A Brief History of the
Kelowna Women's Resource Centre

On September 7, 1983, thirteen women who were members of the Okanagan Women's Coalition, identified the need to establish a women's group in Kelowna, British Columbia.

The following thoughts and objectives were raised:

1. A concern for women in the community.
2. A desire to have a drop-in centre for women.
3. More social events among women.
4. The need for political action.
5. The establishment of a reading group.
6. Internal and public education on feminist issues.
7. Lectures.
8. Mutual support for women.
9. Self improvement 

During their first meeting, the group reached a consensus on the following goals:

Suggestions for names for the organization were: Kelowna Women, Women of Kelowna, Women in Action, Women's Centre, Women's Circle, Women's Club, Women Together, Women Helping Women, Broadside, Women's Collective. Women Emerging (WE) was selected as the initial title. A year later, the name was changed to its current title, "Kelowna Women's Resource Centre" (KWRC).

During the Centre's beginning years, funds were raised through bake sales, legion bingos, Tupperware parties, etc. The Centre was granted non-profit status under the Societies Act of British Columbia on November 18, 1985.

Today, we at KWRC, wish to recognize the contribution, commitment, and dedication of past and present members, volunteers, and staff.

IN DOING SO, THEY EFFECT POSITIVE CHANGE.

Major Projects of the Kelowna Women's Resource Centre (1983)

TRAINERS ADVISORY GROUP (TAG):  In February, 1985, KWRC offered a Facilitator Training Course in response to the need for more facilitators in the community. Funds raised from the sessions went to the Centre.

LIBRARY:  A library of feminist literature was developed under the supervision of Anne Chaplin (Centre Librarian who later became its Co-ordinator). Our library has been dedicated to her memory.

STATUS OF WOMEN:  In December, 1986, a researcher by the name of Dr. Nancy Netting, was hired to provide accurate statistical information on the status of women in Kelowna. Information was obtained from more than seventeen sources in the community. Consequently, a 24-page booklet was published in 1988.

COUNCIL ON WOMEN'S ISSUES:   In September, 1987, a Council on Women's Issues was established to give Okanagan women formal input into the provincial government's decision-making. A steering committee was struck and a meeting was held with Mr. Cliff Serwa (Member of Legislative Assembly, Provincial Representative). Representatives from eighteen organizations were present during the Council's first meeting on March 16, 1988.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY:   March 8, 1984 marks the first day of KWRC's annual celebration of International Women's Day.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH:   In 1992, October was declared Women’s History Month. This month was chosen to honor women’s herstory because on October 18, 1929 women were declared persons under the law. The first celebration of women’s herstory was held with a potluck and entertainment which included a herstorical skit, a power rap song and a fashion show which highlighted women through the decades from 1920s to 1990s.

"ROCK THE BOAT" NEWSLETTER:  Since 1992, the Kelowna Women’s Resource Centre has been publishing a bi-monthly newsletter. It was initially implemented as a communication tool to keep the membership of the Centre informed of Centre activities. The newsletter, over the years, has expanded its purpose to be used as a feminist-based educational tool on issues affecting women. It also provides a forum for women to use their voice. We continue to strive to expand our distribution base. The newsletter continues to improve its feminist analyses of the issues.

STOPPING THE VIOLENCE COMMITTEE:  The Kelowna Women’s Resource Centre is actively involved with this committee. In 1992, the Central Okanagan Women’s Emergency Shelter initiated a meeting of representatives from various agencies responding to violence against women in relationships in an effort to create a community coordinated response to spousal assault. In 1994, the Committee began the process of developing a protocol manual which was completed in 1995. In November of 1995, the Committee changed its direction and became the "Stopping the Violence Committee". The focus of this Committee is to educate. In 1996, we developed a "Sensitivity Training" workshop for the RCMP. This Committee continues to meet regularly addressing the issue of violence against women in relationships.

HERIZONS NETWORK:  In 1994, an employment training project for women with additional barriers to employment was developed. It was successfully implemented in September of 1994 with funding provided by Canada Employment Centre. This program was a comprehensive six month training program with a feminist perspective. Approximately 100 women from the Kelowna area benefited from this project.

LESBIAN SOCIAL GROUP: In 1995, the Kelowna Women’s Resource Centre implemented the "Lesbian Social Group" which initially consisted of a group of lesbian women who were interested in forming a social group for the lesbian community which would involve social as well as family outings. The Group has seen a significant response from the lesbian community and continues to be active. Today (1998) the Group meets every Wednesday for "The Wednesday/Nite "Social+More". The first Wednesday of each month features a guest speaker. The second Wednesday is for Evocative Readings. The Third Wednesday is Video evening and the fourth Wednesday consists of an outing. Any bonus Wednesdays see clothes exchange parties.

SELF-EVALUATION:  In 1996, the Kelowna Women’s Resource Centre volunteered to participate in a self-evaluation process. Participants engaged in critical discussion about our work, looking at the positive and negative features of the work and trying to understand how things work or not, with a view to changing, correcting and enhancing services. This self-evaluation process was funded by the Ministry of Women’s Equality. Excellent recommendations for future planning and development of the Kelowna Women’s Resource Centre resulted from this evaluation

INTERNET TRAINING:   In 1998, the Kelowna Women’s Resource Centre received a grant from the Ministry of Women’s Equality to upgrade our computer equipment and install Internet. In exchange we introduced 40 women in the community to the Internet and provided them with 3 hours of Internet time.

CASEY (Community Against Sexual Exploitation of Youth): A coalition of groups and individuals in the community who actively educate the community about the severity of this issue. In 1998, the Kelowna Women's Resource Centre received funding on behalf of CASEY from National Crime Prevention to develop presentations for schools, a media campaign, and activities for Sexual Exploitation Awareness Week. A commercial entitled "I Want My Daughter Back" was created and also awarded top 1 of 3 commercials produced across Canada on public service. Other projects the Kelowna Women's Resource Centre was successful in securing funds for include the "Safe Zone" Project which utilized downtown businesses as a safe place to go if they are feeling unsafe and the "Bad Date Sheet" which is a monthly sheet containing information about customers who abuse or refuse to pay sex trade workers.

POVERTY TASK FORCE: In September, 1999, 23 community representatives came together to discuss how the community could proceed toward developing capacity to tackle poverty issues in coordinated ways. In recognition of the complexity of the problems and issues relating to poverty, a poverty task force was struck. The Kelowna Women's Resource Centre  received funding on behalf of the Poverty Task Force to organize a symposium to create education and awareness, highlight resources in the community, identify gaps, and develop a plan of action.

"WOMEN - FORCES OF CHANGE CONFERENCE": In November, 2000, the Kelowna Women's Resource Centre organized a one-day regional conference. Approximately 120 women attended. The purpose of the one-day conference was to identify local issues and develop recommendations for change. There were six topic areas for discussion. There were health, violence, environment, education, and economic autonomy. We have complied the issues and recommendations that came out of the conference. We are in the process of following up on some of the issues and beginning the process of developing strategies to respond and continue to mobilize women in this region.

"VAGINA MONOLOGUES" PLAYWRIGHT: Vagina Monologues (V-Day) is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. It is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise funds and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organization. Since its inception, V-Day has used the arts as a vehicle for activism. V-Day has provided motivation and opportunity for a sweeping, consolidated, worldwide movement that is giving the issue of violence against women high visibility and media attention. It has helped shift the way people perceive their roles in making the world a safe place for women and girls

The Kelowna Women's Resource Centre was very successful in hosting this playwright to residents of Kelowna both in 2002 and 2003.