Nov 06 2008
Tenth Anniversary Party a Great Success!
Two days after the 2008 Federal Election and two days before the 90th anniversary of Persons Day, The Canadian Women Voters Congress celebrated the 10th Anniversary of its incorporation as a Society. The event was held the 16th of October 2008 at the historic Sylvia Hotel overlooking English Bay in Vancouver’s West End. The evening’s theme paid homage to the International Suffrage movement and honoured all the women who paved the way for future generations in order to ensure women’s equality within the electoral process.
Penny Priddy, a collector of Suffrage memorabilia and artefacts, generously lent a part of her collection for display during the evening. A poignant reminder of what the leaders of the Suffrage movement endured was made manifest by a newspaper page of the time depicting the force feeding of imprisoned, hunger-striking Suffragette women.
Two pieces of art, paying tribute to Canadian Suffragettes, were offered and generously bid upon during a silent auction. Also available to attendees were lapel buttons, designed in the British Suffrage colours: violet, white and green, bearing quotes from Canadians Agnes Macphail, Nellie McClung and Britain’s, Emmeline Pankhurst, considered by most to be the founding mother of the International Suffrage Movement.
The weather outside — autumn leaves blowing in the wind, rain pelting the windows and the ocean crashing on the beach — was in stark contrast to the atmosphere inside. A diverse group of women and men, young and old, board members past and present, politicians elected, running and retired came together to show their support for women in politics.
The evening was chaired by two astounding women, Joy MacPhail and Mary Collins who, along with Jennifer Sweeney, President of the Canadian Women Voters Congress, focused on recognizing and thanking all the women who contributed to making the Canadian Women Voters Congress what it is today and all the women who have made the CWVC Campaign school a success year after year.
Women recognized included the founders, Audrey Paterson, Kathy Sainty and Helen Wilkes along with the other founding board members, Bernice Davidson, Kit Davison, and Lois Brassart. We also recognized the founders and creators of the Women’s Campaign School, Charlene Brisson and Joanne Silver. Thanks were also extended to Honourary Co-Chairs of the Women’s Campaign School, past and present: Mary Collins, Darlene Marzari, Penny Priddy and Linda Reid.
Later in the evening, Penny Priddy said, in her moving speech quoting African-American suffragette Sojourner Truth, that the successful election of more women then ever before – 68 – to Parliament is cause for celebration. But after nearly a century of Women’s Suffrage in this Canada it just isn’t good enough to still be waiting for equity. Maybe we have to change our strategy and our tactics. We couldn’t agree more. The Canadian Women Voters Congress will be there every step of the way.
We can proudly state that 382 women from across the country and the globe have graduated and benefited from their participation in the Canadian Women Voters Congress “Women’s Campaign School.”
See you at next year’s anniversary or at Campaign School this spring either as a student or as an instructor.
Allison McDonald, Director
Canadian Women Voters Congress
History of the Canadian Women Voters Congress and Words of Thanks Speech delivered at the 10th Anniversary Celebration in Vancouver by Jennifer Sweeney, President, October 16, 2008
