This is one of three folders (see files 2-4) which belonged to Estelle Craig, Project Chairman of the Centennial Project of the Canadian Women's Press Club (C.W.P.C).
The idea for a Centennial Project originated with the Toronto Branch of C.W.P.C as early as 1963. The focal point of the project was a seminar held in Toronto from June 19-June 23, 1967 entitled "Journalism and World Understanding". Journalists from all over the world were invited to attend. In addition to the seminar, the project also embraced tours of Canada organized by the various branches of the Club. Approval and assistance were sought and then given to the C.W.P.C by the Federal Government's Centennial Commission and by the Department of External Affairs. Journalists from many different countries in Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Southeast Asia attended this centennial event hosted by the C.W.P. C in June and July of 1967.
This file contains predominantly correspondence addressed either to or from the Centennial Project Chairman, Estelle Craig, and dated 1964 or 1965. In other words, these materials relate to the earliest stages of the Centennial Project including the initial proposal, and documents relevant to the first stages of organization and planning. Also included in this file are minutes of a meeting of the Toronto Branch Centennial Project Committee to discuss the project that took place on June 28, 1965 and of further meeting of this committee held on Sept. JO, 1965 that was attended by the C.W.P.C. National President, Simonne Daigneault.
A considerable amount of the correspondence contained in this file was conducted between Simonne Daigneault and Estelle Craig. In April 1964, Ms. Craig sent a brief outline of the project proposal of the Toronto Branch to the National President for review by the National Executive. This project was subsequently approved at national level by the C.W.P.C. Other correspondence from 1964 and 1965 relates to plans to set up meetings between Simonne Daigneault, Estelle Craig, Margaret Cragg (President of the Toronto Branch) and other committee members to discuss the centennial project. Additional correspondence between Estelle Craig and Simonne Daigneault relates to further proposals for and progress made in the Centennial Project.
Some correspondence in this file includes letters exchanged between Hon. Paul Martin, Secretary of State for External Affairs and Margaret Cragg of the C.W.P.C. Ms. Cragg informs Mr. Martin of the C.W.P.C's plans for a Centennial Project and asks for the cooperation and support of the Department of External Affairs. Mr. Martin replies that his Department will be glad to help by establishing contacts with foreign journalists on behalf of the C.W.P.C. Indeed, also contained in this file is correspondence between the information Division of the Department of External Affairs and the National Club President, Simonne Daigneault, and the Project Chairman, Estelle Craig, regarding the progress this Department has made in establishing contact with foreign journalists through Canadian Embassies and Consulates abroad. Lists of contact details and in some cases biographies of these journalists are forwarded to the C.W.P.C by the Information Division of the Department of External Affairs.
Other materials include correspondence from 1964-1965 between Estelle Craig and John Fisher, Chairman of the Centennial Commission. The Commission expressed their support for this project in 1964. This file contains letters written in 1964 to John Fisher from Ms. Craig keeping him abreast of progress that the C.W.P.C have made in arrangements for the project and asking him if he will meet with members of the club to discuss details further. A meeting is set up with Dr. Houle, Director of Public Relations in Jan. 1965. Subsequently the Commission agrees to provide funding of $5,000 for the project. In Oct. 1965, Ms. Craig sends a letter to John Fisher to inform him of further progress made on the project. She requests that a meeting might be set up with Mr. Fisher to discuss the details of organizing the project further.
Also contained in this file is an item that seems to constitute part of the research of Kay Rex for her book “No Daughter of Mine: The Women and History of the Canadian Women's Press Club, 1904-1971” (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1995). These notes appear to summarize the contents of materials contained in folders relating to the C.W.P.C Centennial Project (see files 2-4).
