demand
very important to consider whether from him. Second because there
is some action with a history
this conduct is consistent with
of
social significance which a
someone who would later not conmale
can perform upon a female
sent 'the judge's opinion is
e
even
when she is fearful, nonquite clear. The jury can then
responsive,
or unconscious.
acquit the rapist and having
This
action
is one which socie
delivered the verdict, be congsays
is
fine
for him but immor
ratulated by the judge for reachfor
her.
It's the perfect set
would have
ing "the verdict
up. The deviant male can do hi:
reached". The jury then can go
criminal power trip(get the
home satisfied that they read
person to submit to him) and tl
the judge's opinion correctly.
perform an action upon the vic
If a personpresumably chosen
which "taints" her so that his
assault becomes just a sex crir
for a high level of integrity
171177Tonly
happens to immoral
is allowed to display such ignpeople). And the law hasn't
orant and irresponsible behastrongvior without censure
either the time or patience
ly confirms the legal system's
to protect "immoral" people.
view of rape.
So with such effective obstacles to conviction firmly imbThis is-an article based on my
edded in law rapists are free
personal experience about how th
to continue testing their abilegal system sanctions the crimi
lity to control other people.
assault of rape.
There is a long, long list of
absurd myths and assumptions
134 BARq C 0 asl
surrounding the crime of rape.
want to deal with just a few.
I

i

I

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�F A MI LY PROPERTY LAW

1. HUSBAND holds title and has made all
payments,the house is his.At divorce,the
house is his.At death, the house becomes
part of his estate to be divided among
his heirs as stated in his will or as
stated by theDevolution of estates act if
he has no will.

2.WIFE holds title,either through her
purchase of the property or as a gift,
the house is hers.At divorce,it is hers.
At death it becomes part of her estate.
WHAT PART IS YOURS?
ONTARIO FAMILY PROPERTY LAW.

What property do you share in your marriage?
How do you share property?
When do you share property?
Do you want

to share property?

Who will decide--a judge or you?
THINK NOW!

Before and after marriage,husbands and
wives purchase and acquire propertynot just real estate( buildings and
parcels of land) but savings in a
bank account ,furnishings for a home
or apartment,electrical equipment,car,
skidoo,boat and trailer,Canada savings
bonds.

Many people believe that property
is shared as a result of marriage.Sharing
to them implies 50-50 ownership unfortunately it is not so! In Ontario we
have family property laws that create
for and impose upon married persons
a system of rights,liabilities,obligations
and legal disqualifications in relation
to property. Family property laws are
under provincial jurisdiction and they
differ from province to province.
Ontario's system is entitled
separation of property.Under separation of
property rules,each spouse may act
dependently of the other in acquiring,
holding and disposing of property.
Sectionl.(1) of bill 75 passed on July
10/75 states " For all purposes of the law
of Ontario,a married man has a legal
personality that is independant,separate
and distinct from that of his wife and
a married woman has a legal personality
that is independant,separate and distinct
from that of her husband".
In the majority of marriages the
entitlement to(ownership of) and the management of most of the money and property
acquired during marriage is the husbands
responsibility.Frequently title is
pla ced in the husbands name only.lf the
marriage breaks down,the assets that the
couple gained during marriage are not
shared.For example,the husband gets the
the assets(property) and the wife appeals
to the court for support and maintenance.
Ownership of real and personal property
is,basically determined by(who paid for it)
and (who holds title)
Eonsider the owner
ship of the family home.

3. HUSBAND AND WIFE hold title in joint
tenancy,the house is owned in equal shares
by the husband and wife.At divorce,the
monetary value of the house is shared
equally. At death,the house becomes the
property of the surviving spouse.The
deceased's share is not included in his
or her estate.

4.HUSBAND AND WIFE hold title in tenancy
in common, the husband owns the percent
age that he paid and the wife,the percentage that she contributed.For
example60% paid for and owned by the
husband and 40 % paid for and owned by
the wife. At divorce the spouses receive
their percentage value share according to
their percentage contribution. At death,the
surviving spouse receives his or hers
percentage value share and the deceased's
share becomes part of his(hers) estate.
5. ONE SPOUSE purchases the house and
puts title in the other spouse's name
it is presumed the spouse intended to
make a gift of full ownership to the other,
therefore,the recipient-spouse will be
considered owner of the house( see Bill
75
-1.(3) (d)-July
10/75).
6. In common law relatioships(de facto
marriage) if the title of the home is in

one of the partners names,the house is
entirely his(hers).
Title can also be taken in joint tenancy
and in tenancy in common.
If
A woman wishes to share the owner
ship of her home,with her husband,then
title of the home must be taken in joint
tenancy or,in some situations,tenancy

in common.
Bill 75 1.

(3) (D) (I) "The fact that
property is placed or taken in the name
of a husband or wife as joint tenants
shall be prima facie proof that a joint
tenancy of the beneficial interest in the
property is
intended".

;OWNERSHIP OF OTHER PROPERTY
NEXT ISSUE
AND HOW WIVES CAN SHARE MORE FULLY IN THE
ASSETS OF THEIR MARRIAGE.

JOAN

PACKOTA,

UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S
THUNDER BAY.

CLUB OF

.

THE BOOKSHOP
Thunder Bay Bookshop Co -op Inc.
182 South Algoma Street
Thunder Bay, Ontario

REMINDER TO SISTERS:
We will be setting up a booth again
at the Flea Market,(May 15th) at the
Fort William Gardens. Donations of
baking, white elephant,plants,etc.
Whatever you have,please bring to 120 IA)
Amelia Street,(leave in porch) or
phone 622-3989 forpick-up before the

New titles at the Bookshop, of special
interest to women;
1)The New Women's Resource Book-$5.75
-a '_.'whole earth catalogue" for

feminists
2)Shoulder to Shoulder - $9.95
-a history of the suffragettes
based on the B.B.C. television
series.

3)The Thee Marias - $2.25
-originally banned in Portugal
4)A Book of Men - $5.95
-personal views of "the male
experience"

15th.

5)What Have Women Done? - $2.00
-photo essay on working women
in the United States
We have the best selection of women
writers: Lessing, Atwood, Nin, Laurence,
Colette, Plath, Munroe etc.

The Rape Crisis Centre will begin
meeting again. Watch for further
information.

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�I

AM A LESBIAN

CDEIr*11.1El'UFAS0

Sometime ago
wrote a letter to
The Northern Woman,some readers
may remember it.lt was signed
(anonymously) with "a lesbian
sister".That letter was one of
anger and frustration,at my situation,at some individuals.That
anger emerged, in a misdirected
way,by my obvious lashing out
at Womans centre and the newsletter. Now over a year later.1
would like to add the second
part of that letter. My purpose
is three fold.
want to apologize for the
accusations made in that first
letter and for any pain caused
by the things
said.
want to come out andidentify myself,as
couldn't do then
want to talk about being
a lesbian,because sharing our
experiences and talking about
our lives is one of our greatest sources of strengh,as Women
I

I

I

I

I

I

lesbian or straight.
wasn't born a lesbian,no
woman is.I was involved in many
relationshipswith men,some good
some not so good.I have two child
ren.I chose to be a lesbian over
a year ago,around the time that
first painful] letter was written
up to that time my life was almost schizophrenic,I worked with
women and
loved them; all my
positive energy went to and came
from my relationships with women.I had other needs,love needs
(sexual) sensual that weren't being met in those relatioships so
slept wit-h,'Men.SOme of my exp
eriences with men were good and
positive but
still felt a little
uneasy,try as hard as
could
and as sensitive as the man may
have been therewas a power imbalance that made it a struggle,
for both the man and myself.
then found myself wanting to
express my love for a woman friend
in sexual ways.This confused and
frightened me but
followed
through on my feelings and began
to discover a part of myself that
had been very repressed,my own
sexuality. For a time
contiued
relationships with men but found
them to be too draining,again that
imbalance of power.
was quite
happy then to have come to terms
with my sexuality.I didn't realize,though,that
feeling good
about it was not enough.I was so
high about my decision,I would
blunder up to people with"guess
what
am,isn't it great",naturally it didn't evoke the kind of
response
was looking for.
I

I

I

I

I

11

gh to break you.Apart from the
occasional house-party, it was
the only place to go to meet
lesbians.Many of whom if they
dont feel they are sick
spend
a lot of time lying and playing
roles they dont want any part of.
For a while
was very self
righteous,feeling superior because
somehow felt
was above
that-I had figured it all out
and
wasn't afraid.I didn't want
to associate with the bar dykes.
Then
came face to face with
their oppression,which was now
my oppression,also.
fell in
love with a woman.
was high
living with my lover and feeling
good.I reached out to hug her
in a public place and she pulled
away frightened,I spoke to a
college class about lesbianism;
after,' touched a woman on the
arm to get her attention and she
jumped as though burned.
These are the little incidents,all pointing out the very
real situations that face the
lesbian.The strengthswe find
to-gether provides the balance.
won't ever go back into the
closet and as
look at mylesbian
friends more are coming out and
feeling strong,we are starting to
come to-gether as friends to
unite with all oppressed people
to fight this system that keeps
us all down.
I

I

I

I

I

I

I

MALLORY NUEMAN

The article titled,The image of
women as object of agression by
Lois Hayweiser Ph.D. must be
credited to ,Newfoundland Status
of women Council.We regret the
oversight.It appeared in our last
journal.

I

I

I

was surprised to see
this issue since sometime ago
wrote a long letter questioning the logic of your stand on
abortion while at the same time
claiming to be all for children.
The reason
was surprised to
see this issue is that in this
letter
enclosed $2 in cash
for a subscription, a foolish
gesture for
realize somebody
got their sticky fingers on it,
I-hope whoever it was didn't
use it for a down payment on
murdering a child.
can't
prove
sent the $2 and have
changed my mind about wanting
the subscription, but since
in the issue (Vol. 2, Issue 4)
there is a reference to a
Thunder Bolt that
think must
have referred to my letter,
would like to see it.
Anyway,

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

Feb.25/76
Dear friends,
Enclosed find $9 for three
subscriptions.Your journal is
encouraging and supportive,it
gives me a feeling of to-gethenness,I'm isolated here in the
way of communication with other
women so it's very good to hear
your voice.
thanks again,
Betty Dondertman
Emo Ontario.

really did send that $2, and
think you owe me the benefit of
the doubt enough to send me that
one issue.
Consider it a
If you don't
challenge perhaps.
have any extras you could write
or type out that one item, my
motive in requesting it is simpl
curiousity, in any case send me
no more copies.
You have made
it very clear the kind of reader
you want, and I'm not she. You
see
really do believe in freedom of the press, to be born, to
live my life in the way that is
right for me and
really do
want every man, woman and child
to have that freedom, you do
not.
You would kill and have
things your way,
would not. So
be at peace, if you ever get get
in my way
will not use violence against you, you have the
right to exist no matter how
feel about you, you always did,
from the moment of conception.
My not wanting you around can't
take away that right and never
could.
Your mother not wanting
I

I

I

I

Mar,11/76

I

I

I

I

I

I

just pui-chased a copy of The
Northern Woman, not having
seen one around for awhile.
looked through it, and my
stomach is in quite a shock.
How dare you speak (or claim
to speak since you actually do
not) for all women? Oh! well
freedom of the press,
suppose you'd say.

I

I

wanted to explore my
chosen lifestyle and it had to
be with people like myself.
What
found was nothing to be
"gay" about.I discovered the
oppression of lesbians,which
was stronger than the oppression
of women as a whole.
discovered
women who were really afraid
of losing their jobs,their kids,
their families and their friends.
The reality of lesbianism is
something
wasn't prepared for.
Social life consists of a bar
where the manager does his best
to remind you that you are a
queer and then charges you enou-

I

I

I

I

Dear Friends,
Enclosed find money for subs,
for both myself and my sister in
Dryden.Your journal is a real
treasure to us young wives in the
country,I hope you get the support
you need and deserve for
look
forward to seeing you grow and
continue to give us news on what
women are doing all over the
world.
Beverly Sisco,
Fort Frances Ont.

I

I

I

Mar,12/76

Dear Friends,
just received a copy of
The Northern Woman Journal and
would like to add my name to
your subscription list. Enclosed
is a cheque for my subscription
and a gift sub,1 wish to send to
Linda Brown. Your, paper is something more women should read,
Thanks for working so hard.
Bonnie Hill.
I

I

I

I

Continued on page t5

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�news frl ash

Letters
you could not deprive you of
that right, she could have
destroyed you but she would
have been violating your
rights as a person and as a
woman, there never was a time
you didn't have the right to
live and you still have, even
if you use your life to advocate destruction, to spew
hate instead of love, to libel
me as a woman, to press for
the ultimate in rape, the ultimate in child battering, for
abortion as a means of attaining your rights, and you will
never have that right, no
matter what you can get the
government to say.
No man
(human or body of humans) can
ever justify the killing of
one human being.
Now
doubt
you are still with me, but if
yes, how about that Thunder
Bolt.
don't really think you
will but no harm in asking.
I

I

Glad not to be your
sister,

Ann Garret

We believe the fact that there
was a mail strike at the time of
mailing for our last issue may
be connected with its disappearance.
The Thunder Bolt had
nothing to do with abortion, and
we are happy to forward it to
you together with the cash you
feel you have misspent.
We believe there are many issues
on which we agree.
We should
join forces on these, and not
let this one issue divide us
irrevocably.
There should be no
name calling among women who
have so much to gain in sisterhood.
You are still our sister.
You have no choice, nor have we.
The Editors

REFLECTIONS

At the heart of the Women's
Movement--at least in the
beginning--was a dissatisfaction with lack of opportunity.
This lack derived from the
inequality between the sexes.
From that philosophical
foundation--i.e. a quest for
greater equality, the Women's
Movement has proceeded to its
present stage of development,
at which time two important
comments can be made about
it:
firstly, many women-and many men--feel that the
Women's Movement has "arrived".
Witness the cigarette commercial:
"You've come a long
way babyl" The fact of the
matter is that the Women's
Movement is still in its
infancy.
A recent study of
high, school girls in Winnipeg indicates a total lack
of consciousness and awareness of the changing roles
of women.
Secondly, the
philosophical foundations
of the Women's Movement have
been completely forgotten- if in fact they were ever

really comprehended by most
women.
The idea of equality,
whith nurtured the original
"Women's Liberationists"
is now almost forgotten by
the sole beneficiaries of
the Movement to date--that
is, white middle class women
who now have a somewhat
greater opportunity to do
what the men have long done.
These women, by and large,
have forgotten that the soul
of the Movement was the
quest for equality--and that
quest cannot be restricted
to white middle class women.
Large numbers of the
officially recognized poor
of this country are women- what is the Movement doing
for them? At least half
of the native people of
Canada are women--what has
the Movement done for them?
Why has the Movement never
realized that the quest for
greater equality and dignity
and justice for women in our
North American society is
only a part of a larger quest
--for equality, dignity and
justice--which must be waged
for the very large minority
of Canadians who do not share
in the 'goodies' of our
society, who do not have the
opportunities which are
rightfully theirs.
The goal therefore is not
to get more women in the board
room--rather the goal is to
get more women in the positions of power and have them
The
do different things.
point of the Women's Movement is to remove the oppressor--oppressed relationship.
It is NOT to substitute one
The
oppressor for another.
woman who gains entry to the
'board room' and then perpetuates the policies of her
male predecessors is not
doing anything to solve the
problems about which the originators of the Movement
If in fact
complained.
we are satisfied with having
women play the same games that
men have always played, perpetuating the same kinds of
injustices which so recently

saw us as victims, then the
whole Movement has missed the
point and honest women must
abandon it.
The Women's Movement must
align itself with other movements of the oppressed:
where was the voice of the
Women's Movement last summer
when Kenora area Indians
occupied Anicinabe Park?
Do they not suffer the same
oppression as we? Where is
the voice of the Women's
Movement on the whole
question of poverty? Do
we not feel that the fact
that from 4 to 1/3 of
Canada's population lives
below the poverty line is
injustice and inequality?
And is it not injustice and
inequality against which we
fight?
Do they not suffer
from the same oppression as
we?

Let me just briefly summarize the two main points
that
am emphasizing here
today.
First,
consider
slogans like "You've come a
long way baby", a patronizing
insult as well as an inaccuracy.
We have made some good
progress, it's true, but let
us not be duped into complaccency by the slick slogans
of the advertising industry.
We still hav a lot further
to go.
And second, as we
continue along the path that
we have started, let us not,
those of us who have benefitted
from the changes brought about
thus far, lose sight of the
original driving force behind
the Women's Movement, that
is, the search for justice
and equality; and let us keep
in mind that if women are
deserving of justice and
equality so are all others
in our society who presently
I

I

feel

The 2468th (Special) Session
of the General Assembly of the
Sovereign Republic of Amnesia.
Wondering what all this fuss
is about the Status of Women;
Recalling that the status of
women was established firmly
and irrevocably 6,000 years ago
when the Secretary General of
the Universe as an afterthought
manufactured Eve out
left rib of Adam thus

of the
giving

women a sinister (Latin sinistra)
secondary role on the
precendence table;
Snickering at the presumpand

tion that a creature fashioned

from a dispensable single bone
of a man could be any. stretch
of the imagination be considered equal to him;

Hooting uproariously at the
selection of Latin America, the
centre of Machismo as the
venue for the
International
Women's Year Conference;

Scoffing

at the notion that

women should

participate in
decision-making except in trivial
matters such as where the fam-

ily should live, what food they
should eat, what furniture they
should have in the home, what
school the kids should attend,
what clothes they should wear,
and what religion they should
follow;
Insisting on the other hand
that important decisions such as

whether the Amnesian Libera-

tion

Organization

(ALO)

member of the
United Nations, are the special

should

be

a

prerogative of men;
Determined to see that such

vexatious

irrelevancies

are

broughtto a halt forthwith;
Nations to proclaim every year
from 1976 International- Man's=
Year in Order to restore the
status established ante quo;
Reaffirms the ancient law

that all men are born equal and
all women are born unequal;
Resolves
to request the
Secretary

General of the Uni-

verse to let men go on messing
up the Earth as they have been
doing since the beginning of
creation.Taken

from the New

Internationalist ....August 1975

its lack.

by Leslie Silver

Credited to the Winnipeg Women's
Liberation Newsletter; Page 14.

Rape Study

Although there is much concern and discussion about rape these days,
very little is actually know in terms of what the experience means to the
woman herself. We are now beginning a study on the social and psychological
effects of rape on women.
For this study, rape means any act of sexual
intercourse you are made to commit against your will whether it be by your
husband, neighbour or a stranger.
The results of this study will be used to
help women who have been raped. Because everyone's experience is unique,
we need to talk with and receive information from as many women as possible.
Great care will be taken to guarantee that the name of the participants are
confidential.
If you have ever been raped and would be willing to fill out
a questionnaire or be interviewed, please write to me at the address below
or call

(519)

- 742-6745.

Betsy Spaulding,
c/o Psych. Dept.,
University'of Guelph,

Guelph
Ont.

Jan. 29,.1976.

CP

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�.

.

and just when

think

I

my energy has run out- -

that they've at last succeeded
in bringing me to my knees,

they've finally pushed their
MISDIRECTED

FRG

ever important male egos

I E

deep into me,

Right now
Right now,
I

am angry.

I

like some half-hearted rape attempt,

am.
I

run into beauty itself.

The insult came, coupled

oddly enough (or perhaps not odd at all)

with the injury- -

she comes to me in the shape of a friend

the knowledge that my energies
are being so misspent

a sister.

in anger

.

.

.

.

and

Misdirected energies.

I

We all fall victim
to this ploy,
to this, our REAL enemy.

I

regain my determination

realize once again that my

quest for freedom,

my woman's movement
will never

With all the love
our bodies house,

die.

our dreams will be realized.
and they can't grind me down again.
One day (alas).

Paulah Edwards
Of this,

I'm sure

.

.

Now
just wish
could do something
with all my anger!
I

I

To my first love

wish
could re-route it.
it out in clouds of love.
and hope, and confidence
I

Hey sister! look at me
know you.I know how you feel,
how you love

I

Send

.

.

I

.

me
know you so well
because you are me

Let it seep into you
and help you make it through all the fights
Aall the worries
all

I

the pain.

passed a tall stranger
On the ancient stone bridge
one night
No fear evoked my spirits
Though lacking secureness of much
I

But

can not.

I

Angry as
am,
realize how futile
how time-consuming this emotion is.
I

I

And

(perish the thought!)
wish
could retaliate against
all those people responsible!

light.

I

I

I

Dressed in black, his coat
The wind did not flutter
His features
saw not
And no sound did he utter.
I

But with that thought comes
a new consciousness
a new peace.

watched him closely, my
shadow and
But he gazed down-The turbulant water, smashing
against its banks
A forbidding sound.
I

I

The reality of my L 0 V E
for those who try so hard to destroy
that part of me,
that threatens them--

andyou'reexciting
and'beautiful
and strong.
Yet you choose not to be,
you choose to let your strength be drained,
you choose to let the man tell you not to b
what you want to be.
know he's good
and kind
and gentle,
but you look at me with sad eyes
and say ,I have to try
to work it out,
while you end the way of life you love
to live the way of life he lives
to become the kind of wife he loves
and try to give your space to him
and abandon all your dreams to him,
while you look so tired and worn and sad.
Hey Sister! look at me
love you,I love what you feel,
know your strengh,the woman you are,
know you so well and I'm waiting for you.
I

I

rhe knowing

I

that they see me through different eyes
and feel through different hearts,
and no one is
right
.and no one is wrong.
Vld right now I'm peaceful
end right now,
I

am.

-Paulah Edwards

journeyed on
But afterthoughts did return.
For what did that soul want?
What feeling in his heart did burn.
I

Mall ory

saw him not again
But remember well that night.
Something of him haunted me still
Which
had to put to right.
I

I

It was a night like the past
When
realized with a shudder
What troubled my sight and mind
Of thoughts it could not utter.
What
had, he had not
How his head, bowed as if
standing on a gallow
For he was indeed condemned
For only the dead have no shadow!
I

I

Doreen

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�where do we go ?
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
The Weekend of March 5th,
6th and 7th was reserved for
the "Where do we go from
Here" Seminar at Confederation
Friday night's guest
College.
speaker, Ruth Cunningham
assessed the previous year's
work (of Internation Women's
Year) and set the tone of
good hard thinking and commitment for the following two

Workshops:
1.

The morning session consisted of a panel discussion.
The panel members, Liz Jobbitt,
Marlene Pierre, Ruth Cunningham and Mary Gusella, were
willing to put aside their
differences and work together
to further the position of
ALL women today.
The afternoon session
From
consisted of workshops.
these workshops, the resolutions that follow, came out
and were brought forth on
the Sunday morning session.
The resolutions follow.
The body that met on
Sunday morning chaired by Joan
Pechota, decided that it
was necessary to maintain
a standing body of women to
act as a committee to carry
out any previous outstanding
work of the,-council as
well as to carry out the
resolutions brought out
during the weekend.
Entertainment was provided
on Friday night by the Oras
Choir and on Saturday evening
by the Kaiku Choir, Kate
Parkarri, Gert Beadle,
Marg Lanchok and The Mandolin
Orchestra of the Association
of United Ukrainians. Mary
Kardash of the Manitoba
Action Committee was the
guest speaker for Saturday
Craft
night's session.
displays and art displays
were set up by local women's
It was a very eventgroups.
ful and extremely profitable
weekend for all who attended.
After all that talk though
we need ten years of persistent action to follow-up on
all that was discussed.

WE RECOMMEND THAT A BODY OF
WOMEN BE FORMED TO CARRY OUT
THE WORK OF INTERNATIONAL
WOMEN'S YEAR COUNCIL, AND
THAT THIS BODY BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR CAMPAIGNING AROUND THE
ISSUE OF EQUAL PAY AS OUTLINED IN THIS RESOLUTION.
2.

a task force, possibly
a sub-committee of a body
elected today, to undertake an intensive study
of the present economic
situation (A.I.B., and
Henderson Report), and
how it affects women in
Northwestern Ontario,
with particular emphasis
being given to key areas
where women can be
organized.

Native Women
WHEREAS, in light of social,
economic and political
climate of Canadian society,
the issues facing native
women have not been given
the recognition and
discussion so desired,
and,

WHEREAS, there has evolved
a number of crucial issues
identified and voiced by
native women, especially
in Northwestern Ontario
region, i.e., - the
access of Indian women
to the work force and
training programs, etc.
THEREFORE, Be It Resolved
that this assembly support and ratify that native

women be appointed to the
Ontario Status of Women
Council to ensure the
participation of native
women in all aspects of
Canadian society.

Canada.
2)

3)

THIS BRIEF REVIEW OF ACTION both
in Canada and on a world scale,
shows a notable advance in the
struggle for women's equality.
1975 laid a solid foundation as
the opening year for a Decade
for Women - 1975-85 - proclaimed
by the United Nations. This will
form an integral part of the
forces fighting against imperialism, for national liberation
struggles, and the advance of
the forces for world peace
and socialism.

Equal Pay for Substantially
the same Work
WHEREAS, the present economic crisis is having a
brutal effect on the living
standards of Canadian
women; those who are the
hardest hit by unemployment and low paying
jobs and,
WHEREAS, the possibility
for equal pay has been
set back by the economic
control program, thus
freezing women in their
inequality, be it resolved
that if women's rights
and equality are to be
guaranteed -the fight for equal pay
and the fight to organize
the unorganized in those
areas where women are concentrated must be stepped
up through such means as:
an education program
1)
to raise the awareness
of organized and unorganized labour about the
importance of the fight
for equal pay and the
role organized labour has
Furtherin the fight.
more, that a suggested
list of references be
compiled for use in the
school system by teachers
to make students more
aware of the history of
the Labour Movement in

days.

continuing to pressure
the government to put
into force the U.N.
declaration on the
elimination of discrimination against women.
Be it further resolved that
this resolution be sent to
all the trade unions in Northwestern Ontario.
4)

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
MARCH 5,6,g 7
CONFERENCE

a concerted effort
to contact all unions
in Northwestern Ontario,
and to make them aware
of the Working Woman's
Conference and strongly
encourage them to send
Following
delegates.
this conference, massive programs should
be launched (preferably by union organizations and councils)
to provide leadership training for women,
especially in the area
of organizing and
collective bargaining.

4c

*

3.

Family Property Law
It Resolved that through
the educational process,
all the women of this
province become aware of
the present property laws,
and how these laws can
be applied to their
individual situations.
That through this awareness, women can strengthen
their economic position
and then establish their
own identity.
BE It Resolved also that
with this knowledge and
identity, women can
then contemplate and fight
for legal reforms that
will further their position and goals towards
equal rights and greater
security for the family
and home.
Be

4.

Government Cutbacks in
Social Services
WHEREAS the financial restraints imposed by the
Provincial Government on
social services are unacceptable and will create
intolerable hardship

Continued on page 9

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�and misery for the disadvantaged and powerless
members of our society, and
WHEREAS, the short term
financial savings will
result in long-term and
accumulative human suffer-'
ing, and

WHEREAS we, the women of
the Northwestern Ontario
Women's Conference, are
incensed at the meagre
amount of monies set
aside in the provincial
budget for social services, we strongly object
to the 5.5% ceiling on
increases in this already
appallingly small allocatThe disadion of funds.
vantaged and powerless
members of our society,
the great majority of whom
are women and children,
are being asked to lie
down in a province where
they have been guaranteed
"a place to stand".
Therefore, Be It Resolved
that we urge the Government of the Province of
Ontario to re-examine
its priorities in relation
We
to social services.
strongly urge that the
allotment for social services, at the very least,
cover the increased cost
of existing services.
These measures are necessary-to provide the
continuance of progressive
and humane human services
in the wealthiest province
of Canada.
WHEREAS, we are concerned
that provincial restraints
may restrict the continued
development of progressive
social services in this
community, we wish to advise the City of Thunder
Bay that we have protested
the provincial decision to
place a 5.5% ceiling on
increases in the social
We encourservice budget.
age the City to ensure
that its existing social
service programs are
continued and we urge the
City to make strong representation for adequate
provincial funding support.
WHEREAS, it is the right
of all Canadians to have
sufficient income to live
in dignity, and,
WHEREAS, the present social
assistance system is fragmented, inefficient and
discriminatory, and perpetuates the stigma of
welfare, THEREFORE Be It
Resolved that we urge the
Ontario Government to
vigorously pursue negotiations with the Government
of Canada to ensure the
early implementation of a
universal, guaranteed,
annual, adequate income
security system.
5.

Women in Distress

A - Rape:
WHEREAS, rape and assault
is a concern of everyone, and,
WHEREAS, all women of all
ages are vulnerable, and,

WHEREAS, the public holds
many misconceptions about

ing, as vehicles for reaching women working in the

rape, and,

home.

