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October/November 1979

Women and Poverty report: "If you're a woman, expect to be poor someday

by Esther Shannon the chances of a married woman Most single-parent mothers, conseq1Jence of the role women mothers, elderly spouseless being poor are compartively contrary to our expectations, are are expected to play in this women, or married women living In its report on Women and low- 9%. The explanation for women between the age of 40 to society." in poverty, can expect minima~ Poverty, the National Council of _ this apparent contradiction is 45 whose children are teenagers. Sex role stereotyping, the assistance from government. No Welfare has gathered an that the vast majority of The report speculates fewer expect to find their satifaction province in Canada is prepared impressive array of statistics to Canadian women are married. family responsibilities for the.fact a(Jd financial security in a to provide support sufficient to support its contention that The report discusses a number that onl}\ 30 per cent of these husband. When that husband maintain women above the women in Canada are the most of factors which "contribute to a women are poor. Two out of 3 dies, is disabled, leaves, is unable poverty line. common and devastated victims couple's vulnerabiliy to poverty." single-parent mothers under the to provide an adequate income or of poverty, first and foremost The empoyment status of the age of 35, an incredible 68 per simi;>lY never ~aterializes (90 out Recommendations for Change because they are women. husband is the most important cent, are poor. of 100 Canadian women do For feminists the knowledge influence on the economic The report cites family marry), women are thrown back The report recommends both that women are "only a husband situation of two-parent families. responsibilities, education, and on their own inadequacy mainly long and short term measures to away from welfare" is not new. "strengthen the financial position But, judging from media and of women". Studying the the general pumic's surprized and recommendations for long term appalled reaction to the report, change is disheartening; not feminists must have had a corner because they are not the solutions on this information. we need, but because they are The objectives of the report are . measures women's groups have to "describe poor women, to demanded for years. examine why they are poor, and The report pinpoints three recommend ways of improving broad areas where government their situation." intervention could ensure equality for women: education, Poor women-facts and figures the labour market and marriage. "Overall 16 % of adult Some of its major recommen­ Canadian women live in poverty. dations include: an end to sex One woman out of every six­ role stereotyping in schools, a total of 1,219,000- must television and advertising; equal somehow manage on an income pay for work of equal value below Statistics Canada's legislation; employment poverty line. The comparable steroetypes and job creation figure for men is 11 %, or one out programs which include women's of every nine - a total of85 l ,OOO." special needs; anti-discri­ Distinguishing between mination legislati on which puts married women, single women the onus for action on the who live alone and single parent empioyer, not the employed; women, the report found that family law reform that will make percentage-wise widows and marriage a relationship of other former\y married women economic equals; and inclusion are most likely to be poor; 54% of homemakers in the have incomes below the poverty Canada/ Que,bec Pension Plan. line. The Council's short term Three quarters of them are measures would provide over the age of 55. Mary S.,a 67- immediate relief to Canada's low year-old woman quoted in the income women. report, identifies her experience Concentrating . on ways of re­ as typical of "what it's like being distributing income through an old woman alone who's only Only one third of two income labour force status as the factors because of socialization. midifications to the present tax got the government ·pension to husbands arc employed on a full that contribute most heavily to Even if women clear the system, the report points out that live on". time, full year basis. the economic situation of most socialization hurtle there are "tax exemptions are of no use to Poor older women, she says, · The sociologists call these men single-parent mothers. Fulltimc other barriers erected against parents whose income is too low manage by paying the rent and "the working poor." If one paid employment is the most them. for them to owe any tax and that utilities- and eating less. A simple supports the argument that the important of these. The report Labour market segregation, the present system for equation. poor are poor because they concludes that if a single-parent inadequate equal pay legislation, exemptions for children, like all She talks of the fear that is a deserve to be, the working poor mother "must rely on a former family responsibilities and the tax exemptions and deductions, constant in the lives of older present some what of a husband or welfare, she will "understandable" desire of provide benefits that increase women. "Fear of the future, of contradiction. This con­ almost certainly be destitute." employees to maintain a docile with a person's income. tradiction can be resolved more illness, less money, less Why Women are Poor and cheap labour force severly The NCW recommeded in pride.... So fear keeps us in line. It however, when one learns that limit women's ability to provide 1978 that the tax exemptions for is our punishment for getting old even though these people work According to the Women and for their own economic needs. dependant children be eliminated and sick." full time they recieve less than Poverty report women are poor · As well the report's statistics and that the 'rrioney thus saved be It is a punishment few older poverty line wages. If we believe because "poverty is a natural demonstrate that single-parent cont. o!1 page IO women escape. According to the people are paid what they're study, two out of three elderly - worth then obviously these men widows live below the poverty and their families are "getting what they deserve". line. Because of their age, these Age is another factor which P.C.'s promise to deliver equality women bave little or no contributes to poverty. Although possibility of any change in their most low income couples are position. Because of our sex, the between the age of 24 to 64, a -by example report concludes, most Canadian much larger proportion of poor women can look forward to than of non-poor couples are ending their lives in the same cir­ segregation which forces women month some of -the areas his over 65. by Pat Daley cumstances in which Mary S. will Another factor contributing to into low-paying jobs; and lower department would be working ' end hers ... deprivation and fear. poverty for low income families Equality by example is the way and eventually end the wage gap on. The largest group of poor the Progressive Conservative between men and women which is only in 3 poor wives work Stressing "the importance of women in Canada are also the government plans to improve has continued"to increase. outside the home; more than half sharing," Alexander said the most ignored. Almost half a of the wives of non-poor families women's situation in the work They plan to do it by allocating labour department's women's million married women in force. $1.3 million to reinstate are employed. When only full bureau "will keep a 'watchful eye' Canada live in poor two-spouse Announcing the three-part_ Outreach projects cut by the time jobs are considered, the on policy and program develop­ families. The report points out strategy to a federal-provin­ Liberals (not $3 million as Prime difference is even great~r. Non­ ments at the federal level with that "the habit of forgetting the cial status of women conference Minister Joe Clark promised poor wives are three times as respect to concerns such as equal wives of low income married men likely to be employed full time. in September, Employment• and during the election), studying the pay for work of equal value, is so widespread that even the The report attributed the lower Immigration Minister Ron impact on women employees affirmative action and Quebec Status of Women participation of poor women in Atkey said his government will before laying off 60,000 civil discrimination of ~he basis of Council in its recent plan of the labour force to the presence provide leadership by' example servants, and studying ways to sex." action, forgot to include wives in of young children. and only use legislation as a last better police the working con­ its enumeration of the women Forty four per cent of single­ resort. ditions of domestic servants. The bureau .will also begin an who were in receipt of social parent mothers are poor. For He said the objectives of the The employment strategy is evaluation of the Canada Labour assistance in the province." many people the report notes, the strategy are to lower the.female being developed by an inter­ Code, specifically sections on Despite the fact that married single-parent mother has become unemployment rate which is d e part men ta I committee. maternity leave and enforcement women constitute the largest "the stereotype of the female running at 9.6 per cent; reduce Labour minister Lincoln of equal pay laws, which should group of poor women in Canada poor". and ultimately eliminlfte job Alexander also announced last be completed by next spring. "If I am to keep on as I have begun (in public life) that means one unendfng struggle... How,ever, for me, more pleasure will come going upstream than down, but believe me it is no enviable position. " Agnes McPhail-1922 UPSTREAM needs your support. Subscribe today.

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Help in what Agnes McPhail calls the "unending struggle." ------Volume 3, No. 10 October/November 1979 I'll subscribe for Contents Done year {indiyidual) at $6 Across the Nation D~neyear {institution) at $15 3 Ontario's work incentive plan criticized Women in Trades Campus women's centre smeared D enclosed. f 4 Saskatchewan's matrimonial property law, splitting marital assets DBin me later. . 50:50 Toronto demo against Right-to-Life Daycare subsidies threatened

Name ...... International Address ...... 5 DES manufacturer pays up • New York antj-porn action grows Cervical cancer linked to male- sperm Postal Code ...... - - Features ------11-14 Person's Case I'll subscribe for Done year (individual) at $6 Sports Done (institution) at $15 15 Canadian women and t}ie Commonwealth Games: 1930-1974- an impressive record D Payment enclosed. 16 Mary Caton-Sports Reporter Bill me later. History 17 Quebec's schools for happy marriage-dedicated to producing Name ...... an intensely feminine mentality Address ...... 18 Literary Postal Code ...... Arts 19' Ann Mortifee Prostitution Show 20 Can men be raped Why women are-film reviews 21 Emmeline Pankhurst-the suffragist army 22 Tillie Olsen-Silences

Departments 6 Editorial and letters 8 Well Woman UPSTREAM a besoin de votre appui. Vaginal deodorants, vaginal infections 9 Feminist Connections II fa,ut vous y abonner aujourd'hui meme. Dykes,and Psyches-part II 23 Currently and Classifieds

Si c'est deja fait, une amie serait heureu·se de Correction: September cover and page I photo by Maureen Fraser recevoir un abonnement a UPSTREAM pour les ~etes. Staff this issue: Production: Allons, un coup de main pour la cause qu' Agnes McPhail Patty Brady Esther Shannon appelait le "sempiternel combae' Michelle Hill Michelle Hill Pat Daley Judy Lynne ------Dorothy Elias Dorothy Elias Judy Lynne Patty Brady Je desire un abonnement Pat Daley D d'un an (individue1) a. $6 • D d'un an (de societe) a. $15 J'inclus le paiement. U t J J e. prefere recevoir Typesetting: veux aider une facture. Patty Brady Michelle Hill Pat Daley Norn ...... Dorothy Elias Adresse ...... Kate Nonesuch Code postal ...... -- .Cover ·Photo: ------Lis Allison Je· desire un al;'°nnement an Cmdivictue1) a. $6 • d'un an (de societe) a $'15 UPSTREAM is a monthly newsmagazine published by Feminist Publications of Ottawa. The staff is a collective with J'inclus le paiement. departmental coordinators. UPSTREAM welcomes U J Je prefere recevoir submissions. Copy deadline is the 15th of every month. t Submissions should be typed, doublespaced. News, sports, veux aider une facture. arts-type on a 62 unit line. Forum, features, letters-on a i78 unit line. All copy (except letters) is subject to editing. All correspondence should be addressed to UPSTREAM, 424-B Norn ...... Queen Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1 R 5A8. Phone 232--0313 or I Adresse ...... 232--0568. ISSN 0700-9992. Code postal ...... Second Class Mail Registration No. 4017 ,_···_···_····_···_···· ___ _ NATION Ontario's work incentive program: ''Designed to make women look bad'' by Mandy Chepeka 1,.0tta wa Tenants Council Women's Career Counselling, is job will be made to feel guilty as a those people who return to work, Provincial welfare recipients president Dorothy O'Connell in full agreement. "It is just result of the cash incentive and we have at least 20 people will be paid up to $185 a month if objects to the use· of the word another way for the government program, according to Purdy. each month returning to work. they obtain full-time work, says "initiative". She says, "That is to say 'look how wonderful we've Purdy also believes the plan For them the plan is a good one,': Community and Social Services reaily a loaded word, designed to been.' The victims are being told will have the effect of channelling he says. Minister Keith Norton. make women look bad." to clean up their act," she says. women into traditional Women will not be made to Under the new program, O'Connell believes the plan has Purdy says adequate day care occupations. "They are putting a feel guilty about not obtaining municipal welfare recipients are many drawbacks in it and that must first be provided and more bandaid on a rotten system," she work because "field workers will not eligible to apply for most sole-support mothers will services like Women's Career says. never push a client to go to work, assistance but the 110,000 people not be able to take advantage of Counselling need to be available Jean Pierre Gagnon, general says Gagnon., in Ontario receiving family the new program. for women entering the work services supervisor for the The benifits will be paid for a benefits are eligible to collect. "There will not be enough force. She says the system would ministry of Community and maximum of two years and-will The majority of those receiving money available, there are no not be able to cope should the Social Services in Ottawa, is be reduced by 50 cents on each provincial benefits are sole­ jobs for these women to take, and majority of sole-support mothers aware that the cash incentive is dollar earned over $7,000. Those s up po rt mothers and the not enough daycare for their receiving family benefits begin to being viewed as a carrot dangled earning over $11,436 annually disabled, who together make up children. It's a cynical game they work. in front of family benefits will not be eligible for the 75% of the recipients. are playing," she says. Moreover, the women who recipients, but sees it as a step assistance. receive benefits and do not get a Women who are sole­ Nancy Purdy, a coulisellor at forward as well. "It will help supporters of a family, and who find work, can claim $100 to $150 Women in Trades a month, depending on family size. Along with the cash incentive, recipients will still be allowed Women helping women normal benefits such as health insurance, free drug prescrip­ Statistics available from the governments, women for the These courses have given women Women in Trades (Saskat­ tions, and basic dental care. federal and provincial most part are still employed only exposure and experience in chewan) is being planned for There will also be improvements departments of labour show that in the low-paying service several trades. November 3 and 4 in Saskatoon. in existing incentives for part­ each year more women enter the industries. Graduates from these courses, The conference will deal with the time workers. Those in this paid labour force. Statistics also Women in Trades is an along with other interested issues facing women in non­ category will receive a reduction show that these women go to organization which began in women, . recognize that these. traditional work areas. Leah in the rate on the first $I 000 of work out of economic Winnipeg in an effort-to educate courses are only the beginning in Cohen, co-author of The Secret part-time earnings. necessity-to supplement their women in choosing careers in opening the doors for women to Oppression: Sexual Harassment Although the federal spouse's inadequate income or these non-traditional areas and be employed in these trades. A of Working Wome11, will be the government has refused requests because they are the sole to provide a support group for summer project is currently guest speaker. Conference to participate in the program, supporter of a family, unit. Where women already employed in the underway to produce materials participants will also be given Ontario will implement the plan women once left the paid labour trades. that can be used by schools and some first-hand experience "because we continue to believe force during their child-bearing The Saskatoon community career counsellors for non­ working with various tools. we are going in the right direction years, many women are now college and the Regina traditional areas. Information is If you wish any additional in this particular area," Norton spending the majority of their community college have sinc·e also- being compiled for wumen information, contact Women in said. adult life in full-time sponsoi:ed Pre-Trades Training employed in the trades or seeking Trades, 723 Avenue I South, "I hope social assistance occupations. for Women, in co-operation with employmen(in the trades. Saskatoon, or call 652-8732. ·recipients will seize these new Despite active pressure from the Canada Employment Centre. The founding convention of reprinted from Briarpatch opportunities. The success of this various women's organizations new program depends on their and some affirmative legislation initiative," added Norton. by the federal and provincial Ottaw....______University women's centre "smeared" Community by Stella Gaon come up so mad about this kind of sexist stuff going on the walls; Credit The halls of Carleton they want to do something and so LIMITED University's tunnels have always they join the women's centre ... Unio been .covered with graffiti, and but I think it goes much more the 222 Somerset St. W. Ottawa, Ont. K2P 2G3 235-4335 there has always been a lot of it bad way in that we actually know that is blatantly sexist. This year, of some people who at first came however, the university's up to the women's centre, but Membership Gives You These women's centre faces a new now they're not coming back problem as now its volunteers are because they feel funny about Advantages . being personally slandered on the being associated with this stuff tunnel walls. that's on the walls." - You are encouraged to learn the real meaning of thrift and. to Joanne Brown of the Carleton Women at Carleton are now save regularly. Women's Centre says that the discussing possible courses of You have the satisfaction of knowing your savings are at work use of individual women's names action, and according to Brown, is part of a "definite smear the first step will be letters to the helping your fellow members. campaign". Carleton University Students' You can get loans at low interest-you never pay more than 1 % On September 20, the Association. The women's centre per month on the balance owing. Women's Centre log was is also planning to publicize the You can get advice on your financial problems from people who _ discovered missing. Two days issue and will discuss freedom "of are genuinely interested'in helping you. later, misogynous comments speech and censorship during began appearing on the walls one of their general meetings. You have Share and Loan Insurance paid for by the Credit about specific women at the Although the university has no Union. centre. When the log was found specific policies about graffiti, You can feel you belong to something worthwhile - a later, it had been written in, in Brown says that it's a criminal beneficial force in the world today. l\andwriting which seemed to be offence to put up hate the same as that on the walls. propaganda and " .. .it's hate No one. at the centre knows who literature, there's no question And These Responsibilities might be responsible. about it. People's names are When asked wh;;it kind of being used, it's out and out libel Your Credit Union is a democratic organization and as a effect this new wave of graffiti and slander. It's not even just member you are a part owner and should take part in running it by has had on the women's centre, sexist stuff that sexist people electing responsible people to serve on the Board of Directors and Brown replied, "It's had both can't understand why it's wrong. Committees. . good and bad effects. In one way Even sexist people understand we've had more people join the that this stuff down here is a When you use the services the Credit Union provides, you help women's centre, because they smear." to build a stronger force within the community-the real value of the Credit Union is the use you make of it from day to day. Room 211-D You should let others know the benefits available at your Credit University Centre Union - they too could share. 85 Hastey Open Monday to Friday YOU - THE MEMBERS ARE 11:30-5:00 OTTAWA COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION'S 231-6853 MOST IMPORTANT ASSET Piece 211-0 Centre Universitaire ' 85 Hastey Ouvert lundi au vendredi 11h30a17hoo Acooss THE NATIO Saskatchewan's new matrimonial Property law

