All posts by MJS

Looking for Jane: Thursday Night Book Club

The Thursday night book club read ” Looking for Jane” by Canadian first time author Heather Marshall. The book is based on the real Jane Collective, an underground network of courageous individuals who provided safe abortions in the late 60’s, 70’s and 80’s in Canada. Marshall says it is really a book about motherhood.-” a story that has a solid foundation in the historical facts surrounding underground abortion networks, the post war era maternity homes system and forced adoption mandate in Canada. The story is told through the eyes of three fictional women whose experiences come from 2017,1971 and 1980.

This book puts a very personal and sometimes very emotional face on the relationships between mothers and daughters, motherhood itself and the struggle for “the right to choose.” It brings the advocacy of so many women in events such as the 1970 Abortion Caravan, the clinic raids and the support for Dr. Morgentaler to life. The book group found it well-written, informative and emotional. The discussion was thoughtful. Given the situation in the USA today it is also very topical. This is a piece of Canadiana worth remembering. As usually happens in our group the discussion broadened into other0 issues of the day!

New Venue for monthly meetings

CFUW Brantford is on the move! Due to security issues at Thorpe’s Funeral Home, our General Meetings are moving to McCleister Funeral Home at 495 Park Road North. (Park Road North is the extension of West Street). The March 26 meeting will be held at McCleister’s. (Hybrid meetings will continue).

Please park at the back of building, enter, and walk past the office on the left to a small hallway. Follow the hallway to the meeting room.

Meetings will start at 7:00 pm sharp. We are asked to bring a food item for the Food Bank to each meeting.
Many thanks to Thorpe’s Funeral Home for their past support and to McCleister Funeral Home staff who have welcomed us.

Monday afternoon book group: history, penguins and a man who ages backwards

Marion’s book is about fascinating local history with family names well-known in our community.

 

Nova Vita celebrates International Women’s Day


Mark your calendars for Thursday March 6th and join us for Nova Vita Celebrates International Women’s Day 2025!
Featuring inspiring speakers, fantastic prizes, and set against the elegant backdrop of the Brantford Golf & Country Club, Nova Vita Celebrates International Women’s Day promises to be an unforgettable evening of joy, inspiration, and empowerment. Make a difference for women in your community and join us at this heartfelt celebration on Thursday March 6th.
Your ticket to this year’s event includes:

Cocktail reception with photo ops and access to the bountiful Silent Auction table and participant favourite Wine Wall
Three-course dinner from the award-winning Brantford Golf & Country Club
Caramelized Parsnip & Apple Bisque with cheddar crouton and herb oil, CHOICE OF Local Free Range Capon (pan seared chicken with lemon tarragon pan jus, glazed carrots and sour cream mash, baby beat and warm mushroom salad with herb oil) OR Celeriac Steak (hummus and pomegranate cucumber salad, fried paniesse and charred eggplant tomato chutney), Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake with fresh fruit and berry preserve.
$25 charitable tax receipt with your donation directly supporting essential shelter services
Fundraiser Purse which includes your entry to all fundraising games and contests during the evening
Exclusive swag bag filled with special gifts from Nova Vita and event partners
Individual and table purchases available. Doors open at 5PM with dinner and event beginning promptly at 6PM.

Individual: $160 | Table of 10: $1,600

Tickets available here.

The High Ladies: Feb speakers

February 26 General Meeting Speakers

The High Ladies began as two moms seeking a creative outlet separate from parenting and other responsibilities. Familiar with cannabis themselves, they bravely set out to open a conversation around mindful and respectful use of cannabis. Through a podcast format, they aimed to break down the stigma related to cannabis, and offer a mature and rational perspective on cannabis consumption. With the legalization of cannabis, they made it their mission to dispel myths about the industry and even help politicians understand its potential benefits and its contribution to the Canadian economy.

The High Ladies Podcast has gained national recognition with appearances on Breakfast Television, and awards such as Best Cannabis Podcast, a nomination for Barrie Women in Business Visionary Award, and they have published High Aspirations: A Commemorative Look at Canadian Cannabis.

The High Ladies, Annie Dillabough and Amanda La Touche, will share information such as what cannabis is, how it works, the difference between tcp and cbd, benefits and downsides of cannabis, and what to expect in a cannabis store. They approach this serious topic with humour and respect, aiming to educate and inform with accurate and documented facts about this still enigmatic topic.

*This meeting will be held on zoom, starting at 7:00 pm.