Women and money Planning is essential

reliab_le form of savings, working towards changing the by Bitsy Bateman Townson said, due to a good financial situation for women. In Why should women do interest rate and the fact they can the second half of the evening's financial planning? be cashed at any time without events, Lynne Markell spoke on Because understanding and penalty. Another positive aspect the history of the Ottawa efficient planning of your own to CSBs is that they can be Women's Credit Union. The financial affairs may provide the bought a bit at a time through a impetus for the credit union key to individual success, payroll deduction plan. comes from the Ottawa Tenants' Council, which has traditionally according to economist Monica Coping with discrimination Townson, formerly of the federal been concerned with the Advisory Council on the Status Perhaps the most difficult area cost/ conditions of housing, of Women and co-author of the financially for women is credit, especially public housing. A recently-published Canadian Townson said. "Horror stories meeting was held to discuss the Woman's Guide to Money. abound. Working women who possibility of a credit union and Planning not only contributes couldn't get a loan without investigations began. to financial success, but also to getting a man to cosign and it Through LEAP grant funds, a self-esteem and personal could be any man-sometimes a feasibility study was made autonomy, Townson told the· teenaged son or old-age-pension possible. The Credit Union's audience at an evening about father. Women whose credit Advisory Committee suggested women and money organized by ratings were downgraded when that the form of financial the Ottawa Tenants' Council for they married because their institution be a credit union, a Public Housing in May. husbands were bad credit risks. financial co-operative that is Quoting from the report of the Or married women with full-time open only to women, of all ages. Royal Commission on the Status paid jobs whose credit records The primary objective is to of Women, she said, "Quite disappeared completely on establish a financial institution clearly most of the_ economic marriage because the file was for women, especially low­ power is in the hands of men. then kept under the husband's i n co me women, and the Traditionally, the economy has name." secondary aim is to educate and Equal credit guidelines and train women in the area of been a man's world and practice Monica Townson today P"'rpetuates that tradition. human rights acts, federal and finanr:e and credit unions. Such a world provides fertile provincial, ban discrimination in Currently the Ottawa grounds for nourishing the belief access to services, including Women's Credit Union people that women's inferior financial credit, on the grounds of sex and are gauging interest in their through with a formal 232-2677. position is synonomous with an marital status. A lender is only project by distributing a application for a charter. The Canadian Woman's Guide - incapacity to make important interested in your ability and questionnaire/ brochure. If Anyone interested in the to Money by Monica Townson financial decisions. And one of willingness to repay, Townson enough interest is shown­ -ouawa Women's Credit Union and Fredrick Stapenhurst the unfortunate consequences of said. Discrimination can result Markell says that a response of can contact Aline Akeson or (McGraw•Hill Ryerson Ltd.) will such a long-standing belief is that from the credit granter's about 500 interested women Lynne Markell at the Ottawa be reviewed in the next issue of women themselves fall victim to assessment of these criteria. would be enough-the group will Tenants' Council, 346 Frank St., UPSTREAM. it. It is not surprising then that Townson suggests several form a board of directors and go Ottawa, Ont., K2P OYI, (613) many women lack confidence in options if you feel you have been their ability to handle financial unfairly treated in applying for affairs." credit. Townson went on to point out Banks-discrimination is that more women are taking contrary to official chartered more responsibility for their bank policy but branch managers lives, including financial and loans officers have a lot of responsibility. leeway in granting Joans and Women are waking up to the many are still not carrying out fact that "independence is spelled official bank policy. first, tell the M-0-N-E-Y," she said, "and manager of the discrimination. If money is power." you get no response, contact the Taking a woman's perspective, district manager or, if that fails, Townson discussed some basic the head office of the bank. If Federal committee to monitor concerns in financial planning. none of these people rectify the Life insurance needs for a woman problem, call the federal Human • should take into account the Rights Commission. TV sexism people who are dependent on her Department stores-most of income/services (i.e. housework, these stores come under provincial jurisdiction so you can Sauve told her advertising The members of the committee child care), and who would care by Pat Daley for them if she dies. A woman contact your provincial human audience, pointing to a CR TC are: who could need to have her rights commission or the If you're tired of seeing women report which shows that "59 per Stella Baudot, Chairperson­ income replaced should ask how Ministry of Consumer and on television with their heads cent of Canadians-both male a public relations specialist with long this would be for, how much Commercial Relations in stuck in ovens, wishing they'd and female-agree that a lot of the Consultative Committee on money would come from savings Toronto (or your provincial married Mr. Muscle, take heed. television advertisments are the Status of Women in and pensions, and does she need counterpart). The federal government has insulting to women." Montreal,· member of the to supplement this buying extra Master Charge or Chargex­ established a new {;Ommittee to "Statistics like that contain the Federation des femmes du protection. contact the Canadian Human monitor sexist stereotyping in the seeds of a major revolt. So it is in Quebec. Pension planning has never Rights Commission because electronic media which, the best interests of advertisers Yolande Bonenfant-a radio been so critical for women in these cards are sponsored by the according to former federal com­ themselves to accept the reality of script writer for more than 13 Canada, Townson . said. The banks. One cautionary point: munications m1mster Jeanne change." years, ~elegate from Canada to average amount received by you must have your own credit Sauve, will "through regularly The' new monitoring commit­ the United Nations in New York female pensioners covered'by the record in order to be granted publishing the results of its tee grew out of the International in 1973. Canada Pension Plan in January credit. analysis ... empower the Canadian Women's Year conference in Elizabeth Percival-psycho­ 1979 was $83.64 a month, she In order to establish a credit public to bring pressure on Mexico City in 1975. A world logist, chairpersorl of the Prince ·said. In light of the vesting law­ history for yourself, you can advertisers and broadcasters." plan of action to be carried out Edward Island Advisory Council that you are not eligible for any apply for a charge account at a Announcing the creation of over the next decade was on the Status of Women, benefits from employer local department store; if you the committee at the Second declared then, Sauve said. The president of the Canadian contributions to a pension plan drive, apply for a credit card International Advertising Show result in Canada was the federal Research Institute for the unless you stay with a company from a gasoline company; you in late April, Sauve said, ''The government's plan of action for Advancement of Women. for at least 10 years-and the can take out a small loan from a government's concern is based on women, released this spring, of Mary Jane Palmer-director high rate of job turnover for bank you deal with regularly and the view that the use of sexist which. this committee is part. of Women's Creative Services for women, women can provide then pay it back in regular stereotyping in advertising is an The seven-woman committee Vickers and Benson for 13 years, additional retirement income for installments. impediment to the changing will have its independence more than 20 years experience in themselves by contributing to a Townson ended her informa­ status of Canadian women and guaranteed, she said, "by the advertising. Registered Retirement Savings tive presentation with the that the negative portrayal of stature of its members and ... by Gail Newall-a member of the Plan. If you can afford it, positive advice that to cope women is becoming increasingly its right to publish what it pleases College of Nurses of Ontario, contribute up to the maximum effectively with financial offensive." without reference to either the several years experience in social allowed, she said. planning, be informed, read, take Sauve also said that the minister or the department of work. Saving money should lie courses and get together with Canadian Radio-Television and communications. Gaby Marchand-account­ considered in financial planning other women. Telecommunications Commis­ "I have confidence that the ant for Expo Mart Inc., but Townson advises taking "If we are ever to achieve full sion (CR TC) has started to committee, by providing avenues participated in .a 1974-75 study "liquidity," or savings that can equality in this society, we must develop guidelines and standards for translating individual on day care centres for the quickly be turned i9to cash, into come to grips with the subject of to encourage the elimination of concern into public pressures, Federation des femmes du account. As a general rule, the money. Equipped with that sex role stereotyping on will soon generate positive Quebec. longer you can leave savings understanding of finances, we television and radio, including results. And I have confidence Jane Hughes-managing untouched, the higher the rate of will then have the power to the development of codes to that the day will come when basic editor of Homemaker's interest you will earn. Rates of change our situation," she said. define sexist content in humanity prevails on the magazine, member of the advertising and broadcasting. airwaves; a day when all of us can Canadian Advertising Advisory interest on your savings can vary Ottawa Women's Credit Union so it's worth shopping around. ''The daily assault on the enjoy that simple right to Board's task force on Images of Canada Savings Bonds are a Some women in Ottawa are dignity of women continues," dignity," Sauve said. Women in the Media. ~------·------t HERE'S MY SUB: D individual $6 AND I'LL SPREAD THE NEWS TO: D supporting $12 D institutional $15 D gift(s) $3

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Please make cheques or money orders payable to: Feminist Publications of Ottawa 424-B QUEEN Street OTTAWA,ONTARIO KlR SAS / ------Acooss THE NATION__,______OFL conference: Bargaining for equality TORONTO (CPA)-Speaking can be achieved through main problems in the work place. to more than 300 women who collective bargaining. The Under pay for work they are attended the Ontario Federation conference consisted of a number already doing and lack of of Labour's first women's of workshops designed to opportunity to do a greater conference, NDP leader Ed introduce delegates to a series of variety of jobs where the earnings Broadbent said that "the issues and give background would be higher. financial squeeze created by the information as well as Attacking the recently released current inflation, which this information on negotiating Liberal "national plan of action" government is doing nothing appropriate contract provisions. on women as "the pits" Eady said aQOUt, is much harder on women Workshops included negotiat­ "women and their problems in and their families than it is on ing equal pay, sexual the labour force have· been men." harrassment on the job and the studied to death. It is time for Adressing the April confer­ impact of social service cutbacks action." ~ ence, Broadbent said that a "fair on women. Although women are more -a prices comm1ss1on with the active in their trade unions and ~ power to roll back unfair prices is Canadian Labour Congress have the opportunity to bargain -~. not only fair for everyone, but is Women's Bureau Director Mary for some of their rights, Eady Ci even more profoundly required Eady told delegates that "almost charged that "the Jack of equality by Canadian women." one out of three union members at the work place costs women a is a woman. This has been a great deal of money. I would Conference organizers, dramatic upsurge in recent years. suggest that they have been expecting about 200 delegates Women's membership in unions short-changed by the present Sask - Zimbabwe daycare were overwhelmed by the has risen 160 per cent iri ten Liberal government policies. numbers of women attending years," she said. Conservatives on the other hand and termed the conference, called Charging that women are not have been promising further exchange Bargaining for Equality, a paid on the basis of equal pay for cutbacks in terms of government success. work of equal value, Eady said programs." hand look at the Canadian The conference focussed on that in fact "only with a union Eady said that "only the NDP political scene, particularly reprinted from Briarpatch how to achieve equal pay and contract are they even assured of in the House of Commons has centred around women and other important rights for equal pay for equal w,ork." consistently fought for issues In an innovative international daycare. women workers, and how this Eady said women face two affecting equality for women." sharing experiment, Regina's Another part of the parallel University Co-op Daycare is program may involve a staff setting up links with a daycare in exchange between the two Les jemmes qui se souviennent de la a refugee camp near Lusaka, daycares. Two women from the Zambia: This exchange program ZAPU camp are tentatively will share information and scheduled to visit Regina for one guerre perhaps even people. month, working at the University Those people living in the daycare and speaking to De la guerre '39-'45, on connait Affaires Culturelles, a decide guerre, annonces publicitaires camp are members of the interested Saskatchewan groups. beaucoup de choses relatives a la d'en savoir plus long. Cette , tirees des journaux du temps, Zimbabwe African People's On their return to Zambia, participation des hommes: Jes equipe s'interesse non seulement photos, temoignanges et Union (ZAPU) who are fighting they would be escorted by Mary faits et gestes heroiques, le aux femmes qui ont participe possiblement extraits de lettres et Rohodesia's white minority Durham and Molly Barber, deroulement des batailles ... mais directement a la guerre: soldats, de journaux intimes. government rule. Zimbabwe is employees of the university que sait-on de la participation infirmieres, benevoles ... mais Dans le cadre de cette the traditional African name for daycare, who would stay in des femmes? Que! role ont-elles aussi a celles qui ont remplace Jes recherche, I'equipe de travail fait Rhodesia. Zambia several weeks. It is hoped joue a cette epoque ,au Quebec? hommes dans les usines de meme appel a la collaboration de Currently living in the refugee . this exchange can take place in Que] changements cet evenement qu'aux menageres qui ont dii femmes du Quebec qui ont vecu camp are 32 expectant mothers, November and December. a-t-il apportes dans la vie faire face aux restrictions cet evfoement d'une fai;:on OU 440 mothers with babies and 400 The third part of the program quotidienne de la population? alimentaires, vestimentaires et d'une autre et qui pourraient other women. There are 452 is fundraising for the ZAPU Une equipe de recherche energetiques. apporter une contribution a infants, 350 children aged three camp, which is now assisted composee de trois personnes, Les resultats de cette recherche cette etude. to five and 90 children six or financially by several non­ subventionnee par le Conseil des feront I'objet d'un livre et d'une Les femmes interessees sont seven 'years old. government agencies. Arts et par le Ministere des exposition reunissant affiches de priees d'ecrire a: The basic focus of the daycare Canadian Unversity Services Raymonde Lamothe, C.P. 607, exchange project will be Overseas (CUSO), which now Succursale C, Montreal education. Organizers expect works in 34 Third World nations Compulsory sterilization for lead Helene Renaud, C.P. 262, Saskatchewan people to learn including Zambia, Botswana, Quebec-Sillery, GIT 2Rl, more about the efforts of black Mozambique and Tanzania in workers expliquant de quelle nature nationalists to regain control of southern Africa, is one of the pourrait etre leur collaboration their country, thus giving a new agencies. helping set up the et en donnant leur nom, adresse perspective on daycare and· the program. Both Regina and reprinted from Kinesis Accepted safe level of lead in et no. de telephone. role of women in society. The Saskatoon have active local You have to be sterilized the blood is .08 milligrams per Zimbabweans will get a first committees. before you can get a job at 100 grams of blood ·for both Hudson Bay copper smelter in women and men in Canada. Flin Flon, Manitoba. Hudson Research by the US Bay Mining and Smelting Department of Labor indicates Company has said that it will that any level above .03 Equal pay on the way?. refuse to employ women of milligrams can bring on childbearing age due to the sterility, miscarriage, stillbirths and retarded children. dangers of lead poisoning. After an hour-long debate in cent of the average earnings of hearings to canvas public New. US rules, setting an Five women, from age 19 to 28, the Ontario legislature May 17 a working men. opinion. acceptable level at the .05 for who are now working in the private member's bill was passed The bill calling for equal pay Enthusiasm on the part of the male workers have been smelter, have been told that they to give women in Ontario some for work of equal value was government does not run high, challenged in US courts by will have to take other jobs. That hope that wage equality could proposed by Ted Bounsall and it will probably allow the bill representatives of the industry, could mean a cut in pay. become a reality. (NOP-Windsor-Sandwich). to die on the order paper at the who claim that the new blood­ From now on, the company Representatives of the many Having been passed on a voice end •of the current session of the lead level is unnecessarily low. says, they will hire only women women's groups which form the vote by ~DP and Liberal legislature in December. A good "Personally, I don't like US who can prove they have been Equal Pay Coalition were members, it will now be deal of public pressure is going to problems spilling over into sterilized. present in the galleries to hear the considered by a legislative be necessary for the concept to be Canada," says Walter Krywuluk, "Instead of banning women debate. In an earlier press committee, which can hold enshrined in law in Ontario. from the Flin Flon smelter," says medical consultant to Manitoba conference the Coalition had Pat McEvoy of the Canadian Labour Department. "Lead presented arguments in favour of Association of Industrial, levels in the blood vary greatly in the equal pay for work of equal Mechanical, and Allied Workers, their effect on people and I think value concept, along with figures ''the company sho_uld be reducing this is a political rather than a showing that in 1976, women the risk to all workers there." medical problem." were being paid only 53.5 per GALLERY SALE .BC women's. building planned Discounts on All Following close behind the ation (BCRIC) to each citizen of Kootenay Forest Products and successful opening of the first the province. The co-ordinating 10% of Westcoast Transmission, Framing & Paintings women's building recently in committee is hopeful that enough plus some oil and gas lands. Winnipeg, a group of women in people will donate their shares to The women's building would till June 30'b Vancouver have met to form a provide the collateral for the be a multi-use facility which co-ordinating committee whose purchase of a building. could include the following 783 central objective is the purchase In addition, the collective services: meeting areas, cultural za,~-4'~ BANK ST. GALLERY of a building to house a "woman­ pooling of BCRIC shares would areas, b~nquet/ dance, benefit PHONE run facility for people." give the group a voting block in facilities, office space, CLOSED MONDAYS 233-3730 The government of British the BCRIC affairs. The assets of recreational facilities, childcare Columbia has announced a plan the BC RIC consist of 80% of the facilities, centralized information to give five free shares in the B.C. shares of Canadian Cellulose services and restaurant area. AW.: _)HMQiiQWtfS1'9•H PWJ46WUijJ dkd Resources Investment Corpor- Co., 100% of Plateau Mills and from KINESIS Yukon wonzan gets JO-year sentence for 1nurderinK- violent husband by Patty Brady

