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Building & Promoting & orldwide Supporting Influencing Connections BPW CANADA CONVENTION Canadian Women Olympians BPW International ECOSOC Highlights Women Olympics Representation Consultative Status Aboriginal Mothers Women’s Press Club

? CANADIAN FEDERATION OF BUSINESS A Message from our President AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN 45 Brixham Road, London, ON Canada N6K 1P5 Building Bridges to Empowerment 8 http://www.bpwcanada.com We are a very dynamic group of women accomplishments. This will in across Canada that in our free time choose to expanding our membership and influence. better ourselves and our country. As a There is also a very exciting program that founding member of BPW International, we was started by UN Women and UN Global are connected to a network of more than Compact called Women’s Empowerment BPW club or contact me for guidance to start 100 countries working to improve economic, Principles (WEPs). BPW Canada has taken your own. I have never been part of an political, employment and social conditions up the challenge to promote this initiative organization that has willingly embraced me for women. Empowerment is strength and and see signatories from government and and challenged me to be my best as much as we will be strong when issues like human large corporations and encouraging them to BPW has. The personal development, trafficking, income inequalities and the lack share best practices that promote gender networking and mentorship has changed my of women in leadership roles is eradicated . It equality. I am also proud to say that BPW life and has lit a fire in my soul that will is a large task, and we know this because Canada keeps the government on its toes. motivate me forever. Finally, a huge thank we’ve been working on it since 1930. Being a non-partisan organization that does you to our current members - your hard work Personally, I feel something is different now, not seek funding from the government is noticed and appreciated. You inspire me on change is in the air, I can feel it. Even the makes it easier to work with our elected a daily basis. I hope to meet all of you smallest voice has impact and can make representatives and make suggestions for someday as I continue the work of past change. How does this change happen, how them to do what’s right. We are pleased to executives and strive to make you proud over do we build these bridges to empowerment? consult with politicians and their the next two years! First we work together. Every club is unique committees on various women’s issues. Cara Coté and has its own agenda, but having a few Working together to educated individuals, President / Présidente common goals will help bring us together. businesses and governments will make us Canadian Federation of Business Members must share this best kept secret of successful - empowered! If you are not yet and Professional Women / Fédération canadienne des femmes de carrières BPW Canada, and start advertising our a member, I invite you to visit your local Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women Fall 2012 Building and Supporting

BPW International Friends Program

The International “Friends and Fellows" is a program developed by BPW International to provide additional financial support to the organization. This program is intended for members and non-members (men included) with a desire to ensure that BPW International remains a strong, viable organization with the resources to continue to provide support and opportunities for BPW members. The Friends’ program commenced in 1985 for the purpose of garnering financial support other than through membership dues.

To become a “friend”, members need only contribute at minimum of One Hundred Dollars U.S. per year. As you will see below, there are also higher levels of support available.

“Friends of BPW” celebrated its 20th year anniversary in 2005. Through the great efforts of past International President Dr Livia Ricci the program was built up and today this sponsor group (members only) continues to provide vital additional funds to BPW International.

Money raised from friends is used to support administrative costs and to help clubs and young BPW members from economic disadvantaged countries to be able to attend and participate in the International Congress. In 2007, an addition to the program was implemented that provided a 10% discount on dues to affiliate countries based on total friends contributions, as a benefit for promoting the program.

“Friends of BPW International” receive a pin and the editions of “BPW International” newsletter that informs them about the activities of the International Federation. They are also able to enjoy a very exclusive special event at each International Congress.

Let’s support the Friends’ program and save on the international dues we pay for BPW Canada. Friends can apply and pay online at http://bpw-international.org/pay-online/friends-applicationrenewal. It’s easy and you can attend the special Friends’ event on Jeju Island in 2014.

Friends Categories Annual Contributions

Doris E. Hall Categories Euros US Dollars Co-Chair BPW International 2011-2014 Business 2 000 $2,760 Friends and Fellows Task Force Diamond 1 125 $1,550

