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CentrePiece: Message from the CAO

March 5, 2010

Partnerships help women achieve positive change

The Centre supports women and men who want to get on track to a fulfilling, long-term career. With International Women’s Week taking place next week (March 7 to 13), I’d like to recognize that women may need extra support to achieve their career goals.

March 8 was originally acknowledged as International Women’s Day, and the event has since grown into a week-long celebration. The Government of Canada’s theme for this week in 2010 is Strong Women. Strong Canada. Strong World.

This is a time for all of us to recognize how far women have come in achieving equality in their personal and professional lives, and how important their success is for Canada as a whole.

However, we know that genders are still not fully equal in the workplace.

• Women still make 70.5 cents for every dollar a man makes.*
• While more women are in the workforce, lone parent women are less likely to be employed and are relatively large percentage of women only work part-time.**
• In addition, it is still difficult for women to break into male-dominated professions.

To help women gain better footing in the skilled trades—a traditionally male field—The Centre partners with the Ontario Women’s Directorate, the Canadian Women’s Foundation and other educational partners to deliver the Women in Skilled Trades program. Through the support of these organizations, women with an interest in the trades can make positive change a reality in their lives.

The Canadian Women’s Foundation (CWF) is an active partner when it comes to improving the lives of girls and women. On March 28, they are hosting the “Tea for Two…Hundred or So” event at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club in Burlington. This fabulous event features high tea and the choice of two inspiring workshops. Funds raised from the event will go to the CWF’s Women Moving Women campaign. The Centre is proud to help the CWF raise awareness of this special event. More details and information about buying tickets can be found at the CWF website or in this event flyer.

This March, I encourage you to acknowledge the advancement of women during International Women’s Week, and help the CWF move women towards success with the “Tea for Two…Hundred or So” event.

Kathy Mills

* Canadian Labour Congress
** Statistics Canada