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A very successful meeting was held on January 12, 2010, hosted by BPW Richmond.
Members from BPW Coquitlam, past BPW Richmond members, BPW Provincial President Connie Friesen, Council of Women Provincial President Rosemary Mallory, and many other guests attended. Interest was shown in Membership in BPW by some of the guests.
Ms Reid spoke of her political career and some insight into how things are slowly changing in the parliament buildings such as a men’s washroom being renovated into a women’s washroom closer to chambers so the women didn’t have to dash several hallways away. Renovation was to plywood in the urinal.
Also the installation of a baby change table for the convenience of our Women MLA’s, who had their children at work with them, Judy Tyabji, Jenny Kwan and Linda Reid.
This topic lead to the discussion of work place day care centres and Ms Reid told of such centres in Richmond and Prince George which were funded through her position of Minister of State for Childcare. Further discussions were on “all day kindergarten”, which are going ahead in some BC communities. Ms Reid said “things to think about - if you have 1 teacher conducting a morning and then an afternoon class, you will need to have another room and another teacher, so some schools can not accommodate this at the moment.” “We will also have to graduate more teachers in this field.”
The topic of having a Women’s shelter in Richmond was raised and efforts are underway. The Province and BC Housing are working with the City of Richmond to open a women’s shelter. This would be a project that BPW Richmond could support by working with the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre and other committees. You may want to come to council at 7 pm on March 8, 2010 at Richmond City Hall 6911 No. 3 Road.
The evening was concluded by a draw for gifts with the proceeds of $120.00 going to Richmond Transition Nova House.
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