Aug 26 1993

Women's Ways
omen have a different way of being,
W
doing, and speaking. Often, when we try to
talk about issues of concern to us, those
differences are held up as signalling
weakness or a lack of credibility. The focus
is steered away from the issue. We must not
continue to allow that to happen.

ALBERTA
ADVISORY
COUNCIL

WOMEN’S
Volume 5

June 1993

Number 3

In anticipation of appointments to the
Alberta Advisory Council on Wom­
en's Issues, all women are invited to
submit their resumes to the Council.
We strongly encourage women from
all parts of the province, rural and
urban, all religious and ethnic
backgrounds, women of visible
minorities and immigrants, women
with disabilities, women working
inside and outside the home in
traditional and non-traditional
occupations, women with various
family and marital status, and from all
economic situations to apply. Please
send a resume outlining your qualifi­
cations and interests and a self­
addressed stamped envelope to:

The value of women's voices cannot be
underestimated, particularly when it comes
to speaking about our experiences and the
issues that concern us. Whether those issues
are the ones traditionally thought of as
women's issues, child care, the health and
well-being of families, poverty, violence
against women, elder care, de-institutionalization, the social safety net, divorce and
custody, education, employment and pay
equity, sexual harassment, and equality, or
the discussions that traditionally leave
women out like how to stimulate our
economy, deficit reduction, changes to
agriculture, business and industry, political
reformation — all would benefit by includ­
ing women. To deflect the public's attention
from the importance of these issues by
name-calling or by demean­
ing the woman speaking,
does nothing to address the
seriousness
of the
problem or
to enhance

the quality of our lives.

So, the next time someone accuses you of
whining or snivelling when you are trying to
tell your story; the next time you read
women's voices described as shrill, hysteri­
cal, strident, squeaky or soft; the next time
you hear women called gossips, chatterers,
gigglers, or weak and vulnerable because
they have something to say — take a deep
breath, consider the source, and don't let
yourself be swayed from speaking your
mind on any issue.
Throughout the past six years, the Alberta
Advisory Council on Women's Issues has
been a place where all voices could be
heard. The Council table has been a safe
place for any woman to speak what was on
their minds, or in their hearts, without fear
of judgement. This has not always been
easy, but by using an open, consensual
process; recognizing that everyone has the
right to a respectful hearing; taking indi­
vidual responsibility to listen for under­
standing; and being committed to making
room for other voices around the table, the
women of the Advisory Council have
succeeded in bringing women's
voices to Government.
It goes on one at a time.
It starts when you care
to act, it starts when you do
it again after they said no.
It starts when you say WE
and know who you mean, and
each day you mean one more.
(Marge Piercy, The Moon is
Always Female.)

The Alberta Advisory Council on
Women's Issues
9810-111 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 1K1
For more information use the RITE
line in your area and ask for
422-0668.
Graphic reprinted with permission from Ontario Women's Directorate "Words That Count Women In" brochure.

Snapshots From the Margin —
Women with Disabilities in El Salvador
Written by Patricia Pardo-Demiantschuk,
Council member from Calgary, where she is
executive director of the Independent Living
Resource Centre.

ike the phoenix rising from the ashes, El
Salvador is a country in the midst of re-birth
and re-construction. The years of war,
violence and terrorism have taken their toll
not only economically, in the loss of millions
of dollars worth of real estate investments and
business, but also in the decimation of its
youth. The country is racked by the legacy of
war. Of the seven million Salvadorian
citizens, it is estimated that close to fifty
thousand people, including the soldiers from
both sides and civilian casualties, were
rendered disabled. Many thousand more were
left homeless and traumatized by the experi­
ence of extreme violence which was the civil
strife in El Salvador.

Government and non-government rehabilita­
tion resources, minimal at best but dedicated
to the rehabilitation of the disabled commu­
nity comprised of accident, illness, malnutri­
tion and genetics, were left fragmented,
underfunded and unable to meet the demand
of the disabled veterans.

