Minister announces new President and Board of
Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women

Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, announced today the new president and board members of the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

Leslie MacLeod will assume the position of president and Phyllis Artiss will be the new vice president. The new board will also consist of Mary Pia Benuen, Jacqueline Jenkins, Yamuna Kutty, Carolyn Lavers, Vanessa MacArthur, Michelle Murdoch, Phyllis Seymour, Beni Andersen and Hilda Whelan. The appointments are effective immediately.

"Ms. MacLeod brings a wealth of experience to this important position and an excellent track-record of effective consultation and collaborative work in community development." said Minister Burke. "As a feminist she is very knowledgeable about the current issues and opportunities for advancing women's equality. Her leadership and expertise will be an invaluable asset to the advisory council. I am also pleased that Phyllis Artiss has agreed to take on the position of vice president. This will be Phyllis� third term with the council. Her experience as a seasoned board member will help maintain the momentum and good work of former boards."

The Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women advises the Minister Responsible and brings before the public matters of importance to women in the province.

"I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of feminist women, to build upon the past 25 years of the advisory council and move forward on women�s equality in this province," said Leslie MacLeod, the newly-appointed president. "I would also like to thank Joyce Hancock, and all the women that have worked with her over the past 10 years for their hard work and dedication."

The new board appointees all have strong feminist and social perspectives and include representatives from Aboriginal communities as well as those knowledgeable about the concerns of immigrant women and women with disabilities. The board�s collective experience and knowledge reflects current issues facing women in Newfoundland and Labrador with representatives from the business and legal communities and rural areas of the province.

"This new appointment could not come at a more appropriate time as today marks the start of International Women's Week and people everywhere work to raise awareness about the status of women," said Minister Burke. "We have the makings of a very dynamic and solid team that can provide new insight and solutions to women�s issues. I am looking forward to working with the new president and board over the next three years."

Media contact:
Catherine Whelan, Women�s Policy Office, (709) 729-6225
Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-0048, 689-2624

Leslie MacLeod served as information and networking coordinator for the Independent Living Resource Centre. She has a history of leadership with several community-based, equality-seeking organizations such as Women Interested in Successful Employment and Canadian Mental Health Association. She has a collaborative philosophy of practice rooted in community development and feminist principles. Ms. MacLeod resides in St. John�s.

Phyllis Artiss has served on the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women for six years and a former member of the St. John�s Status of Women�s Council. A former university professor, Ms. Artiss has worked on several boards and projects relating to women�s issues and equality. Most recently she has been involved in the Let�s Teach About Women project and a speakers series on Employment and Training to Empower Women Immigrants and Refugee Women. Ms Artiss resides in St. John�s.

Mary Pia Benuen is a community health nurse and community leader with the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation. She has served on a number of regional and national boards including the Native Women of Quebec and Labrador, the Aboriginal Nurses of Canada and the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Advisory Committee.

Jacquelyn Jenkins is a practicing lawyer in Grand Falls-Windsor. Her legal practice and volunteer work in the community (including the South and Central Health Care Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society) has allowed her to confront and address numerous women�s issues.

Yamuna Kutty is currently the president of the Multicultural Women�s Organizations of Newfoundland and Labrador. She has also served on the St. John�s Status of Women Council, the National Action Committee and the National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of Canada. Ms. Kutty resides in St. John�s.

Carolyn Lavers is currently an Economic Development Officer with Innovation Trade and Rural Development. She is a small business entrepreneur, and has worked with the former Women�s Enterprise Bureau in Port aux Choix and served on several local business development boards.

Vanessa MacArthur is currently the president of the Gateway Status of Women Council and has been involved with equality and women�s issues. Ms. MacArthur lives in Port aux Basques.

Michelle Murdoch is a graduate of the Women�s Studies program at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She is the chair of the Independent Living Resource Centre and has been involved with the Disabled Women�s Network of Canada and has served on the Coalition for Persons with Disabilities. She lives in St. John�s.

Phyllis Seymour is a retired social worker with a longstanding history of involvement with social justice and equality issues. She received the Governor General�s Persons Case Award in 1998. Ms. Seymour resides in Little Bay Islands.

Beni Andersen is currently the president of Tongamiut Inuit Annait (TIA), an Inuit women�s organization. She is a member of Nipavut (women�s group in Nain), the Nain Safe House and the Labrador Inuit Association. She currently lives in Nain.

Hilda Whelan was recently involved in a fighting for women�s rights in a case involving surviving spouses and the Worker�s Health and Safety Compensation Commission. Ms. Whelan solely represented and fought for all widows involved in the case for 15 years. She resides in Whitbourne.

2006 03 06                                       11:30 a.m.