WHEREAS, women who have
been assaulted need legal
and emotional help,
Be It Resolved that,
An adequately-funded public
awareness program be instituted which would

WHEREAS, we feel women
working in the home have
been an untapped human
resource, and,
WHEREAS, women working
in their own homes can
be an influence on legislative bodies, and,
WHEREAS, we are concerned
that this untapped human
resource be informed and
activiated, we THEREFORE
Resolve that a resource
body be formed to provide
information and direction
to women who are concerned
about women's issues and
who want to participate
in positive action.

include:

1)

a public seminar to be
held on the topic of
rape at Confederation

2)

an ongoing education
program, beginning at
an early age, which
would include the
de-mythizing of rape
and the elimination
of stereotypes which
portray women as passive and dependent ob-

College.

More

jects.
3)

programs which examine
the concept that power
is acquired through
conquest and humilia-

4)

an awareness of the
role of the media violence (both overt and
subtle) with women as

tion.

victims.

an emphasis on selfdefence courses for
women which should
be available both for
school children and
adults, and
Be It Further Resolved:
that this conference and
its individual delegates
support in all ways possible the necessity to reactivate the rape crisis
organization, on a permanently funded and staffed
basis in order to provide immediate help to
assaulted women, and
legal and emotional
counselling, not only to
help the individual, but
to aid women to prosecute.
Be It Resolved that we
seek to enlarge the body
of the present Citizen's
Committee on Crisis Hous5)

ing.
Be It Further Resolved

that we continue to
lobby in a public way
for the City to implement
the original concept of
a haven for beaten women
and; if failing in our
efforts, that we seek
public support, to
establish a true,
independent Crisis House.
6.

What Can We Do From
Within Our Own Homes?
WHEREAS, we are concerned
with raising the consciousness of women working in
their own homes concerning
women's issues, we resolve
that we support the existing women's groups, such
as Y Neighbours, Confederation College Women's
Programs and Women's Centre,
to ensure that these groups
continue to expand and
provide leadership train-

Dear Lesbian Sister.
Poem to my first love-somehow
the person seemed very familiar.
In fact so familiar that she
feels,must/needs and wants to
respond to it.Why does she struggle
daily to find a man who is both
deserving and open to receive the
incredible amount of love that she
has stored up inside?Why does she
continue to settle for less?.Maybe
she doesn't believe there is any
more.She convinces herself dailybe your
find your own life
own person.... trying to fake a
calmness when there is turmoil
inside.Maybe she is asking too much
from men,maybe her love needs are
neurotic and maybe...just maybe.,.
she needs to see a shrink..help
me doctor! Why do men run from
too intense to be
my love? am
normal?Why so afraid of their
silences.. What's he thinking when
leave? Does he want me to stay?
Why can't she be honest with them,
God knows she often tries to
convince herself that she is--but
she knows her lies--she lives with
them daily.But she is still trying-giving and receiving love in
small hand-outs..be patient- dont
hurry so,it will happen. So she
continues to wait....God she hates
waiting.Maybe this time-go slowly,hc
by hour- day by day,try to trust
him..he's a friend,he's different
from other men--she tries so hard
to believe it....so damn hard.
She's a good woman,not bad to
look at,a growing person,intellig
ent,sensitive and loving,strong in
so many ways.
She will try one more time,slowly
hour by hour,day by day and when it
ends,when he tells her"maybe we shot
cool it for a while" you'll be there
just like always,to listen and suppc
and tell her what a damn fool she
think
isYou'reprobably right but
I'll try it onemore time.
I

I

I

ESTELLE FREIDLANDER.

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�Berlin
(

Vaired are the possibilities
In
which we women command.
women's and youth organizations,
in trades unions, in parliamentary bodies and local government, in religious, social and

.,

11:1411 11411

(111 till C111.11411 (111° Ell %Ilc=lesiltdOlfqicicne::

4mmemommmmammor

Ammmadb

Disarmament, not
We state:
armament--more money for the
legitimate rights of women.
We condemn the arms monopolies
who seek higher profits.
APPEAL TO THE WOMEN OF THE WORLD
We denounce the forces of
militarism who oppose peace in
order to profit from war.
We have come from all continDEVELOPMENT--this word embraces
ents to Berlin, the capital of
for us women's contribution
the German Democratic Republic,
to social life, to the political
to attend the World Congress for
and economic independence of their
International Women's Year.
country, to democratic transformEquality - development-peace;
ation and to social progress.
this theme has brought us together.
Every second woman lives in
In this spirit, we direct this
a country which has only recently
appeal to the women of the world.
broken free from the grim
Humanity is how entering the
shackles of colonial exploitlast quarter of the 20th century.
ation and oppression.
It is a time of unparalleled
Development means
We state:
changes in all spheres of life.
doing everything necessary to
We are witnessing the fact that
overcome the harmful legacy of
more and more nations are embarkEconomic indepencolonialism.
ing on the road to shaping a
dence must complement and follow
system of peace and social justice. on from national liberation.
We perceive the historic oppor- Women should be given definite
tunity, and the responsibility
rights and opportunities to
that our generation has, to decide
Only
decide their own future.
with its life and its struggle
a free people can guarantee
what the world should be like in
women's legitimate rights.
the next century--a flowering
We demand that no nation
garden--or an atomic waste-land;
anywhere in the world should
--a place where peoples and states
We demand
suffer from hunger.
strive together in peace and in
that the whole of humanity be
mutual respect--or a hotbed of
allowed to take part in social
conflict, fulLcof confrontations
EQUALITY in society,
progress.
We shall provide
and injustices.
in legislation and in reality,
the answers ourselves. We shall
none of that just falls into
shape the path into the next
women's laps.
millennium.
We demand that women everywhere
We, the women of the world,
in recognition of their dignity
who give life to new generations,
and their achievements, be allowed
have an especial right and duty
fully to develop their talent
to make it a secure path for us,
and capacity. We oppose out-offor our children, and for our
date relations of ownership
This is
children's children.
and power which perpetuate
what we aim to do as long as there
discrimination against women in
is life in our body.
education, remuneration and social
We are making ourselves, before
position.
the eyes of the world, the advocate
We state:
Equality means
for all those who want to live
equal
rights
in
the family and
in a world where the great proban
equal
right to
in
society
,
To
lems of humanity are solved.
work,
equal
pay
for
work
of
achieve this aim we call for
equal
value,
and
all-round
international solidarity.
promotion of women in all
PEACE--for centuries it was no
Equality canspheres of life.
more than a longing of the
not
be
achieved
without
the
Today there are grounds
people.
active
participation
of
women
for hoping to establish lasting
This is what we
themselves.
What prompts such optimism
peace.

more than anything else is the
transition that has taken place
from cold war to detente, the
growth of the forces committed
to peace and national liberation,.
And yet, the danger of war
has not been removed. The
material preparations for war
300,000 million
continue.
dollars a year are put to use
If the money for
for armaments.
these weapons, which are so dangerous to peace, were spent on
social purposes, then many more
women and girls could be guaranteed job security, all could
benefit,from education, state
welfare schemes for mother and
child, schooling could be provided free of charge, and funds
could be set aside for art and
culture.

10

call for.
Liberation of women from

worry and need can only be the
fruit of national and social
liberation, as the destiny of
women is inextricably bound up
with the destiny of their
Peace, democracy,
nations.
national independence and
social progress must triumph
throughout the world.
These are AIMS which impose
obligations on all of us and
call for our full commitment.
And we have the MEANS to achieve
them.

Women, be aware of the power
Your voice is a
you wield.
mighty weapon, speak out loud
and clear!
The future of this Earth depends on the actions of each
individual, of all of us.
Unite for common action!

inntional

and world -wide organizations,
wherever you are at work:
Move into action to make
Strengthen
women's influence felt!
the unity of the peace-loving
forces!

Women on all continents, respond to this call!
Take the cause of peace, democracy, national independence,
social progress and equality
Fight for it
into your own hands.

Reflections on I.W.Y.
I.W.Y. is over --- you remember,
that was "International Women's
Year", brought to you by the same
folks that brought you "The Hippies"
and "The Civil Rights Movement",
in living colour with lots of
But what
human interest angles.
was really accomplished by the
United Nations' declaration of
an International Women's Year?
Certainly, there were no far-reaching
political repercussions or legisHenry Morgentaler
lative changes.
is still on trial and property
and marriage laws are as oppressive
as always.
There was a subtle difference
in the atmosphere surrounding
women's issues, though, in areas
like the use of neutral rather
The
than masculine pronouns.
word "chairperson" no longer evokes
laughter, and a society's attitudes are reflected in its langThe increased media coveruage.
age of women's groups resulted
in our increased awareness of
each other, and a greater feeling
of solidarity within the Movement
itself.
I.W.Y. also promoted
increased government funding
for women's programs in 1975,
although many such projects were
forced to fold, leaving large
gaps in the community services,
when the end of I.W.Y. resulted
in the simultaneous cutback on
We must also be prespending.
pared for a negative backlash,
in which these offices that refuse
to acknowledge women's issues
will justify their negativity
"You've had
by comments like:
your Year -- what is it that you
women WANT, anyway?" On the positive side, we have achieved
So,

recognition, if not acceptance,
and controversy will always spread.
As for the rest of us, the women
who have struggled for and achieved
some type of liberation in
various areas of our personal
lives or our social, economic
and political situation:
we
were here a long time before
I.W.Y., and we'll be here a long
time after.
Sisterhood is
POWERFUL!
Sally Cozens
Credit Woman's Centre review
London Ont,.

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�HERE SHE IStMISS CANADA
The following is a press release from the women who
disrupted the Miss Canada Pageant, November 3, 1975
"This statement is an explanation of the action
that took place at the Miss Canada Pageant on
Monday night, November 3, 1975 The disruption of
the Pageant was carried out by 10 women (and supported by many others across the country) to protest
the degrading and sexist nature of the Miss Canada
Pageant. We were not attacking the contestants
but the big business practice of making economic
The wingains through the exploitation of women.
ning women in the Pageant are given prizes or
These gifts
rewards for satisfying their judges.
are then written off on the income taxes of the
donors and Canadian taxpayers end up footing the
Miss Canada is the product, the image of
bill.
womanhood which is peddled to the women of Canada
by big business according to its needs and interIn IWY, especially, big business and the
ests.
Government of Canada have worked hard to co-opt the
women's movement and to confuse women in Canada
about the real issues. We protest not only the
sexism of the Miss Canada Pageant but the manner in
which it, too, is being used to co--opt the women's
Liberation itself has become a product,
movement.
a fashion, yet another thing for women to live up
To quote Miss Canada
to, to buy, to compete for.
"For the benefit of our newly-arrived guests
1975:
have in the past year had an opportunity, as a
woman, to express my views to thousands of people,
have been able to convey to
hope that
and
these people that the Canadian woman is intelligent,
motivated, aware and very much on the move." This
year's product is woman on the move--the liberated
This product has been
We will not buy.
woman.
especially d9signed to confuse and pacify us in
No
We protest.
IWY and we will not swallow it.
woman today is liberated. Working women, housewives, women on welfare, sole-support mothers,
native women, black and third world women are not
Intelligent, motivated, creative,
liberated'.
The power
strong women remain oppressed today.
We will not be silstructure has not changed.
enced."
I

I

I

FRA M ED

The following is a statement made by the editors
of THE OTHER WOMAN on Beauty Contests.
We are in no way, however, putting down the
We are against Miss Canadas,
women who participate in
Miss Worlds, Miss Universes,
beauty pageants.
Beauty
Miss Teenage Canadas, Miss
queens win scholarships,
Grey Cups...All these beauty
prizes and an opportunity
contests are a constant reto get an entry into someminder that we have a role
thing that they do want.
to fulfill, that we have to
Feminism means all women
all the time set ourselves
have the right to choose.
The great
up to be judged.
We recognize many choices
majority of us do not fit
women make are for survival.
the physical requirements- However, under capitalism,
yet delude ourselves that
we are given the illusion
if we only buy (and use)
of choice so long as it
enough of the right prodfits into the fra-mework
ucts, we can look beautialready chosen for us.
ful.
The function of the
Miss Canada Pageant is to
use the
her "ideal"
as an example
of
pick
woman to
the ultimate good consumer--our role as houseworkers
under capitalism.

[
NORTHERN WOMAN CENTRE
WOMEN IN NEIGHBOURHOODS
THE NORTHERN WOMAN
COMMUNITY ACTION CENTRE
MOTHERS ON BUDGETS

Ant; ?of/e1-4-

GOOD NUMBERS TO

622-3989
622-8187
345-5841
345-0921

622-2863
2...Z

I

I 3-3

We agree with the disruption of the Miss
Canada Pageant by the 10
But we
women involved.
question their tactics.
Militancy definitely has its
place within feminist
struggles, but we must carefully examine its context
and resort to it only under
sympathetic conditions.
Inevitably, splashy one-shot
actions only result in
press distortion which confuse and mislead the mass of
women as to the real intent.
Although alternatives may be
a lot slower and require more
work, they are a lot more
effective on a long-term
basis.

CALL.

.SOCIAL SERVICES.. .623-2711

CRISIS 1NTERVENTION...344-3571
623-9596
FAMILY COUNCILLING
345-1972
LEGAL AID
344-1192
TELECARE
6,23 .2757

cvyk\

nue. -

Sm31481,Bai-

344-2431
.SMITH CLINIC
623-2711
CRISIS HOUSING
HUMAN RTS COMMISSION...475-1693
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS....475-1691
344-3922
MUNICIPAL DAY CARE
622-2450

11

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�N.W.O. INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DECADE
CO-ORDINATING COUNCIL.
It is the wish of this council,
which was formed out of the IWY
Conference, to publish the
minutes of our monthly meetings
in tne Northern Woman. This will
be the council's means of informing womens' groups throughout N.W
Ontario of the work we are doing.

MEETING OF APRIL 4, 1976
PRESENT:
Lynn Thornburg
Eleanor Eryou
Gert Beadle
June Cryderman
Marg Lanchok
Grace Cryderman
Mary Holbik
Paulah Edwards
Mickey Murray
Thyra Digby
Lisa Bengtsson Joan Farrow
Leona Lang
Diane Roulston
Joan Packota
Bernice Cain

CORRECTION &amp; ADOPTION OF MINUTES.
Lynn moved minutes be adopted.
Seconded by Mickey. All in favour
TREASURER'S REPORT. Tabled till
the meeting of May 15, because
all bills due from conference
were still not all received.
WRAP UP OF OLD BUSINESS:
I.W.DAY PROCLAMATION: Mickey
confirmed the proclamation of IWD
did appear in the Chronical Journal on Mar. 5.
SOCIAL SERVICE CUTBACKS: Paula
reported that no new PC2 meetings
had been scheduled in the last
two weeks.
IWY CONFERENCE EVALUATION: The
report on IWY Conference and

evaluation of conference fund
grant was not yet completed,because Lynn had not yet received
all bills coming out-of
the
conference.

N.W.O.I.W.D.C.C. REPORT

1. Name of new council will be
N.W.O. INTERNATIONAL WOMENS
DECADE CO-ORDINATING COUNCIL.
-all in favour- carried.
2.Notification of intended
abscence from meeting to be sent
to: Leona Lang,37 Carrie St.
Thunder Bay, Ph. 344-1044. or
Paulah Edwards, 53 Crown St.
Ph. 345-0850. Moved by Joan
-seconded by Paulah-all in favour
3.Application to Secretary of
State for transportation fund.
A motion was put forth for the
N.W.O.I.W.D.C.C. to apply for a
grant to cover transportation
and mailing costs.Thyra moved
that Marg send a brief to Secretary of State-seconded by Eleanor

NEW BUSINESS:
REPORT OF AVAILABLE GRANTS: Presented by Lisa;
1. Health&amp; Welfare; a $25,000.00
grant is available to cover costs
of publishing studies or activities in the field of womens'
health and social welfare,
carried out during I.W. Year.
2. Secretary of State; a $10,000
grant is available for N.W. Ont.
Womens' Programs This is a
substantial increase over the
previous years' grants. All
womens groups in N.W. Ont. are
eligible to apply.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION CONSULTANT
FOR WOMENS PROGRAMS: Colleen
Hughes of Thunder Bay has been
hired to fill this position. The
N.W.O. I.W.D.C.C. is pleased to
hear of this appointment,and look
looks forward to meeting her, and
forming an active liason with her

-all

WANTED: LIASON REPS:

in Favour.

IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY FELT THAT THE
CONTRIBUTION OF NATIVE WOMEN TO
THE N.W.O.I.W.D.C.C. WOULD BE
MOST VALUABLE.

The N.W.O.I.W.D.C.C. would like
to establish liason with every
community in Northwestern Ont.
This duty involves attending
one meeting ,a month 41,ThunderBa'
for which there will be a subsidy
Anyone interested in being liason
representative between their
community and the N.W.O.I.W.D.C.0
please contact:
Leona Lang,
37 Carrie St., Thunder Bay, Ont.,
Phone; 344-1044.

,

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
FOR NEW COUNCIL.
Mickey felt someone from the
surrounding district should be
on council executive to emphasize the fact this council is
regional. It was decided to have
an alternating chairperson, one
from Thunder Bay, and one from
the district. Mickey moved to
nominate Bernice Cain(Atikokan)
for chairperson &amp; Paulah Edwards
(Thunder Bay) as Vice-Chairperson
Nominees voted in by acclamation!
SECRETARY: Lynn moved nominations
for secretary be closed and
retain Leona as secretary. Second
ed by Mickey-all in favour.
TREASURER: Lynn moved to nominate
Marg Lanchok. Seconded by Gert.
Voted in by acclamation!
REPORTS:

RAPE CRISIS: Paula reported a
core group had been established
consisting of nine valuable
resource persons. This new body
was formed out of the resolution
of the Rape Crisis Workshop at the
conference. Weekly meetings are
held every Wed evening at 8:30
P.M. at the Northern Womens'
Centre. Paulah will be the liason
between the NWO I.W.D.C.C. &amp; the
Rape crisis Committee. Anyone
wishing to join contact Paulah at
53 Crown St., Thunder Bay.Phone
345-0f150.

CRISIS HOUSING:Gert confirmed tha
that Dorothy Akram has replaced
Mr. Zapier, in charge of crisis
housing in Thunder Bay. Gert's
group will present a proposal at
the next meeting of crisis housing in Thunder Bay.

12

in favour.

4. Resignation of Council Members
Lynn moved that the resigning per
person should help through the
transitionary period. Seconded by
Mickey-All in favour.
5. Publicity;Marg moved we
appoint a publicity committee.
Lynn and Leona volunteered. Paula
will arrange for a photograph of
the new council to be taken at
the next meeting. This along with
a new release containing or aims
and objectives will be sent to
all district new media in the
near future. Discussion folowed
re; future publicity ventures and
public relations.

NATIVE WOMEN: Bernice reported
she sent a letter to Marlene
Pierre of The Indian Friendship
Centre, inviting her to join our
council. It was moved by Lynn,we
send a letter to Edith McLeod of
the Ont. Native Womens' Assoc. &amp;
moved by Mickey we send a letter
to Nancy Morrisson of the Kenora
Native Womens' Assoc. inviting
them both to also join our
council. Seconded by Joan Farrow
All

ADOPTION OF PROPOSALS FROM
MEETING OF MAR. 20th.

''FAMICt PROPERTY LAW: Joan Packota
reported that family property law

work was a project of the University Womens Club, of which she is
a member. Joan has submitted a
series on family property law
to the "Northern Woman".

111.0

N.W.O.I.W.D.C.C.
MEETING: SATURDAY MAY 15th;
TIME
10.15-2.15
PLACE
:Confederation Conference
Dining Room.
Please bring a lunch. Send notification of intended abscence.
:

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE
N.W.O.I.W.D.C.C.
As ammended from the meeting of
March 20th.

AGENDA.

LONG TERM:
1. Act as a resource centre fo
womens issues.
2. Liason for womens groups in
Northwestern Ontario.
3. Help improve co-operation an
communication with womens

1.Adoption of minutes of previous
meeting.
2.Treasurer's report.
3. Correspondence

4. Publicity report: Lynn &amp; Leona
5.Rape Crisis Report: Paula
6.Crisis Housing Report from
Kenora:Joan Farrow
7. Crisis Housing Report; Thunder
Bay: Gert

groups and the work they are
doing in North Western Ontario.

8.
9.
NI&amp;

Marg moved the council use
the
Northern Woman regularly as a
vehicle for communication. Leona
and Gert will be council reps to
the Northern Woman.
Lynn moved to prepare an information package concerning the
N.W.O.I.W.D.C.C. to be sent to
every womens orgaization listed
in the directory. The publicity
committee will prepare this
package. Seconded by Jaon Farrowall in favour- carried.

SHORT TERM:
1.Follow up the conference
resolutions.
2.Continue previous council
business.
3. Campaign around womens issue!
4. Educate the public to ou tru(
purpose.

Next meeting; Sat. May 15th
10;15-2;15
Confederatin College Conference
Dining Room.
Marg moved the meeting be ad journed - seconded by Lynn-all
favour.

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�THE 13LUE COLLAR
company employ people or machines??(slaves??)

YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY'.
OR HAVE WE? (I)?

My bladder definitely does not
agree with the cold weather, and
had been standing there for
five hours already. Because the
superintendent had intimidated
me to such a point
asked my
partner if he had any suggestions as to where
could go. I'm

Wanting to work construction
was always a secret fantasy

I

of mine.
Someday,
thought,
could work alongside workiI

I

ng class men, understand them
and perhaps develop a feeling
of comradeship and equality.
My chance came one windy, winter day when
was sent by the
union to the construction site
of a water and sewer project.

I

I

sure he had an answer to
that one,but was too much of
a gentleman. He didn't know
where
should go. Frustrated
to the point of tears,cramped
by the cold, and physically
uncomfortable,
urinated
standing there.
have never
felt so humiliated, degraded
and embarrassed. Being totally
alienated by the men
had
no one to confide in,or just
even laugh about it. Finally
talked to the shop steward who
guarded the merqs change room
while
utilized it. He informed
me
would have to find somewhere else to go and stressed how
had put the superintendent in
a bind. (I WOULD HAVE TO FIND
SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GO- WAS THAT
MY JOB 7?)

I

I

Although being nervous an &amp;frightened, as everyone is beginning a new job,
was somewhat
excited.
It became much easier
however, when
thought
would
finally be able to pay my bills
on time and even be able to save
money as the pay was approximately $150.00 more a week than
had ever made.
arrived half
an hour early and the morning
started out as it would for anyone.
was directed to the superintendent's trailer whereupon
gave him my work papers and
informed him the union had sent
me.
was quite impressed by
his composure although my presence obviously irritated him.

I,

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

felt that the secretary was not
too pleased when
arrived in
her privately carpeted trailer
and tracked mud in to use the
facilities.

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

was still not given definite
approval of a position on the
site. Each time
questioned the
superintendent about this,and
washroom facilities, he procrastinated by saying the union
still had not called..
knew
was definitely not wanted, which
unfortunately somewhat discourI

I

I

He expressed how dangerous the
job was and how much heavy labour was involved.
The tactics
he was using had no effect on

I

He tried to,-discourage me
further but
was quite persistant, so he told me to come
back at ten after he contacted
the union on this matter.
He
stressed the lack of facilities
for women so
suggested that
could use the secretary's washroom.
Nothing was said
so
considered that problem solved.
informed him
had no transportation and would remain on
the site until ten, at which
point he muttered something
about having no car would create another problem.
He directed me to the site to watch
a man who
presumed would eventuatually become my partner.
Although ever Yother worker was
provided with equipment (hard
hat, oilers, gloves, etc.)
was given nothing.
me.

The old saying, "Things get
worse before they get better,"
certainly was true in my case. A
man came out of the tunnel and
stood there staring at me. He
then gave me a margarine tin
which
was to fill with wet
mud.
was about tofijl it when
he grabbed the tin from my hand
jumped on a truck, scooped up
some mud and said sarcastically
"Thanks very much" He then gruffly asked my name and ordered me
to help a man piling lumber. A
few men around began snickering. Someone informed me he was

I

aged me.

I

I

I

As

stood watching my partner,

I

a man came over to me and ordered me to do a certain job. Upon
receiving a blank look, because
of his use of construction work
jargon, he reacted by ranting
and raving about,"what the hell
was the world coming to" He proc
eeded
to tell me in a dictatorial fashion on what to do and
left me there, not even consider
ing if
understood him. This
did not bother me; it was the
fact that
still didn't
was hired. Amidst
know whether
all the confusion,
managed to
do the job under the stares and
snickers of fellow workers??

I

I

I

I

I

the foreman.

My eyes were filling with tears
the urine was turning to ice,
and
certainly did not need
this obnoxious foreman (maybe
they're all like that) trying to
intimidate me. What angered me
even more, was he was succeeding
as the superintendent had.

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

At noon
asked the superintendent if he'd heard from the union
and about washroom facilities.
Again he avoided the situation
by saying the union hadn't called, adding that the secretary's
washroom was off limits to me as
it was private property.
felt
for some obscure reason she did
not want me using her washroom.
The superintendent generously ??
offered me his trailer to eat my
lunch because
was off limits
to the men's change(lunch) room.
His reason being the men may
come in and take their clothes
off (at lunch time ??,"d1PA for??)
It seemed
was off lirits' to
everything.
I

was greeted by two men who
introduced themselves and
seemed not in the least perturbed by my presence. Throughout
the whole day my partner was the
only man who was considerate to
me. He didn't waste any time
explaining the procedure and
respected him for that. The work
itself did not seem difficult,
but the weather certainly aggrav
ated the situation. The prospect
of lunch andcoffee breaks was
very appealing. At ten
went
back to the superintendent's
office to find that he had gone
somewhere. After standing in the
I

I

I

I

I

cold for about another hour,

felt defeated.
No one had informed me to start working, or
where the bathroom was, etc. How
was
to learn the ropes, or
meet the men or even talk to
someone?? Does this happen to
new men on the job? I'm sure it
does to some degree, but at
least they have something in common- they're all men.

I

I

When

could
went back to ask where
go to the washroom. The superintendent, with no news from the
union, instructed a man to take
me to the secretary's office.
I

I

returned to the site,
was greeted by my partner who
was eating his lunch while working. He informed me that we were
not to take lunch or cofee
I

I

breaks. The rt.tri had decided to

work right through. Does this

PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy

I

I

At quitting time,
went to pick
up my lunch bucket in the superintendent's
trailer and inquired what would be done about facilities tomorrow. He said he was
calling the union in the morning
about that situation. How long
would this go on?? If he thought
that these problems were discouraging me, and
would not
come back, he succeeded Perhaps
this situation may seem petty to
some,but
certainly didn't feelthat way by the end of the day.
I

I

I

041% et

13

Feeling
defeated,discouraged
and
of CVISION
PDFCompressor

�exhausted,
walked four blocks
to the bus among cars of fellow
workers (HA) No one offered
me a ride even though some were
going in the same direction.
don't know why, after being
alienated by them all day,
expected an offer for a ride
home. Arriving home in tears,
had to make a decision
whether to return for another
day of humiliation.
decided
not to.
I

I

I

I

I

Perhaps some people feel
didn't give the job a
fair chance.
wonder if the
situation would have been
better or worse if
had gone
back.
really think it would
not have changed, Putting in a
washroom might cost a billion
dollar company a few dollars,
a week and that would definately not be appreciated.

had given the job a
felt
damn good try and had done the
could. It was under these
best
have just excircumstances
couldn't return.
pressed that
Any woman interested in working
on construction should try,and
hope they do not become as dishave. Perhaps
illusioned as
will be willing to.try again;
knowing now what to expect,I
hope to succeed.
I

I

I

I

I

PEOPLE WHO DIU THIS ISSUE:
GERT, DOREEN, EVE, WENDY,PAULAH,
NOREEN,LESTER, LEONA, MARG.

I

I

I

*V*##V-V-V*V-VV4-VVVV-44-T4P-4-V

I

A WOMAN THINKS

I

I

I

began questioning my strength
as a woman. Why had
let these
men intimidate me to the point
of quitting a job
knew
could
have done, if it had not been
for them?? Although
knew it
would be difficult,
really did
not expect
it to be like that.
I

I

I

I

I

I

Because of the pressures put on
me by other people,
experienced feelings of guilt when
had
made my decision not to return.
Being one of the first women in
the union, had .I spoiled it for
other women??1he position
had
taken with this company was
not one of representing all women who.plan to make a career of
conslructia6 work.
nyself a very aggressive woman,
and not easily intimidated by
I

I

I

men,

realized I'm not as
aggressive as
thought. With
other women on the job, we would
have had the strength to
combat the blatant chauvanism
that prevailed. Unfortunately,
was sent alone, and
couldn't
fight them myself.
I

I

I

I

Losing my feelings of guilt and
frustratration,
was asked by
the union if
cared to return
to the job. Maybe the company
was feeling a bit guilty, because even though it sounds
incredible, they wanted to give
me another chance. Me, a woman.
Would they have done the same
for a man?? Did they not
consider my pride(or what was
left of it after the ordeal
lad been put through??) Would
the men not resent me even more
because
got this second
I

I

I

I

:hance?

