President's Message

On April 8, I attended our Annual Conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where REAL Women of Saskatchewan did a super job of hosting the conference. It was well organized, well attended and very friendly. I was elated with the quality of speakers who worked so hard to make the conference a great success.

As you know, each year an award is presented by REAL Women to an individual or group, who has made an outstanding contribution towards the preservation and promotion of traditional values in Canadian society. This year I had the honour of presenting the award to Ted Byfield.

For many years, Ted has been an outspoken advocate of pro-life and pro-family issues in both print and visual media. He is Chairman of United Western Communications Ltd., which publishes the National Report, the best newsmagazine in Canada. One board member wrote "my hero" on her ballot. Truly, Ted is a hero to all of us who make up the pro-life, pro-family movement in Canada.

During our lunch break, participants had an opportunity to view the new REAL Women promotional video. I'm proud to report the video has been a hit. Only eighteen minutes in length, it's the perfect tool for members to use in their explanation of who we are and what we do. Order yours today c/o Mrs. Jeannine Lebel, REAL Women of Canada Video, R.R. # 2, Powassan, Ontario P0H 1Z0, cost $10.00.

After a day of listening to and learning from remarkable speakers, members left re-energized and motivated, many with a REAL Women promotional video in their hand.

During the national Board meeting, the executive voted to terminate the use of membership cards, as soon as the present supply is used up. This decision will save time and money. To know when subscription or membership is due, members can just check the label on their Reality to see when they last paid their dues.

Upon my return from the conference, I found no time to rest! As usual, the battle for the values we all treasure had to be fought on yet another front, that of the World March of Women 2000, being sponsored in Canada by radical feminists. (See article, "The Troubling World March of Women 2000, " on page 5).

Originally the March highlighted two key issues facing women: poverty and violence. These worthwhile causes were used as a front to get the support of Christian groups. Then the hidden agenda surfaced - abortion and homosexuality as worldwide rights.

We have informed or are attempting to inform Christian organizations of the March's hidden agenda. Please inform your church or women's group of this March's true intentions. If they are involved, encourage them to officially withdraw their support.

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Several members have informed me that they do not get their letters to the editor printed. If you have experienced this problem, try calling the editor and politely saying you have written a letter to the editor, but it was never printed. Ask him/her why, and inquire about how you might get your letters published in the future.

Several years ago, when I spoke with the editor of my local paper about a letter not published, he said he had never received it. I informed him that I had personally delivered the letter in a sealed envelope to the paper. He asked me to send him the letter again and he would print it. He also informed me that all letters not printed are kept on file; the letter in question was missing. I suspect my call alerted the editor to carelessness or improper conduct by an employee.

This summer, take time to enjoy the treasures that surround you: your family, your garden, your neighbours. Have a wonderful summer and may God bless you.

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