The Vancouver Status of Women, founded in 1971, has been active for 44 years as an organization committed to working with women in the “social, political and economic life” of their communities. Their mission statement of activities includes:
– Developing resource materials;
– Research;
– Public education programs;
– Outreach and information referral services to individual women & other organizations;
– Initiating, facilitating & participating in social justice networks & coalitions;
– Engaging in feminist community building.8th edition Single Mother’s Resource Guide cover (VSW)
The funding for VSW, initially established in an effort to ensure implementation of the suggestions by Royal Commission on the Status of Women, has suffered a slew of setbacks in the past several decades as government funding has become increasingly sparse. Despite this, VSW continues to serve women in the community of their home in East Hastings and beyond by way of workshops and resources such as the Single Mothers Resource Guide, among others. In the past, VSW also produced the publication Kinesis, “a vehicle for information sharing and a forum for debate within the women’s community, locally, nationally and internationally” that was produced for 25 years before financial and volunteer constraints ultimately caused it to shut down.
VSW’s Vision ~ Freedom and self-determination for all through responsible, socially just, healthy and joyful communities both locally and globally.
VSW’s work strives towards their goal “to work toward social change to ensure a just society for all women and their communities.” VSW’s incredible forward momentum in carrying out their mission is informed and shaped by their past, as well as their present and future. VSW continues to play a vital role in many of the projects by and for the promotion of women, especially those affected by sociopolitical barriers such as race, gender, sexuality, disability, economic, social, and parenting inequalities. Much of these important projects are not highlighted or addressed in this site, but deserve attention nonetheless.
Visit the VSW website for more information on their current endeavors, or how to become a volunteer.
The “Herstory of VSW”, as well as the VSW site were important resources for the creation of this blog. Thank you to the creators of these resources, and the people behind all the important work done by VSW.