JeministACTION NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL ACTION COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Action Commhiee on the Status of V'omen A Blour Strect Wei, Sukte 505 Toronto. Ontario MSS 144 DSN 0451-3377 LETIERS CONTENTS A group 1s eligible for membership in NAC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Dear ACTION: NAC 1f it has ten or more members and [I am writing to tell you that I NAC Coming of Age subscribes to the stated objectives of Fighting Racism in the *80s, . 2 have written to the Hon. Ramon Hnaty- the organization. Government depart- Shift in Wealth. 2 shyn to demand the repeal of section ments and agencies are not eligible for Lobby & Constituion shuffle , . 3 195.1 of the Criminal Code, after reading membersh1ip. Member groups are entitled NAC's New Executive. 4 NAC's concerns in the March ACTION. to appoint delegates to participate at Ï am proud to be a member of New Policy. the Annual General Meeting and other Getting the Message to NAC and appreciate the work you do general meetings. Member groups shall the Media... on behalf of me and many other Cana- receive the publications and communica- Organizational Review . 6 dians. Thank you. tions of NAC. Meech Lake . ...., . 6 Yours truly, Please send an application form and COMMIIIEE REPORTS information about membership fees for Health... ......., .., , 7 Mary Lou Stanton NAC group membersh1p. Pornography . .. .. .. 7 Newmarket, Ontario International . ,. & Name of Organization: Employment & Economy . 8 Social Services . .. .. .... 9 Prostitution. .. ........ "9 BONNIE ROBICHAUD'S CASE CONIINUES! NAC PUBLICATIONS Privatization . .. .......10 The NAC Executive sends you warmest regards and support for your upcoming REGIONAL REPORTS Supreme Court case. Your persistance Newfoundiland/Labrador. , . .11 and strength in pursuing your case has Nova Scotia/New Brunswick/ been a great example to women of th1s Prince Edward Island . 11 country. Your success in this issue will Northern Ontar10. .... .1l1 benefit us all. Manitoba. ...... .12 South-Central British NAC Executive Columbia . .12 Roundup . .13 SUBSCRIPTION FORM FRIENDS OF NAC Hansard Summary. .13 Feminist ACTION Become a Friend of NAC, (an individual, Events*Resources*Contacts . .16 and Action Bulletin non-voting member of NAC): get the news you need to be informed about Renewal women’s issues across Canada. Receive Feminist ACTION and Action Bulletin Rates based on 8 issues for a minimum annual fee of $35.00. Vol. Z, No. 5 July 1987 Individual Renewal Institutions Feminist ACTION :1s published eight United States/Overseas . times a year by the National Action Committee on the Status of Women, 344 Bloor St. W., suite 20), Toronto, Ontario M5S 1W9 (416) 922-3246 (T.D.D.) ISSN 0831-3377 CAVE Editor: Fat Daley Publications + Annual Fee enclosed: $ . Co-ordinator: Maxine Hermolin (535.00 minimum) Translation: Gilbert Bélisle Photographs: Geneviève Appleton enclosed We welcome your announcements and local Yourmonth/day/year) Friend isof on NAC the 10P renewal 7” news CR However, we regret that unsolicited Your expiry volume and issue number manuscripts cannot be returned. appear on the 1op line of your mailing our (07/01, 787 refers label (V2#5 means volume 2, issue 5). feminist ACTION NAC’s first 15 years mark growth of a movement Thirty women sat in the Toronto room, Twelve years later, representatives of more representing the member organizations than 500 NAC member groups gathered in of the National Action Committee on Ottawa to celebrate "Coming of Age: NAC-- the Status of Women. They heard the from yesterday to tomorrow. Delegates knew treasurer report that NAC would be the 15-year-old Organization had come of applying for a government grant to age when they responded to the tederal fund an annual meeting in the spring. government’s last minute decision to They reported on their groups’ activities, schedule a constitutional debate at the same such as “consciousness raising programs time as the NAC lobby with a resounding for men (including business executives) "No way!" and women, social and economic legis- lation, peace and disarmament, partici- pating in conferences, travelling exhibits and displays, briefs and lobbies, etc.” If we want to get technical, NAC it was November, 19/5 and the took root 21 years ago, president Louise cover of Status of Women News reported: Dulude told delegates at the opening Women's Year: Over and Out. session. “It was six years before 1972 that women Started organizing for a Royal Commission on the Status of Women," she said. By the time 1972 rolled around, women felt disenchanted. More than /OUO turned out when now- columnist Laura Sabia convened a Stra- NAC's victories are many, Dulude tegy for Change conference. They pointed out. Beginning with the Murdoch decided to create a permanent