"cc5f7821-e0bb-4320-9477-af3faa7850e1"@en . "CONTENTdm"@en . "http://resolve.library.ubc.ca/cgi-bin/catsearch?bid=1213576"@en . "Kinesis"@en . "2013-08-15"@en . "1975-02-01"@en . "Vol. V, no. 41"@en . ""@en . "https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/kinesis/items/1.0045462/source.json"@en . "application/pdf"@en . " SPKtti. WUECT10NS \u00C2\u00AB kinesi February ^375 HAFPV I.WY'75 \fencouuer Status of Women BDS9W. Fourt*v A/e. \"736- 374B-7\"S Volume VNo. The traditional British Columbian image of each family with its own cosy home, and apartments occupied by young career men and women or retired folks who no longer wish to mow their own lawns, was always pretty much of a myth. But in the last few years it has ceased to exist even as a myth. The problems of housing for low income and welfare families can no no longer be . ignored or shuffled aside. The harsh reality of a situation where housing is in short supply and few people can afford to own a home means that the majority of people must rent their living space. While this is by no means exclusively a \"woman's problem\", women are in many ways most vunerable. A large percentage of low income people are women and most single parent families are headed by women. Having little money and having children are the two major handicaps to finding adequate housing. The combination is deadly! When a single woman, on a low income, with small children, finally finds, after a long and deperate search, accomodations that will grudgingly accept her children and which she can afford to pay for, she will usually submit to a great deal of unfair treatment in order to cling to that living space. She will be afraid to complain because she fears she will be evicted or at the least her life and that of her children will be made miserable. A \"seller's market\" always places the consumer in an unfortunate position. In this game the landlords own the ball and bat and if you don't want to play by their rules you don't get to play at all. Time after time women say, \"I know what the landlord is doing is not right., but what can I do. I don't dare complain. He said he doesn't usually rent to single women...families...children...pets. He'll tell me to leave.\" shelter But housing is not just another commodity. Shelter is a necessity of life. The government must get more deeply involved in the housing crisis in British Columbia. The establishment of the Rentalsman is one step,but because it is one office located in the south-west corner of the province it can hardly hope to have much effect in the rest of B.C. Also,while the Human Rights Code contains the clause \"There shall be no discrimination in rental of any space because of race, sex, marital status, religion, colour, ancestry or place of origin,\" this clause is not in the Landlord and Tenant Act and so the Rentalsman does not have the power to act on a coir ~ plaint from a woman refused accomodation because \"we don't rent to single women.\" Neither the Human Rights Code or the Landlords and Tenants Act deal with the discrimination against children. Whereas a landlord should be able to stipulate, within reason, the number of people who will occupy his property, he should not be able to do so on the basis of age. If he states that a 2 bedroom unit may be occupied by three people, this should mean a man, woman and child; a woman and 2 children, etc, and not just three adults. Or a landlord could be required to set aside a certain percentage of the suites in his building for family occupancy. The refusal by landlords to rent to anyone but adults is unreasonable .. 73 -sl00755 Serials Division Main Library Z University of B.C. VANCOUVER a, B.C. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 and has far-reaching repercussions. In the Greater Vancouver area,it makes it almost impossible for families to live anywhere near the wage earner(s) place of work. Every morning the bridges and freeway are choked with cars of commuters. It means that quite often landlords who will accept children offer substandard accomodations knowing the desperate renters will not dare object. It adds to the coinpartmentalization of society - all the old people in one place, all the young adults in another, the children in yet another, etc. It means that neighbourhoods are dying. An example is a street in North Vancouver which, only five years ago, consisted mainly 0f older houses and slightly newer dupiexs. Children played road hockey in the street and families knew one another. Today, if you drive down this street, there is an air of desertion. Most of the houses and dupiexs have been replaced by rows of identical phony-Spanish stucco apartment buildings ( Adults Only - No Children or Pets) and condominium (Adults Only - No Children or Pets). It is an artificial bedroom community. The separation of families from the rest of the population is unnatural. Communities will no longer exist. City councils must take this into consideration and planners should be encouraged to devise integrated dwellings which will preserve not destroy neighbourhoods and which are geared to the needs of each individual community. The government should make a concerted effort to break the stranglehold the 'suppliers' have on the consumer in the shelter game. Measures such as building housing, buying land and leasing it to housing co-ops, providing incentives for builders, supplying subsidies for low-income renters and buyers help to even up the sides. It is true that the provincial and federal governments are taking some action on the housing situation. But more must be done and now! We are never going back to the day when there was more housing available than tenants. Action must be taken to cope with the present and prepare for the future. \u00E2\u0080\u0094 Jo Lazenby Graphics Kathy Sopko TALES It sometimes seems that almost everyone has a \"story\" to tell concerning housing. A couple of weeks ago we tacked a piece of paper to one of the bulletin boards in the office and invited people who dropped in to jot down their stories. Well, additional pieces of paper have been stapled to the original until now the tale flows down the wall and onto the floor. We have decided to share some of these experiences with you. They range from funny frustrations to intolerable situations \u00E2\u0080\u0094 which just about sums up the housing situation. \"I lived one time in an 'Adults Only\" highrise. The manager told me he once rented a suite to a woman with a baby because he felt sorry for her because she couldn't find a place to live. \"But,\" he said,\" you know, she wouldn't keep the baby hidden. She used to take it to the laundry room and everything. I had to ask her to leave.\" \"One morning I looked out into the back yard of the duplex I have rented for the last three years. Where there had been a row of rose bushes along the fence there was now bare earth. I phoned the landlady to report this strange theft. She infor- ed me that she had dug up the bushes for her new house because \"you don't really need them.\" \"I am a widow with three small children. I earn a good salary. A landlord told me he wouldn't rent me his house because he didn't approve of working mothers.\" \"I went to rent a tiny house facing an alley. It had been hit by a truck, and there was a hole right through the wall that the previous tenants had stuffed with pillows. The manager wouldn't fix it, so some friends and I fixed it with plywood. The wiring and construction were so bad I couldn't get an insurance company to insure my belongings. To get that house I had to go through a worse interview than I did to get my landed immigrant status! But I needed a place where I could keep my dog.\" \"When it came time to renew the lease on the house I rent, my landlord raised the rent 35% and when I protested (stating the Provincial Government rent ceiling) he threatened to sell the house rather than rent anymore to us. He then took away the yearly lease, put me on a month to month basis. I refuse to live that way and had to offer him more rent to consider another yearly lease - which he of course accepted.\" \"My roof leaked every winter. Last winter it was especially bad. My landlord said it would be a very expensive repair job. It was pointed out to me that with a family of three children and pets I would have a very difficult time finding another place to live. I stopped complaining and put pans on the floor.\" \"I just had an illegal rent increase of 35%. I'm not going to complain about it, because I'm afraid I'll be evicted and I know I couldn't find any place any better. I rent a small house, and I know my landlord's expenses have not gone up. I pay my own heat and hydro, and there haven't been any repairs.\" \"I live on the main floor of a house\u00E2\u0080\u0094 4 rooms. I'm a single parent with one child. It was the only place in the area of my daughter's school that would take children. The upstairs, which is made into a bedsitter, is also rented out. I pay $325. Total revenue for the house is nearly $600. The manager won't do anything. Paint is peeling off the living room ceiling and the kitchen wall is always damp. It was a case of take-it-or- leave-it and I had to take it.\" \"My suite is one which is not covered by rent control. My rent was just raised $40. The place needs new appliances, sound proofing and I have to fight with 4 adults, 2 children, and a washer on the first floor to get a hot shower.\" \"I moved into one of those look-alike apartment buildings and in the first week I was told: a) not to hang any pictures or to let my furniture touch the walls; b) to take down my own curtains and put back the'institution' ones ( it didn't look good from the street); and c) to take my 10-speed bike off the balcony (it didn't look good from the street either.)\" \"The tenants in one of the units of the multiplex I lived in complained several times about repairs that were needed. They received a notice saying that their suite was needed for members of the landlord's family. After they moved out the suite was occupied by two of the landlord's sons who slept in sleeping bags, a%e elsewhere (perhaps at home), threw parties, and moved out after a month, at which time the suite was re-rented. No repairs had been made.\" One Woman's Solution Renting suitable living space is a problem for an ever-growing number of people. If you have children the problem is more severe. If you are on a low income the problem is magnified many times. If you are a single woman with children and a low income the problem at times seems insurmountable. If you do find accom- adatiohs they are usually less suitable than you had hoped for and almost always more expensive than you can comfortably manage. Added to this, you may live in constant fear that you will be asked to leave and as undesirable as the situation is, it may be the only place in town. So you make do and dream the impossible dream \u00E2\u0080\u0094 if only I had my own place where I could feel secure and unharrassed. Pat Bartle feels that the impossible dream is coming true for her. She is a single parent with a three year old son and works part-time. Last July she saw a sign in a bakery window inviting people interested in starting a housing co-op to attend a meeting. And that is how she became a member of the ADNAC Housing Co-operative Society, and next Christmas, ho'pe- fully, will be living in her own home. For $10 she became a shareholder in the co-op which was registered as a society with the Provincial Government. The Provincial Government bought a piece of land from the city of Vancouver and is leasing it to the co-op at 4% interest. Pat is eligible for grants totally approximately $1500 (including the Homeowners\" Grant), and will have to add only about $500 of her own money. She will then pay a fixed amount every month. In essence she will be her own landlady and her rent will never increase. If she were to leave the society at some - time in the future, she would get her initial investment back (Including the Homeowners' Grant) and the society Board Members would find a replacement for her unit. Because members of the Society do not each own their own unit, but the Society as a whole owns the entire housing project , individual members are not building up equity which .they can later use to help finance a move into another type of housing. Central Mortage and Housing advanced money for preliminary drawings for the Society and these will be soon completed. Because this co-op is for people who have difficulty finding adequate housing and because monthly payments will be geared to income, the make-up of the Society will have to follow certain guidelines: 10% people on welfare 10% people on low incomes 20% people with incomes up up to $22,000 approximately and the remaining 60% people somewhere in the middle. Living space will be allocated according to family size and not according to income. The units will range from single bedroom to five bedroom units and will provide housing for approximately 180 families. The plan is for a housing design that meets the needs of the people. The units will be clustered rather than in straight rows so there will be no shared walls. And each unit will have its own yard. Each family has a vote in decisions concerning the co-op and all member- will have a chance to sit on the Board which deals with general administration. It takes a lot of hard work to organize a venture of this size and scope, but it proves that there are alternatives to bad housing situations. Is the work