The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The Women’s Institute 1897 - 1997 - 100 ANNIVERSARY For Home and Country Convention '97 Video To commemorate the 100th anniverA sary of the formation of the first Women's Institute in Stoney Creek. Ontario. in 1897, the Convention '97 Committee is producing a profession- ally prepared video which will com- bine the centennial celebrations in Hamilton with historical background about the WI and its roots. For those who would like a commemorative item from the centennial celebrations, but are unable to attend Convention ‘97 in June in Hamilton, this video is ideal. The cost of the video is $50 (taxes. shipping and handling included). To reserve your copy. please send a cheque for $50 payable to Convention ’97 to: Federated Women's Institutes oi Ontario 7382 Wellington Rd. 30 FIR 5 Guelph ON N1H6J2 Mark Convention Video clearly on the cheque. and indicate if it needs to be a system other than what is used in Canada. For example, in Europe the PAL system is required. The videos will be shipped in October, 1997. Convention ’97 Commemorative Booklet A Commemorative Booklet of “A WI Centennial Celebration & FWIC Con- vention ‘97" will also be produced. This is an ideal mementoe for those who are unable to attend this once in a life-time event. Order your copy today. Send a $10 cheque payable to Conven» tion '97 to: Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario 7382 Wellington Rd. 30 HH 5 Guelph on N1 H 6J2 Mark Commemorative Booklet clearly on the cheque. The Commemo- rative Booklets will also be shipped in _ October. h PRO LINE For Home and Country: A Guide for Group Discussions I have just read the introduction to a report entitled Hencefarth We Shall Rank Among the Nations, prepared at the time of Canada’ 5 centennial in 1967. If the words “Women‘s Institute” are substituted for the word Canada. a great deal of the message applies to this organization. The sentiments ex- pressed are similar to what is happening in Women's Institute today and echo many of the ideas and themes expressed by Dr. Linda Ambrose in For Home and Country: The Centennial History ofthe Women '5 Institute: in Ontario. The I967 report starts: “Every age has its special problems and every generation faces its own unique difficulties and opportunities. Canada, about to celebrate ... the Centennial of its Confederation. remembers the turmoil of those past years and the solutions that were evolved. While it contemplates the particular challenges of our own day, it also takes a look at the future." The article talks about the social vision and political acumen of Canada‘s leaders. the driving forces of change, the good common sense of its people. These “all combine to make Canada a very favoured land.“ It men- tions the qualities ofdedication, devotion and the spirit of compromise with which Canadi- ans have overcome and will continue to overcome “the complexities of our times.’ S. Bronfman concludes his article: “We have reached these many goals but there are still goals beyond them. We have done much. and dreamed much, and we have come to wider horizons. Now we must go on. in a new century, to conceive a greater vision and to realize it." For Home and Country paints a fascinating ponrait ofone hundred years ofa group “that has helped to shape the experiences of rural women and to frame Ontario community life overthe past century." As you read the book. you realize that Women's Institute activities are as important to society now as they were at the beginning of the century. You also quickly realize that there are many lessons to be learned from our past Dr. Ambrose challenges members and leaders alike with the words of FWIO Presi- dent Purcell in I953. “What is our place in this changing world as a group? Are we still thinking back in the days of Adelaide Hoodâ€" less or have we grown up with the times? Has our WI degenerated into a social get-tor gether or developed into a social service group? If women as a group are to keep the position they have gained. they must keep alert to changes in the community, they must use the vote intelligently, they must study. It is time we made a new assessment of our groups to see if we are growing up.” In a review of the Ambrose book in the Hamilton Spectator (February 15, I997). Kate Barlow states “ Ambrose makes no bones about how difficult it is to pigeonhole the Women's Institute. It‘s not a serviceclub. although they do substantial fundraising for good causes. Neither is it a feminist move» ment. in the modern meaning of the word. although Ambrose points out its traditional empowerment of women." Barlow continues: “Ambrose doesn't offer any definitive answer but suggests readers learn from the old story about several blind men exploring an clephant's outline. Each one arrives at his own conclusion." Fnr Home and Country is a hook that is meant to be discussed, especially by Women‘s Institute members and friends. Questions such as “What was the purpose of the first WI?" or “How were WI activities in the ‘205 and '305 foremnncrs of our present focus on Safe and Healthy Communities?" come to mind. Others include. “What did WI stand for in “397?,” “What does it stand for today?.” and “Why did a man run a women‘s organization for so many of its early years?" In order to facilitate discussion ofthe con- tent of the Ambrose history book, A Guide for Group Discussion: has been prepared to complement For Home and Country: The Centt'nniul History afthe Women 'r Institutes in Ontario. This guide is intended to bring out some important aspects of the book and to stimulate discussion by Branches or by small groups. The questions are neither exhaustive norexhausting. They will encour- age members to see where WI has been and where it will go in the future. in keeping with the centennial theme “Indebted to the Past - Committed to the Future." Copies of For Home and Country: The Centmninllfistarv ofrhe Women '3' Institute: in Ontario are available from the FWIO Pro- vincial Office for $35. A Guide for Group DiSCuSSl'DILY is also available from the Pro- vincial Office for $3, Both prices include shipping and handling. Mary lunar it [he Public Relunultr Officer fur the F edemlcd Women 's IILilllHlt'S 0/ Ontario. She can be readied at 686K Egrvmmu RI!” RR 8‘ Wudurd ON NOM 250. (519)786»55II. Horne Kr Country, Summer'Q'I 11