1999 was the 90th anniversary year of the founding of the University Women's Club of Winnipeg. Our founding members were deeply involved in the struggle to improve the lot of working women and to"get the vote" for all women. Consequently, Manitoba was the first province to allow women to vote. These members also pioneered the idea of Continuing Education and off-site University courses. Following are just a few of the highlights of our important year. Actually, they are typical of what our club offers regularly--reflecting an interest in our heritage and the desire to explore new ideas.
In February, Professor Allen Kear, RCMP Historian, gave us a preview of the re-enactment of the 1874 RCMP Trek West from Emerson, Manitoba to Fort McLeod, Alberta held last summer. Later in the month, we had the second gourmet dining event modelled on The Order Of Good Cheer. Our kitchen staff outdid themselves with a four course meal and three wines.
Dr. Sandra Kirby from the University of Winnipeg spoke to us in March on the barriers for women athletes as they compete internationally and how women's clothing for sports has echoed changing societal attitudes over the decades.
A fashion show in April reflected the changing roles of women during the past ninety years. The Director and Volunteers from the Dugald Costume Museum and items from our own members made the event a huge success.
In May, Judith Beattie, Keeper of the Hudson's Bay Company Archives (housed here in Winnipeg), fascinated us with a report on her research project based on undelivered letters in the Archives. She dwelt especially on a set involving one young man and his communications with the family back in Britain bringing us a new insight into the hardships of these early HBC employees. Several members also enjoyed a visit to the Archives' Open House prior to her talk.
In June, a large group of members visited the Winnipeg Art Gallery for a private tour of "Art in the Age of Van Gogh" which included 3 works by Van Gogh. Later that month, the annual Tea was held to honour 34 women who have been members for FIFTY years or more.
A very busy Fall included two presentations by Manitoba authors: Lois Forsberg with her Prairie Ghosts and Shirley Render, former MLA, with Double Cross--The Inside Story of James A. Richardson and Canadian Airways. We started a series of Theatre evenings with subsequent luncheon/discussions with cast members or directors as guest speakers. A sold out audience applauded our Club's Studio 54 Drama group at the annual Scholarship Fund Gala and its original play (written by 2 members): Six Characters in Search of an Idea. Another great turnout welcomed Dr. Constance Rooke, the new President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg. After dinner she spoke on Literature and Old Age. Her background as a Chair of English in British Columbia and Ontario had lead her into researching the depiction of old age in recent publications. Of course her allusions to Manitoba's Margaret Laurence's Stone Angel drew a warm response!
Tribute was paid in October to Jean Carson, a Lifetime and 50 year member, on her passing. The house was filled with family and friends to celebrate her life as a force in the Women's Movement. Recipient of a Persons Award, Jean was a founding member of the Manitoba Action Committee on the Status of Women and lobbied tirelessly on behalf of women's rights, women in trades, pay equity and disadvantaged elderly women. A video of a film made for Vision TV Channel was "premiered" at this reception. It had been a great joy for Jean that this film was completed in time for her to see its depiction of her and three other courageous, indomitable women who did so much for expanding the rights of Canadian women.
In November, we hosted a special dinner for 8 members of the Gordon family. We were regaled with wonderful tales by Lois Gordon, age 93, of her childhood in the House. Lois is the last surviving off-spring of the Reverend Charles Gordon and Helen King Gordon who raised their family of 6 daughters and 1 son in the home they built in 1913 and which the University Women's Club of Winnipeg now maintains as a Heritage House. The second last of the surviving children, Ruth Gordon, a longtime member of the Club, left us a legacy this year of several beautiful accessories and pieces of furniture. Many of these are now back in the place they occupied during the first three decades of this century.
The year 2000 has us looking with hope towards the completion of an elevator in the House. This was inspired by the generous donation of another valued member, Dr. Doris Saunders.Our dream is to successfully launch a book we've written along with the Brandon and Portage La Prairie Clubs about the history of "unsung" Manitoban heroines entitled Extraordinary Ordinary Women. We will mount a much researched presentation on Genetically Modified Foods with well thought out resolutions from our Issues and Actions Committee, chaired by Muriel Smith.
We hope that our founding members smile down on us with some pride in our efforts to keep the spirit of their goals alive, and yet strive to learn and to adapt to the changing world around us.