A new bill introduced by the date when the matri­ any other fact or circum­ given built-in protection during readings in the House but will not Saskatchewan Attorney General monial property was acquired; stance. this time period so that their be passed until the end of this Roy Momanow in April of this the contribution, financial or Amongst the many good fi~a~cial hardship is kept at a year because of tax implications; year provides for an automatic in some other form, mad.e direct­ points Murray raised about this mm1mum. and (3) Even though the criteria 50:50 split of all matrimonial ly or indirectly by a third party legislation is that either spouse Murray said that even though are good the Advisory Council property and gives the courts on behalf of a spouse to the can no longer sell, trans"fer or give the legislation has many good will monitor any future settle- discretionary power to vary this acquisition, disposition, oper­ away any property or money points, she does have some split if one of the spouses men ts to see how the judicial dis­ ation, management or use of during the time of divorce and concerns. "(I) It does not include cretion will be applied." disagrees with the settlement. the matrimonial property; settlement. She went on to say common-law relationships; (2) According to Louise Murray, direct or indirect contribution that women and children are The legislation has had three reprinted from About Women chairperson of the Saskatchewan made by one spouse to the career Advisory Council on the Status or career potential of the other; of Women, this new legislation the extent to which the STELCO· discriminates- "has very good points. In financial means and earning particular are the two basic capacity of. ejlch spouse have premises of the 50:50 split and the been affected by the respon­ unprecedented recognition' of sibilities and other circumstances wome~ fight back women's work in the home as of the marriage; On Saturday, July 28, a small Campaign Commiqee. The Revolutionary Workers League. being of equal value to the the fact that a spouse has army of women invaded the ·committee has contacted a The campaign h9s also attracted financial contribution of, the made a substantial gift of bleak industrial section of variety of women's groups and considerable medi.a attention. spouse." An earlier amendment property to a third party other Edmonton to protest the dis­ trade unions in an effort to bring Committee spokespersons passed in I 975 to the Married than the purchaser; criminatbry hiring practises of the case to the public's attention. note that the Little-Butson case is Person's Property Act instructed previous distribution of the Steel Company of Canada Labour support growing not an isolated incident. They judges to consider contributions matrimonial property between (STELCO). urge any women who have faced other', than financial in the spouses by gift or agreement; The women and a few men To date they have the support discriminatory hiring practices to determining property·· settle­ tax liability that may be who had joined the· demonstra­ of the Edmonton Women's contact the group. Interested ments. The settlements have incurred by a spouse as a result of tion carried placards stating Coalition, the Alberta Caucus of individuals should write to: generally gone 70:30 in favour of the transfer or sale of "Women can do industrial jobs," Women, the Edmonton locals of Women Into _Stelco Campaign the husband. matrimonial property or any "Typewriters, No-Rolling Mill, the Canadian Union of Postal Committee, 103, 9936-87 If either of the spouses disagree order made by the court; Yes!" and "Women into Stelco Workers and the Letter Carriers A venue, Edmonton Alberta. ·with the 50:50 settlement then the the fact that a spouse has Now." Union of Canada, the Alberta As the signs read, "Little and onus is on that person to prove dissipated or squandered the The demonstration was o~an­ . Union of Provincial Employees, Butson, the first of many." differently in court. The courts property; ized following the company's Local 6500 of the United Steel­ reprinted from Calgary Women's begin with the 50:50 split but may any benefit received or refusal to hire Lynda Little and workers of America, and the Newspaper alter it taking into consideration receivable by the surviving Sarah Butson as laborers because the following 17 criteria: spouse as a result of the death the two women did not meet Written agreements between of a spouse; height requirements and the one or both spouses and a third maintenance payments of a plant has no washroom facilities party; spouse including debts ,.paid for women. . the length of time that the during the course of a marriage; Experienced production workers spouse have co-habitat~d before value of matrim'onial property and during marriage; situated outside Saskatchewan; Both women are experienced industrial workers. Butson trained at a machine shop to be a Pour voter, la femme doit lathe operator and has worked at factories in Hamilton. Little prendre le n_o..,i de son mari worked at Sheritt Gordon Mines in Fort Saskatchewan and is QUEBEC-Pour etre inscrites Le RAIF rappelle que, currently driving a freight truck sur Jes list es electorales et avoir le· jusqu'ici, le gouvernement a fait for Canadian National. droit de vote au referendum et Ia sourde oreille a ce sujet aux Followihg STELCO's refusal aux prochaines elections, Jes pressions et aux appels lances par to hire them, 'the ,women filed a la Commission des droits de la Quebecoises devront une fois de complaint with the Human personne, le Protecteur des plus abdiquer leur identite et Rights Commission and began emprunter celle de leur mari. citoyens, le Conseil du statt1t de the campaign to force the la femme, de monbreuses femmes C'est ce que rappelle le Reseau company to hire women. Their et mouvements de femmes d'action et d'information pour Jes activities led to the formation of femmes-RAIF-qui vient "indignes de !'existence de cette the Women into STELCO Calgary Women's N~spaper d'envoyer un telegramme au loi." premier ministre Rene Levesque Le governement ne devrait pas pour Jui demander de retarder le attendre la refonte complete de la recensement jusqu'a ce que la Joi Joi electorale pour amender la Joi Toronto demonstration opposes electorale soit amendee de fai;on electorale actuelle. II aurait du a permettre aux femmes de voter inscrire parmi ses priorites de "ne anti- ·abottionists . "dans la

New York (LNS)- In mid­ by women and high incidences of took the drug are not imune to its July,, the New York City genital tissue changes and effect. Although there is no clear Have You Taken These Drugs? Supreme Court ordered that cervical cancer among their evidence !_inking cancer and Names under which DES.has been marketed. $500,000 in damages be awarded daughters. DES-exposed sons, there have to Joyce Bichler by the Eli Tilly The large majority of DES been some cases of abnormalities Nonsteroidal Estrogens Company, the largest manufac­ daughters have vaginal in the genitals and lower urinary Benzestrol 'Estrosyn Palestrol turer of DES. The verdict adenosis-an abnormal, but tract. The women who took DES . Chlorotrianisene Fonatol Restrol marked the first time that a non-cancerous tissue formation. seem to have a higher rate of Comestrol Gynben Stil-Rol woman had won a lawsuit Some experts think it is pre- breast cancer. Cyren A. Gyneben StiJ.bal involving DES. cancerous. One in 1,000 have Only one week after the Cyren B. Hexestrol Stilbestrol DES (Diethylstilbestrol), a vaginal clear cell adeno­ Bichler ruling, a final ban on Delvinal Hexoestrol Stilbestronate synthetic estrogen,. was carcinoma, a disease thai DES as an additive in cattle and DES H-Bestrol Stilbetin prescribed to pregnant women requires removal of the vagina chicken feed was passed. DesPlex Menocrin Stilbinol from the 1940's until 1971 to and a complete hysterectomy. It DES is still used in the Diestryl Meprane Stil boestroform prevent miscarriage. At that was these operations that Bichler morning after birth control pill Dibestil Mestibol Stilboestrol time, a definitive link was underwent in 1972. and is marketed in various Dienestrol Methallenestril Stilboestral DP discovered between use of DES DES sons and women who vaginal creams. Dienoestrol Microest Stilboestral DP. 1------1 Diethylstilbestrol Mikarol Stilestrate Dipalmitate Mikarol forti Stilpalmitate Diethylstilbestrol Milestrol Stilphostrol Di phosphate Monomestrol Stilronate Anti-pornography actiQn grows Diethylstilbestrol Neo-Oestranol I Stilrone Dipropionate Neo-Oestranol II Stils Diethylstilbenediol N ulabort Synestrin by Sondra Corry district. Because women have violence' in_ which crimes such as Digestil Oestrogenine Synestrol New York's Women Against averted their eyes for so long, and rape, wife battering and child Domestrol Oestromenin · Synthoestrin believing this a contributing Pornography now hopes for as molestation are on the rise, these Estilben Oestroman Tace factor to the proliferation of many as 50,000 women to join women are urging other women Estrobene Orestol Vallestril pornography, the group displays the demonstration in Times to tour the bookstores, Estrobene DP. Pabestrol D. Willestrol Square on October 20. pornography in the store and peepshows, and live sex shows to In preparation for the march, takes women on tours of the 'check it out', as they say in Times Nonsteroida/ Estrogen-Androgen Combinations ·district. Square." Amperone Tesert:ne the group nas opened Newspage reports, "Main­ Significantly the group, whose Di-Erone Tylai;idril headquarters in a rented taining that pornography slogan is "It's about time," shares Es tan Tylosterone storefront in the heart of the porn contributes to a 'climate of the logo of an open eye with its Metystil sister group, San Francisco's Women Against Violence in N onsteroida/ Estrogen-Progesterone Combination Progravidium Pornography and Media, which is also aiding in the organization Vaginal Cream-Suppositories with Nonsteroida/ Estrogens A VC cream with Dienestrol 30,000 women march of the rally. Organizers report that · W AP has had excellent Dienestrol cream coverage from the mainstream for abortion media; they say, "Everyone knows our name." March literature and fly~rs are Cervical cancer linked Paris-Over 30,UUU women Abortions are difficult to available for distribution. Also a marched through the streets of obtain in France :and m<;dical poster may be ·purchased for ·Paris on October 6 demanding per8onne! often give misleading $2.00. Contact: · ·changed to France's stringent information to women seeking Women Against Pornography to male sperm abortion law, which ends this abortions, causing them to miss 579 Ninth Avenue year after a five-year probation the ten-week deadline for a legal New York, NY 10036 (Her Say) The New England partners had not had vasc:ctomies­ period. abortion. (212) 594~2801 Journal of Medicine is out with a was four times greater than for report linking cervical cancer in those women whose partners had women to a virus carried by the been sterilized. This, the Rapist poster under investigation male sperm. The Journal cites a researchers say, supports study by Drs. Shanna Swan and theories that some agent in sperm Willard Brown at the -Kaiser which is absent in vasectomized Rochester, NY - A private complaints from concerned After the poster appeared on Permanente Medi.:;al Ceritre in men carries a cancer-causing detective has turned up' in the parents in the vicinity of P.S. #23 utility poles and sidewalks in the Walnut Creek, California. The virus. feminist community here. He in the Park Avenue neighbour­ neighbourhood, police ques­ doctors studied 72 cases of The virus believed to cause appears to be trying to find out hood on the east side of the city. tioned members of Rochester cervical cancer and three cervical cancer, the doctors say, who is responsible for the He reportedly admitted Women ·Against Violence matched control cases for each is herpes simplex two, belonging printing and publishing of a following_ the girls, but was Against Women and threatened actual case of cancer. to a family of viruses which cause poster identifying by name and released by police. Parents were to arrest them, but never According to the doctors, they genital lesions, cold sores, description a man who follows told that he was getting followed through on their found that the risk of cerv_ical shingles and chicken pox. young girls in his car "and psychiatric help. Some parents threats. The women believe that cancer for wcrmen whos.e fantasizes about them at age 16." now have reason to believe that no illegal act has been com­ The detective is suspected of he is not receiving such help and mitted by those responsible for gathering evidence for a suit to be that he continues to follow the printing and posting the infor­ brought by the accused man. girls. Police apparently will do mation about a person they Last spring, police questioned nothing further - about the consider to be a "terrorist." the man after receiving situation. reprinted from New Women's Times

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The ~usiness of business is business. And in this case, it seems the ~usmess of the Tory Government is also business. With a sad record for keeping campaign promises, the Tories hai.:e son:iehow i:nanaged to keep those promises designed to aid their business fr1end.s rather than th~ Canadian people. If there wasn t a t1m~ to be poor m Canada this is it. The main thrust of the Conservative policy is to privatize the country and the economy to death. At the same time the Tories have aptly covered themse.lve~, not to mention their actions, ytith a smokescreen of humanitarian ~hought. But lest we be fooled, privatizing Canada, and more particularly crown corporations, is only designed to help those who are already at the top. Although privatization has become the catch-word for Tory plans, cutbacks is the underton~andcutbacks hurt no one except the poor that is. A~d in Canada today the poor, for the most part, are women. And desp1~e what the new minister for Secretary of State says or proposes, .women are no exception in the government's plans. In fact, more and more it looks like women are becoming the rule, espe~ially when the cut~ are di~hed out and funds are reduced. T~~ senou~ness of the Tones' actions is most pronounced in their ~ec1s1on to dismantle Petro-Can, the state-owned oil company. At a time when other countries are desperately trying to gain control over energy, the Tories are moving ahead, with the tenacity fitting a bull, t? sell Pet~o-Can. In the face of statements made by oil­ exportmg countries that they prefer to deal directly with the state rather than t~rough multinatio~als, the Tories steadfastly move on. To add a bit of self-destructiveness to the crazy but dogmatic scenario, Joe Clark in his wisdom has declared that only the profit­ making parts of PetrcrCan will be sold. In other words the g<;>vernment Yfill keep all those ~laments that have not and probably Under the guise of getting tough in tough times, the Tory will not make any money. Until now, the profitable parts of Petro-­ philosophy is only tough on those who have already suffered Can hav~ subsidized the exploration- and research aspects of the enough. It certainly isn't tough on its corporate friends, offering corporations. crown corporations as if they were only bits of candy instead of the So,. not only will the Tories' corporate friends gain a corporation jewels that they are. For the most part, the crown corporations on that 1s bound to make money, they will gain a corporation that has the auction block have one thing in common-all of them are now already proven to be profitable. profitable after many tax dollars have been spent to develop their If the Tories are allowed to get away with their hare-brained potential. scheme and sell Petro-Can, it will be a sad day for' the country. The Although the Tory government is going to announce and perhaps destruction of Petro-Can is not only an unwise economic step to even pursue small reforms for women, they will be the icing without take in a time when oil costs are soaring, but it also signals an•era the cake. The privateers are benignly turning the country over to the that is reminiscent of the 30s when individualism reigned and the profiteers who couldn't give two hoots for people. government refused to interfere. The Tory philosophy believes dogmatically in the ability of the The philosophy underlying the decision to sell crown private sector to perform all functiOl'.lS in society from banking to corporations is more dangerous than may be realized at first glance. daycare. The Tories may have recently announced an employment It is a philosophy that promotes a heath care system based on who strategy for women but the responsibility for fulfilling it will can pay. It promotes university and college education as belonging undoubted!}' belong to the private sector despite its poor record. to those who like the notion of Ivory Towers-to those who can The Tories do not believe in direct job creation. afford to go. It is also a philosophy that says that people, especially Unless those most affected by the Tory moves stand up and women, not government nor private .business QOr the economy are collectively yell "STOP!", the notion that the rich get rich and the responsible for unemployment. It is a philosophy that victimizes the poor get p9orer will, unfortunately, become a truism during the life victim. of this government.

