Category Archives: Issues and Advocacy

Brantford news, Issues and Advocacy, Scholarship and Donating

Scholarship award winners

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Canadian Federation of University Women Scholarship Awards 2026


The CFUW (Canadian Federation of University Women) Brantford is one of 95 clubs across Canada. The club focuses on the rights, freedoms and education of women and girls locally, nationally and internationally.

Our Brantford club has given out scholarships yearly to women in Brant County since 1949. The CFUW Brantford Scholarship Fund has two categories. Our spring awards are for high school female graduates, and the fall awards are for women who have been out of school for at least two years and are presently enrolled in a program to upgrade or change careers.

There are five high school graduates this year who are each receiving $1,200.00. They have demonstrated a vitality for living, enthusiasm for learning and intellectual curiosity about the world. They are committed to their academic pursuits and play an important role in services to their family, school, and community.

The 2026 recipients are:

– Aisha Eldaioub graduating from PJCVS, enrolled at McMaster University in Social Science.
– Destiny Foa graduating from SJC, enrolled at the University of Alberta in Business Studies.
– Brook Henriksen graduating from NPC, enrolled at Western University in Political Science.
– Danica Petrella graduating from ASC, enrolled at McMaster University in Life Science.
– Evelyn Waldron graduating from PJCVS, enrolled at Trent University in Global Development Studies.

In the Photo: (Left to Right) Evelyn Waldron, Danica Petrella, Destiny Foa, Brooke Henriksen. Absent was Aisha Eldaioub.

Brantford news, Issues and Advocacy, Meetings, What's new

Jennifer Seberras speaks at CFUW Brantford’s 2026 May Banquet

We are excited to announce that Jennifer Seberras, P. Log, will be the guest speaker at this year’s May banquet, Jennifer began her career by founding, building and eventually selling a multi-million dollar transportation and logistics company in an industry dominated by men. She learned on the job what it really takes to build a business from the inside out. From her experience, she recognized a recurring gap: many women were capable, driven and ambitious, but lacked practical support and real-world guidance to navigate the perils of entrepreneurship. Jennifer has founded Leadership Hub to address that gap.
Jennifer now works with women across all stages of business, from start-ups to established high-growth companies run by women. She helps them develop clarity, confidence and sustainable strategies, skills she wished she had when growing her own business. In addition to this coaching work, Jennifer hosts Women Who Dared, a growing series of curated luncheons and events which bring together women entrepreneurs, leaders and professionals, whose conversations support and mentor other women who are developing companies. Through Leadership Hub and Women Who Dared, Jennifer creates spaces where women can connect, learn and support one another as they grow. Jennifer comes highly recommended, and we look forward to her talk to CFUW Brantford.
Brantford news, Club Projects, Events, Issues and Advocacy, Meetings

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.

Brantford news, Club Projects, Issues and Advocacy, What's new

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