worth it? Ask Pat Bartle next Christmas. - Jo Lazenby letter lobby Remember When you are writing to a MLA, MP, company, advertiser, etc to object to a sexist ad or some other form of discrimination or to urge that action be \u00C2\u00A3aken on an issue, it is MUCH more effective if the letter is your own not just a form letter clipped from a paper. Use the Media Action letter or Letter Lobby as a guide if you wish,but your protest certainly has more impact if it is personally handwritten or typed. This month the focus of Letter Lobby is on the special problems that women face in housing. Your support is necessary, please write out the following letter (in your own words) and send it to Hon. Alex Macdonald, Attorney General, Parliament Buildings, Victoria., Copies should go to Hon. Bill King, Minister of Labour (same address) and Barrie Clark, Office of the Rentalsman, 525 Seymour St., Vancouver, BC Dear Mr. Macdonald; I am very concerned about the housing problem and the ways in which women especially are placed in a very vulnerable position. A large percentage of low income people are women and most single parent families are headed by women. Usually these women submit to a great deal of unfair treatment in order to find and cling to a living space. Section 5 of the Human Rights Code, which includes the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex and marital status should be incorporated into the Landlord and Tenant Act so that the Rentalsman, the logical regulator of rental practices, can act on cases of discrimination against women. I also feel there should be legislation prohibiting rental discrimination on the basis of age. The -common policy of renting to \"adults only\" could be easily remedied by the inclusion of the phrase \"number of children\" into Section 5 of the Human Rights Code. The present lack of legislation is creating an impossible situation for all families wishing to rent housing. I would appreciate a reply on this matter at your earliest convenience. Yours sincerely, no federal human rights legislation why not? NOT THERE YET! BREAST CANCER SCREENING PROGRAM STILL NOT APPROVED A press release from Dennis Cocke, _ Dec. 27 announced \"approval of the installation of special diagnostic equipment for the diagnosis of cancer of the breast in 25 of the hospitals of British Columbia, distributed on a geographic and population basis.\" This means your doctor, if necessary, can now refer you to the nearest hospital with this equipment where you can have mammography done. This is an excellent first step. The mass screening program proposal that was presented to cabinet by the Ad-Hoc Committee on Breast Cancer Screening (and originally turned down) is still under evaluation. Many of you probably thought that the purchase of the diagnostic equipment meant we had won the fight for the screening program implementation. NOT SO! A final push of pressure is needed to get the program accepted by cabinet. If it is accepted it will eventually mean we will have clinics open to all women ..with mammography, thermography and physical examination available as well as instruction on self-examination. We will be able to have this screening done as easily as we can now get a chest X-ray. PLEASE write a letter now...and if you have already done so write again .. to Dennis Cocke, Minister of Health, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, asking that the mass screening proposal as presented by the Ad-Hoc Committee on Breast Cancer be approved. Send a copy to Colin Gablemann, MLA (he has been pushing strongly for the program) also % Parliament Buildings. What is the federal government doing about Human Rights legislation? Nothing, so far, and the Advisory Council on the Status of Women is demanding action. At its meeting in Vancouver, which concluded on January the 15th, the 30-member Council sent the following telegram to Marc Lalonde, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women: THE ACSW STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR ITS INACTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS LEGISLATION. AS EARLY AS JULY,, 1973, THIS LEGISLATION;WAS CLEARLY IDENTIFIED AS THE ACSW PRIORITY AND IN DECEMBER,1973, CABINET APPROVAL WAS ANNOUNCED. THE ACTION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DATE HAS CONSISTED OF NOTHING BUT INEFFECTUAL PROMISES. THE ACSW DEMANDS IMMEDIATE INTRODUCTION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS LEGISLATION. During its 3-day Vancouver session the Council made firm recommendations to be presented to the government dealing with Citizenship, Passports, Family Court, International Conventions, and the sharing of the Canada Pension Plan by husbands and wives, this last being described as a first step towards recognizing housewives as part of the real economic life of the country. Further matters of on-going concern are Rape, Family Planning, Banking, and Voluntarism. It was also decided unanimously to pres the government to take action now to fill vacant deputy minister posts with competent women. At the moment there is only one woman at the deputy minister level. The ACSW's next meeting will be in Ottawa in April. Council members stressed at a public meeting in Vancouver that individuals can take effective action by letting those in power know what should be done in areas of concern to women. Write to government ministers and your M.P.'s. We put them there. They are supposed to serve us,. e who are females, are more than half of our society. RESPONSES Thanks to all of you who have been reading Letter Lobby and sending out those much needed letters. This page is devoted to responses from 2 of those letters, and suggestions for those of you who will want to follow through with another letter. Yes, another letter! The name of the game is persistence and patience, the rules you make up yourself. Dear Kinesis; I'm enclosing a photostat copy of a letter I received from Otto Lafng. I want to share this because as far as I'm concerned this letter says it all. It says that this gov't will do nothing to stop the s suffering and humiliation of countless numbers of women in this country. It also says that its views are consistent with those of Pro-Life groups across the country, how's that for the start of a Happy New Year? It's been suggested that we begin to pressure the media for coverage of good birth control methods, i.e. the pill and I.U.D.'s, maybe that's something we can start exploring. I don't know\u00E2\u0080\u0094at this point in time I'm pretty discouraged and would welcome any new ideas\u00E2\u0080\u0094where do we go from here? Sincerely, Valerie Blair. Here is Mr. Lang's letter. Dear Miss Blair; I am writing in response to your letter to me of Oct. 14 in which you express support for the recommendation by the Royal Commission on the Status of Women that the Criminal Code be amended to permit abortion by a qualified practitioner on the sole request of the women. As you know the Criminal Code presently makes it a crime to take the life of an unborn. child except where the cont tinuation of a pregnancy endangers the life or health of the mother. If a committee of physicians in an accredited hospital certifies that in their opinion the continuation of the pregnancy of the expectant mother endangers her life or health, the pregnancy may be terminated; otherwise, it may not. Our government is not prepared to remove abortion from the Criminal Law; nore do we intend to widen the law to allow abortion except where the continuation of the pregnancy is a real threat to the woman's life or health. It is our belief that abortion involves interest other than that of the prospective mother and that this is the interest of the unborn child. It is our obligation to respect and protect that interest. Thank you for writing to me with your views. Yours sincerely, Otto Lang. WHAT.TO DO NOW. It certainly is depressing to get answers like that back from Mr. Lang, especially when countries such as France and Australia have recently made abortion on demand legal! We can only say to all of you\u00E2\u0080\u0094 DON'T GIVE UP. Continue sending pro-abortion letters to Lang's office, we'must not be muffled. Recently Dr. Katie Cooke of the Federal Advisory Council, Dr. Bette Stephenson, President of the Canadian Medical Association and Judy LaMarsh have all made statements condemning Lang's stand and suggesting that he should be removed from office for allowing his personal bias\" against abortion to interfere with his department's stand on abortion. Let's support this stand by writing our M.P.'s and the P.M. with copies to Dr. Katie Cooke, and Dr. Bette Stephenson. Here's a quote from Dr. Cooke that would be good to use, \"In a democracy we have a separation between the legis -- lator and the enforcer of the law, otherwise the Minister of Justice becomes both judge and jury\". So if you are hitting your head against the wall over Lang's attitude\u00E2\u0080\u0094get busy and do something about getting him out of there. Drs. Cooke and Stephenson need your support, your M.P. needs to know how you feel, and you may as well tell Trudeau while you're at it. Addresses: Dr. Katie Cooke, Advisory Council on Status of Women, 63 Sparks St, Box 1541, Station B, Ottawa, KIP 5R5. Dr. Bette Stephenson, President, Canadian Medical Ass'n, P.O. Box 8650, Ottawa, K1G 0G8. M.P.'s and Trudeau can be written c/o House of Commons, Ottawa. (no stamp needed for them after Jan 22.) MISS, MRS., and MS. Several of our members have had a response from Canadian Press re the CP Style Book ruling on Ms. that was in our Dec. issue. We have found out that CP issued new instructions on Oct. 22 regarding the use of Ms. and they read as follows; \"Some women wish to be known as Ms. (with period, pronounced miz or muz) rather than Miss or Mrs which they term degrading. Such use is not general in Canada. So use Ms. only when requested. Stories using Ms. should say whether the woman in question is married or single if the information is available and relevant.\" And, although there is not a specific ruling regarding sports in the CP Style Book, the names of all male sports figures are used without the honorofic Mr. However, for all women athletes a Miss or Mrs. must be used. At least with this new Ms. ruling a woman athlete could specifically require the use of Ms. However, despite this new ruling, it is obvious that CP is still missing the boat as far as removing sexist overtones from their copy is concerned. Perhaps we should follow this up by writing back stating that the use of Ms. is indeed general in Canada. If cabinet members can use it why can't Canadian Press?! Quote from the following memo (issued by KPRC-TV in Houston Texas prior to signing an agreement with N.O.W. re increased coverage of women's news) and make it clear that the new CP ruling on the use of Ms. is just as sexist as the original ruling, and that is what is degrading about the whole thing. Here's part of that memo-\"Let us follow a regular policy of keeping sexist stereotypes out of our copy. As a general rule you can do this by avoiding words that suggest a person in a certain role is likely to be of a certain sex - police officers instead of policemen etc. Unless you know of some strong feelings to the contrary on the part of the people you are writing about, use the title Ms. instead of Mrs. or Miss but this is not to say that women should always be referred to as Ms. It is better to refer to them by their names. Hazel Bracken for instance, is Hazel Bracken, or Bracken, or Board member Hazel Bracken, and does not need to be referred to as either Mrs. or Ms. for purpose of reporting news. And the women's movements should be referred to by their proper names, or referred to as women's movements, and not women's lib movements\". Write this letter to John Dauphinee, Canadian Press, 36 King St. E., Toronto, M5C 2L9. Send a copy of it to your own local newspaper too. members' forum 5 I have belonged to the Vancouver Status of Women for a year now and I have never contributed anything personal to the work you perform, or try to perform, except for the annual fee that I pay regularly. I receive Kinesis, which I read, and as you always ask for ideas and cooperation I have decided to write you a letter giving you one of my ideas. Many unattached women (widows with grown-up children, divorcees in the same position, single girls) believe that the only country that needs women's liberation is Canada. In other words, it never enters their minds that because they were born in this country and love it they only have a duty to fulfil towards it. According to my scale of values that is wrong. First of all, every human being, no matter what colour, social standing, religious belief, country of origin and language spoken, or sex is a citizen of the world.. After that first priority there are many others. If everybody in every country tried to get to know the other people and the other countries instead of criticizing them or hating them without proper knowledge of the reasons they have to behave as they do, this would be a far more pleasant place to live in. What I am trying to say is that it is the duty - moral duty - of the women of better developed countries to help the women of underdeveloped ones to understand that they are not inferior to the male of the species in any way; that God gave them the same brain and the same rights, no matter what God they believe in. Also that only by educating themselves to the level of their men will they be able to raise their children