UPSTREAM: UPSTREAM: I am renewing my subscription. I would Here's my dQllars for a subscription to just like to comment on trying to rent a car UPSTREAM. It's vitally important to in the city of Ottawa during a bus strike have a nationalist feminist press alive and this year. well-particularly in this age of govern­ All but two rental agencies required a ment cut-backs and the general retreat to major credit card, chargex or the right. At times there seem to be so mastercharge. When I visited the other many battles on different fronts­ two, I was told a major credit card was although indeed they are all related-that needed as I made the mistake of telling women in towns and cities across the them I was self-employed-as a housewife; country sometimes feel isolated and In fact, Avis practically laughed in my face. overwhelmed. There's also the need for 'I didn't get the car but I had a good time information about what's happening else­ anyway-sightseeing on foot and by where-the struggles and the victories. Vayageur bus. It is, however, not okay to In Halifax there are a number. of hold out against getting a major credit card different groups involved in feminist issues or being a housewife. Although I have and concerns, but there are problems of money in the bank, I probably couldn't communications. This is especially so in a even get a major credit card if I wanted to city where there is only one newspaper (being a housewife.) which is published twice a day in the guise Yours truly, of a morning and evening paper, and which Nina Westaway relegates women to the women's pages and there prints recipes and wedding announcements. (It is primarily a place for advertisers to place their ads, c'est tout.) Often there is a feeling that the government can and will do anything, because there are few out there to watch and to protest. (The policies of the Tory government are such that, particularly in N.S., the opposition is increasing.) But there is a need for more information about women's issues. Yours in sisterhood, Kathy Moggridge Krusisto Witches ANT Anti-nuclear guerrilla theatre

by Gay Bell their own feelings. "Remember you're doing this There are also ·advantages for theatre piece because you want to the actor/ director/ writer/ singer. make a statement about nuclear Unlike attending endless power, not because you're trying meetings, it is creatively re­ to do profession'iil theatre," juvenating, a great antidote to nervous members of the Witches' burn-out, and theatre gives ANT (Anti-Nuclear Theatre) just insights into political speaking before their performance of and debate. One of the main "Sizzle City: Women's Nuclear purposes of our guerrilla theatre Reactions." is to encourage and inspire other The Witches' ANT 1s a women to do it, so I'll write about guerrilla theatre section o( our methods. We invented the Women Against Nuclear Tech­ play by sitting around in silly nology, a Toronto group which circles for a couple of sessions, organized an educational on jamming up every possible idea September 9 following Holly and sort .1· of half-assed acting Near's concert "For a nuclear­ them out. Then, from my notes Jacqueline Frewin, investigative reporter Margaret Moores, Marcia Cannon and Kari Reynolds free future." and general reading, I wrote a The Witches' ANT came rough draft of a play and asked together to do anti-nuclear people if they wanted certain· theatre after the June occupation roles. Each woman thought up of the Darlington Nuclear Plant songs and scripts to go with her "Sizzle City" -good CR site near Toronto. The part, and on reconvening we had performers are: Jacqueline to deal with a frightening, Joe Clark on overseas sales of broadcast 1J1essage that an Frewin and Lilith Finkler, seemingly chaotic mess of Candu reactors, "We have to sell accident has occurred in the by \Vendy McPeake and Judy occupiers of Darlington who go everyone's feelings about nukes. Lynne the reactors, not to worry about plant. We are immediately issued on trial October 17; Katherine We condensed it to the requisite what the countries we sell them to a pill-a smartie (the mind Brown, a Hamilton actor and half hour. are gonna do with 'em." These boggles to think how far we've mother who is concerned about and other statements are come since worrying about nuclear power; Marcia Cannon, We had the opportunity to see intermingled with a chorus of additives in candy), with who did street theatre at the first the Witches ANT perform Sizzle protesting miners who wrap up instructions to take it right away City at St. Patrick's College the sketch with a song and dance to prevent radioactive iodine Toronto action of Women auditorium. on Oct.12. Four routine: accumulating in the thyroid Against Violence Against short sketches sati~ized the "Get the hint glands. Women; Kari Reynolds and government's lack of concern for The PM is a piqip". . However, we are warned that Margaret Moores, writers and the dangers of nuclear techno­ The audience is then taken on a just as corporations have claimed songwrite.rs who acted with "The logy. tour of the Pickering Hydro that there isn't enough proof that Poisonal Friends" last March; The first sketch, set in 1985, Plant where a Broadside reporter their particular contaminant and myself, Gay Bell (who is shows a woman sitting alone in is probing for leaks. The hydro caused disease in their workers, if becoming, out of necessity, a her room, who hears a high public relations .spiel is· we take this pill, our future hustler of guerrilla theatre). radiation level alert. After interspersed with interuptions by · cancer and mutation will ·not searching frantically, she finds the chorus and a number of show up wearing a label. her anti-radiation pill box empty. others: The· performance is good She contemplates going out for Dr. Miso, who advocates consciousness-raising for more pills but her mini computer eating miso as did the Japanese looking at the priorities of predicts acid rain. She can't put after Hiroshima, to diffuse the current political and business on her lead suit because she left it effects of Strontium 90 in the. leaders. We can imagine that this at the dance. She realizes she~s body, so. 'Eat it - like there's no performance would work Gay Bell aka Joe Clark paying her hydro bills for enough tamari!' Well to politicize any audience, light to watch herself die. The country woman who and because of this some of the As a director, the main Next, a rendition of The argues for alternative energy WANT performers should start Witching Hour, a song from the forms and points out the irony of collecting answers to the specific principles I followed were: the Willie Tyson album Debutantes the government spending 93. 7 questions they raise and will be importance of each actor's best Ball, reminds us that as feminists million dollars on nuclear asked about hydro and abilities having as full a range as confronting our society, we are research and only 7.4 million on government behaviour. possible so that where she felt the people that we've been renewable energy sources. As women and mothers, 1t weakest was balanced by where warned about: The chorus who sing mocking made us mad as hell to think she felt strongest; the importance Back to the present where we songs about the damage that's about our years of thwarted of each actor's political concerns find the 'Voice of America'­ already been done to the land attempts for quality education, having a voice in the piece; and vanous government officials from nuclear waste; the feeble :iaycare, and a humane way of skill sharing so that each is valiantly trying to cloud the efforts to control it, and the life. Those who make decisions nuclear issue with political present and future consequences about our future have never had Marcia Cannon as Dr. Miso training the 'others (some can jargon. For example, we hear to humankind; "What's Anita sing easily, some can think to hold a rummage and bake ltllle Jimmy Carter, the all-teeth Bryant doing to save our children to buy a nuclear reactor. "Sizzle The pl~y, which includes lively logically and thematically, some nuclear family man and nuclear now?" songs, is made up of three basic are comedians). City" makes you think about engineer, "We will find a way to A siren goes off and the things like that. sections: a dead-pan monologue To relieve the feeling-silly develop a safe nuclear power"; audience receives an alarming by a woman living in 1985 who barriers, we used clown make-up has lost her thyroid pill when the and practised our faces in the radiation levels go up, a sendup mirror. of U.S. President Carter's July 15 One of our heaviest problems Feminist Publications of Ottawa, "energy" speech with a satirical was scheduling rehearsals portrait of Joe Clark's com- because most political artists are plicity, and finally a visit to political activists with meetings Corporation (Upstream) Pickering Nuclear Plant by three galore, so we often had to women and a reporter from rehearse the play in sections Broadside women's newspaper. depending on who was available. ANNUAL GENERAL The hydro guide confidently However, reading an absent explains the virtues of nuclear actor's part was a good exercise, power, but as a result of the for integrating all actors into the MEETING reporter's pointed questions, the whole piece. women _develop an anti-nuclear Also, because of short Acceptance of ne\V members position and the, guide. gets preparation time (the play was "wasted." put together in a week), we had Election of 1979-80 Board of Directors In conjunction with a to rely on everyone's political FPO Business Report discussion period; our play is a sense and dedication; actors with UPSTREAM Business Report valuable means of education. a deep sense of meaning can The topic is so scary that without convey a gr!;at deal through their some humour and human personal poise. Afterwards... a chance to meet each other and talk over coffee at interest, many people can't As for the semi-obsolete Chez Nous deal with it. With a theatre position of director, !'wish to say presentation, members of an that if the others feel respected Tuesday, Oct. 30 audience can identify with points and their creativity is allowed to Women's Centre of view of any of the characters flow, they will allow a certain (eg., "I agreed with Carter." amount of "discipline" snch as 7:30 p.m. 410 Queen Street "Well I agreed with the uranium being told to write their pieces for miners," etc.), thereby expressing tomorrow "or else." L __ _ _ _::,:=:.::...::...... ::..::::...______Don't miss it! WELL-~WOMEN Vaginal deodorants-can we afford them? by Leslie Storozuk The advertising industry is an exciting examinations. How does one know if one on a healthy area, the existing state of perfume. Therefore, if one exhibits an business. There are always new is ill if one is not aware of what constitutes affairs can very quickly be reversed. Once a itllergic response from having used a challenges-one is constantly trying to health? woman begins to douche regularly, use a· douche there is every reason to expect the develop new ways of convincing people to The other reasons for using vaginal deodorant spray or even use deodorant exact same response from sprays. The purchase things they either don't need or 'cleansers' or 'deodorants' are of even less tampons/ napkins, the chances of her FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in can't afford. They must be doing an value than those discussed thus far. developing some form of vaginal infection the United Stat_es, patch-tested 30 women excellent job because every year women Douching should never be used as a , increases. The degree of inflamation can and 2 men with the individual constituents the world _over spend millions of dollars means of contraception. The need to range from a minor irritation noticeable found in 12 different sprays. The chemicals buying vaginal deodorants or cleansers douche after sexual intercourse with a only to a gynaocologist upon examination which elicited positive responses, thereby that are, at best, ineffective. male partner would be an interesting topic to a severe· adverse reaction amenable indicating an ability to cause an allergic Fiction for a political discussion but in realistic only to oral steroid therapy. skin reaction included: perfume, terms, the activity is primarily wasted There are two basic reasons why these chlorhexidine, benzethomium chloride In my daily 'practice as a pharmicist, I effort. The benefit achieved is basically reactions occur. The simplest to explain and isopropyl myristate. What all gf this am often requested by women to help them psychological as no advantage to plain involves the fact that many women (and means is that if anyone uses a commercial choose, a particular douche or feminine soap antl water can be documented. In men as wellt are unknowingly allergic to product with one or more of these in­ spra)". In my desire to be professional I ask fact, there is only one good reason to many ingredients found in these agents: gredients in the chemical composition, them why they need these products. The douche-when it has been recommended Compounds· found in vaginal douches t!1en there is a chance that some skin answers range from " ... Yo\l know ... the by a physician as one facet in an overall which are known to cause allergic irritation/ erruption will evolve. smell ... " and "I use it after relations with plan designed to treat non-specific sens1t1v1ty iclude the following: my husband." ot "Oh, I just like to beclean v;tginitis. Even then, gynaecologists benzocaine, parabens, propylene glycol The second major way that these all over." usually suggest that povidine-iodine monostearate, triethanolamine, phenol, chemical "improvements" can lead to The answers vary from woman to preparations be used. chlorhexidine, chloroxylenol and trouble is by virtue of the fact that· they woman, but always I sense a feeling of benzalkonium and benzethonium alter the normal protective chemistry. A So I Use Them. So What? terrible self-conscio'usness. Almost chlorides. Ingredients in deoderant sprays vagina is kept healthy through the careful invariably, the replies to my questions are With the utilization of deodorant are very similar to those found in douches balance of two main factors: pH (an indi­ painfully whispered. Why is there such an vaginal products, particularly when used except that the primary component is cation of the acidity or alkalinity) and the apparent paranoia? Why is there such a presence of normal bacterial flora (normal need to smell like a freshly mown lawn or a bacterial inhabitants). The use of any vag­ strawberry milkshake? ls there a need? inal agent is going to offset this delicate What will happen if one does use these balance, t,hereby encouraging the develop­ products? What will happen if one doesn't? ment of an infection.' Let's examine some of these questions Unfortunately, there is no way the exact from both a political and a medical incidence of vaginitis resulting from the viewpoint to arrive at a practical answer. use of vaginal cosmetics can be calculated. Fact Both the FDA and the Health Protection Branch, National Health and Welfare, in The fact of the matter is that there is no Ottawa, rely on data from various sources need to spray, douche or otherwise to arrive at their conclusions. Controversy deodorize a vagina that· is normal and arises when reports conflict. Evidence that healthy. When the vagina is free from these are harmful products comes from disea'se, it has a natural propensity towards case reports or complaints received by keeping itself ciean, much like a self­ manufacturers, physicians, and cleaning oven. The discharge which so government agencies. Evidem;e that the many of us view with distaste is actually converse is true is obtaihed from an integral part of the required cleansing controlled studies where the use of the mechanism. Therefore, if the process and agents is controlled and each woman is its visible manifestation are necessary to given specific instructions in proper usage. the well-being of the vagina, it would be Some women can use these chemfoals logical to conclude that to interfere with -and not develop any adverse reactions. this function by way of douching would be This is why these cosmetics would have to counterproductive. provoke a serious reaction and women The presence of an "odour" is also given would have to complain, loudly, to the as a reason for seeking a deodorant. correct officials for a long time before any However, the decision to obliterate this action would be taken to curtail their use. 'smell' has as much rationale as the desire cont. on page 9 to remove vaginal discharge, discussed above. In the normal, healthy state, vaginal "odour" (such as it is) is also normal. (Although the politics of "feminine hygiene" is yet to follow, I Vaginal infections: cannot help at this time making some comment about the word "odour" as used in this context. The word, through association, has acquired negative Causes, symptoms and treatments connotations and to use it implies a state that lacks sanitation. The word "odour" has also been used in connection with our­ by Pegu Harris yuivitis (80%). A more detailed discussion of female bodies in male-defined terms. It is venereal diseases can be found in either the The causes of simple vulvitis are variable not our word. Therefore, I choose not to A procedure is only effective if it has Montreal Health Press VD Handbook or 'but the symptoms are similar, the most use it. Henceforth, I will refer to the some ultimate benefit. The article on pelvic Our Bodies Ourselves. common being itching, swelling and normal female smell as a "fragrance".) self-examination showed wo:nen that this Vulvitis caused by allergic reactions can redness which leads to scratching and There are possibly two occasions when procedure can be removed from the be assisted by treatment with prescription further irritation. The glands in the groin this fragrance can take on odd char­ stronghold of 1he doctor's office and ointments containing cortisone and small may become enlarged and tender. acteristics in either nature or intensity. brought into the realm of our own doses of antibiotics. Vulvitis is •predominantly an allergic Even though it is a natural process, the responsibility. The ultimate benefit­ Vulvar inflammation can also be caused reaction and the culprits can be many; discharge, if allowed to accumulate on the knowledge and experience of our bodies in by viruses which will produce small lesions soaps and detergents, underwear of external genitalia for long periods, can a healthy state ·and early detection of as well as swelling and redness. A frequent synthetic material, local applicants like begin to undergo bacterial decomposition. problems. lesion is an infection of the Bartholin's feminine 1iprays or drugs such as Simple washing with mild soap (i.e. no This article will deal with one such gland. These ducts which drain around the antibiotics or barbiturates. perfumes or doederants) and water is problem-vaginal infections; the causes, vaginal opening can easily become The prime factor in any allergic reaction, sufficient. The same approach applies to symptoms, treatment and above all the infected. The opening of the duct closes, be it concerned with eyes, skin or the ·the smell that mortifies women during feminist implications. leading to accumulation of pus. The area vagina, is identifying the irritating agent so their menstruation. Changing tampons or There are few of us who have not becomes tender and swollen. An abcess of that it can be removed from use. Some of pads more frequently, (avoid deodorized experienced the discomfort of a vaginal this gland can be treated conservatively the causitive agents are of dubious value in protective devices), combined with simple infection. Again, because the area has been with heat; however, if the infection does any case. They are sold to women under cleansing is adequate. controlled for so Jong by a male­ come to a head, it may have to be incised the pretext that they will clean up dirty The other explanation as to why the dominated medica'I profession, we tend to a and drained. and malodorous area. As they clean and fragrance may change involves the actual ignore minor discomforts, fearing either Because of the incidence of gonorrhea presence of a vaginal infection. Vaginitis the inevitable pelvic exam or of being deodorize they interfere with the normal associated with these glands, they should can present itself as a change in classified as a typical hypochondriacal protective barriers of the vagina and open be checked. The viruses which cause these amount/ consistency/ colour of the woman waiting until the problem becomes the doors to infection. infections can be transmitted sexually and discharge as well as a noticeable alteration unbearable and perhaps _serious. A little It is best to eliminate these articles from care should be taken in terms of sexual in the vaginal-i"ragrance. The changes knowledge is not a dangerous thing! one's life-style but, if the irritation contact. Poor hygienne cannot be ruled merely represent a signal that the body Basically there are two major processes continues, further causes must be out as a contributing factor. Cleanliness· requires attention, medical attention from which can occur under the term vaginal explored. should be encouraged and exercised to a qualified practitioner and not as directed infection. The first is an inflammatory This is particu_larly important if prevent recurrence. by a 'television commercial. process such as vulvitis, vaginitis or gonorrhea is suspected. The primary Hopefully, it is now apparent that if cervicitis. If you see the suffix 'itis' attached lesions of syphilis are seen m~st often in the Vaginitis vulvar area. In women; the initial sites of changes in the vagina are such excellent to a word it means inflammation of that Vaginitis is the most prevalent of genital indicators of the state of health, it is area. The second are abcesses and lesions, infection for gonorrhea are the urethra infections and the two most common important _to cond~ct regular such as vaginal warts. (95%) Bartholins gland (20%) and cervix cont. on age 9 UPSTREAM-9 FEMINIST CONNECTIONS:_/ COUNSELLING. FOR CHANGE by Helen Murphy ) knew all three women more or less well, The informal group of women but I had no idea of the passionate psychotherapists and lesbians, which was concerns they had for their children, for discussed last issue in this space, meets many and varied reasons, associated with about once a month. Having outlined the their lesbianism. reasons the group happened in the first One woman, recently separated, was place, here's a closer look at one particular under extreme stress, afraid that her ex­ meeting. husband would find out about her and take her' very much loved ·kid away via the But a little more background .... courts. We have all followed stories in the I came to the group with two middle­ women's press and conventional media class prejudices. One, women who work of custody cases involving lesbian mothers. pay into and so support the health-care However, the tension this woman system (OHIP), and are entitled to tf1e produced by simply . describing the services that system provides; ifthe client is subterfuges she practised, daily and lesbian, she should not unreasonably everywhere, still makes my breath come expect access to therapy free of hostility. short. Two, the training therapists receive is biased in favour of the straight status quo, Many of us have wondered how to come but it is training which, like an athlete's, out to our families. One woman, whose can be applied in a different direction. children were almost grown up when she The women therapists in the group came out, had always wondered how to obviously had decided to challenge, in come out to her kids, and hadn't yet their work, the establishment view of the resolved the problem to her satisfaction. lesbian woman. And so they were, Part of the problem was her anX.ieties generally, the ones who suggested the topic about her behaviour with a lover in front of not sacrifice her emotional and creative life straight therapist has no meaningful for any one meeting; I say suggested, the children-not whether or not it would to them. contact, is one which provides an identity, because each meetinfl is free-form, and for influence them, but how she would handle One thing that these women had in a social life and, generally, support for its example, a meeting on coming out turned it; the continuous floating population of common, and which would not have been members. The fact that the therapists can, into a discussion of the participants' her women friends and their behaviour obvious to the straight therapist, was their on no matter how small a scale, see this sexuality and sexual prejudices. with each other; the entire absence of strong sense of community. I should in all other community at work, can discuss its males. honesty add that the women involved did implications for their work, and can share While some things like negotiating the not shower kudos on the lesbian their perceptions with lesbians is reason intake process at hospitals could ·be The third woman had simply left her community for its active support of the gay enough, for me, to continue meeting. discussed inside the group, some topics, children with her ht1sband, having tried to mother; too many women didn't want kids The meetings will continue, but already like lesbian mothers, required help from manage with them on her own. In fact, her in their houses, and finding a babysitter a suggestion from readers is that a local the gay women in the community. One husband had tric:;d conscientiously to avoid among your friends when you wanted to go conference be held, open to the community therapist wanted some help on this subject; his responsibilities for the children while to that big party was impossible. oflesbians and therapists. Suggestions for, three mothers came to the meeting, and it reproaching her for being an inadequate Nonetheless, the community to which against, about agenda are welcome ... and was this one which impressed me most. I mother. She missed her children, but could these women belong, and which with the soon.

