MFL Women's Committee News

The MFL Women's Committee includes the following people.
Chair - Sister Charlene Matheson - CEP Local 830
Vice-Chair - Sister Monique Edwards - IAM&AW Local 2603
Recorder - Sister Arlene Macklem - CUPE Local 998
Full List of Committee members

Sisters in Focus
Short Biographies

The MFL Women’s Committee would like to recognize some of the brave sisters who, through the years have paved the way and fought for some of the rights and freedoms that women in this province enjoy today. Be sure to check periodically to see who is featured!

Mary Richard - a social activist who was involved with many social service organizations including the National Association of Friendship Centres, and was the first CEO of Thunderbird House

Nellie McClung - contributed to Manitoba women winning the right to vote in 1916 and fought to improve women's working conditions

Marie-Anne Lagimodiere – the first woman of European descent to travel with a group of fur traders from Quebec to Manitoba

Helen Armstrong - A Voice for Women in the 1919 Strike

Shirley Lord – a Winnipeg union activist who traveled to in Kampala, Uganda to raise money for orphans and worked for Volunteer Services Oversees

What is the Manitoba Federation of Labour's Women's Committee?

The MFL Women's Committee, which was formed in 1985, is a standing committee of the Manitoba Federation of Labour. The committee was formed as a result of a resolution passed at a MFL Convention.

Who Is On The Committee?

Affiliates to the Manitoba Federation of Labour appoint or elect members to sit on the committee. A list of current members of the MFL Women's Committee is available on this web site.

What Does the Committee Do?

• Makes recommendations to the Manitoba Federation of Labour Executive Council
• Makes recommendations to resolutions to the MFL Convention
• Liaises with other women's groups
• Fundraising for women's shelters
• Holds conferences and workshops
• Holds monthly meetings
• Produces brochrues to distribute to affiliates
• Organizes the December 6 Memorial Luncheon
• Organizes March 8 International Women's Day event
• Provides updates to Women's Committee page on web site

Issues of Interest to the Women's Committee

• Technological change
• Sexual harassment
• Pay equity
• Pensions
• Women and unions
• Child care
• Pornography/sex trade
• Sexism in unions
• Part-time work/cottage industries
• Violence against women
• Organizing
• Family rights
• Workplace health hazards
• Women's health

And many other issues that reflect the concerns of women and what affects them.

How Do You Join?

To be a member of the MFL Women's Committee, you must be elected or appointed by your union. The monthly meetings are scheduled yearly. The times and dates of the meetings are listed on this Web site. The meetings are held at the Union Centre, 275 Broadway.