Mine is a northern mind,it knows about endurance
and survival and it knows about the gut strength that
can live in the laughter that sees the ridiculous even
in
itself,Whether it lays easy in the sun or rushes
about in some public cause,this mind of mine has done
it's own thinking.
One of the things it has thought a lot about is the
folly of fragmentation,that human dimension to wall ourselves off in specialized units and pin badges on ourselves.We are moose and elk and beaver.We are institute
and aide and auxilliary.We are catholic.methodist and
penticostal.We are native and ethnic and wasp and franco
phone.I could go on and on but when
separate the
wheat from the chaff
find it increasingly easy to see
us as we are,fueled by the same energies, driven by the
same desires,moved by the same instincts,reaching out
or turning in,hungry for love and approbation, victim
and prey and always vulnerable as the pawns and pets of

a.

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fortune.

rt

This mind of mine knows the snow that sifts through
ill-fitting windows in a primative setting,remembers
the cold holes in a rural outhouse,waited for the
hunter to return with the kill and cared for a sick
child in utter isolation.I am native to my bones,the
same desire to protect the forest,the stream and the
simple life,the same amusement at mans committment to
the ant.

This mind has memorized the face of poverty,the
dogged making do of the bare cupboard,the making over,
the cutting down the patching up,the pride that will
not ask or bend to receive.lf
have escaped the cage
have not removed myself from the family.
This mind has been present at both bii-th and
death and
knows that joy and despair attends them
both according to circumstance,in hospital or in
a home for the aged it has seen that priveledge
and power count for nothing,only the pain is relevant.Whether it is physical or mental or emotional
it is real and devastating,responding in every case
to the hand that cares,the heart that understands.
This northern climate calls for accentuated
thought,day breaks,night falls ,summers burst and winter
attacks,the early settlers clung to-gether for warmth
and support,they were not ashamed to say they needed
each other.We who are caught in an industrialized
society are as free wheeling as the exhaust it creates,
without personal committment we are without substance.
No-where is this lack of cohesion as critical as
between women,this failure to see themselves as part
of a whole,this great temptation to imagine we are
more or less than we are.
Does it need to be said that a rape charge
should send us to the court in droves to say by our
very presence that who degrades this victim offends
every one of us,does it need to be said that the wife
who is physically abused deserves the common defence
of us all,does it need to be said the battered child
is our business.Does it need terte said that part
of us went out on a picket line last year,their cause
was just,in failing them we were false to our selves.
yes sadly enough it needs to be Said till we realize
how intertwined our lives and our common goals are.
I

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MUST BE A MUSHROOM;
BECAUSE EVERYONE
KEEPS ME IN THE DARK AND FEEDS ME BULLSHIT

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�DON'T COMPROMISE
ORGA NI ZE
REPORT FROM JEAN HOLYK DELEGATE
TO THE SEMINAR OF WOMEN FROM
CANADIAN MINORITIES AND
CULTURAL GROUPS WHICH WAS
SPONSORED BY THE SECRETARY OF
STATE "WOMEN'S" PROGRAMS"
held on Sept. 8, 9, and 10th,
in Ottawa.

There were 24 participants
from different sectors of
Canada - Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Quebec, Sask., Man., Ont%,
B.C. and Alberta.
Unfortunately, we participants
did not receive a brochure of the
agenda before the seminar.
received mine on arrival back
It poses a question of just
home.
how sincere our Government has
been in helping Women achieve
their rights and aims in this
year of International Women.
The seminar had 5 workshops:
Visible minority Women.
1.
Women in fam)lies.
2.
The working Woman.
3.
Services to Immigrant Women.
4.
The women in black, dealing
5.
with stereotypes.
The study involved 5 stages:
assessment of present sitA.
I

uation.
B.

identification of changes

C.

needed.
Identification of barriers
to change.

Problem Solving (overcoming
barriers).
Formulating Strategies and
E.
proposals.
There were at least five women
in the working Woman's workshop
I'd like
took part.
in which
belong
to
to point out that
Service E. Union and also to the
Association of United Ukrainians,
Canada, but the other women
worked in positions of Social
Work and Government employees.
This posed a question at
Are working women
least to me.
having the opportunity to participate and voice their opinions
and to change their status in
This was
the working force.
one problem presented in the
working women's workshop.
A Montreal delegate working
with immigrants spoke on
immigrant women on temporary
visas who were brought to the
country to work in factories,
restaurants, agriculture, etc.
They are being incredibly ex-.
ploitedby the owners because
of language difficulties, therefore not knowing their rights.
They also work in jobs where
there are no unions. Some
average only 60 an hour at
Panels recommended
piece work.
that minimum wage per hour be
Note,
paid to piece workers.
these immigrant and minority work.

ers are threated with deportation!
Day Care was another important
need for immigrant and minority
and other working women. This
need of subsidized day care was
brought up in all workshops.
Questions are now around the
controls of government spending
introduced in December, cutting
back on monies for day care.
This again questions the sincerity of the government in helping
women enter the labour force.

We women in Thunder Bay must
continue the struggle with other
like minded people across this
country after the IWY has ended.
We must strive to educate and
organize men and women in our
respective clubs, organizations,
associations, and especially
unions, and we must strive
especially to help the unorganized
The domestic, restaurant,
worker.
hotel, motel, baby sitting services
which need better conditions and
a decent work wage. We must
pressure governments to change
their bureaucratic ways to move
us in the direction of Justice,
Peace, and Freedom recognizing
economic freedom as the basis
for all three. We must actively
work for a change in Government
if the present Government fails
to meet our expectations. The
solution is as above, - Organization, Education and Solidarity.

D.

I

I

Jean Holyk is a member of the
United UKR Canadians, A.U.U.C.,
a representative on the NorthWestern I.W.Y. council, a member
of the Service Employees Union 268,
a hospital worker with four childShe particpates in the
ren.
A.U.U.C. mandolin orchestra and
She is also
singing ensemble.
treasurer of the Thunder Bay
Peace Council.

"Lady Dentist"

In the past few years the number of
women practising dentistry in Manitoba
has more than doubled - from two to
Most of these women are graduate;
fivel
of the Faculty of Dentistry of the
University of Manitoba where the number
of female students has increased from
How has
five to twenty since 1970.
society and the profession reacted?
Female dental students encounter many
I can only relate
different attitudes.
Going
to univermy own experiences.
sity had always been an ambition for me
But I was a very serious teenager; I
couldn't afford a B.A. or B.Sc. with
no job afterwards. So I decided to be
This silenced the people
a dentist.
who always expected me to be a teacher
or home economist. My pre-dentistry
science year was a joy - lots of
freedom - new people to meet - new
Dentistry was a
things to learn.
shock - as late as 1970 the dental
student was a 23-year old male with
top-of-the-ear length hair, a tie, and
a sports jacket or white lab coat.
Many of my colleagues in first year
had at least one 'friend' who hadn't
been accepted into dentistry. They
felt that I had taken the place of this
After all, I was
serious student.
probably not going to 'stick it' for
four years of school. Even if I did,
it was unlikely that I would practise
It was
for more than a few years.
unfortunate that society should pay
for my four years in school when a man
could have had this. It took two years
of working along side these men to get
them to accept me - a serious student
who could really do the work. By third
year I had become 'one of the guys'
and was roundly praised as
like a man.

As a dentist I find that many of my
colleagues are jealous of me. They
feel that I have no responsibilities
for family (which is true) and, once
I find out how rough practise is,
Even if I do marry and
I'll quit.
continue to practise, I'll never have
If I ever do
to support a family.
support a family, I must have done
something wrong or stupid to get
myself into such a position.
As far as my patients are concerned,
there has been little or no problem.
Apparently to the general public
I'm sure
a dentist is a dentist.
there are exceptions to this but I
have not met them in two years of
Generally, people
private practise.
express surprise and friendly interest.

Undoubtedly the attitude of the dental
school is changing and will continue
to change as mcre and more girls study
The attitudes of the professior
there.
can only change as more and more of
us live and work within the community.
As with all the battles we wage for
sexual equality, patience and persistat
work.

Elizabeth Birks (D.M.I

rr

o.
our ccifo%

policy ladies
I

/

44ps/- *

The article entitled Lady Dentist
by Elizabeth Birks(D.M.D.) is
taken from,HER_SELF a news-letter
of the YWCA Womans Centre,Winnipeg

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�CRISIS HOUSING REPORT
February 24, 1976, the
Crisis Housing Committee
met with Ed Zappier, the coordinator of the three
Tarbutt Street residences.
The meeting was organized by
our committee amid rumour
and speculation that Crisis
Housing may be terminated
because of social services
cut backs.
As we sat around the
table informally with Mr.
Zappier we discussed our
concerns with policy as it
exists in comparison to
our original proposal.
Mr. Zappier, well meaning
but inexperienced, dealt with
our inquiries as best he
could considering he was
ill-at-ease and obviously
hesitant in answering terHe admitted
tian questions.
being unprepared but as far
as we could ascertain he
hesitated without the blessings of his supervisors.
At times he appeared
extremely uncomfortable
and unaware.
Mr. Zappier admitted that
because of the social services cut-backs Crisis
Housing's existence was
threatened to the extent
that it would have to be
utilized in a different way.
The city decided the Coach
House (a city operated
residence accomodating ten
to twelve single troubled
young women) which may close,
would be incorporated with
Negotiations
Crisis Housing.
to obtain a fourth house
beside the Tarbutt Street
This
homes is in progress.
house is owned by the city
but rented to a government
It was noted by
agency.
the committee that problems
may arise because of this
situation, i.e., overcrowding,
priorities given to the single
women and disharmony between
troubled single women and
women in crisis who have
children.

POLICY OF CRISIS HOUSING
In practice Crisis Housing
is a 24 hr. service (phone
number 623-2711 ext. 430) with
emphasis on local families.
Transient families are sent
to the Salvation Army or put
up in substandard hotels.
Single persons (without
children) are not allowed
the use of Crisis Housing
but they are given consideration by Mr. Zappier and his
supervisor, Betty Chalmers.
Mr. Zappier expressed
that the majority of women
who utilize CrisiHousing are
already separated or divorced and
the minority are beaten and
It was pointed
abused women.
out by one of our members
that this report of minimal
usage by abused women was
contrary to experiences of
Transition houses in other
cities. Why is Thunder Bay
so unique? According to

by
DOREEN WINKO AND EVE PYKERMAN

its

Vkowse-

AtoAse,

411,

documentation by the Northern
Women's Centre and Community
Action Centre (Human and
Welfare Rights) many calls
were received from beaten
Is it perhaps that
women.
Crisis Housing has not been
advertised sufficiently and
are dependent on agencies to
refer people to the homes.
What does a woman threatened
by a husband do in the middle
of the night when she is not
aware of an existing Crisis
Mr. Zappier emphasized
House?
that they do not encourage
women to leave their husbands
or discourage for that matter
but they stress the use of
Crisis Housing as the very

the lack of day-care facilities.
There is no childcare
provisions so that the mother
or father is free to seek
actomodations, employment
or attend appointments.
There
is no opportunity for parents
to escape from the responsibi
ity of children for even a
short while.
Even if an outle
was available, a 10:00 o'clock
weekdays and 11:00 p.m.
(Fridays) curfew is imposed.
Also transportation for
the children to attend their
school is not provided causing
a further disruption from the
prior pattern of their lives.
There is no follow-up of
women after leaving the homes
which according to Mr. Zappier
is often the next day. What
happens to these women after
they leave? Where do they
go?

There are no recreational
outlets; the basements
are too cold and damp to be
used for these purposes in
the winter months.

A ROOM OF ONE'S OWN???
We were taken on a tour
of the homes, aware that the
homes were occupied at that
moment andfelt that we had
intruded on the residents'

last resort.

privacy.

According to Mr. Zappier
28 families (80 people)
have used Crisis Housing
since its opening in October.
The fluctuation of families
was termed "feast or famine".
had
Most of these
been referred by other agenPeople are asked to
cies.
contribute to their stay
in Crisis Housing if they
are able to afford it.
Mr. Zappier is considered
director and counsellor but
it appears that his main task
is seeking alternative
accomodations for clients.
Because of the housing shortage in Thunder Bay, Mr. Zappier's
time is probably consumed by
Additionally
this problem.
Mr. Zappier's endeavours are
divided between the welfare
office and the Crisis homes.
Therefore we feel the priority of counselling might be
House mothers
neglected.
do not counsel according to
the director but are available
to talk to the residents.
Their exact duties were not
accounted for.

The rooms were spacious
but furnished sparsely, often
with only one or two single
Every room, including
beds.
kitchens in the two homes
used for residents, had beds.
There were no curtains,
the roll-down blinds were
often torn and there was no
other furniture, except for
The only decoration
beds.
on the wails were typewritten
sheets spelling out rules
that were placed next to
Pictures
light switches.
were non-existent.
One note, signed by Mr.
Zappier that caught our
attention was in the dining
This is not a meeting
area.
place, it is an eating place:!
Temphasis ours).
This generally established
the atmosphere of the homes.

PROBLEMS

Welfare assistance is not
given to persons until
they have acquired accomodations outside Crisis Housing.
This created financial
burdens whereby they must depend on other resources, i.e.,
Family Allowances, donations
from family members or Provincial Welfare (if they're
Those who have
lucky).
little or no savings have
nothing for extras (cigarettes,
toiletries, entertainment)
that should be available to
any person.
Another problem area is

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PDF

SUMMARY:

The general feeling shared
by committee members was one
of disillusionment and
We did not regard
depression.
the homes as a supportive
and congenial place and
definitely lacking a homelike
We found the home
atmosphere.
restricting and not conducive to emotional growth.
Following are some
comments made by Crisis
Committee members:
"Depressing..."
"I'm sure glad our money
was not invested..."
"Isolated and treated
like children..."
"Certainly does not
promote independence..."
"We didn't have anything
before but..."

Further follow-up and
action will be taken by the
Crisis Housing Committee
and shall be reported in
CVISION
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The Northern
Woman.

�THE NORTHERN WOMAN
316 Bay St.
Thunder Bay, "P" Ontario.
return postage guaranteed

RETURN TO:

Poet

Postes
Canada

P tape oa,

Pr, Dave

Bulk

En hombre

*Canada

third troisieme
class classe
220

TABLE OF CONTENTS
2

Rape

Family Property Law
Where Do We Go
Berlin Conference
N.W.O.I.W.D.C.0
Blue Collar Blues
Don't Compr6mise
Crisis Housing

4

10
12
14

Donna Shaw
627 S.High Street

15

Thunder Bay P,Ontario.

17
18

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(six ISSuS)
*3

93 2

YEAR

sIQ BUSINESS
OR TNST t TLITION

Cfr7
4;=7 NAME

GIFT

ADDRESS

001.1AT-101\J

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WANT 70 GET A/Vol_ VED

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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. &#13;
&#13;
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. &#13;
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                <text>Vol. 2, No. 5 (1976)&#13;
Title: Northern Woman: Women’s New Regional Journal&#13;
&#13;
Topics include:&#13;
Rape legislation&#13;
Editorial policy&#13;
Poetry&#13;
Family property law&#13;
Rape crisis centre&#13;
Letters to the editor&#13;
Lesbian experience&#13;
International Women’s Year news&#13;
Rape study (University of Guelph)&#13;
Art&#13;
Where do we go from here conference (Confederation College)&#13;
Equal pay for equal work&#13;
Native women&#13;
Government cutbacks to social services&#13;
Women in distress&#13;
Solidarity among women&#13;
Feminist work at home&#13;
World Conference for International Women’s Year Berlin&#13;
Miss Canada Pageant &#13;
Beauty contest critique&#13;
Northwestern Ontario Women’s Decade Co-ordinating Council update&#13;
Blue collar work&#13;
Seminar of women from Canadian minorities and cultural groups&#13;
Female dentist practices &amp; students&#13;
Crisis housing report&#13;
 &#13;
Authors/Contributors: &#13;
Gert Beadle&#13;
Noreen Lavoie&#13;
Barbara Coom&#13;
Joan Packota&#13;
Mallory Nueman&#13;
Betty Dondertman&#13;
Bonnie Hill&#13;
Leslie Silver&#13;
Estelle Freidlander&#13;
Sally Cozens&#13;
Eve Pykerman&#13;
Elizabeth Birks&#13;
Doreen Winko</text>
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                <text>1975</text>
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�EDITORIAL

4-

We are in this movement because we
ourselves that we begin the work of
are feminists, women who can no longer
destroying the patriarchy."
tolerate our oppression and who work to
(Karen Lindsey, Boston Phoenix).
We are
begin the creation of freedom.
We must remember this if sistercreating a revolution that will
We
hood is ever to mean anything.
transform ourselves and our world.
have insisted on an autonomous women's
However, we must avoid the attitude that movement because we believe that sexis
we in the women's movement are someis the most fundamental oppression.
how the vanguard, the However,
enlightened,
we have divisions because,
women
towomen experience sexism, it
who will lead Canadian
while
all
We struggle
out of different ways, according to
liberation.
in vastly
necessity, not becauseclass,
we arerace,
al- age, education, sexual
truistic missionaries.orientation...We cannot gloss over the
Moreover, if we struggle
around
divisions
by invoking the notion of
our true needs, then we
avoid
the trap
"sisterhood"
conquering all. Sisterof becoming martyrs for
some
abstract
hood is our ideal, politically and
"The but it means struggle
and ultimately futile spiritually,
idea.
woman who sacrifices her
needs
for
to reach it
and maintain it.
the sake of the movement It
is is
no imperative
threat
that we strengthen
to anyone, except to herself
and the
the communication
links and networks.
movement.
Men have always
repected
an other feedback on
We must
give each
Antigone, adored a Joan
Arc, and
an of
ongoing
basis, and make it easier
why not? Such heroines
fordeviate
new women to become involved
sacrifice
little from the norm: inthey
the movement.
themselves for a principle or a vision
The Other Woman
Credit
to
rather than a man, but as long
as they
are sacrificing themselves, mankind
The woman who endangers the
is safe.
partriarchy is the woman whose love
for others grows from her love for
herself--whose personal and political
alliances stem from identification,
not altruism.
It is only when we love

l-

:

,

s.

OUR READERS

f the collective, whose
assion is to send you
nal is dangerously close
g over, so good has been
The
nSe to our efforts.
takes and the time we
so easily translated into
of love when we begin to
eciated. There is little
nventional press that
rectly to the cause of
d, one must either do
of great import or someerly outrageous to be
the context of being newWe here at the journal
aded that all across this
th west, in public or
n, history is being written
our being here. When the
mes
s us to new dimensions
e encouraged to think of
we have played in the
the vista's that beckon us
ery
uture,
we get an entirely
lpt of the power and
that is ours simply by
tive".
being women. There are
edea
must know about each
there is no segment of
e,
that
is not made better
owledge of what goes on in
and minds of one another.
ood and strong and vital
one of us must be made
Knowledge
to all of us.
cedemic sense can be as
statistics but the heart,
mom
;
nds
calls
for more. And
ay thank you for your
1

OREEN, GERT, MARG,LYNNE
ITo Dr.Chacko who equates the undesirable
WENDY,qualities
SHARON, LESTER
of a social worker by the degrees

iti

1
IMINIII

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�ACTIVITIES
Indoor and outdoor play; art
work and crafts; circle time;
various trips, e.g., library,
pet store, fire station and
train and sleigh rides.

DAY
CARE

LOCATION
1000 Huron Avenue (Vance
Chapman School)

THUNDER BAY
CO-OPERATIVE NURSERY
SCHOOL

TELEPHONE
For more information, call
345-8651 (School) or
68306722 (Registrar)

PURPOSE
For children, 3 to 4 years old,

REGISTER- NOW FOR SEPTEMBER

an opportunity for creative play
and interaction with other

NEWS RELEASE

1:8.

SESSIONS

A.M., 9:30 to 11:30
Tuesday to Friday
P.M., 1:15 to 3:15,
Tuesday to Friday

DAY CARE IS "my first best friend"
DAY CARE IS "a rocking boat, dry pants,
and my thumb"
DAY CARE

IS "being captain of a ship for
a day"

DAY CARE IS "making pictures for our
kitchen at home"

DAY CARE IS "sand in my shoes"
DAY CARE

IS "helping make cookies"

April 21st, 1976.

children.

SUPERVISION
A qualified pre-school education
teacher; parent participation (although not obligatory); students
from Confederation College;
maximum adult/child ration of

WHAT IS DAY CARE?

The Thunder Bay Co-operative
Nursery School is now accepting
registrations for September.
Children, 3 to 4 years old, have
an opportunity for creative play
and interaction with other children
Morning and afternoon classes
are conducted at 1000 Hurone Ave.
(Vance Chapman School).
For more information call the
Registrar at 683-6722.
THUNDER BAY CO - OPERATIVE
Nursery School
1000 Huron Ave.
T. Bay, "P"

DAY CARE IS "child-rearing support for
the modern family"
DAY CARE

IS "a sub-community within
our community - it's
our kids' neighbourhood"

DAY CARE

IS "a service for the conscientious mother with
a career"

DAY CARE IS "a total growth environment
for happy, healthy, normal
kids".

EPILEPSY THUNDER BAY
EPILEPSY THUNDER BAY
During the year 1975
a special committee was
organized in Thunder Bay
under the direction of
Paulette Sitch whose goal
was to work towards the
establishment of an
eqilepsy association in
the Lakehead region.
In
October this group became
known as Epilepsy Thunder
Bay Steering Committee and
in February of this year
was officially recognized
as Epilepsy Thunder Bay, a
Chapter of the Ontario
Epilepsy Association.
Education of the general
public is high on the list
of priorities of Epilepsy
Thunder Bay through dissemination of information with
the main goal being the removal of the stigma currently
attached to this disorder,
thus creating an informed
public who thoroughly underEducation
stand epilepsy.
together with understanding
can help towards the achievement of that goal.
With proper therapy, most
epileptics can now live essenThe
tially normal lives.
most serious hazard of an
epileptic disorder, in many
instances, is not the seizures, per se, but the associated
emotional disturbances which
may develop in a youngster
as the result of mismanagement at home, in the school,
or in the community. TheChapter can be of great
assistance by giving support
and guidance to parents of
epileptic children, the
education of teachers and
education of the general
public.

200,000 Canadians
are believed to have epilepsy.
Prejudice is costly to society
and wasteful in terms of human
The old attitudes
of fear and prejudice against
people with epilepsy bars
them from employment in many
industries.
It is estimated
that one in four people whose
condition is whole or partially
controlled by medication is
still not able to hold a job,
just because he or she is
epileptic.
This costs the
country millions of dollars
a year in unemployment,
welfare and lost productivity.
Prejudice can be eliminated
through education.
Public
attitudes are slowly changing
about epilepsy as people learn
more about it.
But institutions
and official policy makers
are often more slow to change.
Persons who wish to become
involved with Epilepsy
Thunder Bay can write to:
Epilepsy Thunder Bay
Post Office Box 481
Thunder Bay South

or telephone 623-6764 or
623-2290.

The Ontario Epilepsy Association's aims and objectives
might be summed up as giving
support and guidance to epileptics.
This can be done in many
ways--patient and public education,
employer contact and education,
information and referral services,
parent groups, social groups and
vocational assistance.

Epilepsy in itself may not be
tragic, but the superstitious fear and ignorance with
which it is regarded by the general public is tragic. Vast
advances have been made in the
medical and neurological treatment of epilepsy, but limited
social' or educational progress
has been made in assisting persons with epilepsy to develop
adequate personalities and
self-confidence. The prime
purpose of Epilepsy Thunder Bay
is to combat the prejudice, fear
and ignorance still associated
with this affliction.
Therefore, education of the general
public is one of the most
important functions of the
Ontario Epilepsy Association.
Epilepsy is not a disease.
It is a sign or symptom, and it
results from
or is part of,
an underlying neurological
disorder.
Seizures may occur
at any age in both sexes, in any
race, or in any individual.
With proper therapy, most
epileptics can now live essentially
normal lives.
The most serious
hazard of an epileptic disorder,
in many instances, is not the
seizures, per se, but the
associated emotional disturbances
which may develop in a youngster
as a result of mismanagement at
home, in the school or in the
community.
The Chapter can be
of great assistance by giving
support and guidance to parents
of epileptic children, the
education of teachers and the
education of the general public.
Public attitudes are slowly
changing about epilepsy as people
learn more about it.
It is the
hope of the Ontario Epilepsy
Association, now renamed Epilepsy
Ontario, to create a public
awareness that epilepsy is not
a handicap, but, rather an inconvenience.
,

3

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�FAMILY
PROPERTY

LAW
(part two)

FAMILY PROPERTY LAW
Ownership of other property
of this series dealt with
home
ownership of the matrimonial
(the principal residence of the
married couple)
For other property,ownership
once again is determined by WHO
HOLDS TITLE AND WHO PAID FOR IT.
Let us look at several ways
that married couples manage the
finances and purchase of property.
Part

1

Sometimes the spouse will
(1)
purchase property such as a car,
furnishings,boat, or cottage by
making monthly payments and the
title (ownership Papers) is placed
in the purchasing spouses name.If
on the other hand the other spouse
assists with the payments on this
property from their savings or
earnings,this spouse must keep an
accurate account of the amounts
contributed and prove the money
used was their own,i.e. cancelled
cheques from their personal account
or proof of payroll deduction,e
If norecord is kept they will have a
difficult time proving any claim
to ownership of the property.

Often when both spouses
(2)
are working the husbands money is
used to purchase real property i.e.
payments on the mortgage,purchase
of stocks and bonds,a summer home
or car. The wifes earnings are
frequently used to purchase food
and clothing,music lessons for the
children, or decorating the home. In
other words,her money does not
purchase property.If the marriage ends
the assets(property)belong to
the husband.The wife has nothing to
show for her financial contribution
to the marriage.
Under existing laws, a married
women in Ontario is under no obligation to maitain herself or to contribute towards her own support,or to

children. If she is a wage
earner the woman can invest her
money,purchase real estate or
spend it without her husbands
consent.It is the husbands duty to
support his wife while the marriage
lasts.
(3)
The married womans contribution to the marriage as a homemaker
has not been recognized under the
separation of property system.So
long as property disputes between
spouses are resolved on the basis of
direct financial contribution to
the purchase price,the wife who
stays at home on either a full time
or part time basis will be shortchanged because her role as homemaker has deprived her of the right
to earn money and obtain property.

BILL 75.

1.(3) (c).
States
EXCEPT AS AGREED BETWEEN THEM,
WHERE A HUSBAND AND WIFE CONTRIBUTE
WORK,MONEY, OR MONEY"S WORTH IN
RESPECT OF THE AQUISITION,MANAGEMENT
MAINTAINENCE,OPERATION OR IMPROV_
MENT OF PROPERTY IN WHICH THE OTHER
HAS OR HAD A PROPERTY INTEREST,THE
HUSBAND OR WIFE SHALL NOT BE DISENTITLED TO ANY RIGHT TO COMPENSATION
OR OTHERINTEREST FLOWING FROM SUCH
CONTRIBUTION BY REASON ONLY OF THE
RELATIONSHIP OF HUSBAND AND WIFE OR
THAT THE ACTS CONSTITUTING THE CONTRBUTION,ARE THOSE OF A REASONABLE
SPOUSE OF THAT SEX IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES;.
Hopefully this section of BILL 75
will get rid of of the worst features of the Murdoch case and others
similiar to it,situations in which
a wife was not allowed any share of
the home,it's contents or a share of
any other property because of her
contribution as a homemaker.Under BILL
75,What will be the courts evaluation
of a wife's contribution if she
remains a homemaker who manages and
maintains a home?. To benifit from
this clause in BILL75 both spouses
will need documentation for proof of
contribution.
(4)
Equally controversial is the
measure of a spouses contribution
to a small business owned by the other
"

spouse, i.e.

(a) The wife who keeps the books
and does the billing for her husbands

garage or repair shop.
(b) The wife who works in the smal
corner store receiving no salary.
(c) The husband who does repairs
or keeps books for a small busine
his wife okinC.
The wife who works in the fie
(d)
and barns of the family farm.
Hopefully BILL751(3). (c)
will grant recognition to this typ
of contribution to the assets of
a marriage.
(5)
If a wife is at home and the
husband is the sole owner,saving's
made by the wife from house-keepin
allowances,property purchased with
these savings,or investmentd made
with them,belong to the husband,
strict separation of property mean
that increases, decreases,rents
profits,etc are added to h the
value of the property of the owner
There are obvious inadequacie
difficulties,and unfair rules in t
present laws governing property re
ions between husband and wife. Whi
we work for reform of these laws,h
can the purchase of property and
owner-ship be shared by married
i

couples.