cont. from page 8 Politics Of A Whoosh And A Squirt Secondly, these products hurt women power as consumers. Consider the one woman can do. However, if our and only women. True, no man will ever implication if not another woman financial resources were consolidated, These .i;iroducts are offensive to many know the 'joy' of acquiring the smell of purchased any of these cosmetics. well, the mind boggles! women. The reasons are multiple and tutti-frutti. But, no man will ever know the Consider what improvements for women In my openir1g remarks, I said that I obvious, but bear reiteration. sorrow of developing a severe vaginal rash could be achieved if these monies, now hoped a practical answer would be found Firstly, most of these agents (other than gn a Friday evening when it's nigh freed, could be recflannelled into ventures to the question of the ne~d for feminine those recommended by a physician) are impossible to--get quick· medical attention. that promoted or restored women. True, "hygiene". The answer is obvious. useless. They have no medicinal value and The whole group of products available, on ·an individual basis there is not much in the States they are, in fact, classed as cosmetics. Some authors are even refusing industry, has been developed by men to to use the phrase "feminine hygiene" due to 'change us into something "better" (their the lack of medicinal properties. definition) than what we are. In the The whole idea of vaginal cosmetics has process, ~omen are becoming physically ill been a male idea. The basis for this and suffering. all through their misguided particular industry is the fact that They desire to please the Man. don't like our fragrance. Plus, they have ~\ST &1.,~ What women now have to realize is that conditioned us to believe that it's our fault. their dollars are supporting industries that It's simply another example of the exploit women. Women are purchasing .~ ubiquitous misogyny present in our products that are only harming their ~~ society. (See Crazy Salad; by Nora Ephron bodies while male corporations are for an insightful interview with the creator simultaneously reaping incredible of FDS spray.) financial rewards. Women have immense Va gin al infections " COUNSELLING. ~ cont. from· page 8 causative agents are fungi (Monilia or Both these infections can be rather *Private* Candida Albicans) and a parasite stubborn. The organisms can lie dormant *Individual* (Trichimonas ). in the vagina until .the environment is The acidic environment of the vagina is appropriate; thus the infection is hard to *Confidential* essential for growth of the normal bacteria cure and recurs easily. It is therefore very which p~otects it. The normal vaginal important to have a specimen taken for *Non -treatment Oriented* discharge is a combination of mucous, correct diagnosis. *Sliding (Pay) Scale* dead cells and during menstruation, blood. Look for causative factors and remove The following factors must be considered them if possible. Take the prescribed *11/2 hours per Session* as causes if vaginitis is suspected: 1) a medication for the recommended period of change in acidity caused by injudicious use time. If there is no improvement after • of douches and deodorants; 2) irritation by several days, the diagnosis should be QUALIFICATIONS tampons; 3)changes in the vaginal milieu questioned. as a result of pregnancy, birth control pills, Vaginal suppositories or creams .are *BA. Programme, Social-Psychology *Seminars in Gestalt diabetes or monthly cyclic influences; usually the treatment of choice. Fungicides *5 years. (formal) counselling 4)overmedication with antibiotics which *Cou..Ses in T. A. such as Mycostatin or Nystatin are the best *10 years (informal) destroys normal vaginal bacteria; 5)long known. They are messy but usually *Workshops in: Adult, Child Drama; term steroid therapy. effective. For Trichimonas, metronidazole *Active member of Women's Centre Non-Verbal Communication; What do you look for? The major (Flagyl) is used. This comes in the form of *3 terms of office on Policy Committee Management Training; Women in complaint for both types of infection are a ·vaginal tablets but may also be taken orally *Originator of (Volunteer) Training Management; Socialism and change in the discharge, itching in the at the same time. In an effort to return the Programme for Women's Centre and vagina and vulva and, if it extends to Feminism; Lesbians in the Work­ vagina .to an acidic environment, souches Crisis Centre Volunteers involve the urethra, frequent urination of weak acid (white vinigar in warm water) place; Lesbian Music, Films, Writings accompanied by a burning feeling. can be used. Vinega,r douches are also quite With Monilia, the discharge is whitish effective to reduce itching. It may be FOR MORE INFORMATION and cheesy or curd-like in appearance. necessary of not ..yise to also treat the Examination with a speculum will show sexual partner and to be careful in terms of AND APPOINTMENT whitish patches. If you pick these patches sexual coll.tact to prevent re-infection. off a reddened swollen area is left. Treatment, of course, is aimed at cause CALL The discharge from Trichimonas is but the overall health status of the person greenish-yellow, foamy and foul-smelling. involved is important for complete success. KRIS FURLOUGHT at Irritation from the discharge may result in Rest, appropriate nutrition, exercise and vulvitis. For a definitive diagnosis, a good hygiene can affect the success of the 741·8004 speciman should be taken of the discharge treatments. (Serious Inquiries Only) and examined microscopically. .Oatober./Novembes .l9l9. Unemployment Insurance Review Women on the block again? by Pat Daley Advisory Council on the Status The two-tiered system employment/ unemployment dence. Any reductin i costs for "It seems that the government of Women (ACSW) released a patterns be integrated into the the government would clearly be has identified the charac­ strong condemnation of the Two mai.n options for review, the Advisory Council made at the expense of its teristics of female unemployment proposed changes to the unemployment insurance benefit rates are being studied in the said: "In tying benefits to commitment to the principles of and is designing cutbacks unemployment insurance dependents or family income equality and economic accordingly." . legislation. review. The first is a two-tiered system, or benefits based on rather than individual equality and economic indepen­ ·That was the reaction of the Before beginning any review of attachment to the labour force dence for women." National Action Committee on the legislation, ACSW said, the dependents, which NAC pointed out would result in reduced both options are totall; Both NAC and the Advisory the Status of Women (NAC) to government should redefine both options are totally incon­ Council reiterated their the federal government's review what it means by "attachment to benefits for 96 per cent of women compared to 61 per cent of men. sistent with the government's opposition to the last round of of unemployment insurance the labour force"-the basis for acceptance of the demands by unemployment insurance legislation, announced in UI eligibility-and forecast the The Advisory Council said it would affect single and married women for equal pay for work of cutbacks which made it m~re September. extent tCY which women will equal value and more recent difficult for part-time workers­ In a meeting with represent­ experience "high or unforseen women alike, married women because "their opportunities to statements that support women's most of whom are women-to atives of NAC, Employment and unemployment" in the l 980's. right to equality and indepen- collect benefits. Immigration Minister Ron "The definition of attach­ claim dependents (are) Atkey told them, "I'm not going ment.. .is still narrowly restricted influenced by traditional to get my employment plans to the outmoded concept of the attitudes and tax policies which through cabinet unless I cut full-time continuous worker­ favour the husbands as the higher somewhere." namely the prime-age male wage­ wage-earners." As an example, The changes that have· been earner," ACSW said. the Council said that in 1974, 95 Women and Poverty proposed, NAC said, would Because women's work lives per cent of women claiming reduce benefits to low-income are often interrupted by factors unemployment insurance cont. -fro_m page 1 earners who are dispropor­ like childbearing, lack of bene~ts indicated that they had given to parents in the form of programs for all working poor. tionately women. Overall, NAC daycare, and family respon­ no dependents. refundable tax credits. If the Specific recommendations are maintain.ed that there should be sibilities, their pattern of work "is The other option. being children's exemption was also offered for improving the no cutbacks in unemployment seen to be unstable and has led to considered is benefits based on abolished, the tax revenues saved position of Canada's poor older insurance at a time of high women being characterized as family income. "Although ther could immediately be used to women. unemployment. 'marginal' or 'secondary' would be no intent to raise the refundable child credit The federal government "Reducing benefits even workers." If the government does discriminate against women, the from its current $200 to $360 per should increase the Guaranteed further is to fight the serious not first redefine the basis for impact would be discriminatory child at no extre cost to the Income Supplement, an income economic problems of this unemployment insurance and many women would be government. supplement for old age country on the backs of those elegibility to accomodate denied the right to benefits The report criticizes the pensioners, to make pensioners' least able to afford it, the women's work patterns, "then because of the level of their equivalent to married ex­ income equal to Statistics unemployed," the organization women are effectively denied the husband's incomes," the Council emption. This .exemption was Canada's poverty line for urban said in a press release. equal right to work and financial said. purportedly introduced" in areas. Like NAC, the Canadian independence," the Council said. Repeating that it is critical that recognition of the fact that it The present Spouses a clear analysis of women's costs as much to keep a house Allowance, which was intro­ hold for children and one parent ' duced to guarantee the same as it does for two spouses and minimum income to couples children. The report points out where only one spouse was over that like the tax exemption for 65 as to couples where both dependant children it gives spouses were over 65, should be highest benefits to the richest extended so that an amount single parents and none to those equal to ~the OAS-GIS 1s who don't pay tax. Again the provided to at! low income report recommends that this women and men between the FEMINIST ISSUES exemption be converted td a ages of 60 and 65. refundable tax credit for single The report concludes that parents having lower than "unless governments vigorously ARE average family incomes. intervene" to implement the The government can also do NCW recommendations "there is· much to help low income women no reason to believe that future EVERYONE'S ISSUES who don't have families. The gene'rations of Canadian women [f)ARTY of means are much less complicated will be any less vulnerable to than those for low income poverty." Copies of this report can be FEMINIST PARTY OF CANADA parents. Government must ~ANADA establish welfare rates that are at obtained from the Sationa/ PARTI FEMINISTE DU CANADA least equal to Statistics Canada's Council of VVe!fare, Brooke BOX 5717 STATION A TORONTO poverty lines and must provide Claxton Building, Ot1awa, M5W 1AO (416) 925 3777 income supplementation Ont. KIA OK9

Since women first obtained the right to vote and to run for office, the number of women seeking federal office rose from four in 1921 to 144 in 1979. B.ut the number of women who won seats in those 58. years rose only from one to ten. The dismal progQosis is that, at this rate, we will need ano!her 842 years to achieve equal repre­ ser.tation at the federal level. PLACE AUX FEMMES A change is in order. A political party with a feminist perspective· can be both the focus and the vehicle for that change. COLLEGE ALGONQUIN 731-7193 . The Feminist Party of Canada is ·the political voice in our time of a movement that has been known and felt in all times - the movement towards justice and humanity. In any society whose leaders have PROGRAMMES DE SOIR: been busy with other goals, it is· this movement that has forced them to tend to fundamental and humanitarian com:erns. It has appeared '"La femme et sa sante" ~s the movement for the abolition of slavery, for universal suffrage, "Le Centre d'Auto-Sante des femmes francophones d'Ottawa­ for self-rule, for peace, and, in our time, it is the movement for the Vanier" en collaboration avec "Place aux femmes" du College liberation of women. Algonquin met a la disposition des femmes francophones de la r.egion une serie d'ateliers sur la femme et sa sante. Le but de cet atelier est de If you wish to participate in the formation of this national party, renseigner la femme dans la prise en main de sa sante tant physique que please complete the following and return it to the above address. mentale. Chacun des ateliers presentera des sujets differents et la femme pourra s'inscrire a !'atelier qui lui conviendra. NAME------PHONES ------Pour de plus amples reseignements, veuillez communiquer au 731- 7193 et demander Lise Leduc. Endroit: Centre Richelieu a Vanier, 300 rue White-Fathers, Vanier, Ontario. Tel: 741-0966 Coot: $2.00 par soiree; /'inscription est faite a chaque session. Programme: I would like to purchase membership in the Feminist Party of Canada at $5.00 29 octobre 26 novembre "La femme et le menopause" ' "La femme et la loi" Seniors, stud~~ts, single parents, welfare, disabled $1.00 par Doris Pecek par Louise Dulude I wo•tld like to participate. Please contact me I am interested in the following 5 novembre 3 decembre "La femme et sa nutrition" "La femme et sa sexualite" committee{s); Constitutions __ Fundraising --·Media and Communications --- pa_r Louise Soucy par Jocelyne Talbot 12 novembre 10 decembre Membership-- Policy Development--· Education -·Outreach - Office "La femme et la contraception" "La femme et la sante mentale" par Kathy Carriere par Johanne Momy I enclose a donation -- Cash -- Cheque--. Paid - Date ----- . ..

m~r 1979 1

ITICAL ACTION GROUP 50 MINUTES TO COME UP WITH MORE THAN 50 WAYS IN ~ATMENT IN THIS SOCIETY. WE DECIDED TO PRINT THE FOLLOWING 50. :>ME UP WITH 50 MORE.

~_HOW, CO~~- ~~'re only as good as our husbands? . HOW COME we're called the "secondary labour force"? HOW COME. we don't get equal pay for work of equal value? ,• ~ ' ~ . l:fOW COME most women prisoners are incarcerated for >V'i(:timless crimes or for fighting back?

~~<. ·· COME we, and not men, get charged with soliciting for . rposes of prostitution, a service that, men demand?

