Our Story

CFUW Orillia celebrated our 70th anniversary in 2025. We are a diverse group of women from the area, representing a dynamic range of experiences, ages, and interests. Our inspiring speakers arranged for our monthly General Meetings and our Interest Groups encourage active involvement by all members.

Our annual Homes for Scholarships Tour is held on the first Sunday in June to raise funds that provide scholarships to young Orillia area women. Since 1955 we have awarded $485,475 in scholarships to 807 women pursuing post-secondary education.

As a non-partisan, voluntary, self-funded organization, CFUW Orillia is open to women of all educational backgrounds who believe in our goals and value lifelong learning.

CFUW Orillia is a member of CFUW National, which celebrated its centennial in 2019. CFUW has special consultative status at the United Nations and belongs to the Education Committee of the Canadian Commission to UNESCO.

CFUW Orillia offers amazing social connections, lifelong learning opportunities, a commitment to advocacy, new friendships, and is dedicated to promoting education. CFUW Orillia has a membership of more than 120 women and is a dynamic organization that welcomes all women who share our core beliefs of education, advocacy, social justice, and equality.

Our Mission

We are committed to:

Improving the status of women and girls
Advancing human rights, justice and peace
Pursuing knowledge
Promoting education
Making new friendships

Our Vision

Women and girls are educated and empowered to make transformative change in the world.

Be a part of a dynamic community

Be a part of a dynamic community dedicated to promoting education, social justice, and equality. CFUW Orillia offers amazing opportunities for personal growth, advocacy, and new friendships. You can participate in our monthly General Meetings and Interest Groups, attend engaging speaker events, and get involved in community projects. As a member of CFUW, you can also connect with women around the country who share our values and goals.

As a member of CFUW Orillia you are one of 6643 plus members spread across Canada in 94 clubs of which 48 clubs are in Ontario.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved in CFUW at levels
beyond the immediate club. Ontario, with the largest number of
CFUW members, has its own council with a Provincial President,
six Regional Directors and a Board of Directors.

It’s easy to join; just fill out our membership form and start realizing the benefits of joining CFUW Orillia today!

Our Logo

An Open Book & Spine signifies a foundation in learning and education – always opening and expanding.

The Unfolding Pages represent a long history with many achievements and the colours represent a diversity of members.

The Flame (in centre) is an acknowledgement of our legacy brand, the Lamp of Learning – lighting the way, upward and forward.

Our Tagline

Realizing is both to understand and make real. A state of mind – to become fully aware – a process which speaks to the foundations of lifelong learning in our organization.

Potential is the outcome of our work. It’s the ‘vision’ that becomes a reality – seeing potential and bringing it to life. As an organization and member community, we see a potential goal, come together to find a solution, and bring it to life for the betterment of all.

For all women is a statement with powerful duality that defines both our organization’s members and purpose. Our organization is “for all women” to join and participate. The advocacy work we do is “for all women” – with our core focus being women’s empowerment, education, representation, equality and human rights.