October 6, 2000 Women’s Institutes valuable part of ‘Her’-story

Women's Institutes began in Ontario in 1897, and by 1919 the numerous branches joined to form the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario. As the idea spread to other provinces the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada was formed.

 The movement eventually spread around the globe, currently exists in sixty countries, and is recognized as the largest women's organization in the world. By 1951, at its peak, there were 1,500 branches in Ontario alone. Today there are about 700 branches in Ontario, including many in Northern Ontario.

At the turn of the last century Ontario had a major percentage of its population on farms in rural areas. The provincial Department of Agriculture sponsored Farmer's Institutes that provided adult education programs for farmers. Some women were marginally involved.

When the idea of a Women's Institute was proposed, it was scoffed at by many men, but the women persisted. In the years since, millions of women have been successfully involved. 

In the early years, the program was primarily directed toward domestic science courses to teach housewives cooking and sewing skills, and how to keep their families healthy and safe. 

More community activity

During the two world wars they supported the Armed Forces, and after the war sponsored baby clinics and supported new immigrants.

The provincial government's Department of Agriculture supported the Institutes with administrative staff, teachers, a magazine, and money for conventions at various levels into the 1980s. By then, the demographics had changed and there were not as many farms. With the Women's Movement many other groups competed for membership. Many women also began to pursue careers outside the home. Membership dropped and some Women's Institutes disbanded, but the movement continued to thrive.  In the 1980s the Women's Institutes separated from the government and became autonomous, established its own offices, hired its own staff, ran its own training programs, and began publishing its own magazine. In 1997, in their centennial year, they published a definitive, award-winning history book called For Home and Country: The Centennial History of the Women's Institutes of Ontario written by Dr. Linda Ambrose, a professor at Laurentian University. 

The book outlines-in detail that can only be touched upon here-the work, progress and evolution of the organization. Copies are available in local libraries, or from the provincial office in Guelph (519) 836-3078.
 

Women's Institute members celebrating their 100th birthday in 1997. Photo courtesy of the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario.

Chisholm Township Woman’s Institute

They also supported the township schools in various ways, financially and otherwise. 

Today, seventy-five years later, a look at last years completed agenda shows a wide variety of activity, including regular monthly meetings, occasionally with other WI groups and some tours of places of interest. 

There was continuing involvement in the Powassan Fall Fair. As a millennium project, planters were placed in the township park, and 2,000 bulbs were planted, making a beautiful spring display. A king sized quilt, made by the members, was raffled off as a fund raiser. Several speakers gave presentations on various topics. A special self defense course drew close to forty women. The WI continues to cater for special events as required. Graduation gifts were presented to grade six graduates, and an exchange student to Japan was supported. 

This year's program is similar in nature, with the completed September meeting attracting several outside guests. Two members from each local WI will be part of a major new initiative of the provincial office on health care that will take place this year, partially supported by a $229,000 grant from the Ministry of Health.

From a heritage perspective Women's Institutes have been collecting archival material for many years. In 1947 this process was formalized in the Tweedsmuir History Book Project (named after the Governor General's wife). Each branch appointed a curator who co-ordinated the collection of material for scrap books for future reference. Elinor Smith, the local curator, received an Ontario Heritage Foundation Achievement Award recently on behalf of the WI. 

Many of these books evolved into local history books sponsored directly by the WI, or supported by them. Much of this work has been microfilmed (at the University of Guelph) and recognition has come from Genealogical and historical groups for the work.

The Chisholm WI has produced two fine history books (Our Chisholm Story Vol. 1, 1880-1960 and Volume II 1880-1972). In 1996 the Chisholm WI established a community based history book committee on which they were members, to produce a third book covering the past twenty-five years. 

This book was launched at the Chisholm United Church's Millennium Homecoming on Saturday September 23rd. Copies are available from the Township Office (724-3526) or at Bob's Kinfolk store for $18 (while at Bob's Kinfolk, have a look at the latest WI fund raiser quilt and pick up a raffle ticket for a chance to win). 

Many thanks to the Chisholm WI, and to the many Women's Institutes of Ontario, for making a significant contribution to the “her”-story of the province. 

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