HO .···•··· ,cc: OME we lose our credit rating when we get married? HOW :ib~E they give us tranqillizerS and shock treatments when we display healthy anger? . HOW c4JME we're not supposed to have muscles? -- HOW CO-ME we have to lie about our age, our weight and our hair colour? .... . ·- ow. :E when welikesex we're w~ores and when we don't id? W ... · .· ,, E when we w~nt to be independent, they call us '(tykes?'· }' ,J~OW COPJIE "dyke'' is an l1,1sult? i:;~,f!,;ffOW~COME native women aren't persons? _ i~¥I\ci~z:rpr. ,~OM!:' the major!tY (Jf Women workers 8ren't unionized? ME the work we do for minimum wage so closely Jes the work we do at home for nothing? ·OME the majority of the elderly poor are women? 1 W~'.;ji,,, •• ,; -~ ~'- ·C·OME. ··we're. .asked "Is .th . a t M"ISS or M. rs. "?. ~~l~}!*l'HOW COME we only hear about "Man and His Society"? )f:~;2lfl~W COME it's the things that make us weak that are called <:'.\:"·,.::~.:J.p.'1-n'""'~ .. :.v-1fr".mal"?". . HOW COME the devaluation of our bodies is the central theme of pornography-and it sells so well? HOW COME we're blamed when we are abused for acting like we have the freedom of other _persons? HOW COME we don't11ave control of our bodies in deciding . whether or not to have abortions? etined standards to determine ? ·>•. . , thin,. too short, too tall, too 'e,d, too busty, too stupid, too >. · ~Y, ·too sexy, too frigid, too t,'1,too sweet, to~ churlish, too :>phistlcated, too naive, and two te? ~ss? / Mrs. Nellie McClung Mrs. Irene Parlby 1873-1951 1868-1965

For thirteen years, from 1916 to 1929, Emily Murphy led the struggle to establish that women were legally persons, and eligible to sit in the Cana­ dian Senate. She was joined in her-quest in 1927 by Irene Parlby, Nellie . McClung, Henrietta Edwards .and Louise McKinney. Together they are known as the Famous Five.

Mrs. Louise McKinney Mrs. Henrietta Muir Edwards 1868-1931 1849--193L

This tablet, unveiled irr 1938, Federation of Business and l and hangs just outside the Sem WOM-EN ARE . ' PERSONS I

Despite the fact that by 1920 most Canadian women had complete suffrage, under British Common Law, they were "not persQns in matters of rights and privileges," but were "persons in matters of pains and penalties" only. They were classed , along with children criminals and idiots.

The famous Persons Case battle beg~n in Alberta, in 1916 when the authority of the first woman police judge, Emily Murphy was challen~ed as she heard her second case. The defence lawyer argued that since the judge wasn't even a person, any decision she might make concerning his client would not be legally binding. Although Judge Murphy's authority was backed· up by tlie provincial government, she decided to test the federal interpretation of the law. Her platform was the eligibility of women to sit in the Senate, because only persons could legally be Senators.

For 11 years, she wrote hundreds of letters, made speeches, and circulated petitions to women's institutions. By 1927, Judge Murphy realized that a bolder, more direct presentation of the question was needed. Since any five persons could petition Parliament for an interpretation of any part of the British North America Act, Murphy decided to request reassessment of Sec­ tion 24, which deals with the appointment of Senators. Irene Parlby, Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards, and Louise McKinney joined her in the appeal.

The Supreme Court of Canada took five weeks to deliberate the question. On April 24, 1928, it was declared that women were not qualified for the Senate and were not, therefore, legally persons.

As shocking and disheartening as that decision was, the women pushed their appeal to the Privy Council in England - their last hope. The Privy Council based it's decision on the wording of the Act itself: "in some sections the words male persons are expressly used when it is desired to confine the matter in issue to males." In Section 24, however, the Act stated that "the Governor General shall from time to time summon qualified 'persons' to the Senate," without mention of gender.

The Privy Council decision of October 16, 1929 legitimized what women already knew, that, yes, women are indeed persons !

1938, was donated by the Canadian and Professional Women's Clubs, e Senate Chambers.

McClung, Parlby and Edwards photos courtesy of Glenbow-Alberta Institute. Feminist PablkatioDs of Ottawa McKinney and Murphy pllotos courtesy of City of 227 Laarier·Ave. W ., Suite 'WT Edmonton Archives. Ottawa 232-0313 - • 1978 . ,October/Novem~ 1

' ' ...... - . . ' ...... , , ' . . ' AFTER 50 YEARS o·F PERSONHOOD, IT TOOK FOUR WOMEN IN ·.THE WOMEN'S POLITIC WHICH OUR PERSONHOOD HASN'T MADE ANY DIFFERENCE TO OUR TREATI PERHAPS YOU CAN COME

HOW COME we can't walk down the street at night without being afraid? - HOW COME we're not in the history books? HOW COME the.y call us chick, baby and broad? HOW COME we don't earn as much as they do? HOW COME, unlike with male-related diseases, birth c research is controlled by the pharmaceutical comp HOW COME we occupy only two places within . ' sensa~ional headlines or the "Women's Pages"? HOW COME we're expected to cripple and mutl with tight clothes, high-heeled shoes, make-,. HOW COME cancer c~using make-upz feminine hygiene products are still on th~1 HOW COME we have to fake orgasm.s? HOW COME we have to wait to b• aske' HOW COME we can't charge our husb8 .. HOW COME our daughters can'tplay ho~. HOW COME we hold down two jobs: oneJf\$1d · one outside? HOW COME we're last hired and first fired? HOW COME one and a quarter~l'h1t1Jon*o"1eniij are poor? HOW COME unnecessary hysterectomies ar HOW COME. we get fired when we com · harassment in the work place?

HOW COME so few reported rapes ·enc:fu' i HOW COME we're on trial wh~~we'g~t-~• .... HOW COME we live in fear of losing our~chf d.

lesbians? . HOW COME housework isn't· work? ~ HOW COME when we stay at home with~·, t:hHCtr•~;,t us "non-working mothers"? HOW COME we can't gtt-:dayc~re when w~;y~.,,~ ~~·{if

HPW, 09ME w~'~e 'fOb fat, f > pretty~ too plain, too .. ftpt~he~ .i srp,arl,, _too. ,mouthy,~toti· mol.1 aggressive, toq unft!minihfl, ''1 crabby, too gracious, too sopM coffee when you get a minute? HOW COME the list is endless: 'october November 1979 t

Canadian women at the Commo.nwealth. Games:. 1930-1974

by Barbara Schrodt reprinted from CAHPER swim team emerged once again as was accompanied by Elizabeth depth was seen in the bronze should not be forgotten that Journal a strong force in Commonwealth Carruthers and Nancy Robert­ medal wins for the l 500m race, Canadian women have per­ Games competition. That year, son, who won the silver medals in 4xl00m relay, longjump, discus, formed creditably in other Is the splendid showing by in Kingston, Jamaica, the springboard and high bqard, javelin, and pentathalon. sports, as well. In I 966, Sharon Canadian women in swimming, talented Canadian swimmers respectively. In 1974, Beverly But 1974 would prove to be the Whittaker, of Vancouver and diving, and track and field a won five gold, four silver and one added yet another gold to her year of major accomplishments, Toronto, won a silver medal in recent phenomenon? Are these bronze medal. Fifteen-year-old collection by winning the for at the Christchurch Games, badminton singles, the first year women better than their Elaine Tanner, from Vahcouver, highboard event. But the climax the Canadian track and field this sport was included in the prede,tessors? Who have the was the outstanding performer, to the increasing Canadian team won four gold medals, as Commonwealth Games. In I 970, outstanding performers been? winning the I 10- and 220-yard dominatjon of women's diving at many as had been won by our fencers placed third in the And are the women really better butterfly, and the demanding the Commonwealth Games came Canadian women in all athletics women's foil team event. than the men, as some journalists 400-yard individual medley. She when the final results for the events since the Games first If the dramatic improvement claim? This short survey of joined Janet Hughes, Louise springboard, event showed that began. Glenda Reiser, of Ottawa by women in recent years is an Canadian women at the Kennrdy, and Marion Lay to win the Canadians, led by Cindy . won the demanding l500m race, indication of a response to Commonwealth Games between the 4xl 10-yard freestyle .relay, Shatt{\f h1,1.d ta~en first, second, and Guelph'S' Yvonne Saunders government financial support,it 1930-1974 will attempt to answer and rounded this out with three would appear that Canadian these ang other questions. silver medals, in the 110- and 220- women athletes· stood to benefit The development of women's yard backstroke races and the more from this support than the events in the Commonwealth 4xl00 yard medley relay. In the men, for the women have Games has not advanced as far as course of these Games, Elaine improved to a greater degree 1 in the Olympic Games, for the set two world records, two since 1962. This poses interesting events in the former are limited to Games records, and bettered the questions abou,t the percieved competition between individuals, · previous Games records in three and third places. (This clean worth of women's sport at the and team sports are excluded. other events. Marion Lay was the sweep has only been matched one topped the finalists in the 400m elite level prior to I 962, when Five sports are open to women other gold medalist of the other time in any sport by event. Janet Haist earned the demands were made upon non­ participants but in 1930, when Kingston Games, winning the Canadians and that was in coveted double-gold in the shot governmental sources of funds. the first Games were held in l IO-yard freestyle event. Edinburgh also, when our men put and the discus. Canadian This is one of many important Hamilton, Ont., swimming and Although the 1970 per­ swimmers placed 1-2-3 in the women toci'k second and third factors that have determined the diving contests were the only formance of Canada's women IOOm butterfly race). places in the high jump, and won place of women's sports in ones offered for women. swimmers was very creditable, In all women's diving bronze medals in the I 500m race, Canadian society, and a full and Athletics (track and field) was with Angela Coughlin leading compet1t1on since 1930, 4x400m relay, and discus. proper discussion of this subject added in 1934, fencing in 1950, the team with her IOOm freestyle Canadians have won just over Although aquatics and is beyond the scope of the present and badmin~on rn 1966. win, the achievements of the 1974 3S% of all medals awarded, athletics have received most of paper. Shooting events, for which team in Christchurch, New comparing favourably with the publicity during the At this point, it is appropriate women are eligible, ~ere also Zealand were truly outstanding, swimming (21%) and athletics Commonwealth Games, it to draw a comparison between introduced in I 966, but as of the with a domination not seen since (16%). cont. on pace 16 1974 Games, Canada's teams had I 934. Of the fourteen swimming In athletics events, our women not included women shooters. events for women at the have shown improved per­ Over the years, the strength of Christchurch Games, seven were formances in recent years, women athletes has been won by Canada. Mention should following the same pattern seen demonstrated in aquatics and be made of the double-gold, in the swimming and diving. The athletics. record-breaking performances of I 934 Games in London were the MEXICALI ROSA'S Leslie Cliff in the individual first in which women's athletics medley events, and Wendy.Cook events were contested. At those MEXICAN FOOD IN THE' TRADITION in the backstroke races. Canada Games, Canada won one gold, also won both relay events. The six silver, and one bronze medal, OF, THE GREAT SOUTHWEST overall results of the talented an achievement that would not Canadian swimmers accounted be surpassed for 40 years. Great things beget more great things! for 59% of all women's swimming In I 938, Rolina Higgins, won medals presented at hte 1974 the javelin event for Canada, but That's why Rosa's Cantlna - already a Games. almost thirty years went- by tongue-tingling triumph at its Somerset Most Canadians who follow before another gold medal in East location - is hanging that famed international sport are aware of women's athletics came to shingle anew on a second storefront in the accomplishments of our Canada. That was won by the Glebe: Mexicali Rosa's. women swimmers, and it may Abigail Hoffman, of Toronto, at come as a surprise to some to the Kingston Games in I 966, Fresh location, new name, familiar learn that, in relation to the when she drove through in the format...that means tantalizing Mexican number of events contested, stretch for a surpris~ victory these swimmers have been against a strong field in the 800- dishes, southwestern-style. Super-charged surpassed by the women divers, y a rd race. The general Chili, enchanting Enchiladas, burly The performance of our in medals won since I 930. In fact, .improvement of the Canadian Burritos, and other zesty favourites. Not women swimmers has been the first gold medal won by a women was demonstrated by a to mention mellow coffee and some of the outstanding during recent years, Canadian woman at the silver medal in the lOOm dash finest desserts around. And Mexicali but the first individual to win a Commonwealth Games was that (Irene Piotrowski) and bronze Rosa's is fully licensed. gold medal for Canada in a awarded in I 930 to Pearl medals for the 220-yard dash, women's swimming event at the Stoneham for highboard diving. 80m hurdles, shot put, discus, Served as always, with a warm smile and Commonwealth Games was Canadian women also took and javelin. It was Debbie Brill, your own personal pitcher of cool, clear Phyllis Dewar, outstanding second and third places in from Haney, B.C., who brought water. performer at the 1934 Games in springboard diving that year. home the. women's gold medal in London. An 18-year old from Thus, the example was set early, 1970, with her unorthodox but Buen Apetitor Moose Jaw, Phyllis dominated and was followed in 1934 by effective high-jumping style. women's swimming at these Janet Moss, of Winnepeg, who Again, Canada's increasing 895 Bank St. Fully Licensed 236-9499 Games; she won the 100- and won the springboard event. 400-yard freestyle races, and Three medals were earned in joined her team-mates to take the I 938'. two of these by Ly~da 4x JOO-yard freestyle and 3xl00- Adams, of Vancouver (silvers in yard medley relay events. She both events). Twelv~ years later, became the first competitor, male when Lynda won a springboard or female, to win four gold bronze in the I 950 Games in medals in the Commonwealth Auckland, New Zealand, she Games. Other fine swimmers on became the only Canadian that 1934 women's team were woman to win Commonwealth Irene Pirie and Phyllis Haslam Games medals both before and who each won individual silver after the second world war. The medals in addition to their relay next Canadian diver to excel irr golds. Phyllis Dewar was also a the Commonwealth Games, was member of the I 938 team which Irene MacDonald, from repeated its 4x 100-yard freestyle Hamilton. She won a bronze relay victory. Her achievments medaf in the sprinboard in .I 954, were outstanding and her record and a silver for that same event in a durable one; not until 1966 I 958, to accompany her Olympic would a Canadian woman amass Games bronze of. '56. more medals than she did, and Then along came Beverly not until 1974 would a Canadian Boys, from Pickering, Ont., the woman win gold medals in two most talented diver Canada has different Commonwealth ever sent to the Commonwealth Games. Games. Her first appearance was Although Mary Stewart; of in I 966, when she won a silver Vancouver, won a gold medal in and a bronze in the two diving the I IO-yard butterfly race in events in Kingston. In 1970, she Perth, Australia in 1962, it was in won both diving events in .. . I 966 that the Ganadiaa women's Edinbur~h. Th:at year" Beverly- Mary Caton, sports reporter

