Key Takeaways
- The Country Women’s Association (CWA) is a organization that aims to tackle social isolation and improve conditions for country women and children.
- Young women are joining the CWA to find connection and purpose, and to learn from older members.
- The CWA has metropolitan branches that play a crucial role in garnering support for the organization’s causes, including healthcare accessibility and domestic violence awareness.
- The organization values intergenerational conversations and diversity, with members ranging from 18 to over 90 years old.
- The CWA hopes to represent women throughout New South Wales, and encourages people to join and get involved.
Introduction to the CWA and its Members
The Country Women’s Association (CWA) is an organization that has been making a positive impact on the lives of women and children in rural areas. One of its members, Maddy Langabeer, has been actively involved in the organization’s Sydney City branch for about a year now. Growing up in a small town in Queensland, Ms. Langabeer was used to a close-knit community, but when she moved to Sydney to study, she experienced social isolation for the first time. She joined the CWA to connect with like-minded women and to find purpose. The organization’s focus on tackling social isolation and improving conditions for country women and children resonated with her, and she has been enjoying her time with the group, attending cookery days and making jams, chutneys, and scones.
The Benefits of Joining the CWA
Another member, Jemima Khoo, joined the CWA after a recommendation from a family friend. She was drawn to the organization’s emphasis on handicraft and community service. Ms. Khoo, who is a software engineer, has been helping the branch prepare for and run market stalls, where they sell handicraft and other items. She has also been learning to knit, a skill that her grandmother taught her. Through her involvement with the CWA, Ms. Khoo has been able to connect with new people and make friends, which has been a positive experience for her. The CWA’s focus on community and connection has been beneficial for Ms. Khoo, who was looking for a sense of belonging in the city.
The Role of City Branches
Sonia Martin, a 33-year-old member of the CWA, joined the organization six years ago. She was looking for a sense of community and connection, which she found through the CWA. Ms. Martin, who grew up in the Northern Rivers and moved to Sydney in her late schooling years, was drawn to the organization’s diverse membership and intergenerational conversations. She believes that the metropolitan branches play a crucial role in garnering support for the CWA’s causes, including healthcare accessibility and domestic violence awareness. The city branches help to raise awareness about the issues affecting rural communities and provide support for the organization’s work. Ms. Martin’s experience with the CWA has been positive, and she encourages others to join and get involved.
Diversity and Inclusion
The CWA values diversity and inclusion, with members ranging from 18 to over 90 years old. Vice president of the CWA Sydney City Branch, Alicia Kell, said that the organization needs younger, middle-aged, and older members to thrive. The diversity of the membership brings different perspectives and experiences, which enriches the organization. Ms. Kell believes that the CWA has something to offer everyone, regardless of age or background. The organization’s focus on community and connection has created a welcoming and inclusive environment, where members can learn from each other and grow. The CWA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion has been beneficial for its members, who have been able to find a sense of belonging and purpose through their involvement with the organization.
Conclusion
The Country Women’s Association is an organization that is making a positive impact on the lives of women and children in rural areas. Through its metropolitan branches, the CWA is able to garner support for its causes and raise awareness about the issues affecting rural communities. The organization’s focus on community and connection has created a welcoming and inclusive environment, where members can learn from each other and grow. The CWA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion has been beneficial for its members, who have been able to find a sense of belonging and purpose through their involvement with the organization. As Ms. Martin said, "Take a chance, check it out, and you might be really pleasantly surprised." The CWA is an organization that is worth exploring, and its members are a testament to the positive impact it can have on people’s lives.