healthy both physically and mentally and guide them through life. Children love their mothers initially because they get to know their mothers in the womb before they get to know their fathers. I would not know. What I do know is that it is very normal in the poor countries that when children grow up they follow the examples of their fathers and become condescending towards their mothers. Why? It is simple: usually the fathers are better educated and the children admire them more and t v therefore try to imitate them. As a consequence, women get relegated to the kitchen and used as reproducing machines. Anyway, to conclude this letter, what I want to say is that Canadian women that are bored at home, that feel that they are wasting their lives and intellectual 'possibilities could go to other countries in which women are little more than slaves and teach them with their own example that wo men all over the world love and feel essentially the same about the same problems - namely children, love and men,,security, fear, dignity,etc. There are many international organizations that would gladly receive a good many more volunteers willing to work for their room and board and pocket money. It is my belief that helping innocent children and long- suffering women across the world would be way more interesting and constructive than fighting over whether we women should be called Miss or Mrs. or Ms. I belong to Women's Lib, but I do not believe women are better than men. We are different, but not better or ~~ worse. -Carmen Benitez EDITOR'S NOTE: Thank you for your views, Carmen. For some time now Kinesis has been wanting to do an issue on women in other parts of the world. We cordially Invite Ms. Benitez and others who are knowledgable (either through travel or living experiences) about countries other than Canada to submit articles of any length to Kinesis. Also, I again extend an open invitation to members to contribute to Kinesis letters, articles or opinions for Members' Fo rum. Pamphlets The Women's Press has published a long list of the pamphlets it has available. These pamphlets can be ordered' directly from The Women's Press. All orders must be pre-paid and they ask that you include 25c for handling. Make cheques or money \"orders payable to: Canadian Women's Educational Press 280 Bloor St.W, Ste 305 Toronto, Ontario. Please refer to the pamphlet number when ordering. 100 Women's Work produced by the Vancouver Working Women's Association. A series of articles by working women who look at and talk about their job situation. 24 pp ...$.30 101 Working in Hospitals produced by the Vancouver Working Women's Association A critical look at women's inferior position within the hospital 'caste system'. 23pp. .$.30 200 Vancouver Women's Health Booklet by A Woman's Place Collective Explores the nature and extent of the dissatisfaction which women have concerning the klnd of care they receive from the medical profession.. Includes discriptions of several ways in which women are coming together to try to change their health situation and offer alternatives to the traditional doctor-patient relationaship. 127 $.50 300 Our Daycare Centre produced by Northwest Communicare Record of conversations of people talking about what its like at their daycare centre, their hopes, their fears, their happiness, thier problems. 38 pp $.25 302 Cuz There Ain't No Daycare Cohen, Duggan, Sayre,Todd,Wright Attempts to answer some basic questions about daycare - what is daycare; what should it be; who needs it; what's in it for kids, families,and communities; who cares? 128pp .$.25 303 The Myth of Motherhood by Lee Comer Discusses with insight the mythology created about motherhood and stresses that this myth must be exposed in the same way that other myths are that cast women into narrow and rigidly defined roles. 400 Women's Liberation and Revolution - a bibliography by Sheila Rowbotham Lists books, pamphlets and articles which explore the relationship between feminism and revolutionary politics. 24pp $.80 501 The Family Allowance Under Attack by Susie Fleming Describes Family Allowance Campaign which was launched as a defensive response to the Government's proposal to abolish the only money paid by the State to all women with two or more children. 14pp $.40 703 Women in Struggle For Liberation produced by World Student Christian Federation Offers a collection of articles, descriptive and analytical, which gives insight into the kinds of struggles in which women around the world are involved. 169pp... $2.00 For a complete list of pamphlets available write The Canadian Women's Press. Curious about plans of our publicly- owned broadcasting system for ack nowledging International Women's Year, we dispatched inquiries (and a suggestion) to CBC programming and public relations officials. Knowlton Nash, Director of TV Information Programmes has replied with news of several programmes which have been definitely scheduled and of others still being considered. Definitely scheduled is an eight- part series, to be shown in prime time on Thursday nights, which Mr. Nash describes as \"a magazine programme on women in the news at home and abroad; issues of concern to women; attitudes of men.\" He mentions that the entire series will be done by an all-woman creative staff. In addition., a couple of programmes early in the year on the Man Alive series will be devoted to women and will, in Mr. Nash's words, \"demonstrate their personal triumph in recent years.\" Still in the realm of public affairs, the Take 30 show will be allotting considerable time over the year to women's issues and women's opinions. Two half-hour dramas specifically aimed at International Women's Year will be directed, written, and produced by women, and there will be another drama about the outspoken battler, Emma Goldman, whose causes included women's rights and- the dissemination of birth control information. In September, in prime time on Sunday nights, two one hour programmes on Emily Carr will be shown and one on L.M. Montgomery. Mr. Nash says that while these programmes are not overtly concerned with the problems studied in the Status of Women Report, \"on a very personal basis the status of these women and women in a man's world comes through quite vividly throughout.\" Again, they are produced by women\u00E2\u0080\u0094-Nancy Ryley for Emily Carr and Terry Filgate for L.M. Montgomery. A musical programme already lined up and to be entitled \"Three Women\" will feature Maureen Forrester, Sylvia Tyson, and Pauline Julien. Among some half a dozen other programme aid documentary ideas still being considered are one on women of Cuba, done by Sylvia Spring and an all-woman production team, and one involving Viveca Lindfors in \"I Am A Woman.\" The suggestion we sent along was that the CBC do a documentary series on The Royal Commission Report, Five Years Later, covering both progress and lack of progress. Mr. Nash thought it an \"intriguing\" idea and sent it along to Peter Herrndorf, head of the Current Affairs section of TV programming. Just before going to press we received a letter from Mr. Herrndorf, saying that a major documentary was being considered for next year on The Royal Commission' Report \"Then and Now.\" cbc and women Detailed information is not available yet on CBC Radio programme plans for International Women's Year, but John Lysaght, Public Relations - Radio, Vancouver, tells us that several proposals were discussed at a national programming conference in December. A number of programmes on matters of concern to women will be carried on the national network and regional programming will also focus on these subjects. Good Morning Radio is a case in point. -B.P. t WO TERRACE WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION (TWO) In Terrace a group of women who had met informally last winter to \"just talk\" have christened themselves the Terrace Women's Organization (TWO). This year they intend to work on several specific projects. Their spokeswoman is Alice Chen-Wing, 4729 McConnell, 635-7763. TWO's first project will be to stage a conference in March on the topic of Women in Politics. The conference will be for the politically initiated and the uninitiated and its purpose will be to increase the confidence and effectiveness of women's participation at all levels of government. Guest speakers, women who have experience or aspirations at all government levels, are being invited from all political parties. So far Iona Campagnolo, the newly-elected M.P. for Skeena, and Joan Wallace, the Liberal candidate for Burnaby- Richmond -. Delta in the last federal election, have said they would try to attend. The conference will be held March 1, 1975. Participants to this Terrace conference are welcomed from all parts of B.C. Sharon Biggs, 4103 Yeo, 635-4814, will co-ordinate the arrangements and Nan Harrison, 4620 Hillcrest, 635-5854 will arrange for billets. More details will be published in the next issue of Kinesis. LETTER LOBBX Since this issue is devoted to housing we have geared this month's Letter Lobby to that topic. Go to page -3 and send off your letter! People are beginning to get responses from the government and on page ty we have printed some of those responses with suggestions on how you can pick up the ball and throw it back into their laps. Yes, this is an ongoing battle, didn't you know? Joan Wallace, who has had alot of experience with writing letters, has a good suggestion for getting letter mileage out of your meetings. If there is a letter (s) that needs to be done on a specific topic, supply all those in attendance with a piece of paper and have them copy out the letter you wish sent (use slightly different wording, write it on a blackboard, or pass copies of it around) then collect all the letters, stuff them in envelopes and go on with your meeting. It would only take 10 minutes. FEDERAL ACTION At the last meeting of the Federal Action Committee June Menzies of the Federal Advisory Council on the Status of Women helped to clarify some of the intricacies of the .Canada Pension Plan. Even with the new amendment to the Plan there is still much discriminatory legislation to be studied for the brief that the Federal Action group is working on. The inclusion of the housewife in the CPP is an obvious part of our outlook. Any members interested in being a part of the Federal Action Group are asked to contact Diana Douglas at 980-5351. Diana Bissall Writer's Workshop meets once a month here in the office. Last meeting was on Jan. 16 and the assignment was to write a thousand word- story with dialogue. Maybe that explains why only 3 people turned up! Oh well, we all had a terrific discussion anyway. Next meeting will be in February, the night is yet to be determined. Call the office sometime after the 7th to find out when. Next assignment\u00E2\u0080\u0094write ANYTHING and bring it along. ORIENTATION As you know we hold Orientation meetings at 8 pm here in the office on the 2nd and 4th Thurs. of every month. They have proven to be very successful, an excellent way to introduce women to VSW and the movement. Over the past few months I have had several conversations with women discussing the need for an additional kind of meeting\u00E2\u0080\u0094or perhaps we should call it a non-meeting, as informal as orientation but with no other purpose than to provide a chance for women to gather together, talk with other women, read, etc. In response to this seeming need we are changing the format of orientation meetings. From now on the 2nd Thursday of each month will be devoted to orientation as it is presently with information on what VSW does, what membership can do etc. On the 4th Thursday of each month, from 8-10:30 Vancouver Status of Women presents OPEN EVENING anyone can drop in. anyone can talk, anyone can read MS magazine, WOMENSPORTS, other group's newsletters or all the books in our library! anyone can try on a t-shirt or peruse our posters, anyone can sit and be silent, anyone can bring a friend and introduce her to the feminist outlook, anyone can have coffee or tea for a small donation, anyone can do research on a topic ' related by women by digging through our pamphlet and article/clipping files, anyone can just come. You can can't you? First OPEN EVENING is THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, DROP BY ANYTIME BETWEEN 8 & 10:30 pm.' MEDIA ACTION Due to a horrendous lack of response from members, the Media Action Committee will no longer be holding monthly meetings to discuss sexism in advertising. The clip and send ad of the month feature will be continued in Kinesis, and we would like members to send us any and all sexist ads they see. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR We have applied for monies to carry out a community service program that would see us involved in arranging lecture/ discussion series on the women's movement at numerous community and neighbourhood centres in the lower mainland. We are also going to be doing some extensions on the High School Women's Workshops. Keep your fingers crossed for us and we'll keep you posted as to our success with the grant applications. IWY GOODIES Our secret spyperson made a find the other day. The Manitoba Action Cttee on Status of Women has produced stickers with the IWY dove symbol on it. They are blue on white, come in two sizes larger ones (seemed to me to be about 3\" x 3\") sell for 10c ea., 12 for $1. Smaller ones (stamp size) are 24 for $1. Write to Manitoba Action Cttee. on Status of Women, c/o June Menzies, 715 Fisher St., Winnipeg, Manitoba. ANNOUNCEMENT Former VSW Staff Member Pam Smith gave birth to a baby boy December 18th. Young Tajo Jamiolkowski paid a visit to the VSW Office the other day but was unimpressed with the activity around him. 8 Advantages of Feminism Men, open your eyes! Stop being threatened by women's liberation and expel your fears of losing your masculinity, power and slaves. Look at women's liberation with a supportive attitude and know that it means advantages for you. You will gain back your humanity, home, job and world responsibilities will be lessened, your partners or spouses will become independent and truly equal persons. Realize that your freedom of choice goes hand in hand with women's freedom of choice. Male or female could choose between a variety of life styles (househusband, hobbyist, volunteer worker, or career person) and these will become socially accepted alternatives for men in future social systems. The pressures of being head of the household and breadwinner could be shared with one's spouse, if stereotypes are broken down. Whatever emotions a man feels or behaviour he wishes to demonstrate can be revealed as his personal and individual character and not as now, simply those feelings and behaviours attributed to a male like aggressiveness and strength. Wouldn't it be great to be pursued sometimes rather than be the aggressor all the time? Repeatedly I hear men remark that their wives at home have an easy and simple job. Their tone is envious as if they would like to change places. Now if everyone was free to choose their field of endeavour, then men and women could reverse the present roles and be happy doing what they want to. Men's comments about homemaking indicate househus- bands could become more popular. Wouldn't it be great to enjoy those hobbies today which you aspire to take up in retirement days? To spend more time with the children and get to know them better? Get those things done around the house you just never have time for? To have a flexible schedule and not have to worry about bringing home the wages? Wouldn't it be beautiful to be taken out on the town or receive roses at no expense to you? Perhaps you and your wife could each support the family financially half the year and be the homemaker the other half or even both work out a schedule of part-time work year round. Just the change might be gratifying and appreciated by both you and your wife. Statistics show that women live longer than men and it's viable that their \"place at home\" is a contributing factor. Longevity is another advantage for men to gain from women's liberation. Another area where responsibility can be equalized to the advantage of men is in matrimonial law. You probably know someone who has been zapped for debts accrued by his wife; has been chased from job to job for maintenance and support; or has been denied custody only because mothers are unquestionably better parents. I say give women parity in the marriage relationship and recognize their contribution to the economic, social and emotional standard of the family unit. In other words, give women an equal share of the responsibilities and assets of a marriage and the duties and liabilities will be more evenly shared. For example, a wife's outside earnings would be halved with her husband and any debts accrued by her during the marriage would be her responsibility instead of her earnings belonging to her and her debcs belonging to him. I think its terrible that the husband has to put a notice in the local papers denying liability for debts of his wife after a certain date. Also the majority of judgments handed down in divorce cases deems the man responsible for court costs. Even in the marriage ceremony, traditionally, the bride's father pays for the weddings. Men suffer the burdens imposed by laws relating to marriage breakdown and particularly maintenance and support. Upgrade the marriage contract to the standards applying to the formation of any other contract, where the shares are predetermined, provisions are made for dissolution, including division of properties, custody and support. If there was a no fault clause, where the blame was not shunted onto one as practiced today, then both partners would be responsible for the marriage breakdown and all the consequences that result. The debts and credits of the marriage balance sheet would be suitably shared by prior agreement, as in any other partnership. (No business man would enter into a contract without knowing his rights and shares.) This would reduce the courtroom hassle and legal fees trying to prove one right and one wrong and guarantee the spouses settlement that was agreed to at the time of marriage. Any contract takes two people to join initially and its only sensible to make provision for dissolution at the start of a partnership, not at the end. Another area of freedom of choice, where family relationships could be improved is in the policy applied to voluntary sterilization and birth control. If doctors and hospital boards, allowed adult men and women to procure sterilization without their spouses' consent, this would put an end to unwanted children and unprepared parents. The freedom of choice in the area of sterilization would enforce the individuals right to control his body. It is not impossible for a wife (who is more often than not, responsible for birth control) to become pregnant in a desperate attempt to save a crumbling marriage. Familiar? It would certainly promote the status of men and women to whole, separate people. For responsible men who wish to prevent conception the condom is not perfectly safe nor is abstention the answer. Awareness of the powerlessness of men in the decision to have a child and realizing the burdens and the responsibilities of an unwanted child, should induce more husbands and fathers to press for accessibility to sterilization and development of male birth control. Liberation means that people enjoy the right of freedom of choice. Know this my male friends and support Women's Liberation. - Leigh Fox Reprinted from Ishtar News Aldergrove Women's Resource Center & Transition House, December,1974. Ms. deserters Vancouver Ms. describes itself as \" a place where women of many different interests can be together to talk, r.elax and become aware of the strength and joy of women's culture.\" It provides a place for women poets, musicians and artists to display their work in a supportive environment. Vancouver Ms. is open five nights a week - Wednesday through Sunday - from 8:00pm to 2 am and is supported through membership dues and admission charges. Wednesday nights are devoted to films and discussions. For information on what topics will be discussed are what films are being shown contact Vancouver Ms. at 2089 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver, 738-5821. Thursdays are piano music and pool. Pool lessons are available. Friday and Saturday nights are boogie nights and there is a bottle draw on Saturday night. Sunday features poetry readings by women poets. USA Fathers who desert their families will be pursued by the federal government provisions of a social-services spending law designed by President Ford. The act authorizes use of federal courts, IRS collection procedures, federal data files and garnishment of federal salaries and retirement benefits to enforce child-support requirements. -from Wall Street Journal Jan.6,1975. georgia & granville GEORGIA AND- GRANVILLE DIALOGUES AND ENCOUNTERS In the battles within myself it is interesting who wins: \"You say you believe, but if you really believe, why don't you do something positive?\" \"But I'm afraid.\" \"If you really believe, instead of just saying you do, you'll do it.\" \"But I'd feel like a fool.\" \"Are you saying that Ann and Linda and Cynthia and all the rest (who are doing all the real work) are fools?\" \"But they're radicals! They stand on streetcorners petitioning all the time. They belong!\" ******************* Georgia and Granville, 7 pm Friday evening, I'm decked out in middle- class splendour, no bluejeans or skijacket. Without a disguise I feel naked. \"Would ...\" my outstretched hand bangs along bodies like a child's stick on a fence. \"Would you like to sign a peti...\" The crowd is faceless. They rush. They flash. They boil. They flood. I'm lost, they're drowning me. It won't work! \"Try! Exhort them but don't plead - please don't plead!\" Better still to retreat within myself and close the doors. Put a \"do not disturb\" sign next to the petition, become a wooden lady with an iron face. But I need 200 signatures. \"Don't let them get to you, lady. Hang in there, you're doing O.K.\" His smile is gentle, bearded. \"This is my corner, I sell the 'Straight' here all the time. Woul- you like me to sign your petition?\" I force the corners of my lips up in a parody of a smile..^he effect is foolish. I feel too relieved. \"I must have signed this one at least twelve times.\" \"But you're only allowed to sign once! The signatures are counted. It only counts once. Thank God, I now have one signature. \"Excuse me. Would you like to sign a petition to help eliminate abortion from the Criminal Code?\" \"I'll certainly sign that. You women are doing such a good job. It's a terrible thing, killing all those babies!\" She took my pen, her smile radiating approval. \"But...\" I stop, amazed. My bearded friend from the 'Straight' has jammed his elbow into my ribs. During my confusion, thanking me, she pushed off into the tide of bodies. The Hare Krishna and Novena Man(with the giant rosary) have moved in on us. My friend from the 'Straight' starts to laugh. We become a'happening' on a streetcprner. We rattle. We bang. We resonate together. \"Would you ...\" Hare\"/ Like to... \"Krishna\" / Sign a...\"hare\"./ Novena Man swings his rosary, mumbling prayers against us. The Hare Krishna woman discusses my Kharma and my Dharma. Reincarnation. My attention is focused on the orange smear between her eyebrows. I will be an aborted fetus in my next three lives. It doesn't matter. The 'signers' have joined our 'happening'. They are signing, they are lining up to sign. The energy radiating from our streetcorner seems to draw them. \"We all have the right to our own opinions\", they say to the Hare Krishna woman. In my hands there are now 200 signatures. By nature I ..am part of the faceless crowd. I rarely sign petitions. - S.L. Poole BOOKS FOR CHILDREN WOMEN'S PRESS, Canadian Women's Educational Press, announces the publication of Stone Soup, a book for children. Stone Soup is for children 8 to 10 years old, is written by Carol Pasternak and Allen Sutter- field, illustrated by Hedy Campbell and costs $3 paperback and $6.25 cloth. The Women's Press places a strong emphasis on the importance of books for childrdn that present realistic alternatives to traditional stereotyping in children's literature. They feel it important that children read books about their own experience, culture, class and lifestyle, and the Women's Press has a continuing commitment to making this kind of reading material available on a wider scale. The Women's Press is looking for new manuscripts for non-sexist children's books. For further information contact: Penny Goldsmith Canadian Women's Educational Press 280 Bloor St. W. Suite 305 Toronto, Ontario (416) 962-3904 NEWS STATUS OF WOMEN NEWS The Status of Women News will publish news about your women's group or centre. Send advance notice of meetings, conferences,etc, and short reports of events, publications, major decisions,etc. They also appreciate photos, drawings, cartoons, logos and poetry, and will reprint material from other publications This is one way for women to ifeep in touch with what other women are doing. Send information to: The Editor The Status of Women News 121 Avenue Road Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2G3 (phone - 416 922-3246) IO The woman in Alice Munroe's short story \"The Office\" recalls how on long spring evenings, \"still rainy and sad,\" she has opened the windows to feel a \"fierce and lawless quiver of freedom,\" and to know how the rest of the time she is \"sheltered and encumbered,\" how \"insistently\" she is \"warmed and bound.\" Elsewhere in the story she realizes that when she is in the house \"She jls_ the house; there is no separation possible.