by Mandy Chepeka continued her sports writing at yacht races to reporting on a five up the girls events, and another run on the Women's page._They It's not easy to be the pioneer Ryerson, despite ·little day baseball tournament m reporter would do the boys asked me if I really worked there female sports reporter on a encouragement there. She North Battleford, Saskatchewan, events. ·~There were times-when I all the time. I have to say reaction newspaper, but Mary Caton explains, "The Ryerson in which a Wihdsor team was stuck out like a sore thumb, like has been great. Nobody really believes the picture is not as bleak journalism staff preferred it if participating. the press conference for the gave me a hard time." a-s many women think it is. your stories were well-rounded. Golf, she says, was hardest for Molson Pro-Stars softball. The It may take a special kind of A recent graduate of the If you handed in 12 sports stories her to cover because she had only other women there were woman to be a sports reporter, journalism program at Ryerson and someone else handed in 12 never golfed before .• "At the tending bar and serving the Caton believes. She says, "You Polytechnical Institute, Caton, news stories, they would do LPGA tournament I kept food." must have the interest in sports 22 years old, has spent the last better m grades. But it was watching how they changed the Caton has never had the and the knowledge. Not many four months covering sports for amazing how many stayed leader board and learned that problem of being refuseq entry girls are involved in a wide the Windsor Star. interested anyway. There was way. You have to ask the golfers into a locker room simply variety of sports, but any good She was not their first choice always a female sports editor for a Jot of questions in the because she is not the type of news writer should be able to though. The job went initially tp 'The Ryersonian';. and others interviews after the tournaments reporter to try and force her way handle sports reporting." Her a·feJJow journalism student from involved in sports wri-ting." ; and they give y'ou the lengths of in. She says, "I don't want in opinion is that women may have Ryerson who, fortunately for When the Windsor Star called the shots and describe their locker rooms. The air is fresher to be a little tough-skinned, but Caton, accepted something three weeks after she received her game," she says. outside. The interview is better that this is the way it is for any better three weeks later and tht;. rejection letter, she was shocked One of the more unusual outside the locker room because reporter who faces prejudice. position was then offered to her~ and elated. "They had never had assignments was the Canadian when you talk to a guy with his The experience for Caton has At first she was disappointed a woman sports reporter before National One-Half Mile Dirt buddies around him, he may feel been generally very exciting and that the job went to someone else. and the other general reporters ~rack Motorcycle Races, held in self-conscious. It makes for a rewarding. She only wishes that "I figured I was a shoo-in and I were amazed that the Star was Leamington, Ontario. Caton had .better interview if you get the she could look out and see more was angry because I thought I breaking in a woman for the job." never been near dirt bikes prior person on a one-to-one basis." . women sports reporters in the didn't get the job because•! was a Caton worked with five male to this race but. wrote a feature And what about reaction from crowd. woman and they weren't sports reporters 1n the story on a founding member of the other end, from readers and Caton's summer work term interested in hiring women," she department. She says, "I heard the "Motor Maids of America", a interviewees? Mary says it's been finished recently, and she now says. the two of them did not like the woman who had been riding a very good, no hate mail at least. intends to travel before looking Caton 1s fi-om Windsor idea of a woman doing the sports Harley for 50 years. She explains that often people for another position as a sports originally and participated on arid that the rest didn't care." One There were times when old­ were incredulous. "Many people writer. "I would like to stay in several championship winning that disapproved let her search fashioned prejudice was m asked me if the story was really sports work," she says, "being a teams when she was in high madly for phone numbers and operation, such as at track and going to appear on the sports sports editor-that would really school there. Three times she names and did not bother to tell field meets, when it was. page. They assumed that because be something!" won the women's all-city her that there was a list of understood that she would write I'm a woman, the story would badminton title and was active contacts, including their ph~ne playing baseball in the summer numbers, already available. "It months. She received the Edward made me more determined n.ot to Commonwealth Games cont. rrom page 1s and Gladys Dawson Memorial have to ask for help," she says. Scholarship given for athletic She was given no special Canadian men and women at the moved well ahead, with 25.1 % to women athletes from other and academic achievement while treatment when the assignments Commonwealth Games, and to compared to 14.8% for the men. Commonwealth countries. she was in high school. were handed out. She was on her examme the truism of some This latter improvement has, no Over the years, many She started reporting for a own. Canadian journalists who doubt, been instrumental in outstanding Canadian women weekly paper by covering the Caton's stories ranged from a suggest that our women perform bringing the achievements of our athletes have stood on the sports events for her school and party prior to the P.ort Huron better than our men m women athletes to the attention winner's podium at the international competition. It has of the media and the public. Over Commonwealth Games, but a been stated that Canadian men the entire span of the few appear to be particularly Lynda Fallen have actually won more medals, Commonwealth Games, Cana­ prominent. Phyllis Dewar's Representative but only because ther.e are more dian women have earned 19.7% achievements clearly mark her as men's events in the international of all medals awarded for their the outstanding pre-World War games. At the Olympic Games, events, while Canadian men have II swimmer. Elaine Tanner, the performance of the women earned 15.2%. This difference heroine of the '66 Games, is Occidental Life Insurance has been slightly better, in medals between the men and women rated as Canada's all-time best · Company of California Ooo1dental Life A Transamerica Company won compared to the number of corresponds quite closely to the woman swimmer. Her world 350 Sparks St. events held; prior to 1976, they difference noted for the Olympic records, her Olympic and Pan­ Suite 1002 had won medals in 8% of their Games. American Games medals wins, Ottawa, Ontario, K1 R 7SB events, whereas the men had won This comparison between and unmatched seven Common­ Bus.236-0191 medals in only 5.5% .of all men's men's and women's perfor­ wealth Games medals place her events. In the Commonwealth mances can be very misleading m an unchallenged category. Games, the same kind of however, and should not Finally, Beverly Boys stands out, difference exists, and is automatically produce the with her domination of women's particularly apparent in recent conclusion that our women are diving, and the remarkable years. During the 1930-38 period better athletes than our men. accomplishments of a double­ A_)hti/11 & the women's total percentage was These figures may be saying gold in 1970 and gold medals 26, over the men's 22.2. From nothing more than that in successive Commonwealth 1950 to 1962, women dropped to Canadian women are now better Games. The achievments of these THE REPAIRPERSON c 9.5% while men led with 11.6%. prepared and supported than women are particularly deserving Since 1966, the women have they used to be, when compared of our admiration. for e/at1ir11/ app/i1111as ~ LARGE & small 234-4726 Telep/lotte lJIJ-1111 cbeznoas OTTAW~WOMEN'S CENTRE BETTY LEBLONDE DE JOCAS CENTRE DES FEMMES D'OTTAWA

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Quebec's schools for happy marriage by Sherene Razack Brookwell reference to the feminine situation. When students studied Moliere in their French During the 1950s and 1960s, Quebec's literature class, they paid particular school system included over 40 high attention to "Moliere's concept of the ideal schools dedicated to preparing girls for home." Likewise, in English class, essays marriage and motherhood. The instituts took up the theme "how does a wife create [amiliaux, boasted their promoters, had a home atmosphere?" In history, of course, one explicit function: to provide girls with teachers were careful to stress that "the "a very thorough training in femininity." moral and material condition of the In an institut familial, a girl acquired country" was in the hands of its wives and domestic skills and "a mentality and mothers. emotional quality especially aaapted to her In no aspect of life at an institut familial future position as model housewife." In the did the topic stray too far from the goal of annals of history, few educational forming competent wives and mothers. In institutions have engaged so thordughly in physical education, Tessier cautioned bis the preparing of the feminine mind for the staff, "it is not a question of forming female female situation in marriage. athletes but healthy women capable of The emergence of the institutsfamiliaux fulfilling their role in life." An institut in a decade so close to our own warrants a f am iiial even took great care to ensure that somewhat lengthy historical explanation. its pupils knew how to please a man The instituts familiaux were the last emotionally. This aspect of preparation for schools of a centqry-old tradition of marriages was left up to the school paper, a Catholic, rural housekeeping schools in monthly production almost entirely the province of Quebec. What all such written by Tessier and his assis.tant, Father schools shared in common was a loyalty to Carignan. a religious and nationalist ideal of One article in the school newspaper, womanhood. written in the form of a parental letter, For the Catholic nationalists of the began: "We presume, my wife and I, that mid-nineteenth century, woman played a the day will come when' our daughter Alice role of considerable importance. in will have no other ambition but to please preserving the French Canadian a conviction he ably defended in his rooms and well-equipped kitche~s, her husband." This was followed by several collectivity as a Catholic, rural and French wntmgs, speeches and films. More teachers promoted family life through suggestions on how Alice might promote bastion in North America. As a wife and important, Tessier possessed ·a burning frequent reference to the religious and happiness in the home. In one of these, she mother, 'she. protected the survival of desire to create; through education, "the patriotic significance of the French was advised to encourage her husband in religious and cultural values through her ideal wife and mother... the type of woman Canadian wife and mother. male sports since "he will feel more virile influence in the home. Ultimately,' of most needed by the Church ·and society." The school curriculum embodied "a and you, by extension, will have the course, woman gave meaning to survival in The instituts fami/iaux represented the truly feminine and family spirit" as well. impression of being more feminine." For a purely physical way by assuring the height of Tessier's promotional and Students were introduced to the realities of Alice and her classmates, no effprt was numerical strength of the community. pedagogical endeavours. What domestic life through practical instructiov spared to assure them future conjugal The importance of woman's role in the distinguished these schools from their in the culinary arts, housekeeping, felicity. family held profound implications for !}er predecessors was the remarkable extent to childrearing and home economics. In the The instituts familiaux hoped to create education. Both lay and clerical religious which every aspect of education faithfwly classroom; they absorbed the meaning of "an intensely feminine mentality" in their nationalists insisted on the importance of . mirrored Tessier's ideas on educating girls, femininity and the exact dimensiuns of the pupils. TheY. pursued this objective with educating girls for their domestic mentally and technically, for the home. feminine role . extraordinary single-mindedness and skill. responsibilities. In the nineteenth century, . Teachers at the instituts familiaux All texts used in the instituts familiaux Undoubtedly, their success must be largely the strength of this conviction resulted in obtained a clear definition of their were especially written to complement the att~ibuted to Tessier and to the Catholic the establishment of the first housekeeping pedagogical methods and ideals from O"._erall objective of the program. In the church. Yet, the instituts familiaux were school. Specially designed for the regular educational bulletins dispatched books written for religious instruction not as anomalous as their evolution and daughters of the rural poor, the school h~d by .Father Tessier. In these, Tessier students learned that "man is king of the character might have in'dicated. The household. He provides the money by society of the 1950s, in Quebec and working, he makes the decisions, he elsewhere; clung tenaciously to its ideal assumes the responsibilities. Woman wives and mothers. Educators hastened to . .. teachers were advised to devote considerable effort to reigns over the home, She supports the devise programs, at the high school and inspiring in their pupils a liking for their domestic tasks. decisions taken by the man through university level, which would producf constant and human application." competent wives and mothers. In The As Tessier noted, the tasks of the home were often Psychology classes emphasized that a Feminine Mystique, Betty Freida_n difficult and boring. woman who deviated from her proper describes vividly those "sex-directed" sphere faced dire consequences. In one educators who proposed, in the name of lesson, a girl died from a mysterious fever humanism, "education' for femininity." soon after leaving home to work in the city The story of the instituts familiaux near her boyfriend. The message here, as demonstrates that a considerable amount "In physical education ... it is not a question offorming elsewhere in the text, was clear: a woman of care and energy is expended to foster a female athletes but healthy women capable offulfilling who left her familial sphere imperilled her certain ideal of femininity. If the skill of their role in, life." life. She could also imperil the lives of Father Tessier is an indication, such ideals others, a situation confronted in the have a pervasive impact on reality through examination question, "show the adverse education. effects on the family of a mother who goes out too often." the expressed purpose of training future outlined the principles of feminine In fact, all the intellectual subjects This article was based on a M.A. thesis farm wives and mothers. Education humanism, a philosophy born out of taught in the instituts familiaux made by the author. remained, however, primarily a technical Catholic and humanist ideals in education. training in the domestic and agricultural Girls, Tessier wrote, were incapable of arts. "any real thought." The proper female In the twentieth century, the progress of education therefore l!SChewed traditional education and the birth of an urban­ academic subjects, concentrating· instead industrial society brought several on teaching pupils manual domestic skills challenges for a form of education and personal qualities. Education has also restricted to training girls for home life. to teach students to be happy; and, a First, the public school system expanded woman- achieved happiness only through Carleton University Women's Centre and assured girls of all social classes an the fulfilment of her familial obligations. opportunity for at least a rudimentary Finally, teachers were advised to devote education. Added to this, industry soon considerable effort to inspiring in their provided the impetus for alternate pupils a liking for their domestic tasks. As Drop in and visit our library programs for girls, such as vocational and Tessier noted, the tasks of the home were commercial courses. often- difficult and boring. Woman had to of Women's books and research In 1937, perceiving that the age of the be conditioned to endure its hardships. materials, have a coffee, talk traditional housekeeping school was Tessier's educational philosophy had no nearly over, and appalled, furthermore, by less an objective than the grooming of girls to a woman·about our programmes the departure of women from the home, who were "well-educated, cultured, and services. the Catholic church spearheaaed a devoted to domestic life and talented in campaign to promote and revitalize domestic skills." The process whereby girls traditional domestic education for girls. At might be encouraged to become ideal wives All women welcome the helm of what was soon to become a and mothers began with the physical powerful movement, was a young priest· surroundings and the mental ambience of known for his talents as a propagandist of the instituts familiaux. As boarding Room 504 Unicentre 231-3779 rural, cultural and Catholic values. schools, the instituts fami/iaux took great Father Albert Tessier was eminently care to create a special "climate and life suited to the task of reviving a traditional style" conducive to the development of form of female -education. He believed domestic virtues. Schools were pleasantly Experience the calming energy of a women's space. passionately in the reli~ous and national decorated to resemble intimate and importance of woman's role in the family, cultured family homes. In model dining One tiny perfect teardrop magnified a thousand times to a giant crystal clear pear shimmering in no dimensiqn absolute within a spectrum dazzling fragmented colour rays suspended my teardrop holding in its core colourful shadows vanished ghosts and passionate battles empty defeats carefully buried dimming sorrow ritualistically hidden and tucked away beneath the focus of an electric opulence ready to capture you into a rainbow lighted, prepared, perfected, by struggle a joy unmc:irred by the threat of despair ' . . -Pep Rotter ... .

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''' / Moth Moth fluttering floating frantically into the fascinating /) ( flame ( deadly hell-blaze furious crackling f with magnetic aura drawing into its very centre ;\ wings breaking drooping burning \ \ yet no turning back from the savage heat / \ though once, wings soured high and strong ripped through claustrophobic cocoons towards enormous celestial skies stretched up now aging, a history of ebbing flames and always a fresh Inferno uncannily sucking blazing fascinated into the core moth soul on fire ecstatic moth-he cannot reason a lover's fire-moth's desire imperfect friend until the end. -Pep Rotter

. ' ' . - I tlctober/Nove.Dber ·l919 ·

Ann Mortifee: Intimiste et ver~atile

de Janick Belleau Comment ne pas etre seduite? envoutement et versatilite, Je ne connaissais pas Ann Cette voix qui invoquait !'esprit specialement dans Centaur, Mortifee. J'ai Ju le noQ1 pour la d'un aigle (The Eagle) chanson dans laquelle, elle rend premiere fois en septembre dans m'enchantait comme au recit un hommage a,pocalyptique a ce I 1 le depliant mensuel du Centre d'un conte de fees ou pluiot de visionnaire mi-homme, mi-dieu, National des Arts. On associait l'Odyssee. Enfoncee dans mon mi-animal. La premiere partied u deux qualificatifs a son nom: fauteuil, je pensais aux sirenes spectacle s'acheve dans un silence "spectacle intime" et "voix d'Ulysse et je n'avais pas envie de religieux digne de Delphes, cette merveilleuse." J'ai . achet'e un me boucher Jes oreilles avec de la ville "qui vivra encore apres que billet. cire. New-York aura disparu." Quel de lice! II y avait L'acte deux Ue savais bien La Grece antique longtemps que je n'avais assiste a qu'Ann Mortifee cachait des un spectacle intimiste a saveur Puis, en deux temps, trois talents. de comedienne) anglo-saxonne. Ses monologues, mouvements, Ann Mortifee vagabonde entre la terre des d'ailleurs, accentuent cette devient cette vieille femme Indes et le ciel du Mayen-Orient. la richesse spirituelle, s'interroge passer outre Allah. "Ses yeux impression d'intimite. Le public grecque assise dans sa berceuse The Guru Song, un bijou d'ironie sur "la parade qu'est la vie" et sont aveugles, sa voix muette", devient dialogue. Mortifee qui, tout en s'ecurant Jes dents moqueuse, relate l'histoire d'une cite, a cet egard Lily Tomlin "Si dit-elle en parlant de (non, non, raconte l'Afrique, son pays avec une lettre, fait la jeune femme qui ecrit une lettre a !'amour est la reponse, quelqu'un ce n'est pas celui que vous croyez) d'origine, avec un enthousiasme conversation a une Canadienne un journal dans -J'espoir de potirrait-il reformuler la ce vieux mendiant du coin qu'elle anglais, comme seule une qui, presume-t-elle, prefere "her trouver en gourou ayant Iettres question?" admire du haut de son balcon. Anglaise, convertie au rythme son than the sun." Cette de creance: "Ou qu'on aille, on Le Moyen-Orient Ann M ortifee, malgre africain, peut la raconter. constatation ne I'empeche tout de cherche la reponse. L'avez­ quelques passages fievreux, Parfois, j'avais envie de ne pas meme pas d'inviter I'etrangere vous? L'a-t-il? Ou qu'on aille Au. dernier tableau·; la donne un spectacle magnetique. aimer ses balades africaines, chez-elle dans Come on in out of chacun a la reponse. Faut-il chanteuse de Vancouver {son Elle manie le geste et la voix avec j'avais envie de "decrocher" mais, the cold. suivre le gourou qui promet de pays d'adoption) emmene son une puissance peu egalee. Et sa elle me retenait si. bien que je ne Jene sais pas si c'est le souvenir t'enseigner toutes Jes verites du public dans les temples de modestie, si elle n'est pas feinte, pouvais plus donner libre cours a de soleil grec ou celui du fils mais, monde, si tu Jui donnes avant Beyrouth. Malheureusement, Jes charme acoup sflr. Jugez-en vous mes impulsions primitives. Ann Mortifee m'a fait oublier tout Jes cles de ta Mercedes?" incantations a · Bouddha et meme: "Moi qui croyais que la J'etais prisonniere de Gausaulau­ pour un moment le fait qu'elle Mortifee en parlant des lndes, Mahomet ont rompu le charme. salle serait vide. Quelle surprise! lau. s'exprime en anglais. Sa voix est de la pauvrete materielle alliee a Toutefois, je m~en voudrais de elle est a moitie pleine." Prostitution show original, but lacks analysis·

