Kingston Area Women's Institute Annual Convention

Sandra Reed | Oct 25, 2023

On October 17th, at the Harrowsmith Golden Links Hall, the Sydenham and Harrowsmith Women's Institute took a step back in time to the Roaring 20's. It was a day to reflect on how things have changed and how women have evolved over the past hundred years. Members came dressed in "flapper" outfits of all colors and styles and chose from a selection of handmade headbands to complete their glitzy look.

Display tables and posters featured historical momentos of the 1920's - the music, the dance, the fashion, the famous people. There was even a recipe for flapper pie. One poster reminded us that women in Canada were not considered "persons"until 1929. It listed the outstanding achievements of women of that decade in politics, the media, sports etc.

The Women's Institute is about women inspiring women with a focus on learning, sharing knowledge and socializing. For 126 years, they have been advocating to ensure women's voices are heard around the world.

It all started here in Stoney Creek, Ontario in 1897 when Adelaide Hunter Hoodless addressed a meeting for wives of the Farmers Institute. Following the death of her son from possible food contamination, Adelaide was a strong advocate for pasteurization. She recognized a need to help rural women by facilitating education in domestic science - food and nutrition, child care and dairy farming.

The planting of that seed sprouted The Women's Institute, an organization that spread nationally (the FWIC) and globally, (the ACWW.) The ACWW holds international conferences and they now have 9 million members in 70 countries.         

Over the years, these women began taking courses on banking and business skills and studying laws affecting women and children. They have become a powerful influence in government legislation.

Did you know that the WI was behind mandatory stopping for flashing lights of school buses and the implementation of railroad crossing signs? Along with addressing issues in their own branches and communities, their latest global focus is on the eradication of human trafficking and the elimination of Lyme disease.

Marie Kenny, Canada Area President from PEI, and Michelle Phillippi, President of the FWIO were guest speakers at this meeting, sharing highlights of their trip to Malaysia last May for the ACWW convention. The theme was sustainable growth.

Following the nominations and elections, there were a few fun quizzes to jog everyone's memory back to the 1920's. Did you know that a "hay burner" was slang for a gas guzzling car?

Fundraising is an ongoing project for this organization, whose motto is "For Home and Country."  Following a delicious hot lunch, WI Kingston Area President, Linda Bates, announced they had raised $587 for the South Frontenac Food Bank. 

They will be holding a Craft and Bake Sale on October 28th from 9 - 2 at the Harrowsmith Golden Links Hall. (25 vendors plus bake tables.) Lunch is available. Attendance is free.

Contact info: Linda Bates, WI Kingston Area Pres. 613-374-1307

For an enhanced version of this article and more photos, please go to: www.frontenacnews.ca