Kristine Snowshoe, 23 year On the night of August 31 she also afraid to tell the friends she only witness for her defence, was shocked by the events. They have o.ld native woman from the shot and killed him with a 30.-30. visited on these rounds of the unwilling to tell of her husband's appointed an alcohol worker, the Yukon, was recently found guilty rifle. violent beatings. Often he would violent character although she local nurse, and women have in Whitehorse of second-degree Kristine's situation was not go off on binges, leaving her had previously described his started their own group in an murder in the killing of her atypical. On hearing of her without firewood or money for behaviour to her lawyer. Earlier, attempt to deal with the husband,. William Linklater. sentenc~ng, many Yukon women groceries. she had been visited in prison by problems of violence and She faces the prospect of wrote to local papers describing On the night of the killing, one of Linklater's relatives who alcoholism. The Yukon imprisonment in the Kingston in vivid detail what they called. Kristine, her husband and a had been drinking. He told her government has been petitioned Women's Penitentiary with rto "the great unmentioned crime of female friend had consumed that she would face more to declare prohibition m the chance of parole for at least ten the Yukon" -wife beating. three bottles of whisky. He had punishment when she got out of community but so far nothing years. She will be separated from "How many . of you people /~truck and kicked her many times jail if she "got off easy". Her has been done. her two-year old child because know what it is like to have a during the evening. Finally, after husband's four brothers showed In the Whitehorse Star there is no provision for mothers drunken man threaten you? Beat Linklater took off, suspected of up at the trial and sat there a woman summed up the feelings and children to remain together you up? ... I know what it's like to having stolen $230 from the other "glowering at her," according to of many northern women this while women serve their live with a mean and cruel man woman there, Kristine followed Nancy Njootli, a local woman. way. "It strikes me that the justice sentences. She 1s yet· another who enjoys alcohol and can never him with a rifle down to the The defence lawyer, Bruce system has proved far more victim of violence against control himself," wrote one airstrip. Five shots were fired and Willis, handling his first murder criminal than Kristine herself is. I women, prejudice against native woman. William Linklater died in a ditch case, argued for a lesser charge look at the life situation and say, people and the pernicious effects The wife of a Yukon cabinet with a bullet in his head. saying that the murder was an act there but for fortune and of alcoholism which together minister who has since stopped At the beginning of the trial in "committed in the heat of passion environment go I. With one weave a nightmarish reality for drinking recounted her Whitehorse, 500 miles south of caused by provocation." The major difference-I would have women in Canada's north. experiences. "He used to drink Old Crow, the crown counsel penalty for manslaughter, the picked up the gun and used it a Kristine Snowshoe lived in Old every day, every day. He would systematically rejected any native usual charge for murders damn sight quicker than she did." Crow, Yukon, a tiny. Indian be sitting there smiling at me, and people or young women for jury involving drunkeness, is often set community (pop. 180) 500 miles the next minute he would be duty. The jury, all white, three at two years. Second-degree To date we have been unable to north of Whitehorse. She was beating. the hell out of me. So men and three older women, murder, on the other hand, obtain any additional informa­ formerly a championship skier, a many women here are scared to took only three hours to come up carries an automatic life tion concerning the possibility of member of Canada's cross­ say anything about it. They with a verdict of guilty. Dorothy sentence. This distinction was an appeal to the Yukon court cou n try team. After her blame themselves. They say they Christensen, a court worker who not explained to the jury. decision. The upcoming issue will marriage, however, she was just fell down the stairs, or they hit has since resigned, said, "I don't Meanwhile, Kristine Snow­ contain an account of any new another woman whose husband themselves on a door. Well, see how they (the jurors) could shoe sits in the Whitehorse jail developments in the case. beat her viciously during violent they're not fooling anybody. We understand how life was for her while lawyers decide if there are drinking bouts. He put a stop to know where they got it from." up there. I guess there are a lot of sufficient grounds for appeal. So In the event ofappeal procedures her skiing, refused to let her take The married life of Kristine drunken Indians downtown and far there don't appear to be any being instituted, we hope that a job she had been offered and, as and William was no different. they think,'Put them in jail, that's obvious legal ones. She has seen UPSTREAM readers will time went on, made her life a When he was drinking she would the only thing they're good for her child only four times since the contribute to an Appeal Fund to miserable and fear-ridden wander .around the village with anyway'." trial help raise money for Kristine existence. her baby, afraid to go home but During the trial, Kristine, the The people of Old Crow were Snowshoe's legal costs. Tiine for a change-but· what kind? by Penny Kome rehabilitation of alcoholics and economy is 'grown-up' and semi.nars quickly became she'd never met) to take Friedan other addicts. Brothers, who therefore not a women's issue. apparent. The. 'Time for a to the coffee shop. About 400 women attended advises millions through books, a Aurbach stressed that every Change' buttons handed out to The audience included women "Time for a Change", a seminar newspaper column, and woman, whatever her marital registrants featured a clock face from all around the Toronto 'held on April 8 at Toronto's television, talked about a return status, nyeds some measure of with the hands at five to twelve­ area. One came from as far as Sheraton Centre and featuring to voluntary simplicity and financial security·and autonomy. reminiscent of the Worldwatch New York State. They seemed to Laura Sabia, actress Mercedes selecting personal goals, such as She suggested ways for women to Institute's "doomsday clock", be women who felt isolated from McCambridge, psychologist an enriched family life, that may learn the salaries of other people measuring humanity's grace feminism (in the case of Joyce Brothers, "Cosmopolitan" not fit the conventional in their companies, for time before the nuclear. suburbanites and exurbanites) or columnist Sylvia Auerbach, New definition of success. comparison purposes.Friedan holocaust. Despite the $45 fee for who. were wavering towards York politician Bella Abzug, and Bella Abzug spoke of talked about how the women's the day, no lunch was provided. being convinced. For the most author Betty Friedan. coming to feminism and to public movement has changed since 'I In introductions, Curry part, they were women who were Sabia said that despite family office through a lifelong started the movement with my constantly referred to speakers as surprised to hear that NAC law reform, married women dedication to social activism. For book,'The Feminine Mystique' 'a lady who-.' Changes in the existed, for instance. However, (particularly employed women) 25 years as a practicing lawyer -as many history books say." order of speakers were not all attending actally paid a do not receive their fair share she was involved in issues like She noted her disagreement announced two or three times­ fee. One woman said her when the marriage breaks down, labour law, civil rights, and the with younger feminists who "see not that it mattered, as there was (Brampton) women's centre had Jet alone during the marriage. anti"Vietnam war movement. the women's movement as a class nothing for the audience to do received free passes. She also deplored recent fashion "It's not that I think women are struggle, or as analogous to the but sit there. Laura Sabia Jet slip To this observer, the seminar advertisments celebrating a better politicians," she said, "but black and white struggle." during converstion that she was seemed a manifestation of return to clothes that display a that we've had so little The day-long ( 10 am to 6 pm) not paid for her participation, women as an "untapped market", woman like merchandise. opportunity to be corrupted by seminar was organized as a although presumably the as the insurance companies say. McCambridge followed and power." She said that in the US, profit-making venture by Oriena American speakers were. Yet the big names of American said, in her fabulously rich and 80% of the lowest-paid jobs are Curry of Currie Consulting, Friedan arrived irritable and was speakers drew at least some versatile voice (she was the held by women, and 63%ofthose Currie Distributing, and Currie further annoyed by being women that local feminist groups demo'Il's voice In "The living below the pover.ty line are Amusement, principally the last, mistaken for Abzug. Curry asked are not reaching. There's a lesson Exorcist"), that she'd be wearing. women. That was why, as co­ which buys and sells pinball the nearest journalist (whom in that, somewhere. her sk_irts with thigh-high slits if chair of the US National machines. She said she got the she thought she could get away Advisory Committee, she idea from attending a sales-man's with it at her age. She tendered economic suggestions technique workshop, and For all your demonstrated how high. She that prompted President Carter wondered why there wasn't talked about her experience as an to fire her. "Family law is clearly anything similar for women." typesetting & design alcoholic and as president of seen as a women's issue", she ·Currie's lack of experience in needs Livengive Foundation for the said, "but talking about the feminism and rn organizing call Daycare centres may start closing expenditures. Cuts in spending increasing rate. According to the by Chris Wihak on toys, equipment and program 1978 Status of Day. Care Report supplies will effect the quality of issued recently by the federal Day care services in Ottawa­ care offered. In the face of government, there were . an Carleton are falling victim to the growing deficits, centres may estimated 656,000 children under provincial government restraint close rather than cut staff salaries the age of six whose mothers program. For International Year or offer inferior care. were working outside the home. Complete of the Child, the province has Spending restraints will put There were only 73,475 spaces in authorized only a five per cent reliable, high quality care beyond supervised day care programs to typesetting increase in the regional day care• the reach of many families. serve these children. budget. With i~flation running at Fewer subsidized spaces will .be The shortage of day care lay out over nine per cent, spending available for those with low spaces is reflected in the long paste-up· restrictions may result in . the incomes. As fees charged to waiting lists at Ottawa centres. closing of some centres. parents rise, more and more After the current round of cut- services Day care centres are already middle-income families will be backs, it will be even more operating on extremely tight forced to use unsupervised care difficult for working parents to Very reasonable rates! budgets. With food, rent and for their children. find reliable, affordable day care. staff salaries inaking up the bulk Cutbacks in day care come at a Chris -Wihak is president of the Ouawa- 232-0313 of day care costs, there is little time when women are entering Carleton Day Care Association. room for centres to reduce the labor force at an ever- reprinted from Newswest A women's business June 1979 UPSTREAM-5 Breaking. the mold?

by Kate Nonesuch live down to our expectations" The basis of conference Use of the resource guide is many changes. Noting. that went unchallenged and discussion was a bright pink optional and responsibility for its principals play key role in "There are too many undiscussed. The main thrust of booklet recently released by the implementation remains at the developing new programs and affirmative action freaks here, the workshop was how to use Ontario Ministry of Education, local level. The Ministry is not providing support for teachers too many optimists who think such techniques as role reversal "Sex-Role Stereotyping and prepared to spend the money and parents with "Change on their slight changes in the schools are to point out to students that it is Women's Studies." The necessary to purchase or develop minds, she added, "I regret that going to change society," said possible for both males and introduction states that it is "the non-sexist materials for all there was only one principal one unsatisfied delegate to females to participate in activities policy of the Government of teachers and students. here." "Breaking the Mold", a normally reserved for .the Ontario that education in the Conference organizer Carolyn At the end of the day, the conference on sex-role opposite sex. She acknowledged primary and junior divisions be Burwell didn't see any hope that delegates, 95% of them stereotyping in the' schools held that textbooks and teaching aids conducted so that each child may they would do so. "We have to smoothly-coifed, wearing skirts in Ottawa May l l-12. are sexist, but again there was no have the opportunity to develop use the books we've got." and pantyhose and carefully Dr. Elizabeth J. Lacelle, analysis of the fact. It seemed as if abilities and aspirations without Helen Slater, trustee of the made up, went home generally keynote speaker, addressed the sex roles developed and are the limitations imposed by sex­ Ottawa Board of Education, who satisfied with the conference, delegates on the seven-headed perpetrated through some silly role stereotypes." The document attended the conference, although seve,ral of them monster called stereotype, which oversight on our part, and as is a guide to help teachers suggested, "We have to pressure commented, "the people who she said caused rigidity, soon as people notice what has develop their own teaching the Ministry to put money into need this conference aren't here. alienation, imprisonment of happened, men and women will materials to make up for the new books." She noted that when We're preaching to the creative energy and destruction be treated equally. She official curriculum's lack of Canada went metric, new science converted." The same unsatisfied of the spirit. Although she gave a commented that we must positive information about and math texts were introduced delegate said, "If this is the history of the word, from its "incorporate changes in sex roles women's roles and to try immediately. She says there is "a conscious sector of the Greek origin and its use in the in the school system without overcome the sexism of existing little more lip service" paid to the educators, we've got a long way eighteenth century to denote a bitter dissension," as if that were texts and materials. elimination of sex roles, but not to go." printing plate, she didn't mention possible. the causes of sex-role stereotypes, or providt: any anaysis of why they developed, or their use, past and present, to Tomorrow's Eve Theatre oppress women. Throughout the "Get a second-rate job. until you're wed Quick costume and character changes by the two actresses two days of the conference, a And then keep house for your board and bed - keep the play moving at a fast pace; the lyrics and dialogue are feminist analysis of the economic I'm beginning to see the light." generally catchy and occasionally very funny. A major and sociological benefits to the Lyrics from the opening number of "Maple Sugar and drawback is that the two actresses, no matter what roles they patriarchy of keeping women in Spice," a satirical musical written and performed by Marion play, are nearly always antagonistic; the conflict in the drama is their roles was conspicuous by its Gilsenan and Mary Gissin on Friday night for the conference is centred in the conflict between them. There is no evidence of absence. Hardly anyone seemed delegates. women working together for change. to notice. Written for grade 11 and 12 students; the play presents a Nevertheless, the sketches, especially the historical material The delegates, about 150 used in some of them, should provoke questions and discussion women and a sprinkling of men, series of eight loosely connected scenes showing Canadian women in each decade of the century, including pioneers, from a high school audience. most of them teachers and However, given the sexist attitudes prevailing in high schools, guidance counsellors, were prostitutes, a CHATELAINE editor and Rosie the Rivetter. In one of the. best sketches Nellie McClung, as an after-dinner one wonders about the answers and the tone of the ensuing offered a variety of workshops discussions. Gilsenan said, after the performance, "A male whiCh focussed on developing speaker, rises to answer the question, "Where are we ten years after we got the vote?" while a disenchanted and exhausted teacher told me that I was warping students' minds with this "the full human potential" of play." A common reaction from students who see it is, "I both boys and girls. waitress leans against the wall and comments sardonically on her text. thought that stuff was a couple of years ago, in International "Males and females are In the final sketch a housewife reading THE FEMININE Women's Year. The problem's over now." different. They can do the same MYSTIQUE is interrupted by an Avon lady strung out on Tomorrow's Eve Theatre was formed five years ago to things, but have special perform plays by and about women. The two actresses are qualities that make them Valium. "How much satisfaction," they ask, "does a woman get fro.m the man from Glad?" and the play ends with their chorus; currently touring Ontario schools with "Maple Sugar and unique." This statement by Spice" and "Two Persons Called Sarah",· a play for senior Nancy Graham, leader of a "We've got a whole way of living to rearrange, elementary grades. They are working on another production for workshop called "How children We're beginning to see the light." students in grades three to six. Benefits of f erninist counselling

by Heni Nadel companies which stress the really after? For Nemiroff it is in discussion. As it was, only day in general is that it was never discrepancy between yourself Which would you prefer -- to necessary to bring the mind, brief sections were read and there made very clear who the audience and their ideal. The closer you write a final paper for a graduate body and society together. was no time for a question was. Were they mostly students, are to their picture of what you course in social work or produce Transcendence and oneness lead period. social workers, feminists or non­ ought to be the more lovable you a conference on feminist only to cultism - whether it be The conference continued in feminists, those well-established will be and therefore the more counselling? Six women at the the cult of the Moonies, Essalen the afternoon with workshops o'n in feminist thought or those just you will be loved. To try and Carleton University School of or Werner Erhard. various issues in feminist coun­ beginning to explore the area? attain their ideal is a continual Social Work chose to do the Therapy, she said, is never selling: networking among wo­ No matter what the answer this reinforcement of alienation for value-free. Biases are ever men, working with families, the lack of overall definition led to latter, and about I 00 women and 0 most of us. a handful of men attended the present. Thus there is an ethical women's movement and lesbian­ many part1c1pants being Nemiroff said that as long as day long event April 21. imperative on therapists to ism. unhappy with the results of the there continues to be a division The guest speaker, Greta decide on their ideology and My major complaint about the day. between our public and private Hoffman Nemiroff, is director of share it with the client. This is the spheres, the alienation of women the New School of Dawson first step in feminist therapy and will continue and solutions will College in Montreal .and is is one of the ways in which it not be found. Mental health associated with the Simone de differs from "status quo" institutions create as much Beauvoir Institute of Conco-rdia therapies. disease as they cure, she said. In University. Although not a Nemiroff concluded her MEXICALI ROSA'S. fact, people in institutions tend to counsellor or therapist herself formal addi;ess by noting that we get sicker each day they remain as . she is particularly interested in must learn to live with and love patients. MEXICAN FOOD IN THE TRADITION the area of women and mental contradiction. Life is not Nemiroff had some very OFTHEGREATSOUTHWESTJ health. consistent. - if we tried to caustic but apt comments to Nemiroff began her address by maintain consistency we would make about trends in mental defending feminism. Feminists, be paralyzed by it. Our only Great things beget more great things! health today. She pointed out she said, are decried as being very consistency should be our own that one-on-one therapy deals That's why Rosa's Cantina - already a negative. We're always asked openness to change. with the head and tends to forget tongue-tingling triumph at its Somerset what our solutions are. But, Following Nemiroff, Helen the body-leading to personal according to Nemiroff, feminists Levine, a member of the School East location - is hanging that famed alienation with mind and body see that individual approaches of Social Work faculty (and for shingle anew on a second storefront in divided within the being. She and solutions are not enough. whom the students were the Glebe: Mexican Rosa's. castigated the new with-it Until we know what the solutions conducting the conference in lieu therapies (including TA, Gestalt, we want are~ we're compiling a of a final paper) read an excerpt Fresh location, new name, familiar EST, TM, etc.) as being morally list of what we don't want. of her 1975 article on feminist format...that means tantalizing Mexican reprehensible. She referred to The mental health industry, counselling. The article itself is them as the "warm feeling in the dishes, southwestern-style. Super-charged like all other large groups, has a excellent and well worth reading tummy" therapies. They may Chili, enchanting Enchiladas, burly vested interest in its own a must introduction to help you feel good about yourself Burritos, and other zesty favourites. Not perpetuation at all levels, feminist counselling and to but because there is no social to mention mellow coffee and some of the Nemiroff said. Thus, 'the mental Levine's own personal ideology. analysis and no social change the finest desserts around. And Mexicali health industry, in collusion with However, my own feeling, and effects are fleeting. Over the long the state which supports it, sees a that of many members of the Rosa's is fully licensed. haul they promise things that woman as "a sick man" - an audience I talked with, was that can't be delivered. Served as always, with a warm smile and alienated person. the time spent on Levine's your own personal pitcher of cool, clear This view is reinforced and It is Nemiroffs belief that we reading could have been used water. exploited by North America's need ideology and analysis for differently - we could for heavy industrial ·commitment, basic change to occur. Is comfort instance been asked to read it in Buen Apetitor for example, to cosmetics as an end in itself what we're advance and then spent the time 895 Bank St. Fully Licensed 236-9499 6...:. UPSTREAM

'EDITORIAL

Money - sometimes we think it and women in other cities across the women of all ages, ·but only to women. cost loans. to one another. The credit would be nice if the stuff never existed. country are discussing the idea. By pooling savings in a financial co­ union also gives women the opportunity It seems to cause more worries and These credit unions are O)Jen to operative, the members can make low- to learn more about finances and the heartaches that even love. How will I operation of financial institutions, and pay the bills and the rent at the same creates jobs for women. time, we need groceries, the kids need We believe that women should shoes .... support these credit unions by Women have always had problems WOMEN'S becoming members. Some of the with money: trying to balance a house­ reasons are obvious, but also because, hold budget on an allowance from UNION as the Ottawa Tenants' Council says, it husbands or the government, trying to can be "a vehicle to further cooperation get bank loans for those little things that between women of different we really need, trying to get a charge backgrounds, interests and incomes." card. Despite all that has been written Chances are your savings now are about those problems, all the lobbying being used to make loans to South for change that has been done, they still Africa or Chile. Wouldn't it be better exist. knowing they are used for loans to One solution that. does work is for­ women on welfare, women who don't getting traditional financial institutions have their own credit ratings, all those and setting up our own. There are women (all of us women) who no one currently three woemn's credit unions will take a chance on when it comes to functioning in Canada; in Toronto, money? Thunder Bay and London, Ontario. And when you change your account Now, the Ottawa Tenants' Council is from your bank to the new women's attempting to establish one in this city, credit union in your city, tell the bank why you're doing it.

