October is Women's Herstory Month

Celebrating Women's Herstory - Notable dates in the BCGEU story

1956 - Joan Gower is elected as vice president of BC Government Employees' Association, then briefly takes the top seat when the president passes away in 1958.

1975 - BCGEU Women's Committee established.

1976 - Women form 36% of BCGEU membership.

1978 - Our union convinces the provincial government to change sexist road signs such as ‘Men Working' to ‘Crew Working'.

1975-79 First collective agreement language for gender-inclusive wording, maternity leave, protection against sexual harassment, and computer monitor protection for pregnant women.

1988 - BCGEU Women's Advocate staff position created.

1991 - Pay equity settlement for 12,000 primarily women workers in health, administration and community social services.

1992 - BCGEU Employment Equity Officer staff position established.

1993 - BCGEU Constitutional Convention enshrines two female vice president positions.

1999 - Union wins the Tawny Meiorin Supreme Court gender discrimination case.

2000 - Members participate in World March of Women.

2001 - Campbell Liberals dismantle Ministry for Women's Equality, then slash core funding for BC women's centres - spurring ongoing union and community mobilization to restore funding to services for women and children.

2004 - Get Wise - Organize! BCGEU Women's Conference.

2005 - Child care campaign launches with Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC.

2006 - BCGEU members join in northern BC Highway of Tears Awareness Walk.

2007 - Sisters Across Borders BCGEU Women's Conference. March for women's housing, Vancouver Downtown Eastside.

2010 - BCGEU Region Two Women's Conference in October 2010. Registration response is overwhelming.

Today women form 67% of BCGEU membership

Click here for a pdf of the Women's Committee Herstory bookmark