Category Archives: Club Projects

Trivia Night!

First Place (Team 22) Brian Finnigan, Theresa McClenaghan, Breanne Finnigan, John Finnigan
Second Place (Team 16) Norah O’Leary, Catherine Sawyer, Chuck Merritt, Betty Morris
Third Place (Team 19)
Meghan Cameron, Jan Tyrrell, Randy Johnson, Michele Dodds

Last year, the weather was terrible, the Dunsdon Legion made the decision to close and we obviously were relieved to postpone Trivia Night until March.  We took a poll of those registered and the resounding vote was that we continue to hold the event in March.  This year, 27 teams competed to be the winner of our 17th Trivia Night.  This year, we had no ties!! Results were as follows:  First Place – Team 22, Second Place – Team 16   and Third Place – Team 19.   

Naomi Krol (new to the position) and helpers, ran another amazing sale of new/very gently used books, and took in $293.00! There were 29 Door Prizes, all generously donated by members. Our usual Heads or Tails game took in $198.10 and Logan Klassen went home with a $100 gift certificate to The Keg, compliments of McCleister Funeral Homes.  We also received $175.00 in donations!!

 

At the end of the evening, everyone was invited to enjoy pizza donated by Dominos Pizza.  Dominos has supported us since the beginning, and we appreciate their generosity.  Please consider purchasing a pizza from them sometime in the next couple of months, to show your thanks.  As usual, Sandra Eisenbach of the Dunsdon Legion was very friendly and accommodating!  Thanks to all of the volunteers:  Wendy Bethune, Diane Bradley, Rhynda Bulson, Teddy Buzek, Lynne Duncombe, Karen Innes, Kazuko Kikuchi, Naomi Kral, Anne Martin, Marla Merritt, Kaye Russka, Mieke Schroeder, Barb Scott, Gloria Smith, Maria Timmons.

Thank you to all who donated gifts, money, and time for our 2026 Trivia Night.  A more detailed report will be included in the AGM Booklet. 

Our profit for the event, after expenses was just under $2,600.00!  

The Trivia Night Committee – Brenda, Colette, Dian and Lynn

 

Afternoon Tea: Scholarship Fundraiser, Sunday October 25, 2026

purchase tickets via e-transfer to: cf**************@***il.com


Chantal Saldanha is a Professional Engineer and serves as the Software and Cybersecurity Manager at GD Land Systems – Canada. She leads a dynamic team responsible for delivering software that enables the capabilities of Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs) and developing cybersecurity features to protect and defend these vehicles.

Chantal grew up in the town of Simcoe in Norfolk County and attended elementary school there. She graduated from Assumption College High School in Brantford, excelling in STEM fields. She went on to earn an honours degree in Engineering, with a focus on Biomedical Engineering, from the University of Guelph.

In 2000, Chantal began her career at Honda of Canada Manufacturing as a plant ergonomist. In 2001, she transitioned to a Human Factors Engineering role at GD Land Systems – Canada. Over the years, she gained experience in Survivability Systems and Project Engineering. She briefly left engineering to implement a Software Management program for the Canadian family of vehicles before returning as the leader of the Software and Cybersecurity team.

In 2021, Chantal co-founded the GD Land Systems Women’s Employee Resource Group with two colleagues, creating a platform for mentorship, networking, and skill-building to support the career growth of women within the organization.

Trivia Night: Wednesday March 11, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go to this registration sheet. Make a copy, enter your own details, and then save your copy.

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    Our Scholarship fundraiser is looking for Sponsors

    The CFUW Brantford Scholarship Fund has given out scholarships yearly to women in Brant County since 1949. We have two categories of scholarships.  

    One category is for girls who have graduated from high school and have been accepted at a university or college. This year we gave out five scholarships to outstanding young graduates. While marks are important, a minimum of 80%, we really look for those who have been involved in their school and community and are most likely to give back.

