A strong voice for women in appointments to the Advisory Council

Yvonne Jones, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, announced today the appointment of the Board of the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women for a three year term. "I am extremely pleased with the representation on this Board," said Minister Jones. "They bring a strong background in women�s issues, experience from a number of sectors and good regional representation."

The Provincial Advisory Council is an arms-length body, funded by the provincial government. It is mandated to consult, research and advise government and the public on matters relating to the status of women. They undertake advocacy and educational activities on issues that affect women�s equality and form an essential link with women and women�s organizations across the province.

The Council is one component of government�s commitment to gender equity. Through its Women�s Policy Office, government ensures gender inclusive analysis is part of the policy development and decision making processes. Equity is a key principle of the province�s Strategic Social Plan ensuring the inclusion of all groups within the province, including women, is an integral component of its implementation.

Today�s appointments on the eve of International Women�s Day is fitting, as this day was established to commemorate women�s struggle for justice and equality. Among those appointed are Joyce Hancock who will be serving a third term as president and received resounding support from the women�s community for this reappointment. Clarenville businessperson and community activist Susan Hollett also returns as vice-president. Other re-appointees include: Phyllis Artiss, St. John�s; Joan Wilson, Port aux Basques; Dorothy Fewer, Grand Falls-Windsor; and Frances Murphy, Nain. The Board will also include five new appointments: Jacqui Winter, Wabush; Bernice Hollett, Happy Valley-Goose Bay; Evie Newton, Corner Brook; Janice Hayne-Jamieson, Swift Current; and Michelle Boutcher, St. John�s.

"I relied heavily on advice from equality-seeking women�s organizations in the nomination process. My aim was to ensure these grassroots organizations had a strong voice in who would represent them, and the interests of women, on the Advisory Council. This strategy has provided us with great representation and I�m looking forward to working with the new Board," said Minister Jones.

The minister also commended the outgoing board for its service to women, government and the province.

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, Communications, (709) 729-3733

Joyce Hancock of Stephenville is reappointed as president of the Advisory Council having completed two terms in this position. She has a long history of activism in the women�s movement. Joyce has a background in psychology and nursing and has more than twenty-five years experience in community development, much of which was served in her capacity as coordinator for the Bay St. George Status of Women Council and for the last seven years as president of this Council. She has also served on the Premier�s Council on Social Development since its inception in 1998. The president coordinates the Advisory Council�s work and is responsible for the day to day direction of the office. Joyce�s experience at the community and provincial levels enables her to provide strong leadership to the Advisory Council in achieving its goals.

Susan Hollett of Clarenville is reappointed to her second term as vice president having also served as a board member. A businessperson and rural community activist, Susan is president of Hollett and Sons Inc., a market research and competitive intelligence firm in Shoal Harbour. She has experience as a former senior public employee in community and business development, a volunteer on school and library boards, and was chair of the Premier�s Council on Social Development.

Phyllis Artiss of St. John�s is reappointed as a board member. She is a recently retired university professor of English. Phyllis has extensive experience as an educator and researcher, including acting as chair of the Women�s Studies program at Memorial University and conducting community-based research assessing literacy and computer needs of women and families. She has worked for many equity seeking community groups, including Oxfam, the Innu and Inuit Support Group, the Community Alliance for Better Solutions and the St. John�s Status of Women Council.

Dorothy Fewer of Grand Falls-Windsor is reappointed as a board member. She is a founding member of the Status of Women Council Central. Dorothy has been very active in advocating on behalf of women in the central region. She is a social worker with experience in children�s mental health, addictions and family violence and is currently employed as Regional Coordinator - Early Childhood Services for the Central Region of the Strategic Social Plan. Dorothy is also a member of the National Child Benefit Family Resource Program Working Group and has been a board member with the Association of Allied Health Professionals, and Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Social Workers.

Frances Murphy of Nain is reappointed as a board member. She has an academic background in sociology and is currently working on a second degree. Francis has been a field researcher with the Labrador Inuit Association and has worked as a community services worker with the provincial government. She has been active in the community as a member of the school council and has been involved with the Women in Resource Development Committee. She is a founding member of the Nain Women�s Action Committee and a member of Tongamuit Inuit Anniat.

Joan Wilson of Port aux Basques is reappointed as a board member. She has a long history of activism in the women�s movement and is a founding member of the Gateway Status of Women Council. Joan also has a history of strong involvement in the community through her many volunteer activities, including board member of Health and Community Services Western and member of the District Council for Western Regional Health Care Corporation and Health and Community Services. Joan works in the tourism sector.

Bernice Hollett of Happy Valley-Goose Bay is a new appointment. She is an established business leader and former educator with a strong history of community activism. Bernice is a long standing and very active member of the Premier�s Council on Social Development, and also sits on the Regional Steering Committee for the Labrador Region of the Strategic Social Plan. She has worked on a voluntary basis in the areas of early childhood development and child protection. She has also served as a member of the Labrador East Integrated School Board, Memorial University�s Board of Regents, a councillor with the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and on the National Advisory Council Law Commission of Canada.

Evie Newton of Corner Brook is a new appointment. She is a psychotherapist in private practice who works with survivors of family violence and child sexual and physical abuse. Evie has also worked as a guidance counselor at the junior high and high school levels. She has a long history of feminist advocacy on the west coast and has served on many boards and committees working on equity and justice issues, including the West Coast AIDS Committee, the Corner Brook Status of Women Council, and the Committee on Family Violence.

Michelle Boutcher of St. John�s is a new appointment. She is currently working as a program coordinator with the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador and was previously the coordinator of the St. John�s Women�s Centre. Michelle is a member of the St. John�s Status of Women Council and the Regional Coordinating Coalition Against Violence. She brings a young feminist perspective to this Board.

Janice Haynes-Jamieson of Swift Current is a new appointment. She has a strong background in business and tourism and is currently the resort co-manager at Kilmory Resort. She has also worked in journalism and is a member of the Telegram�s Community Editorial Board. Janice has a history of activism in the women�s movement and community in general. She is a former member of the Discovery Women�s Network and has also served on the Vista School Board.

Jacqui Winter of Wabush is a new appointment. She is a social worker who has managed the family crisis shelter in Labrador City and also has a background in addictions services. Jacqui has a history of activism in the women�s movement and is co-chair/director of the Labrador West Status of Women Council. She has also served as the co-chair for the Provincial Association Against Family Violence and has volunteered as a mediator with the Youth Justice Committee. Jacqui currently works as a performance support administrator with the Iron Ore Company of Canada.

2003 03 07                                       11:10 a.m.