Issues and concerns of people with disabilities
take a very low priority. No financial support
(as in a disability pension) exist for those who
are injured or become ill while employed. A
small disability pension ($35.00 per month) is
available during the time of rehabilitation.
Persons born with disabilities have received
no government support whatsoever. Govern­
ment and non-government service providing
agencies work with limited funds and with
outdated and limited technology and systems.
The average level of education completed by
persons with a physical disability is grade five.
Blind and deaf children manage to complete,
on the average, grade one, as overwhelmed
teachers operating in already overtaxed
conditions, find themselves completely
unprepared or indeed unable to integrate
sensory impaired children into the classroom.
Special education resources are close to non­
existent. Blind and deaf children who attend
the few available centres of rehabilitation
leave them after grade 3 to become lost in the
overcrowded public school system. Deaf
children suffer particular discrimination as
sign language is totally unaccepted as an
alternate form of communication. Deaf
children are forced, with physical blows, to
vocalize and to mimic spoken language with
Page 2

little concern as to the level of conceptual
understanding.
In the midst of this disability dynamic, women
with disabilities in Central America face four
levels of discrimination. First the discrimina­
tion of gender. Second, the barrier of poverty
and illiteracy. Third, the discrimination of
disability. Fourth, the discrimination of
machismo.
Although more than half of the disabled
community (not veterans of war) are women,
few are represented in consumer and service
providing organizations. Fewer still have any
direct input to the development of options and
services. Women born with disabilities are
shunned, imprisoned in (heir homes, sexually
and physically abused and generally left to
live their lives at the discretion of the eco­
nomic, emotional and physical resources of
the family. Unwanted pregnancies as a result
of rape occur often. Intentional abortions
brought on by beatings and easily accessible
sterilizations are common place. In law, deaf
women can have their children removed from
their care solely as a result of their disability.
Women with developmental disabilities, any
type of learning disability, epilepsy and
cerebral palsy experience the most extreme
forms of abusive discriminations.

Betty

Betty has epilepsy. Early, in her life, with the
onset of her first seizure, she found herself
imprisoned in her house. She was not allowed
to leave except to attend school to the fifth
grade. At the age of 16, her step-father raped
her and left her pregnant. Her mother, not
knowing who the father was, blamed her
daughter for the pregnancy. In her anger,
embarrassment and frustration, she pelted her
daughter with blows so severe that they
instigated the termination of the pregnancy.
Betty's mother, wishing to control her
daughter's "promiscuity," had her daughter
sterilized shortly after the premature termina­
tion of her daughter's pregnancy. It is common
practice (and easily accessible) to obtain
sterilization for women with disabilities.
Betty is now twenty seven. She does not
realize that she has been sterilized. She is
engaged to be married and is under constant
fear and anxiety that once married she will
again become pregnant and so invite the
blows of her mother. So she postpones the
date of her marriage, living with her mother
and working in a sheltered workshop which
caters primarily to persons with cerebral palsy.

Miriam
Miriam was affected by the polio virus when
she was quite young. At twenty seven years of
age she had lived all her life in a small rural
village, with her mother, just outside San
Salvador. Her only life line to existence was
the support, care and love given by her
mother. Miriam's home was not accessible
and so every time Miriam needed to leave her
room, for example to use the outhouse facility,
her mother would lift her out of her chair and
carry her to the washroom. The village where
Miriam and her mother lived was very poor,
rural and also inaccessible. Miriam spent most
of her days, sitting alone in the house, a
prisoner of her disability. Her literacy level
was quite low; about grade two.
At twenty seven, Miriam heard of a ceramic
cooperative run by people with disabilities in
San Salvador. When she finally came to San
Salvador to work in the cooperative, the only
place she found which was both economical
and physically accessible was a residential
institution for persons with cerebral palsy. It
was not long before she was desperately
looking for another place to live, for her life in
the institution was totally controlled. She
finally found reasonable work and a more or
less accessible apartment. Shortly after her
mother began harassing her, filling her with
guilt for having abandoned her, blaming her
for her lost opportunities and the loss of her
husband until finally overwhelmed with guilt,
Miriam left her job and apartment to go back
to her village to care for her mother.
Although women who are disabled later in life
face many of the same barriers as women who
are born with a disability, some other issues
arise. Almost always, women disabled later in
life are abandoned by their husbands, usually
with no financial support and left with the care
of the children. A corresponding loss in social
and economic status occurs. Few ever re­
marry as women with disabilities are per­
ceived as "un-feminine" and thus undesirable
and unmarriable.
As no financial assistance exists, most women
are left to fend for themselves with whatever
family support is available. Often the entire
family moves into the woman's parents home
where accommodation is often limited.
Children leave school to find work to support
the family. Few rehabilitation optionsexist
and so without a husband and limited options
for work, the woman disabled later in life is
left destitute, stripped of whatever status and
security her past life held.
AACWI Newsletter June '93