Gold 750 $1,030

Silver 150 $200

Bronze 150 $200

Friend 75 100

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Sudbury… Effective August 1, 2012 and until the 2013 Nickel District Conservation Authority (N.D.C.A.) Annual members meeting, Mrs. Lin Gibson is now the Chairperson of the N.D.C.A. and Russ Thompson is now the Vice-Chair of the N.D.C.A. Mr. Robert (Bob) Rogers tendered his resignation from the N.D.C.A. effective July 20, 2012. Bob had been a member of the N.D.C.A. since 2001 and had been Chair of the Conservation Authority since 2007. Bob demonstrated through his actions and words amazing passion for the work of the N.D.C.A., our watersheds and the natural environment of Greater Sudbury. “We all wish Bob our heartfelt thanks for the vision, dedication and energy he brought to the work of the N.D.C.A. We are pleased that Bob will now have the time to pursue his other passions and interests with his family”, said Chairperson Gibson. “The Conservation Sudbury-N.D.C.A. team is ready to move forward and I know we will be able to address and accomplish the many exciting tasks at hand and in the near future,” said Gibson. Russ Thompson was Vice-Chair of the N.D.C.A in 2011-2012 and it is very beneficial to have Russ return to this position at this time. The City of Greater Sudbury will proceed to advertise and fill the vacant position on the N.D.C.A. General Board for the remainder of this term in the near future.

(letter follows)

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Jennifer Abel Teresa Gabrielle Jenna Martin Karine Sergerie Nathalie Achonwa Grace Gao Natalie Mastracci Lauren Marie Sesslemann Chelsea Aubry Robyn Krista Gayle Diana Beverly Matheson Nicole Sifuentes Phylicia George Martha McCabe Christine Margaret Sinclair Emily Batty Christina Girard Melanie McCann Jessica Smith Marie-Eve Beauchemin- Nikola Girke Erin Katrina McLeod Kim Smith Nadeau Jasmin Glaesser Joliane Melançon Mary Spencer Marie-Pier Beaudet Elizabeth Gleadle Kerrri-Ann Mitchel Heather Steacy Meaghan Benfeito Krista Guloien Annie Moniqui Hilary Stellingwerff Hawley Bennett-Awad Janine Hanson Victoria Moors Chelsea Blaine Stewart Justine Bernier Jill Henselwood Andreanne Morin Monique Sullivan Melissa Biship Emilie Heymans Erica Morningstar Melissa Palma Julie Elisabeth Black Nikkita Holder Carmelina Moscato Tancredi Melanie Blouin Ashley Hholzer Michelle Mueller Alisha Tatham Melanie Booth Stephanie Horner Anastasiya Muntyanu Tamara Tatham Marie-Pier Boudreau- Rebecca Howard Brianne Theisen Gagnon Clara Hughes Marie-Eve Nault Karine Thomas Jacqueline Brooks Carol Huynh Joelle Numainville Lesley Thompson-Willie Hilary Caldwell Chloe Isaac Patricia Obee Leah Mariem Lorraine Barbara Jardin Kelly Parker Brittany Amanda Timko Callahan Lindsay Jennerich Dominique Pegg Kelsey Titmarsh Katrina Cameron Christina Marie Katrina Julien Catharine Pendrel Kathy Tremblay Gillian Carleton Savannah King Monica Peterson Jillian Tyler Candace Marie Chapman Alexa Komarnycky Kristina Vaculik Samantha Cheverton Kaylyn Mckenzie Kyle Jessica Phoenix Donna Vakalis Karen Cockburn Julie Labonté Courtnay Pilypaitis Tera Van Beilen Rose Cossar Audry Lacroix Tonya Lynn Verbeek Amy Cotton Alexandra Landry Victoria Poon Rachelle Vinberg Danielle Dubé Karina Chenelle Leblanc Denise Ramsden Sarah-Lynn Wells Stephanie Dubois Stephanie Leclair Amanda Reason Valerie Welsh Martine Dugrenier Marie-Andrée Lessard Sheila Reid Tara Whitten Stephanie Durocher Michèle Li Anjelika Reznik Julia Wilkinson Crystal Emmanuel Tracy Little Brittany Rogers Lauren Wilkinson Jonelle Filigno Dorothy Ludwig Sinead Russell Rhian Emilie Wilkinson Roseline Filion Brittany Maclean Sandra Sassine Aleksandra Wozniak Paul Findlay Heather Maclean Katerine Savard Kelita Zupancic Jo-Annie Fortin Rosannagh Maclennan Sherraine Schalm Emily Jane Zurrer Tiffany Foster Elise Marcotte Sophie Diana Schmidt Emilie Fournel Darcy Marquardt Desiree Rose Marie Scott Sultana Frizell Annie Martin Rachel Seaman