NA C president responds to criticisms ...

knowledge be included, buL also with Sisters: there is a time and a place for both kinds of to know them. personal experience. Dorothy O'Connell of organizations. Next year, we will be prepared for more I would like to reply to some of the points the Ottawa Tenants' Council, was invited to Part of the problem of the last annual people. We will probably have one event or made about NAC in your editorial and in the speak for that very purpose. Then you meeting arose from the sharp increase in our more, explicitly slated as a public meeting. article by Kathleen Jamieson. Space does criticize us for not allowing m all of her membership, 25% in one year. Our priorities We will try to be more open, but you must not permit dealing with everything, but I friends! for membership were low-income groups­ appreciate that for workshops and our shall_ try to clear up some misunderstand- The fact that NAC is a voluntary especially native women, immigrants and business meeting, our own members must ings. organization should be remembered also in unions. Our annual membership fee is receive priority. With this constraint we There were a number of regrettable considering your general criticism of what $25.00 per group. If there are groups which would welcome your advice, criticism, and, incidents at our annual meeting, one we do not do. We prepare briefs, see cannot pay we will try to cover their fees with even more, your help. important one of which you did not ministers, legislative committees and cau­ donations. We are just not elitist as far as mention. Wages for Housework demonstra­ cuses, help women on particufar cases (like group membership is concerned. Obviously, Yours sincerely, tors were in Ottawa to present the 'housewife the Squid Jiggers), publish a quarterly it is much more difficult for low-.income Lynn McDonald of the year' award to Margaret Trudeau, tl,le magazine and generally present women's women to take part in organizations that President day before our annual meeting. Members of concerns where possible. If there were more those who are better off. If you have any National Action Committee on the Status of Wages for Housework Campaign have been hours in the day we would do more-but solutions for this'problem we would be glad Women known to disrupt wqmen's meetings, and we then why aren't you doing all those things? were concerned that ours not be wrecked. ·I As the new president of NAC, I ain am not referring to 'unladylike' behaviour, concerned that we sponsor more public whatever that is, but shouting down activities, so that we can involve more ... but reader says they're justified speakers. Incidentally, what does presenting women ..we are already planning a public the housewife of the year award to Margaret meeting on the problems of low-income Trudeau have to do with helping low­ .women. We plan to hold ·a meeting in Dear UPSTREAM: income women? Ottawa in late June. This will be followed by I am one of those women who was not Unfortunately, the majority of women You seem to have neglected the fact that workshops at a Saturday seminar sometime 'allowed' to attend the NAC Conference in this pre-registration affected were mainly the' purpose of the gathering was the annual in September. Similar meetings will be held Ottawa in April. 111 fact, I went down to the low-income or immigrant women, some of meeting of an organization with 160 in other Canadian cities as soon as working NAC Conference early Friday morning to whom had come from out of town. constituent groups, and lobbying of Mem­ committees can be formed to plan them. register for Kathleen Macleod J amies.on, Since NAC was conducting workshops and bers of Parliament on issues of concern to Volunteers welcome. Helen Slater, Director, Office of Equal presenting resolutions to Parliament on women. Each member group is entitled to The Ottawa Women's Lobby is not one of Opportunities, City of Ottawa, and myself. these two groups of women it becomes sent two delegates plus observers as space our member groups; indeed it voted only Kathleen and I attended an OWL meeting extremely difficult to understand N AC's permits. We had a lot of' people to before the annual meeting not to join. Is on the Wednesday before the Friday insistence that they not be allowed to accommodate, a lot of business to transact, there something wrong with giving our registration, and the two NAC executives participate fully in the Conference. Can any and training sessions to go through for the member groups preference in admission? who were at that meeting did not inform organization put themselves forward as lobbying. The conference was 1;1ever intend­ We would be very pleasi::d to have OWL join either of us that there was any necessity to representing all Canadian women when a ed to be a public meeting, and was not so N AC. Obviously we share the, same concerns pre-register. Apparently I later found out significant number were seemingly ignored advertised. and there is considerable overlap in that the decision to only accept those who and discriminated against. Surely it is to Whe_n approached by the Ottawa Tenants' membership. You neglected to mention that had pre-registered was made on Thursday, NA C's shame that those sam.e women had to Council, only a week before the meeting, we the impetus for forming OWL came at the the day before registration. Such a late literaUy and figuratively "break down the agreed to give them two registrations for NAC annual meeting last year, and that decision obviously meant that there were barricades" to merely communicate with free-the same number our member organi­ NAC executive members have been amongst many women who were unable to attend the other women. zations are assured, but who pay for them. the most active members of OWL. NAC Conference. I can assure NAC that I did not enjoy, nor The $25.00 registration fee was the minim­ I do not apologize at all for our adherence The reasons for the refusal to admit those did the other women involved, "eating cake" um we could afford; the conference was· to parliamentary rules. With now over 170 who had not pre-registered, were, in my that weekend. I agree with Kathleen subsidized, but'not completely. Included for member organizations, it would be bedlam opinion certainly not sufficient nor should MacLeod Jamieson that this 'incident' that fee was a dinner, two lunches, and five without clearly stated procedures. Or worse, they have been accepted by the executive of should not be swept under the carpet. It is coffee breaks. To ask us to have done more I the organization wduld be run by a clique of NAC. This is the year that women in Canada essential for the continued existence and think is unreasonable; we are all volunteers people'who know how to work the system. celebrate the 50th year of being recognized legitimization of the women's movement in doing the best we can with the time and Written rules protect the ordinary member as Persons and this is the year that NAC has Canada that ,such incidents be brought money available. and facilitate new blood coming in and struck a medallion to honour such forward, thought about seriously, and The focus of the conference was 'The learning how to operate quickly. Small recognition. Yet this was the,year that NAC discussed. Economic Reality for Women.' We were groups can work more informally and many refused to recognize the fights and needs of concerned that not only women with expert of our member organizations do. Surely certain 'Persons'. Ironic isn't it? Yours sincerely, Sheila Klein June 1979 UPSTREAM-7 'FoRU Adieu fond de teint, 111ascara, 0111bres a paupieres et f ard a joues

princ1palement a !'occasion de SO!fees par Suzanne Camu mondaines pour capter le regard d'un ou lieux "Don Juan." Cependant, je n'aijamais Je n'aijamais ete une"grande partisane du abuse du maquillage comme le font certaines maquillage. Dans ma periode pubertairej'ai, poupees manierees ou starlettes debutantes. bien sfir, utilise le fond de teint afin de bien Mes sejours a la Campagne me faisaient dissimuler mes petits boutons, signes oublier les parures et Jes dorures qu'on porte manifestes d'une acne indesirable. Aux a la ville, le cliquetis des bagues, des boucles temps chauds de la cigale de Lafontaine, d'oreilles et des bracelets. C'est a la suite c'etait le soleii qui se ~hargeait de faire d'une de ces bienheur~uses vacances que je fondre ma vilaine peau et qui s'en tirait a me suis rendue compte de la valeur douteuse merveille, a mon grand plaisir. de tous ces produits de beaute, que j'ai Par la suite, j'ai voulu mettre mes yeux en decide de me suffire a moi-meme et valeur, ce qui necessitait une serie d'opera­ d'affronter bravement et sans deguisement tions toutes aussi delicates Jes unes que Jes Jes luinieres flourescentes de la ville. autres: onduler legerement mes cils, Jes Ce n'est pas toujours facile. En effet, je ne recouvrir du traditionnel mascara noir peux m'empecher de remarquer jusqu'a quel ardent ou brun veloute. Et surtout, ultime point ces-dites lumieres s'archarnent a operation, ombrer mes paupieres d'une creuser le visage et a en faire rejaillir les multitude de couleurs: vert foret, bleu azur, hideuses verites. prune, lavande, etc. Bien entendu, je II va sans dire que mon visage presente m'effon;ias d'assortir la couleur de mon certaines imperfections comme tous Jes ombre a paupieres a celle du vetement dont autres visages. Cependant, dans ces imperfe­ je m'etais paree ce jour-la. Je ne peux pas ctions, je trouve un certain charme que je affirmer que ce geste brillait par son n'avais pas su apprecier auparavant: des originalite. sourcils epais, voire meme broussailleux Venait ensuite le rouge a levres dont Jes mais fermes et demonstratifs de mon diverses appellations evoquaient des fruits et caractere resolu; des cernes sous les yeux, n'aime pas qu'on me tienne ce genre de eux donnent une certaine sensibilite a mon des emotions, mariant la cerise a la passion parfois omnipresents en certains jours, ce commentaire a propos de mon apparence regard), de mes sourcils et des quelques poils et la fraise a la vivacite (beau melange, qui m'attire des remarques peu flatteuses de physique (J'agis de la sorte afin de le rendre superflus qui ornent le coin inferieur gauche quoi!). Pour ma part, je preferais le la part de certains representants de la gent visiblement ma! a l'aise et je reussis de ma machoire et que je palpe occasionnel­ bourgogne affection. Ce rouge a levres masculine: "Ehe t'as ben !'air fatiguee, as-tu habituellement.), ou encore, je decide tout lement pour bien en sentir la presence. servait a proteger mes levres precieuses de la passe la nuit su'a corde a linge!" ou encore slmplement de passer outre, d'ignorer le Ne vous imaginez surtout pas que je fasse rigueur de l'hiver et a valoriser ma dentition "Tes pas sortie souvent cette fin de semaine­ commentaire tout en ricanant ep mon for preuve d'une outrageuse vanite a l'egard de presque parfaite (aux dires de l'orthodonti­ ci, t'es un peu bleme." J'imagine que Jes interieur et en me tenant le monologue ma personne. Non, je ne fais qu'observer ste qui m'avait installe dans la bouche un personnes qui profi:rent ces remarques, se suivant: "Dommage que tu n'aies pas su mon visage qHand bon me semble. Je appareil metallique fort encombrant afin de . veulent attentionnees a mon egard, soucieu­ profiter du bon temps que j'ai eu hier soir." remarque que j'eprouve de la satisfaction, redresser molaires, canines et incisives. ses de mon bien-etre. Peut-etre sont-elles Et si je poursuis !'auto-examen de ma que je me sens bien dans ma peau. Par­ Bref, ce leger maquillage, je l'avoue, me tout simplement un peu outrees de constater physionomie faciale, je decouvre que ces dessus tout, je m'apen;ois que je ne veux plus plaisait, me donnait une quelconque assura­ que je ne porte pas de maquillage pour parties demon visage me plaisent autant que m'affubler de ces soi-disants produits de nce et me procurait une illusion d'energie camoufler mes traces de fatigue. Jes autres parce qu'elles ont ete difficiles a beaute inoffensifs. Non, c'est chose du passe !ors de mes journees creuses. Quoi qu'il en soit, j'ai decide de ne plus apprivoiser et a s'adapter au reste de ma et pour longtemps, j'espere! Si ma memoire est fidele, je me maquillais m'en indigner. En effet, ou bien je declare personne. Ainsi, je ne pourrais plus me "Naturellement" votre! generalement lors de mes sorties a la ville, et manifestement a mon interlocuteur, que je passer de md cernes violaces (qui malgre

More discussions are needed

Dear UPSTREAM: such analysis and criticism to take place than With reference to the particular event place in UPSTREAM. Whether in response in our own press! which was the focus of May's editorial, one to a particular event such as .the NAC I read with pleasure the editorial in the The criticisms expressed in the May issue suggestion for future conferences might be conference or to a more general feeling May issue of UPSTREAM. My reaction were extremely valid ones and point to a to ensure a number of spaces for women about the women's movement as it exists was to smile and say 'it's about time.' problem feminists must confront and deal from particular backgrounds circum­ today in Ottawa, in Canada or elsewhere, we While fear of criticisms of the women's with. stances. Another is to set registration fees need disussion in order to clarify our movement being used against us and the As for . solutions, I also~ agree with according to incomes. More than this is position(s) on issues and to determine what desire to present a united front are expanding our tactics. Conferences, needed, of course, for such minor direction(s) we should be taking. legitimate, it is only with self-criticism and lobbying the government, etc. while they adjustments will not ensure that the voices analysis of what we are doing and aiming for may be of some value, will not in themselves heard are not always those of the articulate, (along with subsequent action) that the provide solutions. Our voices, our actions the well-educated among us. women's movement can hope to further must be heard and felt everywhere; in In closing I would like to add that we need in sister'1ood, grow l!nd develop. What better place for parliament, in the work place, in the streets. more such editorials discussions taking Mary Beil Nationalism? Yes, Canadians must con(rol our economy, reader says 8"-UPSl'REAM I Jun~:IIJ.79.

Helen Ul'int" will return next month. privatize our pain. One social service agency discretion and advice of the professional in Canada your chances of being poor are by Donna Dupuis I know of in Kingston has overcome this with little or no input from the client. This two in three: problem through a mutual support worker often creates added pressures and confusion As a single parent, you find out only too well My first contact with feminist literature system. for women. how inadequate are our child care services. pccurred a number of years ago when I was Women who seek counselling, following At one period in time, I remember my You learn all aboui isolation and too much struggling to break out of a six-year their separation, are matched on an lawyer writing and demanding a high about frustration. And if you're a woman, marriage. Since divorce is not a universally individual basis with other women who have amount of child support from my spouse. you meet discrimination in the labour approved or accepted institution in Canada, been through the service. Each woman For every letter he wrcte I received a market, which leaves you with only two one is often left to struggle as best they can shares her own experiences with the newly telephone call threatening a custody fight if I choices: a low-paying, dead-end job or a on their own. I sought and received solace separated person and acts as an outreach, pushed for more money. Unfortunately this marginal existence on welfare. and reassurance within the pages of my bringing her new partner into a large group is not all that uncommon. Research today -National Council on Welfare feminist texts. I began to change, to see my At a social level, women also experience problems .and hurt as belonging to all I the impact of separation and divorce. women; the result of a patriarchal society. Changes in any status almost invariably r The marriage ended and I entered the world FEMINIST mark changes in friends and communities. of the separated and divorced. . For some this means physically moving out Little is said or written about the life of the of one home into another, for most it means formerly married. Widespread ignorance of CONNECTIONS: losing friends. This loss of friends is the realities of the life of the divorced person particularly common among women who, abounds. Even more hidden are the specific by living vicariously through their problems and issues as they relate to women COUNSELLING husbands, have come to actapt his friends as in this situation. As a woman who has theirs. One of the biggest complaints I and experienced a marital break-up and as a many separated women have is that we are provider of counselling services, I feel a need FOR CHANGE made to feel uncomfortable by our married to bring the issues out of the closet where friends. they are hidden, and into tile open where situation. We in Ottawa could learn from shows that a large number of women are The separated woman then must find a they belong. Only then will change be such an out-reach program. All my threatened or assaulted by their spouses new community. But this is not easy.· For effected. experiences in the first three years of my following the breakup of the marriage. those of us with small children at home, and It was only following my decision to separation were for the most part alone. It Another aspect of our law which tends to on a fixed income, there is no money for separate that I began to feel the impact that was only long afterwards that I accidentally escalate negative feelings is our court babysitters, courses and evenings out. For the institution of marriage has on women's discovered the underground network of the system. It is conceivable that a woman could working women, the social life outside the lives and their futures. I, like most women, formerly married and was able to tap its rich be dealing with a number of different courts work situation is often geared to the under- had been raised to believe that, like resources. Further, women are reluctant to over one issue - the process of uncoupling. 25 group. Also there is the do4ble standard Cinderella, I too would someday meet my risk entry into established programs such as The problems inherent in our legal system in dating and social life so prevalent in our handsome prince, faU in !Ove, marry and live Single Parents, fearing they will be rejected. are well known to the law profession as well sexist society. "happily ever after." I knew little or nothing Most people who separate come into as to the consumers of such services. Moves The loss of a husband for many women of the legal, social, economic or emotional some contact with our legal system. Whether toward change such as implementing a also means the loss of their identity. Men implications of marriage, and therefore it be the woman seeking welfare benefits or unified family court system and conciliation depend on marriage for a home, for their divorce. suing for divorce, there is almost always services have been slow, to say the least. material subsistence and for' regular contact In our society critical changes in status, some contact·. Ours is art adversarial system; Such services would solve some of the with their children. Women, on the other such as marriage, birth and death, are a legal sysyem based on the judeo-christian difficulties and confusion imposed on hand, depend on marriage for their marked by elaborate rituals. Such rites concept that marriage is indissoluble. It is individuals and could divert -couples from livelihood and standard of living, for status denote movement with the individual understandable then that such laws promote the adversary system whenever possible. and position in the community, and, in acquiring her new status with the reconciliation rather than easy separation. Social workers working together with a certain circumstances, for access to social involvement and support of other people. Six years ago people like myself who sought couple would negotiate the terms of their relationships outside the nuclear home . I. However, with separation and divorce, an legal advice were often directed towards the separation. Further, such a service could Thus we see that women, because of their equally common and important status nearest family counselling agency as a offer emotional support to individuals state of economic dependency, are more transition has to be made by individuals prerequisite to further proceedings. experiencing diffic!llties. This has long been vulnerable to the loss of a partner than are without the institutional support or Needless to say this was often a humiliating an area ignored by both the law ahd the men. sometimes in complete privacy. and frightening experience e·specially for helping professions. My aim in writing this article was to One recently divorced woman I know women like myself who had spent years Besides the legal hassles and worries that expose readers to information and suggested that announcements be mailed to trying to summon up the courage to end the are going on at this time, there are usually experiences surrounding separation and all interested persons,· or that one partner marriage. economic problems. Given the traditiom~l divorce. I have not covered nearly one­ have a party to celebrate her coming out,· Should the attempt toward re~onciliatio_n role that women are socialized into - that of quarter of what I wanted to say. After six thereby gaining support and recognition. fail, the full force of the adversanal system is homemaker and mother - it is easy to see years of rpersonal experiences and three This networking and social support has not put into motion. Each party is now who suffers most financially: women, years providing counselling senrices to many been something historically that women encouraged to take what they can out of the especially those with children. As the saying separated women, I have much to say and have had available to them. Trained to hide of the other partner, thereby pitting one goes, "A woman is often one man away from much to share. If anyone is interested I dislike and distrust other women and kept against the other. Many women. like myself, welfare." According to the National Council would be glad to continue on this topic at a within the confines of our homes, we are encouraged to depend solely on the on Welfare, if you are a female single p:irent later time.

