Fundraisers return: a chat with Nadine and Aisha

2015-04-09T14:43:38-06:00April 9th, 2015|Our View|

“Is that the one where people sleep on cots?” We hear this question a lot in lead up to our annual fundraising event YWCA KEEP A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS®. The answer in short is, yes. It’s not our most glamorous event, but that’s sort of the point: experiencing one night “homeless” in a YWCA [...]

Stop cyberbullying: start with compassion

2015-03-27T14:47:09-06:00March 27th, 2015|Our View|

Cyberbullying, or the use of information technology to repeatedly and deliberately harass other people, is a relatively new term. Yet it has become such a common act since 1998 that we are already in need of a cultural intervention on a global scale. After being publicly silent for a decade, Monica Lewinsky has emerged as [...]

Fresh starts and opportunities

2015-03-20T14:34:39-06:00March 20th, 2015|Our View|

On the first day of spring, many of us are thinking about fresh starts, house cleaning and ideas for the garden that is yet to sprout. For many however, it is just another day when they have to face challenges that impact their ability to have a home to clean; a meal on the table; [...]

International Women’s Day

2020-01-27T15:17:17-07:00March 5th, 2015|Our View|

International Women’s Day is on Sunday, March 8, 2015. The first International Women's Day was observed on March 19, 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. More than one million women and men showed their support of women by participating in public events. In 1977 following the long-standing movements for women to participate equally [...]

In Memory of Donalda Vine-Mutton

2015-03-02T11:08:20-07:00March 2nd, 2015|Our View|

Donalda Vine-Mutton, a long-time ambassador, alumnae and supporter of the YWCA, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2015 at 88 years of age. Donalda was connected to the YWCA for more than 60 years. In 1950, as a young single woman returning to Calgary after a year working overseas in the United Kingdom, Donalda realized [...]

Reflections on the YWCA Canada Young Women’s Leadership Conference

2015-02-20T14:40:25-07:00February 20th, 2015|Our View|

Imagine calling up 130 of your best feminist lady-friends from across the nation and heading off to Southern Ontario for a weekend of growth, learning, and sharing. Recently I had the pleasure of doing just that at the first YWCA Canada National Young Women’s Leadership Summit in Muskoka, Ontario, on traditional Rama Territory. As one [...]

Celebrating healthy relationships

2015-02-13T15:58:34-07:00February 13th, 2015|Our View|

Each year when Valentine’s Day arrives, the deeper meaning of the day is often lost in chocolates and flowers. But when the chocolate is eaten and the roses wilted, you might want to consider if your relationship is healthy. A healthy relationship should feel good. It should add value to your life and bring more [...]

Domestic violence awareness at Super Bowl

2015-02-02T13:57:59-07:00February 2nd, 2015|Family Violence, Our View|

Yesterday, millions gathered around their television sets to cheer for their favourite football team, eat junk food, and enjoy the Super Bowl.  While Canadians did not see the same, highly anticipated commercials during the game as those across the border, some have been so talked about that many have searched them out on YouTube and [...]

Gifts for the season: gifts for all seasons

2015-01-12T16:36:07-07:00January 12th, 2015|Our View|

As the 2014 holiday season comes to a close, the YWCA is grateful for a total of $648,000 in cash donations and the many gift-in-kind donations we received to support vulnerable women and their children. Gift-in-kind donations included; 725 pairs of pajamas donated by Spectra Energy, which will keep women and children in a YWCA [...]

The value of giving

2014-12-23T12:12:31-07:00December 23rd, 2014|Our View|

Having recently met some of the women, children and men the YWCA supports; I can imagine how impactful this holiday season will be for them.  At this time of year, throughout the YWCA, there are many who are not expecting to have a very merry holiday. However, last week I witnessed the generosity of our [...]