In 1975, women all over North America were gathering in small “consciousness-raising” groups, based on the belief that women’s lives are strengthened through solidarity between women.

In 1975…

women all over  North America were gathering in small “consciousness-raising” groups, based on the belief that women’s lives are strengthened through solidarity between women.  It was in this atmosphere that a handful of women in Mission established a discussion and social action group; they called their group Fronya – A Woman Who Thinks for Herself.   A small grant from the federal International Women’s Day fund provided basic operating costs, and was stretched over several years by the pro-active group.  For the next seven years, Fronya operated a small women’s centre on Seventh Avenue at the old fairgrounds in Mission staffed by volunteers; all the renovations, painting, making curtains and pillows, were done by the women.  Childcare was always provided, food to share, lively discussions and friendships formed.  In addition to the drop in, programs were scheduled on topics such as rape, violence against women, journalling, counselling and support,services, nutrition, getting by on limited income, and a variety of other topics.   Although the term ‘feminist’ was not routinely used, and was very scary for some women, many individuals proudly identified themselves as feminist, and took their message of equality for women, equal pay, shared parentling and housework chores, and similar ‘rights’ that were not common at that time – expecially in small rural towns like Mission.

In 1982…

the group decided to focus energy on establishing a transition house for women.  Two summer students were hired to interview community leaders and guage reactions – their report The Road to Transition indicated local support, a campaign to gather donations from local businesses raised over $13,00 and in 1984, the Mission Transition House opened. This first transition house was operated entirely by volunteer labour and donations until provincial funding on a per person/per diem was received (1985) for part-time staff and limited operating costs.  When the new telephone directory came out in 1987, the address of the transition hourse was printed, available to anyone trying to track down women and children who had sought shelter to escape domestic violence;; this was a very scary situation, as volunteers were often threatened by husbands trying to track down their wife. BC Tel apologized and made an undisclosed donation to help cover costs of moving to a new location.

Some of the women who regularly volunteered at Fronya maintained friendships for many years.  In 2008, a reunion was held at the Mission Leisure Centre, and an exhibit highlighting the history of Fronya was hosted by the BC Provincial Museum in Victoria during the Heritage BC conference.

In  1992, after years of overcrowding and having to turn women awaay, provincial and federal funds became available to open and operate a twelve-bed shelter for women in Abbotsford who were experiencing relationship violence. To accommodate the expanded service, the name of the society was then changed to the Central Valley Transition House Sociiety.  Today, the group has become SARA. for Women – Support, Acceptance, Resources and Action

1974 to 2000