Pulling
Together
The goal of the Pulling

Together section is to
provide you with some suggestions for your
"one outrageous thing" (to quote Gloria
Steinem). It may be a matter of writing a letter
to your MP or MLA; or learning more about
an issue, so that you can discuss it with others
in your community or organization —
whatever the act, if we pull together and
share our knowledge with each other, women
everywhere gain power.

Where to get more information

Copies of the manual can be purchased (at $6.95 a copy plus $1.00
each for postage) by writing to
NAWAA, c/o Women's Program and
Resource Centre, Faculty of Exten­
sion, University of Alberta, 11019 —
90 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1
(phone 492-8950). Members receive a
complimentary copy. NAWAA welcomes
the support of new members ($25 for
organizations, $10 for individuals, and $5
for students/low income).

A National
Women's Monument

What's Cooking in
Women's History
Amply illustrated with archival photos and
documents, What's Cooking in Women's
History, an Introductory Guide to the
Preservation of Archival Materials About
Women offers practical advice on how to
preserve and safely store personal and
organizational records, research family
history and genealogy, and donate material
to public institutions. The 32-page manual,
published by the Northern Alberta Wom­
en's Archival Association, also describes
important sources of women's archival
material and suggests ways in which
archives might more effectively serve
women's history.
Funding for the project was provided by the
Edmonton Community Foundation and the
Edmonton Association for Continuing
Education and Recreation (EACER).

The Northern Alberta Women's Archival
Association (NAWAA) is a non-profit,
volunteer organization dedicated to the
preservation of archival material document­
ing the lives and accomplishments of
Alberta women. Its founding members
include researchers, academics, writers,
librarians, archivists, students and women
interested in history who were concerned
that important historical records relating to
women were being neglected or lost. The
group works in co-operation with existing
archives in encouraging and assisting
women to save and donate their personal
and organizational records.

AACWI Newsletter June '93

The Women's Monument Project is raising
over $300,000 to build a national monu­
ment in Vancouver, to honour all women
who are victims of violence, especially
those who have been murdered. It will
educate this and future generations about
violence against women.

The Women's Monument will be a living,
changing monument, designed to include a
way for visitors to interact. It will be
accessible and become a part of a Vancou­
ver park. Names of all contributors to the
monument will be inscribed as an apprecia­
tion of their support for the project and of
their commitment to ending violence
against women.
How to get involved
Guidelines for a national competition
to design the Women's Monument
are now being worked out. This
competition will be of particular
interest to women in the fields of
architecture, landscape architecture,
engineering, and the visual arts. Once the
location for the monument is confirmed, the
competition will be launched.

Donations to the Women's Monument
Project are tax deductible. For more
information contact them at:
The Women's Monument Project
Capilano College Women's Centre
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, British Columbia
V7J 3H5
(604)986-1911 - local 2078

Upcoming
Federal Election
The Prime Minister has indicated that she
will call an election this fall, probably in
October. There are many issues of concern
to women that may become central to this
election: universality of health care; anti­
stalking and sexual predator legislation;
child care; taxation; and the recognition of
unpaid work in the home.
Two women's organizations have published
material to help women make their voices
heard during the election campaign:

The Canadian Advisory Council on the
Status of Women is producing a 1993
version of the Shocking Pink Paper. As in
1984 and 1988, the pocket-sized pamphlet
will contain information on election issues
for women to consider when assessing their
local candidates. It will also suggest
questions that women can pose to candi­
dates regarding the issues.
The National Action Committee on the
Status of Women has also produced a
Voter's Guide for Women.