PERSUADING PARLIAMENT by Marie Harte

Joe Clark is not the kind of man who Jim McGrath who has kepfthe second-class He specified that time frame for his most commitment to women's rights will be the advocates equality for women in public status of women - especially single mothers radical promise - opening up the Canada speed at which these promises are fulfilled. while snickering over wet T-shirt contest and the elderly - in the forefront on social Pension Plan to homemakers, a proposal Clark's first priority is to put his economic jokes in private. policy and consumer issues. Lincoln Alex­ also made by the Liberal's Pierre Trudeau program into place this fall. The first Clark The new prime minister has a healthy ander, who has a good record on human and the NDP's Ed Broadbent during the budget should contain some parts of the attitude: he assumes women are equal to rights causes, notably the recent case of the campaign. women's platform - such as the tax men. And he has never been caught bragging Jamaican immigrant women. Some Tory reforms could be immediately deductions for small businesses and farmers about it. Whether the new government can or will implemented: the extension 6f the spouse's who pay salaries to their wives. At the very basic level, this is an implement its promised reform for women allowance to age 65, the restoration of the A trouble spot in Conservative policy is encouraging sign that the new Progressive depends a great deal on how long it survives. $45-a-week job training allowance for the plan to reduce the public service through Conservative minority government may be a There is no indication that all or part of the married women cut back to $I 0 by the attrition by 60,000 in three years. Highest good thing for women. women's rights package has top priority. In Liberals, the reinstatement of unem­ public service turnover is among women. When even the small factors are positive, . fact, the time frame for implementation is ployment insurance coverage for part-time Clark promised to exempt women leaving one has reason to be optimistic. Clark's Clark's first term in office, meaning four workers. their jobs to raise families. We'll see. personal staff includes the likes of the no­ years. The test ot the new government's Opposition parties obviously will have to nonsense Jodi White. Clark's wife is the be relied on for Tory promises that fell shor• Sensible, independent and ambitious of demands from the women's movement. Maureen McTeer who can quickly brush For example, Clark promised the removal of away the flakey legacy of the disco-kid, 12 (I) (b) from the Indian Act, to restore Margaret Trudeau. native rights to women who marry non­ On the more important level, Clark Indians. But he would not apply the change promised a program of change for women retroactively as should be the case. during the election campaign. It contains Some observers speculate that there will proposals that the opposition Liberals and be another election in a year to 18 months. New Democrats would be foolish to scuttle Others, significantly Liberals among them, since they, too, made similar campaign believe that Clark can govern the full first promises. term, four years, if he wants to. Last, but not least, among the members of The opposition parties are highly unlikely Parliament li]cely to be appointed to the to force a new election soon. Resentful Clark cabinet are at least a handful of strong voters could give Clark a clear majority, feminists, the most ·notable being David after all. The NDP doesn't have the money MacDonald, t~ Tory status-of-women to campaign again in the near future. The spokesman in the last Parliament. It won't Liberals, finding little support west of be hard to demonstrate how patronizing and Ontario, need time to rebuild their forces on paternalistic Marc Lalonde really was. the prairies and the Pacific Coast. There are other promising personalities in Clark plans to govern as though he has a the new government. Flora MacDonald majority. Wise women will remember that who has created a strong female role-model when assessing his programs in the future. in the Tory front benches as federal­ provincial .relations critic and who was the fust woman to seek her party's leadership. WOMEN ELPINGWOME

At the annual meeting of the Canadian Dickens, showed how unevenly abortion principle of doctor-patient confidentiality their rights. Association for Repeal of the Abortion Law services are available in Canada. Access to since it gives provincial Ministers of health If an abortion is medically justified, he (C.A.R.A.L.), Professor Bernard Dickens Committees is a matter of ~eographical the absolute right to information noted, it cannot be withheld because other of the University of Toronto Law School good fortune. There is no appeal from a surrounding the granting (not the refusal) of conditions are not met. In fact, a physician exploded many firmly held myths about the Committee's decision to refuse abortion­ an abortion request. who does this is under great risk· of being operation of the Canadian abortion law (s. even if that decision is made for In summary, therefore, it looks as though charged with assault and battery since, 251 of the Criminal Code). administrative reasons rather than medical Canadian women might be better off to have under the pressure of wanting an abortion, a Briefly, the current law as revised in 1969 ones. In fact, the woman does not even have our old abortion law-liberally woman may give consent to sterilization says that abortions must be performed in an the right to find out why her request has been interpreted-back rather than the present which is not free consent. And a doctor approved or accredited hospital, and that refused. law which in no way contributes to the performing surgery without a patient's free the hospital's Therapeutic Abortion Some of the common reasons for refusal prompt confidential local delivery of consent is in danger of legal liability. Committee must certify in advance that the include exhaustion of a hospital set quota abortion services. women's health would be endangered by for abortions or the woman's residence Hospitals and Physicians Responsibility to continuing the pregnancy. being outside the area the hospital was set up Abortion and Compulsory Sterilization Provide Abortion Services to serve. Dickens also shot down the idea that As a final point, Dickens said that What Happened in 1969 Anyway? Indeed, the so-called 'liberal' abortion law· physicians who make sterilization a physicians who object to abortion risk civil First, said Dickens, it is a mistake -to­ in Canada violates the otherwise sacred condition of abortion are acting within their liability if they refuse services to an existing believe that the 1969 Criminal Code patient. This is because physicians have amendment liberalized the abortion law. He duties to supply continuous care to patients. explained that in 1975, when the Supreme If they intend to withdraw their services Court of Canada was busy reversing a jury (over a disagreement with a patient's choice acquittal so as to send Henry Morgentaler to of therapy), they must give due warning and jail for performing abortions outside the continue to provide care until a patient can Criminal Code, the Court noted that the pre­ reasonably find an alternative source of amendment Canadian law was the same as health care. British law in 1938. The Alberta Supreme Court recently held And in 1938, in the Bourne case, the a doctor liable for failing to help his patient English Courts held that abortion was find access to. legal abortion in Edmonton. lawful if the doctor in good faith decided The doctor had argued that he only had that abortion was necessary to preserve the admitting privileges at hospitals without woman's life or health. Evidence of 'good_ Therapeutic Abortion Committees. But the faith' was seen if the doctor consulted with Court said that the doctor's legal duty was to other p_hysicians and if one other physician refer the patient to physicians with agreed with his/ her decision to abort. admitting privileges at hospitals where there The definition of 'health', as used in the ABORTION were Committees. Therefore a doctor who U.K., included mental health since the refuses to refer a patient entitled to abortion Bourne case itself involved a young rape BILL to a physician or agency able to help could yictim who would have become "a mental be in violation of her/his legal duty. wreck" without the abortion. Further, hospitals themselves have duties Therefore the 1969 Criminal Code to patients and may not be able to excuse a amendment in Canada simply made explicit violation of those duties by saying they have what had been implicit in the previous decided not to set up a Therapeutic Canadian law. It introduced no additional Abortion Committee. In other words, grounds for abortion upon the agreement of hospitals cannot voluntarily djsable two (private) physicians, demanded the themselves from meeting their patients' concurrence of a Therapeutic Abortion health needs. Committee. The Badgely Report (Feruary 1977), said Anyone for test cases?

Prostitution is not prohibited by law in Quite clearly, power relations in society Canada. Yov are free to engage in it, wheth­ have a lot to do with the way we look at er customer or prostitute, but just don't get prostitution and soliciting, as does the old caught "soliciting". It is not quite clear at stereotyped view of woman as the supplier of this point in Canadian history just what domestic and sexual services to man. soliciting is, because we have laws that LAW FOR WOMEN contradict· one another. This is because Women who are sexually harassed by different judges in different parts of the men, whether on the public streets, in a country have looked at the situation in by Shirley Greenberg tavern, or on the Job, might wish they had different ways. Is it surprising that the law protection of this kind, although a criminal varies depending on whether you are male or sanction may be a little too strong since a lot female? of simple inoffensive conduct could then In the Criminal Code, the section land one into trouble. 'rhat was the prohjbiting soliciting refers only to harassment or annoyance. The soliciting, to is to emphasize the public order and objecti0n to the recent attempt by certain "persons," not to male or female. But the be a criminal act, must occur in a public nuisance aspect, and to regard a professional pressure groups to get the Legislature to interpretation in the courts has usually been. place, and must be persistent and pressing. prostitute as a person in business, with the widen the definition of soliciting, so that the that only a female is capable of "soliciting" It is unclear whether soliciting for the same right as anyone else to engage in a trade police could more effectively control the within the meaning of this section. This view purposes of prostitution is a sexual offence or profession or service. It seems offensive to streets in certain cities. was applied recently by a judge in a British (because it involves an "illicit" act), or go on a crusade to "clean up the streets" The attempt to cha.nge the law of soliciting Columbia court. In contrast, in Ontario whether it is a nuisance and thus an offence without also going after the customers of the was almost successful, but just in time a few recently a crown prosecutor who happened against public order. The old moralistic prostitute who create the demand. One is not alert women awakened to the fact that to be woman was successful in a case before approach underlying our Criminal Code still more in the wrong than the other, unless you women's groups had not l:>een apprised of it, the court of appeal in convicting a man of colours interpretation of this section as it apply the old double standard of purity for and that this type of change was not in soliciting. does most other sections which have women as the only acceptable state, while women's interests. Another example of the The law of "soliciting" is based on the anything to do with women or sex, men are simply never measured that way at never-ending need for vigilance, and, need for public order and protection from The trend toda with some back-slidin all. fortunately, a successful one. Battered wives ou ''quand /es fe11l11les ne savent pas _quoi faire de leur liberation'' emprunte au des luttes et des rires de femmes II etait une fois, j'm'en d'etre du cote des policiers quand souviens bien, meme si 9a fait un on n'est pas d'accord avec Jeurs p'tit bout d'temps, des femmes et gestes-et puis, dans cette des hommes ont ete matraque-e­ histoire-la, p'tet que si !es gens du s et arretee-e-s a la suite d'un theatre St-Denis s'etaient moins piquetage tres pacifique qui ener.ves ... ! denon<;ait la violence faite aux Ben l'juge decide que <;a va femmes. P'tite seance de commencer, j'sais pas si i'e gene defoulement pous nos defenseurs de nous regarder mais i'a hate de l'ordre, une p'tite sortie, faut que c't'histoire-la soit reglee ... se t'nir en forme ... pis sous Ieurs -Vingt-cinq piastres plus frais casques, matraques au poing, d'cour ou ben trois jours de c'est pas nous autres qui allaient prison ... c'est fini ... c'est regle ... pis Jes empecher de se prendre au depecher d'vous en aller! serieux. Entracte: c'est pas fini, c'est pas Ben tant qu'a nous avoir regfe... on s'en \'Oen appef. arrete-e-s c'etait aussi bien de nous poursuivre. Flaner, Acte III: Remise des 54 r6der. .. t'as empeche Jes autres de Troisieme semaine on circuler, -pis t'as pas obei' quand commence a etre habituees ... s'ils on t'a dit de t'en aller. .. vingt-cinq nous saluent pas c'est parce qu'ils piastres multipliees par sont genes ... On est cense r'partir cinquante sept accuse-e-s ... calcul pour un deuxieme proces (le rapide ... mille quatre cent vingt­ deuxieme sur 55 ... vous vous cinq dollars ... <;a sera <;a d'pris imaginez!!!) mais comme on est pour le tresor public (sic!) ... pis deja en appel pour l'autre, 9a r'commencez pas une autre serait plus logique de continuer la fois!!! "sceance" que de r'tourner au -Non coupable monsieur l'juge! premier acte ... -Ben· tant pis pour toi ... ton Notre avocate essaye de faire proci:s .. .le, disons .. .le 28 du mois etaler sa mauvaise humeur. sa job si elle refusait). tenteront chacune un plaidoyer, comprendre <;a au juge, mais le qui suit celui-la. L'avocate de Ia defense: L'accusee: personnage muette la defense alleguant qu'avant decidee, entetee et patiente qui l'arrivee des policiers !es nouveau procureur decide de Scenario du premier acte obligee d'assister debout au arrache point par point au juge la spectacle qui va se jouer durant manifestant-e-s ne genait pas s'objecter (lui i voit des nuances Presentation des com~dien-ne­ permission de proceder. une heure a ses depens. l'entree et qu'elles laissaient entre les accuse-e-s, i pretend s par ordre d'entree en scene: Une "procureuse", tatillone Quatre temoins se succedent et autour d'elles, compte-tenu de la qu'on pourrait plus etre identifie, Le juge mecontent parce qu'il qui s'amuse a redefinir chacun brossent un tableau tres parlant configuration des lieux, un que Jes jugements pourraient ben vient de decouvrir qu'il a affaire a des termes de !'article de Joi, son d'un groupe de 150 manifestant­ espace. suffisant pour circuler. en fait' etre differents). Comme le une cause qu'il ne pourra pas, Petit Robert sous le bras (on e-s qu'on enjoint de circuler en L'avocate de Ia Couronne se nouveau juge tient pas a vraisemblablement, expedier en apprendra plus tard qu'elle a ete Jeur 6tant toute possibilite permettra a un moment donne proceder, ii accepte que \es trois 5 minutes, qui a un caractere d'office foutue Ia parce qu'elle physique de le faire. (pour preciser le terme causes de ce matin soient politique et ii ne se gene pas pour etait une femme et qu'elle risquait Un policier responsable de "stationner") de faire un reportees. C't'un rendez-vous cette manoeuvre geniale rapprochement entre Jes pour le mois d'octobre pis entre contredit la these des autres manifestantes et Jes prostituees ... temps faut r'tourner s'promener ten'ioins d'une fa<;on invraisemb­ Nouveaux murmures desappro­ la Jes I 8, 25 avril, Jes I, 8, 15, 22· mai pis les 5 et 12 juin refaire les lable (surtout quand on a vecu les b.~ teurs ... no u v e 11 e menanc~ 1 :. faits: .. ). II pretend que la preuve d evacuer... meinbs simagrees pour que ces . qu'on pouvait circuler c'est qu'il y Bref, le jugement est remis au causes-la soient reportee_s; Distinctively a pres de cent personnes qui n' ont mercredi suivant...exit des' Epilogue pas ete arretees. Evidemment, il comedien-n~s et des spectatri­ omet de preciser qu'elles ont pu ces. Usure ... usee ... J'sais pas 'quelle gang va liicher en premier. se sauver pendant que la police en Acte II: Jugement Different matraquait d'autres. Administrer la justice c'est un Murmure dans la salle aussit6t La salle est pleine, on peut pus peu comme pecher dans un reprime par une menace entrer, pis y'a une longue histoire aquarium ... I mettent pas ma! de d'evacuer ... C'est au travers des de hit and run qui'e apres etre chances de leur cote ... mais v'lil commentaires ironiques du juge jugee. Dans !'corridor la qu'on est des poissons qui sont (entre autres au sujet des femmes procureuse annonce qu'elle part apres s'renseigner de comment "qui ne savent pas quoir faire de en vacances (et oui, Jes mu rs ont bouffer Jes vers sans se faire Jeur liberation) que les avocates des oreilles!)-c'est complique pogner. ..

a division of Albert Optical Ltd. LA PROMENADE BUIL~NG Marketing the male contraceptive 151 SPARKS ST (at 0-CONNORl. 2nd Flooc. OTTAWA. KIP 5E3. Phone 563·1805or1806

by Rosemary Koes responsibility for birth control One of the major reasons is the and the male scientists dutifully possible side effects. It appears Offering a wide choice of frames Large scale interest in male developed female contraceptive that a male contraceptive will not contraception is very new to the devices. be marketed unless it is entirely to suit all your prescription needs science world. Is this surprising However, things are changing, free of side effects. and a complete contact lens service. when one considers that the it appears. So where was this concern over majority of scientists are male? Research in the US and side effects years "6 u when the Women were burdened with the Canada has turned up a number pill was presented to thousands Give us a call or drop In soon. of injected male contraceptives. of women as the newest miracle One, a drug called depo-provera of science? Dr. Samuel Epstein, which is injected once a month author of "Politics of Cancer" along with a dosage of male describes the marketing of the hormone has proved effective in pill as the "largest mass carcin­ 90 per ,cent of the volunteers and ogenic experiment in history". appears to be free of side effects. WE BUY - SELL OR TRADE Another, a substance called airth control is necessary and inhibin, produced by the testes in many situations for various controls production of the reasons, women are not able to hormone produced by the use the contraceptive methods pituitary gland which in turn is presently available. A male con­ necessary to the production of traceptive other than the condom sperm. Injections of inhibin, or vasectomy is needed. Sandy Hill-Flea Market when refined to prevent side Certainly, one would not want effects, would shut down the to wish upon anyone any of the hormone and thus stop sperm side effects that are possible from 108 SOMERSET ST. EAST - OTTAW A production. present female cont,raceptives! How soon drug companies But until an effective and safe might actually market a male pill contraceptive is available, -let's or injection is conjecture. Some get that male contraceptive on researchers say within five years. the market and let's start equally Other more widely believed esti­ sharing the responsibility (and mates run more like I 0- I 5 years. ti).e little bit of suffering!) for Bob Smith Tel. 233-2004 Why is it taking so long? birth control. June •1979 UPSTREAM:-U Les suffragettes se sont-elles battues en vain? par Lucie Masson

