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About CFUW

CFUW
CFUW Victoria team image
About CFUW
CFUW
CFUW Victoria team image
About
CFUW

About CFUW Victoria

CFUW Victoria members value education and lifelong learning regardless of educational level. 

We advocate for issues such as education, violence against women, the environment and climate change. 

We provide opportunities for members to network, socialize, and have fun.
CFUW Victoria team image
About CFUW Victoria

CFUW Victoria members value education and lifelong learning regardless of educational level. 

We advocate for issues such as education, violence against women, the environment and climate change. 

We provide opportunities for members to network, socialize, and have fun.
CFUW Victoria team image

Meetings

Our club meets at 2:00 pm on the third Sunday of the month, from September to May at the Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion.

Our monthly meetings feature a speaker and the public is welcome to attend. In addition to our monthly general meetings, our club has a variety of Activity & Interest Groups and Neighbourhood Groups that provide more opportunities for socializing. Learn more about becoming a member or contact us about attending a meeting.

If you are curious about our club, please come to a meeting and discover CFUW Victoria for yourself.
Contact Us
CFUW Victoria meeting in progress
Meetings
Our club meets at 2:00 pm on the third Sunday of the month, from September to May at the Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion.

Our monthly meetings feature a speaker and the public is welcome to attend. In addition to our monthly general meetings, our club has a variety of Activity & Interest Groups and Neighbourhood Groups that provide more opportunities for socializing. Learn more about becoming a member or contact us about attending a meeting.

If you are curious about our club, please come to a meeting and discover CFUW Victoria for yourself.
Contact Us

Part of an International Network

CFUW Victoria is a member of CFUW National (formerly Canadian Federation of University Women) based in Ottawa. In 1919 the Canadian Federation of University Women was created as a response to the formation of the International Federation of University Women (IFUW), now Graduate Women International (GWI). IFUW had been founded by women in the aftermath of the First World War, in the hope that a worldwide association of university women would help prevent another such catastrophe.

Today, CFUW National is a voluntary, non-profit, self-funded non-governmental organization of close to 6,500 women in clubs across Canada. CFUW National members are active in public affairs, work together for equality for women and girls to raise the social, economic, political and legal status of women.

CFUW National has special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and is a member of the Canadian Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization network. CFUW National participates every year in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women by sending a delegation of our members to engage with the international community on issues of gender equality.

CFUW National is the largest National Federation or Association (NFA) member of Graduate Women International (GWI) and is also a member of the International Alliance of Women (IAW). 

Part of an International Network

CFUW Victoria is a member of CFUW National (formerly Canadian Federation of University Women) based in Ottawa. In 1919 the Canadian Federation of University Women was created as a response to the formation of the International Federation of University Women (IFUW), now Graduate Women International (GWI). IFUW had been founded by women in the aftermath of the First World War, in the hope that a worldwide association of university women would help prevent another such catastrophe.

Today, CFUW National is a voluntary, non-profit, self-funded non-governmental organization of close to 6,500 women in clubs across Canada. CFUW National members are active in public affairs, work together for equality for women and girls to raise the social, economic, political and legal status of women.

CFUW National has special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and is a member of the Canadian Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization network. CFUW National participates every year in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women by sending a delegation of our members to engage with the international community on issues of gender equality.

CFUW National is the largest National Federation or Association (NFA) member of Graduate Women International (GWI) and is also a member of the International Alliance of Women (IAW). 

Evlyn Farris image - CFUW Victoria

A History of Advocacy
and Supporting Education

Evlyn Farris (1878-1971) was a woman of indomitable spirit and vision. A Maritimer by birth and education, she grew up believing in educational equality and the responsibility of the educated to lead. Evlyn understood the potential of women’s contributions to society and began organizing women to lobby the government for equal rights and opportunities. She saw inequality between men and women as one of the reasons society was slow to progress, and for women to be effective, they needed to unite their forces.

Education was central to Evlyn. Before the turn of the century, she earned a BA and MA from Acadia University and taught in New England for six years. She believed women could hold their own intellectually with men and was determined to make a difference in the world.
Evlyn Farris image - CFUW Victoria
A History of Advocacy
and Supporting Education
Evlyn Farris (1878-1971) was a woman of indomitable spirit and vision. A Maritimer by birth and education, she grew up believing in educational equality and the responsibility of the educated to lead. Evlyn understood the potential of women’s contributions to society and began organizing women to lobby the government for equal rights and opportunities. She saw inequality between men and women as one of the reasons society was slow to progress, and for women to be effective, they needed to unite their forces.

