Co-operation: Necessity is the Mother of Invention
I do think that women could make politics irrelevant, by a . . . spontaneous co-operative action—the like of which we have never seen—just so far from people’s ideas of state structure, and viable social structure that seems to them like total anarchy . . . What it really is is very subtle forms of interrelation which do not follow the hierarchical pattern, which is fundamentally patriarchal. The opposite of patriarchy is not matriarchy, but fraternity, and I think it is women who are going to have to break the spiral of power and find the trick of co-operation.
-- Germaine Greer, feminist scholar. (Excerpted from Universal Mother by Sinead O’Connor)
In June, I attended the Atlantic Skills Institute Conference. in Sydney, Cape Breton. Hosted by the Canadian Women’s Foundation, the conference brought together women from Atlantic Canada who are working to improve the economic conditions of women. I was there as a representative of Mobilizing Youth to Deliver Advisory Services (MYDAS), a worker co-op whose mandate is to provide employment to Atlantic youth and teach about the development of co-operatives as an alternative economic model. MYDAS is the host organization for my internship in community economic development.
The Skills Institute included a diverse group of individuals and organizations, young and old, from organic farmers to university professors. Over the course of two days, we participated in a series of networking activities, workshops, site tours, and entertainment. The conference was inspiring, engaging, and educational, and brought two important themes into discussion: the natural co-operative abilities of women and the unrecognized and unpaid work that so many women
do every day.
We began with a talk called “Valuing Herstory,” by Doreen Parsons of the WEE Society. Doreen explained that community economic development in Canada has its roots in Cape Breton and Nova Scotia. Tompkinsville, the first housing co-operative in Canada, was started in Cape Breton, while the Antigonish Movement-- a pioneer initiative in community economic development -- began in Nova Scotia. Famed by Dr. Frances Coady, the Coady Institute at Saint Francis Xavier University is the result of the Antigonish Movement. The Coady Institute currently offers education and training in community economic development, and is recognized internationally as a leader in this field.
However, as is all too common, there were women assisting Dr. Coady’s endeavours, yet his is the name is given the most recognition
The Sisters of Saint Martha played a pivotal role in the Antigonish Movement, but their names are spoken quietly in the telling of this history. Moreover, the endeavours of Sister Mary Arnold were overshadowed by her masculine counterpart, Father Jimmy Tompkins. She assisted in the formation of Cape Breton’s Tompkinsville, and she, and the Sisters of Saint Martha, cared for Father Jimmy until his death. To this day, the Sisters continue to work toward the development of persons and the improvement of human and social conditions, which is rooted in their deep faith relationship with God.
As is often the case, women do not receive the appropriate compensation or recognition for the unpaid work that they do, be it mothering, organizing community events, or simply offering a open heart and mind in conversation. I spoke with a woman at the conference who was doing her Master’s thesis on this very topic, particularly addressing the issue of women working in positions of home care for their family members, but receiving no income assistance
New Dawn Enterprises is another example of Cape Breton leading the way in addressing economic issues in innovative ways, and addressing the issue of home health care. Incorporated in 1976, New Dawn is the oldest community development corporation in Canada. It is a private, volunteer-directed, not-for-profit organization dedicated to community building. New Dawn seeks to identify community needs and to establish and operate relevant ventures. It operates several enterprises, including the Cape Breton Association for Housing Development, a real estate company that provides affordable housing, and New Dawn Guest Home Limited, a thirty-bed residential care facility. We went to the New Dawn headquarters, locally known as “the Base” (it is a former army base), as part of our conference site tours. During the presentation, the speaker explained that the guest home was created to address the needs of both caregivers and patients in a practical way. The old base includes duplex housing; the caregivers are housed on one side of the duplex and the patients on the other, allowing for both nearby support and independence for all parties. Here was indeed a classic example of necessity, invention, and mothering co-operating in its intuitive and ingenious way.
Understanding the nature of mothering, co-operation, and community building were themes that were addressed at our workshop on the co-operative business model and its implications with women. In the workshop, we were split into groups and asked to address the question, "Why do women have an affinity for the co-op movement?" The responses included the following: women are generally more interested in self-help philosophy as they are natural nurturers, peacekeepers, and problem-solvers. Co-operatives are attractive to women because women are familiar with sharing and pooling their resources, and gathering together socially. Community gatherings, craft circles and sharing child care responsibilities were cited as examples of the natural co-operation amongst women from all walks of life. Furthermore, as a business model, co-ops offer the flexibility for women to participate in a number of different ways, allowing for adaptability to their schedules and personalities.
My first co-operative business project for my internship was to assist in the formation of an art co-operative led by a group of women out of Kensington, Prince Edward Island. At or about retirement age, this group of women took up painting, drawing, and other visual arts as a hobby, and then wanted to show and sell their work in a gallery. They approached the Town of Kensington for a space, began holding meetings, and eventually approached my organization for advice and assistance in forming a co-operative. By the time we met with them, they were well on their way; they were organized, business minded, and most of all, co-operative. All we had to do was supply the by-law documents and provide some legal advice. The gallery opened in June in the town centre.
Another fine example of women in co-operative action is is HERS, out of Syndey, an initiative of Every Woman’s Centre. It was developed in 2004 to provide opportunities to women living on social assistance. Through HERS, these women are enabled to recognize their marketable skills, earn income in the form of goods and services, and work co-operatively in a non-traditional work environment. HERS runs its programs out of a house that was transformed into a craft shop and production studio. Created by and for women, the upstairs is fully supplied with sewing machines and materials, and the downstairs is a craft shop and thrift store. HERS began by offering training in Life Skills, and a "Part Your Blues" depression workshop, all in a comfortable and inspiring
setting with room to gather, create, learn, and grow. Women who had never sewn before began to work, and soon the craft shop filled with unique handbags made out of old denim jeans. HERS is truly a success, both in creating a beautiful space, and inspiring the spirit of creativity and co-operation to help women rise above their limitations.
In my eternal quest to incorporate spiritual values into my work, my friend and teacher introduced me to an alternative example of community development in the Sri Aurobindo Society in India. A community founded under the principles and traditions of yoga, it is led by their president, a woman referred to as “The Mother.” She also leads the Women’s Council, and on their website I found that the principles she teaches coincidentally echoed many of the values that were voiced at the women’s conference. These principles include the natural organizing capacity of women, the importance of intuition over reason, and recognition that women hold the same spiritual and economic importance as men. The Mother strongly encourages women to develop themselves spiritually and achieve their own economic independence, so that they are in a better position to work for the betterment of all. After attending this conference, and seeing the valuable work that is being done by the women in my own community and beyond, I must say, my faith is re-affirmed. I firmly believe that women, gathered in common vision and purpose, and united in spirituality, will lead us into a future where fairness, justice, and harmony prevail.
This article is dedicated to my grandmother, Kathleen Elizabeth, who recently passed away at 100 years old. She was a true matriarch who knew the value of hard work without social assistance, and her faith in her Higher Power was as strong as her love for family and friends.
Other articles by Kelli:
