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editorial What is the future of the Women's Institutes? When the first Women's Institutes were organized in the late years of the nineteenth century it was thought that they would not last long. At various times, persons with superficial knowledge of_the Furlong motives that inspired Adelaide Hoodless, Erland Lee, Laura Rose and others, and With limited understanding of the underlying philosophy of the Women's Institutes have written and spoken gloomin of the future of the organization. There is little doubt that in the beginning the Women’s Institute in the community served as a social outlet as well as an educational medium for rural women. \Vomen still have a need for metal outlets. At the monthly meeting of the \Vomen's Institute a woman can meet with other women of the community. They may be working women; they may be housewives. It is more than possible that they are all interested in creating a home, for themselves only or for a family. Here, over a cup of tea a woman may be able to see a lighter side to the sometimes petty irritations that can take some of the joy out of living. There are those who Say, with reason, that mere are too many organizations and too many activities for adults, young people and children. There are many complaints and some real soul searching by parents because of the lack of time for the family to get together. Is there a solution? There is and it is not easily achieved. It lies squarely in the hands of parents and it means imposing control on the family activities and being selective when considering the merits of the activities which the family members are asked to join. Most organizations have come into being for excellent reasons; and many women have obligations to join certain societies because of their husband's work. But with modern household appliances most women have some extra time for activities outside the home. To what then shall she devote her spare time? We suggest that the Women‘s Institute program can provide a stimulating interest for rural women and perhaps women in urban centres. What then can the Women's Institute offer a woman? First of all the \Vonien‘s Institutes were organized to provide further education for women primarily in the arts and skills required for homemakin . Although the arts and skills for homemaking have changed since 1897 a need for upâ€"to- ate information still exists. For instance, in 1897 most rural homemakers kept a flock of fewl which could be used for food for the family and to sell to add to the family income. Women then welcomed information on the care and feeding of the poultry, Today, homemakers are interested in the efficient management of the family income. In 1897 house- wives were asking for methods for making a good household soap. Modern housewives are bewildered by the array of household soaps and detergents and the advertising of these producrs with which they are bombarded. The Women's Institutes can through their programs provide women in the communities with this up-to-date information. The Women's Institute can provide women with opportunities to discover and use skills which they did not know they possessed and to develop leadership abilities. Leadership in the 4-H Homemaking Clubs has shown many women that they can teach, they can lead, and in doing so they can server To these leaders must come the joy of seeing young girls develop their abilities, their interests, their personalities. Members of Women's Institutes have opportunities to serve in their communities. The multitude of services rendered to the communities by this organization can nor be estimated. The influence and effects are among the great intangibles. The Women's Institute can cut across barriers of race, religion and politiCs. Mrs. Browrt. Mrs. O‘Reilly and Mrs. Karenski can perhaps never see eye to eye in church matters but in the Women's Institute meeting they can sit side by side and discover that Mrs. Brown 5 Mary has the same problems as Mrs. O’Reilly's Bridgett or Mrs. Karenski's Sonya. Membership in the \Vomen's Institute can open doors of knowledge of the lives of women in miles, far distant; in hopes and aspirations, sisrers. Since a portion of the membership fee gives membership in the Federated \Women's Institutes of Canada we‘canfeel kinship With the Eskimo woman in the Mackenzie River Basin or with the fisherman 5 wife in the outports 0f Newfoundland. A small part of the membership fee makes us members of the Asspctaiion C0untry Women of the World. Through this Organization we can discover common interests with women in Kenya, Finland, Indonesia and Japan. When a brief survey of problems of the Branches was made last-year, one fact emcrgedd. That was that there is no problem keeping members once they have mined. This fact combine with statistiCs that show that there was an increase of about one thousand members in the year 1968, would seem to indicate that there is a brilliant future which will havlel its inf-luenfie on women, on homemakers, and so, on the homes of today and tomorrm'; and t erein lies t e future of Canada and perhaps of the human race. WINTER 1969