President's Message

Summer is finally here! After a very cool and rainy start, the sun is out, the weather is warm, the gardens are blooming, and Stratford is at its most beautiful.

CFUW is taking a break to enjoy the season, and this is our last newsletter until August. Formal advocacy and interest group meetings are on hiatus over the summer although individual groups may choose to get together. The respective leaders will be in touch with their members.

Plans are already underway for next year, our 71st, including our program, Women Leading in a Time of Change. We have a terrific line-up of wonderful women speakers, and some exciting new initiatives for Scholarship. It’s shaping up to be a great year.

Just a reminder that membership fees for next year are now due, and are $130. They can be paid through etransfer at cfuwstratfordtreasurer@gmail.com or by cheque at the meetings.

Thank you to all for a wonderful year, enjoy your summer, and I look forward to seeing everyone again in September.

What a special night! Good Company, Great Speaker, and a wind-up of our 70th Anniversary year.

We welcome our new Executive for 2025-26

President: Cambria Ravenhill

Vice-President #1 (Communications): Pat DeSanti

Vice-President #2 (Interest Groups): Wendy McNaughton

Secretary: Nijole Tinits

Treasurer: Lynn Krolick

Program Chair: Margaret Thompson

Membership Chair: Gail Buckley

Advocacy Chair: Sue Bailey

Special Committees:

Special Events Committee: Wendy McNaughton

GWI Committee: Pat Reavy

CFUW Archivist: Marylu Moyer (appointment)

Scholarship Committee:

DJ Anderson, Caro Coltman, Charlotte Gillett, Margaret Thompson, and Heather Tremble

Interest Groups

Excursions

Another fun outing! On Wednesday, June 4th, our Excursion Group had lunch in St. Marys and then toured Arva Flour Mills for an interesting look at how various flours were milled. Attached to the mills is a shop with all their products -- flours, bread, cereals, and baking needs. This visit was terrific for the bakers among us!

For information, please visit their website at arvaflourmills.com

Mystery Book Club 2 Tuesdays

CFUW National

Please continue to follow the CFUW Main Calendar for events and activities over the summer. Of particular interest might be:

Indigenous Week - June 16 - 21

Advocacy Committee Meeting - June 27

GWI

Geneva, Switzerland, 22 May 2025 - Graduate Women International (GWI) and its International Fellowship Committee are pleased to announce the distinguished recipients of its 2025 International Fellowships. These competitive awards recognize and support exceptional women scholars advancing postgraduate research and academic excellence across the globe.

This year, GWI received 80 applications from candidates representing 32 countries and enrolled in PhD programmes at 50 universities worldwide. The competition was fierce, reflecting the outstanding calibre and ambition of applicants. Following a rigorous selection process by the GWI Fellowships Committee, we are honored to present the 2025 awardees:

• Anita Aboagye (Ghana) PhD in Health Education and Health Promotion, University of Alabama (USA) Awarded: GWI 35th Triennial Rose Sidgwick Fellowship – 5,000 Swiss francs
• Maria Grados Bueno (Peru) PhD in Development Studies, University of Sussex (UK) Awarded: FfWG-Crosby Hall Fellowship – 6,000 British pounds
• Kate Nelson (UK) PhD in Adolescent Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (UK) Awarded: BfWG-Ida Smedley MacLean Fellowship – 3,000 British pounds
• Gena Sturgon (USA) PhD in Peace and Security, University of Coventry (UK) Awarded: NZFGW-Daphne Purves Grant – 3,000 Swiss francs
• Nina Prusac (Croatia) PhD in Human Rights Law, University of Cambridge (UK) Awarded: Nazan Moroğlu Recognition Grant – 1,000 Euro
• Ruoquing Yin (China) PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies, University College London (UK) Awarded: Cynthia Burek Recognition Grant – 1,000 British pounds

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire Fellowships Committee for their dedication, meticulous evaluations, and ongoing commitment to supporting academic excellence among women scholars globally,” says Basak Ovacik, GWI International Fellowships Committee, Convener.

In Memoriam

We are sad to announce the death of Peter McColl, beloved husband of 52 years of our long-time member Louise McColl. The funeral will be held at St. James’ Anglican Church, 41 Mornington St., Stratford on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 2:00 pm with visitation from 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. James’ Anglican Church or to Stratford General Hospital. www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com.