One of the longest standing sisterhoods in the world, founded in Ontario and now worldwide, is celebrating a major milestone.  From the first meeting in Stoney Creek, Ontario on February 19, 1897 to today’s global network of branches, Women’s Institute (WI) has continued to provide a social connection, education source, and community service opportunity for women. Since its founding, the WI has been at the forefront of multiple causes. The original goal of WI was to teach women how to keep their families healthy and well fed.  Naturally, these educational gatherings also offered a much-needed social connection.  By hosting community dances and card parties, they began to raise money and support community work, then later the war effort.  Most recently, WI has embarked on education campaigns around such topics as gender, Indigeneity, and Black history, and have undertaken campaigns to eradicate Lyme Disease and advocate for victims of human trafficking. WIs are members of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW), which holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. 

On June 29, 2022, we are celebrating the 125th anniversary of the founding Women’s Institutes, with an Afternoon Tea hosted by the Elgin District Women’s Institute at the Masonic Centre of Elgin, 42703 Fruit Ridge Line, St Thomas.

The event will run from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Masonic Centre. We would be delighted if you could attend and enjoy some refreshments and a short vignette re-enacting the first meeting of the WI’s in 1897.

Donations taken for WI Scholarship fund.

Please RSVP to Ally at the Elgin County Heritage Centre by June 17, 2022 - 519-631-1460 ext. 193

For more details contact- Mary Clutterbuck, President of the Elgin District Women’s Institute.
pclubuck@execulink.com