(1) LEARN AND KNOW MORE ABOUT
FAMILY PROPERTY LAWS AND MAKE
THEM WORK FOR YOU AND YOUR
PARTNERSHIP.
(2) CONSIDER JOINT TENANCY AS
A METHOD OF OWNING AND SHARING
PROPERTY.
IF BOTH SPOUSES WORK,CONSIDEP
(3)
THE CONTRIBUTION THAT BOTH
SPOUSES CAN MAKE TOWARD THE
PURCHASE OF PROPERTY. EVERYTHING
NEEDN NOT BE JOINTLY OWNED BUT
BOTH SPOUSES,ESPECIALLY THE WIFE
SHOULD CONSIDER INVESTESTMENT
OF EARNINGS IN REAL PROPERTY.
(4$
AS WELL AS SHARING INTHE
PURCHASE OF PROPERTY,THE SPOUSES
SHOULD SHARE IN THE RESPONSIBI_
BILITYS OF PAYING FOR THE NECESSP
ITEMS IN THEIR DAILY LIVES.
(5) DO NOT BE COMPLAISANT
WOMEN HAVE A RIGHT ANU A DUTY TO
THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES TO
KNOW THE LAWS,AND TO BE INTERESTED IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF
THEIR EARNINGS(or) GIFTS OF MONE'i
WITH REGARD TO INVESTMENT AND
PROPERTY.
JOAN PACKOTA

the suort of her husband and

UNIVERSITY WOMANS CLUB

An invitation to accompany
Lisa Bengsston our good rep. from
Sect'y State, on a visit to Kenora
gave me an opportunity to talk
with the originators and staff
of the Water St. Residence for
The simplicity that chose
Women.
the name is reflected in the house
itself and personified in the person of Bertha Williamson, the
single staff member who runs it
with gentle authority and considBertha is
erable good humour.
native and while the house is available to all races it is her own
sisters she has the privilege of
serving most of the time.
Formerly a hospital it provides accomodation for a maximum
of 10 women whose admittance requirement is that she be referred
from the treatment centre. The
length of stay is flexible as
Bertha explained, they stay till
The
the problem resolves itself.
close community nature of the
native family makes it easy to
follow up their progress after

The house itself is cheery and
well kept.
A sewing room is in the
making; a piano is in the living
room; an accessable kitchen.
The
women in the house were busily engaged in housekeeping duties and
had the feeling from the woman
who was ironing, that she was doing
it for everybody, so great was the
air of co-operation.
"I don't do
anything", Bertha told us,
just
talk and listen.
The women do
their own marketing, cooking, cleaning, laundry.
A resident that upgraded her education from grade
four to the place where she could
qualify for training as a day care
staff person, was cited as a success story.
Some women do day work
to help with their costs to the
house.
There is no staff at night.
Bertha does not believe in people
being hired to watch people. That
is nonsense she says.
Under a
simple and civilized set of rules
very few people will take advantages.
That is a piece of wisdom
that seems to have escaped my own
race I'm sorry to say.
I

I

enny :ra ey a member on th
board of the Friendship Centre al
ong with Kitty Iverson and Bertha
Williamson conceived and brought

the house into being.
It is supported by funding from the Presby
terian Church, subsidized by a p
diem rate of $8.00 a day from Ont
Social Services and a comfort all
ante.
Under this arrangement the
future looks secure.
find it
very appealing that a church shou
guarantee this security and do it
without any manipulative strings
attached.
My congratulations to
them for living the life--and my
congratulations also to the residents of the house itself, who
seem to have grasped a simple reality that while a problem exists
the responsibilities of living col
tinues and manifests itself in as
simple a thing as keeping your
surroundings and yourself as intact as possible.
To do it in a
sharing way makes it all the more
appealing.
Bertha has promised tc
keep in touch through THE NORTHERN WOMAN.
I

continuel page 5

leaving

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�la suirmaymnrussiontammuitimmtmow I MEOW R111111WNIMINNIMME111.-

SISTERS FROM

WOMEN'S

PROGRAMMES EXCLUDED
by Noreen Lavoie

As part of IWY the Women's
Programme of the Dept. of the Secretary of State sponsored a series
of 12 seminars entitled Interchange
75...A Forum For Action on Women's
The last of these 12 semIssues.
inars Women and Alternatives, held
Dec. 2-5, 1975, saw about 35 participating women from all across
was the delegate from
Canada.
Thunder Bay.
These women were chosen, for
the most part, with the exception
of a few selected by the members of
their groups, by the Secretary of
State, because of their participation in women's legal aid clinics,
health collectives/self-help clinics, women's centres, alternative
media groups, transition houses, feminist therapy groups, lesbian fem.,
We were desinist collectives etc.
as
"grass
roots
feminists".
cribed
There was a feeling of discomfort and suspician almost from the
No one
beginning of this seminar.
seemed to know why specifically they
were chosen, or why they were there
There was no material sent
at all.
prior, so that the delegate could
discuss with their collectives the
priorities of their particular
groups or the purpose of the seminar.
On arrival Mon. night each delegate was assigned a large room with
2 double beds. The implication was
that the government did not want to
encourage lesbianism by billetting
two women together.. A silly and
presumptious reason and a waste of
I

money.

Tuesday morning we started off
The structwith a plenary session.
ure table arrangement, microphones,
interpreters and the large number of
women from women's programme had an
intimidating effect on many of us,
particularity those who had never
spoken into a mike before or spoken
It was
in front of a large group.
also strange to hear a male voice
interpreting the words of a French
speaking woman.
A list of the delegates names
and room numbers were requested as
well as the per diem cheques for
These were promised but
meals.
those with no money found it necessary to eat in the hotel dining
room as the cheques never arrived
till Thur., and the feelings of
isolation persisted after leaving
the plenary sessions or workshops
as no list of names and room
numbers materialized either.
Tuesday after the short plenary
session we were asked to read the
Stimulus Paper and other material
that was distributed (in our isolpersonally found
ated rooms).
the Stimulus paper heavy reading
although assumptions about the
women's movement (there is a recession and we are treading water--we
are burned out feminists) bounced
off the page at me. This was a
liberal government's analysis of
could not
the movement, which
agree with.
Wednesday morning the workshops
This first workshop is
began.
vague now, except for the feeling
that nothing concrete happened and
there was not a free flow of constill
versation happening, and
I

I

did'nt understand the reasons for
this seminar or what we were supposed to accomplish at it.
Workshops in the afternoon
also produced little in the way of
productivity and there was a noticible strain on the leaders to keep
us on topic, i.e. what has the women's
movement done; what problems could
be encountered to create alternatives in this society; effective
ways to produce more satisfying solutions regarding women's issues; what
would the long term implications of
these changes be.
Wednesday evening saw the coming
together of a small group of women
who sat up till after 2:a.m. analysing and trying to justify the feelings of paranoia that seemed to pre
vail on a wide scale.
It was sensed
and feared that we were there for an
overall purpose, which we did'nt
understand.
JUSTIFYING OUR PARANOIA
Comments on the process of
analysis were taken by one of the
women in the group at this meeting,
and from these notes are some of

their conclusions.r--we as grass
roots feminists were seen as possible agents of social change-- information gleaned from us, i.e.
experience, practice theory, values,
could be used in a manner women from
women's programme understand---this
information would not stay at the
level of women's programme (bottom
level of Secretary of State) but go
to a higher level---we agree this
is not good, as women's programme
have no power and those that possibly want power over us already
have the most economic power---women in women programme are employees
of the system that continues to oppress us---this seminar could be to
design a modified form of social
control using what we're giving them
to diffuse us---delegates were
chosen because of their political
naivite---we were being led to see
the trees and not the forest---Dept.
of Women's Affairs may be implemented
such as the Dept. of Indian Affairs
which would isolate women's issues
and be implemented by the heirarchy-this seminar is really a public hea'ring, but at the personal, not political level to make it invisible.
Conclusions This is not the government of the people, even though it
may have been the genuine feeling of
women in the programm---women in
women's programme now, are not necessarily going to be there next
year---we are not going to isolate
the variables that made us radicals- we are not making recommendations or
telling them our processes in order
to stop other women before they get
to this stage---we were being cointo leadership positions to
opted
give the system we're fighting ammunition---this disallows us to identify the government as the enemy- women in women's programme may not
even know where the reports are going and this is why we must exclude
them---in no way were we faulting
women from women's programme.
WAS THE GOVERNMENT PAYING FOR US TO
PLAN THE REVOLUTION?? NO IT WAS TO
LEARN OUR PROCESSESS

Thursday morning instead of
going directly into workshops as
scheduled, a plenary was called
and women from the Tate nibbt meeting
put forth their conclusions about
the seminar.
Nervous energy was high
but guilt at rejection of our sisters
from Women's Programme had not quite
reared it's ugly head. Although
they were assurred there was no hostility
towards them, they were naturally defensive.
THERE WAS UNANIMITY
AMONG THE DELEGATES THEY SHOULD LEAVE.
THEY LEFT.
The interpreters left. We
moved to the floor and formed a large
circle.
The Francophone women were
very able to communicate in English.
The remaining time was spent in
analysing and justifying what we had
done, whether it was a democratic
decision or whether a certain few had
a strong influence on the decision
to exclude the women from the remaining part of the seminar.
Emotions really fan high and guilt and
searching for a scapegoat continued till late Fri. afternoon. Some
women had planes to catch and some
women could just not take any more
of the emotional strain.
Whether we were right or wrong
in our feelings of paranoia about the
motivitations of the government in
sponsoring the Women And Alternatives
Seminar and the fact that no resolutions came about, as did from all
eleven previous seminars, this was a
valuable experience for all of us involved.
One woman stated she felt
she had lost her political virginity,
and I'm sure she spoke for many of us.
Now, six months after this seminar,
still feel good about what happened.
For some of us we felt power for the
first time.
Personally
grew a
little and learned a lot from the women who participated in "the secret
meeting".
The women's movement reluctant to model themselves along the
lines of the male pyramid structure,
nevertheless needs leaders who have
analytical minds and can share with
those of us that don't.
The radicalization of many of the delegates in
itself justifies what happened at this
seminar.
As for what we did by excluding our feminist sisters fovm
women's programme, we can be assured
they understood why this had to be because they are firstly feminists and
secondly employees of the government.
I

I

KENO RA

cc) ti gir

A visit to the native women's
office was icing on the cake.
Lisa is helping them plan a conference.
Nancy Morrison and Peggy
Copenease seem to operate in a hive
of activities. Only the truly
committed could spend the energy
one sees around them.
It seems fairly certain a rep.
from this group will take a place
on the Northwestern Decade for
progress Council now operating out
of Thunder Bay.
Our family of
Northern women increases as we
support and sustain each other.
Over the raucous voice of Eleanor
Jacobson, the native women of
Kenora, care and share and struggle
together, bringing honour to us all.

I

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�HERE AND THERE

40,

,m
same
WOMEN'S
CENTRE
IS
NOW
d "Feelings"
The
following is written by a young
'
NORTHERN
INCORPORATEDY
to her social workers t
t convey some of
Since Jan. 1976, The Northern
what it means to
I
Women's
Centre has been incorporated
elp from the system.
as a non-profit charitable organizati
GS
The centre is incorportated under the
Iname NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO WOMEN'S CEN
elings of despair,
being no good, are
e prejudiced attity the public in

here are beautiful
ming into the Social
e most part, they are
s friends.
Occasionncounters the
Their attitude
".
ity and an atmosphere
ust is created; thus
he way of helping
Soical workers
shed.
be able to relate,
ct with their
are
so heavy, so
the
is impossible
when
has a hell of a time
epeople.
being unsatisfactory
The rules
in
that geographically
governing
the procedu
ue. ass for both sides.
the
in
became
ion
was incorporated
placed on
could
be
named
as
a
es and background,
wishes
to thank Mary Tomlinson whose
The
centre
a will.
ocial
pressures,
Ilegal assistance was invaluable.
king a giant step
The centre will continue to function
people help themHowever,
unstructured as possible.
Iit was necessary to appoint (they
volunteered) ten women to sit as
If you are on tF
Board of Directors.
IBoard of Directors and wish to be
replaced please notify the centre.
THE FIRST ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE HELE
ION SEPTEMBER 16th, 1976. ALL WOMEN
ARE WELCOME. There will be elections
to replace any vacancies on the boarc

!ALL WOMEN CREDIT UNION A POSSIBILITY
The BAY
Northern Women's Centre has hi
THUNDER
Laurie Hill, with funding from the
Secretary of State, to investigate
1
lithe feasibility of a Credit Union foi
Iwomen in Thunder Bay. The Metro
Toronto Women's Credit Union has beer
m in operation for some months now and
Ihas set a precedent in Ontario, in
having women considered a community,
which will make it easier for other
Iwomen's credit unions to obtain a
On June 24 at 8 p.m. at the
charter.
centre,
120
W. Amelia, a meeting wil
just 9 - 5.
Laurie
will be prepared at
kers to lighten I be held.
time to share all the information shl
If you are
has obtained to date.
incomes to
curious,
interested,
or
already
ine in earnings
If you are
union, please attend.
more
incentive
to
work.
enthusiastic
about
a
women's
credit
.
This will give
IIn conclusion, let people help people
I unable to attend, phone the centre
I so that the people being helped feel than information.
` life is worth living, not just existing.'
'WOMEN'S CENTRE NOT BEING UTILIZED
LS

II

MENNE

MIME

MIEN 1E1=1

f

=MI room

The Women's Centre welcomes small
groups of women who wish to meet in
Congratulations to:Colleen Izzerd,winner
a quite comfortable atmosphere,
of the hooked rug.
perhaps to meet for consciousness
raising, letter writing (lobbying)
whatever. There are also a lot of
trying to cope with depression. Son
women have remarked that even coming
to the general meetings has helped t
e government's constraints
to feel less alone with their problt
We would like to see a grodp or groi.
formed at which time you could talk
al services, education, sociz!
over your problems, with each other.
Anonymity could be maintained.
d public sector employment
THE CENTRE'S HOURS ARE 10:00 a.m. tc
3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays
To inquire about using the
only.
centre for meeting phone 622-3989.
For July and August only there
will
be no Thursdayevaluation
general meeting,
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copy
HAVE A GOOD SUMMER:

senseless attack on health

d that it be stopped by the

of CVISION PDFCompressor

�_

May 11,

1976.

Dear People,
:

'

Dear Sisters,
Just received Vol. 2, Issue 5,
and found it most informative,
particularly the articles on
"Legal Sanction of Rape",
"Where Do We Go?" and the
"Crisis Housing Report".
am enclosing $2. to
replace that with which
you reimbursed Ann Garret,
agree with your
since
opinion that there are many
issues on which we agree, and
we should concentrate on
these for the betterment
of all, rather than get hung
up on one contentious issue.
Congratulations on the
paper - a worthwhile
effort indeed.
-Patricia Baxter, T.Bay.
p.s. The poems are a real
"To my first love"
bonus.
was particularly meaningful
for me.

We would greatly appreciate it if
you would place the following as an
ad in your newsletter advertising
The New School for Peace "Humanistic approach to the
probliems of injustice, pollution,
poverty, prejudice, resource
depletion, revolution and war.
Actualizes the values of compassion, equality, freedom and nonviolence.
The New School, planned for
Jule 31 - Aug. 13th on Grindstone
Island near Ottawa.
Cost for 2
weeks of an intense, enjoyable
and challenging experience is
$200, including all necessities.
Apply now if interested by
writing to Nancy Bayly,
562 Johnson St.,
Kingston, Ont.

I

'

I

1

'

1

1

Thank you,
Nancy Bayly.

99 Braemore Adus.
Toronto 4, Ontario.
May 31, 1976.

1
1

Dear Sisters:
was thrilled to receive an issue
(Vol. 2, No. 5) of the Northern Woman
in the mail this morning.
Enclosed is
$3.00 for my subscription, to be mailed
to the following address:
I

14-2120 Ridge Rd.
Victoria, B.C.
I'm pleased to hear that the Victoria
Women's Centre is receiving your
publication.
I'd like to offer a comment regarding
editorial policy on "censorship" of
material.
noticed that Ann Garrett's
letter against abortion was printed.
Although ideally the news-journal should
reflect many points of view on issues that
affect women, you should be cautious of
allowing the journal to be used by people
who seek to destroy the foundations on
which women's liberation lie.
The right
to secure birth control is such a foundation, and the Right-to-Life organization
will use any means to prevent women
from obtaining a measure of this right,
which is the freedom to have an abortion.
Although
thought that your reply to
the letter was great,
hope that you
I

I

I

Dear "Northern Women"
Enclosed is $3.00 for one
years renewal of your paper.
Thanking you for the effort
alone that goes into it.
May
urge you to consider joining with the Congress of Canadian
Women, helping to make it stronger,
and encouraging all women who participate in an orgazation formed
25 years, devoted to Equality,
Development and Peace.
Now this Decade offers us
tremendous challenges. A strong
progressive CCW across our coup
can do much to advance women an
work for Peace.
We need to give every possible support to our Native women.
Do you have the book by Howard
Adams--Prisoner of Grass, now
number one in the Trent University
Native Studies? This is excellent
and important reading.
Out of our 16 Universities,
14 are now having courses in Native
Studies.
We must help make these
courses real.
Best wishes to all the good
Northern Women.
Sincerely
Nora Rodd
Toronto
I

I

/

I

Dear Sisters,
In addition to giving me a
Subscription, could you please send
me the issue in which you included
some material on Wages for Housework.
It may have been issue 2 or 3.
Thanks
a lot.
The paper looks really good.

CLICK!

October, 1970, walking down River
Street in Winnipeg, with a dear friend,
now dead, talking about the husband who
divorced her, after more than 20 years,
for a much younger woman.
She said,
"You know how much he hated the outdoors,
- picnics, camping, roughing it.
loved it, but we never did it.
Guess
he's got the right wife, now they spent
all summer on a northern lake".
Click! and at 5:30 p.m. outside a
kitchen boutique on River Street
became a feminist.
So now I'm a
G.D. Women's Libber, sometimes a
"lesbian" or a "whore" or just
"frustrated".
Don't know if there are
any labels left.
But
do know that
there are identifiable Women's issues,
beyond that
believe fervently that
all issues are women's issues.
I'm
still working for peace and universal
"humanhood".
I

I

I

I

Tery Padgham,
Yellowknife, N.W.T.
(reprinted from HER-SELF, Winnipeg YWCA)

Best wishes,
Francis Gregory.

don't feel obliged to print "challenges"
or simply material, the intention of
which is to destroy the very basis of the
freedom we seek to establish.
hear that "Birthright",
By the way,
an anti-abortion counselling agency (whose
source of funding is a well-kept secret)
is establishing an office in Thunder Bay
I

this fall.
also would like to say that
found both Mallory's letter and Eve's
offer deep
article very touching.
I

I

I

empathy to Eve, and suggest that she
send her article on her construction
job experience to the Labourer's Union
and let them deal with their disgusting
behaviour at the next union meeting.
Enough verbosity.
Thanks, best wishes,
and love:
Georgina Garrett.

found this while reading, and thought
you might be interested in printing it:
I

Dear Sisters,
Please find enclosed a
cheque to cover a subscription to your publication
for one year, plus a very
small donation.
This is the first issue
of Northern Woman that I've
had the pleasure to receive
and read.
am very impressed
with the quality of the
articles and great variety
of topics covered in just this
one issue.
might add that
was not so pleased with one
article,("The Socialized
Penis) ", but
am keenly
waiting for its continuation
I

I

I

In November, 1974, an arbitrator
found that Bell had been discriminating
against two of its female managerial
personnel by paying them less than the
men in their department with the same
The women were awarded $2000.
skills.
Apparently, this decision
in backpay.
undercut Bell's personnel policy which
functions on the premise that a woman
goes not have to use her 'bratins to say

"one moment please", and so Bell appealed
the case.
The judges agreed with Ma Bell
and overturned the award, claiming that
only the job performed, and not the skills
and experience brought to the job,
could be considered in determining
whether there had been any discrimination.
The tour's decision severely
waters down the protection promised
women in the federal government's
Female Employees Equal Pay Act.
(from This Magazine, No. 5 &amp; 6,
Vol. 9, Nov. - Dec. 1975.)

I

in your next issue to see
how the author can redeem
himself from his apparently
chauvini-4-ir description.
PI,
up the good
work.
I'm sure it must be
very difficult at times.
-Brooke Carfagnini

The Northern Woman Centre has
received a grant from Sect, of
State for student summer employment to research the possibility of forming the first
womans Credit Union in the city.
She will also assist in a
health choice work-shop to be
held at Confederation College
this fall.

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�POETRY
I

I

I

saw a women sleeping.

In her

sleep she dreamed LIFE stood
before her,and held in each hand

want a women's revolution like a lover.
lust for it,

I

want so much this freedom,

a gift

In the one LOVE

this end to stuggle and fears and lies
we all exhale, that

in the other FREEDOM and

could die just

I

with the passionate uttering of that desire

she said to the woman"CHOOSE!

Just once in this my only lifetime to dance
all alone and bare on a cliff under cypress trees

And the yeoman waited long

with no fear of where

and she said FREEDOM!

To even glimpse what
will become, had

I

place my feet.

I

I

might have been and never never

not had to "waste my life" fighting

for what my lack of freedom keeps me from glimpsing.

And life said" Thou hast chose
If thou had said LOVE

well".

Those who abhor violence refuse to admit they are already

I

would have given thee

exneri9n-_ing it, committing it.

what thou did ask for,and

Those who lie in the arms of the "individual solution,"

would have gone from thee,and

the "private odyssey," the "personal growth,"

returned no more to thee.

are the most conformist of all,

Now the day will come when

because to admit suffering is to begin

shall return,In that day

the creation of freedom.

bear both gifts in one hand.

Those who fear dying refuse to admit they are already dead.
Well,

I

am dying, suffocating from this hopelessness tonight,

I

I

I

I

shz.

heard the woman laugh in

her sleep.

Olive Schreiner

from this dead weight of struggling with
even those few men

I

love and care less about

each day they kill me.
mmiTHE FREE INORTH

--Robin Morgan, from "Monster"

She was Northern,

/deep

in her secret marrow

the depth of rock
and forest claimed her,
here in

its swollen rivers

she heard the whisper of
the dipping paddles

where the loon was hiding.
More than the North,

.00000°./

she was the quiet pool
unpolluted....
The free

north

virgin
Yet

in the wilderness

she played as fawn to doe,
a target for the hunter,

a raw resource...Ripe
for picking.

The lust of progress
felled her like a pine,
stripped her

Stole the treasure she
was hiding

Left her like an easy lay
discarded

She was Northern,

her braids as sleek
14%..

as feathers on a crow
and yet

Her destiny was wed to sorrow.

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�CUT BACKS
FACTS ... FACTS

... FACTS ... FACTS

"Everyone has a little bit
of suffering to do."
--Jean Luc Pepin
Dec. 5,

1975.

"Do not get discouraged if
the consumer price index maintains
a two-digit momentum for several
months to come."
--Beryl Plumptre,
Oct. 11,1975
"Look lady, don't expect the
price of a can to stay where
it is because we've brought in
a freeze."
- -Pierre Trudeau,

Oct. 10, 1075.

GOVERNMENT CUTBACKS
In October, Trudeau brought
in a program of wage controls.
He followed this in December with
an announcement concerning
government budget cutbacks. The
main targets of the cutbacks
are the people with the least
power -- women, the elderly,
and youth.

CUT

BACKSscuy "ticks

salaries for a year (which they
weren't planning to increase anyway), they increased their tax-free
allowances as scheduled.

II. Universities. The Henderson
Committee has recommended:

* A tuition increase of 65%
over the next three years.
The elimination of the grant
The government also announced
portion of the Government
recently that they are spending
Assistance Program, meaning
$1 billion on 18 airplanes for
students will be saddled with
the Armed Forces, and increasing
even huger debts when they
Defense spending from $2.5 billion
graduate.
to $5 billion in the coming fiscal
The University of Toronto
year.
has already attempted to
cut back the Women's Studies
PAID LABOUR FORCE
Program without success,
and will
probably try again.
With the cost of living
increasing the way it is, more and more
III.
Other
Social Services
women are forced to
take
jobs
outside their homes.
Between
The Ontario
Government has:
1964 and 1974, the number
of
women in the Canadian labour
Frozen
force grew by 88.6%. 43.1%
ofthe building of nursing
and old
age homes, meaning
the women in the paid labour
force
more work for women looking
are self-supporting.
Despite
after
this massive increase in
the the elderly in their
own homes.
proportion of woren in the
paid
* Frozen
labour force, women remain
in staff and service in
hospitals
the lowest paid jobs --"women's" in 1976, meaning
more work for hospital workers,
jobs.
70% of whom are women.
In 1963, 61.8% of women in the
Toronto, threatened
paid labour force were In
in Metro
clerical
cutbacks
sales, and service.
By
1973, in social services
include:
this percentage had increased
*

to 63.1.

Family Allowance.
For a
saving of $221.3 million, the
government is eliminating the
10.8% increase mothers were
supposed to receive beginning
January 1.
This is the largest
single saving in the government
cutbacks program.
* UIC.
Claimants with dependents
who used to get 75% of their
earnings have been cut to 66 2/3%.
People over 65 years of age
are no longer eligible, at a loss
of $120 million to those claimants.

* OFY eliminated.
A saving of
$3; million and 35,000 more youth
without a wage this summer.
CYC eliminated.
A saving of
$6.1 million and 450 community
workers wageless.
LIP cutback by $35 million and
80,000 more people unemployed.

The Native Indian Brotherhood
has calculated that the above
cutbacks will mean a loss to
native people across Canada of
over $6Z million. These cuts
come at a time when the national
unemployment rate is 7.3% and
over 10% of women and 13% of youth
(14 - 24 years) are unemployed.
However, the government is also
"going after the rich".
They have
imposed a 10% surtax on those with
incomes over $30,000.
There is a
debate going on in Parliament
whether this means that a married
man with two children making $35,000
will pay 19 or 35 more tax per
weekl

GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES

At the same time as the governis saving money on women, old
people, and youth, it is increasing
expenditures elsewhere. While the
MP's and Senators have frozen their
ment

*A 50% cut in shelter allowance
And the difference between
men'srecipients.
for welfare
and women's wages is increasing.
The end to supplementary
In 1971, the average man
earnedto Family Benefits
benefits
44/ more than the average
and woman.
Old Age Security recipients,
By 1973, it was 45.1% which
In for eyeglasses,
more. paid
Ontario in 1974, women dentures,
waged
hearing aids, etc.
workers earned $1 billion
less of staff and services
*Reduction
than if they were men. in old age homes.
*Freeze on spending for
POVERTY AND WOMEN
visiting nurses and homemakers.
Imposing poverty
these
All is
of what
which
means MORE WORK FOR WOME
cutbacks are all about, and a
woman on her own is assured a
place among the poorest!
IF YOU PUT A MAN ON A PEDESTAL,
2/3 of all women below
ageGETTING YOUR HEAD
YOUthe
RISK
of 25 have annual incomes
of
KICKED OFF.
less than $5,000.
* 85% of single-parent families
are mother-led.
"In this struggle, we must accompli
* Almost 50% of mother-led
families
nothing less
than a wrenching adjus
have an income of less
$ expectations."
,000.
ment than
of our
23% of single father-led families
--Pierre Trudeau,
have less than $4,000.
Oct. 13, 1975.
* A male head of family
hasgetting
a
"We are
tired of always
9.3% chance of living
below theourselves for somebody
sacrificinn
poverty line. A female
else'shead
goodofor profit. We want
family has a 40.1% to
chance.
stop inflation where it hurts
most -- in our pocketbooks.
We
CUTBACKS IN SOCIAL want
SERVICES
IN ONTARIO
the increase
in our Baby Bonus
If you don't live and
in Ontario,
we want wages for all our work
use these figures as
model
as awomen."
to find out what's happening
--Sallie Shum,
in your area.)
Dec.24, 1975.
.

I.

.

Daycare.
From a letter
to the Toronto
The government
cutbacks
are forcing an Globe
increasing
and Mail.
number
of women out of their paid jobs
and into total economic dependence on a man.WAGES
HOUSEWORK COMMITTEE
The FOR
government
has:
745 DANFORTH AVENUE, SUITE 301,
TORONTO, ONTARIO.
466-7457.
* Frozen any expansion in the
Parry Sound, Ont.
(FNS)
number of daycare centres after

March 31.
A young native woman was raped
* Threatened to double the subby sons of the Mason Lodge here.
sidized fee from 251 to 50 daily.
First, they pounded salt into
Frozen the number of subsidher vagina, they then gangized children.
banged her.
Nothing was done
* In effect reduced the operating
after the incident since she
budget of subsidized daycare
is a native woman and the men
centres by allowing only a
were sons of Masonic Lodge mem
5.5% increase this
year.
bers.

