source: Farm and Food Report
It is often said that rural women are the ties that bind the fabric of rural communities in Saskatchewan. This contribution is now being recognized, as March has been proclaimed Rural Women’s Month in the province since last year.
Julie Gregson is Executive Director of Partners for Rural Family Support, a non-profit community-based organization located in Humboldt, serving a rural area encompassing 25 towns and villages as well as rural municipalities with an overall population of approximately 40,000.
“Our Board of Directors, along with volunteers and staff, are hosting a gala fundraising evening honouring rural women in our area,” Gregson says. “The Rural Women’s Achievement Awards will be held on March 12, 2005. This evening will be dedicated to rural women, who will be recognized for their outstanding contributions and achievements in several community-focused categories.”
These are: arts and culture; education; business; volunteer work; agriculture; sports; and rural woman of the year. Gregson feels this event — in its third year —is a must for rural communities.
“Families that are isolated from towns and cities face challenges in terms of access to services and support. Women, especially, are particularly affected when issues of family violence arise — and there are also children who have witnessed domestic violence who might not get the support they need if it wasn’t for women’s intervention. The geographical isolation just compounds the problems. We felt it was necessary to acknowledge the contribution of rural women to community and society.”
Rural women have had, and continue to have, a significant impact on the development of health care, education and social services in Saskatchewan. Rural women serve as volunteers and leaders in their communities and, in many cases, are also one-half of most of the farm operations in the province.
Gregson echoes the comments made by many when she points out how we are all indebted to the extraordinary accomplishments of Saskatchewan's rural women since homesteading days.
With the same spirit, Whitewood’s Women’s Network is putting on a Spring Breakaway: Bringing Balance Into Your Life event on March 19.
It will be an opportunity for women to take part in breakaway sessions that will include hands-on activities designed to help women learn something new about themselves and to celebrate their own achievements.
Monica Buddeke is one of the organizers.
“Women find it difficult to take time off for themselves. Because we live in smaller communities, your business networking opportunities are not the same as in larger centres. Plus, in smaller centres, community organizations find it harder to sustain themselves. We try to bring everyone together — church groups, Toastmasters, and everyone.”
Buddeke believes every small contribution made by women to sustaining communities matters.
“As we celebrate Saskatchewan’s Centennial year in 2005, we should be reminded that women are the backbone of the province, often working behind the scenes. They are the ones volunteering their time and skills for school, family and community events. If it wasn’t for women’s contribution, you wouldn’t have the same kind of community spirit today.”
To attend the Rural Women’s Achievement Awards in Humbolt on March 12, call 1-866-682-4135.
To register for the Whitewood Spring Breakaway, call (306) 735-4242 before March 12.
For more information, contact:
Julie Gregson
Partners for Rural Family Support
(306) 682-4135
www.partnersrfs.ca
Monica Buddeke
Whitewood Women’s Network
(306) 735-4233
It is often said that rural women are the ties that bind the fabric of rural communities in Saskatchewan. This contribution is now being recognized, as March has been proclaimed Rural Women’s Month in the province since last year.
Julie Gregson is Executive Director of Partners for Rural Family Support, a non-profit community-based organization located in Humboldt, serving a rural area encompassing 25 towns and villages as well as rural municipalities with an overall population of approximately 40,000.
“Our Board of Directors, along with volunteers and staff, are hosting a gala fundraising evening honouring rural women in our area,” Gregson says. “The Rural Women’s Achievement Awards will be held on March 12, 2005. This evening will be dedicated to rural women, who will be recognized for their outstanding contributions and achievements in several community-focused categories.”
These are: arts and culture; education; business; volunteer work; agriculture; sports; and rural woman of the year. Gregson feels this event — in its third year —is a must for rural communities.
“Families that are isolated from towns and cities face challenges in terms of access to services and support. Women, especially, are particularly affected when issues of family violence arise — and there are also children who have witnessed domestic violence who might not get the support they need if it wasn’t for women’s intervention. The geographical isolation just compounds the problems. We felt it was necessary to acknowledge the contribution of rural women to community and society.”
Rural women have had, and continue to have, a significant impact on the development of health care, education and social services in Saskatchewan. Rural women serve as volunteers and leaders in their communities and, in many cases, are also one-half of most of the farm operations in the province.
Gregson echoes the comments made by many when she points out how we are all indebted to the extraordinary accomplishments of Saskatchewan's rural women since homesteading days.
With the same spirit, Whitewood’s Women’s Network is putting on a Spring Breakaway: Bringing Balance Into Your Life event on March 19.
It will be an opportunity for women to take part in breakaway sessions that will include hands-on activities designed to help women learn something new about themselves and to celebrate their own achievements.
Monica Buddeke is one of the organizers.
“Women find it difficult to take time off for themselves. Because we live in smaller communities, your business networking opportunities are not the same as in larger centres. Plus, in smaller centres, community organizations find it harder to sustain themselves. We try to bring everyone together — church groups, Toastmasters, and everyone.”
Buddeke believes every small contribution made by women to sustaining communities matters.
“As we celebrate Saskatchewan’s Centennial year in 2005, we should be reminded that women are the backbone of the province, often working behind the scenes. They are the ones volunteering their time and skills for school, family and community events. If it wasn’t for women’s contribution, you wouldn’t have the same kind of community spirit today.”
To attend the Rural Women’s Achievement Awards in Humbolt on March 12, call 1-866-682-4135.
To register for the Whitewood Spring Breakaway, call (306) 735-4242 before March 12.
For more information, contact:
Julie Gregson
Partners for Rural Family Support
(306) 682-4135
www.partnersrfs.ca
Monica Buddeke
Whitewood Women’s Network
(306) 735-4233
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