Meet The Ontario Region Executive Team

Ettie Rutherford - Regional Representative
Laurinder Rhone - Secretary
Rosalind Woods - Treasurer

Regional Representative - Ettie Rutherford

Ettie Rutherford, who was recently elected as the Ontario Provincial Representative for the CBWC, has had a longstanding relationship, at all levels, with the Congress.

Having worked at the provincial and national levels with four National Presidents, i.e. Hon. Jean Augustine, Dr. Glenda Simms, Yolenne Jumelle, and Esmeralda Thornhill, Ettie has a thorough knowledge of the Congress in its totality.

Beginning in Alberta, Ettie served as Regional Representative. As well, she developed contacts with the Ministry Responsible for Women's issues, the University of Calgary Women's Programs, the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, (Calgary) and the Status of Women Action Committee (Calgary). She also founded the Black Heritage School -a Saturday morning program for Black children.  During this time she also served as the Chairperson for the National Communication Committee, which was responsible for "Congress News" the national newsletter. In response to concerns in Regina regarding the education of Black students Ettie was sponsored by the Congress to do antiracist workshops with educators in both the Public and Catholic School Boards.

In 1988, when Ettie moved to Ontario, she joined the Scarborough chapter. She later started the York Region chapter where she served as President, until recently, when she relocated. In Ontario she has worked with both the Hamilton and Ottawa chapters to assist in chapter development. In May 1989 Ettie was elected as National Vice-President of the Congress. As National Vice-President Ettie established a reciprocal working relationship with provincial Reps and Chapter Presidents throughout the country. One of her main goals was to assist in establishing a good working relationship with our French sisters in Quebec. She responded to issues through presentation of papers and workshops on family violence, educational needs, chapter building and racism.

As a Black woman she is very much aware of the daily struggles of everyone, but particularly that of the Black single mother, having herself been abandoned with four children in the frozen climes of Alberta. Ettie holds a B.Ed , Dip.Ed, M.Ed from the University of Calgary. Ettie has been a dedicated educator, who recently retired as Principal of a Catholic elementary school in Ontario. She wrote the Antiracist Education policy for the York Region Catholic School Board and worked on Antiracist initiatives at the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Her mantra is, forget pedestal sisterhood, support each other, support executive of the chapters and remain true to Kay Livingstone's vision of focusing on Health, Education, Pensions, Child Development, Racism, Sexism, Housing and Human Rights as they affect Black women and their families. 

She is the recipient of the Kay Livingstone Award, Certificate of Recognition from the Markham City Council, Certificate of Recognition from Calgary Multicultural Association, as well as Certificate from Prime Minister Brian Mulroney for contribution to Multiculturalism in Alberta.

Ettie currently resides in Whitby with her husband Desmond and is the mother of four grown children.

Secretary - Laurinder Rhone

Laurinder Rhone is a member of the York Region Chapter.

Treasurer - Rosalind Woods