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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

At this time of year one cannot help but reflect on how grateful we should be that we live in a country where the Christmas Season is still one of joy and peace. Of course, Christmas has been terribly commercialized and sometimes the true message is lost in a whirlwind of shopping and special events. Even so, there is no doubt that a "Christmas Spirit" prevails. It is obvious that Canadians are looking
hopefully toward a better, more loving society.

I know our Reality news publication seems to express concerns about the decline in morals and values, and certainly it is an ongoing battle to protect and preserve the Judaeo-Christian values by which this country has thrived, but the picture is not entirely bleak.

It appears that Canadians are finally waking up to the fact that their basic religious and moral rights are in jeopardy, and many, many people have contacted the Prime Minister and their elected representatives to express their concerns about Bill C-415 (now renumbered Bill C-250). (No doubt REAL Women members have been busy!) Although there is little coverage from the trendy news media, the public outcry does not go unnoticed by the politicians.

I thank God also for providing so many dedicated volunteers to carry out the work of REAL Women. Some time ago I described briefly the structure of our organization, and now I would like to elaborate a bit about just some of the women who make up our Board of Directors. First, there is the indomitable Gwen Landolt, whom I consider to be our modern-day Joan of Arc. (Can't you just see her in chain mail?) A practising lawyer with expertise in constitutional law, and a founder of REAL Women, Gwen donates an enormous amount of time to REAL Women. She is well-known, both nationally and internationally, as a superb advocate for traditional family values - to the deep dismay of anti- family activists!

Jeannine Lebel, our Past President, who comes to us from the Northern Ontario Chapter, works tirelessly to promote solid family values. The huge annual "garage sale" held at the Lebel farm in Powassan, Ontario, every Victoria Day weekend, is a mainstay for pro-life/pro-family organizations. Jeannine's gentle, dignified demeanor masks an iron- hard resolve to protect the family, especially our unborn children.

Another former President and our present Western Vice-President is Cecilia Forsyth who, along with her husband, manages a farm near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Cecilia, a former business administrator, is a terrific organizer and our internet expert. She is also, as an individual, active in politics, serving as campaign manager for a successful MP in the last federal election. I think of Cecilia as our "undercover agent". Those with whom she has locked horns, especially at United Nations conferences, had no idea that this diminutive, genteel lady was such a force to be reckoned with!

Sophie Joannou, our acting Treasurer and manager of our Ottawa Office, has the thankless and unnerving job of balancing our books. Even when the financial situation is most precarious, Sophie will quietly assure us that we will somehow manage, that the Good Lord will provide. And do you know what? She's always been right! We also rely heavily on Sophie to keep in touch with Members of Parliament and to deal with enquiries or requests forwarded to our Ottawa office, which also has the onerous task of keeping up with our memberships.

Betty Ann Snee has for many years acted as co-ordinator for the publishing and mailing of our news publication Reality. Besides working as a nurse and raising a large family, Betty Ann and her family (who have all had to assist her from time to time!) certainly deserve a great deal of credit for carrying out this essential, time- consuming work for REAL Women.

Judy Anderson, a full-time special education teacher, also served as a President for REAL Women. Judy edits Reality, our briefs and press releases. Judy is also an excellent, feisty spokesperson, and a measure of her ability is the fact that some prominent radical feminists and homosexual activists have refused to enter into public debate with her.

I have described briefly these Board members, not just because I have known them personally for many years, but because I think they represent a good overview of our REAL Women membership: Gwen, a lawyer from Toronto; Jeannine, active farm wife and community volunteer with her riding association and North Bay Right-to-Life from northern Ontario; Cecilia, a business woman from Saskatchewan; Betty Ann, a nurse from Alberta; Sophie, a full-time REAL Women of Canada volunteer, who also volunteers as an on-call translator at an Ottawa hospital, and Judy, a special education teacher in Toronto. Our other Board members from across the country are just as diverse in their occupations and abilities, and their input is invaluable - I hope to tell you about these marvelous, selfless women in my future columns.

Apart from the National REAL Women, of course, the various chapters are active in their own communities, and they also often address matters of national concern. I highly commend the B.C. Chapter for their excellent communications, especially through the internet. (If you would like to receive their e-mailed "Alerts", please contact REAL Women of BC.) And don't forget to visit our own national website at www.realwomenca.com. The North Bay, Kelowna, BC, and Toronto chapters are especially active, too, and deserve much credit for all their efforts.

In addition to the various volunteers, I would like to thank each and every one of our members for your continued support. We could not function without your financial assistance and your prayers. You have been wonderful! God bless you this Christmas time, and bring you peace and joy in the New Year!

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