In order to get a different perspective on
Canada's social programs, the editor
recommends reading, "The Wealthy
Banker's Wife," by Linda McQuaig (pub­
lished by Penguin Books). The book, based
on a series of articles that originally ap­
peared in The Toronto Star, argues for
keeping our social programs strong using
the impressive examples of the western
European nations.
Where to get them

Copies of the 1993 Shocking Pink
Paper will be available free-of-charge,
from our office by about mid-July.
Phone (403)422-0668 to have one
mailed to you.
The NAC Voters' Guide, is available from
the Alberta Status of Women Action
Committee office, 9930 - 106 Street
Edmonton, or call (403) 421 -0306. The cost
is $4.95 and proceeds will help support
ASWAC projects.

"The Wealthy Banker's Wife," is available
in most book stores.

cont'd on page 7

Page 3

formal process that is responsible to
women and committed to women's
equality);

The Role of Advisory Councils
it seems like a long time has passed since
twelve women from Ottawa and across Western
Canada came together in Banff for the Federal/
Provincial/Territorial Western Regional Meeting
of Advisory Councils. Organized by the Alberta
Advisory Council, the two day meeting in March
covered a wide range of issues; but, in the end, it
was the future role of Advisory Councils that
most of the women wanted to talk about.
Every province in Canada has an Advisory
Council on Women's Issues, with the exception
of British Columbia. Their Government has
created a Ministry of Women's Equality with 95
employees. Alberta was the last province to form
a Council in 1986. The Canadian Advisory
Council celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary
this year and the other Councils represented at
this meeting — Manitoba and the North West
Territories
have been around for IO years or
more.

Glenda Simms, the president of the Canadian
Advisory Council, has said that "the issues for
women are intensifying." All of the women
around the meeting table agreed that Councils
everywhere are going through a time of soulsearching. They talked about the need to be
relevant and to help Government in their efforts
to be more consultative with Communities.

Rita Arey, president of the North West Territories
Advisory Council, which is considered strong
and successful by women and government alike,
gave this important advice: "You must trust in
your council and your staff. If you don't, you are
going to lose good people. You are the voice for
women and you are their voice with govern­
ment... We worry about what the women think
about us. We have seen missed opportunities

because of fear. You can only be of use to
Government if you tell them the truth."

At the end of a fruitful discussion, Rita
Thompson of the' Alberta Advisory Council,
summarized for the group:

The role of Advisory Councils is to help
Government govern in the interest of women
by:

• hearing women's voie es and facilitating
them to be heard by government
• act as a conduit from women to government
and government to women
• ensure that the content is relevant to
women
• empower Council members to do what is
best for and with their community

• share information through partnerships in
Education and rescan h
• remember that the proc ess of having
women decide what is important to them is
what empowers them

2. a structure or mechanism to ensure
continuity;
3. good representation of regions, abilities,
socio- economic backgrounds; and

4. orientation process for new members with
a good briefing on issues and structure.
5. accountability to our mandate and to our
publics: women and government.

AACWI in Transition
T
This has been a period of great change — in
the political arena, in the structure and
process of the Council; and our relationship to
the Government, the general public and the
women of Alberta. In retrospect, for the past
twelve months, the women of the Advisory
Council have spent most of their time in three
areas:
• trouble-shooting and crisis management;

• tell the truth

In order to accomplish this, Advisory Councils
need:
• a clear mandate and job description
• understanding by Government of our
mandate
• tools to do the job:

1. a fair method of making appointments (a

• developing, postponing and finally,
abandoning projects;
• providing Government with a mountain of
information on the Council, members,
staff, projects, structure, past recommenda
tions and publications.

As it would appear that the Advisory Council
is in the midst of a profound transformation,
we thought that it was important to leave a
record of the Changes that have marked this
period. The report that follows may help to
understand the affect of change on the life of
an organization and its people. As the
Ethiopian activist, Baba Dioum said, "In the
end, we will conserve only what we love, we
will love only what we understand, and we
will understand only what we are taught."
With the end of term for the chairperson, Elva
Mertick, in June, 1992, the women on Council
spent the summer in imminent anticipation of,
and preparation for, the appointment of a new
chairperson. Faced with several set-backs in
the appointment process, Elaine McCoy, the
Minister Responsible for Women's Issues,
requested that Ms Mertick continue on an "on
call" basis. Ms Mertick communicated with
the office every two or three weeks for an
update on Council's activities and to give
guidance or advice.

Western Council Meeting March 27 - 28, 1993. I. to r.: Betty Nordrum, Manitoba; Rita Arey, NWT; Diane David, Alberta;
Ardyth Cooper, BC; Thorine Goodall, CACSW; Rita Thompson, Alberta; Dorothy Hill, Manitoba; Lynn Brooks, NWT. Front
row I. to r.: Laurie Blakeman, Alberta; Derryn Yeomans, Alberta; and Marguerite Alexander, CACSW.

AACWI Newsletter June '93

Page 4
.............................................................. ................. ■■■—■

In September, the leadership campaign for the
progressive conservative's was launched and
the appointment of the1 person proposed for

................................................... .....

......................

.................... .................................

I

chairperson denied. Ms McCoy took a leave of
absence from her Ministerial duties to run for
the leadership. The women on Council pre­
ferred to wait and deal directly with the Ministerr
Responsible for Women's Issues rather than
trying to get approval for items from another
Minister who may not have been familiar with
our programs and issues, which meant that
research contracts, travel arrangements, and
major purchases such as a portable display unit
were put on hold.

On October 1, 1992, the chairs of Council's
three sub-committees; Rita Thompson, Ann
Tweddle, and Derryn Yeomans met with Ms
Mertick to decide on a possible course of
action. To allow the Council to continue with
its work, this group proposed that, at the regular
meeting scheduled for October 30-31, a vice
chair be elected from within. For the rest of the
month, staff took direction from the three sub­
committee chairs and the women on Council
attempted to carry on business as usual.
However, no new action on any issues was
taken.
At the Council meeting in October, two vice
chairs were elected: Ann Tweddle would serve
from November 1 to January 30, and Rita
Thompson from February 1 to April 30. The
eleven women spent considerable time in the
meeting discussing the future work of the
Advisory Council and committed Io continuing
to
Their work as much as possible. They decided to
proceed with an update paper on the topic of
employment equity; to produce a six-year
review of the work of (he Council; and to
replace some obsolete computer equipment.
Three budget scenarios were prepared in
compliance with the Government's budget call.
These were reviewed by the Economic Commit­
tee and approved by the Council as a whole.

In December, a new Cabinet was formed and
the responsibility for the Advisory Council was
transferred to a new minister and the new
department of Community Development.

While under the auspices of Elaine McCoy, the
Council received minimal administrative
support from the department of Labour. Labour
।
supplied the personnel, computer, and financial
services required to link us with the Govern­
ment systems. However, (he day-to-day office
functions; budget development, hiring of staff
and tendering of research contracts; purchasing;
'
communications and public relations were
under the control of the Advisory Council.
Throughout December and January, there was
much uncertainty on the Council as they sorted
out new ministers, portfolios, and developed
strategies for switching our administrative
support from Labour to the new department of
Community Development. Comprehensive
notes on the Council's requirements were
AACWI Newsletter June '93

written and forwarded in compliance with their
requests. At this time, Council also learned of
the Agencies, Boards and Commissions review
and began to compile information in anticipa­
tion.

In January, the stress and pressure on the
Council increased when the new Minister
Responsible for Women's Issues was quoted in
the media objecting to the Human Rights
Commission and to the concept of pay equity.
She was quoted as saying that she had con­
sulted with the women on the Advisory
Council about these issues. At the same time,
requests for authorization to make various
purchases and to hire a researcher to proceed
with updating the Council's employment paper
were being put off by Community Develop­
ment— projects were in limbo.
the change from one department to another,
required many adjustments on the part of
Advisory Council staff. In addition to changes
to simple procedures like mail processing, time
reporting, etc., there were delays in transferring
(he signing authority of the executive director.
Council held their regular meeting in
Lethbridge in conjunction with the Southern
Alberta Women's Dinner which they organ­
ized for February 5,1993. During the meeting,
the women discussed their response to the
Government's ABC Review questionnaire and
also their reaction to the Minister's comments
about the Council. When the meeting with the
Minister was confirmed for March 1,1993,
staff and members worked on strategies for the
meeting and prepared comprehensive briefing
notes.

After the March 1 st meeting, contact between
the Minister's officer and the Advisory Council
became increasingly difficult. Rita Thompson,
the vice-chair, continued to spend almost full
time developing strategies with staff and
members on how to respond to the media, the
Minister, other government officials, and to the
women of Alberta. Staff completed the Six Year
Review which was widely distributed.

