In Memoriam

             

Women Are Worthy joins in remembering December 6th, 2012 to mark the twenty-third anniversary of the Montreal massacre of fourteen women, by a man who blamed women for all the misfortunes of his life. As public events are planned under the umbrella of Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women it is important that thought be also given to other women who have lost their lives their lives, and those who continually experience violence in many forms.

Statistics Canada states that 182 women were killed every year in Canada between 1994 and 2003, and that over 38,000 incidents of spousal abuse were reported to 149 police services across Canada in 2006.

The killing of women is an almost daily event in Canada, with over one hundred women being murdered by their male partners each year.In Montreal alone during 1990, there were more women killed by their partners,than the fourteen who were massacred the previous year.
Historically woen have not been valued as equal partnersin society, consequently abusive behavior towards them  is often accepted and condoned.
Violence and other forms of abuse against women need to be seen as a national dilemma  because they cut across boundaries of gegraphy, race, religion, age, and culture. In homes and in communities at large, during times of war or peace, women are beaten, raped, mutilated, and killed with impunity. We need to break the silence which surrounds the situation which has such far-reaching effects, not only on women as victims, but also on their children.
Some studies indicate that between 40% to 60% of assaultive men witnessed wife assault during their childhood, and that over 50% of young offenders charged with crimes against people were found to have been exposed to domestic violence.

Women Are Worthy, as part of our ongoing efforts to assist women in improving their lives, urges you to join hands to bring about awarenes and solutions  regarding all forms of abuse against women.

As a follow-up to this day of remembering there will be a forum on the issue of  
Emotional Abuse Against Women on Saturday,
December 8, 2012 at 408 Brock Street (south of Dundas  Street) Whitby,  from 7:00 to 9:oo p.m.
You are encouraged to bring the teen-age girls in your families.

For information contact:    Ettie at 905 665 3086     or ettie@womenrworthy.com

Author, Ettie Rutherford, signing books at the launch of "WomenAre Worthy: Why Perch Like A Chick When You Can Soar Like An Eagle?"  On November 4, 2012 over a hundred people joined  Ettie at York Banquet and Event Center, Toronto, to celebrate her book which urges women to use their challenges as stepping stones to attain their goals.

Book Launch & Luncheon

Women Upgrading Their Skills

As summer comes to a close most thoughts are focusing on students going back to school or college,

depending on their respective age group.

What about those of you who have been away from the world of learning for some time, and are

considering honing your skills?

Are you thinking: I’m too old, I’m too busy, and what good will it do me anyhow?

Haven’t you heard?

Knowledge is power!

So whether you are thinking about university courses, completing high school, getting basic computer

 skills, improving your parenting strategies, learning to use social media, or improving your time

 management abilities, get with it.

If you want to go the non-academic route then take  a swimming, meditation  or sewing class !

Start the ball a-rolling by making that initial phone call NOW.

Research has shown that upgrading your skills:

·       Can help you start a new career

 

·       Can lead to an increase in income

·       Can help you gain career advancement

·       Can lead to better job security

·       Can allow you to be a better role model by setting an example for your children

 

       ·       Can stimulate your mind and give a more confident perspective on life

 

·       Can build your self-confidence

Remember:

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail!

  

Women Letting Go

In last week's excerpt from the Introduction to my book I told of my experience in San Diego when I was propelled to release  some aspects of my past and move on to liberate myself. 
The writing of my book has been a way of letting go and moving on. My goal is to use the challenging situations from my past as rungs on the ladder to realizing my goals.
To re- invent ourselves is an imperative which can only be achieved when we let go of whatever is standing in our path. The most important thing that I  have learned in the past year is that when we cling to negative incidents that have brought fear into our lives we are denying the emergence of hope.
I recently had an "Aha" moment when I read a few days ago that holding on is believing that there is only a past; but letting go is acknowledging that there is a future.
Each day as I look at the beautiful blooms in my garden I am reminded that if the frozen soil had not forsaken the ravishes of winter there would be no flowers in the spring.

Remember:

Holding on is fear. Letting go is faith!

Women Continue to Soar

I'm back.
Enjoy this excerpt from the introduction to my book:
"Women Are Worthy: Why Perch Like a Chick When You Can Soar Like an Eagle?"
***********************************************************


It all started in San Diego.


With tight knuckles and a firm grip on the microphone I yelled,


“If only my ex-husband could see me now”.


Amid the laughter in the room one voice shouted, “Why don’t you phone and tell him what you are doing?”
I paused. I could feel the stares as everyone waited for my response.


As garbled images of the past flashed through my brain, I slowly  said,
“I cannot phone him. He died six years ago in his apartment.  Alone”.


Everyone attending the conference was evidently affected because a pregnant hush fell over the room.


I do not remember what else I said before handing the microphone to the next person who was waiting to speak.


Very slowly I glanced over my shoulder to the left, to the right.
I sat down.


As if waiting for something to happen, just anything to break the silence, I shuffled the papers in front of me, and then stared straight ahead.

These people must think I am crazy.

Like a lost bird slowly emerging from a copse of tangled vines I fought to gain my composure. I found myself engulfed with a myriad of emotions.


As the session wore on I continued thinking of my ex-husband . I felt regret, anger and sadness.


Strangely, there was no desire for vindication.

The rest of the day was electrifying. Little did I realize that with my outburst in that crowded room I had taken the first step towards reclaiming my life and redeeming my integrity.

Keep tuned for excerpts from forthcoming chapters .......

Soaring Point:

"The most important tool in your entire arsenal is integrity"