Toronto's Salt and Light TV film documentary on Bizarre Women

- Photo supplied Crystal Campbell, Bizarre Women's chair until her son Dominac was born, chats with Shelly Barabash of St. John Bosco Council.

Special to the WCR
Edmonton

The Bizarre Women of the archdiocesan Catholic Women's League have been working on ways to increase membership and ensure retention since they were formed in June 2004.

Their impact has been felt in a variety of areas. They have: travelled the province explaining the importance of a CWL membership for every woman and demonstrating how to use humour to attract new members; had a booth at a recent teacher's conference (GETCA); held an election forum and host a book club discussion night every couple of months.

TV production

On Sept. 21, they held their monthly meeting. Mary Rose Bacani, with Salt & Light Television was in attendance. Salt and Light is Canada's Catholic Network and is based in Toronto.

Bacani wanted to capture on video the essence of what the Bizarre Women's group was about with a view to this footage being part of a national CWL video.

She was able to not only shoot video of the meeting in progress, but also interviewed each woman and learned of their unique background and willingness to serve and support a common goal - "to encourage and support women in their decision to become local members of the largest women's organization in Canada."

Crystal Campbell, the original chair of the Bizarre Women, brought her four-week-old son Dominic to the meeting so that all of his mom's Sisters in the League could enjoy his presence.

On the move

The next morning, Bacani went to St. Theresa's Parish in Millwoods where footage of Bizarre Woman Natalie Rose was taken as she helped prepare food for an event later that day. Then off to her daughter Crista's school, Holy Family. Lastly, a quick trip to the University of Alberta campus. Here they met with the Bizarre Women who are CWL members of St. Joseph's College Council - the first CWL council in Canada at a university.

When the video is complete it will be a valuable resource to recruit new members and educate others.

Woman in the Archdiocese of Edmonton who are interested in becoming a CWL member and/or the Bizarre Women's group please send an email to bizarre_women@yahoo.ca.

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