Catherine Arthur,
Acting Chairperson
Alberta Advisory
Council on Women's
Issues
May 14, 1993August 10, 1993

autonomous, reasonably-funded advisory
body as provided for in their legislation.

3. That this commitment be stated publicly
and as soon as possible.
4. That the women on the Advisory Council
report to a Minister who is supportive, open
to our process, and sensitive to the issues of
concern to women.

5. That the Advisory Council be included in
policy discussions on issues of concern to
women.
By the first weekend in May at the Council
retreat, it had become clear that the re­
appointments would not be made and that on
May 15, 1993, Council would be reduced to
only five members.

In a letter to the Minister signed by all Council
members, they requested that the autonomy
and arms-length role of the Council be kept
intact.
"To have us report through the bureaucracy
negates the vision of an autonomous Advisory
Council for which thousands of women in
Alberta fought in the early 1980s. It is also a
structure that we feel will, ultimately, be more
costly and less efficient for Government to
operate and administer...

In April, Rita Thompson spoke to the Premier
about the rumours circulating about the
Council. At his request, she sent a brief letter
outlining the Council's concerns and sugges­
tions for how the Government could quell the
fears of the women on the Council and in the
community. The Council made five requests:

... In the 1992/93 fiscal year, the Advisory
Council had a budget of $338,000.00 [ editor's
note: not the $1 million that had been errone­
ously reported by several medial. For this year,
and indeed every year that the Council has
been existence, we have never exceeded our
budget. The proposed bureaucratic model for
the Council, will not, in our opinion, save
taxpayers money. On the contrary, our
structure has provided the taxpayers with
exceptional value for their money..."

1. That the one-year re-appointments bë given
immediately to the three members who are
eligible, and that Government move to
appoint a chairperson and fill other vacan­
cies according to the criteria set by the
Council.

On May 14, 1993, the Government announced
the appointment of Miss Catharine Arthur as
acting chairperson of the Advisory Council for
a period of three months (August 10, 1993). On
May 18, Miss Arthur met with the five remain­
ing council members.

2. That the Government commit to the
continuation of the Advisory Council as an
Page 5

Council Member
Resigns

Wellness And You

Patricia Pardo-Demiantschuk has
resigned from the Alberta Advisory
Council on Women's Issues. Pat is
Executive Director of the Independent
Living Resource Centre in Calgary and
has served as a member of the
Advisory Council since December
1991.

In our January 1993
issue, we ran our first
Wellness & You column.
It featured information on
breast cancer and hormone
therapy. As we stated then,
"Wellness is an active
process. It involves making
informed personal choices
bout your well-being —
motional, physical, and
spiritual. "

In a letter to the Acting Chairperson of
the Council, Pat gave the following
reasons for her resignation:
"On Friday, June 18, 1993, the
minister responsible for our council,
stated that "we might not be able to
afford the administration of it, but that
women's issues will continue to be an
important part of our government."
Frankly, the Council's potential
termination demonstrates the anti­
thesis. For the thousands of Alberta
women who lobbied government for
the establishment of a Council, a
breech of trust has been created.
In conclusion, I find myself morally
and ethically unable to serve on a
government advisory council whose
mandate, mission and work is so
blatantly discounted and as such, I
resign."

Council members and staff, while
respecting Pat's decision and the
reasons behind it, will miss her voice
at the Council table. She had a unique
ability to combine fresh insight and
enthusiasm along with a tremendous
compassion and understanding of the
human condition. She was, and will
continue to be, an effective voice for
women and persons with disabilities.

The intent of this column is to help you
make informed decisions about your health
care. We want to empower you to ask
questions of your doctors to ensure that the
treatment and advice you receive is right for
you. To do so, the women on the Advisory
Council feel that it is important to bring
forward the views of women working in the
medical and health professions, who might
offer a different perspective on these issues.
This column is not, however, an endorse
ment of any one form of treatment or
viewpoint over another.
What is vitally important to the women on
the Advisory Council is that you keep
asking the questions until you understand
what your doctor is trying to tell you. That is
the only way you will be able to give truly
informed consent throughout any course of
treatment. After all, you are responsible for
your health care and well-being.

