Women's Centenary Fund

The admission of the first women students in 1884 was an historic step and one of the most important in increasing accessibility to higher education for women. The Centenary's Coordinating Committee realized that barriers to accessibility still exist, one of which is financial. To ensure a legacy from this year for future generations, the Committee launched a fund-raising campaign with an objective of $100,000. Monies will be used for three purposes - scholarships named for women who have made important contributions to the University, a lecture series on issues of concern to women, and increased library resources in the field of women's studies.

The Women's Centenary Fund, as it is called, was designated a special project by the Varsity Fund, which conducts the University's annual giving appeal. A request for support was distributed to 175,000 alumni and friends of the University this spring as part of that appeal.

A secondary fund-raising effort involves the manufacture of a number of souvenir items bearing the WIT logo described above. Items will include pins, scarves, sweat-shirts, mugs, and book-bags. In addition to raising some funds, we hope these items will create a visual impact on campus. Our general cameo color scheme, using colors from ivory through salmon or orange, will be used for all items. An historical pamphlet prepared by researcher Anne Rochon Ford is also planned.

Conclusion

The Women's Centenary Committee is pleased to lend its sponsorship to your National Congress; I hope to have an opportunity to meet many of you there. I would also welcome enquiries about any aspects. of Women in Toronto and cordially invite your participation.

Elizabeth Wilson is the Coordinator of Women in Toronto, and the executive officer for Student Affairs at the Faculty of Arts and Science at University of Toronto.

The Committee on the Status of Women of the Faculty of Continuing Education of the University of Montreal has just launched a Micro Training Program for facilitators in the feminist cause. Since more and more women are becoming involved, it is increasingly necessary to gather and systematize the growing body of knowledge.

PIAF is a short 5 course program (15 credits) of which 4 are compulsory and one optional. The compulsory courses are: Feminist Anthropology, Women in Quebec Society, Male-Female Relations, Synthesizing Worship.

This program is directed to women 21 years and over. Beyond the normal admission requirements is the condition that the student have been active in feminist projects for at least a year. An admission questionnaire must be completed by prospective applicants. Recent student profiles reveal that the course has attracted women " active either in community affairs (associations, women's groups) or in the working world (health, education, labor).

Claudie Solar is in charge of PIAF at the Faculty of Continuing Education, University of Montreal.