Winter 2026

CFUW STRATFORD

February Newsletter

 OpenAI (ChatGPT)

In this issue:

• President's Message
• International Women's Day
• Upcoming February Meeting
• Our January Meeting
• Advocacy
• Interest Groups
• Special Events
• GWI
• Extra! Extra!
• Contact Information

President's Message
 

February is all about Advocacy!

The February meeting is traditionally devoted to showcasing the activities of our Advocacy groups. And this year we have a record of 4 groups, spanning climate change, violence against women, indigenous rights, and general topics such as water rights. Advocacy has always been a cornerstone of CFUW, going back to our formation in 1919. CFUW Stratford has a national reputation of “punching above our weight” on advocacy initiatives and resolutions. The largest part of our monthly newsletter is usually devoted to all of our Advocacy events (and this newsletter is no exception). So please do come out on the 24^th - last year's February meeting was so much fun, I’m very much looking forward to this one!

Speaking of Advocacy, many thanks to Leora Rissin and the whole VAW Advocacy group for hosting the very successful IPV (Intimate Partner Violence) Panel event on January 29^th. On a bitterly cold night, the City Hall auditorium was packed with a sense of purpose and community as we heard from local experts – including CFUW member Alix Grice and Emily Murphy ED Lisa Wilde – about the impacts of IPV and how we can work to protect and support victims. It was a very important conversation.

The CFUW Stratford CNOY team continues to grow their walkers and donations! But we still have a way to go to reach the $6,000 target. CNOY is a key fundraiser for two very important shelters in our city – the United Way Connections Centre and ShelterLink Youth Services. The link to join and to donate is below.

Finally, our promotions for the CFUW International Women’s Day Breakfast have kicked-off! You will see the new posters around town – thank you to Caro Coltman and the volunteer team who are braving our winter weather to distribute these far and wide. We will also begin to promote on our Facebook and Instagram accounts, so please share widely to your friends and networks. If you haven’t ordered yet – and so many of you have! - CFUW members still get a discounted rate for both the individual tickets and tables. All of the details regarding how to order are directly below. We are looking forward to having another successful event with a powerhouse speaker.

Stay warm – at least the days are getting longer.

Cambria Ravenhill
President 2025/26

Here is a rare insider view of international politics, business and women's leadership.Thanks to Deanna Horton, we have an amazing opportunity to hear from someone who has unique experience in the world of power and politics.

"Keynote speaker Maryscott (Scotty) Greenwood has a wealth of experience covering the Canada-US relationship. She has been close to the action for decades and has intersected with high-level politicians and business leaders on issues of importance to Canada. Scotty will also talk about Asia - the most dynamic marketplace in the world - and one in which women play an important role in the growing middle class."

An article about Scotty and her talk is posted on the CFUW Stratford website: https://cfuwstratford.ca/special-events-2/

ORDERING TICKETS

As a member of CFUW Stratford, you can purchase individual tickets at $45 or reserve a table of eight by filling out the form at https://forms.gle/RkM1X5aa1ixLkr7G6 .

All non-member orders go through Ticketscene.ca for a slightly higher price. Also - please know that all event volunteers will be buying their own tickets - as usual. We all want the CFUW Scholarship Fund to prosper!
Have questions? Phone Heather Tremble at 905-330-4794
or Wendy at 519-272-0011

Or email internationalwomensday@cfuwstratford.ca

Upcoming Meeting

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 7pm

CFUW STRATFORD ADVOCACY MEETING

CFUW Stratford continues to be a club of wide, varied, and important Advocacy opportunities and results! Let’s have a fresh and brief look, and explore what we’re doing this spring:

Our January Meeting - Dr. Diane Godkin

Advocacy

Climate Change Action Committee

We finalized plans for CFUW to be included in this year's Earth Party. It will be held Saturday, April 25th at Factory 163. Our offering will be the Sustainable Shopping Cart, for which we are now doing some investigative shopping in the larger grocery stores.
One of our new members, Carrie Stevens, has an interest in ocean protection, a large piece of climate change importance, especially with the push for deep sea mining and fossil fuel extraction. Sue Bailey has found that we have excellent policy to enable advocacy.
We also discussed our Stratford Today series aimed at making our climate resource documents more public. Hélène Crabb is working on an article to introduce our Food Waste resources.
Meetings are held the third Thursdays of the month, and new members are always welcome!

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 

Members and Guests are welcome! Please RSVP to
Pat Reavy at 519 273 0176 or by email patreavy43@gmail.com

Preventing Violence Against Women -
Intimate Partner Violence

There was a full auditorium at Stratord's City Hall to attend CFUW's Help Stop Domestc Violence! Don't be a Bystander Panel Discussion on January 29, 2026. Mayor Ritsma welcomed the audience and opened the evening with a personal story. Our panel was moderated by Leanne Perreault and presentaions were made by Lisa Wilde, Executive Director of the Emily Murphy Centre, Gwen Lamont, author of "A View from Coffin Ridge - A Childhood Exhumed", and our own Alix Grice, Lawyer with international experience in Women's issues and Co-chair of the Shelterlink Board. 

Each panelist shared information on how to recognize signs of Intimate Partner Violence and how to assist victims. Available resources were discussed and the City of Stratford Police Department's newest team member, Dusty, the Yellow Labrador was introduced in her new position as a support animal for both adults and children.

Congratulations to this committee!

Interest Groups

Here's a glimpse of what some of our members were enjoying in January!

Special Events

GWI

The "GWI International Groupe Francophone ", started by CFUW/FCFDU Montérégie Quebec, is now being chaired by the Association Congolaise des Femmes Diplômées des Universités. The Groupe has established a Translation Committee, committed to translating important GWI documents, which are currently available only in English and Spanish, into French.

In addition, the Groupe will host Bi-monthly "Café francophone" informal meeting of 45 minutes, open to all Francophone and Francophile GWI members.

Extra! Extra!

Just a reminder from January's newsletter:

Claim Your Free CARP Membership
1. Visit CARP Membership
2. Follow the prompts to register or renew
3. Enjoy full access to CARP’s advocacy,
benefits, and community for one year—free of
charge.