Questions You May Want to Ask
Your Doctor:

• What is the significance of the genital
wart virus (or HPV)?

Mcnstrual/Period Problems

• What are the causes of heavy or irregular
menstrual periods?
• What is known about PMS?
• Does stress affect my menstrual periods?
• What things can I do to help?
• What are the common and new medical
treatments for menstrual problems?
• When is a hysterectomy necessary and
what are other choices?

• When is it necessary to remove my
ovaries and what are my choices?
Breast

• How often do I need a mammogram?
• Should I do a breast self-examination?
Menopause

• How do I know I'm going through
menopause?
• Wh.it changes are normal/abnormal?
• Should I be taking estrogen?
• What other factors influence my symp­
toms at this time?
* Source: N. Schuurmans, MD, FRCP (C),
Clinical Head, Department of Obstetrics
and Gynecology, Grey Nuns Hospital,
Edmonton, Alberta

Pap Tests
• What is a pap test?
• How often should I have a pap test?
• At what age should my daughter start
having pap tests?

•

Do I need a gynecologic examination if I
don't need a pap test?

• What does an abnormal pap test mean?
• Does a pap test prevent cancer?

Page 6

AACWI Newsletter June '93

Celebrations
What Great Ideas!
The One Whole Parent Book

T
The One Whole Parent Book is the result
of a project funded by the Memorial Trust
Fund of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Commission and co-sponsored by
the Family Life Centre. A single parent
group was formed to look at the highs and
lows of solo parenting. The 'core group' met
weekly for several months, with new
participants joining in for four-week
sessions. The result is this resource manual,
an easy-to-read wealth of good information
for single parents.

Written by Jocelyn Brown, the manual
includes chapters on: health and survival
(stress management, accessing health and
dental services, nutrition, housing, cloth­
ing); child care (daycare, education,
discipline); income (social assistance,
employment, training, money matters); legal
issues; advocacy; and recreation. There is
also a comprehensive reading list.
For more information contact Jocelyn at
461 -3868, or write to One Whole Parent
Resources P.O. Box 42063 Lee Ridge Post
Office Edmonton, Alberta T6K 4C4.

What Great Women!
Congratulations to our own Amal Umar and
Brenda Hill who recently received awards
in recognition of their invaluable contribu­
tions in their communities.

The Honourable Don Sparrow, then
Minister of Economic Development, Trade
and Tourism, presented Ms Umar with the
first annual Haider Dhanani Award at the
Immigration Week Gala Event at Edmon­
ton's Fantasyland I lotel on May 6th.
Amal and Brenda both received the Com­
memorative Medal for the 125th Anniver­
sary of Canadian Confederation. The medal
recognizes people who have made a
significant contribution to Canada or to
their fellow Canadians.

AACWI Newsletter June '93

The women on the Advisory Council have
long appreciated Amal and Brenda's
wisdom, hard work, and integrity. They
have dedicated their lives to the betterment
of the lives of immigrants and women
everywhere. We are very glad to know that
other people recognize their unfailing
commitment.

Melanie Omeniho, President of Women of
the Metis Nation, told AACWI that in
addition to this award, Gayle was also
honoured by becoming one of their Metis
women Elders at the last Annual General
Meeting. In Metis culture, an Elder is one
who has worked hard and become a person
of great wisdom within the community. She
is a person whose sound and good council
will be respected and sought.

The Advisory Council offers heartfelt
congratulations to our former member. It is
a most deserving honour.
The Women of the Metis Nation has
proclaimed that Gayle McKenzie is Metis
Woman of the Year for 1993. Gayle is one
of the founding members of Women of the
Metis Nation. She is presently employed
with Advanced Education and Career
Development as an Employment, Family
and Housing Counsellor. She has shown her
involvement with organizations like the
White Eagle Native Women's Association,
Alberta Advisory Council on Women's
Issues, Native Education Project in the
County of Lac St. Anne, Metis Associations
Blue Ridge Local, and the Sagitawah
Employment Services.
The proclamation letter reads, "Gayle has
shown over the past 22 years, what hard
work and perseverance can achieve in the
Aboriginal community. Her strength and
wisdom have gained her the respect of her
peers, friends and co-workers. Her visions
has gone beyond women. Specifically, to
the children. She believes that our future
generations are our most valuable resource
and by teaching them pride in their herit­
age, it will help instill a strong knowledge of
their birthright. Hopefully, this vision will
help overcome the stumbling stones placed
in our young people's way."
"As her daughter, Alanna McKenzieDionne, expressed to the selection commit­
tee, "She is, and always will be, my real-life
hero because, regardless of her volunteer
works, she has left a strong legacy of love,
honour and respect to me and my children."

