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l v Carol Stewart-Kirkby Wanten's Institute has always been my PM.” 11's an organization I really Peggy Knapp. a member of Ashgrove ill Halton. became president of the t receday planning retreat for her execu- ve this spring, Peggy is very enthusiastic bout the future of WI in this province. "\“e looked at the issues facing our or- anization and our strengths and weak- 655%. There are many challenges and op~ ortunities facing us," Peggy said. She is onhtent FWIO can accomplish many 5 im 2 in the next decade, and explained the r0\L'.tClai activities, like conferences and mgr .tms. have been planned up to 199%â€" : e r. rttennial of W1. A. :ivities will continue to focus on the nvimnment. "The environment is everyâ€" . in} ' emphasized Peggy. She hopes WI t en-lters can help to change people's per- ptt in of the environment being mainly 'r L‘ .1 water. We will be using the enâ€" iror nent issue to personally develop our em-ters; to enhance family and comâ€" . un y life; and to improve world ecology. ;. explained. lit: environment thrust has captured the hit fit of many W! members over the last i 0 years. In 1988. members were chalâ€" ng l to initiate 100 new waste manage- eni projects across the province in the ext three years. There are over 200 ojt TIS to date. reported Peggy. Pr ggy feels it is imponant to have one . it'» for rural women. "If we are silent, in; a go unaddressed," she said. Today. Rontun's institute is one of the largest ont :n's organizations in Ontario. FWIO lltl a member of the recently formed nt :rio Farm Women‘s Network F" N). "There is room for both us. The etvork is raising the profile of farm omen. W1 is more involved with rural omen. Rural issues are a little different an farm issues.” Peggy said. Born and raised in Perth County. Peggy d husband Wally famed for 35 years in :2 Cambridge area and later Georgetown. hits in Cambridge, Peggy belonged to m' t her. Laura Rose had a better idea of what Wl could and would be than anybody else." Peggy said. Other influential women. like Ethel Chapman and Dorothy Futcher. crossed Peggy‘s path. “Many of us don‘trealize our potential until we meet these women. it emanates from them." she commented. Peggy has spent many years in volunteer postttons, realizing her potential. Recently Peggy retired after a nineâ€"year stint as public interest representative on the On, tario Veterinary Association. During her OVA tenure. she sewed on several com- mittees including the executive. accreditu» lion. complaints and chaired Z! number of ad hoc committees. I'lt was very interesting work and a good experience, but I realized I couldn't do the homework required as FWlO president and OVA representative." Peggy explained. in Cambridge. Peggy taught mentally handicapped 18 to 25 year-olds in a Sun day School program. for the city, "It was a pilot project which lasted for about eight years. integrating them (the mentally hand- icapped) into the regular church school. It was a wonderful experience." Peggy said. Peggy has chaired the boards of two churches and also wrote. produced and directed an outdoor nativity play featuring adult actors and live animals. This play. which Peggy considers one of her finer accomplishments. has continued on under the leadership of the City of Cambridge. Peggy served three terms on the North Dumfries School Board. one as chaimtan. during the early 1970‘s. She was also a member of the Education Advisory Contr mittee of the Grand River Conservation Authority from l975 to 1979. Wally, manager of agriculture for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. was once a very busy international livestock judge. It was his involvement in travel which introduced Peggy to an interest she holds near and dear today. Since 1976. Peggy has been organizing WI exchanges to England. Wales. West Germany. Norway, Sweden. Denmark and Russia. So far. Wl members from England and Wales have travelled to Ontario. "When Wally was judging. we would often stay in people's homes. We dis- covered this was the best way to learn about a country. sitting around a fireplace in the evening. We feel we owe it to others to help them experience the same thing." Peggy said. I resident sees exciting future Pry to Knapp This summer Peggy is leading u group (it. 25 Ontario WI members on a trip in England and Wales."Itixthc751hunnn err sary ol' the National Federation ul Women‘s Institutes. Ontario (ilHL’ITIllTL‘lll House in London is hofillng u reception tttr us and members of NFWI [t was lllL‘ll’ (Ontario Govemment Home) Idea.“ Peggy explained. Certainly being FWIO President IN time consuming, Peggy “as the first war prcwlr dent-elect for tun years prior to becoming president. She feels the president-elect idea works well. “it‘s a dtt'lcrcnt L‘tlllllllllr merit to viceiprczsidcnt. You Into“ you dl’L‘ going to be president. it‘s n dcctston you have to make \\ill‘l _\0ur I'nmrly.“ Peggy said. As well, chg)’ has it strong support system amongst her local Wl members. "I don‘t think I would have sought the prcw dcnt- elect position uithout m_\ Lll\[l’|Ll tll » t‘ering their support." she sand. Ax prcw dent-elect. Peggy supported the president. an gained valuable insight ll’llll the finance. constitution. scholarship LIl'lLl cwcultw committees of FWlO. When Peggy ttnd Wally aren‘t bus} \\ tth their many intercsts.tlic_\-' are enjoying their family. Their daughter. Beth is duir} l‘amt ing with her husband in Thurncst’ord. She has two children. Bob teaches figure \i‘tllr ing in Winnipeg. David is in the livestock export business and is assistant advertising manager for the Holstein Journal. He in us in Milton. I‘Nt) March. April. Mm. IIN t’ i