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�P,ROJECr

Although many widows'Wdrkedwhile they were married, the vast
majority, 70% preferred to stay home
to look after their families. The
impression given was that t5

ON WIDOWS

The following article is a condensation
of a research project done in the
Kingston area on tl-e status and
conditions of life of some widows in
that city.- Funded by the Dept. of the
Secretary of State at the request of
Widows United, Kingston, Ontario.
We feel it will be of interest to
the general public since widowhood is
universal and inevitable in many
cases.
The following then contains
exerpts from the research papers
and the entire subjective evaluation.
This research consisted of 80 persons
Anglo Saxon in origin, 70% of whom had
resided in the area for a minimum of
twenty years and of whom over 50%
had been married for over 20 years.
The average age was 53.4 years.
Most of the subjects had been widowed
for over 2 years making it difficult
to examine closely the reactions to
the severe grief which immediately
follows the death of a loved one.
Many of the widows could not remember
and fully discuss this aspect because
of the time lapse. The sample group was
by no means random.
Therefore, this
report cannot reflect the total
profile of widows and their problems,
but there are significant trends seen
in this group to support a meaningful
examination of these subjects.
Although most married couples
assume that the husbands earned
pension and life insurance together
and would provide for the widow's
livelihood in the event of death,
only 51.3% of our sample were
receiving a widow's pension from

BREAKDOWN OF PROBLEM AREAS
Loneliness and general isolation
-53.7%.

General adjustment problems
-27.2%.

Financial problems -19.1%.
Advantages
72.r% saw no advantage in being
a widow.
The rest listed freedom,
relief from worry over his illness,
solitude, no need any longer to be
servile, more mature and independent.

ATTITUDES TOWARD WIDOWS BY COMMUNITY
Over 80% of those widowed believed
they were treated unfairly by the
community, taken advantage of
by car-repair people, house repair
people, salesmen, men, lawyers and
real-estate and bank personal, -in
general, devalued and ignored while
13.8% saw themselves as well-treated
and valued.
It is interesting to note that few
widows advocated more independence
and responsibility in wives before
widow-hood strikes, rather opting
for more social security after the
fact.
Only three widows wanted more
control in pension and life insurance
decisions.
Only one felt girls should
get a good education and learn a
trade.

SUBJECTIVE EVALUATION

Certainly not all widows have
problems but many of the widows that
their husbands' employment and only
were interviewed seemed dissatisfied
21.3% were receiving a life insurance
with their lives.
The change from
Canada Pension, designed to
annuity.
the status of wife to widow seemed
supplement personal resources was being
to present most of the problems.
paid to 56.3% of the widows, but in
Grief, of course, was very difficult
some cases the widow commented that
to live through, but the problems of
the payment was less than ten dollars
adjusting to be a single independent
In 78.75% of the cases,
a month.
woman seemed to continue for years
income had dropped.
57.1% had dropped
and years.
The strongest problem
over 50 per cent.
More than one-fifth
area we discovered was an inability
had to sell their homes and move to
to make decisions and solve problems
cheaper lodging.
(a certain passive acceptance of
things).
Many widows would complain
NEED FOR ADVICE AND HELP
about certain issues and then would be
totally unable to conceive changing
A large portion of the group, 70%
and solving them.
For example, many
needed advice after the death of their
women were very lonely and wanted
In order of priority, the
husbands.
companionship, yet would never think
most needed was financial assistance.
of meeting a new man, out of loyalty
Understandably, many widows found it
to the dead husband.
Others would
difficult to express trouble and grief
complain of lack of money, or a need
to strangers, and often to friends.
for bigger pensions, but they would
For this reason, they felt open to
not explore possible avenues of
If there
only their closest family.
retraining or employment.
was no close family, these strong
Some widows complained of nowhere
feelings were repressed and controlled.
to go for help and advice, yet when
Many of them felt no one was really
asked later about what social service
They
helpful to them at this time.
agencies they would use if available,
felt they presented a threat and
they claimed that they wouldn't use
embarrassment to others.
any because they like to be independent
A large majority of widows were upset
REACTIONS TO THE DEATH
by the attitudes society had towards
them, yet when asked what changes
Shock, relief that illness is over,
they would like to see in the society
sorrow, numbness, depression, confusion,
only
a small percentage mentioned a
nervousness and mental problems,
change
of attitude.
hysteria, loneliness, fright, resignation
Our
feelings are that many widows
bitterness, surprise, helplessness, guilt,
believe
consciously or unconsciously
disbelief.
13.8% rejoiced, were angry
that
their
life is over, that there
at husband for leaving her alone with
is
no
point
in actively changing
kids, nothing, wound-up, haunted,
anything.
In
fact, many widows
tragic, supressed feelings, wanted
never
do
make
the
adjustment to
to go home, or had no answer.
being
single,
independent
women;
32% would consider re-marriage.
they
appear
as
wives
who
died
with
67.5% would not for various reasons.
their
husbands.
Such
an
inability
Re-marriage is not commented on with
to change and adapt is understandany enthusiasm and companionship was
able
with older women who become
the only popular reason for consider
in

it.

widows.

housewife and mother in the home,
They found value and worth in the
domestic work that they did, and
many felt most competent in perform
Once the family
ing such activity.
disperses and the husband dies, a
woman loses her role as housewife
She is no longer value(
and mother.
for what she has done and been trail
to do all her life. These skills
are not easily marketable and the
sense of value derived from this
Now, the widr
work soon disappears.
must face a world of survival
entirely foreign to what she has bec
Though many women have
used to.
worked before widowhood, this work
most often low paying and she has n(
consistently pursued it all her life
Also her age and sex may go against
because many employers would be
hesitant to hire an older woman who
has had no consistent experience.
Very frequently, the widow is
left in a situation with which she
She
totally unprepared to cope.
must survive in a working world
she may be unused to, she must make
financial and business decisions
on her own, perhaps for the first t
in her life, she must make new
friends on her own and the midst
of all this change, she must redefine herself from that of housewife to single woman.
The role of housewife and mother
an essential role, in this society,
to the exclusion of all other livin
skills, it can become a trap to the
If the housewife has no
widow.
'marketable skills, no financial
or business knowledge, cannot make
independent decisions; cannot
survive in the male world, she is
for the biggest cultural shock of
i

her life.

As long as marriage remains an
integral part of our society, there
There are 2,92
shall be widowhood.
widows in Kingston, 560 of them he
Every woman who marri
of families.
must realize that she is a possible
widow, and must prepare herself for
that state realistically. The youn
er a couple is, the easier it is fo
them to recognize widowhood as a
natural extension of wifehood.

In our study, less than half of
widows had discussed the possibility
of widowhood at all with their husbands, and even for those who had
made provisions for widowhood, their
preparations were often less than
The lack of involvement c
adequate.
the part of many of these women as
wives in issues that directly determine their future living standard
indicates either a complacent or a
Perhaps some COUf
passive attitude.
still believe that the woman should
shielded from complicated money matt
even when they determine her future

1

security.

So strong is our taboo against
recognizing the effects of death in
our midst, that many writers lump
widows, divorcees, and single women
together as one coherent group.
But singleness is not the issue for
widows; it is grief, and learning
to cope alone with economic and
emotional problems, exactly what she
has been protected from all her
married years.
Our study shows that
woman, who has seen her major functi
as that of housewife, loses her love
one, her job, her income, her social
and sometimes her home.
And she mus
continued on pas

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�C RED IT
$

COUNSELLING

WANTED - MORE CREDIT COUNSELLING
In a classic double-bind statement
designed to hide the dismal truth
about "easy credit", David Ogilvy, a
British advertising executive once
told an audience "Gentlemen the consumer
is no moron, the consumer is your
wife." Unchallenged the statement places
the full burden of money mismanagement
on the everyday housewife.
The truth is more complicated than
advertisers can afford to have us
Credit Counselling shows that
believe.
the lure of easy credit is oblivious
Men and women, we find, are
to gender.
equally vulnerable to subtle invitations for indulgence in a seductive
market place.
In addition to deliberate corporate
consumer manipulation, credit or
financial management difficulties
may be caused by any number of reasons
illness, employment difficultsuch as:
ies, reduced income, and so on.
Regardless of cause, the result of
financial difficulties can be
extremely hazardous to the victims
well being, sometime jeopardizing
employment, home life, and even
health and mental stability.
The Ontario government has shown
some leadership in providing counselling
for troubled debtors. Province
subsidized programs are operating in
a number of centres throughout the
The debt counselling program
province.
operated by the Thunder Bay Family and
Credit Counselling agency receives
60% provincial subsidy for operating
The remainder, 400, is
expenses.
raised locally by donations from
credit grantors, and through United
The counselling service
Way funding.
is provided free of charge to all
During 1975 the agency
clients.
assisted 229 clients with a variety of
Services
financial problems.
included budgeting assistance,
general financial advice, and proSimply stated, a pro-rate
rate.
service is an agreement arranged by the
agency between the debtor and all
creditors, which repays debts in
significantly reduced monthly
instalments.

Though only a small number of individuals require debt-counselling services,
the amounts involved can serve as a
warning to those who may be on the
verge of falling prey to easy credit.
Total debts for 229 clients amounted
to a staggering $1,218,019. (one
million, two hundred and eighteen
thousand, and nineteen dollars) owed
Only 84 of the
to 1445 creditors.
229 clients required pro-rate
assistance.
Pro-rate disbursements to
the credit community (banks, credit
unions, finance companies, stores),
came to a sizeable $110,065.
In human terms, the results of
debt-counselling are extremely
People, once at the mercy
gratifying.
of wage liens, legal threat, hassling
telephone calls at home and at work,
regained peace of mind and personal
and family stability.
Many families
were spared the debilitating psychosocial symptoms of financial stress:
divorce, desertion, depression and
general dispair.

informed future consumers. Lastly,
Despite the proven effectiveness
individual consumers have a responof credit counselling services, the
sibility
to become better informed
program has not reached maximum
about
the
many hidden issues related
A significant
effectiveness in Ontario.
to
consumer
spending.
part of the problem is that the province
Ogilvy might not have been right,
takes a miserly approach to the
but how would we answer P.T. Barnum?
development of needed social services.
Provincial subsidy policy, for example,
-Arend Visser.
deliberately excludes funding for
NmsoiroplI
4111141.1m.
program advertising or community.
promotion - the hassle tools of the
market-place are not available for
developing a well informed consumer!
Imeet this trauma alone.
18.1 percent
With over
This point is important.
found that no one was helpful, no
1.5 billion spent on advertising
widows found social services to be
annually in Canada (2% of our gross
helpful, and children emerged as
national product), the high risk
the only significant helpful group
and even ordinary consumer is subof all those that widows turned to.
jetted to intense pressures - for many
A good idea is an annual reassessit results in a wealth of vexing
ing of the financial situation,
problems including the ills of a
adequacy of life insurance, wills,
A current prayer,7
debt-life style.
pension retirement plan and sur"Dear Lord, please give me the luxuries vivor benefits. Both partners should
of life and I'll gladly forego the
participate and understand all
necessities, typifies the attitude
aspects of future plans and present
It makes the modern situation.
of many customers.
A good time for this
producer King and Sovereign of all
would be the couple's anniversary.
human needs (real or conditioned
This day can be a commitment that
by advertising), and relegates the
their love and concern for each
average consumer to life-long
other's welfare will extend beyond the

widows cont'd

serfdom.

grave.

Inequalities in the advertising
equation reveal themselves in a
steady avalanche of consumer complaints to the Federal Government's
official listening post, Box 99,
Ottawa. Here is a quick run-down
on the type and number of complaints.
-Food (2,180 complaints):
quality, prices, and labelling.
-Cars and accessories (2,133
complaints):
quality, failure to
receive goods, guarantees and
warrantees, repairs and service.
-Housing and real estate (1,800
complaints):
quality, price,
failure to receive goods or ser-

Women must accept the fact that the
security of a housewife is too often
short-lived.
Girls must secure adequat
education and employment training so
they can maintain the standard of
living for themselves and their
children if necessary.
The original purpose of this
report was to study the problems of
widows in Kingston in order to make
recommendations for changes in the
community and in legislation. But
through this study, we have discovered that only a minority of
Kingston widows could propose
positive changes in community and
vice.
legislation that they would use and
-Prices (1,911 complaints)
benefit from.
We as researchers
-Advertising (969 complaints).
feel that we cannot rightfully tell
widows what they need.
In fact,
Complaints cited indicate the
the one recommendation we do make is
tremendous impact of calculated
that no one should tell widows what
marketing strategies on the more or
they need.
Widows must explore and
less unprotected consumer. The
become aware of their own needs and
modern market place has become a
wants, then perhaps they will take
initiative in solving their own
jungle of confusing product claims
problems for themselves.
These
by manufacturers and has given birth
widows must be given an opportunity
to a veritable explosion of consumer
to define their own problems in a
products.
Only a couple of decades
constructive way together..
ago, for example, grocery stores used
We hold that no one can really help
to stock 1500 items on their shelves,
widows until they are given the
compared to 8000 (of which a thousand
opportunity to help themselves.
a year are new), in 1976.
We recommend that a drop-in centre
Vhat should the Federal Government
should be formed for widows similar to
do besides listening to consumer
those centres for senior citizens.
complaints.
How can it counteract tht
The centre should be available for
forces of "normal" corporate sales
widows to drop-in and socialize
strategies, and abnormal mass media
a certain number of days a week.
hucksterism.
Besides making business
In this way, the isolation that surrounds
more competitive, stronger policing
each individual widow may be
of the market place, allowing full
lessened, and she may see that her
consumer participation in decisions
problems and concerns are those of
affecting them, and providing better
other widows as well.
Such a centre
grievance-solving mechanisms for
would supply a safe environment for
individual consumers, senior
widows to interact and perhaps
government must develop a national
then they will be better able to
network of credit counselling agencies.
specify their needs. A counsellor may
It has been estimated that it would
help with these discussions. A
only cost $3.3 million dollars to set
:entre will also encourage widows
up an effective nation-wide counsellin
to take responsibility and
program.
Meanwhile, the cost of
initiative in running something as
personal bankruptcy in 1970 was an
:oncrete and tangible as the centre.
People should be available to give
estimated sixty to ninety million
financial and emotional advice to
dollars.
The business communtiy too
widows
who need it.
Together
has a responsibility for "cleaning
widows
may
be
able
to
help themup its act", perhaps by diverting
selves,
for
no
one
else
can live for
a small percentage of its annual
them.
A
widow
must
learn
to know
profits towards developing a more
herself
as
a
woman,
independent
informed consumer.
Schcols also
and single.
must play a stronger rolc in preparing

11

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�FEMINIST PRESS
These small news-letters and grow-ing
journals are like yeast in the
dough of complacenty to a sex that
has been eating the unleavened bread
of oppression for too long. We
must preserve and support this voice
as a priority,it is the only voice
of women totally free from the
manipulation of those whose aim and
desire it is to keep us ignorant of
the power and confidence that is
our right by birth.
In almost every case the women
who write and distribute this press
do so on a voluntary basis,oper
ating on crumbs of cash provided
by small grants from Gov -with the
support of a growing readership.
Survival is a constant threat from
issue to issue we must find the drive,
the ener
the cash to sta e our case

What is the feminist press?
The true believer will tell you
it's not MS or the woman's homemaker mags,its not even Chatelaine
although one finds in its pages,
a certain appetizer that creates
a hunger for a deeper meaning,a
closer walk with a movement that
has become like the cry of our
own hearts. Across this Canada of
ours from the north-west territories,
to St Johns Newfounland the Status
of Women Councils and the centres
of radical feminists comes the
written expressions of discontent
og women who are emotionally and
mentally ready to assume a larger
role in a man-made,male controlled
world.

REPORT

ON

FEMINIST WEEKEND AT CEDAR GLEN
In the conference centre of
the United Church at Cedar Glen,
Bolton Ont. the Toronto collective
hosted, without government participation a feminist weekend of
what turned out to be, as far as
could see, a meeting of true belieThis person in spite of a
vers.
non perceptable generation gap was
enfolded in that special warmth that
is generated where ever women meet
without the props of pretension.
Planned without a set structure
of workshops, it made a random selection of groups to first come up
with subjects for further discussion in a later workshop approach.
found the small group discussion
not as productive as the general
discussion which took place in the
One constant
large conference room.
theme emerged time after time, the
pervasive impotence that women feel
who are mentally and emotionally
prepared to take a larger part in
the planning of changes that must
take place in society if woman is
to reach her full potential in this
The hetersexual relationcountry.
ship as defined in both emotional
and economic terms as a form of
dependancy was one that found responce in both straight and lesbian
It became a bridge that
women.
both sides could cross over with
The conference could well
ease.
have justified it's exsistance by
this fact alone; a mutual recognition that differences in life
styles crumble under the harsh
realities of economic pressure.
The lesbian collective of
Wages for Housework was vociferous
and militant, they are embattled
and bitter, twice oppressed, many
with children finding themselves
pushed to the wall by the society
they equate with male supremecy.
We may question the approach but
never the motive;
there is no
question survival is the driving
force, to keep their children and
preserve their life-style.
Wages
I

I

without apology-to a society who
have found it all too easy in the
past to dismiss women as the appendi
of the real power in control.
One of the more comprehensive
journals in the feminist press is
THE OTHER WOMAN out of Toronto,a
good and solid read for 50G or
$4 a year to subscribers,free to
prisons and Native Women it provides
a larger look at lifestyle and the
general health of the movement. We
at the northern Woman will keep a
supply of this fine paper for women
and solicit your support for it
as well as our own.We will also
the first time print a list of other
news-letters that have impressed us.

CEDAR GLEN
for Housework did not find support
in the conference, it was seen as
one more dependency gimmick that
allows the state even more participation in the lives of women. The
number of times the words money,
power and control were used as a
panacea for all the problems would
have delighted any member of the
board but in general this was a conference prepared to face up to the
realities. The future and fate
of the movement and all women hinges
on their ability to defend and susstain each other in the struggle.
Joint ownership of land and property,
lifeskills for a feminist community,
the role of the feminist press, the
pros and cons of separation of the
sexes, the third option of celebacy
relin avoiding the hassle of deep
ationships, the subject of cooptation from the extreme male
left, from social services, from the
moderate liberal; a more realistic
approach to the non declared feminist
groups whose long term goals in the
struggle for equal right lay parallel to their own, the growing interest in credit unions for women,
the increasing crisis housing starts,
the passion to have them owned and
operated by women as true havens,
the sexist literature in the schools,
the push of the anti-abortion groups,
All these topics combined to make
the general discussion groups a
fascinating study, the freedom and
ease with which all took part was
extremely gratifying.
My personal impression was one
of tremendous vitality, not always
channeled positively but a tangible
physical presence; one who has always
believed the spoken word is the most
unreliable form of communication,
can now dismiss much of the words my
own included and say with perfect
It
confidence the spirit lives!
struggles from frustration to depression and from depression to celIt is in healthy flux
ebration.
politically aware yet obliged to
If
buy into privelege for survival.
it has a fault it is the impatience
that sets it at odds with the compI

lacent and unaware, of it's own sex.
Those who have opted out of the hete
sexual relationships have paid their
dues.
It is unthinkable that straig
women everwhere should withhold the
Man and
full measure of sisterhood.
woman relationships under the present structure are enforced and continued as an imbalance of power to th
highest level of political maniThe personal is political
pulation.
and many times freedom begins and
The word radical
ends in the home.
is misused and abused in the context
of human relationships. Personally
can't see anything more radical
than challenging sexism where ever
That is how radical
it is found.
suggest in
am prepared to be and
that context we are all equally radi
The burgeoning spiritual and creatiN
growth in the movement should give
us all a measure of satisfacttion. 1
Sat. night concert at the conference
was a real power-house, singing,
comedy routine from the Three of Cur
a feminist tea-room in Toronto,
poetry by Alexa de Wiel and from
A most engros!
Thunder Bay as well.
ing film on the life of Gertrude
Stein, that great literary genius,
was the delight of the most creativr
minds of her time. The fact that si
was a known lesbian posed no threat
to her popularity. The part Alice
Tooklas played in her life was
fascinating.
would'n
It was an experience
learn
listened and
have missed,
was not alone in my age group.
Kay MacPherson from NAC was a
great companion and took me back to
Toronto.
Whatever the conference hoped to
accomplish in the way of concrete
directions palls into insignificie
beside the friends made, the communication established by a short IA
to-gether along a path that is our
common destiny.
I

I

I

I

I

I

I

GERT BEADLE

12
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�REPORT
FROM

COUNCI L
NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL
WOMAN'S DECADE CO-ORDINATING
COUNCIL
Minutes of May 15, 1976 Meeting
held in Conference Dining
Room at Confederation College with
19 members present.

A group picture taken by a photographer
to be used in submission to the
Chronicle Journal's woman's issue,
June 29.

Minutes of previous meeting were
RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ACTION GROUP:
adopted as read.
Paulah Edwards reported that the core
group are presently enrolled in
Secretary's Wen-do classes, a self-defense course.
Publicity report:
report stated that an information
They will be sponsoritig a seminar on
package, containing a pamphlet, rape and sexula assault at Confederation
a covering letter, and a copy of
the
College,
June 19, and brochures will follow.
Northern Woman journal had beenThe
sent
group will speak at Hillcrest highschool,
to approximately 100 woman's organizations
with the highschool health classes,
A press release
in N.W. Ontario.
and have already appeared at a Woman's
re: formation of the council andInstitute.
its aims had appeared in all local
papers.

Moved by Marg Lanchok that Gert's and
Paulah's reports be accepted.
Discussion on Council's approach
Seconded by Leone Lang.
Gert Beadle suggested
to the media:
the action groups report on their
own
HERSTORY
projects under the supportive structure
of the Council and that BerniceMarg Lanchok reported that a grant
Cain be the official spokesperson
in the Secretary of State was
grom
the interests of the Council in received, and interviews of the

Motion that all reports be
accepted by Micky murray
Seconded by Marg Lanchok.'
.

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HEARING
Marg Lanchok reported that
she attended an organizational
meeting on behalf of the council
and will present a brief at a
public meeting June6.
Meeting adjourned. Next meeting June 12/76

future.

students were completed.
Paulah
Motion by Gert Beadle, secondedEdwards
by
will continue the project
Joan that the publicity committee
operating out of the Northern
be dissolved and that action groups
Woman Journal office, Bay Street.
be responsible for their own
publicity.
NATIVE WOMEN

LIBERATION

I

cannot breathe

this air of

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Bernice Cain reported that she
had sent letters to Marlene Pierre,
Gert Beadle reported
Crisis Housing:
Nancy Morrison and Edith MacLeod,
on her meeting with Dorothy Akram,
asking them to join the Council.
councillor at the Tarbut St. Houses.
It was pointed out they were presently
She stated her committee was encouraged
involved in the Native Women's
Lisa informed the
with the progress.
Conference.
group that she and Colleen and Gert
will visit the Kenora women's hostels
SOCIAL SERVICE CUTBACKS
At present, no active
in June.
citizen's committee is operating there.
Sharon McKay reported. Our Council
is not affiliated with the
Coalition for Social Justice in
opposition to social service
cutbacks.
Bernice Cain will send
MEMMEMEM
NUMMI
a letter of support to Norm Richards.
Sharon McKay will be Council's
liason with this group.
ROOTS
A telegram
of protest from this Council's
My grandmother had a word for sex,
seminar had
sent
Intercourse,fornication, or the
by Sharon.
common screw,and all the other
definitive terms were not incluEQUAL PAY GROUP
ded in her repertoire.She had
her own wore It was"accomodateY
Leona Lang reported that a strong
got the feeling rather early
core group was established.
Weaknesses
that accomodating each other in
wasthe labour laws which accounted
something my grandparents didfor the labour contract failure
rather well,and with considerable
at the Port Arthur Clinic was
merriment.
wasn't sure whatdiscussed.
Changes in that area will
it was but
knew it was enough
have top priority with this group.
to make her give a rough tongue
Motion that we affiliate, with
to a neighbour who had the bad
N.A.C. who are actively lobbying for
manners to catch the act in the
legislative change. Unanimous consent.
hayfield one day while she and
Bernice will request affiliation by letter.
grandfather ,AAt building a hay
II MIMI
stack.
II
II MINIM. M
heard her tell my mother,
got some pretty definite
"It's nobody's business where
ideas about my grandmothers
accomodate my man and
told
meth6ds
of accomodation. For one
him so,he wont come snooping
thing,it
never occurred to me
around here again
can tell you".
that it wasn't she who decided
just when she felt accomodating.
PDF compression, OCR, web
a watermarked
Theoptimization
word duty wasusing
dust in
her
mouth.
heard her say many

unequal values

where the lyrics
for shunted womanhood
ring to the tune of
"pots

'n pans

ugly hands'
and

"aging witches
becoming bitches".
I

know

another part of me
the part you fail to see
the real meaning of me

I

Thus fulfillment
is found

I

I

in womanhood

creating a restored
image

I

I

I

in the femaleness

I

in me.

I

I

-Wendy Peterson
Kenora

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�NATIONAL ACTION
COMMITTEE

mi ni st ers
absent

was
In April of this year
On Sunday
_the to
resolutions
fortunate
enough
representwi
presented
to theOntario
voting as
delegate
North-Western
a delfor
refusal
Very
egate
from or
theacceptance.
Northern Women's
In support of the North West Territories
little
was raised
for
Centreopposition
to the annual
NAC (National
Status of Women Action Committee's
any
of the
issues with
some delec
Action
Committee)
conference
in
ates
exercising
reserved position
Brief to the Mackenzie Pipeline
The conference
began Fri.
Ottawa.
on evening
a few. April
Inquiry, re the effects of the pipeline
The three
issues until
23 andmain
continued
arising
out of the
resolutions
on N.W.T. women, BE IT RESOLVED that
Many piwomen
Sun. evening,
April
25.
sed
were:
economic
matters
NAC encourages member organizations
also
stayed
for the
lobby such
of M.P.'s
wage
birth
cc 26.
to make representations at hearings
on controls:
Parliamentabortion,
Hill, Mon.
April
across Canada of the Mackenzie
trot and
dayconference
care; and began
the organThe
on a someization
of an effective
communicPipeline Inquiry re the effect of
what disappointing
note
when the
ation
system
which
could
reach
0 of
the pipeline upon women.
panel of Marc Lalonde, Minister
women
of Canada
on issues
concerr
Health
and Welfare
and also
Ministing
WHEREAS Native Women In Canada suffer
Other
deal
erthem.
in charge
ofresolutions
Federal governwith
such
thing
as
the
MacKenzie
a double discrimination and are thereIWY,
Ron Basment participition in
Pipeline,
the presentation
fore the most oppressed in the country,
wonJohn
ford, Minister
of Justiceofand
inMunro,
the media,
energy
WHEREAS the Supreme Court of Canada
Minister
of alternatives
Labour, did not
priorities
in government
spending
has upheld the right of Indian
appear after
they had agreed
to do
etc.
Councils to strip Native women of
Details
of
these
resolution
It was immediately apparent to
so.
will
givenpresent
in THE how
STATUS
OF
their heritage when they marry,
thebewomen
important
WOMEN
NEWS.
outside the band, while similar
these men considered the conference
penalties are not inflicted upon men
participated
in sent
th
place they
reto On
be.Mon.In their
lobby
of
MP's,
in
which
who marry outside the band,
lobbied
for
Munro
and
Baspresentitives;
BE IT RESOLVED NAC urge that the Bill
an ford
individual
MP;their
the NDP
caucus,
they had
Deputy
Minister
took
part
in
the
luncheon
attende reof Rights be embodied and entrenched
and Assistant Deputy Ministers,
by spectively
John Munro in
andattendance.
Marc Lalonde an
in the BNA Act...
that NAC mount a delegation to the
visited For
the Lalonde,
office ofthe
Bobrepresentative
Andras,
Minister of Indian Affairs, Judd
my was
local
who had
agreed
BobMP,
Kaplan,
an not
MP and
alsot Parlreceive
any lobbyists.
Buchanan to ask that evictions of
iamentary
Secretary toThe
thelobby
Minister
Native women on the Caughnawagna
wasofthe
high
point
of
the
weekend
National Health and Welfare.
reservation be halted pending resolution
forAlso
it presented
an opportunity
t
on the panel
was Martha Hynna
of their appeals which are before the
speak
face-to-face
withof
the
men aPrivy
Coordinator,
Status
Women,
courts, and that the rights of
Council,
and Jeha
Roberts,
women
who have
so much
to do MP.
wit The
Native women should not be jeopardized
men there
on behalf ofinfluenci
Munro and
passing
the legislation
in any contemplated changes to the
were
placed women.
in a rather diftheBasford
lives of
Canadian
Indian Act;...
ficult
position for
The conference
wasalthough
attendedthey
that ... (NAC delegates and member
could
provide
some of
information
women
from
all parts
Canada it to
organizations be asked) to write
questions
asked of them
could
cluding
Newfoundland,
B.C. they
and tfletters of protest to the Minister,
not answer
the Ministers
Yukon.
was for
grateful
for the that
and to Ian Watson, M.P., in whose
Marth
they to
were
representing.
chance
articulate
the particul
riding Caughnawagna is located...
Hynna was
very informative
concerns
of Northern
women to and
the appeared to be committed to the work
present.
Mary Two-Axe Early and several other
As for
the two
that
she isthe
doing.
Despite
regional,
class,
Indian women took active part in
politicians;
they
displayed
an inethnic and political differences
discussions and lobbying M.P.'s.They
execusable
ignorance
of women's
that
existed among
the women
at t
are threatened with loss of homes,
issues and
to make
this ignorance
conference,
almost
unanimous
agre
separation from families, loss of
even
palatable,
theyall
spoke
ment
waslass
reached
on almost
of in
rights, (and their children also lose
very patronizing,
sometimes
theaissues.
think that
this wotolrights) such as to advanced education,...
erent,
have
to besometimes
stated asnot-so-tolerent
the success
if they marry a man who is not a
Although the questioning of
the manner.
conference.
registered Indian. As one vivacious
theSaturday
panel was
a a
frustrating
experwas
busy day win
"Montreal
older woman said:
ience
for
all
those
present,
workshops almost constantly in me it
people can come and bury their dogs
certainly
a greatthe
deal
to bring
ion,
first to did
determine
prior
in the pet cemetary on our reservation,
together
the
anger
and
disappointities and then to draw up resolul
cannot be buried with my own
but
ment
ofthe
theworkshops
women gathered
ions
from
chosen there.
people there!
the delegates according to the i5
ues they felt to be most importar
The workshop
attended was to dr
resolutions for the following foL
The Herstory project begun
issues;
mass consciousness-raisin I.W.Y. will go into it's
111111111
IMMO
MOM ing, abortion,
wage
control and
second phase this season with
backs, and political equality.
a summer work project grant.
the workshop
attended was typic
Paula Edwards will index and
of the others, as I'm sure it was
complete the material,to those
it is a miracle that we were able
students who applied we can only
to arrive at an acceptable statesay we are sorry we couldn't
ment on these issues, considerinc
hire all of them.
the wide scope of involvement one
militancy or lack of same among
ENGLAND
the women participating.
But agr
ment was reached which was a verb
A Bill Battered Wives (Rights
encouraging achievement.
to Possession of Matrimonial Home)
has received first reading in the
It would
English Parliament.
OTTAWA Hill
- A pilot project to continue
BY Laurie
"require the courts to make an
the initiatives in the field commenc
order giving the wife of a man
by the IWY Secretariat in 1975,eight
who has been convicted of an act
consultants experienced with women's
of violence against her the comgroups and community education have
plete right to possession of the
been hired to work in eight regions
matrimonial home if she applies
across the country. One of the confor such an order and for purposes
sultants is Colleen Hughes in Nothconnected
therewith."
western
Ontario.
"Loserism is when oppressed
-Spare
Rib (English feminist
do
something.
Well just DO
Colleen Hughes can be contacted by
magazine)
Establishment's
jobl"
leaving a message at 623-5241,the SecI

NAC NEWS
RESOLUTIONS FOR URGENT ACTION

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

QUOTE

14

can't

I OMEN-

retary of State office,or through her
Ihome,358 N.Syndicate Avenue,Thunder
P7C 3W5. Phone 623-3990

IrrU

1E3

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CVISIONMIN
PDFCompressor

sit around and think up reasons why they

�CONVERSATION
HE SAYS.

