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CFUW Orillia celebrates its 70th anniversary with an evening of celebration featuring an interview with Margaret Atwood.  You are invited to attend! 

Tickets are now on sale for CFUW Orillia’s 70th Anniversary Gala at Casino Rama Resort on May 27, 2025. All current and past members, as well as members of the community, are invited to join the evening of celebration featuring a special interview with internationally acclaimed author and Canadian icon Margaret Atwood.

With an illustrious career as a prolific writer of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and graphic novels, Atwood has won many awards and been granted numerous honorary degrees. She is also a nationally known commentator on current issues. Atwood’s interests range from gender and identity to religion and myth, to the power of language, climate change, and power politics. It is anticipated that Atwood will share her thoughts on the shifting landscape of democracy, freedom of expression, and the role of writers in turbulent times with her signature wit and incisive commentary.

Ruth Watt, a dedicated member of CFUW Orillia and a long-time supporter of the arts through her involvement with the Mariposa Arts Theatre, will ask for Atwood’s reflections on various topics, from the current political climate in the United States to her deep sense of Canadian patriotism.

The conversation is also expected to explore Atwood’s illustrious career, from her early days as an emerging writer to her novel The Handmaid’s Tale, with themes that continue to resonate in today’s world and that cemented Atwood’s status as one of the world’s most influential literary voices.

With insightful questions, it is likely to be a compelling conversation that captivates the audience and offers a unique glimpse into the mind of one of Canada’s most celebrated authors. The evening with Atwood will be one to remember.

Since its founding in 1955, CFUW Orillia has been at the forefront of empowering women through advocacy and scholarships. The anniversary marks seven decades of dedicated service to the local community and a steadfast commitment to advancing women’s education, rights, and social justice.