    The second scholarship category was introduced a few years ago for women who have been out of school for at least two years and are presently enrolled in a facility to upgrade or change careers. These women often juggle work and school along with caring for their families. Their stories are heartwarming and very inspiring! This scholarship is unique, as I’m not aware of others like it. We usually give out 2 to 3 of these awards per year.

    Funding for these scholarships has come from yearly initiatives, such as our Trivia Night, and the generous donations received from our membership.

    This year we are planning an Afternoon High Tea Fundraiser on October 25, 2026. Devlin’s Country Bistro is doing the catering.  In order for us to sustain the scholarship fund at the present level, we need to look to our community for sponsorship for this event. It should be noted that 100% of money donated goes directly to scholarships for the women we support. Donors will be acknowledged on the CFUW Brantford website, on our Facebook page and at the 2026 High Tea Scholarship Fundraiser. 

    Teddy Buzek, Co-Chair of Brantford CFUW‘s High Tea Fundraiser


    If you have any questions please contact us here:

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      CFUW (Canadian Federation of University Women) is a non-partisan, voluntary, self funded organization under the Canada-for-Profit Corporations Act  S.C. 2009,c23. It was founded in 1919 and has grown to now have clubs in 120 countries. CFUW Brantford is one of 95 clubs across Canada. The purpose of CFUW is to focus on the rights, freedoms and education of women and girls locally, nationally and internationally.

      Trivia Night

       

      Please download and fill out the following registration form:

      Trivia flyer web

      Our contact address is not posted publicly for obvious reasons.

      Please use the form below and we will email you instructions on emailing or snail mailing the form and $100 team payment, and answer any other questions you might have:

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        CFUW Brantford presents Nova Vita with a donation of $3000.00

        Thanks to the generosity of our members, on December 6th, CFUW Brantford presented Nova Vita with a donation of $3,000.00 for their 2023 Hope for the Holidays campaign

        Serving Brantford and the County of Brant for over 40 years, Nova Vita provides trauma-informed emergency shelter, outreach sup- port, and counselling services to individuals and families experienc- ing abuse, as well as counselling for individuals who have caused harm in their relationships. Throughout these four decades, CFUW Brantford has supported Nova Vita with sponsorships, volunteering, and initiatives such as Basketeers, International Women’s Day events, and annual events.

        Hope for the Holidays was introduced in December 2020 in re- sponse to the Pandemic and the alarming escalation of domestic violence.
        To date, over the four Hope for the Holiday campaigns from 2020 to date, we have raised $9,235.00 to help Nova Vita make a difference for women and families who are in Nova Vita’s care during the Holiday season.

        Here are a couple of comments from the women who were in the shelter last year after receiving our donation:

        “Wow, the holiday gifts and gift cards are incredibly helpful at such a stressful time of year. Thank you….we are moved by your kindness. I don’t know how to express it well enough.”

        “The love care and support we received …was over the moon. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us because of every one we have met here. Thank you!”

        “My Kids thought they were at a “kid’s hotel” where they played and learned with new “teachers.”

        “…I safe and valued. Food was fantastic too.”

        CFUW members, Lin F, Maria T, Janet K, Nova Vita’s Anne Ruddell, Jill Ballantyne and Naomi Kral

        The Mentorship Directory: a blast from the past

        Way back in 1989, CFUW Brantford had the radical idea of publishing a directory of local women who worked in a variety of careers and professions. These women agreed to be featured in a thumbnail article in the directory, which was distributed to schools and libraries throughout the county. They also agreed to answer students’ questions about their career paths. This was long before google was a thing, but we were mentoring women to think beyond the stereotypes.

        Here’s a selection of profiles from that directory.

        Significant Lives: Profiles of Brant County Women

        In 1998, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of CFUW Brantford, we researched, wrote and published a book on the history of women in Brant County, called Significant Lives: Profiles of Brant County Women. (2000 copies sold). The Library and some Executive have copies if you would like to read this lovely book.

        Following the publication, some of us lobbied to have the names of these women used as street names in the city.  With the help of Councillor Marguerite Ceschi-Smith, we now have  almost 20 streets named for the women.