\" Woman's place is in the home! A persistent, although largely invisible feature of the sex-role ideology we're all still bound by most of the time has been the embodiment of this belief in the built environment. Different cultures have different forms of housing and settlement patterns (areas of public space within which community life takes place). These built forms channel personal, family, and social life and work in ways the culture has traditionally found useful for survival. In House Form and Culture, (Prentice-Hall, 1969) a pioneer study of house forms and settlement patterns, the anthropologist Amos Rapoport makes two crucial points about North American housing: (1) The social norm provided for by most planning is the white, middle-class family of parents and two children typified by advertising, and (2) the ideal image of home in everyone's mind\u00E2\u0080\u0094an image implanted not only by experience of the existing environment , but also by all the media- is the isolated single family dwelling on its own plot of ground. In North America, almost all housing is constructed to conform to the social norm of the nuclear family as an isolated, self-contained, mobile social unit. Furthermore, the house, (or aptly named apartment) is usually conceived by the architect or planner as an isolated unit rather than as part of a community system. Apart from bath and kitchen areas, the division of space within the single family house provides sleeping rooms for members of the family, a special room for eating, and usually one all- purpose room for 'living;. The allocation of space by rigid walls is traditional and usually unquestioned by the users , however non-functional it may be for individual families or for individuals within the familyt The effect of this institutionalization of space is to cause behaviour to fall into certain patterns: the master bedroom says that husband and wife sleep together; the dining room says that the family eats together as a ritual; the living room, that the family pursue leisure\"activities as a group within the same space. The result can be the imposition of a grid upon the life within the house: it tends to assume certain patterns because of the rigid division of space and implies and permits certain kinds of use while discouraging or making impossible others. Specialization in furnishing and decor also works against a multi-purpose use of space. In primitive societies, the people were in control of their own building processes. If modifications were required in house form, they occured naturally over a period of time as as practical adaptations were made to meet emerging needs. (The modern equivalent of this owner- control would be such individualistic adaptations as turning a garage into a playroom.) But in contemporary urban societies, the people who use the housing are almost totally out of touch with the architects who design it. The existence of developers, who are motivated by profit and who employ architects to design for the stereotypical nuclear family makes the building process even more one of remote control as far as the people who will use the housing are concerned. The building forms produced by developers are not a direct response to climate, available building materials, and the way of life of the users, but simply a repetition of existing forms which have become non-functional for many of the people who must use them. And use them they must, simply because no other housing patterns are available. The members of a co-operative or extended family group find single family housing difficult or impossible to adapt to their life-style which calls for individual spaces large enough for working and entertaining as well as sleeping, in.addition to the shared space of 'living; rooms. The single parent isolated with small children in the single family house lacks a built-in sense of community. Social ideas of what is 'normal', ideas which are coded in the built forms of the environment have until recently inhibited the formation of other types of family groupings. A recent study of housing in Vancouver confirms Rapaport's observation that the freestanding single family house, and not an apartment or row house is the ideal home which exists in everyone's mind, and which everyone aspires to own. A recent survey of consumer preference in medium-density housing in Greater Vancouver (The Housing Game, United Way of Greater Vancouver, July,1974) shows that since single family houses have become generally unavailable to low and middle income groups, many families will opt for condominiums or townhouses, provided the design satisfies their need for privacy and territoriality. In urban life in Vancouver, as elsewhere in North America, the movements of citizen participation, bureaucratic decentralization, community control and the corresponding emphasis on development of community facilities has meant that there is a growing demand for architects and developers to be sensitive to the actual needs of the people they serve.* As a profession, architecture is traditionally male-dominated. In the United States, less that 2% of architects are women, and the situation in Canada is similar, although more women are beginning to go into the profession. However, a woman's perspective on the urban environment should encourage the emergence of new built forms and the adaptations of existing ones to bring housing and settlement patterns closer to the actual needs of real people. The Britannia Community Services Centre now being built in Vancouver is a local example of citizen participation in the design process. oom on Restructuring the Urban Grid, a planning concept from Theodore Roszak's anthology Sources, Harper Paperback,1972. By utilizing space formerly taken up by access roads and house front property, useful space can be developed for community living. The LIFEHOUSE would contain facilities such as Day Care,,library,etc. THE WOMAN IS THE HOUSE: THE MASTER BEDROOM SYNDROME (Polemics of the,women's consciousness) by Gloria Onley Slide-tape presentation given at the Tenth Annual Conference of the Canadian Association For American Studies, University of Ottawa, October 9-12, 1974. To be published by the C.A.A.S., in article form. ABSTRACT: The North American woman, for all her regional variety, lives in a status- oriented, institutionalized culture which makes spatial location and/or economic validation the existential basis of individual and social functioning. In such a society, a woman cannot function as an autonomous individual unless she manages to acquire, as Virginia Woolf suggested in. 1928, a territorial and economic foundation for personhood. Just as the custom of the wife taking her husband's name implies that he agrees to having her identity submerged in that of her husband and to function as his sub- ordinate, so the customary allocation of space within the typical nuclear family dwelling in North America denies the woman any private space of her own which she can personalize and use as a retreat. Traditional patterns of room use as well as the behavioural patterns of family members embody, enforce, and transmit the assumption of the culture that the woman should be available to serve the house and the family at all times. As the sociologist Kathrin Perutz remarks, \"we put woman in charge of the household that belongs to her husband. She becomes literally a slave, working for no pay in a place not her own.\" Trie woman's design-transmitted life style of isolation without privacy can only be significantly modified by radical changes in architectural and environmental design, and by corresponding changes in property and marriage laws. Women's needs call for innovations in dwelling form and urban settlement patterns to provide (1) private space and privacy to use it, should the woman so desire (2) cooperative child care and household management (3) increased opportunity for interaction with persons of all age groups and both sexes. All material on this page contributed by Gloria Onley of Women's Design Center Collective 12 some good news The Dept. of Manpower and Immigration announces that jthe continued expansion of EOW (Employment Opportunities for Women) programs indicates growing awareness of the need to provide this special way to help women enter or re-enter the labour force. Courses are now operating in Prince George, Kamloops, Nanaimo and Victoria,as well as several in the lower mainland including Richmond. Others are being considered in Williams Lake and the Okanagan. Women are beginning to crack the barriers surrounding previously male dominated fields. These fields usually pay well and it is becoming obvious to more and more people that the positions can be filled by women. The December issue of Kinesis featured a personal account by Linda Oglov who worked as a construction worker on the Kootenay Canal Development. To quote Linda 'J I discovered that people earn goof salaries in construction, and that there is,in most cases,no good reason why the people drawing that big money can't be women, and that the male construction worker welcomes a woman on the job. Construction jobs are by far the best paying jobs in this area so that is where I applied.\" Jo Mitchell, Women's Employment Coordinator with the Department of Manpower and Immigration, Pacific Region, announces the following good news: ...Women meter readers have started work for West Kootenay Power in Trail. ...a woman from Fort Nelson is progressing very well in the Vancouver Vocational Institute Building Construction course. ...the Mining School in Rossland is now accepting women students. ...women are working underground with Cominco's H&B mine at Salmo, as hoist and skip tenders. ...the employment Development Mining Consultant, Buck Buckingham, the Chief Mining Inspector and the Mining Association are meeting to consider the whole range of jobs which women might be able to do underground. Some consideration may be given to a special program similar to the activity at Kitimat on an experimental basis. In the meantime, increasing numbers of women are working in open pit mines. ...a women in training program has been started for East Indian women in the Vancouver Metro area. ...there is now a woman steel spar operator in B.C. ...a special experimental industrialization program for 21 women at ALCAN in Kitimat was a great success and will be repeated in January. The women are now working in various areas of the plant for apprenticeships. This program was the first of its kind in North America! ...a sour note - a recent Provincial Government Competition for research staff had 80 male applicants and only one female applicant. ...something to look forward to - the Women's Employment co-ordinator and her staff are putting together a video tape and slide presentation on women who are breaking into new fields of employment. The presentation should be ready in the Spring. ....and some bad news According to the federal department of labor, average hourly industrial wage rates for men exceed those of '\u00C4\u00A2 women in nearly all similarly described occupations that were investigated. Men, for example, earn an average annual income that is 107.4 per cent higher than that for women doing identical managerial work. Although only six men hold clerical jobs for every thirty-three women, the men's income averages 56.7 per cent higher than the women's. In the field of services and recreation, where 21.4 per cent of the female work force is employed, women's average incomes lag 167.9 per cent behind the men's. The record is just as bad when it comes to the question of access to higher level occupations offering greater challenges and monetary rewards . While women constitute more than 33 per cent of the labour force, only 4.2 per cent of them hold managerial jobs. In 1972 there were only 53 women in Canada employed as architects, less than two per cent of the total. There were only 87 female engineers and 301 female lawyers. Meanwhile, in spite of discrimination, ever increasing numbers of women are seeking full-time employment. Since 1931 the percentage of women in the labour force has increased by 72.3 per cent and there is every indication that the trend will continue. The national birth rate is plunging at a time when greater numbers of females are pursuing higher education and training. The implications are clear: as fewer women are tied down in the home\"by family needs mo?e and more of them will be motivated to compete with men on the job market. So far the cards have been stacked against them , but a more efficient and objective utilization of the female labour force could help to alleviate some of the chronic labour shortages industrial societies are experiencing in the demand for skilled tradesmen. Already women are proving their ability to work in logging camps and with mining and construction crews. -excerpt from editorial in the Edmonton Journal, Nov.12, 1974, Andrew Snaddon, editor. Reprinted from Status of Women Information Project Newsletter, Calgary, Nov. 30, 1974. editorial.... As I sit here in my editor's chair, appropriately alert for any passing events, I wait expectantly for the belated beginning of International Women's Year. Supposedly it is here and going but I've seen sparse evidence of it. When is it going to happen? Or, at least this is what I was thinking a few days ago. I've since changed my attack. Remembering Roberta Schlosberg's cogent comments on the subject in the last issue, I realize that the \"tokenism\" aspect is going to be the hardest element to fight in making this a successful IWY. To keep this year from being merely a symbol of IWY and making it a real IWY will require effort from all of us of all sexes, who believe such a \"circus\" (to quote from Roberta) is not only \"good for the soul\" but also necessary and timely. Much of our feelings of frustration coincides with Nellie McClung's statement in her \"In Times Like These\" published in 1915, and used as the beginning quote for the HERSTORY published by the Canadian Women's Educational Press. \"At the present time there is much discontent among women, and many people are seriously alarmed about it. They say women are no longer contented with woman's sphere and woman's work...\" She goes on to say that part of this discontent is connected to the growing pains of women's self-realization, much like the growing pains in a child. The other part of it is the fact that previously women did not have time to even talk about, much less consider, their predicament. If anything, Ms. McClung's comments on the times are as appropriate today as when they were first written.