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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Welcome to the year 2003!
It is shaping up already to be a very busy
year. I would like to be able to say that we can look forward
to the return of common sense in our governments and in our
courts, but it appears this is not the case and we will have
many battles in the coming year.
There is one encouraging aspect, however,
in that various pro-family organizations and groups are joining
together and sharing their experiences and expertise to try
to counter anti-family forces. Differences in faith beliefs
are being put aside so that we may fight a common enemy. Evangelical
Christians, Catholics, Jews, Muslims and even persons of no
religious persuasion are pooling their ideas and resources
into efforts to protect the Canadian family.
We will do our best to keep you informed through
Reality about issues as they develop. If you have not
already done so (and even if you have), please contact your
Member of Parliament to express your opposition to Svend Robinson's
Bill C-250 (hate crime), which will seriously compromise our
basic freedoms of speech, religion and opinion in Canada.
Don't be swayed by the claim that "religious rights are
protected." Just take a look at how little protection
is in place today (Scott Brockie case, Marc Hall
Prom. case, Surrey BC School Board case, etc.)
and imagine how the courts would likely rule if Bill C-250
becomes law.
As promised in the last Reality, I
shall tell you about a few more REAL Women "movers and
shakers." First I should mention two REAL Women who are
no longer with us, Peggy Steacy of Vancouver and Mary Anna
Kaiser from Kelowna, BC. Both women worked for their REAL
Women chapters and served on the national Board of Directors
for many years. Peggy was delightful and bubbly, but she neither
minced words when it came to tackling anti-family issues,
nor would she be intimidated by her critics. Mary Anna's deep
faith was reflected in her joyful enthusiasm as she worked
for REAL Women, despite the chronic illness which took her
to her final reward.
Michelle Bitto, a relatively new member of
our Board, is a transplant from the West to New Brunswick.
Michelle is doing her best to promote REAL Women in both French
and English in her area and we appreciate her efforts very
much. Another newer member of the Board is Marion Bremner
from Kelowna, BC, a former member of the Kelowna City Council;
her business expertise and dedication is much appreciated.
Laurie Geschke, a busy, long-serving REAL Woman, provides
an invaluable service in e-mailing to a large number of people
the timely and informative REAL Women Alerts. The BC
Chapter President is Doris Davarsi, a busy mother of four
children, and a university student who does wonderful work
with the media. Mary Fay, President of the Toronto Chapter,
is an outstanding organizer and indefatigable worker on behalf
of family life, putting together conferences, meetings and
arranging publicity talks. Cheryl Lebel, President of the
North Bay Chapter, a surveyor by profession, is at her computer
(in her spare time) on behalf of REAL Women, or plotting the
next REAL Women activity with great success. Jill Cahoon is
on our Board representing our Alberta affiliate AWUFF (Alberta
Women United for the Family). Jill, who lives in Tofield,
Alberta (35 miles east of Edmonton) is an outstanding organizer
and tireless worker and a mother of eight. She is Vice-President
of AWUFF and lobbies the members of the Alberta Legislature
especially on educational issues. Jill is always on top of
the issues and responds quickly and intelligently to the problems
and issues as they arise on the Board.
REAL Women of Canada is blessed in having
such excellent volunteers and we are also truly thankful for
so many supportive members.
God bless!
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