HAMILTON, Ont. – An astronaut on the agenda and a spaceship on the anniversary cake inspired the next century of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada.
Just before hearing a speech from Roberta Bondar, Canada’s first woman in space, the new FWIC board that will govern the organization for the next three years set up a committee to study computers, the internet and new ways of communicating.
In an interview at the group’s 100th anniversary convention, president Mildred Keith of New Brunswick said the study will look at how new technology can benefit a national membership scattered in farms and small towns across Canada.
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“We can do more things with (fewer) people today. We don’t
drive in a buggy any more. I talked to a woman who took a boat to the international conferences. I’ll do a six-hour plane ride to Pretoria” she said referring to the site of the WI international conference next April.
Other issues of concern
Besides examining technology, the Canadian WIs will continue other programs such as rural child care, substance abuse and health issues. Keith said most of the issues are locally based but the federal government often approaches the FWIC for specific projects, such as an upcoming proposal for literacy work in rural areas.
“We are the best they can find” to spread the word with rural women, Keith said.
However money is not accompanying the responsibility, she said. About five years ago Agriculture Canada set up a separate branch to help fund rural women’s groups and their issues. Funding has become small change for projects and “it looks as if they are going to eliminate the Farm Women’s Bureau.”
Keith said it wouldn’t matter too much if the department would return to the previous system and provide FWIC an annual operating grant.
“I feel we have a lot of respect from Agriculture Canada. That makes me feel really good but that doesn’t pay the bills.”
President-elect Faye Mayberry of Alberta said the group should get more government funding. She suggested that every time FWIC executives meet at their office in Ottawa they also spend time lobbying the politicians and bureaucrats, “making them aware of what we do and what we need.”
Money an underlying concern
Mayberry said the group must be resourceful in seeking other budget sources but “I’d hate to see our organization concentrate on funding. We have other things to do.”
On her agenda is influencing government policies for the family and the environment. Mayberry, who helps run a mixed grain and cattle farm near Red Deer, said FWIC is also working on legal issues of farm women through a coalition of farm and national women’s groups.
Her goal when she takes over as president in 2000 at the next convention in Brandon, Man. is to see her organization “go on being seen as an organization of young members, young-at-heart members, addressing the issues that need to be.”