SHE SAYS
I USED TO LOVE TO DANCE,BUT HE DOESN'T
CARE TO ANYMORE.

MY WIFE CAN DO ANYTHING SHE LIKES
AS LONG AS SHE DOES IT ON HER
OWN TIME,

C

I'M SO BORED WITH MY LIFE I COULD SCREAM.

0
M
M

I'M JUST AS TRAPPED AS SHE IS
I CANT DO EVERYTHING I'D LIKE

I'M EATING TOO MUCH AND I DONT KNOW WHY.

EITHER.

I WANT A ROOM OF MY OWN WITH A LOCK
AND KEY,I WANT TO KEEP MY DREAMS FROM
BEING SMASHED.

WHY DOES SHE NEED HER OWN MONEY
EVERYTHING I HAVE IS HERS.

U
N

I WANT TO STAY

LOVING BUT IT'S HARD.
I WANT TO STAY

THE WOMANS MOVEMENT FRIGHTENS ME
'M AFRAID SHE'LL HATE ME.

C

I GIVE MYSELF OVER TO THE RAGE THAT
IS IN ME,I'LL SMASH EVERYTHING WE HAVE
BUILT TOGETHER.
IF

T
HOW CAN I SAY THIS FRAME IS TOO
SMALL TO GROW INJWITHOUT SAYING
I WANT TO GROW AWAY FROM HER

I

0

HARD.

THE WOMANS MOVEMENT FRIGHTENS ME, THERE
IS SO MUCH OF IT THAT APPLIES TO ME
I DONT WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT.

IF I GIVE MYSELF OVER TO THE
RAGE THAT IS IN MEJI WILL SMASH
EVERYTHING WE'VE BUILT TO-GETHER

A

LOVING BUT IT'S

HOW CAN I SAY THIS FRAME IS TOO SMALL
TO GROW IN WTHOUT SAYING IWANT TO GROW
AWAY FROM HIM.

N

HOW CAN WE TELL EACH OTHER HOW WE FEEL WHEN WE
ARE BOTH SO DEFENSIVE WE'LL ACCUSE EACH OTHER OF NOT CARING.

I MOURN FOR MY SISTER
Credit to Country
Women Journal.
leisurely enjoyed
This morning as
my second cup of coffee.I reached
for the local suburban newspaper
and read with horror that a 36 yr
old woman had been murdered during
the night. A neighbour had seen
the figure of a man with a gun in
did not
her doorway.Even though
know her personally,nor her two
children,nor her estranged husband
(described by the press as having
no regular address or place of
employment)nor her co-workers where
she was employed as secretary,I wept
for her. She was my sister.
was overcome with rage at this
violent act,a symbol of the final
or ultimate sacrifice of personhood
which men have historically demanded
of us as a separate species: woman.
has
The male/female relationship
probably best been characterized by
the females willingness to sacrifice
any or every portion of her own
individual needs,goals and basic
personhood.Direct confrontation was
out,so she developed covert manipu.
anion as a method.I consider it
a frightening statistical fact,that
married women make more suicide
attempts and carry them out at a
alarming and higher rate than single

and dissapated,they either give
one last sigh and surrender,or
take a deep breath and come out

I

fighting.

I

I

women.

Some men,in there honest
groping search for new roles
to play,are themselves many
times lost,it takes a very
self assured woman to gently
guide them in the relationship.
It is however a fine line between guiding andteaching a
person to allow himself to be
free with you and yet not
attempting to dominate him
denying his needs,under the
guise of our own liberation.
have watched women friends
try to please men who cannot
be pleased,remembering as
little girls,that pleasing
their fathers and grand fathers
and uncles brought them love
and acceptance.The circles
enclosing ,their worlds grow
smaller and smaller as they
try harder and harder to please
until they are mere things,
objects.Their life energies
I

personally find intimate relationships with men draining.I find
myself in a ping pong cycle ,getting
need from
the emotional support
can be strong enough to
women so
with men.I find myself
hassle it out
representing every female relationship they have experienced from mother
an interaction
on down;taking of
with them,means taking on their garbage and accumulated myths.lt is
tiring to discover that each friend
ship turns out to be a CR experience
for both of us
I

I

I

sapped

The tension of being powerless
The waiting and knowing that with
each shadowy figure on a dimly lit
street your very existence could be
wiped out,or with luck you could only
be raped,molested and beaten.The
physical power,the physical meat muscle
strength which is held over women
from the time of small wobbling toddlers threatened with "when father
gets home",or the gangs of boys on
the way home from school-the pushing
shoving,hair pulling,rock or snowball throwing.or the adolescent male
sadistically teasing with an arm twist
or a locked grip on your wrist. This
constant taunting of muscle power
over our bodies as we remember the
the neighbour lady with the cauliflower ears from her husbands beating.The very real vulnerability of
our experiences recorded
in our minds and ever interfering with
assertiveness in our adult day to
day relationships with men.
How many ways do men kill women?
Killing us softly,slowly,eating away
at our capabilities,our self-confidence,
our dignity,self respect and self
esteem;eroding our hopes and dreams
the Dream Killers,the Mind Killers
the Soul Killers,and the epitome
of their domination,when we act out
their fi nal demand and take our lives
or have them taken from us.
So to-day
mourn my sister's
death,shot in the head with a shot.
gun by her former husband,and
mourn
the suffering that all my sisters
have received at the hands of the
men they have loved.
I

I

.

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�T HE

F OR

NEED

The rage we feel in our day
to day encounters with peo,ple who lack understanding
of women,the constant frustration of exploitation and
belittlement,and the ever
present fear of destruction
,are but a few of the problems we,as women must face.
Try to imagine for a moment
how all these problems would
feel,given a few details of
another persons life.For
example,men making passes
at you,that you dont recognize
as a pass,because you have
no idea what a pass is.
Or imagine being made love
the
to,enjoying it with
pure animal instinct we all
have within us,but with none
of the tenderness or care
that is such a vital part of
lovemaking.Or let us take it
one step further7imagine
yourself pregnant,imagine drs.
checking you over,discussing
your life,then doing something very painful to your insides,that you cannot recognize as an abortion because
you dont know what an abortion
is.Then you go through a post
partum depression and lose
control and they lock you up
,.in a room.You get over it and
everything is the same,except
they give you a little pink
pill,and you dont know what it
isbut you take it because you
have sJo much faith in the people
who give it to you that you
would trust them with your life
and sometimes you do.
This gruesome imagery, is
unfortunately not imagery at all
its not science fiction and its
had last night,
not a nightmare
It's all true.It happens to
a very misuderstood,and completely
oppressed minority of women.
It happens to mentally retarded
women who are misfortunate
enough to be forced to live behind the walls of an institution.
The glaring facts came to me
quite by accident in 1973/74
was working on an indep.
while
endant study for the college
was attending at the time. My
study involved sex education
for the mentally retarded. while
studying,working, surveying and
researching--I became quite famwomen
iar with many retarded
who lived in a southern Ont
institution.Iwas also working
within the walls of this place
as a councellor.Some of the
slips of the tongue,that were
inadvertantlyspoken to me shocked
me at first,then came astonishment
I

I

I

EDUCATION

S EXUAL

then devastation that we could have
come so far in the movement and
still be so ignorant of a particular
minorit.Y.which needed our help
so desperately.
Sex Education is almost vital
to the survival of these women but
for some unknown reason,we haven't
taught them what they need to know.
You may be justly surprised at
some of the details of my study which
am about to outline,it is simply
proof of our innocence on the subject.
will be discussing
The women
are classified as "borderline intellnormal",they have
igence" or dull
I.Q.'s that could run anywhere
from 50 to 85*,and still be in this
category.For the sake of argument
we will avoid discussion of the
severely and profoundly retarded.
will define normal as not retarded to avoid confusion since the
term itself is questionable.I
will go so far as to say that to the
best of my knowledge"sex drives"
in the M.R. are more closely linked
to the mental,rather than chronological
age of the person.Compared to the normal
therefore,the borderline person,will
usually 'exhibit less sexual be'
haviour,and not more as is sometimes
I

I

I

believed.

Many more retarded women are taking
their place in the community as
self supporting adults,Others until
destined to a life of
recently
dependance are now viewed as capable
of becoming at least partially selfsufficient.As the M.R. woman assumes
a more productive role in society
the more she also assumes responsib-

It should be added,and
am quoting
a resource guide put out by the
National Institute on Mental Retardation" young retardates are vulnerable
and easily mislead,without careful
preparation can and do fall victim
to sexual seduction and exploitation".
It should also be added there is no
evidence of increased promiscuity
among the retarded.I would also like
to destroy the commonly accepted myth
that aggressive sexual acts are common
in the retarded,as is usually assumed)
and that cases like this are extremely
rare,in fact less common on the averag(
than in the normal population.Such act!
that do occur are usually due to a lac)
of emotional control rather than
malicious intent.
It must also be pointed out that,t1
intellectual limitations of the mental
retarded present certain difficulties
in the development of sex education
relevant to their needs.Generally speal
they are not capable of understanding
the complex biological structure of the
reproductive system,nor can they anticipate the social consequence of inappropriate sexual behavior.Yet,they ml
be prepared for the social roles
they will assume in the future.
The term sex education covers all area
which hSve to do with human sexuality
including our attitudes,our feelings,
our behavior,and the way we relate to
ourselves and others.
Guilt is an emotion we must be very
careful not to instill.If for example
,we slap her fingers for playing with
her genitals but smile when she plays
with her toes,she will be confused
and may associate her genitals with
I

ility for her own---behavipur.-_,_maintain that this very responsibility
entitles her to the same respect we
receive,both sexually and emotionally,not only because we are all
women,but because we are all people.
It's so sad to see the abuse these
women are subjected to as a result
of their lower level of understanding.
As our sisters, we should be helping them get the very best of treat
ment,rather than the all to obvious
reality ofour shortcomings.
My study therefore was based on
the premise that retarded women ,can
and do learn;and the ability to learn
varied greatly from woman to woman
but,for the most part she can behave
in a socially acceptable fashion in

s-of-NpuM-%_4wmi

But time takes care of mo
embarassments,when she is old enough
to go out in public,you can teach her
not to masturbate,just as you teach her
not to pick her nose and so on.
Theses are a few of the points
researct
brought about through careful
and determined questioning.
have outlined for you here
What
merely involves the introduction,and
first chapter of my study.If signs of
interest are evident,parts of the
whole study will be published by the
Northern Woman Journal,I hope sufficier
interest will warrent this
*I.Q. levels are those of the
National Institute on mental retardatic
Paulah Edwards
I

all areas of social and sex related

aspects of life.If we assume she
can,and does learn,then the development of sex education programs become'
a reasonable goal.

I M PORT A N T
NORTERN WOMAN CENTRE....622-3989
WOMEN IN NEIGHBOURHOODS..622-8187
345-5841
THE NORTERN WOMAN
622-2863
MOTHERS ON BUDCE'TS
344-2431
SMITH CLINIC

Paulah Edwards came to us out of Winds(
This article is only part of a study
she made for her thesis.Idealistic and
loving she offers herself to the
further understanding of what it means
to be a woman and defenceless.

NUM BERS
SOCIAL SERVICES....623-2711
344-3571
CRISIS INTERVENTION
623-9596
FAMILY COUNCILLING
3451972
LEGAL AID
344-1192
TELECARE

623-2711
CRISIS HOUSING
HUMAN RTS. COMMISSION..475-1693
EMPLPYMENT STANDARDS...475-1691
344-3922
MUNICIPAL DAY CARE
622-2450
OR

16
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�1*

THE NORTHERN WOMAN

RETURN TO:

316 Bay St.
Thunder Bay, "P" Ontario.
return postage guaranteed

Canada

Poster

Poet

Canada

Bulk

En hombre

third

troisieme

class classe

220

111111011111

NM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Donna Shaw
4ag 627 S. High St.
City P

Day Care
3
Epilepsy Thunder Bay 3
Family Property Law
4
4
Kenora Visit
Women &amp; Alternatives 5
Letters
7
Cut Backs
9
Project on Widows....I0
Credit Counselling...11
12
Feminist Weekend
13
D
Report N.0
National Action Cmtt 14
Mourn For My Sisterly
16
Sexual Education

71111400Ee

I

THIS IS YOUR LAST COPY

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RR

law womos Nom= ism mom

PLEASE SUPPORT US

(Six ISS1-45)
4 3 2-2 YEAR
72Q BuSI NESS

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NAM E

GIFT

want to get involved?
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or Friday.

ADDRESS

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�</text>
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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. &#13;
&#13;
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. &#13;
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                <text>Vol. 2, No. 6 (1976)&#13;
Title: The Northern Woman&#13;
&#13;
Topics include:&#13;
Alternative political institutions&#13;
Critique of political authority&#13;
Anti-capitalism&#13;
Epilepsy&#13;
Day care&#13;
Thunder Bay Co-operative Nursery School&#13;
Family property law&#13;
Women’s treatment residence Kenora&#13;
Interchange 75 – A Forum for Action on Women’s Issues&#13;
International Women’s Year&#13;
Tenant rights&#13;
Women’s Credit Union&#13;
Northern Women’s Centre&#13;
Letters to the editor&#13;
Poetry&#13;
Art&#13;
Government cutbacks to social services&#13;
Research on the lives of widows&#13;
Credit counselling&#13;
Feminist press&#13;
Feminist conference, Bolton ON&#13;
Northwestern Ontario International Women’s Co-ordinating Decade Council&#13;
Rape and sexual assault action group&#13;
Human rights commission hearing&#13;
Sex&#13;
National Action Committee&#13;
Mackenzie Pipeline inquiry&#13;
Indian Act &amp; sexism&#13;
Indigenous rights&#13;
Indigenous housing crisis&#13;
Battered wives Bill (England)&#13;
Grief &amp; violence against women/femicide&#13;
Sex education&#13;
 &#13;
Authors/Contributors:&#13;
Joan Packota&#13;
Arend Visser&#13;
Gert Beadle&#13;
Wendy Peterson&#13;
Laurie Hill&#13;
Paulah Edwards</text>
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�EDITORIAL
Some point out that a long year has passed since the valiant

The Port Arthur Clinic has once again hit the headlines.
women workers,at the clinic went out en strike.

Within the last few days, several news items have pointed out the fact that the struggle has continued throughout
these many months, with the women who,--in good faith, terminated the strike and went back to work, bearing the brunt of the

doctors' ill will and harassment in defense of their legal right to unionize.

To them

I

tip my hat.

It takes courage

dedication, and understanding, to stand up for principle in the interest of a group, despite intimidation and harassment.
In a situation such as exists at the Port Arthur Clinic where the doctors have a monoply, and where many patients,
because of special needs, had to cross the picket lines, because they could not get the required care elsewhere, on the one
hand; and on the other hand, where you have a situation among the trade unions, who were committed to support the strike on
paper, but who failed; and still fail to carry out sufficient educational work among their membership regarding trade union
solidarity.

The combination of these circumstances, along with the weak response of the then acting Minister of Labour, Dr.

Bette Stephenson (past president of the Canadian Medical Association and a self-avowed feminist) who merely said she had
done all she could, make the outcome of the strike predictable.

Just what did Bette Stephenson do??

The doctors at the Port Arthur Clinic have proven themselves to no longer being a breed apart, but have now moved over
to being nothing more than ruthless businessmen.

They have effectively destroyed the image of dedicated men and women

giving their lives to the sick and maimed as first class humanitarians.

They have indeed emerged as a tarnished breed.

As if the destruction of our faith in doctors were not bad enough there appeared also on the scene a nitwit in the guise
of a female employee, who has taken it upon herself to call for decertification of the union,

I

wonder why??

Has this woman heard of the struggle everywhere that women are waging for equal pay and equal treatment in their places
Of employment?

Does she have the mental capacity to read the local paper?

Did she read the result of a very recent
Has she ever

official survey which showed that Ontario women are being paid $44. a week less than men doing the same work?
bothered to look up the meaning of the words 'unity' or 'solidarity' in the dictionary?

Does she understand that some of

the gains she has achieved since the strike were won by those who struke the clinic and remained steadfast?

I

feel pity

and contempt for this individual.
At long last there is a glimmer of hope;
Journal, Aug. 17)

Did this ding-a-ling read that a contract has been achieved (Chronicle-

and that decertification will nullify it?

Did she see the Aug. 18th article in the same paper, pointing

out that the difference.in wages paid the unionized St. Joseph's hospital employees and the clinic workers is substantial?
Perhaps this will tell her soMething.

AlimilMemmowon.

It is gratifying to know that a secred ballot vote of all eligible employees on the questjon of decertification has
been granted by the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

I

hope they will use it well, and to their own advantage.

In unity

there is strength.

**********************************************************rtrroVers****orintAt

with talented and courageous women of
1
should be evicted.
Some
courses
provide
new
the past.
A booklet
entitled "Your rights
perspectives of the present. All of the
and obligations under the landlord and
courses address the great potential
tenant act-Partiv 4( residental
for the future.
es) is available from;
Ruth Cunningham, Director of Wamen's
rd and Tenant Booklet
Programs,
and Lynne Thornburg, Super!
ox 520, Adelaide St ,Toronto,
visor
of
Women's
Programs, continue to
6
work within the framework set by these
ur conclusion that the law is
result has
been a
delines.
e rich andThe
injustice
prevails
ber of high calibre, exciting
rses offered to women throughout
thwestern Ontario, as well as
inars, workshops and conferences.
This fall and winter there will be a

Letters cont'd from page 3

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�:*************************
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IJETTERS

E*******400********01010WK***
Although it is the policy of this
collective not to print letters
that are unsigned, from time to time
we receive a letter that cries out to
be heard, -not just by the ears of
sympathy and understanding, but by
the-general public who are all
too eager to dismiss from their minds
any subject that doesn't fit into
the lifestyle of their choice.
The subject matter of the Northern
Woman Journal is "Women in Distress",
and we feel this letter fits well
within that frame.

Dear Sisters:

still have a long way to go, and
the going will be rough at times.
think if
had had counselling in my
early adolescence it would have done
away with a lot of my problems.
I

I

I

hope you think about this because
you can get through to the people and
make them aware, by running some
articles in your feminist press.
I

If
Thank you for reading my letter.
it does nothing else it has given me an
outlet.
I'm surprised at myself and a
little proud to be able to even say for
the first time that
am gay.
Even if
it's only in print without my name,
it still feels good.
I

Your paper is fantastic.
am so
impressed.
It is such a good feeling
I

Dear Sisters;

am writing this letter with
sincerity, hoping you do not think it
ridiculous.
don't even know if my
problem will be of any interest
to you.
truly hope it does for
feel you are the individuals who will
be able to do something positive
about it.
I

I

I

I

I

am an 18-year-old female student
who is finding it extremely difficult
to deal with my bisexuality.
have never had relations with
another woman, - my lack of lovers is
not the probje, the problem is, what
my bisexuality has done to my relations with my friends and family.
have an awful feeling of isolation
because
can't really get close to my
family or be completely honest and
confide in them.
have friends but
how can
discuss bisexuality with
them when they openly joke and
ridicule gays.
I

I

I

I

I

have liberal friends who
consider themselves open-minded
but even so,
know if
confide in them,
even if they don't prejudice themselves
I

I

I

would feel that every time
against me,
joked with them or put my arm
around their shoulder in friendship
they might feel uneasy, as to my
guess I'm trying to
motives.
What
know my situation
say is that
can hardly be unique.
I

I

I

I

A lot of my problems could have
been gotten rid of a long time ago if
could only have spoken to someone
who is bisexual and learned to deal
There is counselling services
with it.
for just about any problem an
adolescent can come across except this.
Drugs, family problems, alcoholism, you name it, the high-school counsellor
is prepared to deal with it, but
how can you cure homosexuality.
can't think of myself as being sick.
Unfortunately, it is hard to maintain
this belief when one is told homosexuals
are sick and deprived and just plain
queer.
wish the Northern Woman
could set up a place where kids could go
freely without being slandered or
Kids in an identity crisis
ridiculed.
are the most vulnerable of all and
the ones most in need of help.
I

I

I

work.

I

I

Thank You,
Unsigned.

I

I

Sure

to have your group in Thunder Bay.
say your, but
feel
am a part of it
for
feel for every issue you are
involved in.

While we were pleased that you
reprinted the Fact Sheet on cutbacks
compiled by the Wages for Housework
Committee in your latest issue, it
was a mistake that you did not explain
what the Fact Sheet was all about.
The Fact Sheet is an addendum to
a petition that we wrote protesting
the freeze in the Family Allowance,
which says that the Family Allowance
is the only money many women receive
in recognition of the work of raising
children, and that not only do we refuse to let that money be taken away
from us, but we want it extended to a
full wage for all women for all our
housework.
The Fact Sheet goes along
with the petition to give figures on
how the wage controls and government
cutbacks generally hit women the hardest by giving us less money and more

oilmmmmiwemmeeelmm

Over 15000 petitions are in circulation across Canada, and the response has been tremendous, with many
women taking the petition themselves
to circulate among neighbours and coworkers.
We have just published the
first issue of the Wages for Housework
Campaign Bulletin, which contains many
articles on the Family Allowance Protest, and on the campaign for wages
for housework internationally.
For copies of the petition,
Bulletin, and other information, write
to P.O. Box 38, Station E. Toronto.
Frances Gregory - Wages for Housework
Committee

Hello from an enthusiastic and
dedicated reader in Kingston, Ont.!
As a member of the Kingston
Women's Centre,
really enjoyed your
little article 'What is a Feminist
Press'? When you defined this as one
"that creates a hunger for a deeper
meaning, a closer walk with a movement that has become like the cry of
our own hearts", you spoke for so
4)4111111111114141=1114)4110
many of us across Canada who are
working on women's newspapers.
And
Dear Sisters:
although our newsletter in Kingston
is small, with a minimum number of
A helpful plumber told me the following which
women doing a maximuM amount of work,
would like to share with
your readers.
the faith that you express in the mean(1)
ing of our work gives us heart to keep
purchase a plunger for unpluggon going. 41111111111.1.111MITIONIMIMIIIIIMMaking
(2)
if you have a plugged double
Unlike other great steps forward
compartment sink, you must stop up
in intellectual thought, the Women's
one drain for the plunger to be offMovement is not centred in an 'artsy'
ective on the other side.
capital; because of its membership, it
(3)
There
is
if the plunger doesn't work,
is everywhere at all times.
Draino
or other light commercial prono one voice of this revolution, nor
ducts
probably
won't either.
should there be.
Buy (at
wholesalers) Hot Shot or Drain Bane.
We are, all of us, working, thinkFollow directions carefully and note
ing, and radicalizing in cities all
whether it can be used on plastic
Each little newsletter is
over Canada.
(black) pipes.
an important part of the feminist press;
(4)
once a day, or oftener, run hot
each women's group is a component of
water, full force down your drains for
the movement,
a minute or so, and try not to let
thought I'd drop you a line
So
hair, garbage, etc. go down.
to let you know how much your paper is
(5) if you drop something valuable
must mention
enjoyed in Kingston. Oh,
in drain, don't run any water, it is
the 'Roots' article about the accomop
probably still in the trap (curved
dating grandmother; that was fine.
pipe underneath sink).
Although our centre can't afford
Put a basin
u
under trap and remove the nut with a
to pay subscriptions, we hope we can
wrench.
continue to exchange with you. Keep
(
(6) modern or defective toilets plug
up the good work; you have a quality
e
easily.
paper.
Lots of love from Kingston.
Don't put tampax down them
or flush-a-bys.
Julie Morris for Kingston Women's Centre
also learned to
check fuses on range if an element
200 Montreal St. Kingston, Ont.
doesn't work and to check water intake tap to washer if clothes washer
P.S.
forgot to mention Wendy Petersons
doesn't work, before calling a repair
poem "Liberation", which said it all in
person.
a nutshell, yet managed to include her
It's worth framing,
emotions as well.
In sisterhood - Donna Williams T.B.
really. (I usually dislike 20th C poetry.
I

I

(

I

I

I

I

91011.41)11111111.0r

4104111114710)()

RAPE STUDY
Dear Sisters:

Although there is much discussion
and concern about the issue of abortion
today, there is little information on
how Canadian women have responded to
having an abortion. We are now doing
a study of the experiences of Canad-

ian women who have sought and obtained a therapeutic abortion inside Canada
or elsewhere.
If you have had an
abortion and would be willing to fill
out our questionnaire, please send
your name and Address to us and a
questionnaire will be mailed to you.
Great care will be taken to ensure

your anonymity and confidentiality
and no names will be associated with
If you will help us with
the study.
this research, please write to:
Kathy Logsdail and Lorraine Wood,
c/o Department of Psychology,, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont.

cont'd page

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�When Women Were Not "Persons"
Taken from:

Believe it or not, only 45
years ago women had no legal status
as "persons" in Canada. Today it is
difficult to recall that up to 1929
five successive Canadian governments
and the Supreme Court of Canada had
insisted that Canadian women were
not "persons" at all with the definition of the British North America

The SENCA, Vol. 2, Issue

3

Act.

What was to become widely known
as the "Persons Case" started in Alberta
in 1916 when the provincial government
appointed Emily Murphy as magistrate
The
of the family court in Edmonton.
appointment, the first of its kind in
the British Empire was a tribute to
the outstanding role played by women
But from the day of
in World War I.
her appointment Magistrate Murphy's
rulings were challenged by male lawyers
on the grounds that she was not a
The Alberta
"person" under the BNA.
government acted speedily to enact
legislation but the federal government refused to amend the BNA Act so
that all of its terms of reference
would include "female persons".

The question of the legal status
of women kept surfacing until mid-summer
1928 when Magistrate Murphy invited four
other leading Canadian women to join her
in seeking clarification of the BNA Act.
She had found a section of the Supreme
Court regulations that permitted five
citizens to solicit such information.
The four other women were Nellie McClug,
author, lecturer and a leading figure
in the fight for women's suffrage;
Dr. Henrietta Edwards, author of two
books on women's legal status; Irene
Parlby, a member of the Alberta cabinet; Louise McKinney, a former Alberta
The petition, signed by the
MLA.
five women, asked if the word "person"
in the BNA Act included "female persons".