( From her wisdom we gain one of two viewpoints: 1) Either she was a visionary far ahead of her times, or 2) we are missing the boat. So where does this put us? Well, in regard to IWY, it simply has to work. We cannot afford to let it fail. Secondly, and this is the discovery I made while sitting on my hands staring out the window waiting for the good fairy to present me with a fullblown and fulfilling IWY, that I, am not, and indeed, no one is, on the fairy's flight pattern. Simplistic, you are saying, that I should expect this. Slow to realize what is really going on. Perhaps, but I'm quite sure that there are many others who are slow in this category. So now that we have defined this problem, let us begin to attack it. Let us surprise the government, and make IWY a resounding success. However, also let us not get caught in the old traps, but head out to battle with a new defense. All of this decisiveness left me in a quandry. Usually, when caught with a bad case of the \"do nothings\" or at least a case of the muddles, rather than not move at all, I choose to make any move that interests me. At my moment of need, the salvation was Diana Bissell's page in the December issue: a list of practical yet very reasonable things to do for IWY. Perhaps a lot of us, who have been in the women's movement for a while feel we are too sophisticated for this down to earth stuff. Yet in lives as automated as society decrees ours must be, the personal contact aspect is really the only one that counts. Also, if it is a step forward, however small, and brings us satisfaction, then it certainly is a positive move for the Women's Movement and in turn for IWY. In other words, the action you take for IWY does not have to be self-sacrificing, cost large sums of money, be for women other than yourself, or sanctioned by the government or any organization. It can be an action used for enriching your life, or any woman's life, after all that is the aim of the women's movement; to make all women's lives better, in whatever way, in however magnitude. Let me share my first successes with you. For the first week, I had long talks with my mother about her life as a young woman what a fantastic lady she is, and not only that, I'm related to her! Last week I bought myself a HERSTORY to keep all my appointments in and to read for inspiration as required. In conjunction with the Herstory, I finally made a visit to the Women's Bookstore in Vancouver, something I never found time to do before. And today, I took the time to properly answer a letter that had come to Kinesis inquiring about VSW. Not great things, you say. Perhaps they will not change the world. Yes, I know all that but somehow, I feel that if I take the time to do things for and with my lady peers by the end of IWY, it will have become a reaction rather than a conscious effort. And, if I can convince many people to do the same, won't we have a grass roots movement started? And grass root movement has been known to have quite an effect on history (not to mention Herstory). All I am suggesting is do not underestimate your power as one woman alone to accomplish good during this or any other year. Do not shortchange yourself as having no skills to add to IWY, after all you are a woman and 50% of the population has not had that experience. Taking my own advice, I set up two plans of personal attack on the paralysis affecting IWY. The first consisted of some general goals for the part of women's movement that I can affect and am affected by. These are: 1) To learn more about myself and what I truly want from my life as a woman in this society, 2) to develop some real friends from the women I know, that is to stop competing with other women for attention from the men of our society (and as a corollary, to develop this attitude in other women), 3) to develop a sense of humour regarding the Women's Movement and my particular role in it, in other words to put my life in proper perspective. OK, this is great but quite a large order for success. So, I set up the second phase of my personal IWY: to have some personal, and very definite, projects to be completed weekly, monthly or in a reasonable time span. All of these would do 'something for some woman. The idea was not to be too rigid in my choosing, but rather make it enjoyable, yet worthwhile. (Contrary to a view pervading many women's lives, tasks can be both worthwhile and personally rewarding.) And, most of all do not feel that nothing is accomplished on a one to one basis of meeting and knowing other women. Do not feel it is a \"waste of time\" to allow yourself an opportunity to think about your role in this world and this year. It is not woman's duty to always be performing work for others. That is only the type of mental reaction society would like us to have. If nothing else, try to develop one good woman friend this year and do not compete with her. And, when IWY is over you will have a friend for life. No amount of government funding can buy you that sort of peace of mind. In summary take the time to do what you enjoy with and for women. 14 YOUR HEALTH THE VANCOUVER WOMEN'S HEALTH COLLECTIVE the Vancouver Women's Health Collective has just moved to a new office - upstairs at 1520 West 6th, Vancouver. Right now they are busy putting up partitions, painting and otherwise getting settled. The dust will settle by the end of January. Even with thw heavy work going on, the Collective has remained open. The health Collective has been provd- ing a number of important services for the past three years: \u00E2\u0080\u0094maintaining a list of gynecologists, obstetricians and G.P.s. If you're dissatisfied with your doctor and are considering switching, or are new in town and looking for a doctor, you can phone the Collective or drop in. They'll read you suggested names as well as comments written by other women who've been to these doctors. If you've found a doctor you trust, please phone the Collective and let them fill out a card on that person. Also, if you've had experience with a doctor you consider in any way incompetent (too rushed, condescending, or just plain out-of-it, etc. etc) please let the Collective know. It could save other women a lot of grief. \u00E2\u0080\u0094 abortion counseling and abortion referral. Some of the women who counsel have had abortions themselves; others have worked at the Collective and have had prolonged contact with women's health issues. At the very least there is someone to talk to, and should you decide to go ahead and have an abortion, the Collective will provide emotional support. \u00E2\u0080\u0094 providing books, pamphlets, etc. on issues pertaining to our collective health. You can drop in and browse. \u00E2\u0080\u0094 running a self-help clinic at the Pine Street Clinic, corner of Pine and West 8th, every Tuesday evening from 6 to 10. (Phone 738-6622). Women doctors are on hand. But primarily women from the Collective, who havd learned from doctors, themselves pass on imformation about breast self- examination, how to use a speculum and examine your vagina and cervix, as well as information on venereal disease, birth control, Pap smears. It's not run as a group. You can go there and get the health information that is important to you. \u00E2\u0080\u0094 running health discussion groups. An opportunity to meet with a small group of women, to share experiences with health care, information,- and the changes in how we see and experience our bodies. You could call it something betweent a self-help group and a consciousness raising group. If the Health Collective can help you - or you it - drop by at 1520 West 6th ive,- Vancouver, Mon. through Fri. from 10 am-6'5pm (Wed. open till 9 pm) or phone 736-6696. -Susan Levin REVIEW It was only a matter of time before I ran off at the mouth about my beloved prairies again. Believe me, I have good reason having read, for the third time, Old Jules, by Mari Sandoz. I guess what amazes me about this book is the universality of it and the varied impressions it has made on me. The first reading, fifteen-plus years ago in my teens, I was overcome by the romanticism of it all and awed a bit by reading one of my first truly adult books. At university, the prairie theme reminded me of my childhood books. At university, the prairie theme reminded me of my childhood home. This time it was to answer the question of how Mari Sandoz, the author, became such a feminist (so unconsciously so she preferred to call herself an independent liberal) and so adjusted and successful in her work that the added comment of \"she never married\" is uttered in astonishment by her biographers and is never included in any such statement by herself. This of course was in a time (Mari Sandoz was born in 1901 and Old Jules, published in 1935) when marriage was considered a prerequisite for a non-neurotic author. But, onto the book. Old Jules is Mari's biography of her father, a cantankerous and questionable character who married four times, had at least six children and ruled his home with nothing less than pure dictatorial laws. How, from this setting could a woman of Ms. Candoz nature emerge. A woman described by her fellow writers as dynamic, slender and courageous. Perhaps the clue is from her admission to one of her editors of her \"cringing cowar dice from ridicule\" of her father which she ruefully admits she's \"over that now.\" But the ability to stand up to people is only part of her feminist character. The only facet seems to be the nature of life on the grasslands. The sort of relentless elements of nature which time and again, even in the space age, make man aware of his insignificance and inability to control his surroundings. This brought home in storms of catastrophic size and schizoid weather patterns that leaves one never questioning who is master. Perhaps it is from this that persons tend to have stronger bonds to one another and that all the family work together to survive. And, one learns to respect people for their survival and not for their sex. Certainly, Mari, being the oldest child in the family, had her share of responsibility not only caring for the younger siblings but of baling, hay, hoeing the garden, hunting, rounding up the lost cattle after a blizzard and just generally being able to do anything when and where needed. Perhaps, too, it is inherited from her mother who, due to a lazy husband and a necessity to survive, did anything and everything required to keep the family alive. Or maybe it is watching other women with posts of importance in the development of the prairie. (One of Jules wives served as postmistress for the area.) But greater than all these was the equalizer of living on the prairies which, as Ms. Sandoz describes, has \"a vigor... and broadness of horizon\" not found elsewhere. It is there that women first found equality out of necessity. If we look at early political women, where do they begin their careers? (Hint: Nellie McClung in Winnipeg and Emily Murphy in Alberta) The prairies, too, first allowed women to vote. But then again I warned you I am addicted to that rolling, barren land, as the uninitiated prefer to call it. Since this is to be a book review, let me return for one moment to Old Jules. Read it, try to answer the question of why so many feminists rise from the prairies even in the face of men like Jules Sandoz who readily states that any work he does not want to do belongs to the women. Yet, watch him trust his 13 year old, 56 pound daughter to go live (with her younger brother) and more incredibly to survive on Jules new claim 75 miles away from home. Or see him allow the children to read anything they want or speak to them in the same cruel way he does adults. His off-spring may be slaves physically but mentally they are free. And, perhaps that is the beginning of true equality and of self dignity. In this sense the story of Old Jules is, in reflection, the story of Mari Sandoz and it is this latter that is of significance to those of us from the prairies in defining ourselves. -D.E.R. Photo by Terry Ryals 15 ubc THE WOMEN'S OFFICE The UBC Women's Office program \"By Whose Definition - A Program For Women\" will be presenting a talk by Dr. Pepper Schwartz entitled Bisex- uality - A Study of Social Identity. The presentation will be in the Blue Room in the Arts One Building at UBC at 7:30 on Tues. Jan. 28. Required donation of 50c. Among the workshops planned for this term are: 1) Consciousness Raising Groups, Thurs. 12:30-2:30 pm, UBC Women's Office. 2) Self Help Health Groups. 3) Studies in Feminist Theory, Weds. 7:30 pm in the Women's Office. 4) Women Writers Workshop, Thurs. 7:30 pm in the Women's Office. The Women's Office also has a TV series Women in Focus which will be aired Tues. nights at 9 pm on Cable 10. Guest will include Dr. Margaret Mead and Dr. Pepper Schwartz and some of the topics planned are: older women, women's studies, women architects, and Lesbian lifestyles. These programs have been created and produced by a technical crew consisting entirely of women. For further information please con tact The Women's Office at 228-2082. ywca Single Mothers' Take-A-Break From 11am - 2 pm every Thursday. Crafts, discussions, etc. Childcare provided. Vancouver YWCA, 580 Burrard, Vancouver. 683-2531. wcmrs UBC Department of Continuing Education Course: SETTING YOUR SIGHTS ON MANAGEMENT Date: 6 sessions, starting February 5 Place: Vancouver Public Library, 750 Burrard, Room 301. 