En ces temps d'elections la situation se soit amelioree, ii femmes commencent a peine a federales et de referendum futur sem ble q ue ceux-ci soient percer. II faut aussi que Jes (pour les Quebecoises du moins), reticents a presenter des femmes aient le temps et Jes · est-ce que Jes femmes ont enfin candidatures feminines jugees a ressources pour se consacrer a la compris que la cle du pouvoir et tort moins "sures" et moins politique, en d'autres mots de "leur" independance passe par rentable que Jes candidatures qu'elles ne soient pas accaparees Jes rouages de la politique active? masculines. Sans qu'il soit par la famille. La comme ailleurs Non, semble-t-il, car seulement possible de le prouver ii est plus facile a un homme de 1,95 femmes contre 1229 efficacement, on recrute plutot faire carriere. La situation qui candidats masculins se sont Jes femmes dans les circonscript- prevaut en politique n'est que le 0 VOTES F~ WoMEN presentees aux electios federales ions perdues d'avance ou refletdesproblemesquiseposent du 22 mai. Le faible nombre des douteuses, ou elles ne font pas aux femmes dans !es autres ~ elues ne saurait etre representatif qu'acte de presence tout en secteurs de la societe. Mais la 'de la place qu'occupe la femme ameliorant Jes smtistiques des situation change Ientement: pour 1 1dans notre societe ( 51 % de feministes aux aguets. II ne faut la permiere fuis au Quebec, une l'electorat) et encore moins done pas s'etonner que lors des femme depute vient de mettre un reussir a faire valoir efficacement dernieres elections generales, enfant au monde au cours de son ses droits et ses aspirations. 51 % des candidats aient recueilli mandat. Tout est done possible. Apres s'etre battues avec tant moins de 5% des votes dans leur Reste a en convaincre !es d'acharnement au debut du siecle circonscription et ·que plus de femmes qui ne demontrent pour obtenir le droit de vote, !es 36% d'entre elles ont recueilli malheureusement qu'un interet femmes s'en sont contentees sans moins de I% des suffrages. limite pour la politique. Un chercher a se faire elire a la A ce manque d'interet des recent sondage de l'lnstitut Chambre des Communes, aux organisateurs pour Jes quebecois d'opinion publique assemblees legislatives, aux candidatures feminines vient effect u e pour I a revue conseils scolaires et municipaux, s'ajouter d'autres handicaps aux Point-virgule revelait que 80% Ia ou se prennent les vraies !es femmes desireuses de se des Quebecoises '•ne portaient decisions et ou leur vote aurait du presenter. Jusqu'a tout qu'uninteretfaibleoumoyenala poids. Les opposants aux recemment ii fallait de preference politique. Seulement 4,6% sont suffragettes qui craignaient de etre bien nanti et avoir membres d'un groupe ou d'un voir ces chiiteaux forts masculins passablement d'instruction pour pa1ti politiq ue. C'est pourtant en envahis par les femmes, n'avaient se lancer en politique, ce dont peu s'interessant tot a la politique et pas a s'en faire. Par ignorance, de femmes pouvaient se vanter. en commern;ant a la base qu'on se par manque d'interet et de Encore aujourd'hui !es domaines fraie le plus souvent un chemin confiance aussi, !es femmes sont du ~!roit et des affaires, la ou !es vers !es sommets politiques. restee loin de la politique active. CANDIDATES AUX ELECTIONS FEDERALES (1921-1979) Depuis 1921, annee OU la Annee Nombre de Nombre total de Pourcentage de premiere femme fut elue au candidates candidates femmes sur parlement cadadien, seulement !'ensemble des candi- · 28 femmes ont suivi ses traces, dats sur un total de I, 700 deputes elus. Quand elles se melent de 1921 4 632 0.6% politique, les femmes le font trop 1925 4 579 0.7% souvent encore dans l'ombre de 1926 2 530. 0.4% Sojourner photo leur mari ou comme obscures 1930 9 543 l.7% secretaires des organisateurs de 1935 16 880 l.8% La socialisation et Jes niveaux, partout ou il y a Jutte circonscriptions. Se presenter 1940 9 640 1.4% stereotypes ont laisse supposer pour le 'pouvoir, dans les comme candidate ne leur vient 1945 19 952 2.0% que la politique etait un monde syndicats, dans le monde de meme pas a !'esprit. Aux 1949 11 848 1.3% d'hommes et Jes femmes ont ete l'enseignement et celui des elections federales de 1974, des 1953 47 897 5.2% les premieres a y croire. Les affaires. Aux femmes de s'y neuf femmes elues deputees, six 1957 29 862 3.4% pionnieres de la politique etaient lancer. C'est le defi a relever que declaraient ne s'etre pas 1958 21 831 2.5% regardees comme des oiseaux nous ont legue Jes suffragettes. 1962. presentees d'elles-meme8, mais 26 1,016 2.6% rares qui auraient perdu Jes d'avoir d'abord approchees par 1063 40 1,023 3.9% plumes de leur "feminite". II ne Manquantes d fappel; /es femmes dans la !cs organisateurs .de partis. 1965 37 1,011 3.7% faut done pas s'etonner que !es politique fidirale canadienne. Uanne Langevin. C.C.S.F., Ottawa, 1977. D'aiileurs, !es organisateurs 1968 36 967 3.7% femmes manquent de confiance politique font'ils tout ce qu'ils 1972 71 1, 117 6.4% face a la politique et qu'elles Point-virgule, numiro 3, Les Editions peuvent afin d'encouragerles 1974 137 1,209 11.3% hesitent a s'y engager activement. Elles, Uvis (Que.). 1979. candidatures feminines? Bien 1979 195 1,424 13.7% Pourtant ii est de plus en plus qu'au cours des dernieres annees Total 713 15,971 4.4% facile de le faire a tous Jes Back to business: Eleven women elected to Parliament by Pat Daley When Canada's Parliament Conservative MP Jean Pigott, Citizen following the election prise, illustrated by its desire to reconvenes, there will be eleven who would likely have been a showed tl).at the majority would abolish PetroCanada. It seems women sitting in the House of member of Joe Clark's cabinet. vote in favour of reinstituting the quite willing to leave the control Commons - an increase of two. Some bright lights in the new death penalty for all crimes of of Canada's natural resources, Elected on May 22 were: Parliament include Flora murder - not just the killing of and therefore jobs and profits, in Elected on May 22 were: MacDonald, the first woman to police officers or prison guards. the hands of multinational contest the leadership of her A PC position paper on corporations. Nova Scotia party. ~he can be expected to be a women also promised - and Joe Coline Campbell (L) strong member of the Clark didn't mention this when Bets, anyone? he announced his platform on Quebec Progressive Conservative The next eight months to four cabinet. women during the campaign - a years, depending on how long the Irenee Pelletier (L) A dynamic newcomer is NDP free vote on abortion. The effects minority Pogressive Conserva­ Jeanne Sauve (L) member Pau_line Jewett, at one of such a move would be tive government lasts, will be Monique Begin (L) time a Liberal candidate and disastrous for Canadian women. crucial ones for Canadian Therese Killens (L) most recently president of Simon Even members of the New women. Fraser University. A long-time Democratic Party, most notably Ontario None of the parties are eager advocate of women's rights, we Newfoundland's Fonse Faour for another general election. It is Diane Stratas (PC) can expect to hear a good deal who is a member of a right-to-life in our interest to use the Aideen Nichelson (L) from her. organization, would vote compromise situation of a Ursula Appolloni (L) Progressive Conservatism against their party's position of minority government to press for Flora MacDonald (PC) free abortion on demand. the changes we want. Joe Clark's Progressive A main issue in the election British Columbia Conservatives have promised was unemployment. Can we some good reforms for women expect the Progressive Conser­ Anne Mitchell (NOP) i.Shei!t1 ·& which are discussed in this issue's vatives to improve the situation? Pauline Jewett (NDP) Persuading Parliament. But, his During the campaign they These were the winners out of government is also open to promised to reduce unemploy­ THE REPAIRPERSON about 195 women who ran. All taking steps backwards. ment to 5.5 per cent by 1980. but two of them will be sitting in Clark has said that as Prime They propose to do this by the opposition benches. Among Minister he would allow a free relying on the private sector for ekrt1it(tl app/i11J1as the losers were former Liberal vote on the issue of capital which hasn't done a great job up MP Simma Holt, former punishment, which was to this point. LARGE & small Minister of State for Fitness and abolished by the Liberals. A In fact, that is one problem Amateur Sport Iona Camp­ survey of 75 Progressive with the new government - an 234-4726 agnolo, and former Progressive Conservative MPs by the Ottawa undying faith in private enter- 12-UPSTREAM June 1 Paradis ou purgatoire

Les femm

'1-/udson Ginette Crochetiere, assistante-directrice du centre Baie d hospitalier.

Texte et photos de Janick Belleau "Pour une femme, LG 2 c'est le paradis ou le purgatoire: tout son adaptation." Ainsi formule, ce commentaire a aiguise ma curi donne l'envie de connaitre la version feminine de ce propos mas. t ' Ba/e n'a pas ete facile de reperer une femme dans cette mer d'hommDSll 'I nombre de femmes n'atteintjamais plus de dix pour cent des effecl ~JEJmes femmes, 3000 hommes. Ou Jes trouve-t-on, ces femmes? Dans une ·grande roles ... secondaires. Elles sont souvent commis (150); preposees a de conciergerie (25), aux services de la cafeteria (20); parfois sec professeurs (35), infirmieres (14); exceptionnellement geologue, medecin, animatrice de loisirs. Pourtant, LG 2 reserve une surp1 qu'a ete embauchee la premiere policiere du Quebec. Tel emploi, tel logement: telle sexualite? Des arrangements particuliers de logements sont prevus complexe La Grande, perpetuant ainsi les barrieres sociales. E cadres ne partagent pas le meme genre de logis que Jes trav~ chantier, i.e. que la geologue reside dans une gan;onniere et la seti dans un dortoir. Les cadres sejournent dans le village de R jouissent de to us les services essentiels d'une petite ville ainsi que c communautaires auxquels ont aussi droit les travailleuses du CJ C'est dans un dortoir logeant gratuitement de vingt a vingt-quatrc qu'habite !'employee ordinaire. Elle partage sa chambre avec.une Autre particularite: Jes cadres peuvent etre accompagnes de le pour la duree entiere de leur affectation au chantier. Ce privelege Ontario la main-d'oeuvre. De surcroit, si une cuisiniere etait prise en fll d'intimite conjugale avec son ouvrier de mari, c'est le co1 immediat des epoux. Des gardes de securite se chargent de faire·r de !'abstinence. Selon une employee, La Grande, c'est le terrain cultiver les tendances homosexuelles. Par contre, au village Radisson les cadres et leurs Cpo.usc joyeusement la revanche des berceaux. L'assistante-directrice hospitalier, Ginette Crochetiere, estime qui soixante grossesses s annuellement sur les territoires La Grande. Sur ce nombre,- "tr1 seulement ont accouche ici; les autres ont prefere retourner dans familial", souligne-t-elle. Les futures meres partent genera huitieme mois de grossesse. Au cours de l'entretien, Garde signale egalement !'absence d'avortements; ce qui est heurem gynecologue. A defaut de garderie, LG 2 offre Jes services de deux aux meres qui le desirent. Loisirs versus ennui Les gens du Sud (tout ce qui n'est pas le territoire de la E demandent des loisirs; Jes gens du Nord les exigent. Autrement, c Bien que le centre communautaire soit grandement apprecie, il toujours oublier que l'on est loin de chez-soi. Meme si le cinema presente des films cote "pour tous", rnern Canada propose ses Beaux-Dimanches, meme si le centre soo s'agite sept soirs par semaine (avec congintentement de la gent 1 une animatrice est a l'ecoute de la femme au chantier qui 1 quelqu'un ou de quelque chose. Mais, on ne meurt pas tout dt d'ennui a LG 2: a preuve, ii n'y a pas de cimetiere!

Le campement principal au chantier de LG 2. A rarriere-plan, le centre hospitalier La Grande Riviere. \

.... _ juoe 1979 UPSTREAM-13

a la Baie Jam es

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1oire: tout depend de iie ma curiosite et m'a ropos masculin. Cela thomnms. En effet, le t des effectifs, i.e. 265

•grande variete de 'eposees aux travaux Le choix des mensuels l'economat de LG 2. 1arfois secretaires OU a geologue, ingenieur, .une surprise: c'est la

prevus au sein du ociales. ·En effet, Jes Jes tra.vailleuses de e et la serveuse niche lge de Radisson et linsi que des services ises du campement. 1gt-quatre personnes avecllJle compagne. ~es de !cur familles privelege est refuse a rise en flagrant delit ;t le congediement de faire·regner la Joi le terrain ideal pour

:s epouses assurent lirectrice du centre 1>ssesses surviennent nbre,- ~trois femmes ner dans leur milieu UE t generalement au Garde Crochetiere L'argent n'a pas de couleurs? heureux, faute de Malgre Jes inconvenients notables, Jes femmes et Jes hommes qui vont 1 de deux gardiennes s'exiler dans le nord quebecois gagnent de fameux salaires ... qu'ils ont a peine le temps, l'energie ou le desir de depenser. Ils suent deux, trois, quatre ans et quittent ce coin gris et reveche (oh! que Jes gens du Nord ne m'aimeront pas) pour s'installer dans une maison de reve, au Quebec ou ailleurs. Toutes dettes de la Baie James) liquidees. ·ement, c'est !'ennui. Parait-il que la vie a La Grande n'est pas si ma!: meme si Jes semaines de precie, ii ne fait pas travail s'echelonnent sur soixante heures, meme si Jes cadres ont seuls le droit de boire leur Scotch et leur biere a la maison, loin du bruit et de la fumee 1s", meme si Radio­ inherents a toute brasserie populaire. :ntre social feminin la gent masculine), ier qui s'ennuie de Sinceres remerciements a Gaby Perreault-Dorval et Fernand Gagnon, relationniste et agent tout de meme pas d'information ala Societe d'energie de la Baie James, sans lesque/s ce voyage d'unejournee aLG 2 "' m·,,, P"' o; '°""'· \ 14nl1PSXREA.M ' , '. ' l ' t r i 1 ( Lt

New federal plan for amateur sport by Michelle Hill The Ministry of State for National Advisory Council on headings: technical development, Fitness and Amateur Sport Fitness and Amateur Sport promotion, and administration. released a white paper on which administered grants to The government would assist amateur sport entitled Partners national sport and recreation in the establishment of two in Pursuit of Excellence-A associations, university bodies as part of the technical National Policy on Amateur scholarships, and research funds. unit: the National Research Sport in Ottawa a month ago. In 1969, a firm of consultants Committee and the Sport Although the paper was the was hired to study fitness and Medicine Council. The result of a two year consultation amateur sport in Canada. The government would also continue process by the f e·d er al resulting report, the 1969 Task to support coaching as a specialty government with other sport Force Report on Sports for field, continue to give financial governing bodies and associa­ Canadians, suggested some assistance to expand services that tions across Canada, includin~ organizational changes in the are already in operation, and to representatives from provincial sport structure. Two separate design new services such as the governments, individual directorates-Sport Canada and National Coaching School Canadians and the media, there Recreation Canada-were concept. They also hope to doesn't seem to be much evidence established within the Fitness implement the recommendations

Basketball: Near-win for -Canadian women

by Patty Brady .On May 13, in Seoul, South Despite a 24-point perfor­ Korea, the Canadian women's mance by Sylvia Sweeney of basketball team came to within Montreal, who was also voted one game of winning a major the tournament's most valuable international championship. player, the Canadians were However, in the final game, the unable to reduce the American American women (pre­ women's final lead to that magic tournament favourites after number I 2. They missed a crucial several East European teams basket with only 20 seconds decided at the last minute not to remaining in the game and then participate) broke Canada's five­ saw the US put it out of reach game winning streak and, as a with a couple of successful free result, took the championship on throws in the dying seconds. the basis of total points scored. Playing before crowds of South Korea was awarded 20,000 and more, the Canadian second place and Canada ended women showed tremendous that they actually used any of the and Amateur Sport Branch of made at the First National up in third. All three teams effort and determination suggestions made by these Health and Welfare in 1971. In Officiating Conference of May finished the tournament with throughout the entire tourna­ groups. Virtually nothing is said 1977 Recreation Canada was 1978. identical 5-1 records. ment, including a squeaker of a abo

Mexican women form front for liberation and rights

by Marguerite Moro Mexico City-The largest how as a bank clerk she was gathering of Mexican feminists supposed to lookj dress in a took place here on the weekend particular way in order to attract of March 11-12. The occasion the accounts of clients. Jobs were was the formation 'of a often given on the attractiveness Democratic Front for the of the applicant and women were Liberation and 'the Rights of encouraged and often ordered to Women, and the inauguration of have sex with their bosses and the a charter drafted by the front. clients. This had not a little to do with an election fervor building up in Other women told of the Mexico where the people go to kidnapping of babies from single mothers living close to the the polls in July. That it had a lot ·us border for adoption in the US to do with party politics was with the knowledge and obvious from the main push for compliance of the Mexican the Front which came from the government. recently legalized parties of the left, in particular the PCM (Partido Communista Mexica­ no) and the PRT (Partido Gaining popular support Revoltiones Trabajoddes). These parties will be participating in the Against such a background of elections in July. history and oppression the It also was an expression of a formation of the Front could be a rapidly growing, more aggressive very important step for feminists and articulate women's and the conditions of women in movement. While recognizing Mexico. It remains to be seen the orienation of the front, many whether the Front is capable of feminists, not in parties or getting the support of the women political organizations, took part it now aims to speak for. in the conference and made their The first practical action of the presence felt in the modification Front was to have a demonstrat­ of some of the demands of the ion in support of women in Iran. Charter drafted by the Front. At Meetings are held weekly where this time the political parties are activities are discussed. A eager to demonstrate their demonstration was held on concern with the so-called rights abortion, for which, surprisingly,. of women. there was very little support. The main areas of contention, Why'this was son(! one is sure­ were on the question of women's w hether because of little sexuality ·and the title of the publicity or a manifestation of Front. Many feminists disagreed the limitations of the Front. with the use of the term "Rights" A limitation common to many and the implication that these The draft charter was an Discussion in the groups was institution such as the political organizations here is "Rights" could be met within the impressive-looking document, lively. However, as modifications Universidad Nacional de that the leadership is made up existing, dominant socio­ attractively produced and fo the demands made them seem Autonomia Mexicano, two rapes mainly of academics and economic and political structure. appearing to contain everything more and more unattainable, I a day take place .on the campus. intellectuals who have little must confess to feelings of Abortion in Mexico is of contact with the rank and file or ludicrousness. In a country course illegal and the recent visit the mass of the population. Not "In a country where unemployment runs at where unemployment runs at 40 of the Pope has served to fuel the that_ this in ifself is the problem per cent a demand for six months resources of the anti-legalization but the fact that little effort is 40%, a demand for six or four months or four months maternity leave organizations and strengthen the made to make the contact and maternity leave becomes fairly arbitrary." becomes fairly arbitrary! more reactionary elements in the bre.ak out of the insular groups Violence against women Catholic church. More than within the universities and 80,000 women a year die as a similar institutions. A very clear Present in our group was a result of unsafe illegal abortions On women's sexuality, I found any woman could Wl!nt ranging woman in her seventies who had example of this was the and countless women suffer bad campesino women who had great the discussion particularly from demands for campesinos taken part in a National Front side effects. There 1s a difficulty reading the statements interesting as my last visit to (peasants) to prostitutes to for women in the 1930's during government program of produced by the leadership of Mexico had been in 1975 when I housewives. It also appeared to the Gardenas regime. She was population control which does their organizations which they attended the International have been sponsore(! by an able to give helpful suggestions not include abortion but does brought to the conference last Women's Year conference here. incredible number of groups and also interesting accounts of include selective sterilization of month. They stumbled over the Then most of the Mexican including campesino organi­ the problems then. She spoke of the indigenous population and language-words such as feminists I'd talked to had zations, student organizations, the problem of violence against experimentation with various imperialist, solidarity, national­ dismissed the question of various unions, political women and mentioned demands contraceptive methods, ist,,etc. Surely this pinpoints for sexuality as minor to the overall organizations and parties. Some then to curb alcoholism in order struggle. In fact, the interest was contention existed in the various to alleviate the violence. Other so minimal as to be practically organizations as to whether the interesting information on the _------­ non-existent. However at the rank and file had actually been conditions of women in Mexico conference last month there was consulted. Representatives from was .brought up in the ''Even in a strictly upper-middle class a lot of support for lesbians and these organizations spoke in the conference. Violence, particular­ institution such as the Universidad they were one of, if not the, most plenary session, where the most ly for working class/ poor women vocal groups present. A paper applauded were lesbians and is an everyday reality and N acional de A utonomia Mexicano, two was given on lesbianism and campesino women, some of something from which for them rapes a day take place on the campus." additional material distributed. whom could barely read the there is no escape. Women in An attempt was made to include statements produced by their these classes are dependent on the term "lesbian" in one of the organizations. their husbands economically and major demands. This was On the afternoon of the first even if refuges did exist, which strongly objected to by the PCM day the conference was split into they don't, these women would particularly I.U.D.s. Not only us very clearly a dichotomy and a compromise was reached. small groups which worked on find it very difficult for socio­ will the struggle be over the right which exists not only in Mexico "Sexual preference" was used specific areas. The workshops cultural reasons to leave their to a safe legal abortion, but also but also in other countries; not instead, although, in fact, most of were on the following topics: husbands. over who will have control of only within the women's the women present wanted the Much of the violence is in fact abortion facilities and all movement but within the "left" as Principles ·and objectives of term "lesbian" used. an indirect result of economic facilities pertaining to women's a whole. the National Front of Struggle On the nanie of the Front, conditions particularly fertility. This is something which for the Rights and Liberation of because it had been decided at the unemployment and just sheer n;mst always be kept in mind by Women beginning of the conference to poverty, even when employed, feminists as we have seen various have all decisions made by leading to alcoholism. Not that abuses of this right by the state Marguerite Moro is an Irish 1mman living concensus, the term "Rights" is Organizational aspects of the and transnational private in Mexico. She has ii.·orked as an abortion this in any way excuses or counsellor in Sydney, Australia, helping to still included in the title and the Front justifies the violence, but enterprise in their control of set up afree.feminist-comrolled Abortion word liberation added. The main illustrates that the solution to these facilities. R~ferral and Pregnanq Advisory Ce/I/re opposition to dropping Rights A platform of demands for these problems will only be found Another paper produced at the and has also u·orked lt'ith various Latin was from the PCM once again, women workers, employees, in a complete social j cultural! conference was on the specific American groups, especially Chilean ami Argentinian. .Moro is currentfl' 11·orking on precisely because it is more campesrnos, students and economic revolution. Even in a problems of women bank a history o( Mexican feminism 1dthother accomodating to electioneering. hQusewives. strictly upper-middle class workers j clerks. A woman told of u·amen in AJexoco City. ' t6....:. UPST·RE~·M. ._ ..... - - Jwie 1:979 What are collectives? This is the second ofa series of articles by the Political Action Collective of the Ottawa They operate, however, within the framework of the larger movement where too often Women's Centre. The issues to be dealt with in the series were the subject ofa day-long lip service is paid to the skillsharing principle and to equal division of w~rk,. while conference organized by the collective and held on March JO, 1979. Many of the ideas collectives consisting of specialists are formed. discussed in this article were raised in the leadership workshop at that conference. We Another principle of collectivism and probably the most noted and discussed is that welcome comments and criticism from the women's community. of consensus. Concensus is a decision-making process-an alternative to the majority voting system with which we are more familiar. It is crucial to the strength of the collective process. Consensual decisions are dependent on the agreement of all members. The underlying theory is based on the premise that if all members are not Since the early sixties, politically active women in the women's movement have been comfortable with a decision it is not ready or appropriate to be made by the group. committed to developing and working in collectives. Women in the early consciousness Consensus is important for two basic reasons. l he decis10ns taken are unammous raising groups, by sharing and analyzing personal experiences, became aware of the and represent the position of all members. Everyone, therefore, supports the decisions common oppression of women. Through this group process the political analysis of the made and can be expected to apply their efforts without hesitation to the women's movement developed. Personal relationships were understood in the context implementation of them. Secondly, the process of reaching consensus is important in of power structures inherent in a social system based on male domination and economic itsel( It requires issues to be discussed and debated, looked at from different angles and exploitation. Inherent in the collective structure is the abolition of power relationships. presented in various ways, until everyone feels comfortable supporting a decision. If In striving to deny the power dynamic of an hierarchical society, and to ensure that it not consensus cannot be reached, this result in no way negates the value of the process, both be perpetuated by feminists, a commitment to collectivism developed. for the clarification and understanding of the issues and for the longer term strength and The practice of collectivism in the women's movement has developed largely by the cohesiveness of the group. process of trial and error. Collectives are the means by which we work towards Consensus, like the other operating principles of collectives, is not without problems. liberation. As such, their theoretical bases and effective operation always constitute Many of us have felt frustrated by the slowness of the process-the most common importan·t issues. complaint about consensus is a presumed built-in inefficiency. there is no doubt that the Hierarchical society operates by certain built-in principles which maintain power and process requires a lot of time. However, the avoidance of internal lobbying, voting blocs privilege for some people, carved out of the •exploitation and powerlessless of other and fractures caused by the dissension of out-voted minorities is surely worth the time it people. In daily operation, these principles define who we are, what role we play, what takes. Efficiency is more than a matter of so many decisions per hour-it must alsobe work we do and how we do it. The principles ot collectivism are the anti-thesis o! this. measured by the long term cohesiveness of the group. An hierarchical structure, for example, denies any reciprocity of responsibility and Much of the success of consensus depends on the women who use it and, again, we are accountability. A person in a powerful role assumes responsibility-those in his control not well-prepared for the task. To realize its potential effectiveness requires the full are accountable. While accountability· and responsibility may be found in the same participation of all members. However, not all women are able and willing to provide person simultaneously they are never combined in the same role. In a collective the necessary input. Consensus, by its very nature, carries with it the potential t'o be used structure, on the other' hand, there is a commitment to equal, and reciprocal as a blocking mechanism. This kind of problem is not a common one but can be very responsibility and accountability. Similarly, the competition ethic of the hierarchy is serious when it does arise. It can be overcome by a combination of commitment to the denied by the equal division of labour and skill-sharing principles of collectivism. The process of consensus and a basis of political alignment. That is, the group can take acceptance of majority rule is replaced by the process of consensus. ·collective responsibility, in a blocking situation, to challenge the motivation of the blocking member and to insist on a re-evaluation of her commitment to the group and In the women's movement, we have struggled to apply effectively these principles its political aims. For this process to work effectively in practice, however, it is very which define the theory and practice of collectivism and which place it in direct and helpful, if not absolutely necessary, to have a politically aligned group to begin with. uncompromising opposition to the hierarchy. We have encountered many problems. The consensus process has been a very difficult one to work with and develop and will, Women in the movement have learned patterns of thinking, acting and relating from an as will the other principles of collectivism, continue to demand difficult discussion and hie;arch1cal system. Work habits have developed which are destructive in collectives. re-evaluation. As women struggle with the application of these concepts, various forms Some women are committed politically to the principles of collectivity but experience of collectives surface in response to varying needs of the women involved, the work of difficulties breaking old patterns of behaviour. Others are not committed to the process. the feminist organizations, the perceived ideal, etc. The structure, function and politics Still others are willing to work collectively but do not make the political connection of collectives within the women's movement have developed in various directions. between the process itself and the political change inherent in it. Commitment to the Collectives, although generally operating on the same basic principles discussed above, process, therefore, is often ambivalent 'and loosely focussed. All of us, however, tend to vary a great deal. regardless of the nature of our struggle consciously and consistently try to break these It is important to view these variations as part of the evolution towards ideal, strong patterns, in order to realize the potential power of collectivism. political collectives, but regressions into hierarchical structure cannot be viewed as part One principle of collectivism with which we have had problems is that of equal of a natural progression. Women within the collectives are strongly committed to a horizontal responsibility for the group and for everything it does. Equally every member process that incorporates simultaneous activity and analysis. Through analysis the is accountable to every other member, and to the group as a whole. Many of us have had structure and dynamics of a collective are developed according to the objective of difficulty considering ourselves accountable to our t:ollectives and to the movement as a political change defined by the group. The progressi.on, therefore, will include, at any whoie. We are not attuned to being accountable for volunteer labour. We associate point in time; a number of different types of collectives. accountability with remuneration and with situations of power imbalance. Even more Within the movement currently, feminists are involved in structures such as (paid) we are 111-eqmpped to ensure the accountability of others, without the sanctions of an staff collectives within a larger volunteer organization; open, loose collectives; closed hierarchical structure to back us up. We consistently shy away from this responsibility collectives with membership criteria; core-groups within larger open ones; small task­ and our collectives suffer a great loss of strength and effectiveness as a result. oriented or issue-oriented groups within a large umbrella organization; and sub­ Another principle of collectivity mentioned above is an equal division of labour. All collectives with representative accountability to a central collective. members strive to contribute equal amounts of effort. All tasks are assumed to be By working within these various structures and while struggling towards the ideal necessary and important to the woik being done-if they were not they would not have forms, feminists are forced to address several issues. For example, can a collective .to be done at ali. Therefore, no tasks are singled out for more or less remuneration or for function when some members are paid, others volunteering? Can a collective decide to more or less status. For this principle to operate effectively a commitment to skill­ be open to all women and still accomplish its work? Can a collective decide to limit its sharing is essential. All members teach and learn from each other so that each one size and function under accusations of elitism? Can a collective sub-divide around tasks becomes capable of taking responsibility for whatever has to be done. or issues without endangering solidarity? Can representatives from sub-collectives Difficulties have arisen in the application of this principle too. Often members of comprise a central collective without contributing to a power imbalance? collectives do not contribute equal effort. This occurs for many reasons-some women It is not possible now to give clear cut answers to these questions, sum them up and have more or less time to offer, some have more or less commitment. Perhaps the most arrive at the final word on the ideal collective. It is essential that feminists continue to destructive problem is the inadequacy of skill-sharing. Not all women working in struggle with these issues-and in struggling the process of development will continue. collectives are committed to skill sharing. Of those who are, few have developed Within a framework of commitment to collectivism and political change, and effective means by which to share skills in a consistent on-going way. approached with a constant awareness of the political overview that demands The liberal trend towards giving women space to do what they will, unimpeded by alternatives to hierarchical structures, this process will bring women to the ideal. political considerations, has indirectly but seriously undermined the development of Also inherent in the struggle is the result that women will develop and learn new ways skill-sharing and equal work division. Some women insist on the right to work of thinking, analyzing and relating. What is inappropriate or destructive will be exclusively or primarily in the area of effort in which they are trained and/ or which they discarded. If awareness and commitment guide the analysis and political work, the end enjoy. By doing so they perpetuate the stereotyping of roles through the identification of result will be two-fold; coJlectives will emerge as strong and politically powerful individuals with particular tasks. There are women in the movement who are committed mechanisms for radical change and change of the hierarchical social system will slowly to skill-sharing and who are continually developing better ways to accomplish this. take place. Well-women: a new column by Barbara Stewart, R.N. what decisions have been r~ached regarding our well being. It is basic Health is such a vital factor in our that we know what is being lives today that it pays us to be knowledgeable. As women we have prescribed for us and how it will all been exposed to the "Be a good TOTALLY affect our physical and emotional behaviour. Don't be girl and take these pills" routine that afraid to ask questions. indicates a total disregard and lack I hope between us we can sh~re of respect for our bodies, our minds some insights that will leave us with and our total existence. a bit of good knowledge. Bear in Good health is basically good ·mind that any information we use common sense regarding knowledge and function of our bodies and properly will inevitably lead to minds. I have found from nursing peace of medical mind. that there is not too much that is Now let us ask for your help. difficult jn medicine if it is broken What do you want to know - are down tobasic components. Let's do there any topics, diseases, or some breaking down, let's share our disorders that you want to see experiences so that we can go into discussed in UPSTREAM? the world with a little confidence Medicine is a very broad category and a lot less fear. these days; it covers your traditional We have a right to know what is care right through to more modern happening to our bodies and minds. treatmenL We need to hear from It is essential that we are aware of Ms. Map.zinc you. Please drop us a line. June 1979 UPSTREAI\1-17

EOW series: Shirley Shockey - correctional officer This is the fourth in a series of working experience under her they'll never get out, scared of articles featuring women who belt, she finds the job interesting other inmates. A scared person work for the federal government. and challenging on the whole, isn't someone to be afraid of. You It is brought to you by the Office especially those aspects of it that have to try to get behind the of Equal Opportunities for Wo­ involve direct contact with the tough guy front." men, Public Service Commis­ inmates. At the beginning of each Except when she is working sion.- shift she and the rest of her squad inside the ward, she finds the job are briefed and posted by the is often boring. As well,. "Constantly watching, being by Kate Nonesuch squad leader. She might be assigned to the main gate to always on the alert when nothing "This is not a tough job, but it's control traffic in and out of the ever happens, gets to be a strain. a responsible one," says Shirley institution, or to search vehicles On the other hand, you don't Shockey, one of the eight women and visitors, or to drive the want any excitement because hired last fall as correctional perimeter truck which patrols the someone might get hurt." She officers, commonly known as road around the outside of the spends some of her time running "guards", at the Regional institution. Only at the main gate through possible crises in her Psychiatric Centre at Saskatoon. or in the perimeter truck is she mind. What would she do if an new wave is not easy. She would had a mental hospital, and The Centre, which can armed; inside, she might be in inmate suddenly made a break like to see more specialization people are curious as well as accomodate up to 106 patient charge of controlling the main for the fence pr started an among correctional officers so afraid that inmates will escape. inmates, is a prison hospital for door, or posted at one of the argument with a nurse? "Force is that those like her, with' an They don't feel so threatened the treatable criminally insane. nursing stations to control the only one pos~ible reaction. I interest in working more closely when they learn I work and feel After they were hired, she and doors leading from one ward to would probably first try to calm with the prisoners, would be able comfortable there." the 0th.er new officers were sent another, or, her favourite the situation by talking rather to spend more time on the wards Her new job is a turning point to Edmonton for an intensive assignment, on internal patrol 'than by wrestling a patient down. and less time on duties such as in her career. "I'm getting to the three month training course. which means going on the wards, I'm confident of being. able to controlling doors or searching point (my youngest child is "They didn't make any talking with the inmates, being handle situations in my own vehicles. As well, her interest in twelve) when I can concentrate allowances for the fact that we on the alert for trouble and way." working with the' inmates in a on a career. I worked at least part were wome·n, or for the fact that I helping the nurses as necessary. Although she doesn't fit the counselling situation is not time even when my three children weigh only 120 pounds," she "Some inmates act out when movie stereotype of the prison always appreciated. "If you don't were small, because 1 found says, describing the.program that there's a female security officer guard, there are those around her have a degree, you're not trying to be a "perfect wife and included a course in physical on duty. For example, they might who don't share her concern for recognized as someone who mother" by society's definition a fitness and self-defense. "It was a shove ·a nurse, which they the inmates. Old attitudes like knows how to handle these great strain. 1 think it's unhealthy great victory for me when I could wouldn't do if there were a male "The inmates aren't as good as situations." She thinks that every for a woman to build her whole finally climb a rope to the ceiling guard. But others react better us, they're not worth our time," inmate will find someone to life around her kids because of the gym." Other areas of the with a woman; they feel they can are hard to change, and she says establish a rapport with, whether when they leave, as they must do, training program included talk to her more easily than to a that she gets pressure to be more it be a nurse or doctor or a you panic. The saddest women interpersonal communications man, and there's a better chance authoritarian from correctional security officer. "Someone with are those at forty or forty-five and administration. She was of establishing a rapport." officers who have been in the very little professional training whose mothering days are over, taught how to transport Incidents are bound to happen, system for a long time. She does can be coached by a professional but who no longer have the prisoners, how to detect and she says. "I'm not afraid; get support from her supervisors, about what to do in a helping strength or confidence to go back intercept contraband articles, sometimes I think I'm too naive, however, and comments, "They situation," she comments. to work or back to school. I'm and learned to use a 38 pistol, an but they're scared people, say they're pleased I can establish Her friends and neighbours thirty-six now, and I keep saying AP-15 rifle and a twelve guage especially when they first arrive. rapport with some of the think she must be "either nuts or to myself, 'I've got another forty shotgun. They're scared because it's a new inmates. They like my attitude." brave" to work at the Psychiatric years on this planet - what am 1 Now, with several months institution for them, scared Nevertheless, being part of the Centre. "Saskatoon has never going to do with them! "

THE OTHER HALF: Three beautiful posters, the first in a series of 12 on the role of women in Canadian history!