Pulling Together
cont'd from page 3

Are You Eligible?
If your marriage ended in divorce or
annulment or if you separated following a
marriage or common-law union after
January 1, 1987, you could be eligible for a
Canada Pension Plan credit split. Eligibility
for credit splitting depends on a number of
factors including the length of your relation­
ship, when it ended, if there were any
spousal agreements, and in some cases,
involves time limits in applying.

How to find out

To find out how this provision affects
your situation, or if your group would
like someone to speak on this subject,
13 please get in touch with an Income
Security Programs Office. The address
and telephone number are listed in
the government pages of your telephone
book under "Health and Welfare Canada."

Page 7

The facts on AACWI
The Alberta Advisory Council on Wom­
en's Issues is an autonomous advisor to
the provincial government. We are your
voice, telling the government about issues
which concern women. We are the only
official body advising the provincial
government about legislation which best
serves the needs of Alberta women.
We are up to 15 committed women who
represent Alberta women of all geographic,
ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
Our diversity reflects the diversity of
women's lives in Alberta today.
We are a self-governing body which work in partnership with other groups and
organizations who are seeking to raise
public awareness of women's issues in
Alberta. We meet regularly to discuss
issues raised by you or concerns which
arise from our own professional and
personal experience.

We prepare briefs, submissions and
reports with specific recommendations to
the provincial government through the
Minister Responsible for Women's Issues.
We can provide copies of our discussion
papers to groups and individuals free of
charge. Topics we have addressed
include: employment equity, social
assistance, immigrant women, funding for
women's shelters, maintenance enforce­
ment and many others.
We will gladly meet with groups, organi­
zations and individuals to discuss your
concerns or we'll come and speak at your
annual meetings, regional conferences or
workshops.

Our Objectives
1. To be effective advisors to the Alberta
Government. In order to do that we
will:
a. Develop processes and skills to
function effectively
b. Be knowledgeable
c. Be focused and specific

2. To ensure all work of the council is
governed by recognition of the exist­
ence of racism and its negative effects.

3. To identify, evaluate and priorize issues
of concern to women and to develop
plans to meet these priorities.
4. To market the Council's strategic plan
and currant priorities while still keeping
lines of communication open.
5. To identify issues to the women of
Alberta, to provide leadership that
educates, and stimulates awareness
about these issues.

Our office is located at:
9810-111 St.
Edmonton, AB T5K 1K1
Phone:422-0668 Fax:422-911 1

(Outside the Edmonton calling area, place
calls through the RITE operator listed under
Government in your telephone directory.)
If you like what the Council is doing,
please let us know.

Who we are
Catharine Arthur,
Acting Chairperson

Edmonton

Brenda Hill

Lethbridge

Irene Onody

Bow Island

Amal Umar

Calgary

Derryn Yeomans

Red Deer

6. To work towards increased consultation
by government with the Council, as
policy and legislation is being developed.
7. To ensure ongoing cooperation and con­
sultation with the Women's Secretariat.

8. To ensure ongoing dialogue and
cooperation with the community
regarding issues of concern to women.

9. To provide leadership to the commu­
nity for the creative development of
new processes of participation which
recognize diversity.
We want to hear from you so we can
continue to work effectively for you.
This issue of the newsletter is dedicated

with love to Rita Thompson.

9810 -111 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K1K1

Published by:
the Alberta Advisory Council on Women's Issues
Volume 5 Number 3 June 1993

Editorial board:
Derryn Yeomans
Amal Umar

Editing/Writing: Diane David and Colleen Novotny
Production: Personal Publishing Ltd.
The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit
submitted material. Printed material represents the
views of the contributor only and not necessarily
those of the AACWI. Unsolicited manuscriptswill
not be accepted.

AACWI Newsletter June '93