On the mild afternoon of March 22nd, 2016, the members of the Howick Branch of the Women’s Institute met at the home of Thrya Ness in Howick to celebrate a notable anniversary with a whole lot of cheer.
The organization, which is dedicated to supporting education, healthcare and agriculture within their community, has been a presence in Howick for the past 105 years. Originally founded on March 13th, 1911, the non-profit is one branch of the Quebec Women’s Institute, which is made up of 13 counties with 34 branches, consisting of approximately 365 members.
The Howick branch is the oldest in the valley, consisting of 15 women—with eight new members having joined over the past three years.
“This refreshing new membership, added to those with more experience, provides a renewed interest in the activities of the Quebec Women’s Institutes, which consists of creating a social opportunity for women with common interests and group activities geared towards the common interest of family, health, education and agriculture,” said member Suzelle Barrington.
The WI does much for the community, from offering scholarships to providing support for local organizations.
First brought to the attention of the people of Howick by Miss Laura Rose-Stephen (after she attended a Dairymen’s Convention in January 1911), Rose-Stephen was impressed by the work that the WI was doing in Ontario.
The accomplished scholar spoke to the women in the church adjoining the Temperance Hall (where the men were holding their own meeting), eventually leading to the establishment of Howick’s WI in 1911.
Interestingly enough, she also suggested the motto “For Home and Country”—a reflection of her belief that women should strive to be good citizens, good neighbours and good mothers.
The Women’s Institute was the result of the efforts of Adelaide Hunter (later Adelaide Hunter-Hoodless). Together with Ontario’s Mr. Erland Lee, Hoodless co-founded the WI. The organization was the result of a speech she gave at Lee’s Farmer’s Institute “Ladies Night” meeting on February 12, 1897 (a week later, a 100 women gathered to form the first WI, naming Hoodless as the Honourary President).
Since its founding, the world-wide-organization has consisted of a group of women dedicated to community growth. Along with providing a united national voice for Women’s Institutes of Canada, the WI also aims to initiate national programs and provide resource material, to provide a medium of inter-communication among the units of the federation, to provide leadership in the promotion of Canadian agriculture and community living as well as to develop responsible citizens through the study of issues of national and international importance.
Most recently, the Howick Branch was involved in supporting the renewed Federal Liberal Party’s interest in resolving issues of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Please note that the Federal President and the ACWW (Associated Country Women of the World) Canada Area President will be attending the WI meeting at Walshaven in Ormstown on April 8th at 10 A.M. should anyone be interested in learning more about the Women’s Institute.