6:15-8:15 pm Instructors: Trudy Buckler and Eileen Hendry Outline: A workshop for women who seek greater involvement in management and who want to develop and improve interpersonal skills on the job. Fee: $25 for 6 sessions. Please pre-register. Call 228-2181. poco high The Port Coquitlam Secondary Community Projects announces that in recognition of of the growing interest among women for information on various aspects of the woman's movement, the following programs have been planned: WOMAN TODAY Woman Today Where do you stand as a woman today? This course discusses, questions an- informs on all aspects of the women's movement. All sessions include special guest speakers. Course held at St. Catherines Church, 2251 McAllister, Port Coquitlam. Babysitting available at $2.00 for first child of family and $1.00 thereafter. Seven sessions - Tuesdays, Jan. 21. 7:30-9:30 pm. $4.00. Woman and Her Health A three point examination of health topics specifically related to women. Uterine and breast cancer; menopause; and the woman and her doctor will be discussed. Program participants include doctors, public health, and Canadian Cancer Society. Pre-register by phone in the evening after Feb. 16. 941-5461. Three sessions, Wednesdays. March 5. 7:30-9:30 pm. $4.00. Women's Studies This seven week program will cover women and the law, women and politics, the working woman, and the background of the women's movement. Course format built around films and guest speakers. Both men and women welcome. Seven sessions, Mondays. January 27. 7:30-9:30 pm. Ms. D. Reddington. $9.00. For information phone the Port Coquitlam Recreation Centre - 942-0285 After 5 pm phone 942-4222. douglas college Douglas College is expanding its offerings in the area of Women's St Studies this Spring, both in credit and credit-free courses. Counselling is available at no cost through Student Services Centres on all Douglas campuses. Credit-Free Courses Women: Options and Alternatives - small group experience for women who want to explore new directions and consider the range of possibilities open to them. Offered on All campuses. Women in the World - Film-discussion program featuring the National Film Board series \"Working Mothers\". Six Wednesdays starting February 12, 7:30 pm , New Westminster Public Library. Changing Women: Changing World Topics include Human Rights, Changing Male/ Female Relationships, Women and Health, etc. Six Wednesdays, starting February 5, Langley Family Life, 20458 Fraser Hwy. Call 534-1722. Explorations for Women - Individual search for fulfillment and opportunities for women. 6 Mondays, February 24, Burnaby Central Sr.Sec. School. 4939 Canada Way. 7:30-9:30 pm. Call 299-4361. Maple Ridge Status of Women - in conjunction with Douglas College is planning a series for women in Feb. Call 463-3275. Social Issues: Psychology of Women. Mon. 7 pm-10 pm. Philosophy, Religion and Women Tues. 7 pm-10 pm. - Richmond Images of Women in Literature. Wed. 7 pm-10 pm. For information regarding Women's Studies, call the convenor of Women's Studies at 588-4411, or the Director of Continuing Education 588-4411(Local 251), or any Student Services Centre: Surrey 588-4411, New West 521-4851, Richmond 273-5461. Academic Courses These courses began Jan. 16, but there may be space left in some of i the classes. If you are interested in one of the courses phone and inquire. - New Westminster Social Issues: Psychology of Women. 28 -110) Mon. 9 am-12 pm. Philosophy, Religion and Women (27- 160). Tues. and Thurs. 10 am-12 pm. Images of Women in Literature (91-100) Tues. and Fri.1 12 pm-2 pm Women in Canadian History (21-160) Wed. 7 pm-10 pm. Role of Women in Society (23-240) Tues. and Thurs. 10 am-12 pm. Women in Canadian History . Wed. and Fri. 10 am-12 pm. Open Seminar - for anyone interested in women's studies, Wed. 12-1 pm. on each campus. IB cap college More from Capilano College's new schedule of programs and courses. Health and You 8 sessions starting on Feb. 17, 7:30- 9:30 pm at Queen Mary Community School. Fee $5. A member of the Vancouver Women's Health Collective will be leading a seminar group to discuss and learn about female anatomy, birth control, nutrition, preventative care, sexuality, menopause,etc. Maximum enrollment: 15. Increasing Credibility Tues. evenings 7:00 - 9:00 at Queen Mary Community School. Fee $15 for whole course or $10 for each section. Part II: 6 sessions, beginning on Feb. 25. The second part of the course will examine dilemmas and provlems of women moving into management. Emphasis will be on issues and techniques of leadership and decision - making, including methods of integrating intellect with emotion, and specific skills, eg. chairing meetings . Instructor: Joan Lynch Maximum enrollment: 15. Synergy Movement Workshop for Women of All Ages Mons. 1:30 to 3:30 pm at North Shore Neighbourhood House, 225, E 2nd. No fee. Sponsored by the Student's Council Six sessions : course to be held twice. Starts Jan.13 and again on Feb.24. This course is designed for those beginning involvement with the move ment arts. it is designed to provide women with an intensive sequential movement involvement through breathing, body shaping, stretching, strengthening, body alignment, massage, impro- visationa\"! movement and discussion. Maximum enrollment: 20. Weekend Workshop for Women Feb. 14,15 and 16(Fri. night to Sun. aft.) Place to be announced. Fee: $25. This is to be a weekend away, providing both formal and informal time for women to explore feelings and relationships between women. Emphasis will be placed on communication skills,encounter, and creative decision-making. We will be looking at attitudes towards our own and other women's successes, our needs in relation to other women and avenues to closeness and mutual support. Note: Please notify us of child-care requirements at registration. Instructors: Margaret Penn and Cathy Stewart. Maximum enrollment: 20. Consciousness-Raising Groups Women interested in getting into consciousness-raising groups are asked to contact the Women's Program co-ordinator. Groups will be given assistance in getting started. Waiving of Fees Cap College announces it will waive fees for senior citizens or women for whom course fees are prohibitive. LECTURE SERIES A lecture series exploring the contemporary experience of women. Lectures will be Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm at Argyle Secondary School in North Vancouver, Room 411-413. Fee is $6 for the series or 50c a lecture. Feb. 5 Matriarchy -Myth or Reality? An anthropolgist will discuss the anthropological view of matriarchy, broaching the question of \"have men always been dominant?\" Feb. 12. The Sociological Reality. Dorothy Smith will define patriarchy and describe its historical development and maintenance in the present day. Feb. 19. Witchcraft. Fran Issac will take an intellectual look at witchcraft as a possibility of female heritage. She will also examine it as women's response to patriarchial rule. Feb. 26. Women and Psychotheraphy. Dr. Liba Tyhurst will examine some of the sterotypes that characterize the relationship between patient and psychiatrist, and outline some principles of personal and social management of women individually and. in groups. For more information contact Women's Programs., Capilano College, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver, B.C. If you find that childcare or transportation difficulties prevent you from taking courses explain your problem to the program co-ordinators and they will try to help you find a solution. people's law school Learn about your laws through, the Vancouver People's Law School series of free legal education classes - all classes and materials free! To pre-register call: 681-7532 Course: FAMILY COURT PROCEDURES Date: Feb. 3,4,5. Place: 312 Main St., Courtroom #2 Time: 7:30 - .9:30 pm Instructor: Judge David Hart Outline: Discussions of the new Unified Family Court, existing procedures in Family Court, paternity actions, juvenile actions, protection of children, maintenance and custody. Course: IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES Date: Feb. 11,12,13. Place: John Oliver Sec School, Cafeteria Time: 7:30-9:30 pm. Instructor: Don Rosenbloom Outline: Nominating and sponsoring immigrants, acquiring landed immigrant status; tie- portation and bail; inquiry and appeal procedures. Course: SMALL CLAIMS COURT PROCEDURE Date: Feb. 17,18. Place: King George Sec. School, Room 210/211. Time: 7:30-9:30 pm. Instructor: TBA ' Outline: Actions one can take to Small Claims Court; how to conduct your case in Court; how to protect yourself as a defendant and how to collect as a successful plaintiff. Course: CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING IN B.C. Date: Feb. 24,25,26. Place: Kitsilano Public Library, 2425 MacDonald St. Time: 7:30-9:30 pm. Instructor: Mel Tobias Dutline: Philosphy of co-operativism making clear the various types of co-operatives , ie, par value, patronage refund, etc., within the co-op movement. Also discussed will be: financing, plans and problems. There will also be a discussion of co-op .' developments within the Vancouver area. north shore The North Shore Women's Centre is celebrating IWY with a variety of activities of interest to women in our our community. The programs are held on Pub Night, every second Tues, at North Shore Neighbourhood House, 225 East 2nd, North Vancouver, at 7:30 pm. The Pub Night is a relaxing, informal s time when we can meet and share experiences. Jan.28 - Gladys Hindemarch of Capilano College is reading her poetry add short stories. Feb.11 - Book Night. Bring a book by a feminist writer and tell the rest of the group about it. Feb. 28 - Members of Matrimonial Property Working Group of the Berger Royal Commission on Family and Chilren's Law will discuss the Community of Property Proposal. For information phone Diana Sonderhoff at. 926-2755. international women's yean 17 Despite disappointment over the government's approach to IWY, many projects are planned by women in every province, to celebrate this year. Here is a preliminary cross-section of 1975 projects planned by individuals and groups in British Columbia. Connie Gibbs, Independent: Lives of Women in B.C. 1750-1920, slide lecture History of Women in B.C., a manuscript ISIS/WOMEN IN FILM: Female Artist's Workshop to include darkroom, studio space, distribution facilities, viewing room, and art gallery. GROWING ROOM COLLECTIVE: \"Room of One's Own\", feminist literary magazine of criticism, reative writing, personal journalism to work through two feminist printers, Press Gang and Pacific Women's Graphic Arts. KOOTENAY WOMEN'S CENTRE: Western Canadian Women's Festival to interest rural women and a production workshop for high schools ROYAL CANADIAN AERIAL THEATRE: Outdoor aerial theatre with balloons and kites, around the theme of women's concerns. U.B.C.: Women's Pavillion to house women's programs, architects, fine artists, theatre and seminars for both off-campus and on-campus women's groups. U.B.C. WOMEN'S OFFICE: \"Women in Focus\" a series of television programs for women, to be aired every tuesday night at 9:00 p.m. on Vancouver's Cable 10 television. Tapes will be available to women throughout B.C. VANCOUVER CO-OP RADIO: Women's Programming Committee, plans numerous women's programs, five-minute information spots, hour-long continuing specials, women's training workshops on,use of radio equipment, and a focus on native and young women. Many other projects have been suggested, among them a Women's Design Centre to meet the special needs of women's housing and a B.C. Women's Resource Centre with a skills registry of women with expertise in specific areas. For further information, contact your provincial or territorial representative of the IWY Secretariat who plans the regional conference and provides details of IWY activities in your locality. In B.C. contact Kathleen Ruff, Director of Human Rights, Department of Labour, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C. V8V 1X4. In the Yukon contact Jan Speirs Territorial Council, Whitehorse Yukon Yukon. The IWY Secretariat issues a free quarterly newsletter. Contact Mary Gusella, Director of the International Women's Year Secretariat, Box 1541, Station B, 63 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario if you want to be on the mailing list. Reprinted from Western Canadian Women's News Service, January 15, 1975 HOT LINE A welcome visitor to our office in ' December was Bonnie Kreps, who writes the monthly Hot Line on Women column for Chatelaine (above, right, with Karen Richardson of the Western Canadian Women's News Service.) Bonnie has moved from Toronto to Salt Spring Island and will be writing her column there. She'd like to hear from women's groups about activities and developments in the field of women's concerns. Keep her posted at P.O.Box 1069, Ganges, Salt Spring Island, B.C. A point to keep in mind is that her columns for Chatelaine are written fairly well ahead of publication. FOCUS... centre WOMEN'S RESOURCE AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRE The National Action Committee on the Status of Women in Canada proposes, as a Canadian women's project for U.N. IWY/ 75, the establishment of a \"Women's Resource and Development Centre\". The Centre would serve several functions; as an archival library of Canadian women, containing their history and the record of their participation in the world-wide women's movement; as an international training and develop ment centre, available to women from all countries; and as a central resource for Canadian women seeking to improve the status and quality of their lives. The project would be implemented in 1975, but its functions and operation would continue into the future. For further information please inquire from: National Action Committee on Status of Women 121 Avenue Road Toronto, Onatrio M5R 2G3 In place of our regular FOCUS on Recommendations from the Royal Commission Report on the Status of Women in Canada, this month we are asking you to write to the International Women's Year Secretariat. The executive of VSW has already expressed its disapproval of the government plan to spend $1 million on five major conferences. The money could be much better spent on projects and perhaps small'neighbourhood* conferences where women could get together and decide on programs to meet their own specific needs. The government is at present re-considering the plan for five major conferences and we urge members to write and encourage the change and suggest alternatives. Write to: IWY Secretariat Privy Council Office Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G4 IB sexism in schools In the October issue of Kinesis, we announced the appointment of VSW executive member Reva Dexter as Special Consultant on Sex Discrimination in Public Education to direct the Department's actions in ending sex discrimination. The Department also set up am Advisory Committee of interested women's groups throughout the province to advise the Department on solutions to the problems of sex discrimination. This advisory Committee with Reva Dexter has prepared a report entitled Equal Treatment of the Sexes; Guidelines for Educational Materials in order to: \"1. make educators aware of the ways in which males and females have been stereotyped. 