Empowering women through advocacy and education.

October is a month to enjoy the seasonal transitions. The array of colour in the trees is a spectacular sight. An autumn hike, complete with the crunch of leaves underfoot, can be uplifting. As we prepare for the winter ahead, storing some of those leaves in our flower beds provides winter shelter and insulation for insects. When birds migrate back to Ontario in the spring, you can enjoy watching them forage through those leaves for a nutritious meal. Surviving insects will emerge to become our seasonal pollinators. Leaving leaves is a win-win.

Preparing for winter is another fall task. Charming is a winter scene with a snowy roof and icicles everywhere. Icicles hanging from a roof?! This can be a sign of heat loss which can contribute to higher usage of fossil fuels. It turns out that fall is a perfect time of year to insulate our attics. It is not too hot to work up there. Cellulose insulation is preferred as it emits fewer greenhouse gases. (Drawdown Explorer, 2026). Deploy Alternative Insulation Materials |

Project Drawdown®)

Enjoy some pumpkin spice, squash soup and preparations for the fall season! If you have Ontario-specific questions, suggestions, pictures or resources to share, I would be pleased to hear from you at ecc@cfuwontcouncil.org

Thanks, Sue Bailey

It marks the day in 1929 when the historic decision to include women in the legal definition of “persons” was handed down by Canada’s highest court of appeal. This gave some women the right to be appointed to the Senate of Canada and paved the way for women's increased participation in public and political life. Though this decision did not include all women, such as

Indigenous women and women of Asian heritage and descent, it did mark critical progress in the advancement of gender equality in Canada.

In 1927, five women who have since become known as the Famous Five launched a legal challenge that would mark a turning point for equality rights in Canada. Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby and Henrietta Muir Edwards were journalists, politicians, reformers and activists from Alberta who asked the Supreme Court of Canada to answer the following question: does the word “person” in Section 24 of the BNA Act include female persons? After five weeks of debate, the Supreme Court decided that the word “person” did not include women. Although shocked by the Court’s decision, the Famous Five did not give up the fight and took their case to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of Great Britain in London, which was then Canada’s highest court of appeal.  On October 18, 1929, the Privy Council ruled that women are persons under the law.

On Persons Day, we honour the bravery and determination of the Famous Five whose landmark case helped pave the way for women to participate equally in all aspects of life in Canada. We also honour all those whose work in the years since then has expanded and strengthened those rights.

In 2024, Ontario’s Bill 211 An Act to Proclaim Person’s Day received Royal Assent. Marking October 18 as Persons Day aims to inspire more girls, women and gender-diverse people to be nation builders, and to expand the circle of leaders so that everyone can contribute to building their communities and their country, and benefit from being a Canadian.

Submitted by CFUW Northumberland

We face important decisions in the coming municipal election. Our votes for Mayor and Councillors will set the stage for the kind of housing we need in the next four years and beyond. 

Open the PDF file to find the key issues to discuss with candidates.

In 1992, the Government of Canada designated October as Women’s History Month, marking the beginning of an annual celebration of the outstanding achievements of women and girls throughout Canada’s history. It’s a time to celebrate women and girls from our past and present who are contributing to a better more inclusive Canada. 

The theme for Women's History Month in 2026 is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future” as designated by the National Women’s History Alliance. 

Learn more

October 11 is International Day of the Girl Child, a day dedicated to celebrating the voices and power of girls, championing their rights worldwide, and reflecting on the challenges they continue to face because of their gender.

Canada led the international effort to establish this day to draw attention to the persistent inequalities and dangers that too many girls face around the world. The United Nations subsequently adopted a resolution to formally recognize this important date.

Across Canada and around the world, girls are making an impact and creating positive change in their communities and far beyond. They are leading the way as students, entrepreneurs, volunteers and activists, and proving that you are never too young to shape the future and improve the lives of others.

Provincial Recognition: The Government of Ontario highlights the day as part of Women’s History Month in October, emphasizing investments in programs that help young women and girls overcome barriers and excel in leadership, STEM, and skilled trades.

CFUW Ontario Council's voice for change comes straight from our members!

Each year members research and bring forward Resolutions that address issues they are concerned about — and once approved, these become the foundation for our public policy advocacy.

Check out everything you need to know about the RESOLUTION PROCESS on the website.

NEW for 2026: The deadline to inform the Advocacy chair know your club plans to submit a resolution is Oct 30. You can find the online fillable form Appendix A, Intent to Submit a Resolution form HERE

Questions: email Kathy, Advocacy Chair at advocacy@cfuwontcouncil.org