"Our group

Belonging to a women's group is really great for me. Without the ability to spell and pronounce a lot of words I had the feeling of not belonging anywhere in the working world. The group gives me strength and courage to go on. When I hear of other women's struggles of literacy I don't feel alone. I know that I have a lot to learn and I'm ready and willing. I feel that I have a lot to give.

When I am in a mixed group I feel more fearful to speak up or get relaxed. Men have a way of making me feel inferior and I feel like I'm melting in my chair. There is not as much talk about ourselves when there are men there. I'm not saying that there shouldn't be a mixed group it's just that if I had a choice of both I'd join the women's group first. Sometimes there is too much competition in a mixed group.

The women's group that I am involved in now has given me more hope to fulfill my dream of being an important worker in the field that I love to work in, of doing craft and helping people.

By Monique Beaulieu

Women: Where have we been? Where are we going? Guelph: Garlic Press, p. 18