Remembering Fronya - A Woman Who Thinks for Herself
In 1975, the United Nations declared International Women's Year to draw international attention to the plight of women around the world, and to increase awareness of the ever-increasing gender gap between men and women.

Locally, Barbara Wightman, executive director of Mission Community Services Society, saw an opportunity and negotiated a small grant from Status of Women Canada. Gwen Therrien was hired part-time to organize programs and services.

A group of women who had been attending programs soon chose to operate as a collective for "a project designed to help women become aware of their changing role today, and to take part in a learning and growing experience".

They arranged with Mission Parks & Recreation to use space in the old civil defense building on 7th Avenue, nine volunteers painted the walls and cupboards, hung home-stitched curtains, and organized a children's play area.

Fronya Women's Centre was born!

If you have memories of Fronya, please share your stories and photographs
by contacting us.