The Mackenzie King Liberal
government of the day put their
best legal talent to work to
defeat the women's petition.
They went back to Roman law,
ancient English custom, and even
argued that the BNA Act had been
framed by men at a time when won
The
had absolutely no rights.
Supreme Court of Canada (five
male judges) ruled unanimously
that it was bound to interpret
the BNA Act as it was written an
that women were not "persons".

The decision was appealed
the British Privy Council and on
October 28, 1929, the Council ov
ruled the Supreme Court of Canad
In its ruling the Council was
sharply critical of the Canadian
Government for relying on antiquated laws and customs to deny
It said
equal status to women.
that all constitutions must be s
ject to change and development
through public opinion and custo

*%*********** ************ *******
*** *** ************* ******** *44* * *************

A Searching LooA

AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR READERS FROM THE
CANADIAN CIVIL LIBERTIES ASSOCIATION

al Ahren "s; itrireArs

What do you think of an organization that
protests the government policy of forcing
deserted wives on welfare to sue their husbands;
seeks the elimination of sexual discrimination
in the Citizenship Act; is training citizen
advocates among native Indians in the north;
goes to bat for women on welfare who get cut off
simply because of a "man in the house"; constantly exposes and criticizes the periodic
police practice of denying arrested persons
access to telephones and consultations with
counsel, and is fighting for East Indians and
West Indians whose bona fide visitors are
denied admission to Canada?
The organization that is doing these things
and much more is the Canadian Civil Liberties
Association. This letter is your invitation to
join the ranks of this vital organization.
Committed people are our only source of support.
We won't ask or take assistance from
Our independence is too important.
government.
Membership dues are a minimum of $10 per year
and can be paid by cheque in favour of the
Canadian Civil Liberties Association, 1554
Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario.
Thank you for considering us.
Hon. E. M. Hall
H onorary Pres.

June Callwood
Vice-Pres.

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The following quotes are taken from
advertisements for women's underwear:

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if
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if
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if

if
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if
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Pierre Burton
Director

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Inrulmmommeww.rup...0*
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My Selective Poems and Prose by
Hazel Clink
A delightful book of poems written by
Hazel and published after she was
seventy years young.
Write The Northern Woman Journal for
copies.
$4 plus postage.

'Ma Ssiscliva.

items :

Aga ROMP

*
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fit

Stretch sides for gentle comfort
Has elastic mesh back insert to keep
waist in place, tummy panel
And the last one:

Beautiful Bronze won't show under light
colours. Hood closing crotch.
If you are thoroughly turned off, disgusted or even amused, you have the
right to any of those reactions.

The advertisements were not seen in
a Sex shop, but in -the pages of a
shop-at-home catalogue. And in case
you haven't guessed already, the quotations all came from the advertisements
for ilN6ERit; The photographs0601#
women With ftgures 44611041 perfection.

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"When you give up freedom for security
you eventually end up with neither."
Thomas Jefferson

Double control with zipper convenience
gentle stretch power net controls you
firmly
Add a little with lightly padded cups
Exclusive Cordtex for uplifting support
The natural look
The French look
Naughty but nice
Take the plunge in this smoothie
Moves with you, adapts for precise

ank

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If, however, you look at the ads for
men's shorts, the two men pictured
must have been in sheer agony from being
flattened out, (in the strategic places)
for there is not the slightest bulge
The descriptions themselves
in sight.
;give details of testing and re-testing
'done to prevent shrinkage and ensure
The material the shorts
_long wear.
'are made of, and the colour and size
are the only other selling features,
there is no mention of sex appeal, or

cont'd
page

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�Lembit

A FABLE

268

In the city of the Sleeping Conscience,
where Pride and Paranoia live in big houses,
Sagit, daughter of December, dreamer,of
dreams and viewer of the human scene, share
my visions,for the hand of truth is upon me,
and my tongue has been unharnessed by age.
see a great long house where the power
Prisoners
of the Medicine Man is absolute.
of the long house have turned into numbers on
So great is
little cards, in black files.
the power and prestige of the Medicine Men that
the numbers sit placidly for hours to hear,
"My Lord will see No. 22 now", whereupon
shivers of delight and gratitude send the
Number into the inner sanctum to do homage.
see the long house fall, and the
numbers disappear as if written in invisible
see the numbers cry with confusion
ink.
"We
"It is the Women", they cry.
and fear.
must sacrifice the Women to appease the gods."
So they gather to stone the maidens.
Then did the Medicine Men beguile the
maidens to divide and betray each other, and
did put in the hand of each betrayer the
first stone to cast as penance for having
failed to do homage to the great god Class.
see the gods are not appeased. "You
must destroy the root before your number is
visible in our sacred black box", they tell
I

I

I

I

"It is the
the frantic, invisible numbers.
commies at the root of this great disobedience."
Now the commies are a great threat to the
Medicine Men, for they are little ideas that
burrow beneath the skin, causing an itch that
has no cure in the little bag of tricks the
Medicine Men call private enterprise.
see the invisible numbers searching them
out, they look under the pillows, behind the
doors, under the eyelids and even in a smelly
They have regressed to the primitive,
armpit.
like picking the lice out of each' others' hair.
see an angel in their midst, and she calls
who drove the money
to the numbers, "It is
who destroyed
It is
changers from the temple.
who
erased
the numbers
It is
the long house.
But
the
numbers,
crazed
that held you captive."
they
nailed
with fear, cry, "Crucify her", and
her to the cross of rough justice and ignorance.
Not until they had hidden her beneath a stone
did the numbers become visible--not on the
square card, not in the black file, but burned
into the forehead.
I, Sagit, saw and understood, for the signs
heard the Angel
of the times are on me, and
say, "I will rise again on Mountain
Moving Day."
I

I

I

I

I

I

I

**********************************************************************************

I WIFE ABUSE
terms of criminal justice, for example,
rape laws make it nearly impossible
for a woman to convict her rapist.
Police refuse to arrest and the
courts refuse to restrain the wifeIn both areas, myths have
beater.
evolved to place the blame for these
acts of men on the women they
In rape, it's that women
victimize.
want to be raped, they lead men on,
In wife-beating, it's
they provoke it.
that women are masochistic, they
like to be beaten, they nag, they're
frigid.

Wife abuse, defined as physical
violence against a woman by her husband or lover, is probably the most
common and widespread form of male
violence against women. Ten thousand
cases of wife abuse are reported
As with rape, the reported
annually.
cases represent only a small fraction
of the actual cases.
Until very recently, there was no
public recognition of wife abuse.
In the past year a dozen or so groups
have organized around the issue, and
the media has taken an interest.
There is still very little feminist
Wife abuse remains
involvement.
the domain of lawyers and social
service professionals. The issues of
rape and wife abuse are very related,
and there is a growing need for
feminist awareness.
(In Thunder Bay, feminists clearly
identified the need for services to
abused women. However, City Social
Services took over and assumed full
control, leaving us with no place in
either planning or function.)
At the most basic,level, rape and
wife abuse are related in that both
involve acts of violence perpetrated
In both cases,
by men against women.
In
society condones these acts.

In both cases, liberals characterize the perpetrators as sick.
Stereotypes and myths concerning
class and race shield white, particularly middle and upper class men
from reponsibility for both rape and
wife abuse. Black men, according
to the common mythology, rape white
women. This myth serves the dual
purpose of directing white women's
anger and fear away from white men
while, at the same time, providing
white men with a tool for oppressing black men. This myth persists
despite the fact that the examination of crime statistics clearly
reveals that most rapes occur within
the same race.
Similar myths also obscure the
area of wife-beating. According to
the stereotype, wife-beating is a
phenonmenon of the lower classes.
Thus, middle and upper class women are
reluctant to reveal their abuse.
StUdies have shown, however, that
wife-beating is common to all classes,
In Norwalk,
races and at all ages.
Connecticut, a community with a
wife socio-economic range, the police
received the same number of complaints of wife abuse as in a comThe County
parable area in Harlem.
Council in Montgomery County, Maryland, which claims to be the nation's
wealthiest county, recently released
a report which found that wife abuse
was a serious problem in that county
and recommended the establishment of
a shelter home there.
There won't be an attempt at this

point to examine all the myths and
stereotypes that abound concerning rape
It is clear, however,
and wife-beating.
that there are parallels in the misinformation that has clouded both
One effect has been to hide the
areas.
fact that violent behaviour is a
typical and frequent response of men
to women, and that all classes and
races of men fully participate.
Another effect has been to conceal
the fact that women receive this
abuse, not because their skirts are
too short, or dinner's not ready on
time, but merely because they are

women.
In terms of organizing tactics,
there are many practical differences
between rape and wife abuse. The hotline

was the major activity of the early
It provided a
anti-rape movement.
needed service, and, through victim
contact, gave rape groups credibility
and a base from which to organize.
Its operation required a great deal
of energy but little initial
resource investment.
Wife abuse does not lend itself
to this tactic as well as rape does.
The most pressing problem in wife
abuse is often that the women
do not have the resources to leave
They need shelter
their husbands.
and food for themselves and their
children in their transition period
between leaving their husbands and
establishing themselves independently.
In this period she also needs
assistance in finding a job and
apartment as well as medical and
Establishing a
legal advice.
project to meet these needs
obviously requires substantial
funding and organization.
Most cities are extremely
deficient in providing services
Some public
for abused wives.
or private agencies that were
contacted, stated that they would
provide shelter but did so reluctantly and only for short,
specified periods of time. The
Salvation Army, for example, does
not like to "break up homes" and

cont'd page 6

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�that the majority of rapists ha
O previously acquainted with thei
the maximum stay is for three days.
A paralegal who deals regularly
with situations of wife abuse as part
of her job at the Citizen's
Complaint Center where police send
women who want to take legal action,
stated that she had no place to
refer women for shelter.
She knew
of women who spent the night in the
bus station to avoid returning home.
Obviously, a hotline for abused
wives could not function as a referral
service.
There is no place to refer.
It could provide useful emotional
support and information, but without
concrete resources, would do little
to help women escape their situation.
There is the danger that it would
serve just to further frustrate
the abused women.
Rape law reform also is a major
organizing device in the anti-rape
movement.
Corroboration requirements
and rules allowing evidence of a
women's sexual history are obvious
injustices and the solution of
changing the laws seems equally
obvious and attainable. There is no
comparable area of law reform concerning wife abuse laws to rally around.
On the books, it is as illegal to
assault your spouse as it is to
assault a stranger. Many jurisdictions
provide wives with the additional remedy of a civil protection order
(peace bond).
Theoretically, if he
violates it, he's held in contempt of
court.
On the books, a woman is
-

protected.

In terms of wife abuse, it is the
practice, not the law itself, that is
unjust.
Police won't arrest, prosecutors won't prosecute, and the courts
won't punish.
It is difficult to
obtain evidence of this injustice since
statistics on actual practice are rarely
-"'kept. 'Therefore, unjust practices
are harder to attack than unjust
laws.

Even if it could be attained, the
reform of law enforcement and judicial
practices is not necessarily a solution.
Will criminal prosecution of
a man, upon whom the woman is often
financially dependent, really
improve her situation? And even if
she can survive without him financially, will he get bail or probation
and emerge from the experience even
more vicious? Aside from being
more difficult than rape law
reform, legal reform in the area
of wife abuse has no well-defined

area of overlap - rape in marriage.
rwmainiii=vymmI
. err ...m.
This is a common, unacknowledged
form of wife abuse. A woman is the
property of her husband and this
ownership gives-him certain rights.
This
summer,
when
According to the
law,
he has
thethe Northern
specific groups of working wren
Women's
Centre
received
a grant from
as random households. In this w
absolute right to have sex with her
the
Secretary
State for a project
even if it
means
sexual of
violence.
hope to be able to determine as
of its
choosing,
was
Because this
right
is not the
onlychoice
law
as possible what the attitude of
immediate
and
unanimous
to
find
but has been wifely accepted, it is
local women is to the idea of a
out if and why
how wife
Thunder
Bay could
easy to understand
abuse
credit union.
have a women's
It
If a credit
husbandunion.
has
is also condoned.
Fran here the next stage wi
has
became
painfully
apparent
to
all
the right to be violent for one
do the actual setting up of the
of us how
important
is to have
purpose (forced
sex),
it is a it
small
union. To do this, a group of 2
access to money. Many of the aims
founding members and two signing
leap to extend that right to include
we in the movement are working
witnesses
will complete the appli
other purposes. The great resistance
towards, will never by realized
for abond of assocation. Once th
feminists have met in attacking
until women have a firm footing in
charter is received from the gov
the marital exception in rape laws
the financial world. A realistic
of Ontario the union must elect
gives an indication of the resistance
and concrete step in this direction
of governors; a credit committee
to be expected when we challenge
is through credit unions for women.
will
meet weekly to approve loan
wife abuse.
Toronto started one in November of
applications;
and a supervisory
It is important for feminists to
'75 and already it is moving forward
committee
which
will conduct peri
become involved.
abuse affects
at a very Wife
encouraging
pace. We are
checks
on
the
books
of the credit
vast numbers of women, many of whom
fortunate in Thunder Bay for having
A
treasurer
must
also
be elected;
are trapped for economic reasons.
the precedent established by the
person should have a solid backgr
Metro Toronto Warren's Credit Union.
in accounting.
Article by Lois Yankowski,
Difficulties that they encountered
By becoming a member of the
Feminist Alliance Against Rape.
in the formation of their credit union Credit Union League, the local wo
Printed in the F.A.A.R.
will not have to be repeated locally.
credit union would be protected f
Newsletters 1976.
I was hired by the Northern
possible failure and all those di
Wren's Centre to determine the
involved with monetary transactio
1.....
feasibility of having a women's
be bonded and insured through the
credit union in Thunder Bay. The
The credit union may be situ
first thing I did was to go through
the Northern Women's Centre in Thu
a self-education programme so that
Bay South where there is ready ac
I
could learn what credit unions are
the local transit. To be a membe
and have been. This involved reading
cost only $5 which willpurchase a
1
. literature available in local libraries in the credit union.
the history of credit unions and
Having reached thispoint th
their
present status.
I have also had
Ion
of the credit union will depend o
to acquaint myself with the Credit
commitment of the members and all
Union Act and the Standing Committee
financial support they can give.
1 Report on Credit Unions.
I spoke to
no reason why Thunder Bay cannot
1 people locally who are involved with
successful women's credit union.
Iexisting credit unions, and to the
If you are interested in wor
local Ontario Credit Union League
this
end please contact me, Laurie
*
Representative.
I have also made a
524 N. McKellar St., 623-8577, or
trip to Toronto where I saw the
Northern Women's Centre, P.O. Box
* operations there and spoke to the
622-3989.
women who are actively involved in the
ongoing functions of their credit
union. While in Toronto I visited
the headquarters of the Ontario Credit

Report on the Credit ("Won

'ps

purpose.

11111111

Both rape and wife abuse involve
a woman's right to self-defence.
One
fourth of all murders occur within
the family, and one half of these
are spouse killings. The wife was
the victim in 52% of these cases
and the husband in 48%.
In contrast,
women are almost always the victim
in cases of non-fatal abuse.
It
seems that often a woman's only
recourse to her husband's attack
is to kill him.
Since most women
can't fight well on a man's level,
they just resort to the only level
that is effective.
In one celebrated
Philadelphia case, a woman endured
20 years of repeated and severe
abuse before she finally killed
her husband during an attack. Judge
Juanita Kidd Stout acquitted her
of all charges and asked her why
she had waited so long.
Unfortunately,
Union League where I gained valuable
most judges are not that enlightened
information. I am now in the process
and women who do defend themselves
of contacting the local media to let
risk murder convictions.
the women in the community know about
Thus far in this article, rape and
" the possibility of a women's credit
wife abuse have been treated as
union and what it would mean to the
distinct but related issues.
Howwomen of Thunder Bay and Northwestern
BV ro there is one critical
Ontario. A survey is currently in
progress which will be distributed to

1

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�padding to enhance the male body.
Somehow I can't quite see Stanfields,
(for example) running expensive television commercials of a man wearing
only provocative bikini shorts leaping
around in public places, while a
lascivious woman photographer captures
this nymph on film from every possible
angle as the commentator talks about
being "uplifted, padded and pointed
to make a more beautiful you". According to a group of women who made a
study of the Eaton's catalogues from
the late 1800's to 1974, they (the
catalogues) reflect the values, wants
and expectations of the current
society.
It would be really sad to
believe that the 1975 edition depicts
people as they either see themselves
or would like to see themselves.

`1""\ dye- AA N-2.-

- Josephine Stadden
Reprinted from UP, Lethbridge Women's
Place publication.

Hands Off The Family
Allowance

No Increase in Baby Bonus

The $220,000,000. Baby Bonus increase
we were all expecting has fallen
victim to the government's "antiinflation program". Why have they
seen fit to make one of their biggest
cutbacks from the pittance they give
mothers? As always, we women are the
ones expected to do without, to put
outselves last, and sacrifice "for
the good of others". WHAT BETTER WAY
FOR TRUDEAU TO LAUNCH HIS "LOWERED
EXPECTATIONS, WAY OF LIFE" THAN BY
TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM MOTHERS, THE
SYMBOLS OF SELF-DENIAL:

We refuse to be a Good Example
We know it means EVEN MORE WORK, AND
LESS FOR OURSELVES AND OUR CHILDREN.
It also means we are more of a discipline on the men so many of us
depend on. Nurses said "dedication
won't pay the rent" and have fought
for well-earned increases across the
country. Teachers are refusing the
blackmail of paying for cutbacks in
education and are going on strike.
All round us others are demanding
their share of society's wealth which
our UNPAID WORK IN THE HOME HELPS
CREATE.

We want our increase too
And we need it more than most. Many
of us are sole-support mothers and
$36.00 a year per child - little as
it is - does make a difference. Much
more than anyone with a 10% surtax on
their $30,000. salary can begin to
imagine: And for those of us with
husbands, the Family Allowance is
often THE ONLY MONEY WE CAN CALL OUR
OWN, the only recognition that we
WORK in our homes.

Trudeau's cutbacks in Family Allowance
represent a widespread effort to
make women pay for the present crisis.
On top of all
the unpaid work we do
in our homes, we are faced with:
- HIGHER PRICES which mean more work
shopping for bargains and more time
in the kitchen
- A GROWING WAGE GAP between women
and men in the paid labour force,
and tougher policing of women on
UIC
- ELIMINATION OF GOVERNMENT-FUNDED
PROJECTS (LIP, CYC, OFY) which
provide wages for young people
(many of whom are women) and
sustain community services for
children, old people, immigrants,
etc.

- CUTBACKS IN DAYCARE SUBSIDIES which
mean more work finding adequate
childcare or looking after our
children ourselves
- CUTBACKS IN SOCIAL SERVICES which
jeopardize the wages of many women
and throw the burden of the work
back in the home
- MORE HARDSHIPS FOR WOMEN ON FIXED
INCOMES like the sick and the aged
who are expected to live on next
to nothing after a lifetime of
hard work
WE WOMEN ARE AN EASY TARGET BECAUSE
WE ARE SO USED TO WORKING WITHOUT
PAY IN OUR HOMES AND FOR LOW PAY
OUTSIDE.
But we don't intent to
stay at the bottom. Let the government go after the banks and the
corporations - they have more than
us:

WE DEMAND:

THE FAMILY ALLOWANCE INCREASE AS
SCHEDULED
THE REMOVAL OF FAMILY ALLOWANCE
FROM TAXABLE INCOME
And we won't be satisfied with only
a pittance for mothers - all women
need more money, MORE POWER, to fight
the lower standard of life Trudeau
has in mind for us all.
WE DEMAND WAGES FOR HOUSEWORK FOR
ALL WOMEN FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

Wages for Housework Committee
Toronto

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GER7r
°AS
GOSPEL

�WELFARE WOMEN =
ALL WOMEN

REDS TOOK INGS MANIFESTO
Editors' Note
The Redstockings Manifesto and the
Wages for Housework issue engendered a
great deal of dis cussion during one of
our meetings. We (the Northern Woman)
are not in complete agreement with
either the article or the campaign,
however we offer them both to our
readers hoping you will respond with
your opinions on these articles.

After centuries of individual
and preliminary political struggle,
women are uniting to achieve their
final liberation from male supremacy.
Redstockings is dedicated to building this unity and winning our freeI.

dom.

Women are an oppressed class.
II.
Our oppression is total, affecting
We are
every facet of our lives.
exploited as sex objects, breeders,
domestic servants, and cheap labor.
We are considered inferior beings,
whose only purpose is to enhance
Our humanity is denied.
men's lives.
Our prescribed behavior is enforced
by the threat of physical violence.
Because we have lived so intimately with our oppressors, in
isolation from each other, we have
been kept from seeing our personal
suffering as a political condition.
This creates the illusion that a
woman's relationship with her man
is a matter of interplay between two
unique personalities, and can be
In ,reality
worked out individually.
every such reT.tionship is a class
relationship, and the conflicts
between individual men and women
are political conflicts that can
only be solved collectively.
III. We identify the agents of our
Male supremacy
oppression as men.
is the oldest, most basic form of
domination. All other forms of
exploitation and oppression (racism,
capitalism, imperialism, etc.) are
extensions of male supremacy: men
dominate women, a few men dominate
the rest. All power structures
throughout history have been maledominated and male-oriented. Men
have controlled all political,
economic and cultural institutions
and backed up this control with
physical force.
They have used
their power to keep women in an
inferior position. All men receive
economic, sexual and psychological
benefits from male supremacy.
All
men have oppressed women.
IV.
Attempts have been made to
shift the burden of responsibility
from men to institutions or to women
themselves. We condemn these arguments as evasions.
Institutions
alone do not oppress; they are merely
tools of the oppressor. To blame
institutions implies that men and
women are equally victimized,
obscures the fact that men benefit
from the subordination of women,
and gives men the excuse that they
are forced to be oppressors. On the
contrary, any man is free to renounce
his superior position provided that
he is willing to be treated like a
woman by other men.
We also reject the idea that
women consent to or are to blame for
their own oppression. Women's submission is not the result of brain-

washing, stupidity, or mental illness
but of continual, daily pressure from
We do not need to change ourmen.
selves, but to change men.

4E

40401c*

"There but for fortune go you and I"
summarizes well the relationship bet4E
ween
welfare women and other women.
if
The most slanderous evasion of
4E
All
of
us derive our livlihood from
all is that women can oppress men.
*
men
and
white male-determined
The basis for this illusion is the
4E
*
systems
upon which we have been
isolation of individual relationships
if
forced
to
rely.
What differs from
from their political context and the
woman
to
woman
is
not the quality of
tendency of men to see any legitimate
this
relationship,
this dependence,
challenge to their privileges as
4E
but
rather
its
degree
and extent.
For
persecution.
4
* women not on welfare, it is the husWe regard our personal experience,: band/father who preserves her place
V.
and our feelings about that experience 4/. and her role in the society, through
.. whom she lives, upon whom she is
as the basis for an analysis of our
4E dependent for financial and emotional
We cannot rely on
common situation.
security. (Robin Morgan writes that
existing ideologies as they are all
4E
if
the word "family" comes from the Oscan
products of male supremacist culture.
4E
famel, a servant, slave or possession;
We question every generalization and
*
the
word "father ", pater, means owner,
accept none that are not confirmed by
4E
4E
possessor,
master).
For women on
our experience.
if welfare it is the bureaucracy of the
It welfare system itself that tries to
Our chief task at present is to
fill these roles.
Public Assistance
develop female class consciousness
through sharing experience and public- if can be seen as the not-so-benevolent
4E dictator trying to keep women locked
ly exposing the sexist foundation of
It into their roles as child-bearer,
all our institutions.
Consciousnessraising is not "therapy", which implies * socializer, and homemaker.
the existence of individual solutions
*
* Through the women's movement, we are
and falsely assumes that the male4E
female relationship is purely personal, if seeing a new relationship between
* women on welfare and women in society
but the only method by which we can
ensure that our program for liberation 4E as a whole. Women can be class enemies
It but remain caste sisters. Being women
is based on the concrete realities of
if
is our caste - this means that whatour lives.
4E ever our place in society, it comes to
41E
The first requirement for raising AL us via the men to whom we relate. The
* fact of this dependence on men never
class consciousness is honesty, in
4E changes; caste is permanent.
Our class
private and in public, with ourselves
* however, has mobility and according to
and other women.
4E
if the man with whom we live, we can
* rise or fall in the society's hierarch;
VI.
We identify with all women. We
4E
define our best interest as that of
4E This creates a problematic set of
the poorest, most brutally exploited
4E
if relationships for women.
While we
woman.
4E might want to relate to each other as
4E
sters, as people oppressed commonly
We repudiate all economic, racial, if sisters,
if by our caste, we operate out of very
educational or status privileges that
4E different economic or class background'
divide us from other women. We are
It which divide and disturb us. These
determined to recognize and eliminate
4E differences are real and cannot be
any prejudices we may hold against
* ignored in the discussion of women
other women.
4E

* uniting.
4E

We are committed to achieving
11
A ruling class woman has privileges
internal democracy. We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that every 4E unavailable to other women in the
woman in our movement has an equal
# society. She can use other women to
if
lighten her load, to ease her physical
chance to participate, assume respon4E
tasks, to take care of her children.
sibility, and develop her political
* Ruling class women have these privipotential.
leges to some extent at the whim of
* their men -- the freedom to pursue
VII. We call on all our sisters to
41.
other activities is not a guaranteed
unite with us in struggle.
4E
freedom, but a dispensation granted
4E
if which can be taken back at any moment.
We call on all men to give up
The fact that this privilege has a
4E
their male privileges and support
It
temporary quality, shows us that the
women's liberation in the interest of
4E
problems
facing women are greater
our humanity and their own.
* than simply those of redistributing
* privilege more equally in the
In fighting for our liberation
society.
Privilege does not guarantee
we will always take the side of women
against their oppressors. We will not 4E certain rights -- the right of free
4E
choice, self-determination, economic
ask what is "revolutionary" or
* independence. To discuss the
"reformist", only what is good for
Icr.

women.

4E
4E
4E

The time for individual skirmishes*
has passed.
This time we are going
all the way.

July 7, 1969
REDSTOCKINGS
P.O. Box 748
Stuyvesant Station
New York, NY 10009

4E
4E
4E
4E
4E
4E
4E
4E
4E
4E
4E
4E
4E
4E
4E
4E

cont'd

J

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�relationship between women only in
terms of privilege is to obscure the
fact that without the rights mentioned
above, we all will be, in the end,
dependent and powerless.

All women are denied these basic
rights.
But lower class women have
things to contend with in their lives
that middle and upper class women are
spared.
Racism and poverty are
obvious distinctions on the "privilege"
scale.
Even when the welfare recipient receives her check (which in
is only about half of
what she needs for the basic essen,tials of life, according to the
latest government cost of living
figures), it has come after long
waits in dirty and understaff6d
offices, after harrassment, endless
personal questions and forms to be
filled out to prove she is truly
"worthy" of the money. The ultimate
insult is that along every step of
her life society says that it is
doing her a favor - the favor of
keeping her alive, but just alive
and nothing else.
The welfare system and its accompanyong myths operate to keep
women divided and thereby powerless.
It is difficult for women
to get off the welfare roles because
of the current recession -- and its
accompanying lack of jobs - and
totally inadequate child-care facilities.
Middle class women with
families are similarly trapped.
If their husbands were no longer
able to or willing to support them,
they would be hard pressed to find
a good job and to assure good care
for their children. Ask any separated, divorced, or widowed woman.

1

1

1

future.

The Iroquois People of the Longhouse
know their Original Instructions given
ito them in the Beginning:

.

1

Mtn Motheu and thein 6L tens 6etect
the chie.46, and remove them 4nom

1

oice when they 4ai2 the peopte.
The Ctan Mothers ate the cu6todian6
1

/o4 the Land, and away think o4 the
Unborn GenetationA.
They neptaent

Li4e and the Earth. Clan Mothet6!
You gave uz Li4e - continue now to
1 place out 4eet on the night path."

1

1

1

1

1

/

1

1

Taken from:
AWAKE &amp; MOVE
March 1971

"We tutn OWL attention now to the
6eniot women, the Clan Mothers
Each
nation a64ign4 them centain dutim.
Fon the Peopte o4 the Longhocoe, the

1

1

Once again women who have natural
similar interests (self determination,
decent and fulfilling lives and jobs,
financial security, etc.) are going
to be pitted against each other and
made to feel they are on opposite
siies of a barrier.