discovery of linkages between • whore. Prostitution as a women's live actors, and there-Was perhaps means. Prostitutes undoubtedly. different issues. It is such trade has existed for centuries­ not enough direct audience realize that other women do not discoveries that allow us to'share usually the only route to survival communication for a cabaret­ buy or brutalize them as men do, reviewed by Ann Patchett experiences, to Tealize that we for poor, single, unsupported style production. and they must see in other don't work in isolation, and to women. In general, the cast of three women a kind of human "It seems to me that prostitution understand the need for unity. Yet prostitution can be a women ano three men interacted tenderness and warmth which is is somehow paradigmatic, The connection between difficu)t thing,for many of us to well, and displayed considerable so absent in the men with whom somehow the very core of the prostitution and women's social come to grips with. For although enthusiasm ·in their parts. they 'come into contact usually. female's social condition. It not condition seems clear. most of ·us in some way or Through no real fault of the The only hint that we have of this only declares her subjection right Prostitution can be viewed as the another "prostitute" ourselves to 'actors, however, the male in the play is a beautifully tender in the open with the cash nexus most blatant expression of our stay alive in society, few of us are characters were not very short farewell scene between between the sexes announced in common oppression: the male forced to actually "walk the interesting or believable; the Rachel and a sister prostitute currency, rather than through the_ definition of ourselves and our streets" for cold, hard cash. script did not even begin to touch with whom she had been living, subtlety of a marriage contract ... bodies as objects under men's There is thus a mysterious fear of upon the 'kind of misogyny or and who has helped her in the but' the very act ofprostitution is control, which can be bought, prostitutes and what they . motivati9ns of power and anger past. This scene stands out in itself a declaration of our value, sold, abused or misused in any represent, in some of us, because which "johns" (clients) and sharp relief from the rest of the our reification. It is not sex the way. The patriarchal attitudes in of the reminder they constantly pimps must feel towards women. play which, for the most part, prostitute is really made to sell, it the religious and ideological serve of the subjugation and It is too bad that the male deals with shallow, barren, is degtadation." sphere have served to justify male degradation under ,which we all characters were so one­ exp!oitative or alienating Kate Millett domination of women by the suffer. In others of us, there is dimensional and cardboard-like. relationships between people­ One of the most exc1tmg creation of a double archetypal perhaps an unspoken admiration The dramatization of the story of mostly between men and women. aspects of the women's image of women which remains for the courage and honesty an Ottawa judge seems irrelevant The only other reference to movement is the continual with us to this day-virgin vs. which such women must possess. and uninteresting, yet it is "sisterhood" in the play is a short The prostitute herself can repetitively enacted throughout reference Rachel makes to communicate to us the ultimate the olav. having worked at one time in a expression ofloneliness and rage: The. women were, on the other women's bookstore where she her body totally alienated from hand, more believable and more felt totally ostracized by the self, and expropriated by another exciting to watch and listen to; other, supposedly feminist ·human being so that he may be the central story is of Rachel, a women. It seemed to me unfair to master of it. Such strong yet one-time victim of father­ make ~uch short mention of this, confl-icting feelings should lend daughter incest, an alcoholic fatl without a deeper exploration of themselves easily to dramatic violence, and of wretched why such rifts can occur between interpretation, and it is such an poverty which forces her into women-especially between interpretation that Theatre 2000 prostitution. Rachel is sensitively those who define themselves as has attempted in irs recent portrayed by Peggy Sample, who ferriinists and those who do not. production of The Prostitution speaks to us from the gut and Theatre 2000's production is Show. from the heart; lonely, unloved the result of many months of We ought to applaud their and alienated from any human w9rk; the play was originally innovative efforts to deal with warmth or support, she reaches staged in July as a workshop such a scantily-explored topic; it the conclusion that she might as production. I did not attend the is unfortunate, however, that well fuck for money as for free, workshop production so it is despite some unquestionable barely supporting herself at difficult for me to understand the merits the show in general lacks a menial work for menial wages. evolution which the play has complete feminist analysis, and Rachel herself does come to undergone since its original too often resorts to stereotypes, the realization that there is a conception. It is important I or a 'bleeding-heart liberal" connection between her think to congratulate this theatre approach to the topic. There is condition as a woman and her group for tackling this subject, little or no exploration of the condition as a prostitute. When, and for focussing it in its true kinds of sentiments described at one point, she applies for a light- the realm of economics, above. waitressing job, her prospective instead of morality. It would Directed by Paul Helm, the employer rapes her, then lends seem however that a more show was scripted by Elizabeth her $5.00 for the ''favour". Near profound feminist analysis, Lundy, and their multi-media· the end of the play she compares would have produced a much presentation is.original; utilizing the police brutality directed different final- outcome­ slides portraying women as sex against her with her father's perhaps less sellable to the objects and picturing typical brutal violence. How can they do general public-because of a "smut sections" of big cities, the such a thing? she wonders; her more radical approach-yet in cast dance and sing their way world is indeed full of all kinds of the long run-intensely more thro·ugh a cabaret-style men doing Violence in all kinds of interesting and relevant. We will :>< presentation. I'm not sure though ways towards her-a woman. have to leave such a production ~ .cO if there was adequate Unfortunately, though, we to a group which consciously sets !i consideration taken of the size do not, through Rachel, or any of out to explore the issue from a ~ and space of the theatre... some­ the otlier women characters, gain feminist standpoint. ~ times the slides· overpower~d any notions of women's common Elizabeth Lundy (I) and Merle Matheson rather than com lemented the lot or what sisterhood real! ·October/NoY.ember.1979

Can men be raped? .... Swedish film has no answers

Men Can't Be Raped feminist novel, there is nothing Donner scrupulously avoids obsessive pursuit of her rapist. lover, about rape. He tells her the Sweden/Finland, 1978 particularly feminist about including any of the ideas from Anna Godenius' mesmerizing closest equivalent to being raped, Director: Jorn Donner Donner's film beyond the con­ Tikkanen's book that might performance as Eva, and for a man, would probably be the Script: Jorn Donner from a story cession that rape is in fact violent contradict societal stereotypes Donner's skillful use of images humiliation of being unable to by Marta Tikkanen and women do not like it. The about rape. We don't get any suggesting numbness, fear, "get it up" on demand. Absurdly, story concerns Eva Randers who clear suggestion that Eva is ang~r, work well to create a Eva appears to formulate her reviewed by Hannah Aach is raped by a casual acquain­ learning things about rape or that menacing atmosphere. But plan of revenge on the basis of A commercial film that deals tance and decides to track down her major motivation for raping something is missing. Donner this man's analysis of rape as with rape from a feminist her ·rapist to pay him back in Marty is to be arrested and create ignores Eva's understanding of merely humiliating. perspective instead of simply kind. But unlike Tikkanen's publicity so her action will rape. He treats her one­ "Men Can't Be Raped" doesn't exploiting the topic would be as sensitive and p~netrating account inspire other women. dimensionally as a driven even work as a revenge story welcome as it is rare. But Swedish of Eva's growth from helpless For Donner, Eva's revenge has creature, and robs her of because, in the end, Donner director Jorn Donner's "Men rage to feminist consciousness to to do less with women, than with motivation beyond the desire (or cannot bring himself to allow Can't Be Raped" is not the film revolutionary action, IJonner's her relationship to the particular revenge. Eva her revenge. In contrast to we've been waiting for. screenplay is what critics have male who raped her. Once she's To build suspense or add Marty's graphically violent rape Although loosely based on a labelled a "chronicle of bizarre been raped, the film is devoted background, Donner invents of Eva earlier in the film, Eva's best-selling Scandinavian revenge". mostly to Eva's increasingly story devices that sometimes rape of Marty is treated in such a reinforce the same societal rape cursory manner that it was myths Tikkanen shatters in her difficult to be1ieve the film had book: not been censored. ~Why must Eva have a "beauty Relying on a gun for clout, Eva makeover" just before she is behaves in such a restrained and raped? This implies that Eva, ladylike manner that it's difficult feeling s.illy and looking to imagine any violence could vulnerable in conventionally have taken place. She never sexy clothes, "attracted" a rapist. comes within less than eight teet -Later, during Eva's search, of her victim, restricts herself to Donner gets a lot of suspense verbal threats and even has to ask mileage out of close brushes Marty to tie himself up with a between Eva, disguised or not, rope she tosses in his direction. and her rapist. We're continually Immediately after this request, expected to believe Marty might Donner cuts to Marty lying tied recognize her, as though his rape to the bed, Eva leaving the had something to do specifically apartment, presumably having with the person Eva. extracted her "bizarre revenge" -Similarly, Donner introduces We are left completely in the dark scenes in which Marty's wife tells as to what sort of "rape" Eva Eva how awful he's b1;en, and his perpetrated on this fellow, even friends express discomfort about to the extent of not knowing the his sexual exploits. In other answer to the "humiliating" and words, Marty is an exceptionally irrelevant question about mean person, a rapist, unlike whether or not Marty "got it up". most men. Tikkanen's original .story, -The film's most blatant "Manrape'', does not suffer from example of male-centred the film's weaknesses and will be thinking is a scene in which Eva available in Canadian book­ questions a male lawyer, her ex- stores next month.

of immigrant women' and women Needless to say, Studio D is Patricia's Moving Picture (26 NFB's Studio D factory workers in general rated looking for support. Both moral mins.) - The passsage 'of one very high amongst the concerns of support from 'women and ordinary, extraordinary middle~ several present. The discussion women's groups, and financial aged woman through a mid-life by Barb Arkle & Tamara Levine also challenged the need for support from the government, crisis into the struggle for a sense While the ·National Film consultation with women's either in the form of budget of personal identity. _ Board of Canada celebrated its groups, who are in a strategic increases or sponsorship of new Sea Dream (6 mins.) - An 40th birthday with a week-long position in terms of identifying productions. animated fillll about a young open-house recently, Studio D, the particular resource needs of In spite of the resounding girl's underwater dream fantasy the women's filmmaking unit in women budget-cut theme, the mood of and her friendship with an the English production branch It was further felt that Studio the Day was one of sharing­ octopus who is very handy with feted its 5th anniversary with a D could be responding to the sharing ideas, discussion and games. special Day for Women on Sep­ needs of media women by resources. tember 20. providing technical training and For anyone interested· in the These and other films can be Some 100 women turned out assistance to aid other women Studio D film selection, some of rented, free of charge, by for the Day. Represented were filmmakers. the more recent titles include: contacting your local NFB office media interests, women's groups, The state of affairs at Studio D Eve Lambart (56 mins.) - A (Just keep in mind thafyou will and government departments, as is not without irony. At the.same portrait of Eve Lambart, a likely have to book in advance.). well as women from the time as ideas were being solicited woman filmmaker and artist who A special item to watch for Montreal community. Films for new films, the women present is retired and lives alone in'the from Studio D, is a recently were screened throughout the were told of the harsh cutbacks country: She candidly shares completed catalogue which lists day in both English and French. that have been suffered by NFB with us the full, rich life she has over 100 films available in Workshops, under the skilled and the Studio. With these cut­ made for herself. Canada about women. Entitled, direction of executive producer, backs, Studio D has been one of The Right Candidate for Image: A Guide to Films about Kathleen Shannon, demon­ the first to feel the squeeze and in Rosedale (36 mins.) - A film Women and Change, the strated the use of film as an terms of the current year, this has about Anne Cools, a black catalogue will be available in animation tool and sought feed­ meant staff cuts, little money for woman, who enters the political December 1979 and will be back on new ideas for films. promotion and distribution of arena by running for the Liberal obtainable from the "'National While there wi;:re not definitive films, and last but hardly least, nomination in the prestigious Film Board, Studio D, box 6100, decisions reached in terms of the only money enough for the riding of Rosedale, Toronto. The Station A, Montreal, Quebec. direction of new films the Ii ht roduction of one film. art machine has other ideas. H3C 3H5.

Quebec rape film Cannes prize winner L. 0. 0. T. by Sondra Corry inclusion of a film of an actual office buildings, metro stations, 342 JARVIS ST. performance of a clitoridectomy and empty streets. Accompany­ I Anne -Claire Poirier's film, on a small girl in Africa. ing the :;cenes is the haunting TORONTO Mourir a tue-tete, a study of the The film breaks down the sound of a shrill whistle. violent and trauma-inducing barriers caused by the mythology In Sherbrooke, the first nature of rape, premiered of rape fantasy. Woman-hatred showing of the film was a feature LESBIAN ORGANIZATION OF TORONTO recently in Montreal and is clearly displayed in the beating of a symposium on sexual .. Sherbrooke. of the victim, and the disgust the aggressions organized by the The film, starring Julie rapist has for her, including a Centre d'aide et de Jutte contreles *TUESDAY NIGHT PHONE-LINE Vincent, Germain Houde, and running commentary of agressions a caractere sexuel. Paul Savoie, was produced in obscenities. There is no room for Nearly 600 people attended the Quebec by the National Film desire or pleasure on the part of showing, with another I 00 *DROP-IN Board, and won a prize in a the rapist or his victim. And turned away. Many stayed -for special category at this year's Poirier is not content to allow the discussion and workshops on Cannes Film FestivaL "respectable" to rest. For while such subjects as violence, The impact of the film lies in its the armed. aggressor of the film sexuality and rape; sexual crimes *MONTHLY NEWSLETTER situating rape .. iti a historical invokes instant dislike, Poirier against children; pornography ($5 includes membership card and context by association with other switches from the fictional story and advertising; and self-defense. atrocities of our time. The effect and exhibits other victims who The film is being translated reduction to dances) is achieved by flashes on the testify to being raped by their into English_ under the title, A screen, during the aftermath of therapist, boss or husband. Scream from Silence, but much the rape, of faces of Vietnamese The film closes with a series of can be gained from viewing this * GALA NEW YEAR'S DANCE, DEC. 29, 1979 women during the fighting in scenes of places which women film without a good comprehen­ their country, of scenes from have learned to fear and sion of the French language. If (Saturday) Europ·e during the late thirties sometimes find impossible to you are in Montreal, don't wait 960-3249 and forties, along with the avoid at night: lonely doorways, for the translated version. 'dc'tcMi/N'o~em"ber rcJ79 . 2;; 7 Suffragist army on the offensive

