2018 Past Events
OUR FESTIVE PARTY DECEMBER 11, 2018
On December 11th, members of the University Women's Club and guests gathered for
their Annual Festive Party in the beautiful lounge at the Faculty Club.
Well-known actress, Lorna Wilson, delivered an eloquent rendition of O. Henry's
classic Gift of the Magi to the sold-out crowd. Following a sumptuous dinner,
pianist Becky Windhager entertained with a brilliant medley of familiar
Christmas melodies. The evening ended on a high note as gifts were presented to
representatives from Romero House to be delivered to their refugee residents.
MEMORIAL LUNCHEON DECEMBER 6, 2018
The Memorial Luncheon on December 6th had an excellent turnout to hear Peggy Nash speak about Ending Gender-Based Violence. Members from all six Central Toronto Clubs were inspired by her messages: The fight for women’s rights is never over, it’s a comma not a period; and the more women gain positions of power, the less they will be viewed as vulnerable targets. This shares the tenets of the CFUW that is dedicated to advancing the status of women and supporting the education of women and girls.
SPOTLIGHT ON US - LILY CONTENTO NOVEMBER 20, 2018
Over 20 of our members and guests had the pleasure of learning the skillful art of flower arrangement on November 20, from one of our newer members, Lily Contento. Lily highlighted real estate dynamics and the importance of visual appeal, in her presentation, “How Does Your Money Grow.” As an agent (www.ListWithLily.ca) and the owner of an online flower shop (www.foglie.ca), Lily has successfully paired her professional expertise, recognizing the value of flowers as a staging strategy. Mary Aziz and Martha Dove were delighted to win the breathtakingly beautiful arrangements in the draw at the end of the evening.
INTERNATIONAL DINING NOVEMBER 13, 2018
Eleven of us met up at Country Style a Hungarian restaurant on Bloor just east of the Bathurst subway. While the meals were very good, and the two wait staff were doing their best to put all of us at one table, the wait time for service was long. The dining room was full! I think all of us took home doggie bags as the servings were huge.
DAVID GARZON ON DRAW-THE-LINE INITIATIVE november 12, 2018
There was an excellent turnout of members and guests from the UWC and the Faculty Club on Monday, November 12th to hear David Garzon of the White Ribbon Organization. He outlined the methodology White Ribbon uses to include men and boys in Gender-Based Violence Prevention. The white lapel ribbon is recognized as a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. For more information about this excellent program visit www.whiteribbon.ca
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING NOVEMBER 5, 2018
On Monday, November 5, 2018 there was a good turn out at our Annual Business Meeting to discuss UWC Toronto's financial status and planned charitable giving.
UWC Treasurer, Kathy Nolan-Garner, presented September 2018's financial statements and gave an overview of past and present donations. She noted that since 2012, UWC Toronto has donated over $275,000. At the meeting, members approved additional giving in 2018 of $5,000 to CFUW 100 Year Anniversary Scholarship, and $2,000 for post-secondary scholarships to graduates in schools in the old city of York.
For 2019, members approved donating $30,000 to our new charity UWC (Toronto) Foundation to be used for post-secondary scholarships for students, as recommended by the Scholarship Committee and approved by Board of Directors of UWC (Toronto) Foundation.
PATRICIA O’CONNELL AND MADELYN GOLD ON SISTERING – SUPPORTING TORONTO’S MOST MARGINALIZED WOMEN
october 15, 2018
Patricia O’Connell, Executive Director of Sistering, and her colleague Madelyn Gold made a very powerful presentation to the Club about the value of Sistering, a safe place where women are welcome, day or night. Women who experience homelessness or precarious housing, trauma, or social isolation are provided with meals, counselling, employment support, health care and shelter from violence and abuse.
Madelyn spoke movingly about her personal experience with addiction. She credits Sistering for giving her the opportunity to become a Peer Harm Reduction Worker and for saving her from a life on the streets.