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Promoting & Influencing

Women well-represented at Olympics, but not launching a court challenge in London yet treated as equals By Sean Fitz-Gerald, Postmedia over the exclusion of women from canoe events. Women are only allowed to compete in kayak. And that She was one of the reasons the crowd clapped when Jacques challenge, launched earlier this month, is an echo of another Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, legal fight based on discrimination at the Olympics. In 2009, the announced to a worldwide television audience that history was B.C. Supreme Court said the IOC was wrong to have excluded being made at the London Olympics. For the first time, he said, women from ski jumping at the 2010 Olympic Games, but the every country involved was sending a woman to compete: “This is a court was powerless, because it did not have jurisdiction. (The major boost for gender equality.” Bahya Mansour Al Hamad was IOC added women’s ski jump to the program for the 2014 one of those women. Hours after that speech, she became the first Games in Sochi last year.) “It’s complete discrimination to not woman from Qatar to compete at an Olympics — placing 17th in allow women to participate in some sports,” Lahey said. “But the 10-metre air rifle on Saturday — and when she finished her because the IOC insists, as a term of its base contract with a event, her own speech faltered. She said she was happy, that she sponsoring country, that they surrender all decision-making had lived a dream. Her eyes welled. “I’m so proud,” she said. And authority and application of their own domestic laws to the then she was gone. Not far behind her was another entrant who Olympics, the contingent on the part of the IOC is that they placed 34th despite being almost eight months pregnant. And don’t have to go by domestic equality principles.” And despite behind both women were reams of stories about how many strides the heavily promoted steps toward equality this month in the IOC has made down the road to gender equality. Women’s London, there have been several steps backward. In two now boxing is making its debut as an Olympic sport in London. The infamous instances, those steps manifested physically, with United States is fielding a team with more women then men for the women walking past male counterparts and back into economy first time. Canada’s team is comprised of 55.96 per cent women, class on their airplane. Japan flew its men’s soccer team to the highest percentage in its Olympic history. Europe in first class, while its women’s team — the defending World Cup champion women’s team — travelled in coach. The “I guess I would say to anybody who cares most about this issue: rationale given was that the men’s team, an under-23 group, ‘make sure you look behind the story that’s being most actively was comprised of professional players. presented,’” said Kathleen Lahey, a Queen’s University law professor. “I absolutely celebrate the inclusion of women on as The story was repeated in Australia, where the men’s many of the national teams as possible, and think that it is team flew first class to Europe while the women flew coach. wonderful that women are being sent by every country that is in The Australian men have never won an Olympic medal, while the competition. “But to stop at that as a definition of equality is the women have won silver in each of the last three Summer like saying, ‘wow, one member of Parliament from every province Games. in Canada is a woman.’ It’s such a superficial, limited test of what the realities are.” Lahey was part of a team at Queen’s, in Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2012-summer- Kingston, Ont., that helped prepare material for a British athlete games/Women+well+represented+Olympics+treated+equals/7008743/story.ht ml#ixzz235CNC9Jf

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Website aims to help pregnant smokers kick habit with information, peer support by Sheryl Ubelacker, THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO -- Women smokers who are pregnant or get judged. planning to conceive can now get help to butt out through a website that emphasizes support instead of guilt or “And you’re going through a pregnancy -- which should be a shame. PREGNETS (Prevention of Gestational and nice, happy time -- feeling guilty and trapped and worrying Neonatal Exposure to Tobacco Smoke), which is developed what the outcome might be.” Experts have long pointed out by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in , that being hooked on tobacco is one of the most complex focuses on building a community of support with other and difficult addictions to overcome. women through the use of an online discussion board. The site includes a personalized quit meter, various self-help “It’s not that simple to just stop, no matter what the materials, tips on having a healthy pregnancy, and partner compelling reasons are,” including having had a heart attack support. or an organ transplant, he said. “It’s the nature of an addiction that people, despite wanting to, cannot stop.” Surveys show that about one in 10 Canadian women Selby said society tends to “pick on mothers,” when in fact smoke while pregnant. But Dr. Peter Selby said it’s likely partners and other family members who use tobacco also the proportion of women continuing to use tobacco during contribute harm by exposing the pregnant woman and gestation could be as high as 30 per cent, depending on consequently her fetus to second-hand smoke. the population segment being studied. The goal of PREGNETS is to help women overcome their addiction or “The father could be doing whatever he wants while the to at least significantly cut down the amount they smoke, woman’s pregnant, but that doesn’t get counted,” he said. though Selby stressed “there is no safe amount of smoke “It’s not just her problem. It’s an issue for both to address.” exposure while pregnant.” In a section on partner support, the website advises: “When you are quitting or reducing smoking, it helps to get support “It is dangerous to both the woman and the fetus. It’s not from the people around you. Women tend to find it harder just the fetus,” he said Thursday. A woman who smokes to quit or cut back when their partner and others who are during pregnancy puts herself in danger of miscarriage, as close to them smoke.” PREGNETS also provides up-to-date well as risking other well-documented conditions like evidence-based information on smoking and quitting for cancer and cardiovascular disease. health-care practitioners that can be shared with patients, he said. “The risk to the fetus is an immediate risk,” said Selby, clinical director of CAMH’s addictions program. “They’re “Not a lot of professionals know what to do. There’s a lot of much more likely to be premature, likely what we call misinformation. Some say: ‘Don’t quit smoking because it’s small for gestational age, and then they have a higher risk too stressful for the baby.’ That’s a myth,” said Selby, but of things like sudden infant death syndrome and upper one that seems to be perpetuated worldwide. Still, respiratory tract infections.” As children, the offspring of PREGNETS isn’t about only “dry knowledge or facts” -- it’s mothers who smoked while pregnant are also more likely about women having a forum for exchanging ideas and to develop behavioural problems and are at increased risk finding encouragement from peers battling their own for obesity in adolescence, studies suggest. Selby said nicotine addictions, he said. providing an online quitting tool is meant to help women overcome the stigma associated with smoking while “The anonymity the Internet provides could potentially pregnant. While experiencing society’s censure can provide a place for women who may be very isolated but provide the impetus for some women to kick the habit, it have access to the Internet to get information and share can also lead to an unwanted result, he said. their ideas and thoughts and feelings and worries and fears, without the risk of being judged,” Selby said. “The problem is if you’re addicted, a couple of things happen: you go underground, you become a closet “Now there’s a space where if you’re not comfortable telling smoker. You don’t seek out help because you feel you’ll your health-care provider or your family or whomever, it doesn’t mean you’re alone.”

