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NLIS 3
February 20, 2006
(Executive Council)
 

Minister proclaims Women�s Institute Week

Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, today proclaimed this week Women�s Institute Week. The theme this year is Acquiring knowledge is a healthy pastime.

"The Women�s Institutes foster learning and growth for women in all parts of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Burke. "By partnering together, they help women connect to each other and to their past and lead stronger, more confident lives."

The Women's Institutes were first founded in Canada in 1897 and have grown to become part of a worldwide movement with more than nine million members. In this province, women came together in the wake of the 1929 tidal wave to provide aid to survivors and their families, later forming a permanent organization to unite rural and urban women in 1935.

Often referred to as the "rural woman�s university," the Women�s Institutes provide women with accessible and educational opportunities to develop their skills, improve their lives and give back to their communities. Areas of focus for the organization include: agriculture, Canadian unity, citizenship, child care, education, environment, equality for women, family violence, health, human rights, pensions, safety and women and technology.

"The diversified Women�s Institute Program, including partnering with the Provincial Environmental Awards and Tidy Towns Program, gives women opportunities to participate in activities that create benefits to themselves, their families and their communities at large," said Women�s Institute Provincial President Shirley Fraize.

This year, women will be acknowledging the week with a number of activities. Members gathered for a province-wide teleconference yesterday to celebrate the occasion and to receive information on upcoming Women�s Institute Programs.

The official opening ceremony will take place on Tuesday, February 21, at Government House with Her Honour Eve Roberts. During this special event, two annual scholarships will be presented to post-secondary students Angela House of Port Saunders and Charlene Winsor of Whitbourne.

From all areas of the province, members will be extending invitations to others to attend their local Women�s Institute Week events including open houses, displays and craft demonstrations.

"The Women�s Institutes of Newfoundland and Labrador play a vital role in helping to sustain an important part of our rural heritage," said Minister Burke. "I encourage all residents of this province to recognize the work of the Newfoundland and Labrador Women�s Institutes and to support activities which may be taking place in their area."

Media contact:
Catherine Whelan, Communications, Status of Women, (709) 729-6225
Sylvia Manning, Women�s Institute (709) 753-8087

2006 02 20                        10:50 a.m.


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