Shirley Goundrey was one of the founding mothers of the St. John's Status of Women Council. The following is a reminiscence by her of how how see got involved in the women's movement. In comes from an email that she sent to the Let's Teach About Women project in 2026.

"...I guess the first stimulus was the feminist mood of the times which reminded me of three events in my own background:  The first one was a remark by my Father when I was a little girl, "That it is a man's world".  I didn't question this at the time, but I did wonder why. The second event was my Mother saying that girls could be teachers, nurses, or secretaries.  Again, I offered no challenge, but did wonder why (our choice was) so restricted. Thirdly, I worked in the mill office and had to be able to type as a qualification.  I was paid $2.50 an hour.  At the same time, my brother got a job in the mill. No qualifications were required, but he was paid $4.10 an hour.  I considered this unfair at the time, but said nothing.  Suddenly it all came together and I decided to get involved so that perhaps my daughter would have more opportunities."