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Young aboriginal mothers learn pregnancy health

through comic book art WNN Breaking

Yourself that highlighted the needs for youth on issues (WNN) Courtenay, BC, CANADA: Working to reach covering birth control and personal options. For the program indigenous Aboriginal youth, as well as other the Aboriginal Healthy Network launched a comic book called “Kiss Me Deadly,” highlighting the dangers of sexually Canadian youth, through comic book literature, the transmitted disease. The Respect Yourself program also Canadian based Healthy Aboriginal Network is included education on hetero and gay sexuality, as well as reaching the public with the launch of their latest helping youth sort through personal and family relationships. new comic book, “It Takes a Village,” which outlines “We focus [and] group test the draft stories by turning the how young Canadian indigenous women can keep rough pencil sketches into short videos, which we test on our good health practices and habits during their YouTube channel with professionals and in person with youth,” maternity. continued Muir. “We’ve had two very successful evaluations – one on the sexual health and the other on the integrating gang “The Healthy Aboriginal Network is a non-profit organization youth back into [the] community books.” that creates comic books on health and social issues for youth. We’ve enjoyed a great deal of community support by telling “We get emails from people who say they can’t get their kids relatable stories, which we’ve ensured by using First Nation to read a book, but they will read our comics over and over writers and Indigenous illustrators,” outlines Healthy again, and even write a book report on it,” outlined Muir. “I Aboriginal Network Director Sean Muir. received an email from an older gentlemen once who said ‘I really don’t like your books. They’re too dark. But my grandson With a style that can help both male and female teens who was having a tough time once and he loved reading your often face decisions in life that can help or hurt them, the books. He said they really helped him. So now I think they’re latest published comic honors Aboriginal tradition as it shares okay.’ That was a cool email to receive,” he continued. maternal and child health knowledge through best diet throughout pregnancy along with a safe respect of health and traditional medicines.

The comic book also highlights how spiritual connectivity with the growing baby both during pregnancy and after childbirth are important to young mothers, as well as young fathers and all members of the family. While speaking through a mother’s perspective, the comic book addresses healthy behaviours and a father’s role in childcare.

Topics covered in Healthy Aboriginal Network comic books include positive ways for Aboriginal youth to deal with peer pressure, sex and sexual health, gang violence, suicide prevention, drugs and alcohol use, pregnancy health and life for young mothers, stay-in-school importance, as well as respecting elders and yourself. Honoring Aboriginal traditional history and ways is also highlighted.

In April 2011 the Government of the Northwest Territories of Canada and the Department of Health and Social Services launched a program for Aboriginal youth called Respect

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The Story of Canadian Women’s Press Club http://womennewsnetwork.net/2012/07/09/the-story-of-the-canadian-womens-press-club/