2. show the role language has played in reinforcing inequality. 3. point out the types of phrases written and actions depicted which perpetuate those attitudes that relegate women to a secondary and inferior status in society. 4. assist educators and others tfho seek to provide equal treatment of the sexes in textbooks.\" The report gives general guidelines for evaluating sexism and then some basic guidelines for revision of text and illustration. A summary of the latter includes: \"1. Women and girls should be given the same respect as men and boys. 2. Abilities, traits, interests and activities should not be assigned on the basis of male or female stereotypes . 3. The actions and achievements of women should be recognized. 4. The role of men in the home should be recognized. school texts, it suggests: 1) Avoid constructions implying that women because of their sex are always dependent upon male initiative. Example : A homeowner and his family. Alternative: Homeowners and their children. 2) Avoid patronizing tones towards women and girls. Example: The brilliant scientist is a woman.' Alternative: She is a brilliant scientist. 3) References to a woman's appearance and family should be avoided unless it would be appropriate to refer to a man's appearance and family in the same context. Example: The candidates were Graham Johnson, president of Alcan, and Roberta Tonkin, a pert dl Alternative: grandmother of five. * The candidates were Graham Johnson of Alcan and Roberta Tonkin of Eaton's. Or: The candidates were Graham Johnson, perky silver-haired father of three, '\u00C3\u00B1\u00E2\u0080\u00A0and Roberts Tonkin, a pert blond grandmother of five! The report concludes by recommending that teacher's manuals also eliminate sexist assumptions that some activities will appeal r~ more to boys than to girls or vice *- iversa, and references to activities which segregate boys and girls. - reprinted from Victoria Status of Women Action Group November Newsletter. |M>. This short useful guide concludes with the recommendations for avoiding sexist language. It points out that the omission of women through the use of the term \"man\" to represent humanity, occupational titles like \"chairman\" which often ignore the existence of women workers, and the fact that males are usually chosen to represent \"typical\" examples conspires to exclude women from the reader's thoughts. In order to eliminate the belittling oi girls and women often present in Opportunities Highways Minister Graham Lea has instructed his department to commission a task force to explore the opportunities for women in the engineering professions. The Minister made the announcement in a recent address to the Lower Island Socialist Women's Group. The commission will investigate the engineering professions, make recommendations to industry, to the government, and particularly to his department that hopefully will open up an area of employment for more women. In his address Lea said, \"It is appropriate that we undertake this project next year as 1975 is International Women's Year, a time designated byvthe United Nations to draw attention to the emerging role~ of women in modern society. There will, of course, be many more significant observations of International Women's Year but I am pleased that we are able to make this small contribution, and I can assure you we will be looking for other areas and activities which will help to bring about the goals we share with you.\" Referring particularly to opportunities for women in his own department, the Minister said, \"We find ourselves in a very difficult position because we draw most of our senior staff from the engineering professions. It appears that for many years to come the overwhelming majority of our engineers will be men because an overwhelming majority of engineers are men. Now, we all may have our suspicions as to why women are not attracted to the engineering professions , but I think it is time these suspicions were investigated and some concerted effort was made to see if it is possible to provide opportunities for women in the engineering professions.\" If you have any suggestions for people who should be on the task force send them to Deputy Minister of Highways, Howard Sturrock, % Parliament Buildings, Victoria. Letters X wish to fcicana a I wish only to rocaiwa WXU8I& In datarniains yoor donatio* v\u00C2\u00BB ask you to oilaura your own financial poaition and tho foot that URESIS coats approximately $3\u00C2\u00AB0Q par parson oar yaar to print and nail. KINESIS is published monthly by the Vancouver Status of Women. Its ob^ jective is to provide an open channel of communication between the members of the organization and to promote understanding about the changing position of women in society. Views expressed in Kinesis are those of the writer and unless specifically stated do not reflect the policy of VSW. SUBSCRIPTIONS:KINESIS is provided as a service to members of VSW in good standing. Membership is acquired by an annual donation. In determining your donation we ask you to balance your own financial position and the fact that KINESIS costs approximately $3.00 per year per person to print and mail. PUBLICATION DATE: The third week of each month. COPY DEADLINE: The 1st of the previous month. SUBMISSIONS: KINESIS welcomes submissions from members and will consider those from non-members. All submissions, including letters to the thn editorial committee, must be accompanied by the writer's name and address. Pseudonyms will be used where requested. Where necessary, the editorial committee will edit for brevity, clarity and taste. CORRESPONDENCE: Send to : KINESIS Vancouver Status of Women 2029 West 4th Ave Vancouver 9, B.C. Telephone: 736-3746 EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: Diane Ryals, Jo Lazenby, Viviane Hotz, Monica Mui,Kathy Horrocks, Judy Bourne, Diana Bissell, Bobbie Patrick. CONTRIBUTORS: Jo Lazenby, Diana Bissell, Bobbie Patrick, Gloria Onley, S.L. Poole, Leigh Fox, Carmen Binitez, Susan Levin GRAPHICS: Kathy Sopko, Kathy Davitt, Kathy Horrocks, Michele Lazenby PHOTOS: Bobbie Patrick, Terry Ryals ' TYPING: Margie Colclough, Eve Johnson, Kathy Horrocks LAYOUT: Jo Lazenby, Eve Johnson, Diana Bissell, Diana Raynor Dear Editor: . We have all heard of the single young men who became tramps during the depression, forced onto the road because there was no work, no money, and nothing to eat at home. Until recently, no one has thought to ask what young single women were doing at the time. Not all of them stayed home and knitted, In 1933, the Women's Bureau in Washington conducted a survey in 800 cities in 48 states, and found 9,769 women tramps, unattached, jobless and homeless. The Bureau estimated that this was probably one-fifth to one-sixth of the total number. If there were fifty to sixty thousand women tramps in the United Dear Editors, If you like to use the following to fill up a column, you are welcome; if not, don't bother to return it! COURTROOM COMMENT \"No,\" defence counsel says, \"who can Naively think that this dead man Did nothing, nothing, to provoke That fatal but quite natural stroke? What guilt must have been heavy on him To draw such punishment upon him? Remember, without prejudice, How wicked provocation is; For, although we hate to blame the dead, He brought it all on his own head.\" You see, this lawyer can't escape Habits acquired defending rape. Sincerely yours, Geoffrey B. Riddehough States, surely there were at least five or six thousand in Canada. I would like to find some of these women, to hear and record their part of Canadian history, before it, like so much women's history has been lost. If any of your readers spent part of the thirties looking for work on an unofficial railway pass, or knows of . any woman who did \"ride the rods\", I would appreciate hearing from them. Thank you for helping me spread the word. Yours truly, Eve Johnson 3517 West 3rd Avenue Vancouver, B. C. \"He's tender and thoughtful, he shares the chores, he remembers all those special dates, and he sees both sides of everything. Unfortunately, he's a creep.\" 20 announcements Ombuds We have an opening in the Ombuds Service. People wishing to apply should send a letter of application and a resume immediately to the VSW Office 2029 West 4th Ave., Vancouver. one way In Somalia, this week,ten men were sentenced to die for opposing a new law announced by the Supreme Revolutionary Council and the Council of Ministers. The new law gives women equal rights with men and the convicted men were charged with subverting state authority and creating national disunity when they spread propaganda against the law during Moslem religious ceremonies. While such determination to enforce the rights of women is to be applauded, we are hopeful that the same goal can be accomplished here in Canada by less drastic means. However... THE NEXT GENERAL MEETING WILL) BE MARCH 18, 7:30 PM, IN THE BOARD ROOM, YWCA, 580 BURRARD| STREET, VANCOUVER. The members of VSW have been invite- to the University Women's Club, 1498 McRae, on Jan.28 at 8 pm to hear Mary Bishop from the Family Planning Association speak on The Population Dilemma. CONSUMER SERVICES STORE-FRONT OFFICE The fourth department of Consumer Services store-front office will open at 4th and Victoria Stree in Prince George on Jan.23, it was an-' nounced today by Phyllis Young, Minister of Consumer Services and A.A. Nunweiler, Minister Without Portfolio, for Northern Affairs, and MLA for Prince George. During the past four months storefront offices have been opened in Kamloops, Victoria and Vancouver. The offices are staffed with Trade Practices Investigators to handle consumer complaints, and debt counsellors to assist financially over- committed consumers. In addition each office houses a consumer information area where free pamphlets as well as books and magazines can be utilized. -excerpted from B.C. Dept. of Consumer Affairs-News Release, Jan.15 fern- gentle, V^a^I like a woman -j\u00C2\u00A9 &1. nc.i FEBDUADY GENERAL MEETING ^ Approximately 45 members attended g the General Meeting, Jan.21st, to ^ hear Gene Errington report on her vjH trip to the UNESCO sponsored confer- ^ ence WOMEN AND HER HUMAN RIGHTS - a Program for Progress, held in Kingston Jamaica. Glinda Sutherland was elected Ombudswoman to replace Gene. The position of Public Relations Officer formerly held by Glinda will be filled at the General Meeting in March. The meeting ended with informal chatting and eating of goodies. CALENDAR OF EVENTS FEBRUARY 4 - NEWSLETTER MEETING, 7:30 pm OFFICE. FEBRUARY 5 - WOMAN ALIVE, 10:30 pm CABLE 10. FEBRUARY 7 - LETTER LOBBY., 10:30 am, office. FEBRUARY 11 - FEDERAL ACTION, 7:30 pm OFFICE. FEBRUARY 12 - WOMAN ALIVE, 10:30 pm CABLE 10. FEBRUARY 13 ORIENTATION, 8 pm OFFICE. FEBRUARY 19 - WOMAN ALIVE, 10:30 pm CABLE 10. FEBRUARY 25 FEBRUARY 26 - WOMAN ALIVE FEDERAL ACTION, 7:30 pm OFFICE. 10:30 pm OFFICE. FEBRUARY 27 - OPEN EVENING AT THE VANCOUVER STATUS OF WOMEN OFFICE. DROP IN TO DO RESEARCH, TALK, MEET OTHERS, LEARN, LISTEN. FIRST OF MANY TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR. WELCOME, TO AL1 MEMBERS, FRIENDS & PASSERS-BY! 8-10:30 PM. WRITER'S WORKSHOP - PLS CALL OFFICE FOR DATES."@en . "Preceding title: Vancouver Status of Women. Newsletter.

Date of publication: 1974-2001.

Frequency: Monthly."@en . "Periodicals"@en . "Newspapers"@en . "HQ1101.V24 N49"@en . "HQ1101_V24_N49_1975_02"@en . "10.14288/1.0045462"@en . "English"@en . "Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library"@en . "Vancouver : Vancouver Status of Women"@en . "Images provided for research and reference use only. Permission to publish, copy, or otherwise use these images must be obtained from the Digitization Centre: digitization.centre@ubc.ca"@en . "Original Format: University of British Columbia. Library. Rare Books and Special Collections. HQ1101.V24 N49"@en . "Women--Social and moral questions"@en . "Feminism--Periodicals"@en . "Kinesis"@en . "Text"@en .