HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1987-04-22, Page 6v
a • e 6 Times -Advocate, A • ril 22. 1987
PRESENTATION — Exeter Public School teacher Joan Perrie presents a flower arrangement to Laura
Greaves, guest speaker at the Huron Federation of Women Teachers Association's third annual celebra-
tion of the Charter of Rights. Looking on are HFWTA president Mary Moffat (right) and Sally Rathwell,
Clinton-Tuckersmith's elected representative on the Huron Board of Education.
DONATIONS — Laura Mullin (left) accepted a cheque for $250
presented by Mary Moffat, president of the Huron Federation of
Women Teachers, and another of $350 proferred by Eva Brophy
representing District 1 of the Federation of Women Teachers Associa-
tion of Ontario on behalf of the Survival and Friendship transition
house for battered wives in.Goderich during the HFWT dinner meeting
to celebrate the Charter of Rights. Public meetings to examine fami-
ly violence will be held in Clinton on April 21, Wingham May 6,
Goderich May 12 and Exeter May 13. All will be held in the local high
schools at 8 p.m.
Women teachers hear about equality moves
"What is equality, and what do we
mean when we say we want it?" That
was the question posed by guest
speaker Laura Greaves to the
members of the Huron Federation of
Women Teachers a4d their guests,
the female employees and municipal
representatives of the Huron board of
education, at the teachers' third an-
nual celebration of, the Charter of
Rights held in the Stanley Complex.
Greaves, voted the outstanding
woman of 1986 by the London Junior
Chamber of Commerce, applied her'
experience as an executive on the
board of directors of the National Ac-
tion Committee on the Status of
Women to give some of the
background necessary to provide an.
informed answer to her question.
Although the road to equality seems
to be three steps forward and two
back, that is still one step forward
each time, Greaves pointed out. Even
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seeming defeats can be turned
around. The sudden cancellation by
the Trudeau government of a
woman's conference on the constitu-
tion spurred the formation of the
NAC, the largest grassroots womens'
rights lobby in the country.
Clause 28 of the Charter, guarantee-
ing equality to all regardless of
gender. reflected the work of a second
conference on the constitution set up
by these women.
Governments asked for three years
to tidy up their laws after section 15
was passed in 1982 giving men and
women equality under and before the
law, but discriminatory laws remain-
ed on the books. LEAF (Legal,
Educational and Action Fund) has
been testing some of these.
Greaves said the battle now is not
against overt discrimination against
women. That is easily recognizable,
but subtle, systemic discrimination is
now being uncovered. One example is
Ontario's "spouse in the house" rule'
requiring recepients of family
benefits to live as single persons.
Though this does not look like
discrimination, almost all family
benefit recipients are women. LEAF
announced last fall it was going to
charge the government with
discrimination. but delayed when the
ministry of community and social ser-
vices .promised to amend the law.
The "sex inspectors" were taken off
the job recently, but the legislation re-
mains. LEAF is going ahead with its
plans to initiate legal action. Ironical-
ly, part of a million dollar grant from
the provincial government will be us-
ed to pay legal costs.
Another example of systemic
discrimination is the law governing
terms of employment of domestic •
workers. Many are exploited, and are
often in a position where they can't
complain. Again, although the law
sounds neutral, 98 percent of
domestics are women.
LEAF, which was set up to raise
money to litigate cases establishing
women's rights, hopes to intercede on
behalf of these women by using a sur-
rogate plaintiff.
To illustrate the complexities of
equality, Greaves brought up the
Justine Blaney case. LEAF backed
the young girl's court challenge of the
Amateur Hockey Association's
refusal to let a girl play on a boys'
hockey team. That issue is still
unresolved, and was sent hack to the
Area 4-H clubs meet
By Gary Wilson
The first meeting of the South
Huron 4-11 Safety Club was held April
8 at South Huron District high School.
Members present were Cam Darl-
ing, Tom Oke, Darryl 'tern, Mike
Hern and Gary Wilson. ()ur leaders
were Bob ,Pavkeje and Maurice
Ryan.
The topic of the meeting was First
Aid. Jim Hoffman of Hoffman Am-
bulance Service was there to give us
a demonstration on first aid, and to
tell us what was in a first aid kit. We
again wish to thank Jim for his
presentation.
Our club only has five members.
Anyone who wishes to come out we
would be most eager to have you. The
next meeting will be held on May 8.
The location is not yet known.
¥ ¥ ¥
By Mary -Lynn Oke
The Hurondale "Surviving Singles"
met for their sixth meeting at Pat and
Wendy Ballantyne's where we
discussed travelling.
The meeting began with the 4-11
pledge and roll call which asked
"Where would you like to go for a
week's holiday?"
Then we divided into three groups.
Group one looked at the car and talk-
ed about any repairs a car owner
might have to make and how to check
to see if everything is running right.
Group two stayed inside and
discussed answers for our books.
Group three learned now to take pro-
per care of a bike.
We discussed home activities, when
our book was due and when to have
another meeting tadiscuss Achieve-
ment Night activities. That meeting
will be held on April 23 at Sheryl and
Tracy Oke's place.
¥ ¥
By Cheryl McCarter
Exeter II 4-11 Club mel April 15. We
talked about taking a trip - getting
around and what we would use. We
learned never to hitch hike.
Members visited MacLean's to
learn how to care for our bicycles. We
also learned the rules of the road.
We will meet April 20 to hand in our
books and practice our skit for
Achievement Night.
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Human Rights Commission of On-
tario to see if it violates the Charter.
Greaves said she realizes this is a
minefield: if Justine wins, and all
amateur sports are open to both
sexes, what will happen to womens'
hockey? She emphasized the implica-
tions for the Federation of Women
Teachers Association of Ontario. She
believes that because of the historic
and physiological differences bet-
ween men and women, women
teachers need to maintain a separate
organization while working toward
equality of pay and opportunity.
"We must think carefully about
what we want to preserve", she
cautioned.
Greaves listed some of the modern
pioneers in the fight for equality. In-
cluded was Lucy Richardson, who
organized military wives to challenge
regulations that discriminated
against spouses and female members
of the forces. -
Irene Murdock lost her court case
for an equitable property settlement
after divorcing her rancher husband
in the days before the protection of the
Charter and the family law reform
act.
One of the first cases LEAF back-
ed was a challenge by Stella Bliss in
a Yukon court to retain her maiden
name after marriage. She lost the
case, but won in her battle to be
awarded costs.
"Stella and Irene paid for our
mobilization, and I don't think we can
forget that", Greaves said.
Greaves advised her audience to
decide what they want and why they
want it (which she admitted was
easier said than done) then work to
get it translated into law.
Greaves said those most in need are
least able to finance litigation, and
least likely to initiate court action.
She said the Charter is here for our
benefit, LEAF is here to initiate court
action, and governments are the main
funders of this litigation which is
always against them.
Greaves suggested that women
become more aware, and screw up
their courage and be a plaintiff when
they encounter discrimination.
"We can't forget our history, and
how long it took to get this far. We
can't let up pressure on the courts to
win one more yard - or metre - of
equality", was Greaves call to action.
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