Before women could vote in Canada, or come on, there's not enough women the duration of the trip," Kay said, were even considered "persons" under to make it worthwhile,'" Kay related. adding that because of that the law, there was the Canadian Women's When the journalist disputed that, he separation, the two groups ended Press Club. It was created by a group of responded with an offer: if she could up going their separate ways and female journalists who were sent to cover find 12 women reporters assigned to covering different things. Still, she the World's Fair in St. Louis, in 1904. cover the World's Fair by their described the experience as a newspapers, he promised to take whole as "harmonious," and quoted Linda Kay, who teaches journalism at them himself. As it turned out, the one of the French journalists, who Montreal's Concordia University, tells the journalist rounded up 16 women, and wrote afterwards that "we were story of the 16 reporters who formed the by coincidence, half of them were eight French women, we were eight influential organization in her new book, Francophones, half were English women, but all united by The Sweet Sixteen: The Journey That Anglophones. heart and pen." Inspired the Canadian Women's Press Club. Kay said she became interested in Kay said the book came about because By the 1920s, 400 women had the club's story when she started teaching she felt "someone has to tell this joined. It reached its peak in the a course called "Gender and Journalism." story, someone has to look at who early 1970s, when 700 women "I was doing a lot of research for that these 16 women were. " Some were belonged to the club. "They were class, and I found that there was going to renowned; the group included very influential, prime ministers be a 100th anniversary party of the Canada's first woman war came to speak at their annual Canadian Women's Press Club in 2004 ," correspondent and the first woman meeting, and they were a force," she explained to Sonali Karnick, host of All journalist to be writing in Quebec. Kay said. in a Weekend, in a recent interview. "And "But there were also novices on the I said, 'what is this club?'" Kay had never trip. According to Kay, the club The 2004 anniversary celebration even heard of it, but she decided that she "became the basis for a vast network was bittersweet, because it was had to attend the celebration and find out of women journalists at a time when announced that the club would more. She attended the anniversary there were no journalism schools and fold. The membership had party, on a June weekend in Ottawa in when women were not mentored in dwindled, even though the number 2004, and took along some of her the newsroom." In fact they were of women journalists in Canada had students to film it, thinking she would use often "almost pariahs" and "relegated increased. Women who entered the video in class. But what she heard to covering weddings and debutante journalism in droves in the 1970s about the club stuck with her. "This was balls and etiquette lessons and and 80s "didn't want to join a club the story of how, when women did not cooking and recipes." for women because they felt they have the same rights as men, there were were equal to men and didn't need a handful of very top-flight women Covering the World's Fair was a major a club for women," Kay explained. journalists working at the time, in the assignment even for the seasoned However, Kay believes there's been early 1900s, and they were very upset reporters, Kay said. And despite the and appalled that they didn't have the language divide, the women "got a change in attitude. Her female same rights as pressmen to travel on the along very well, but there was a students expressed regret about railway, which gave free passage to the dramatic incident that happened the folding of the club, and seemed men," Kay explained. when they finally got there. " When to welcome that kind of they checked into their hotel, they organization. "Now it seems like One of the women journalists complained were told there weren't enough women would like something like to the publicity director of the Canadian rooms for all 19 (three railways men that, and it's really legitimate at this Pacific Railway about the unequal who were assisting were part of the time to bond and to network with treatment. "She said, 'You take these men party). "The eight francophone other women — and that's what we to the World's Fair in St. Louis, why don't women went back to the train and do." you take the women?' And he said, 'Oh, they made the train their home for

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orldwide Connections

BPW INTERNATIONAL will need to be overseen. Applications must address the selection criteria stated within the position Calling for Expressions of Interest for PR Manager description attached. Interested applicants should Position. Expressions of interest are being sought for read the information provided. Applications close: the position of PR Manager, BPW International 28th May 2012.

BPW International is busy, vibrant and evolving! BPW INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS We are looking for a key person to oversee the media DIRECTORY! communications while building, maintaining and Do you believe that BPW is the best international managing the reputation of BPW International and its networking organization? We know it is...... branding. This individual will monitor publicity, But YOU, the members, need the best tools to conduct research for BPW campaigns and prepare connect, so we proudly present the new “BPW Press Releases and Media Releases. The role is Members Business Directory” tool! It has new designed to facilitate all communications for and features, new possibilities for you to showcase your between BPW International and its Federations. profession / expert knowledge / business and your location in this fantastic sophisticated tool! Plus.... This confident and enthusiastic manager will oversee the added value of a Market Place to sell / buy / all media content of BPW International between the exchange / offer products and your own seminars / BPW Executives, Website Coordinator, News exhibitions / events and more! Take advantage of this Coordinator, Fundraising Contractor and BPW great opportunity to make you and BPW visible Affiliates. The position requires hands-on coordination worldwide! List your skills, interests, photos, desired and project management skills in the busy BPW links with members from other countries and much International environment. You will provide more. leadership, expert management and guidance for the implementation of two important resolutions in For more information on BPW International, relation to a communications and branding strategy visit www.bpw-international.org