Winter 2026

CFUW STRATFORD

January Newsletter

President's Message
 

Happy holidays, and happy New Year! I hope everyone survived both the festive season and this very cold and snowy winter weather.

Kicking off 2026, we are moving into a very busy time for CFUW Stratford! Between Advocacy events, fundraising, our regular general and interest group meetings and our IWD Breakfast, January through March is packed. Please mark your calendars!

On January 29^th, our VAW Advocacy group will be hosting an IPV (Intimate Partner Violence) panel at City Hall auditorium. This important event will feature experts to discuss the impacts and signs of IPV, and best responses to “not be a bystander”. I encourage everyone to attend - tickets are free, and can be booked online or available at the door.

Then its time for the annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walk on February 28^th. Once again, Kate Welsh is our fearless team captain for this great community fundraising event – thank you so much Kate! The link to join the CFUW team and donate money is in the article below.

And on March 7^th, we are hosting our fourth International Women’s Day breakfast. This year our topic is REACHING FOR THE FUTURE: The Role of Women in the Global Economy. Our speaker is a powerhouse - Maryscott “Scotty” Greenwood is an expert in cross-border trade and business relationships, and has a particular interest in supporting women entrepreneurs around the globe. Fun fact - she worked closely with Gloria Steinem on a women's leadership project which, unfortunately, never came to fruition!  All of the event details and how-to-buy-tickets for CFUW members are below.

Finally, I am again awed by the generosity of this club. Throughout 2025, from the monthly donations to the gift card Christmas drive, you have generously supported women and their families at the Emily Murphy Centre as they rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic violence. A thank you letter from Lisa Wilde, the ED at Emily Murphy, closes out our newsletter.

See you on January 27^th, 2026

Cambria Ravenhill
President 2025/26

CFUW Stratford's

International Women's Day Breakfast 
8:30am, March 7, 2026 - Arden Park Hotel

REACHING FOR THE FUTURE: The Role of Women in the Global Economy

Tickets

Tickets for IWD 2026 can be purchased by CFUW Stratford members for the month of January - at last year’s price of $45 ea.

Once again, we encourage you to order a table for 8 for $360 - each person pays only $45. Your table will be reserved with a sign. .

Use this link to order from the club: https://forms.gle/tQEyHEMQ1vihoppz5

Names will be entered on the IWD guest list. No hard copy tickets will be issued. Substitutions can be made right up to March 7. Also - tickets can be donated to benefit those who cannot afford to attend.

Tickets will be available to the public in early January via Ticketscene.

Email: internationalwomensday@cfuwstratford.ca to have your questions answered.

Please get your interest group together or invite other friends. With your help, we can look forward to another successful International Women’s Day!

Upcoming January Meeting 2026

For the last two decades, she has worked as a healthcare ethicist and found herself navigating both long-standing and novel ethically challenging situations within the healthcare system including SARS, withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, medical assistance in dying, the COVID-19 pandemic, and expansion of artificial intelligence into bedside care. 
An interesting and thought-provoking evening you won't want to miss.

Our Fabulous Seasonal Celebration!

The event began with women browsing an excellent array of books, all donated by members. The sale raised $350.00 for the scholarship fund.

After lunch we participated in our annual Christmas trivia quiz and a sharing of anecdotes about Christmas memories including memorable gifts given or received.

Advocacy 

Climate Change Action Committee

We look forward to our next piece, on Plastic Alternatives noting the alternatives possible in the document on our website.   We are also continuing to work on our Native Plant Wholesalers List, and will be planning visits to local nurseries to share the list with them for spring purchasing.  

New members are always welcome, contact Sheila Clarke. We meet on the third Thursday of every month at 2 PM.

Coldest Night of the Year - February 28, 2026

Big thanks to Kate Welsh who again captains our team! Please sign up to join this hardy band of volunteers. Join our team

And please donate to support either an individual team member or the whole team. All donations of $20 or more are appreciated and are tax receiptable!

Donation link here: CNOY 2026 Fundhub Canada

Indigenous Rights Learning and Advocacy Group 

Prevention of Violence Against Women

Interest Groups

Here's a glimpse of some of our members enjoying clubs this past month!

Special Events

CFUW National

GWI

A Three-generation Commitment to Graduate Women International's Mission

Together, they embody the spirit of GWI’s advocacy passed from one generation to the next, strengthened by shared values, lifelong learning and a vision for a more equitable future.

Extra! Extra!

Dear Friends at CFUW,

On behalf of the Emily Murphy Centre, thank you! Your donation of gift cards and money is so very appreciated and so important to our success as an agency assisting women and children as they rebuild their lives violence-free.

 Three simple words define the Emily Murphy Centre– Care, Empowerment and Growth. Together, we remain committed to preventing, treating and eliminating Intimate Partner and Gender-based Violence.

The Emily Murphy Centre would not be able to do what it does without the generous support of a caring community. Thank you again for your thoughtful gifts. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

 Sincerely,

Lisa Wilde

Executive Director – (she/her)

The Emily Murphy Centre and Supervised Access Programs

*New Recycling Protocols*

Here is a helpful link for members about the new Ontario guidelines.
Thanks Sheila!

https://www.circularmaterials.ca/resident-provinces/ontario/