Education was central to Evlyn. Before the turn of the century, she earned a BA and MA from Acadia University and taught in New England for six years. She believed women could hold their own intellectually with men and was determined to make a difference in the world.

CFUW Established in
Western Canada

In 1905 Evlyn and her family moved to Vancouver, BC. In early 1907 she met other university women graduates and they established the University Women’s Club of Vancouver on May 11, 1907. Evlyn became the first president of the Vancouver club and held that position until 1910. Evlyn had many influences on the rights of women and their ability to access education.

In addition to her numerous community contributions, Evlyn became the first woman in Canada to sit on the Board of Governors of a University when she was appointed to the Board of UBC in 1917, a position she held until 1942. She was awarded two honorary doctorates; one from her alma mater – Acadia, and one from UBC.

Victoria Parliament
CFUW Established in
Western Canada

In 1905 Evlyn and her family moved to Vancouver, BC. In early 1907 she met other university women graduates and they established the University Women’s Club of Vancouver on May 11, 1907. Evlyn became the first president of the Vancouver club and held that position until 1910. Evlyn had many influences on the rights of women and their ability to access education.

In addition to her numerous community contributions, Evlyn became the first woman in Canada to sit on the Board of Governors of a University when she was appointed to the Board of UBC in 1917, a position she held until 1942. She was awarded two honorary doctorates; one from her alma mater – Acadia, and one from UBC.

CFUW Victoria branding

CFUW Victoria Established

In May 1908, Evlyn came to Victoria to meet with a group of university graduates to encourage them to organize a University Women’s Club on Vancouver Island. At this time, there was an existing University Women’s Club in Toronto, and the Vancouver Club was the second of its kind in Canada. Victoria became the third University Women’s Club in 1909. The name of the club was subsequently changed to CFUW Victoria.

Our past members include Dr. Helen E. Reynolds (Ryan) – the first woman to be accepted to the Canadian Medical Association; Gertrude Durand – Co-founder of the Victoria Conservatory of Music; and Senator Nancy Hodges – first female Speaker of the Legislature.
Emily Carr statue in Victoria BC

Emily Carr

Artist and Writer – Honorary Member

Victoria-born Emily Carr is British Columbia’s most famous artist. Her art and writings are recognized across Canada. Emily grew up with a passion for art and a love of nature, especially animals.  After high school she studied art in San Francisco. Later she travelled to Europe and France to refine her style. A trip to the native village of Ucluelet in 1899 opened the world of Aboriginal culture that inspired her to paint images of the vanishing totem poles in their natural setting. An art exhibit in Eastern Canada in 1927 brought her to the attention of the wider public.

In 1937 the University Women’s Club of Victoria (now CFUW Victoria) invited Emily Carr to become an Honorary Member of the club.

Emily wrote: “I had always maintained that unearned honours were stupid shams. Look how hard real members worked to earn their membership – why should I, never having even squeaked through High School, be honoured by a University Club membership? Half of me said, “I can’t!” The other half said, “But, I would be very proud.” So I took, thanked, and am.” (1946, Emily Carr, Growing Pains, p. 368).

Emily Carr statue in Victoria BC

Emily Carr

Artist and Writer – Honorary Member

Victoria-born Emily Carr is British Columbia’s most famous artist. Her art and writings are recognized across Canada. Emily grew up with a passion for art and a love of nature, especially animals.  After high school she studied art in San Francisco. Later she travelled to Europe and France to refine her style. A trip to the native village of Ucluelet in 1899 opened the world of Aboriginal culture that inspired her to paint images of the vanishing totem poles in their natural setting. An art exhibit in Eastern Canada in 1927 brought her to the attention of the wider public.

In 1937 the University Women’s Club of Victoria (now CFUW Victoria) invited Emily Carr to become an Honorary Member of the club.

Emily wrote: “I had always maintained that unearned honours were stupid shams. Look how hard real members worked to earn their membership – why should I, never having even squeaked through High School, be honoured by a University Club membership? Half of me said, “I can’t!” The other half said, “But, I would be very proud.” So I took, thanked, and am.” (1946, Emily Carr, Growing Pains, p. 368).

Contact Us

Curious to learn how you can make a difference in our community? Or perhaps you’re looking for a group of like-minded women or an engaging social activity? CFUW Victoria welcomes all women to get involved. Contact us to learn more about our club, what we do, and how we make it happen.
Reach Out
CFYW Victoria member hiking
Contact Us
Curious to learn how you can make a difference in our community? Or perhaps you’re looking for a group of like-minded women or an engaging social activity? CFUW Victoria welcomes all women to get involved. Contact us to learn more about our club, what we do, and how we make it happen.
Reach Out