My Own Story: registrar of births and deaths in members are absolutely single­ The autobiography of Emmeline Manchester. As a result of that minded; they concentrate all Pankhurst experience of sitting on the their forces on one object, Virago, 1979~ board of administration of the political equality with men." Canadian Distribution: poor law, and of sitting on thi In the modem women's Canadian Women's Educational school board, "it was rapidly movement we tend to work in rress becoming clear to my mind that collectives, trying to build a truly reviewed by Pat Daley men regarded women as a democratic process. Not so with servant class in the community, the WSPU be.cause its members "De.eds, not words, was to be and that women were going to believed they were fighting a war. our permanent motto." remain in the servant class until They had identifiable leaders This month, the 50th they lifted themselves out of it. I who directed the organization. anniversary of Canadian asked myself many times in those Each leader had an understudy women's victory in the Person's dayi; what was to be done. I had who could take over immediately Case, is the perfect time to read joined the Labour. Party, in the event that she was arrested. My Own Story because, thinking that through its councils Pankhurst explained: "This, although the story of British something vital might come, then, was our situation: · the suffragists, it shows clearly how some such demand for the Government all-powerful and far the women's liberation women's enfranchisement that consistently hostile; the rank and movement has to go ang the the politicians could not possibly file legislators impotent; the necessity of demanding our ignore. Nothing came." country apathetic; the women rights rather than asking for It also became dear to divided in their interests. The them. PanKhurst that the vote was not Women's Social and Political Emmeline Pankhurst's an end in itself; that it was a tool Union was established to meet autobiography has been to 1which women had to have this situation, and to overcome it. unavailable since 1914, It was access in order to right the injus­ "Any woman could become a originally written for Good tices to which they were member by paying a shilling, but Housekeep,ing magazine, with subjected. at the same time she w:is requjred Pankhurst dictating to writer to sign a declaration of loyal ad­ Rheta Childe Dorr, who was "We must act" herence to our policy and a assigned to the story. In her pledge not to work for any introducti.on to this new edition In October, 1903, Pankhurst political party until the women's by Virago, Jill Craigie says: "As and her daughter Christabel vote was won. Dorr was herself a crusading formed the Women's .Social ano "Autocratic? Quite so. feminist, My Own Story was Political Union (WSPU). They "The WSPU is simply a written partly to fulfill the terms began with traditional lobbying suffrage army in the field. It is of the contract but primarily for methods: sending deputations to purely a volunteer army, and no propaganda purposes." the opening of Parliament, one is obliged to remain in it. It is stirring propaganda and is attending' candidates' meetings, Indeed we don't anybody to as much a tribute to the members and when they found n.o one remain in it who does -not of the ' Women's Social and would answer them, heckling. ardently believe in the policy of Political Union, ,..,founded by Heckling at political meetings is a the army." Pankhurst and her daughter long-standing tradition in both Christabel, as it is to Pankhurst's England and Canada but, w)1en Militancy: the only solution own leadership abilities. women did it, they were physically thrown out of the Most of us are familiar with An early beginning meetings. the militancy of the British The.first suffrage procession in women's suffrage movement: the Pankhurst attended her first London took place at the window-breaking, fires, hunger Pankhurst arrested May 1914 women's suffrage meeting at the opening of Parliament in 1906, strikes, anf the terrible forced age of 14. Her parents and their

Silences .two talks given a decade apart years of thoughts, an over whel­ Devaluation; critical by Tillie Olsen (Silences in Literature and One ming picture of the oppressive attitudes-the common critical 306 pages, Delta Books, 1979 Out of Twelve-Writers Who conditions under which women approach to the 'feminine sensibi­ $5.75 (softcover) Are Women In Our Century), an have had to write. lity' of women's writing; the reviewed by Wendy McPeake afterword to a rediscovered novel Some examples of the ways treatment of women's literature as Life In The Iron. Mills by women writers have been minor; and, what Olsen calls the This book is destined to Rebecca Harding West, and a silenced: 'dancing dog phenomenon': "Sir, a become a classic in feminist long aftersection of supportive woman's preaching is like a dog's literature. It is a passionate book material for the two talks. Time-not being able to walking on his hind legs. It is not that takes a deep, hard look at the Short sentences, brief phrases, dedicate oneself full-time to the done well, but you are surprised to ways in which women's art has and hundreds of quotes are ·at job of writing; having to be find it done at all.n -Samuel been thwarted, made invisible, first distracting but later give you responsible for the continuation Johnson. obliterated. a sense of urgency reflective of of the species; being mothers, The Literary Situation- Silences: " ... the .unnatural both the subject matter and being 'enablers' (helping others 0 lsen warns writers to skip the thwarting of what struggles to Olsen's own silence. ("In the (men) to find the conditions for major part of this section; gives you come into being, burn:annot. In twenty years I bore and reared creation), being the 'angel in the an idea of how pleak it is. the old; the obvious parallels: my children, usually had to work house'; These thoughts are not meant to when the seed strikes stone; the on a paid job as well, the simplest Censorship-by society discourage, but Olsen's book soil will not sustain; the spring is circumstances for . creation did because . the_y were women contains an important political false; the time is drought or blight not exist.") which won the'O. Henry'Award (witn'!ss the number of women message. History has a way of or infestation; ;the frost .-comes Tillie Olsen has hhe qualifi­ as the best Am:erican story of forced to write under male pen repeating itself and without the' premature." . cations to write this book. 1961 (male approval which, for names; how many didn't have the support of women as readers and This is not a scholarly book, Having given up writing for over once, got its act together), and to courage?); self-censorship educators, today's discoveries will says Olsen, "do not approach'it twenty years while she raised. her publish a 'lost' novel, Yonnon­ women's lives was not the stuff of be tomorrow's silences. as such." family, she survived to write Tell dio: From The Thirties. Major Art ("Childbed is not a Read . this book. Buy it for a And it is not. It -is an oddly Me A Riddle, a collection of Now, in Silences, Olsen brings place or an event; it is merely friend. "We are the injured body. structured work consisting of short stories,· the title novella of to. us an accumulation of fifty what women do."); Let us not desert one another. n

their work includes production and distribution, a monthly Feminist resource for video gallery display of women's art, and film workshops on technical and theory media production, and Women in Focus is a library and are inviting interested orga~izing th~ir own presen-:. Vancouver women's media feminist producers to contact tations and those of visiting group which has worked to them regarding distribution of women artists both within the produce and distribute feminist their tapes. centre and in the community. video and film since 1974. They A women's artist-controlled "Through our work within the are presently engaged ·in centre surviving o-n sporadic women's movement we have expanding their distribution grants and volunteer labour, become aware that our experience of the world has by and large not been represented in video and film. Images of women portrayed in this medium are @m:J\!!)W6W\3 male-defined. They reinforce an ideology that represses women by restricting us to the traditional dJt:r~eJ(U~ roles of nurturer and sex object. The messages in these images are no longer acceptable to women ,with with a feminist consciousness. We want to see our own interpretation of our life experience." . The WIF Society also pro­ duces a catalogue which lists for rent at a cost of $20-$25. Among the listings are "Fashion as Social Control," "Feminist Folk Songs: Beware Young Ladies," "Mrs. Mary Norton: Socialist Suffra­ Ottawa women will be treated to a rare musical evening October gette," as well as interviews with 18 when Heather Bishop, Winnipeg-based singer, musician and feminists Ti-Grace Atkinson and songwriter performs at Chez Nous, 410 Queen Street. Dorothy Smith, novelist Heather. Bishop's musical influence is blues although she is Margaret Atwood and anthro­ equally comfortable singing and playing contemporary folk and pologist Margaret Mead. traditional country tunes. She is a feminist and her own The cataloge is available from compositions reflect her politics. Creati-1e Clownin~ for Children's Patties Women in Focus, 6-45 Born in Regina, she has studied and taught music for many Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C. V5T years. Since 1974 she· has become a well-known performer at ancl othe.r- Fe5ti"e Occ~sions 3H7 for $3.00 (individuals) or prairie and west coast_ festivals. Her popularity has· recently $5.00 (institutions). They are in spread to the east and we urge you to take advantage of this ..231-.25 81 • .233-o fj If need of financial support so if opportunity to see her in concert . (A I,.,, ... ) ( 90. ii) you can send more, do. If you The first set begins at 9:00 p.m. There will be a $3.00 cover have a tape or tapes you want charge. Her album "Grandmother's Song" will be on sale. Heather them to distribute, contact them Bishop is a powerful performer not to be missed ... once heard, she is l~a division of CanC/owh.' at· the above address. not forgotten.

Campaneras is a group of They are interested in receiving womeQ who are collecting ·for first-person narratives, creative publication the writings of writings such as short stories and Latin American women living in poetry, remembrances, letters GAYS OF OTTAWA "exile". Their purpose is to and interviews relating to the produce a book which will not themes of the book. only document the "exile" ex­ perience but will also contribute If you would like to contribute to our understanding of the to this project 'please write to: sometimes particular role of Companeras, c/ o Press Gang, Every Monday Night Is Women's Night women in resistance movements. 603 Powell St., Vancouver, B.C.

Phone in. for information, counselling, or just to chat about personal concerns or political issues. WE BUY - SELL OR TRADE Lesbians are invited to work on the phone line. Sandy Hill Flea Market 238-1717 308 SOMERSET ST. EAST - OTTAWA

Bob Smith Tel. 233-2004 28ll1h Bank St., Ottawa URRENTLY THEATRE p. m. Sponsored by the Nov 1-30 Women in Focus Art Women's Videotapes for centre. Catalogue available upon Oct 18 The Person's Play, 'International Socialists. Gallery, see above. Wendy rent/sale. Contact Women in request. Also interested in presented with the help of the Admission: $1.50. Davis, photography. Focus Production and Distribu­ hearing from individual women Ottawa Tenants Council, and women's groups who have Oct 27 Skills Building for Union tion Centre, 6-45 Kingsway, Interval House and Rape Crisis Vancouver V5T 3H7. Women in worked or afe working on tapes Women, sponsored by Organ­ FILMS Centre. 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Focus is a non-profit video/film which they would like ized Working Women. Registra­ Sept I I-Dec 4 Cine-mardis/ reception and discussion hosted production and distribution distributed. by Ottawa Women's Lobby at tion 9:00 a.m; One day workshop Cine-Tuesdays, film series the Chateau Laurier. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Legion sponsored jointly by the Institute Hall, 49 Elm Street. Fee: $8.00 of Social Communications and Oct 20 The Person's Play, see (lunch included). Open tO all NFB. Free French· and English above. 11 :00 a.m. on grounds of union women. Child care movies on altt:mating Tuesdays, Supreme Court, Wellington provided for women who register featuring: Phoebe, Waiting for Street. No charge for admission. before Oct 19. Caroline, Tendresse Ordinaire, Call Brenda Longfellow or Ellen Fluxes. 8:00 p.m. St. Paul Adelberg at 232-2677 for more Oct. 26, 27 Conference on University Auditorium. information. Counselling Women for Change. Oct 18 Girlfriends, Towne Oct 25-Nov 25 Dusa, Fish, Stas London Ontario. Speakers: Cinema, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $5.00, & Di by Pam .Brighton. Theatre Rosemary Brown, Helen Levine, $2.50 for low-income women Plus, 35 Front Street East, Hogie Wyckoff. Fee $50.00- (advance ~Jes only), available i{l Toronto. Writefortickets. Prices Burseries, daycare available. advance from Ottawa Women's vary but tickets for preview on 'CWC · Conference Committee, Centre and Interval House. Oct 23 and 24 are $4.00. P.O. Box 7083, Station E, Proceeds to In,terval House. London Ont. N5Y 4)9 SUZANNE ROBINSON LTD LECTURES, WORKSHOPS, Oct 18 L'une chante, l'autre pas CONFERENCES (with English sub-titles), Towne .Oct 1979-Mar 1980 Women's Nov 2, 3 B.C. Women's Studies Cinema, 9:30 p.m. Tickets: as 360 Boo1h St., Job Search Workshop, Montreal Association Conference and above. Proceeds to Interval Women's Information and Symposium, Vancouver, tel. 684- House so please show your Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7K4 Referral Centre, 3585 St. Urbain, 2457. support. tel. 842-0649. Program is free to all women (French and English) EXHIBITS MUSIC wishing to find a job; consists of Oct 1-20 Women's Bookworks, Oct 17 Heather Bishop, Ottawa ANNOUNCEMENT workshops and individual· Powe_rhouse Gallery, 3738 St. Women's Centre/Chez Nous. consulatations. Active job Dominique, Montreal. 9:00 p.m. Cover charge: $3.00. hunting also included. Oct l-20Imagesinpaper/Images en papier by Rosemary Miller, In Her Place, a monthly Ottawa Powerhouse Gallery. women?s T. V. program. Oct 20 Bernadette Devlin Sundays, 5:00 p.m., Ottawa LOOKWHOJUSf McCallisky, author of The Price Oct 1-30 Women in Focus Art cablevision Ch. 12, Mondays, of My Soul, will speak on Gallery, 6-45 Kingsway, 3:00 p.m., Skyline cablevision "Northern ·lreland:Ten Years of Vancouver, 872-2250. Portland, Ch. 12, Tuesdays, 10:00 p.m., ·MADE THE TEAM Struggle", Carleton University, Frank & Persimmon: anti-psych­ Ottawa and Skyline cablevision Room C264, Loeb Bldg., 12:30 iatry prints and sculptures. Ch. 12 . .... "f·i' 1 :c. / (Hue' n 1t1·sh,i:on CLASSIFIED B ~~~Ll!''R D S - HAHE~," Prop. \:11:y • ' ,~ ' ~' c-., OPEN TO TH. ~j;t':~BLIC ,,,;, ('• ~:c~"'~ ~:~:·~,7/:~if~;·,:,:; Rates DA IL y - 1 ot~;,·M,\:f::r:;P r A. M. '<' .,..,;:•, ... .,_ ,,,._,"'" '" !.~-~·~ Individuals: 10¢ per.word, minimum $2. SUNDAYS - NOON TO MIDNl!>HT Business: 15¢ per word, minimum $6. Forwarding service: $1 per ad per issue. 18 Print your ad clearly In block lette~. All ads must be prepaid. MODERN BRUNSWICK .TABLES Demande une professeure de guitare populaire ou classique (feministe.) 234- NATALIE BELOVIC Res. 737-5997 populaire ou classique (feministe.) FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED Meet your newest Neighborhood Professional'.M 234-8670. A member of the most consistently successful SNACK BAR team in Real Estate-CENTURY 21~ A Neighborhood Feminist Book Collective will sell cal­ WOMEN WELCOME Professional's training will help-you with all of endars, poster, used books at the Ottawa your real estate needs. From showing off your Women's Centre, Thursdays and Fridays 319 BANK STREET - OTTAWA, CANADA house properly. to closing the sale and handling from noon to2pm. beginningNovember8. !BETWEEN MacLAREN & GILMOUR! 2 3 7 -2 4 0 4 the \in1e consuming paper work. THE NEIGHBORHOOD PROFESSIONALS'.." women's WE'RE career counselling service feminin d'orientatior. JOIN CENTURY 21: au travail TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ~~ ~~rfb@Y~l\t: 11-IOU~ P. ~ KASN'T &E~ OUR ADVANTAGES. RE.ct:1vm~ A RcGiUL/>-R Pf>..'i cm:~uc IN RtruRN '"""-:::r'~s-"~ Last year, nearly ten pen;:ent of all organized t=oR. HER 11ME AND SKILL'S, SHE 1-\A~ 'BEE?{ real estate transactions were handled py DlL\~EITT IN HAW\~INGi TuE F\Nl'.1\C\l\L _::_;f!__ ~~~)!.]~ CENTURY 21'!' That means CENTURY 21 Neighborhood Professionals™ were taking-those AND HUHAN RE.SOURCES FDR WHIGli SHE AAS 'INER\EMCE,

\ft GAU AOOft IULCJ'WtitQ- ®Registered Trademark of Century 21 Real Estate Corporation, ?tinted tn USA. C> 1979 Century 21 Real Est¥e Corporation. Equal Employment Opportunity THSMK ~~OUT IT 11 Each office lo lndepeudeat17 o,wned and operated. #15191 mcleod st, ottawa, K2POZ8 (613) 232-4273 UPS!~EAM !s ~ monthly newsmagazine publi~h 'ed by MAIL TO: r----~ Fem in 1st Publications of Ottawa. The staff is a collective with departmental coordinators. UPSTREAM welcomes submissions. Copy deadline is the 15th of every month. 1 Submissions should be typed, doublespaced. News, sports, arts-type on a 62 unit line. Forum, features, letters-on a 78 unit line. All ·copy (except letters) is subject to editing. All correspondence should be addressed to UPSTREAM, 424-B 01 Queen Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1 R 5A8. Phone 232-0313 or A CANADIAN WOMEN'S PUBLICATION 232-0568. ISSN 0700-9992. Second Class Mail Registration No. 4017 ~ Vol. 3, No. 10 50¢ Oct./N ov. 1979 RECHERCHEE If women .·are PERSONS ... COORDINATRICE -ARTISTIQUE Elle garde un oeil vif fixe sur la culture femi niste, sollicite l'effort collectif de henevoles et se complait a placer des appels telephoniques chez les gens afin de leur rappeler Jes echeances. COORDINATRICE SPORTIVE then Elle connait plus de detenteurs de records que la GRC elle­ meme, croit que les sports orgartises ne sont pas tout \:!ftaTfe~ la meme manie telephonique que la precedente. .,.I how come ' .... ~ we're · so COORDONATRICE DES NOUVELLES Elle devore tous les jqurnaux, pose sans arret des questions, possCde le mysterie

Figurer parmi les nombreuses femmes qui oeuvrent a la misc sur pied d'un journal feministe national au Canada. · Vaginal politics Ca vaut "le coup"! Tout renseignement ~eut etre poste OU depose a ·Ann Mortifee: intimiste et versatile