EMANCIPATION OF CANADIAN WOMEN

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 357, 11 February 1937, Page 2

EMANCIPATION OF CANADIAN WOMEN

GROWING INFLUENCE ON ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL PROGRAMMES. DEVELOPMENT OF FEMININE WORLD OUTSIDE THE HOME. FRONTIER DAYS OF DRUDGERY NOW BEING LEFT BEHIND.

With the passing of frontier days and the advent of modern kitchen equipment in many homes, the women of Western Canada have been quick to realise that increased leisure, from the standpoint of good citizenship, should mean increased responsibilities in wider fields. Both the older and the younger generation of Canadian women have assumed important places in community life, winning wide respect and influence in these new fields. Where once the Canadian women Were perforce content to fill the role of homemakers, their emancipation from household drudgery hat brought fresh interests and a wider conception of their duty as citizens, writes Kathleen Jones in the Christchurch “Press.” More particularly has this realisation been brought home to them during the years of the depression when ruinous farm produce prices and widespread unemployment affected every home. The tragedy of thousands of young people leaving school and college with no prospect of finding employment has taught both wives and mothers' that their influence must extend beyond the home, and has brought them shoulder to shoulder with the men *in demanding and formulating some remedy for such a situation. The women’s vote is no mere cipher in Canadian politics, and’ their influence on economic and political programmes is a very definite factor in the western provinces. Political clubt, once the stronghold of the masculine world", now have their counterparts amongst the Women, and politics, once a mysterious science to most women, is now vigorously discussed at their regular meetings. Few political party lists are without their women candidates tor office. In Alberta, where the record of the political party known as the United Farmers of Alberta gave many years sound and pro greetive government to the province, the party’s annual conventions Were joint discussions with the United Farm Women’s organisation, and much of the excell nt legislation patsed by this government emanated from the United Farm Women's Association resolutions. ' Whether Socialist, Liberal, or Conservative, every political party has its women’t clubs .with their tegular meetings and organised assistance both before and after elections'.

The Women's Institute. Founded by a Canadian woman and subsequently spreading to all Eiig-lish-tpeaking countries, that splendid Organisation known as the Women’s Institute, plays a very important part in Western Canada, fostering cultural interests, recreational activities and generally exerting an extensive Influence in the ocuntry areas. Similar groups, such as the Homemakers’ Clubs, dramatic and adult education organisations, all engage women’s Interest and add much to the social life of the various districtr, bringing a’ fresh value to leisure and a richer meaning to life for their members. And apart from the country-wide associations engaging women's attention, are the smaller clubs and more localised groups such as the University Women’s Clubs; the Women’s Press Clubs: Artisti’ and Writers’ Groups; women’s musical and dramatic organisations, and various other clubs fostering special interests and occupations, where the individual members can find ample scope for their particular talents* and enjoy a common meeting ground with others interested in their particular avocations. These groups do not confine themselves to a narrow circle of activity, but follow a definite policy of promoting public interest in their particular field, assisting young people with scholarships and grants towards specialised education. Many of the bursaries' granted each year at the Western Canadian universities are the gift of various women’s groups, while others voluntarily assume responsibility for the welfare of underprivileged children and finance for them recreational programmes which make demands on both their personal finances' and their leisure hours. Influence of the Universities. University extension authorities co-operate closely with rural women’s clubs, utilising the university buildings during vacation months for farm women’s convention weeks

where both the rank and file of farm women and organised "leader” groups are given an intensive yet enjoyable short course in their chosen subjects, providing both education and recreation for rural women. Here for a brief period rural women can enjoy the luxury of city life, living at the university residential halls and receiving carefully planned tuition from specialised authorities on the university staff. But" it is not in club life alone that women assume their part in Western Canadian affairs, for to-day they stand on equal ground with men in the discussion and formation of both local and national economic and political policies. Topics such as international trade, civic administration and prison reform are eagerly followed by the modern prairie woman, and it is nothing strange td find inch subjects on the agenda of women’s meetings, or women writers and lecturers widely acknowledged as authorities on such topics. Women's groups are close students of parliamentary debates. Peace Movement.,

One organisation, the League Against War and Fascism, owes much ter itp women members, and has exerted a considerable influence on the public mind during the last two or three years. Mass meetings, organised mainly by the women, have been accorded tremendous support, w-hile the Wark of this particular league is doing a very necessary service in arousing public opinion in support of peace movements and against the growing tendencies towards Fascism in all its varying phases. Yet these external activities have in no way undermined women’s interest in the home. On the contrary, it has given an impetus to better homemaking; carried wives and mothers into the study of scientific food values, modern child training and done much to promote the new sense of comradeship between parents and children. Homes in Western Canada to-day are brighter and bettir organised since Women’s nterests stepped beyond the kitchen walls, greatly enhancing the work of adult education and the higher concepts of democratic citizenship. The women of yesterday pioneered with ox cart and covered waggon; to-day they carry the same zeal into the wider field of national life, demanding and assuming full responsibility ! with husbands and sons in the conI duct of the nation’s business.