Patricia and Madelyn spoke passionately about vital work that Sistering does, while reminding us that the agency depends heavily on the generosity of donors and the ongoing dedication and commitment of volunteers. For those wishing to make a gift to Sistering, please visit sistering.org/donate or visit their website at www.sistering.org
THE ADVENTURES OF A THIRD CULTURE KID SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
On September 24 UWC member Ellen Thompson shared the story of her life growing up overseas and her search for the perfect answer to the simple question, “Where are you from?” She took us on a wonderful journey covering Africa, Asia and Europe.
GOLDEN MEMORIES TEA SEPTEMBER 18, 2018
The Golden Memories Tea party was held on September 18th at the Amica/Balmoral Club to honour our senior members.
As Honoured Guests arrived they were welcomed with beautiful sweetheart rose corsages that had been lovingly made by club members the previous night under the guidance of the very talented Lily Contento. The sun shone through the atrium windows on the tea table laden with delectable goodies as Judith Lewis and Nancy Lunney graciously poured tea for everyone. After lunch, several of our senior members related past stories of the club in earlier days, much to everyone's delight. Many guests were thrilled to catch up with former friends.
At the close, some elder members asked "When can we do this again!
CORSAGE COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 17, 2018
The day before the tea, members met at Rosemary Hale’s home and worked long into the evening making beautiful rose corsages under the guidance of Lily Contento. The corsages were given to our senior members at the Golden Memories Tea Party the next day.
DR. ANN CAVOUKIAN ON PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY BEFORE IT’S TAKEN AWAY
september 10, 2018
There was an excellent turnout of members and guests from the UWC and the Faculty Club on to hear Dr. Ann Cavoukian speak about Protect Your Privacy Before It’s Taken Away. She outlined a privacy framework called Privacy by Design that will enable our privacy and freedom to live well into the future.
THE STRATFORD FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 6, 2018
On September 6, these Drama Queens enjoyed a wonderful day at Stratford, taking in The Tempest andTo Kill a Mockingbird.
SUMMER TIME IS PATIO TIMe july 11, august 1 & 22, 2018
On 3 warm summer nights UWC members met on the Patio to relax, chat, meet new members, and reconnect with good friends. Such a lovely way to stay in touch over the summer.
ADINA LEBO ON KEY ISSUES OF AGING June 1, 2018
There was a good turn out on a beautiful June evening to hear Adina Lebo’s statistics-packed presentation regarding the phenomena we all should be aware of as “Boomers”/Zoomers Informative.
Upbeat when appropriate, provocative when necessary – all of this was delivered to an appreciative audience in the space of an hour following dinner.
ELIZABETH DOWDESWELL ON ONTARIO’S ROLE IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY, ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INCLUSION
May 29, 2018
The main dining was full to capacity as Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor articulately outlined her key priorities, interspersing them with touching real life stories. With the same ease, she answered our numerous questions, impressing us with her breadth of knowledge on diverse topics. Harolyn warmly thanked her on our behalf.
THE ROYAL WEDDING AT WINDSOR ARMS may 19, 2018
On Saturday, May 19th UWC Toronto members and guests arose very early to witness the wedding of Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. We arrived at the Windsor Arms Hotel at 6:00 a.m. all decked out in our finest with fascinators and our gentleman guest in tails. A lovely “royal” brunch was served. The room was full of other guests as well, so a festive time was had by all.
DR. MEB RASHID ON DELIVERING HEALTH CARE TO REFUGEES THROUGH RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
May 14, 2018
All who attended Dr. Meb Rashid’s presentation were enriched by his description of the care-giving work at Crossroads Clinic, as well as his observations on the phenomenon of refugees to Canada in the past decade. With a mix of data and anecdote, he provided a sophisticated view of the profiles of recent refugees and the realities of their experiences, prompting a better understanding of how this contributes to their determination to settle well into Canadian life, no matter what it took to flee their homes.
PHILIP HOLST ON PARTNERING WITH NATURE FOR WATER MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS
april 16, 2018
Philip Holst, a Wetland Rehabilitation Initiator and Project Manager, gave a very informative talk on how important wetlands are to the health of our water. He described wetlands as being the kidneys of our water system; they help to purify waste and standing water. As a result, wetlands are needed not just in rural areas but in urban life as well. As Philip says, “We do not own the land but we are stewards of it.” When you get a chance, check out the wetlands in Toronto such as at the Leslie Spit.
AGM MEETINg april 9, 2018
At the 2018 Annual General Meeting club members heard and read reports from the auditor, David Burkes, the President, the Treasurer and some convenors. The treasurer, Kathy Nolan-Garner, requested several motions concerning the administration of dues and various housekeeping items. Our legal counsel, Shelina Ali of Iler, Campbell LLP, was present to answer questions concerning the proposed amendments. The president and treasurer also answered some questions and explained the need to change the constitution with the amendments. There was some discussion and the three amendments to change the financial structure for the awarding of funds were passed by the membership. A new constitution is being prepared by a committee, chaired by Past President, Judith Lewis. We hope to streamline our constitution and to set out the responsibilities of the new Charitable Activities Committee. Deborah Maw spoke of the work of the Heritage Fund and thanked those on the Heritage Fund Board and Scholarship Committee. The board is encouraging members to get involved with the various committees and the outreach work.
talisha ramsaroop on THE VIOLENCE OF LOW EXPECTATIONS march 26, 2018
On March 26th Talisha Ramsaroop fascinated the audience with details about the work she’s doing in her neighbourhood of Jane and Finch. She maintains that stereotypes and stigma can be detrimental to one's perception of oneself and cause barriers in education. Thus she works to empower youth in this neighbourhood to develop their skills and talents and pursue further education. For her community advocacy, on March 9, 2018 Talisha received the Pam McConnell Award for Young Women in Leadership.
SUE & JIM WADDINGTON ON THE GROUP OF SEVEN AND TOM THOMSON
February 26, 2018
It’s not often one couple’s vacation slideshow is of interest to anyone other than the couple in question, but Jim and Sue Waddingon haven’t had your average vacations. For 40 years, primarily by canoe, they have been locating, documenting and photographing the actual landscapes that inspired and influenced the brushes of the famous seven artists. It was very interesting to see the actual paintings and the Waddingtons’ photographs side by side. Most sites had changed very little over time. One of the slides that Jim presented showed six of the Group of Seven and another man who was none other than Barker Fairley of whom our Fairley Room is named. “In the Footsteps of the Group of Seven” was about as close a two-dimensional experience can get to the live version of the same thing.
Martha dove on INTROVERTS & EXTROVERTs february 18, 2018
A wonderful presentation was delivered at the February 18 Spotlight evening by Martha Dove, who explained the intricacies of the introvert and extrovert personalities as they present in personal and professional settings.
Thank you Martha for sharing your insights and experiences with us about this fascinating subject.
DOUG PURDON ON ART FORGERY January 22, 2018
Many of us gathered on January 22nd to hear Doug Purdon’s anticipated informative and thorough introduction to the world of “art forgery.” He exceeded our expectations. Organized in a lightly humoured format of “what it takes to be an art forger,” Professor Purdon explained the challenging chemistry and techniques, and the improving technology for fraud detection. To put a human face on this effort, he introduced biographical facts of notable forgers, each with unique career paths. He offered us a real “tour de force.”
BHUTAN: LAND OF HAPPINESS january 17, 2018
A large, interested group of members and visitors enjoyed a fascinating presentation on Bhutan by Marianne Anderson and her friend Leslie White. Marianne articulated the wonders and uniqueness of this tiny country, and Leslie, a professional photographer, impressed us all with her captivating photos of this unknown gem.
2018 Events Gallery
