After 100 years of activity, it is not surprising if an organization needs to take a breath and clear its thoughts.
That’s why in this centennial year for Women’s Institutes, the theme is Indebted to the Past; Committed to the Future.
On Feb. 19, 1897 the first WI branch met in Stoney Creek, Ont. From that Canadian group arose a worldwide women’s movement involving seven million in 70 countries.
Although WI Day is Feb. 19 each year, in this centennial year the group will hold a conference in mid-June in Hamilton, Ont. that is expected to draw 4,000. Delegates have already registered from New Zealand, China, India, England, Cameroon, the United States as well as Canada. Keynote speaker will be Roberta Bondar, the first Canadian woman in space.
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The four western WIs are keying on the centennial celebration as part of their local and provincial activities for Feb. 19. In British Columbia, Jean Johnson said several branches are working together to hold teas and displays.
In Manitoba, WI president Barb Stienwandt said the group is focusing on new partnerships such as with the group that organizes the Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference in November and with its growing group of individual members. MWI was the first in the country to offer both individual and group memberships.
