MARSHFIELD WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

In February 1897, at a meeting of the Farmer’s Institute in Stoney Creek, Ontario, a young mother, by the name of Adelaide Hoodless, told how her 18 month—old son died from drinking impure milk. The mother later discovered that, had she known better, the death could have been avoided. With great determination, she campaigned for clean milk in her city, set up a household science school and fought for domestic science classes in public schools. Adelaide Hoodless wanted to make sure that others would have access to the simple information that would help them avoid similar tragedies.

On that February night, several dozen women agreed to meet again. The Women’s Institute was born. Its objective: to promote a knowledge of household science, which would lead to improvement in household architecture with special attention to home sanitation, to obtain a better understanding of the economic and hygienic handling of foods, and to a more scientific care of children, with a view to raising the general standard of the health of our people. Within 20 years, there were 900 Women’s Institutes across Canada and a membership of 30,000. The organization spread, first to Britain and later to Europe. In 1933 the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada became part of an international organization, the Associated Countrywomen of the World.

Mrs. Raymond Sayre, an early president of the Associated Countrywomen of the World, said that she drew four lessons from the story of the founding of the Women’s Institutes. “First, it shows the power of an idea, and ideas can be more powerful than armies; second, it shows the power of a woman; third, it shows the power of an individual; and fourth, it proves that everyone must begin where they are, with what they have.”

The women of York, recognizing the need for such an organization, formed the first Women’s Institute on PEI. Alpha York Women’s Institute organized in 1911.

In March of 1913, the Department of Agriculture on Prince Edward Island secured the services of Mrs. A.F. Dunbrack, an organizer of Women’s Institutes from New Brunswick and Miss Katherine James, a graduate of MacDonald

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Institute, Guelph, Ontario, for the purpose of encouraging other women to become involved. Information meetings were held throughout Prince Edward Island to explain the structure and work of such an organization.

On April 1, 1913, a meeting was held at Marshfield school and eleven of the ladies present became the charter members of the first Institute to officially organize under the Department of Agriculture. The members of that first group were:

Mrs. LHD Foster, President

Mrs. Charles Robertson, vice-president

Bessie Crosby (Mrs. Walter VanDusen),

secretary

Nora Ferguson (Mrs. Russel Stems),

treasurer

Mrs. J .R. Munn

Annie Boswell (Mrs. Fred MacRae)

Lettie Boswell (Mrs. A. O. F. Gill)

Mrs. L.H.. Foster First President of Marshfield W.I.