The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) (

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

: ''Fédération canadienne des femmes diplômées des universités CFDU') is a non-partisan, voluntary, self-funded organization with nearly 100 CFUW Clubs, located in every province across Canada. Founded in 1919, CFUW has been working to improve the status of women and to promote human rights, public education, social justice, and peace. Every year, CFUW and its Clubs award close to $1 million to women to help them pursue post-secondary studies. CFUW was “born out of the struggle by 19 and early 20th Century women to gain admittance to Canadian universities," to support women’s learning and provide fellowship to the small number of university-educated women at the time. CFUW also provides funding for library and creative arts awards. CFUW Clubs provide lifelong learning opportunities and fellowship to its members. There are over 100 lecture series, 200 book clubs and 75 issues groups offered by CFUW Clubs. CFUW Clubs are involved in community-based activities and advocacy directed to all levels of government such as working to prevent violence against women, child poverty, early learning and child care. As CFUW President from 1964 to 1967,

Laura Sabia Laura Sabia, (September 18, 1916 – October 17, 1996) was a Canadian social activist and feminist. Born Laura Villela in Montreal, Quebec, the daughter of Italian immigrants, she played an important part, in the National Chair of the Comm ...

led a coalition of 32 women's organizations across Canada demanding that the Government of Canada "pursue the human rights of women in Canada” by establishing a

Royal Commission on the Status of Women The Royal Commission on the Status of Women was a Canadian Royal Commission that examined the status of women and recommended steps that might be taken by the federal government to ensure equal opportunities with men and women in all aspects of ...

. Sabia threatened a march of three million women on Ottawa if the Commission was not established. CFUW is the largest affiliate of the

Graduate Women International Graduate Women International (GWI), originally named the International Federation of University Women (IFUW), is an international organisation for women university graduates. IFUW was founded in 1919 following the First World War by both British and ...

and holds special consultative status with the

Economic and Social Council of the United Nations The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC; french: links=no, Conseil économique et social des Nations unies, ) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields ...

, as well as representation on the Sectoral Committee on Education for the Canadian Sub-Committee for

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

. CFUW regularly sends a delegation to the

United Nations Commission on the Status of Women The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW or UNCSW) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the main UN organs within the United Nations. CSW has been described as the UN organ promoting gend ...

. Among other activities, it supports the CFUW/FCFDU Charitable Trust, which awards fellowships for post-graduate education and funds the Creative Music Award.

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* Organizations established in 1919 Women's organizations based in Canada Educational organizations based in Ontario Organizations based in Ottawa {{prof-assoc-stub

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