BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Greetings!

After four years of exemplary service, Jeannine Lebel has finally been allowed to resign as President of REAL Women, and I have been elected to take her place. This is an honour indeed, but a tough act to follow! (Incidentally, Jeannine is still very active in REAL Women, but now has more time to devote to other political, pro-life, pro-family issues.)

You would no doubt like to know something about me. I have been married to Harold for 38 years; we have raised six children and have one delightful grandchild.

Harold is retired from teaching - he was a high school Art Department Head and was hoping to actually find time to pursue artistic endeavours, but so far has been kept too busy helping out in the home and with the family to get much art work completed!

For the past 13 years I have been employed as a legal secretary in a busy Oshawa, Ontario, law firm. I had returned to the workplace after 23 years at home, mainly to supplement our income and to help with the costs of our children's education. I had planned to work for only a short period of time, but somehow it was never possible to quit, as our expenses never seemed to stop! Besides, I have been truly blessed in that the people with whom I work are the nicest people one could ever wish to meet. Starting this month, though, I will be cutting back my work hours with them, to have extra time to devote to REAL Women work.

Even as a mother raising six children, which is a full-time job, I did manage, from time to time, to write protest letters to the newspapers and government, and once, together with a friend, Christine Burns, took the Toronto Star newspaper to the Ontario Press Council for its unbalanced coverage of the abortion issue. In about 1986, I became aware of REAL Women when a chapter was started in Durham Region and my friend, Chris, suggested we should go to a meeting. At this meeting of Durham REAL Women, I was absolutely delighted to find that there were so many women who had the same concerns as I and who were willing to actively speak out on behalf of the family. And as far as the name REAL Women is concerned (which I didn't like at first), I grew to not only accept it, but to be really proud to be known as a REAL Woman!

This pride is certainly not misplaced. Over the years, first as a member and then serving as National Secretary of REAL Women for 11 years, I have become more and more aware of the difference we make. Thanks to the hard work of capable women who are willing to give of their time and talents to do research and prepare briefs and the Reality publication, make presentations to government committees, intervene at court, attend UN conferences, and generally defend our families in every possible way, REAL Women of Canada has become a powerful voice for Canadian women.

We must keep on with all our efforts. Wherever possible, we need to become involved in pro-family activities or join political riding associations, and we must never hesitate to telephone or write our MPs with our concerns. Don't ever think that your opinion is not important. If enough people become involved in working to protect our families and our country, we will make a difference. There are, of course, those of you who are unable to become physically or vocally active, and from you we ask that you support us financially and also pray for our country and for REAL Women. There is nothing to equal the power of prayer!

Again, I would like to say that it is an honour to serve as your President, and I will do my very best to work on your behalf. If you have any concerns or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

God bless!

BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS