Request for Proposals
Attention: Scholars in Social History and/or Women’s Studies
- Are you a graduate or post-graduate student looking for a compelling research topic?
- Or perhaps you are an established academic with an interest in tracking the origins and evolution of one of Canada’s foremost national women’s organizations?
- Or you may be newly retired and looking for the kind of satisfying project that you now have the time to pursue?
Our Story
The Canadian Federation of University Women – La Fédération Canadienne des Femmes Diplômées des Universités CFUW-FCFDU, started in 1919 as part of an international women’s peace initiative and then quickly became an independent, self-funded Canada-wide advocate for promoting higher education for women, (including sponsoring the research of Dr. Marie Curie) during the first half of the 20th century.
By the 1960’s, with over 100 clubs from all parts of the country, CFUW-FCFDU became an active participant in advising and recommending critical social and political changes at both the provincial and national levels.
We are very proud that while little recognized in conventional histories, CFUW-FCFDU advocacy significantly improved, and continues to improve, the fundamental rights, freedoms and opportunities of girls and women both at home and abroad.
Our Offer
As part of our 100th year celebrations, CFUW-FCFDU is looking for a qualified researcher/writer who will agree to write our organization’s history in the context of Canadian social history in exchange for full independent access to our archival materials.
Original materials are housed at both our national office and at the National Archives, both located in Ottawa. Among the archival materials are: documents in the form of private letters and official correspondence, speeches, conference agendas, minutes, resolutions, numerous official briefs and reports as well as many newspaper clippings, extensive photographic material and privately prepared national, provincial and club histories including the recently completed biographies of past presidents and other influential women in our organization.
Primary material is mostly in English, but some is in French with the ideal candidate able to read both languages.
We are not able to provide funding specifically for this project- but we will cooperate fully with providing additional information or assistance for any grant or financing applications that the chosen candidate wishes to apply for. While still to be determined, the final product would likely be in an e-book form and made available to our membership and to the general public. We are open to proposals that would enable a hard-copy publication.
How you can apply:
You can apply by sending us an email outlining your initial “Expression of Interest” on or before June 1, 2015 to the attention of Brenda Shanahan, History Committee, at cfuwhistory@fcfdu.org with the following information:
Name and full contact information including email and preferred telephone number
- Why you are interested in writing our history (500 words or less) including any ideas you have for funding
- Your C.V. including any academic or professional projects currently in progress
Additional information:
- CFUW is a non-partisan, voluntary, self-funded group with over 100 Clubs, and close to 9000 members, located in every province across Canada.
- CFUW works to improve the status of women and girls, and to promote human rights, public education, social justice, and peace. It holds special consultative status with the United Nations (ECOSOC) and belongs to the Education Committee of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.
- CFUW is the largest affiliate of the International Federation of University Women (IFUW), which represents women worldwide.
To learn more about us, please go to CFUW-FCFDU
For any questions, please contact Brenda Shanahan at cfuwhistory@fcfdu.org<
