About Us
The power of women working together.
We are the local chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW), a non-profit organization founded in 1919 which continues to grow and develop, representing about 7,500 women in approximately 100 clubs across Canada. The Ajax-Pickering Chapter of the CFUW was founded in May 1988 by a small group of women who were interested in science and education and exchanging information with women with similar interests. As a result, Scientists in School was created to share their interest through a unique, hands-on classroom experience. For over 25 years, the Ajax-Pickering club has been providing scholarships to female students in local Ajax-Pickering high schools and supporting the community in a variety of other ways.
We’re not just a fundraising club. We make a difference by advocating in a variety of areas such as women and children, the environment, education, the workplace and politics in order to make our community a better place for everyone. We also take time to enjoy a variety of social activities in the spirit of warm friendship, networking, outings and continuing learning.
We’re committed to the pursuit of knowledge, promotion of education, improvement of the status of women and human rights, and active participation in public affairs in a spirit of cooperation and friendship.
To read more about the history of the CFUW, click here.
Throughout our history, more than a few very notable women have belonged to the ranks of CFUW. Click here to read more about their stories.
History of the CFUW
The remarkable industrial expansion that occurred after the beginning of the First World War opened up many opportunities for women. The increase of urban populations with its consequent industrial growth, led to opportunities for women in industry and in social work. At this time women were already well established in the teaching profession and entering medicine, law, journalism, nursing and social work in larger numbers.
Some of the leaders among university women in Canada had long dreamt of a national federation, but the effective impulse to found it came from Great Britain. Early in 1919, Dr. Winifred Cullis of Britain, who had spent time in Canada during the war years lecturing at Toronto University suggested that women in Canada might wish to organize a national federation so that Canada might become one of the first countries to join in the emerging International Federation of University Women. A similar suggestion came from Virginia Gildersleeve of the American Association of University Women to the effect that, while she hoped the Canadians would form their own federation, but that they might if they preferred, be allied with the American Association. Canada’s response was immediate. In March 1919 at a conference of four of the leaders in university organizations, Mrs J.A. Cooper, President of the Toronto Club, Mrs. R.F. McWilliams, President of the Winnipeg Club; Miss May Skinner, then representing Canada on the American Association’s committee on International Affairs; and Miss Laila Scott in Toronto, it was decided to create the Canadian Federation of University Women.
