Who We Are
Our Purpose
Health for all women in an equitable society.
Our Mission Statement
We are women who value women’s knowledge, support one another to
take charge of our own health, and raise awareness and inspire action
for the feminist advancement of women’s health.
Our Political Agreements
We value shared information and experience over authoritative knowledge,
especially when it comes to our own bodies. We support a woman’s
right to make informed choices about her health and health care. More…
Our Collective
A collective is a group of women using a universal set of agreements within
a non-hierarchical structure to organize toward a common goal. Collectives
are a useful way of organizing to support a movement to resist any form
of oppression, because they represent the thoughts and actions of a unified
group of women who have equal decision-making power.
VWHC Volunteers
Volunteers are the foundation of the collective and are equal partners
in decision making. VWHC volunteers are women who are interested in ensuring
that all women get appropriate and equitable health care. They provide
one-on-one support for women who contact our Women's Health Resource Centre, maintain
the VWHC’s women’s health information resources, take part
in community outreach, participate at forums, rallies, and community events,
co-facilitate VWHC workshops, fundraise for the VWHC, and help shape the
direction of the VWHC through collective participation.
VWHC Steering Committee
The VWHC selects a Steering Committee at its annual general meeting each
year. Steering Committee members decide on the day to day work of the
VWHC as well as developing policy and determining the future direction
for the organization.
VWHC Staff
The VWHC employs an Executive Director and an Women's Health Resource
Centre Director. Our Executive Director, Caryn Duncan, oversees the administrative
operations of the VWHC, including office management, fundraising and financial
management, and advocates for appropriate, quality health care for women
at community events and forums, and through the media. Our Women's Health
Resource Centre Director, coordinates the VWHC Women's Health Resource
Centre, volunteers, training, and workshops for women in the community.
The VWHC also hires a summer student each year.
Our Funding
We are a charitable, non-profit women's organization, funded primarily
by donations, membership fees, grants, gaming revenue and fundraising
initiatives.
Some VWHC collective members, 2005/06.