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RFPs sought for history project
Attention: Scholars in Social History and/or Women’s Studies
Are you a post-graduate student looking for a compelling research topic?
Or perhaps you are an established academic with an interest in tracking the origins and evolution of one of Canada’s foremost national women’s organizations?
Or you may be newly retired and looking for the kind of satisfying project that you now have the time to pursue?
Our Story
The Canadian Federation of University Women – La Fédération canadienne des femmes diplômées des universités CFUW-FCFDU was formed in 1919 from independently operating University Women’s Clubs at Edmonton, Ottawa, Regina, Toronto, Winnipeg and Victoria, and the Alumnae Society of McGill, and was a founding member of the International Federation of University Women (now GWI) itself part of the international peace initiative. CFUW, became a self-funded Canada-wide advocate for promoting higher education for women, whose early sponsorships including the research of Dr. Marie Curie.
By the 1960s, with over 100 clubs from all parts of the country, CFUW-FCFDU had become an active participant in advising and recommending critical social and political changes at both the provincial and national levels.
We are very proud that while little recognized in conventional histories, CFUW-FCFDU advocacy significantly improved, and continues to improve, the fundamental rights, freedoms and opportunities of girls and women both at home and abroad.
Our Offer
As part of our 100th year celebrations, CFUW-FCFDU is looking for a qualified researcher/writer who will agree to write our organization’s history in the context of Canadian social history in exchange for full independent access to our archival materials and a stipend payable on a progressive basis as work is produced per a mutually agreeable performance contract with proposed completion of a copy ready document expected in 2019. Time lines are negotiable.
The method of publication will be determined.
Original materials are housed at both our national office and at Libraries and Archives Canada, both located in Ottawa. Among the archival materials are: CFUW publications, documents in the form of private letters and official correspondence, speeches, conference agendas, minutes, resolutions, numerous official briefs and reports as well as many newspaper clippings, extensive photographic material and privately prepared national, provincial and club histories biographical material on influential women in our organization. Many CFUW publications are available in digital form. Historical information including the recently published Past Presidents Biographies (1919-2016) can be found at http://www.cfuw.org under the tab “Who We Are.”
How you can apply:
You can apply by sending us an email outlining your initial “Expression of Interest” on or before June 30 to the attention of Robin Jackson, CFUW Executive Director at [email protected] with the following information:
Name and full contact information including email and preferred telephone number
Why you are interested in writing our history (500 words or less) including any ideas you have for additional funding
Your C.V. including any academic or professional projects currently in progress
Additional information
CFUW is a non-partisan, voluntary, self-funded group with over 100 clubs, and over 8400 members, located in every province across Canada.
CFUW works to improve the status of women and girls, and to promote human rights, public education, social justice, and peace. It holds special consultative status with the United Nations (ECOSOC) and belongs to the Education Committee of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.
CFUW is the largest affiliate of Graduate Women International (GWI). This was formerly called the International Federation of University Women. (IFUW).
Locally, the CFUW Cranbrook Club started in 1982 and has reaised and given away over $64,000. in scholarships and bursaries at both the College of the Rockies and Mount Baker S.S. The club also started the Woman of the Year Award with Sophie Pierre was their first recipient in 1984.
A CFUW Advisory Committee has prepared a draft outline for consideration by a prospective writer, and is available to assist with research at the request of the selected writer. This project had been started but the original writer has had to discontinue her work due to serious illness. Her work on Chapter 1 and preliminary work on Chapter 2 may be used at the discretion of the selected writer.
Please contact Robin Jackson at [email protected] with any questions. To learn more about CFUW go to www.cfuw.org
CFUW Cranbrook