$3.00 each plus 21¢ provincial sales tax NO. 4 COMING SOON: IMMIGRANT WOMEN! Send me ______Carry On posters NAME ______------Why Come Second? ADDRESS ______Women are Persons! CITY ------PROV --- have enclosed $ ---- Please bill me __ POSTAL CODE Make cheques or money orders payable to: Feminist Publications of Ottawa, 424-B Queen Street, Ottawa. Ontario K1 P. 5A8 For information on wholesale rotes and special rotes for women's organizations who wish to resell posters. write to above address. June 1979

O'Keeffe and Chicago: The artist's struggle

Through The Flower, my female authority figures. and by asserting it as the struggle as a women artist by Chicago describes how her hallmark of her iconography, Judy Chicago. Anchor Books, students would work in a very estabishes a vehicle by which to poubleday and Co., New York undisciplined manner, arriving state the truth and beauty of her 1977. $5.75 . and leaving when they pleased existence." Georgia O'Keeffe, by Georgia and giving in to their And with that, we will O'Keeffe. Viking Press, New frustrations. She talks about the momentarily leave Judy Chicago Y~rk, 1976. $16.95 resentment the women felt about and embrace Georgia O'Keeffe, reviewed by Kate Middleton demands which were made of by Georgia O'Keeffe. them, demands which forced O'Keeffe is an artist who At some point, during the them beyond their emotional and prefers to be known by her work growth of consciousness-raising physical limits. Chicago makes and carries on a love-hate in the Women's Movement, an interesting point about the relationship with the printed demystifica.tion, the realization process that then occurred when word. She describes this and destruction of societal myths the women "came of age" as relationship quite well at the began. At the same time, artists. introduction to her book: "The although with less "apparent" " ... when a woman feels that meaning of a word-to me- is gusto, the 'formation and she is becoming stronger. One not as exact as the meaning of a revitalization of female myths way of demonstrating that colour. Colours and shapes make occured. A growing consciou­ Georgia O'Keeffe strength, which although a more definite statement than ness prompted the development I negative is still an assertive act, is words. I write this because such of women's centres, health O'Keeffe, by Georgia O'Keeffe. independent woman. to reject the 'mother' figure who odd things have been done about collectives, interval houses and Through The Flower was first The piece was called helped her become strong. By me with words. I have often been other feminist institutions as published in J 974, and "Pasadena Lifesavers." It was a saying 'I don't need you any told what to paint. I am often alternates to institutions which encapsulates Chicago's life up series of paintings in which she more,' the woman feels a sense of amazed at the spoken and written did not provide women with the until that time. When the pook expressed her male and female power. .. this ... often results in word telling me what I have egalitarian services we were came out in paperback, in 1977, sides, and her growing emergence hurting the very woman who painted. I make this effort growing to expect. Chicago wrote a new preface. If from role conditioning. When made the growth possible. Only because no one else can know The myth of the all-powerful you tend to skip over prefaces the series was exhibited, along by understanding... can we who how my paintings happen. male god-figure came into and introductions, you would be with some of her other works she are offering leadership protect "Where I was born and where question and, through careful well advised not to in this case. had her name change installed ourselves against the terrible hurt and how I have lived is transmutation, was replaced by Chicago describes the changes over the entrance to the exhibit. of having a woman you've helped unimportant. It is what I have the myth of all-healing goddess, that have taken place since the It said: "Judy Gerowitz hereby reward you with hate instead of done with where I have been that the all-powerful creative book first came out. She also divests herself of all names Jove." should be of interest." principle. gives her reactions to the reviews imposed tipon her through male Chicago went from her O'Keeffe, unlike Chicago, does Interestingly enough, the that accompanied the first social dominance and freely experiences at Womanhouse into not mention her personal life. process of the creation of edition. chooses her own name Judy an existence resembling a Instead, she deals solely with a mythology in the women's Chicago's book is a very Chicago." sabbatical. She toured Europe descriptive text of each work in movement has been transmitted personal statement. It starts with She mentions that male and began a study of women the book. O'Keeffe's work was primarily by the printed word in her childhood and includes reviewers, even with this visible artists. She examined the work of first exhibited in I 9 I 6, more than the many existing publications, descriptions of her relationships statement, still refused to accept many women, among them 50 years before Judy Gerowitz and the spoken word, in with her family, friends and that her work was intimately Barbara Hepworth, Georgia became Judy Chicago. It was put discussions and C-R. The lovers. She mentions her connected with her femaleness. O'Keeffe and Lee Bontecou. Of on exhibit without her women's art community has not progression through analysis and Chicago elucidates this by them, she says, " ... all seemed to knowledge. Alfred Stieglit!!:, a necessarily been hiding, but as a her growing awarness of the mentioning how. she came from a have made a considerable photographer/ connaisseur had result of lack of funding and the prejudices of the art movement. formalist background through amount of work that was received her drawings from a practical problems involved in As a result, a number of her training and had learned to constructed around a centre ... friend and kept them. O'Keeffe moving exhibits from centre to reviewers centered in on neutralize her subject matter to There also seemed to be an thought of the drawings as centre, has been less a p~rt of the Chicago's personal life-style and suppress her femaleness. In order implied relationship between personal, and didn't want the day to day life of the average ignored her ideas on art, to become a successful artist she their own bodies and that centred public to see them, but when she woman. literature, education, history and .was forced to remove herself ·image." left the gallery after talking with A good example was the the potential of feminism for the from her own reality. Barabara Hepworth (in A. M. Stieglitz they were still hanging Womanhouse project in Los arts. This is unfortunate, since Chicago was rediscovering Hamacher's book on her on the wall. O'Keeffe has been Angeles, initiated by Judy Chicago raises many interesting nerself and urgently in need of a sculpture) states, " ... body associated with ·Demuth, Chicago. In this project the topics for wider discussion. community of women artists. experience...is the centre of Hartley, Marin, Dove and women of the Feminist Art At the moment, there is a She wanted to form an art class creation. I rarely draw what I see. Stieglitz. She, however, divorced Program at the California growing network of women for women only. Then she I draw what I feel in my body." herself from their school of Institute of the Arts transformed artists emerging throughout the received a phone call from Chicago states that the flowers homogenized thinking about art. a mansion in downton Los wotld. In Canada, Powerhouse Fresno State College, a place she in Georgia O'Keeffe's work In one note she mentions, " ... the Angeles into a woman's space. Gallery and the Baldwin Street had never heard of. Chicago suggest her own femininity, and men didn't think much of what I Rooms were changed into works Gallery are focal points for a accepted the offer and moved to that Bontecou's stretched canvas was doing. They were all of art; experiences like the great number of women artists. Fresno for a year, a year of which forms possess body metaphors. discussing Cezanne with long "Nurturant Kitchen'', "The When Chicago was beginning her she says, "(It) gave me the space Chicago states that this is not to invovled remarks about the Bridal Staircase," and "The struggle as an artist, no networks that l needed to think, to dream, be seen in a simplistic sense as 'plastic quality' of his form and Nursery" (which transformed existed. Indeed. the women's to experiment, and to change." "vaginal art," but "Rather. .. wo­ colour. I was an outsider. My adults into children's size movement was just reaching the Chicago, the trained artist, men artists have used the central colour and form were not through the large scale of the West Coast at the point when she formed a class at Fresno, which cavity which defines them as acceptable. I had nothing to do objects), forced all those who 'had grown very disillusioned symbolically moved off campus women as the framework for an with Cezanne or anyone participated to re-evaluate their· with the established art system. and created its own studio, with imagery which allows for the else ... Years later when I finally concepts of women's reality. She had been trying to exist in a the women doing all the complete reversal of the way in got to Cezanne's Mont Sainte­ Unfortunately, it is rather system that refused to recognize renovations. During the process which women are seen in culture. Victoire in the south of France, I difficult and expensive to move a her as a "woman artist." As she of growth Chicago came to That is: to be a woman is to be an remember sitting there thinking, building around. Once the three states, "Then, the first material realize that even though she had object of contempt and the 'How could they attach all those month lease on the house from the slowly developing the artmaking skills her students vagina, stamp of femaleness, is analytical remarks to anything he expired, the exhibit ended. The women's movement reached the lacked, she was unable at that despised. The woman artist, did with that mountain?' All women's work was dispersed, West Coast. .. He,re were women time to create pieces out of her seeing herself as loathed, takes those words piled on top of that and the only records of it exist by saying the things I had been own experience, as her students that very mark of her otherness Continued next page word ~f mouth or photographs feeling, sayirtg them out loud. I were doing. She had provided a ,. ,,., (most notably those which apear trembled when I read them, base from which her students in Chicago's book Through The remembering the put-downs l could build, but from which she Flower. encountered whenever I had tried herself was unable to 1 The woman artist is a being of to express the facts of my life as a immediately profit. She describes Plutonian extraction. She works, woman artist. .. 1 identified with that base as follows, "If my either individually, or all the material in those early situation was similar to other collectively, hidden away from tracts as I had never identified women's, then my struggle was a society, like a dwarf methodically with anything in my whole life." metaphor for the struggle out of tinkering in the bowels of the At speaking engagements she role conditioning that a woman earth. Then, like an explosion, had with colleges in the area she would have to make if she were to she appears in a gallery, dwarfed spoke about "the isolation and realize herself." by her work. At the end of the rejection, the put-downs and It was at this point that she exhibit, she disappears once distortions" and her anger became involved with the again. This is a

The staying power of The Women's Press

in its seventh year now, and these by Dierdre Gotto committments are still foremost I although operations have be­ The Women's Press overflows come more· professional and from three rooms on the- third specialized. floor of one of the last of the Aside from its obvious connec­ older buildings on Toronto's tions with the women's move­ Bloor Street. On the way up the ment, the Press is very much stairs, the open doors to doctor's associated with the Canadian waiting rooms give way to bright publishing industry. After sever­ posters advertising Press books al years of experience gained, it and women's activities. There's has survived and come of age in no need to knock since the front the industry. office door stands open. The collective now consists of Inside, space may be cramped 15 women. Three are on full-time and rooms in busy disarray but salary doing the work of editor, that doesn't seem to hamper the financing and public relations; work that is under way. To one one woman is hired half-time in side there is a library largely of charge of production. There are books for, about and by women. six or seven volunteers who -are On,the door is a hopeful note: "If not in the collective but can at you have the time ... there's lots of any time ask to be considered. filing to be done." And it appears Although they have no voting to get done judging by the rights, as collective members do, abundance of reading material they are equal contributors with that covers two walls. a voice in the particular work On the other side of the front they are doing. office is the layout and typeset­ Specific groups within the ting work space. It has the added Press handle the different areas dimension of a pleasant nook in of publication. There is a group the bay window overlooking for kids' books, one· for fiction, Bloor Street. Here there are another for social issues, and one cushions and lots of books to get for putting out the Everywoman's comfortable with while waiting Almanac. for someone to sit down for a' The Almanac is now in its fifth are consistently meeting with as well as factual material. early 20th century in Canada. A talk. year. It is a day-calendar, address success, There is a growing Women's Studies courses, for book dealing with women and The Women's Press came to~ book, information manual, per­ response from esiablished circles one, a~e picking up these titles for photography is expected to come in 1972 when a group of women sonal histories, pocket-sized to these non-sexist, non-tradi­ the curriculum. together in the next few months. with a manuscript but no publi­ book all in one. It comes out tional stories which are entertain­ As is the case with Rape: The And by the way, the Press is ~pplied shei: for a LIP grant. every August or September and ing, educational and different, a Price of ('.oercive Sexuality ~md eager to increase its fiction They printed a book that became "last year (1979)," says Margie refreshing alternative to the run­ Good Daycare: Getting It, Keep­ output if you are writing that a best-seller by Canadian stan­ Wolfe, the PR person at the of-the-mill storybook. Two have ing It, Fighting For It, there is definitive Canadian woman's no­ dards, Women Unite, and disco­ Press, "all 11,000 copies were been translated from the original just not much else on the market vel. If you just happen to have vered in the prbcess that there sold out within six weeks" of its French: Mommy Works on to fill the gaps. Women's issues that manuscript ready and wait­ was lots of material for and by first appearance. Orders arrive Dresses (what it is like to work in like these are still not high profile ing, or if you would like to get in women needing to get published; from such far-away places as the garment industry) and A enough to enjoy the 1/-ttention of touch with the Women's Press and so, the Women's Press was Australia and New Zealand as Story That Doesn't Get Told, commercial publishers, vital for whatever reason, they are at: bprn. _ well as some non-English speak­ (about the 1940's strike in though they may be. To begin with, the 13-women ing South American countries. Valleyfield, Quebec). _ Presently in the works at the 280 Bloor St. W. collective operated on a strictly Each year it is based on what is The long life-span of Press Press is Getting Organized, a Suire 313 volunteer basis. It set out to be a · considered to be a major issue for books is not usual to most practical workers' guide to build­ Toronto, Ontario M5S !WI non-profit, socialist, feminist women and next year's will have publishing houses. This staying ing a union, and A Not Unrea­ (416) 962-3904 press committed to presenting women in the work force as its power is attributable not only to sonable Claim, an historical material of importance from the theme. the high standards of quality but analysis of women in the reform They will be glad to hear from women's movement. The press is The Press's children's books also to the emphasis on analysis movements of the late 19th and you. ''I am amazed at the spoken and written word telling me what I have painted~··''

from previous page public scrutiny imaginable, or the women's movement. Her opening up the discussion of are impo,rtant instruments in the poor little mountain seemed too something a very private person book is a symbol of her spirit. It women as artists and countering growing creation of a universal much." does not appreciate. When she was published according to the Freu-dians and art movement women's consciousness. O'Keeffe is opinionated and 'drew and painted flowers they specification.s she herself layed critics with an analysis which has individualistic in her approach to attracted' a good deal of down, both in size and content. its basis i'n women's lives. Both her art. Once, when the attention. People expected her to O'Keeffe survived without the Through the Flower and Georgia American Watercolour Society continue drawing them. She support of a women's movement, O'Keeffe are tools to be used for was having a show, she dropped replied to this by saying, "Then but ironically enough provided tbe realization of women's GOLDFLOWER in to see her old friends and when I paint a red hill, because a the movement with an icon to images and mythologies. noticed that they"were doing the red hill has no particular look up to. Her book is a 'Whether the woman artist is ~RESS same w9rk they had been doing significance for you like a flbwer testament, a living example of a alone in the desert ·of New for the last six yearsi She spent an has, you say it is too bad that I woinan who envisioned many Mexico or the concrete jungle of afternoon working on her entry don't always paint flowers. A things and made them a reality Los Angeles, working in a to the exhibit. It was accepted flower touches almost everyone's for others. · collective or a co-operative A Feminist Socialist Press and hung, and after the show she heart. A red hill .doesn't ... You Through her technique and leadership structure, it is presents: tore it up, "it really wasn't very have no associations with those attitude towards the printed important for her to realize that good." hills-our waste land-I think word, O'Keeffe has proven that Has Anyone Asked The Police If both her creations and her words We Can Stand .Here · Another time, on her travels, our most beautiful country. You the female principle, through the she noticed a shanty and decided by Krisantha Sri Bhaggiyadatta must not have seen it, so you interpretation of the woman Poems of political struggle & to paint it. Although she had a want me always to paint artist, can be transmitted urban community organizing. different colour scheme in mind, flowers ... " successfully. However, this is not paper $4.95 she decided to paint it as it Freudian-oriented critics to say it can not be appeared, her rationale being, "I Shepn Danger, Women At Work alluded to the connection misinterpreted. Her book makes by Gwen Hauser can paint one of those dismal­ between the flowers and female this point quite clearly. Poems about the herstory of coloured paintings like the men. I sexuality. This linear criticism Chicago, on the other hand, Koyech women & the labour movement. think just for fun I will try-all was vehemently opposed by fulfills the function of artist and paper $3.95 low-toned and dreary with the An anthology of writings by O'Keeffe. She fought against the writer. Where O'Keeffe is reticent The Second Star tree beside the door." The critical mind which attempted to about analysis and "the word," Jewish lesbians. We want ·submissions written from a by Lynne Kositsky response to the painting was as dismiss her as an artist by Chicago is enthusiastic. Chicago Jewish-lesbian-identified A nu-clear vision of a transplanted could be expected, "The men discriminating against her work has moved from the position of Jewish people in Britain & perspective. For more info write: seemed to appr'ove of it. They and down-grading it because it isolation and near-silence that Canada. Shepn Koyech seemed to think that maybe I was was created by a woman. O'Keeffe assumed, and applied paper $4.95 P.O. Box 6050 beginning to paint." Georgia O'Keeffe is a survivor. her own analysis to the situation Boston MA 02209 Goldflower Publishing Co. O'Keeffe is an enigma. She She has taken her experience and of the woman artist. O'Keeffe Suite 608, 100 Gloucester St. worked as a woman artist when it made it visible to millions of could not do this in her day and * Shepn Koyech is translated from the Yiddish as "drawing Toronto, ,Ont. was a rare thing to do. As a result peop1e. She has refused to still refuses to do so. Chicago has strength." she has been under the closest compromise _to the art movement realized the importance of June 1979

Coffin coffee, half-drunk, unattended hastily folded newspaper sit~ they speak desolate, grey in the corner pile of clothes limp, crumpled turntable spins tiredly forgotten-on rank Silence, it reeks of Silence rack of dried dishes few scattered dirty plates stilt sink part full of cold, scumglare water dull china bumps poke through knife wedged in countercrack­ occasional fork wiltbrown flowers droop in a ring round vase neck hideabed couched cushions remain care­ lessly strewn it is Dead, this room. It reeks of Dead faucet drips an insignificant tear an only tear it smells of Death this room. It reeks of Death -Lisa Christensen

Piano The piano overpowers,· ornately carved black stand­ 1.,1TERARY ing upright. Brass candlesticks remind of the age from which it came. There is a music mountain on top-the masters' black and white promises. My fingers· often try to fulfill their potential though my tea- Witchwoman cher cringes. Nothing to do but My own chords lacerate the air-unwriteable wipe dirty bottoms rhythms lacking key ... rap grasping knuckles wring the wash Still I play /a bete noire. and sweep the hearth; Silence is the enemy. want for something -Lisa Christensen to break the monotony of all that sameness so you dabbled in henbane pulled screeching mandrake and steeped belladonna to fly high over thatched roofs ' out of your skull. Gained a healing reputation ', . from garnered herbs . ' . : and folksy cures . But as y_ears passed and your back crooked eyes crossed in fear and your power became suspect you were loathed mercilessly hunted. Cackle in derision oh, scream in fear as flames lick! Or prove innocence by floating, head down Witchwoman! Ah, the legacy you've left of the worthiness of wiping dirty bottoms wringing out wash and sweeping the hearth. -Rita Rosenfeld

all material copyright by authors graphics by Anne Grlgotza Some films about women: review• by Brig Anderson Do Right and Fear No One, a feminist film (rom Germany, accumulates in massive historical detail the life history ofa working class German woman who gn:w up during the twenties. Made in 1975 for BBC TV, its voice-over narration is too English middle­ class to match the appalling physical, mental and real poverty conveyed through the stunning archival photographs. Gerda's transformation into a liberated librarian at the e~d of the film is unconvincing. But as a record of where many of our mothers come from, Do Right and Fear No One provides much food for thought. Do Right and Fear No One is available from Internations, (Christa Burchardi, Filmredak­ tion, 91-103,Kennedyallee, D5- 300, Bonn 2, Germany) for about $170.