body-- case, the organization was influential NAC--with an original membership of in getting information across the country, 35 groups. with the result that every province has made changes to family law legisla- tion. “NAC has always been in the vanguard of the move to protect women.” "The organization had four priori- Other successes include federal laws ties,” Dulude said. "Now we have do- on equal pay for work of equal value, zens. We have reached the point where improved collection of maintenance all government actions are important payments, and better pensions for women, to women. she said. Madeleine Parent, Kay Macpherson, Louise Dulude. NAC Quebec Regional Representative NAC Past President (1977-1979) NAC President July 1987/1 feminist ACTION Fighting racism is ’80s’ biggest challenge, Sims says ' The greatest challenge facing the wo- NAC has said it. Because we have said, need for a feminist party--"the only men’s movement today is to incorporate ‘We must be on your agenda.’ way we will have a Black woman prime an understanding of race and class in "We are not another issue. We minister. the analysis of women’s oppression, are people. We must be integrated in "Ac the women of Canada,” Sims says Glenda Sims of the Congress of NAC so it can speak to all issues.” said, "we have the greatest resources Black Women ot Canada. Looking back over NAC’s first 15 ‘in our minds and our future. We are years, Sims said the women’s movement the last frontier. There 1s nothing has been the most important social more exciting in this country than the force in Canada since the early °'70s. potential of its women. Turning to the future, she saw the "Together, we will move forward." Human rights activist calls for shift in wealth "As the women of Canada," Sims said, “we have the greatest resources in our minds and our future. We are the last For human rights activist Shelagh Day, sidering the global context, Day said, "the frontier. There is nothing more exciting the challenge of the future 1s to shift redistribution of wealth must start here.” One out of in this country than the potential of the country’s wealth so that, as a every five children in Canada is being raised in its women, nation, we can afford equality and poverty, she pointed out. In British Columbia, where welfare levels are well below the poverty level, "The movement has not committed social change. significant numbers of children are going to school itself to Struggling overtly against hungry, she said. "We can afford equality and racism,” Sims told 500 delegates at the change, but the money must be shifted." However, opening night of NAC’s 15th annual she said, other changes are aiso necessary. general meeting. “Ihat situation will The legal forum must be changed, Day said. The not change until white women see racism Charter of Rights has become a balance to the political forum, she said, “but where 1s that balance as a white problem. To say the oppression if those who preside over the courts are of women 1s located solely in sexism 1s indistinguishable from government! We need to a partial analysis. feminize the courts and insist that the current "This will be the greatest challenge occupants undergo reeducation.” of the next 15 years." The media also need fixing, she said, because they — When racism iS seen as a moral have the power to define our experience and to S1 "Women's struggie for equality can shape public debate. through consciousness-raising “rather help stop the holocaust, she said, because But we can be stopped in our efforts, Day said. than through.-politicatsolutions_to deal these are issues of survival and “women “Conservative ideas are are life affirmers. We need to inciude and can erode our confidence,” she said. ‘Its hard with systemic barriers to women of not to have our vision battered. We must hold colour. [his approach, she said, "does all women and build the fight for equality with others.” steady our vision of women’s equality and an end i not allow white women to work with to oppression and discrimination.” women of colour." Furthermore, she "We live in the most dangerous Day said we can also be stopped by our own added, it emphasises theory rather times in the history of the world," investments in the status quo. "The present is than practice. compelling. We can be stopped because we are "We must call attention to life Day said at the opening night of NAC's wedded to economic arguments about deficits and 15th annual general meeting. Faced the need for restraint." rather than to theory,“ Sims said. "The with a growing nuclear threat, a severely Serer ace "we need new waves OL militanc ahead struggle for the dignity of all women and } of us." must be taken to the community. It’s hungry world population--"a state of not enough to smile nicely and nod international feudalism"--Day said, "Wwe understandingly.