by Doreen Marion Gee –
The next time you call 911, thank the British Columbia Women’s Institute for that life-saving gateway to emergency services. Many achievements in social justice, advances in health care and the development of healthy, inclusive communities can be traced back to the humanitarian work of women in this charitable organization.
Since 1897, the dedicated members of Women’s Institutes across this country have worked to build a better Canada. During this remarkable undertaking, Canadian women have been empowered to make a difference through replacing isolation with lifelong friendships, by educating themselves and learning new skills, and by the satisfaction of helping others. Past and present activities of local Women’s Institutes demonstrate the power of kindness when people come together to help vulnerable community members. What better way to celebrate International Woman’s Day than to pay homage to all of the extraordinary women who founded a movement over 100 years ago that continues to enrich all of our lives today.
In August 1889, 18-month-old John Harold Hoodless died mysteriously, leaving his heartbroken mother desperate for answers. By 1897, she knew that her son’s death was caused by impure, unpasteurized milk from unrefrigerated open cans. The solution was clear to Adelaide Hoodless: women had to empower themselves through knowledge, education and instruction. She launched a campaign for improved home conditions and education for expectant mothers in domestic science, nutrition, sanitation and housekeeping. Hoodless founded the first Women’s Institute in the world at Stoney Creek, Ontario. Many followed, giving women a voice from coast to coast. The Women’s Institute has just under 40 branches in B.C. alone, with eight on South Vancouver Island. Their benevolent work is made possible through fundraising campaigns and renting their hall spaces.
“The Women’s Institute is an organization for women who, by working together, expand their skills, broaden their interests and strive to improve conditions in the home, the community, and around the world through Service, Self-Fulfillment and Sociability.” This empowerment of women enriches them and their communities.
The BC Women’s Institutes founded Queen Alexandra Solarium for Sick Children and a facility in Vancouver now known as BC Children’s Hospital. The dedicated women started many local libraries and created community halls. Forward-thinking members envisioned affordable medical care long before Tommy Douglas. “In 1922, a resolution with regard to State health insurance was sent by the Agassiz Women’s Institute to the conference. It became a subject of much discussion in the Legislature and paved the way toward present hospital insurance.” (BCWI history). BCWI activists campaigned against the use of genetically engineered foods; established public health units province-wide; and convinced BC Tel to create 911 specifically for traumas and accidents.
The women at the Royal Oak WI in Saanich are bringing the ideals of compassion and service to the community. Donna Jack, President of the South Vancouver Island WI District and the Royal Oak WI, is proud of their work to help women and their families turn their backs on domestic violence. Working closely with Margaret Laurence House, Donna and her members use their funds to purchase books for university, school supplies, and treats and gift cards at holiday time. Donna shares the big picture: “Our provision of school supplies, shoes and grocery funds relieves the moms of that financial burden, ensuring their children assimilate into the new school year with the tools for a successful school year. This allows the moms to focus on possibly furthering their education or obtaining employment contributing to their successful transition to independent living and empowerment.”
The Women’s Institute’s support of agriculture continues today in Saanich. “We have donated funds to Haliburton Community Organic Farm (in Cordova Bay) for bursaries and internships for their students, educating them on community-supported, small-scale sustainable organic agriculture. Bursaries have also been given to Royal Oak Secondary School students interested in enrolling in post-secondary agriculture and home economics courses.” Local Women’s Institutes have shown innovation in health care: “Three Saanich Peninsula Women’s Institutes (North, West, South Saanich) were instrumental in establishing the Saanich Health Centre in the 1920s. This became a model of health care which was duplicated across Canada.”
The trail-blazing achievements of the BC Women’s Institute for over a century should be in every school history textbook.