Good news from the New Cinema, 35 Britain Street, Toro­ nto, M5A 1R6 (416-862-1674): for $100 or so any group can rent Laura Mulvey's Riddles of the Sphinx, still the most beautiful Documentary film subjects Flora MacDonald (I) and Jill Johnston (r): feminist film made in the seven­ Niether like the films made about them and directors Peter Raymont and ties. ~t raises the question of how Kay Armatage both ended up with changed perceptions oftheir subjects. meaning is produced in cinema, how feminist film theory and practice can work together, and cause of Johnston's "incredible Festival at Carleton University, disliked by their subjects, and how a woman situated in the makers' perceptions of the sr b­ control over people and audi­ Ottawa, he said both films were accordingly changed the film- jects. mother~child dyad must work ences which she maintained through psychoanalytically-de­ through the appearance of being fined stages. open." Johnston was manipula­ 1 The-· Sphinx symbolizes wo­ tive, craved incessant attention, man as threat and riddle, says and refused to give anything in Laura Mulvey, who as director/ return. She refused to release the actress tells the audience the film for commercial distribution history and development of and later repudiated her lesbian woman within patriarchy. "We connections. are faced with a never-ending But the last word must go to series of dilemnas," she says, "of Jill Johnston. In her essay which motherhood is the most 'Women and Film' she asks for a basic." The technique of circular new kind of image for women: pan shots of the narrow range of "Imagine that women ... use their woman's life in the kitchen, power to ridicule the men's liber­ child's room: daycare and tele­ ation movement presenting them operator's room, is effective. The as a bunch studs, deluded into acrobatic sequence is a series of thinking they can be women, painted avant-gard montage and burning their jockstraps and superimposed shots in black and waving signs ... " white, with the central section optically printed green then blue. It conveys humour, imagination and playfulness in an otherwise The National Film Board has theoretical and political analysis. available free of charge Peter Raymonts Flora: Scenes From a Leadership Campaign ( 1977), The Jill Johnson Film.(1975) highly recommended both for its directed by Toronto filmmaker timeliness and for its revelations Kay Armatage, is available from of how Canadian convention the Canadian Filmmakers Distri­ politics gradually submerge and bution Centre (Toronto) for $50, defeat Progressive Conservative good value for a delightful and MP Flora Macdonald's cam­ provacative film about a lesbian paign for federal leadership. The writer on the media circuit. film was made in four hectic days In the film, Jill Johnston and stars Toronto lawyers and sometimes refers to her books PR men as they twist arms, (Lesbian Nation, Marmalade rekindle innumerable contacts . Me, and Gullibles Travels), but and make the private deals with I cbeznoas most of the time she talks about delegates audiences have never : her relationship with her lover before witnessed. Ellen, and her daughter, both In Flora, we watch a proud, ·Become a member - then use it. new types of women ("a great private person whose whole life is woman may be a woman more dedicated to politics, go down to Devenez membre et utilisez votre carte interested in herself than in defeat in good grace. Talking to a anything else"). There is some­ women's group recently about thing wild and outrageous about political strategy, Flora Mac­ Johnston when she tells a young donald said women must join Boars: Beures: man to "get the fuck out of here," together and plan a united for example, or when she talks strategy to bring about changes Wednesday, Thursday 5 · 11 mercredl, jeudi 17h a Z3h about her illegitimacy and look­ for women. The film questions 1 Friday 5 · 1 vendredl 17h 1h ing for her father in the taxi­ whether women can succeed a cabs of London. politically as long as they are Saturday z · 1 samedi 14ti a ih Kay Armatage says that in the predetermined losers because of Sunday noon · 8 dimanche midi a ZOh course of making the film her their sex. admiration of an "extremely Raymont says his film has brave and intelligent woman, the much ·in common with Jill first professional public lesbian" Johnston. Participating with Ar­ 410 rue Queen St. 235·4035 later changed to disillusion be- matage at the Canadian Film Remariage sans echec

Remariage sans echec aussi tendance a se comporter ombe, autruche ou faucon. Une problemes. La structure de la par Ralph Hyatt, traduit de avec leur nouveau partenaire fois que vous avez trouve a quelle recherche est la suivante: trouver l'americain par Philippe Cle­ d'une maniere aussi destructive sorte de volatile vous vous votre modele, changez votre. ment, editions Stanke que la premiere fois, avec Jes rattachez, vous vous demanderez modele de comportement; forge­ par Marie-Claude Hecquet memes resultats," ecrit le Pr. peut-etre quelle est la combina­ z-vous de nouveaux modeles. Hyatt. Pour essayer de briser ce tion ideale? Comment choisir un Si vous vous demandez pour­ cercle vicieux, ii a done ecrit ce partenaire eventuel? Le Pr. Hyatt Si vous vous sentez un peu quoi de relations amoureuses livre. a etudie toutes Jes combinaisons perdue, si l'idee de vous lancer desatreuses en relations amou­ II propose une sorte de "quiz" possibles. A vous de decider. .. dans une nouvelle relation amou­ reuses toujours plus desastreuses, qui permet aux lecteurs de La partie la plus originale et reuse vous petrifie d'angoisse, vous repetez toujours Jes memes determiner leurs modeles de interessante de ce livre est sans pourquoi ne pas lire "Remariage erreurs, vous serez peut-etre comportements; une serie de aucune doute la derniere, celle ou sans echec" et ne pas jouer le jeu? interessee par "Remariage sans questions touchant l'enfance; le bon professeur conseille tout Reflechir sur soi n'ajamais fait de echec" du professeur Hyatt. leurs besoins actuels; quelques simplement: "Restez celibataire." ma! a personne, et le livre se lit Malgre son titre, le livre est excercices corn;us pour amener Suit une liste de regles et conseils facilement en une apres-midi ... destine a ceux qui forment un des changements de comporte­ a suivre pour ceux ou celles qui couple, maries ou non. ment et enfin queiques lignes ont decide de ne pas faire ou re­ "Neuf divorces sur 10 se directrices destinees a Jes aider a faire partie d'un couple. A lire, done, pour passer un remarient. Bon nombre de ces decouvrir ce qu'ils veulent ou ce Le contenu de ce livre se bon moment, parfois meme derniers decouvrent qu'ils ont dont ils ont le plus besoin pour presente surtout sous forme de franchement amusant. Sans es­ malheureusement epouse re vivre plus heureux a l'avenir. A questions que le Pr. Hyatt pose a perer toutefois trouver un reme­ meme genre le personae que celle vous de jouer pour savoir aquelle ses patients et qui semblent le de miracle a VOS probJemes de qu'ils avaient quitte. Us ont categorie vous appartenez: col- mieux les aider' a cerner leur coeur. .. et de tete.

by Sondra Corry Burlington, just 60 miles from the community which has its roots in dment (ERA), women's health as ment: "The Commonwoman Quebec border, is the home of the su_ch sources as the early com­ well as the Karen Silkwood Case, Collective grew out of a shared Commonwoman: A Vermont University of Vermont and, mune movement, an active Na­ the Clamshell Alliance (the anti­ vision and a need to have a publications of news, culture and increasingly, a centre of activism tional Organization of Women nuke organization) and especial­ publication by and for women in dialogue froih a woman's pers­ in the state. The city of 50,000, (NOW) chapter, and the Ver­ ly the Kristina Berster case. The Vermont. We are a collective of pective. the largest in the state, also mont Women's Health Center. paper covered the women's twelve feminists with diverse I swear to you boasts the publishing headquart­ The Commonwoman collec­ march on Washington last July lifestyles and backgrounds. We I swear it on my common ers of the Vermont Vanguard tive, which does not yet have in support of the ERA, the envision Commonwoman as a woman's head Press, a leftist publication known . offices of its own, has taken on a Michigan Women's Music Festi­ forum for feminists separated by The common woman · is as for its . activity in the nuclear number of causes since its val in August and the Feminist class politics, economics, th~olo­ common as a common loaf of protest movement which has inception last August. They Forum on the Future held in New gy and sexual preference. Com­ bread wide support in New England. . include the · usual issues of York City in September. rnonwoman is also an explora­ and will rise! Burlington is now becoming a abortion, women's work and In its first issue, the group tion and celebration of our In Burlington, .\:e,-mont last centre for a growing women's poverty, the Equal Rights Amen- published the following state- similarities." fall, Commonwoman, a , new Contributor Robin Lloyd say~ women's publication, was born. the group is optimistic about the Published by a small collective, future. Submissions, mail and the seven issues of the paper to subScriptions, $6 for 12 issues, date are surprisingly informative I swear it to you are welcome and may be sent to and eclectic for so new a venture. swear .it on my common woman's head Commonwoman, P.O. Box 242, The :t:ommon woman is as common as a common loaf of bread - Winooski, Vermont, 05404. and wil! rise!

At Powerhouse Gallery, 'Montreal - ma selected an aspect of the city which has What Glorious Times They Had-Nellie The International Women's Writing Guild is ville' June 4 to 23: a group exhibition by 12 particular significance for her. Vernissage: McClung holding a Women's Writing Conference and Montreal printmakers. Taking as their June 4, 8:00 p.m., Powerhouse Gallery, 3738 On May 30 The Great Canadian Theatre Retreat from July 27 to August 3, at theme the city of Montreal, each artist has . St. Dominique, Montreal (844-3489). Company begins its summer season with this Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New revue about Canada's early feminists and York. Weekend conference cost is $104 their struggle for women's rights. Written by double occupancy, $124 single occupancy a collective, Diane Grant and Company, the and includes -six meals and two overnights. play mixes politics, prohibition, and The five-day retreat cost is $155 for 25 meals suffrage with music and satire. Nellie and five nights. Cheques should be payable McClung is featured, along with E. Cora to Cultural Council Foundation and Hind, renowned agricultural expert and mailed to: Hannelore Hahn, Executive journalist, suffragist and temperance leader; Director, International Women's Writing and the Beyon sisters, F~ances, editor of the Guild, Box 810, Gracie Station, New York, women's page of Grain Growers Guide 10028. (212) 737-7536. (Winnepeg), and Lillian Beynon Thomas, editor of the women's page of the Manitoba Free Press and first president of the In conjunction with Celebration '79, the Winnipeg Political Equality League. 7th Annual Conference for Lesbians and The play was first performed in 1974 by Gay Men, The National Film Theatre of Redlight Theatre, a Toronto theatre group Canada is presenting a series called Gay fl formed to promote plays about women. Images on Film. Two of the films examine s What Glorious Times They Had-Nellie lesbian relationships: Les Biches, showing ~ McClung opens at the Alumni Theatre June 26th at 7:30, juxtaposes humour with ~ (Theatre A) Carleton University on May 30 sensuousness; and August and July, June ~ and runs to June 17 with one performance 26th at 9:30 pm. , studies two women ~ nightly (except Mondays) at 8:30 pm. spending a summer together at a country ~ Sunday matinee performances: June 10 and cottage. The third film, Word is Out, June 28 ~ 17 at 2:00 pm. at 8 pm, is comprised of interviews with 26 ".. gay people of all ages, from different parts of ::;; the States. (For more information about The Great Canadian Theatre Co. production of What Glorious Times Celebration '79, call 238-1717) -They Had-Nellie McClung. Janet Adcock as Nellie McClung and Kathy McLennon as Frances Beynon. June 1979 UPSTREAM-23

)fi1d~ekscare a member of the lily family. ··" · · · wet to medium woods, and for early in the spring. The ·HERBS: first: two smooth spear­ out four to six inches long, medi:~hr' ming to purplish brown at YOURS the stalk, which in turn fades to white under the ground; the bulb. The bulbs are joined to FOR THE PICKING a tough rhizome, and usually grow in clumps. The leaves die off before the flower by Jean Frances appears. ·Wild leeks are very like green onions in flavour - quite delicate - but with a subtle hint of garlic. They make a This is the time of year to concentrate on quite hollow. It seems to prefer sandy soil excellent addition to salads. Cooked, the foraged vegetables (as opposed to medicinal and is usually found near the base of trees, garlic taste is unnoticeable. The morning herbs). The goddess in her munificent although we found some popping out of a after we found them I made leeks for bounty, and all that. That's what I've been grassy patch, not a tree in sight. breakfast: doing: making forays into the woods, some Before I start rhapsodizing about the taste wild, some not so wild, and coming out with of morels, let me insert a cautionary word great armfuls of stuff. A couple of days ago I about wild mushrooms in general. took my own advice (as of last month's Undoubtedly, mushrooms are about the column) and went fiddleheading along the trickiest things to gather, because everyone wild ginger banks of the Rideau River - near Hog's knows there are "poison" mushrooms and six eggs in a bowl. When the butter has Back, to be precise - and was surprised to toadstools. If you decide to forage for melted and is starting to bubble, add the find not only fiddleheads, but morels. mushrooms, look for a reputable field guide leeks to the pan and stir them around for a Morels are mushrooms which look like a with clear pictures and descriptions, and go minute or so. Check the potatoes: they bath-sponge on a stalk. Usually oval in with someone experienced the first few times should be steamed soft and beginning to shape, with the point at the top, the cap of you go out, not just the first time. "Poison" brown a bit. Serve up at once to three or four this remarkable fungus is folded about the ·mushrooms do not necessarily cause death; appreciative people. stalk; when sliced for frying you'll find it's often, a stomach ache of varying intensity or Finally, about wild ginger. This plant is no hallucinogenic effects may be produced. But relative of domestic ginger, yet smells and death may result, and· in any case the tastes exactly the same, and can be used in introduction of toxic substances into the exactly the same way. Look for it in the same body for whatever reason is better avoided. kind of places that you find wild leeks: Now with the above caveat in mind: there medium to wet woods in~early spring. This is such a thing as a false morel. This fungus herb has pale green, slightly hairy heart­ looks like a brain on a stalk: it is convoluted shaped leaves springing from one stalk, with like a walnut. But once you know what a real the flower drooping from the fork. The morel looks like, there's not much danger of wild leek flower is beautiful: it's like a minaret which mistaking them. When I was little my father has been trisected and folded back to make and I used to range the woods behind our Scrub a medium-sized potato and grate it three dusky red petals. The roots of the house in London, Ontario, for morels, and into bowl of cold water. Take about six ginger must be gathered, but you shouldn't he had no qualms about a ten-year-old washed wild leeks and slice them. In a frying even need a trowel. They grow close to the helping with the gathering. And what a feast pan with a lid melt some butter or bacon fat. surface and favour areas where the soil is they make! Sliced and fried in butter, they Drain the grated potato and add it to the fat soft. Wash them and leave them in a well­ are fit for the goddess herself; sprinkle with a in the pan; stir it around for five minutes. ventilated area, and they should dry in a day little white wine as they cook and you'll Add the sliced leeks, stir a bit more, and then or two. · wonder how you lived without them till now. add" one or two tablespoons of water. Clap If you can find a way to grind it A couple of days before the fiddlehead the lid on, turn the heat to medium-low, and sufficiently fine (in a blender, maybe, or in expedition, some friends and I went for a let it steam. In the meantime, get another an electric coffee grinder) you can use it in picnic-foraging trip into the Gatineau Hills frying pan ready. Put a lump of butter or your favourite recipes. Otherwise, make a in Quebec. We found wild leeks and wild bacpn fat into a cold pan and set it over tea with it when you have a cold (see morels ginger. ~•if'l;..Jll.;,~ heat. Then chop six leeks, and beat UPSTREAM, September, 1978). 1:URRENTLY

Living the Future Now every Friday evening at 9 p.m. at the Ottawa Women's Centre, 410 Coffee Special Queen St. Come and find out what it's all The Women's Interest Group of Ottawa about. South (WIGOS) meets every Friday from 2.90 lb. 9:30 to I I :30 am at the Ottawa South June 11: Annual meeting of the Amethyst Community Centre on Sunnyside Ave. Brazil - Columbia brown/ Women's Alcohol Addiction Centre. Guest speakers, coffee and good black - Guatemala - Kenya Membership of $1.00 gives voting privileges. conversation. Babysitting available ($1.25). Costa Rica - Moca Java - 7:30 pm. at the Parkdale United Church, 429 Call 233-7459 for more information. Parkdale, Ottawa. H & S Blend - Peru. Thursday, June 7, The Good Companions Grind your own selection June 8 and 9 Athis Theatre presents A Late Senior Citizen's Centre will be holding a Snow, a lesbian comic drama at St. Paul's, spring tea and sale from noon to 3 pm. at the Balderson's Mild Cheddar 1.89 lb. 121 Avenue Rd., Toronto. Show starts at 9 Christ Church Cathedral (439 Queen St., pm. For more info call 532-7963. Admission Ottawa). organic citrus available by donation. The Ottawa-Carleton Senior Citizens Waiting For The Parade Festival is being held throughout the month Currently playing at the National Arts of June. Activities include dances, parties 841 Bank St. 233-0879 Centre in Ottawa, this moving drama picnics, sports events, etc. For details phone revolves around five women who are waiting Ottawa Senior Citizens Council at 234-8044 233-1373 out the Second World War in Calgary. The or 234-5887. * 279 Elgin St. all-woman cast does an admirable job of new location 7 days/wk. 8:00 am - 9:00 pm evoking all those lovely feelings like * nostalgia, heartache, and joy, Although the An exhibition of children's art will run from play most certainly could not be labelled May 18 to July 29 at Laurier House, located 'feminist', it is an unusually well-defined at 335 Laurier Ave. E. Ottawa, and is open study of individual women, and definitely to the public Tuesday through Saturday 10 worth seeing. At the NAC until June 21. am. to 5 pm., Sundays from 2-5 pm. .CLASSIFIED Ans

Retes Explore communal living at our Third Individuals: 10¢ per word, minimum $2. Annual Communities Conference, August Business: 15¢ per word, minimum $6. 3-6. Emphasis on groups centering their lives Forwarding service: $1 per ad per issue. around cooperation, equality and non­ Print your ad clearly In block letters. violence. Workshops on many aspects of All ads must be prepaid. communal life will be offered and groups looking for members represented. Come Address to: Upstream learn and celebrate with us. Conference fee: 424-B Queen St., $30/person (children $20). Write for more Ottawa, Ontario information, or register now by sending a K1R SAS $10 deposit to: Dandelion Community, R.R. 1, Enterprise, Ont. KOK lZO. Week-long workshops on Communal Living - JO to 20 people living together, Stained Glass Classes forming their own government, communal Summer sessions now registering at treasury and social organization - at Grassroots Studio, 391 Rideau or 1489 Dandelion Community June 24-30 and July Merivale Rd. Phone 563-1188. Make a 23-August 2. $15 advance registration. Tiffany lamp and. stained glass window. Write information: Dandelion, R.R. 1, Ottawa's largest retail and wholesale Enterprise, Ont. KOK lZO supplier. O"Ir­ O"I ~ =~ ~=

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Make chequ1 ms of Ottawa Staff this issue Maureen Fraser Nancv Rosenberg Mich~lle Hill Patty Brady ~' Barb Arkle Pat Daley Anne Grigotza Dorothy Elias Janick Belleau

Typesetting Pat Daley Michelle Hill Patty Brady Dorothy Elias

Cover photo

., Vivian Frankel © g ~ Production ~ Kate Nonesuch Janick Belleau ~0 Michelle Hill ]! ,, Pat Daley ~ Patty Brady !! Dorothy Elias _____ ,i.::..