This is said to us by Kaianerekowa,
the Great Law of Peace given to the
Iroquois.
You are what your mother
is.
The ways in which you see the
world and all things in it are
through your mother's eyes.
What
you learn from the fathers comes
later and is of a different sort.
The chain of culture is the chain of
women linking the past with the

1

Anna Mae Pictou Aquash was born and
Iraised on the Micmac reserve called
Shubenacadie in Nova Scotia.
Her
sister says that life in Shubenacadie
is much better than that which the
Western reserves in Canada and the
U.S. experience: at Shubenacadie,
everyone is on welfare.
Since no
one has a job excepting for pickup
government jobs for a few months out
of the year for a few people, having
everyone signed up and receiving
welfare is quite a social accomplishment for the bureaucracy.
Anna Mae had a talent for infusing
humor into even the most grim of
circumstances, and was considered a
magician in turning government food
commodities into very palatable
meals.
"She was a bright woman,"
Isaid Nogeeshik, "spirit-minded and
strong-willed. She wanted to make
some sort of mark so that her children would not have to grow up the
Iway she had been forced to live."
In time, living with her husband
and two daughters, life on the
reserve became too oppressive, too
devoid of options. At Shubenacadie,

4Nocri04.....0.10411.00.m..004....0.=... an essential ingredient of life was

The Brave

Hearted Wonten

in short supply: hope.
Nogeeshik
explains how Anna Mae felt: "There
isn't much hope in looking towards
picking in the potato fields and
blueberry fields for a proud people.
The way the world is made her suffer,
because she was sensitive and had
strong feelings."

She had dreams to be educated someday and to get a job working with
children, maybe as a teacher.
To
be a teacher of children is at the
same time both the most prosaic and
the most awesome of aspirations: for
someone from Shubenacadie to aspire
to an Anglo-certified teacher's
degree was like seeking the Nobel
Prize.

"The Pinat de6cent o4 the Peopte o4
the Five Nation 6hatt tun Ln the
4ema2.e tine.
Women 6hat2 be conLidened pnogenitou o4 the Nation.
They 6hatt own the Land and the
Soil.
Men and Women 6hait 4ottow-the
6tatu6 o4 thein Mothen."

There are traditional migratory patterns that trace the paths of native
peoples from their home communities
to one city, and then perhaps another
city and another - and of course,
back again.
Boston is a funnel from
Canada and much of the northeast for
those who do not go directly to New
York City and Brooklyn.
Anna Mae
went south to Boston with her family
when life at Shubenacadie failed to
bring answers to their needs.
She

got a job as a teacher's aide in a
prekindergarten child-care center
for black children in the Roxbury
area.

Unlike so many native children in
Canada and the United States, Anna
Mae had not been removed from her
family and shipped hundreds of miles
away to a boarding school.
She had
escaped the aching loss of family and
she had also avoided the indoctrination efforts of the boarding schools.
Native children by the thousands in
both countries serve time for as many
as twelve years in federal schools
geared to their gradual and eventual
assimilation of the Anglo way of life,
the untimate solution to the "Indian
Problem".
Anna Mae did not have to
choose between being a secretary, a
domestic servant, a hospital attendant
or a cosmetologist - the traditional
range options for boarding school
girls.
She did not view her future
as a choice between being employed as
a menial or living on a reservation
where even those minimal skills are
superfluous.
Instead, Anna Mae Pictou dropped out
of school in the 9th grade, perhaps
it having had something to do with
changing from an all-Micmac reserve
school to a mixed high school with
Anglos.

She became involved with the Boston
Indian Center and was sent by the
center to Washington, D.C., at the
time of the Trail of Broken Treaties
when the Bureau of Indian Affairs
headquarters was trashed.
The white
male-dominated media focussed their
attention on who they determined
were the leaders and organizers that is native males.
Their cameras
and tape recorders only grazed the
faces of Martha Grass from Oklahoma
or Ann Jock from Akwesasne, or the
many strong women who like Anna Mae
Pictou breathed life into an idea.
The expressed themselves in this way:

"We ate the Kwenonkwaonwe, the Indian
women o4 thus continent.
From the
4emate -.de o4
we extend out
Zi4e 6uppott to out chitdten .04 thee
tennitonieL in North Ametica. We
have much work to do. Out pmition
with out people and nothing can
6tand -Ln out way to 4ut4itt out job:
to tell the peopte o4
earth c)4
out swtv.Lvat and to expo6e the genocide being done to Native Ametican
nations by the U.S. Government.
We
mu6t do th,iis 4on we cane {yon out

childten."

Yet credit for the love of all people
for their children is sometimes not
accorded as a universal sentiment nor
is the commitment to the survival of
one's children recognized by some
people.
For native peoples of North
America, since the Pilgrims arrived,
this has far too often meant the
wholesale abduction of their children,
to be raised by Anglos in their own
image.
Native peoples see no dimunition of this fearsome practice.
Bernice Appleton, an officer of the
Native American Children's Protective
Council chartered in Michigan, tells
us that "There is a shortage of white
babies for adoption, so since not too
many whites want black babies, they
are coming for the next - and that's
India.
These agencies are going into
Indian homes and telling them their
homes are unfit because they have two

children, or three children, sleeping
in one bed.

It isn't necessary for

cont
tt 'd

11

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�ves

Indian children to have one bed apiece.
in
Canada,
children
needing
I don't
even
think it's
goodhomes
for are
removed from
theirapart.
communities
andOur children
children
to sleep
learn sharing right from the start."

0
$

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�A MOTHER ASKS PRESIDENTIAL PARDON
Mr. President:

My name is Berdina Holder.
I am frbm the Waco Band of
Sovereign Wichita Nation.
My age is 55 years old. I
have been blessed with ten children and 16 grandchildren,
all of whom I love and cherish as any mother or grandmother of any race.

I am writing to you in behalf of my son, Stan Holder,
and the other Wounded Knee defendants.
As Stan's mother,
I
feel great pride and honor that my son has dedicated
his life's work to effect beneficial change for Indian
people. Am I wrong to believe this is the same pride
and honor White Americans feel for the founding fathers
of the United States Government in this the Bicentennial
Year?

I ask you, Mr. President, what do Indian People have to
celebrate? We have been cheated and robbed out of all
the most precious gifts the Creator blessed us with.
Our Nations, our homelands, our religions, our languages,
our traditions are now at the point of extinction.
Lost
to us now are our systems of self-government and true
Indian self-determination.
Do you realize that Indian
people have given much and are giving more every day to
the growth of this country you call yours?
Do you realize that Indian people - men, women and child
ren across Indian Country - are threatened by open
hostilities from your courts and law-enforcement agencies
every day? I am a praying woman; I prayed lives would
be better for the Indian people.
I
said nothing, as I
watched the promises and agreements that were made to
us being broken.
I
read of the treaties that were never
honored.
We number 800,000 people - we have the highest
suicide rate, we have the highest alcoholism rate, some
of our people live in conditions that make your ghettoes
look like a paradise. We are people that have no place
to go and it makes my heart sad.
My son, Stan, spent two years in Viet Nam on the front
line; he was_in the Marine Corps for six years. He
received an honorable discharge from the Corps for
medical reasons.
He was wounded near Da Nang while
attempting to get ammunition for his company.
He
fought for the liberation of a people that wanted to
be free and live in their own way. Yet when he came
home, he realized his own people were being threatened,
war was being waged upon them in the form of assimilation, discrimination, greed and outright theft and
murder. He began to realize all the treaties that had
been made with the Indian Nations had been broken; 371
treaties ratified by the United States Congress and
each signed by a United States President - these all
turned to words with no meaning because they were not
honored.
Our people stood up at Wounded Knee and were
willing to give their lives to effect changes for
Indian people.
Does that make my son and others fugitives to be imprisoned for their actions?
What more can you want from me and my people? My ways
are poor.
I am a pitiful and humble woman in every way.
The only wealth I have are my people, my family, my
children and grandchildren.
One of your FBI agents
came to see me last spring.
He told me I had two children that were at odds with the United States Government
but by July of 1976 the Government would have it all
straightened out. Can you tell me what he meant?
I
was afraid to ask him.
Did he mean that the Government
would honor all 371 treaties and that things would be
good for my people again? Or did he mean that my
children would be killed or improsoned? This causes
me great concern for the safety and well-being of
my children.
Some must have felt there wasn't enough
pressure on my family, because the FBI harasses us,
questioning us, even our small children, questioning
our friends, searching their houses for my son.

For Fugitive Son &amp;
Other Convicted
Native Activists
All my people are asking for is freedom and justice.
What is there for Indian people? Our first treaty
was signed in 1778, not quite 200 years of empty and
broken promises.
Mr. President, you granted exPresident Nixon a full pardon for all the things he
did pertaining to Watergate. He never came to trial.
Amnesty was granted to the Viet Nam draft dodgers
and deserters.

I am a proud Indian woman, but I am humbling myself
before you and the leaders of your Government. I
am asking that you, as President of the United States,
grant, my son, Stan Holder, full amnesty, and all full
pardons and amnesty to all the defendants of Custer
'73, Scottsbluff '73 and Wounded Knee '73.
I
ask for full pardon for Carter Camp, Leonard Crow
Dog, Russell Means, and full amnesty for Dennis Banks
who is fighting extradition, because if he is sent
I saw my son
back to the Dakotas, he will be killed.
in June 1975, and this is what he thought would happen
to him if he went to prison - HE WOULD BE KILLED.

These are some of our leaders who are doing the best
they can tb better the lives of the Indian People.
Mr. President, give us something to celebrate this your
Bicentennial Year by granting in a good way the amnesI will continue to
ties and pardons I have asked for.
pray for my son and all Indian people who face these
I also ask my
terrible things I have written about.
people when they go to the tipi meetings and other
places to pray for the Indian Nations and the Creator
to make way for us.
Sincerely yours,

Berdina Holder
1204 S. 25th St.
Lawton, Oklahoma 73501

Taken from: Early Summer, 1976
AKWESASNE NOTES

NOTICE
NORTHERN WOMEN'S CENTRE INCORPORATED
First Annual Meeting
Evaluation of the Centre and elections
to fill any vacancies on the Board of
Directors.
PLACE:

Sept. 16, 1976.

CRISIS HOUSING COMMITTEE
First Annual Meeting
PLACE:

-T(...V4As

41. tor"

g41..houstos.,V\t.
erVACJI.

VemP\4

..e1Mr44N^

\410

120 W. Amelia St., (back entrance)

TIME:

and Elections

120 W. Amelia St., (back)
9:00 p.m. SHARP!
Sept. 16, 1976.

ALL WOMEN WELCOME - YOUR SUPPORT AND
DIRECTION IS NEEDED!

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�BRIEFS
VITAL STATISTIC S

RAPE
CANBERRA -- The south Australian State
Labor Government has decided to outlaw what it terms marital rape.
Under the proposed legislation, a
husband could be charged with assaulting his wife if he acted as if the
marriage contract implied ownership of
his spouse with the right to demand
sexual intercourse at the husbands
will.

The south Australian Gov. says
if a wife claimed rape against her husband, police would investigate and lay
fcharges.

The attorney-general concedes s
that it may be difficult to prove any
such claim of marital rape.

NEW CITIZEN ACT
Canada's new nationality law,
Bill C-20, was passed in July. The
new Act implement several recommendations of the Royal Commission on the
Status of Women, which include:
- The alien husband of a Canadian wife
now has to fulfill the same residency
requirements, that is, three years, as
the alien wife of a Canadian husband.
- Either the father or the mother of a
minor child may now make application
to obtain their child's Canadian citizship.

- For the next two years, a parent may
apply for Canadian Citizenship on behalf of a child born abroad to a
Canadian mother under the present
Such persons are not
Citizenship Act.
now Canadian,citizens unless their
father was Canadian at the time of their
birth.

- Women who lost citizenship through
marriage prior to 1947 can now recover
it automatically upon notice to the
Minister, whereas previously they had
to reside in Canada, make an application and take an oath.

TOPS IN NUMBERS
Clip and save this for the next
time you hear someone say that women
have no head for numbers:
Of the 560 Chartered Accountants
who received their diplomas last month
in Ont., 39 were women. Top student
was Patricia Ursell of Toronto. Linda
Ablett shared second place honours
Women's Bureau
with Kevin Dancey.
Newsletter, March 1976

NI IC) RC; ENTALER
The government continues its
brutal harassment of Dr. Henry MorgIt has postponed a retrial
entaler.
for performing an illegal abortion
ordered by Justice Minister Basford
Forward 1976
until next Sept.

OLYMPICS
The modern Olympics were eighty
years old when the 21st Olympic Games
opened in Montreal on 17th July this
The first Olympics in modern
year.
times were held in Athens in 1896. A
long period of discrimination ended
in 1928 when women were allowed to
take part for the first time. Women
Of The Whole World No. 2, 1976

An amendment to the Vital Statistics Act on May 25, 1976 had made it
legally possible for a couple to give
their child a hyphenated last name
combing the last names of the mother
and father, provided that the father's
name comes first.
Under the old law, all children
born within a marriage had to take the
surname of their mother's husband, even
in cases where the mother had chosen
to retain her own name after marriage
and wished to pass it on to her children.

Children born out of wedlock would
previously take their mother's name
unless the father swore out a statutory
declaration of paternity, in which case
the infant had to take the father's
surname.

KISS YOUR FREEDOM
Mon. July 13, 1976 a Toronto judge decided that a public kiss is an indecHe fined two men $50 each
ent act.
for kissing at the corner of Yonge and

CPP

The Canada Pension Plan will
now be shared equitably between
spouses upon dissolution of the marriage, and upon death of a woman her
spouse and children are entitled to
CPP earnings. However, there is stil
no provisions for a homemaker to accumulate her own pension separate
from her husband. A government spoke
man stated that homemakers do not wor
therefore are not entitled to a C.P.F
As you can see, there is a great neec
to raise the consciousness of certair
government officials and representatives.
UP, June 1976

WOMEN'S., PROGRAM

The Secretary of State money for
Women's Programmes has been increasec
from $200,000 to $500,000.
It was
pointer out by one of the delegates
at the NAC conf. that this was a
measly sum when compared to a
bill
ion dollar increase in the defense
budget.
National Action Report
l

Bloor.

No it wasn't because they were two men.
The judge agreed that the case couldn't
be decided on those grounds. The act
itself was found to be indecent.
Now every
So now there's a precedent.
public kiss is an indecent act, every
embrace an offence. Now theres a crime
where there was none before. Justice's
face should be red over this one.

Gay Alliance Toward Equality and The
Body Politic

-.GOODBYE

CHANGES SOUGHT
The Federation of Women Teachers'
Associations of Ont. would like to enlist the support of N.A.C. member organizations to change the Unemployment
Insurance Act so that an adopting
parent may obtain benefit to the same
extent as a natural mother.
A pregnant working woman who has
sufficient weeks of insurable employment during the year prior to her confinement receives a maximum of 15
consecutive weeks of benefit around
the time of her confinement from the
UIC.
A working woman who adopts a
child receives no benefit.
FWTAO wants this discrepancy in
treatment of working women removed
by permitting the adopting parent to
obtain benefit under the UlA for the
same length of time as a natural
mother.
We would welcome the support of individuals and member organizations of the National Action nn
Committee on the Status of Women to
bring about such a change. NAC on the
Status of Women, 40 St. Clair Ave. E.
Suit 300, Toronto, Ont.

RAPE---Flow the law has

changed

1.
A judge mus'p21_12201 instruct th
jury that uncorroborated evidence is
dangerous to accept and that corroberations of a rape victim's testimony is needed to obtain a convictic
2.
The victim may no longer be quest
ioned as to her past sexual experience unless a written request is file
and it can be shown that this information is necessary to defend the acc
used.
However the resent law still
does not cover the o lowing.
(1)
Rape is still considered a sexua
offence rather than an assault of a
violent nature and therefore implicates the victim.
A male cannot be raped.
(2)
(3)
A husband cannot rape his wife.
This gives no protection to a wife
who is separated from her husband and
or seeking a divorce.
In addition,
husbands do assault their wives and
such assaults often take the form of
assaults on their sexual organs.
Therefore the defense of marriage
should be abolished.
(4)
The present section 146 assumes
that a person between the ages of 16
and 14 years is unable to consent to
the act of sexual intercourse. Although this may be seen as a protection for young people, the clause "of
previously chaste character" tends to
cancel out any actual protection whic
is meant to be afforded by the sectio
(5)
It should be up to the victim to
request a closed court if she feels
the necessity. The open court system
protects the civil rights of an accused.
In addition, closed rape trial
only perpetuate the attitude that rap
is a shameful and embarrassing crime
to happen to a victim.
Eudene Luther
UP, June 1976

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�pia

UNIIMINI

MIMI=

MINIMIE

INININNIII MIN= 11 MINNS I INN.. 111 MINIMNI I MINN II

s of Sole Support

recently
did it
o support
eady had
and a
ecogdidn't
1

STRIKING SKYWAY LUGGAGE WOMEN

By
SALLIE
NEED
SUPPORT
SHUN
The members of the Upholsters
International Union struck Skyway
Luggage April 5th for better
wages and improved working conditions.
Most of the 100 workers
are immigrant women who presently
earn from $2.80 to $3.10 per hour.
At the same time their production
is 700 pieces of luggage per day
and the company's declared profit

Mothers

my
of his
worthme.Then
some money
pay me
ey gave
d direct

last year was $10.7 million.
The
workers need the support of other
workers and particularly their
sisters in the form of picketing,
leafleting, fund-raising and
organization.
A Skyway Luggage
workers' defense committee has
been formed to organize support.

ined
nt to
he
is,

ncec e. wowst %....) Tt. ®.

t INN

lnau,seNvkab\lass (It?

j

So when you talk about crisis,
know
always cringe,because
what you're talking about is tak=
ing something else away from me.
We have to cut back social services,
we have to cut back education and
health care.What does that mean,
Mr.Davis?It means you want us women to absorb the crisis! WellMemories are
said before:
tough. It's like
a mind-blown
We've got our own crisis,it's an
economic crisis,it costs us a you
lot.pick a
Only this time we know where it's
Remember ..
coming from and we intend to do
am runnin
something about it
I

I

rganr ages
thing and
tell us
t good
ut our kids
the
? Well
doing it
ng,You are
there's
e sick
Mr Davis,
ome of
thers having
aving to
m taken
d cheating
ks,and
es
heard'of
who
ener coat.
e one
ot of
not an 8 hour
rs without pay.
as work,
charity
ect us to
r tried living
when you
l with holes
ants to join
nt afford
fford the day
ord a holiday.
ight with the
ay and night
r there by your
that has to do
ford a baby-sitter
-care is out
work.
d no to the
vies and you've
begin to feel
ed and you lie
T ABOUT ME...
ive in all this misery
that people call
start to get mad
ause you know its
e,Your not a bum,
our life you
Its You MR DAVIS
f your friends
big business
ren.You
dont who
care a
mothers,and
ers.

ert.

I

I

from sorrow,an
We want more money and a better
with an old shame
life...We want to regain our dignity. Pay us for the work we do in
up a grass-grown frail
the home. We demand it
that knows my bare
1.Parity with foster parents.
brown feet.
2.Higher earning capacity for
She is old,
benefit mothers.
3.Free 24 hour community controlled
her hair self cut
day care.

and grizzled grey,
said before,I've just come
her cotton shift
off welfare...I took on a second
bereft of vanity.
job.I work in a distress centre
for women and children.The women
He left her there
who stay with us there,come from
before my time,and
situations of marital breakdown,
thay have often been married for
went away with
10 to 15 years and they have noelse
thing to show for it.No home, someone
no
furniture,no dignity and no money.
She went strange,
When they leave,they move into
cuts her own wood
apartments with their children...
the welfare gives them beds and a
and gathers hay for the cow.
welfare cheque that is no where
It's not your fault
nearly enough to live on. It happens all the time and it's time
that love dont last
we did something about it...whatsometimes it just gets tired
ever we are doing,whatever situation
we are in,we are all exploited in
of holding fast.
the same way as unpaid houseworkers.
It's wrong to live with one
Because
am now a community
worker isn't to say that
am not
who cant abide you,
still a housewife.I work for 8
the heart just turns to stone
hours in the distress centre,then
pick up my children and go home
and lays inside you
and work another 4 to 8 hours...
two jobs,one paid
one unpaid.
So eighty spoke to nine
If
lose my job 171 be on welfare
across the years
As

I

I

I

,

I

again.

as womem still to woman
drying tears.

The leaf has fallen,
) 411111MIKIINIIIWI0

the vision fades,

the wisdom remains

I MEM II

15

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�VOOK ItE'VIE
30 MUCH ANGER, TOO MANY TEARS:

04101i0.114)4iO4111110411INIIKIP04P1111=14)4111MMMI04111111111=114MMOWINNI

THE PSYCHIATRY TRIP

Many women who have emerged from careers
as psychiatric patients have written
about their experiences in therapy and
hospitals.
Typically these accounts
end quasi-romantically with the woman
being "cured" through the help of
benevolent, usually male, psychiatrists, or with resigned helplessness
to the conditions of despair and incarceration.
Too Much Anger, Too Many
Tears differs markedly from the tradition of this literature in that it
strongly challenges the political
nature of the psychiatric system and
asserts the strength of one woman in
the face of its corrosive practice.
In the first section of the book, Janet
relates in detail that is often painful,
but never tedious, her entry into a
ten-year-long career as a mental
patient.
Hoping to comprehend the pain
and fear she experiences in growing
to adulthood, she at first naively
seeks help from psychiatrists. But
she is taught to reify her experience,
to regard her feelings as alien "symptoms" rather than as a part of the process of growing up.
The anger this
engenders, she is told, is part of
her "illness" rather than a justifiable
response to the self-deprecating view
of herself she must take as part of
her "treatment".
With this convoluted load of mystification upon her, she steps into a cycle
of hospitalizations, releases, readmissions, drugs, and electroshock.
I
could read this account only a few
pages at a time, so-keenly did it
evoke my anger resulting-From my own
years spent in and out of psychiatric
prisons.
Janet experiences the full
onslaught of the psychiatric jargon
and paraphernalia used to convince those
caught in its system that justifiable
anger is "sick" and that despair is
invalid and must be masked by dependency-fostering drugs, and that the
answer lies in the cure of the individual by medical authorities.
At this point the rage Janet experiences
she turns against herself by feeling
suicidal ,although there are glimmerings
of the realizations she later makes.
Yet the (male) shrinks who treat her
are not portrayed as one-dimensional
villians;
they are overwhelmingly
paternal, convinced of the power of
psychiatry to "cure", and that the use
of this power to coerce is justifiable.
"After all, it's for your own good",
"You have no other choice", Janet is to
told when she is badgered into hospitalization and electroshock. Their
self-righteousness and omnipotent
posturing will provoke the wrath of
any feminist.
Paul, the man Janet meets, lives with
with, and eventually marries, takes
up the second part of the narrative.
At first, aware of Janet's past as a
mental patient and confronted by her
anguish, he acknowledges some trepidation at the prospect of their life
together.
After a year spent trying
to live a "normal" life together, Janet
re-enters another cycle of hospitalization over the next several years
and Paul, acting against the dictator
of his better judgment, is also
subject to the psychiatic mystification
trip.
He becomes a hesitant
accomplice in perpetuation Janet's

Career as a patient--driving her to
her electroshock treatments, conferring with her doctor, and doling out
her daily quota of mind-pills. Despite the strength of commitment between Janet and Paul they become
resigned, along with family, friends,
and doctor, to the idea that she is
a chronic invalid. With so little
basis on which to assert an identity
as a strong and independent woman,
'Janet attempts suicide by overdosing,
coming to in the hospital after a
five-day coma.

As a consciousness-taising tool, tl
book is indispensable, especially
feminists who haven't entirely disabused themselves of the notion thz
mental hospitals can be "therapeuti
places for people who fan't "function".
And as straight personal
narrative, it is inspiring as an
expression of the strength of a won
who ceases striving tomerely function and finds the-determination to
live and survive.
1

In the third and final part Janet
resumes her story, but with a profound difference.
Janet writes of a
moment some months after her suicide
attempt, when the events of the past
several years become meaningful.
'Thete has been despait,'

By Tanya Temkin
Taken from:
Off Our Backs, June 1976

Too Much Anger, Too Many Tears:
A Personal Triumph Over Psychiatry
by Janet and Paul Gotkin
Quadrangle/New York Times Book Co.
$10:95

I whispened.

'That is pat oi out condition, to
6eet despait.
That is what I am
keting and it i4 black and it webs
up inside you until you ket that
you witt exptode with the heaviness
o4 this sense
youuet, atone, in
th,(:)s un6eeting datkness that can be

the woAtd...no amounts oi Thotazine
wilt even make this ieeting go away.
After acknowledgement of these all
too human feelings, she feels rage
at what has happened to her:
COAMM)1010.0411111114 MIIIIND411111041

M page IL

I had nevet been sick and 1 wasn't
now.
The who&amp; idea o4 my Liana's
and my eventuate cute were inventions
o4 my oychiatti-Ds
... I Azmembeted,
bittekty, the yeaA's of dtug-taking,
dependency, shock treatment, set,6denigAation.
In the succeeding
months I teviewed my own ten -yeah
hi6toAy, going aver the detaLbs with
a new view, seeing it att, ttuey,
4ot the ,f_tst time.
These realizations came to Janet suddenly, without any clear explanation.
To alter
But this is as it must be.
profoundly your perception of life
1
and recognize its implications is
harrowing, as those of us who have
been through any kind of conscious1
ness-raising can attest to. And after
years of having your every action,
gesture and though under constant
psychiatric scrutiny, there is a part
of that germinal strength you must
appropriate for yourself.
Most importantly, Janet and Paul
perceive the implications their experience has for others, and act on
Janet could have merely
them.
harbored bitterness toward her past
and chosen to dissociate herself
from it completely. The prerogatives
of private therapy and voluntary
hospitalization derived largely from
her middle-class status, but she
recognizes the commonality of all of
us who have been victims of psychiatric excesses-- that personal guilttripping, masked coercion, fostering
of self-hatred and divisiveness are
institutional tactics that everyone
within the institution of psychiatry
is subject to

1113
';NIMIND.041111104MINNMI0114)11101101Eli011111.0411=114/4/1104Dellic

for the volunteers from the confere
A room has been obtained from Mc Ke
hospital to set up an information
centre there. A suggestion was
made that we seek to arrange some k
of co-ordination with Parents an&amp;iiii
and telecare, A motion made and acc4
A motion to pay baby-sitting fees fi
mothers-on -budgets to attend counc
meeting was approved.
Coleen reported on Council of Women
meeting at the Y.W.C.A.-a federal g
They are in need of representation
North Western Ont but we decided it
of no advantage to us ,So Move'
was

Report on Crisis Housing
Gert reported on visit to Kenora
House. The Water St residence is
fully functional and St Mary's
will be operational in a few month
The tarbutt St Houses are full
8 w omen and 22 children under schol
age, WE are providing Pampers.

1 The womans Credit Union
The student researching this projec
for the Northern Women Centre is
1 hopeful] it will be ready to go
in the fall.
1/Joan

Farrow from Kenora who has
been a committed member of the
council since it's formation will
replace Paula Edwards as Vice Chai
1 Joan is also on the sub-committee
Iof the HERSTORY project

IReport on Equal Pay
Mickey Murray reports they will
be going ahead in the fall with
speakers and possibly a conference.

The next meeting will be held in th
1 conference Dining Room at the colle
Aug 21 from 10 to 3 pm. A wine and
cheese party at Gert's place,a sle
1 over and a Sunday Corn Roast

()=1MINSIII

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�THE NORTHERN WOMAN
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                  <text>Northern Woman Journal&#13;
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. &#13;
&#13;
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. &#13;
&#13;
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.”</text>
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                <text>The Northern Woman, Vol 3 No 1</text>
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                <text>Vol. 3, No. 1 (1976)&#13;
Title: The Northern Woman&#13;
&#13;
Topics include:&#13;
Port Arthur clinic strike/unionization&#13;
Letters to the editor&#13;
Women’s studies programs&#13;
Rape study&#13;
Person’s Case 45th Anniversary&#13;
Canadian Civil Liberties Association&#13;
Critique of sexism in underwear advertisements&#13;
Wife abuse&#13;
Women’s Credit Union&#13;
Baby bonus&#13;
Wages for housework&#13;
Redstockings Manifesto&#13;
Welfare for women&#13;
Native motherhood&#13;
Classified ads&#13;
Justice for convicted Native activists &#13;
Canada Pension Plan&#13;
Rape legislation&#13;
Federation of Women Teachers Association Ontario&#13;
Sole support mothers&#13;
Skyway luggage strike&#13;
Poetry&#13;
Book review&#13;
Crisis housing&#13;
Equal pay&#13;
 &#13;
Authors/Contributors:&#13;
Tony Carfagnini&#13;
Donna Williams&#13;
E.M. Hall&#13;
June Callwood&#13;
Pierre Burton&#13;
Hazel Clink&#13;
Lois Yankowski&#13;
Laurie Hill&#13;
Josephine Stadden&#13;
Wages for Housework Committee Toronto&#13;
Berdina Holder&#13;
Sallie Shun</text>
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                <text>1976</text>
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                <text>Published on this site with permission.</text>
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