1. National Council of Women of Canada
(NCWC)
Tereasa Golka & Angela Plunz

2. History
• Founded in 1893, the National Council of
Women of Canada is an non-
governmental organization (NGO)
incorporated by an Act of Parliament in
1914
• Since 1893 NCWC has been working to
improve the lives of women, children and
communities in Canada
• The organization was given national
First President, Lady Aberdeen, and early
historic significance status on April 30th, members of NCWC at Rideau Hall
2001 by the Government of Canada.

3. Purpose of Program
Vision Statement
"A vibrant, pro-active, credible Council of Women
reflecting the diversity of society, encouraging
informed political decision making and public
attitudes for the well being of society, through
research, education, consultation and
cooperation.”

4. Mission Statement
"To empower all women to work together towards
improving the quality of life for women, families, and
society through a forum of member organizations and
individuals."

5. Philosophy of the Program: Combination
Progressive, Radical/Critical
- Progressive
- personal and societal improvement
- evolution towards better conditions
- respects freedom of individuals to be true to their own convictions and
commitments
- Radical/critical
- assisting those with less societal power
- empowering minority groups
NCWC's philosophy is to encourage and empower women through education to
speak on political issues and be included in the political process
(Week 7 notes)

6. Changing Philosophies
Women's issues have changed.
NCWC has responded as women have evolved in their roles as Canadians
Early Issues of Concern Include (but are not limited to)
• Public health
• Safe water supply
• Pasteurized milk
• Medical inspection in schools
• Women being recognized as persons
More Recent Issues of Concern
• Equal pay for equal work
• Political participation
• Immigrant support
• Mental health issues
• Violence against women

7. Social/Political/Economic Context
 Prior to the establishment of the NCWC in 1893, concerned
women gathered together to focus on improving the lives of 3
specific groups:
– female prisoner
– female factory workers
– female immigrants
 NCWC’s interest of support was indication of the political, social
and economic context that existed at that time
 Women had limited power and access to education or choices
– Until 1929, women in Canada were not considered legal persons

8. Political Involvement: Past
Advancement of women through the
changing of governmental policies
• Support of Women's Basic Human Rights
• Human Rights Act - Discrimination
• Famous 5: Person's Case (1929)
• Emily Murphy , Henrietta Muir Edwards , Irene
Parlby, Louise McKinney, and Nellie McClung

9. Political Involvement: Present
• Delegation of 4 NCWC members to
attend the UN Meeting of the
Commission on the Status of Women
(New York: March, 2013)
• The commission was focused on
violence against women and children
and solutions to this epidemic global
issue
Assembly of delegates at the 2013 UN Meeting
of the Commission on the Status of Women

10. Main Features of Program
Focus on improving the lives of women and children in Canada
• researching and reporting on developing issues in an annual brief to
government
• adopting policies to further the right of women and children
• pornography prevention, workplace childcare, disarmament
• Official recommendations to influence government policy
• women's equality, public health reforms, citizenship work and, gender
equality in the judicial system
Broad scope on education and pro-active engagement they continue to be
leading edge in addressing issues facing women and children.

12. Importance of Program
NCWC
• Gives women a voice, bringing attention to the issues and concerns of
women at various times in history
• Ensures accountability to government to consider the effects of policy
on women and children
• Continues to evolve to meet the changes of a modern society and the
emerging roles and contributions made by women

13. For Discussion
NCWC has been instrumental in bringing attention to many
issues affecting women.
Q: What specific issue do you see as having the most impact
on women in education today?
What is your personal experience?
Do you think the NCWC and similar organizations are
instrumental in bringing about change in adult education?

14. References
Thank you!
Commission on the Status of Women, 2013. (n.d.). Commission on the Status of Women, 2013. Retrieved March
17, 2013, from http://csw57.blogspot.ca/
Depression | Canadian Mental Health Association. (n.d.). Canadian Mental Health Association | Mental Health
for All. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from http://www.cmha.ca/mental-health/understanding-mental-
illness/depression/
Tereasa Gulka & Angela
Michael Landsberg Talks About Depression - YouTube. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from
http://youtu.be/toN_NB3mUmc
Plunz
National Council of Women. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved March 17, 2013, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Council_of_Women_of_Canada
The NCWC. (n.d.). FaceBook. Retrieved March 17, 2013, from https://www.facebook.com/thencwc?fref=ts