In 1919, a group of university women came together and formed the pan-Canadian federation the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW). CFUW promotes equality, education, learning, human rights, social justice, and fellowship for all women and girls at the local, national, and international level through advocacy work. 

The CFUW works alongside the United Nations, including with the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, to ensure that women are given a voice at the decision making table. 

After its foundation, branches across the country started to form at the local level, including here in the Eastern Townships. The Sherbrooke and District branch was started in 1968 and it continues to be involved in various projects and initiatives locally, and in conjunction with the CFUW. 

Over 50 years of making the difference, the branch currently has 102 members, but it’s putting a call out to the Brome-Missisquoi community to encourage other women to get involved.

“They saw a need and a few women got together and started holding fundraisers, teas, that sort of thing, and it just slowly grew,” said Janet Watson, former president and member of the Sherbrooke and District branch.

“Lennoxville (a borough of Sherbrooke) is a university town and I’m sure that the origins of the Sherbrooke/Lennoxville group sort of sprung from the university there,” added Deborah Dimitruk, newly appointed president of the branch. 

The group has been involved in initiatives big and small, but its focus is education. 

“We do have a charitable foundation called the Lampe Foundation. As of the last couple of years, we have given out over $45,000 in scholarships to everything from CEGEP, right up to post doctorate,” explained Watson. “(…) We did a “Walk to Kabul.” Our walking club kept track of all of their steps and we walked to Kabul in support of women in Afghanistan. When the Taliban took over of course, women lost their rights there.” 

“It was symbolic, but it was important in terms of solidarity that the Afghan women knew that Canada was standing with them,” noted Dimitruk. 

Watson noted that they are also hoping to help Ukrainian families that make their way to the region. 

The CFUW also has a relationship with Graduate Women International based in Geneva.

“The raison d’être of the federation is about learning, human rights, and support for women not only locally, but nationally and internationally,” emphasized Dimitruk.
“This organization has one representative organization in 193 countries and the CFUW is Canada’s representative. Through them we have a pathway to the United Nations with the Commission on the Status of Women. (…) For that reason, this work has a lot of potential and it has a lot of power.”

Apart from the work that is done at the local, national, and international level, the CFUW is all about fellowship. 

“When I became president two years ago, I didn’t know anyone on the board. Now, we are good friends and it’s been an interesting experience,” said Watson. “It helps women grow, and as Deborah said, women in community have a lot of power and we are listened to. If we submit a resolution to the government, we are listened to.”

With this important work, the Sherbrooke and District branch is looking for other women to get involved. 

“We’re calling on anyone woman, regardless of level of education, to come and join us. Join us in our efforts to make this world a better place, but we also call to have moments of fun and enjoyment,” said Dimitruk. 

Watson noted that you do not have to be a university graduate to get involved and that the CFUW is in the midst of changing its name to better reflect who is welcomed. 

“Most women have years of experience in all kinds of fields, it is open to anyone,” she said. 

For more information about the Sherbrooke and District branch contact Dimitruk at  deborah.dimitruk@gmail.com or visit its Facebook page. 

For more information about the CFUW. 

Listen to the full interview below: