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when no om.- knows what to do with this scrapbook, it should be placed in an archives. Mlunluturnl m , e , . r u . . ' , _ is the officlal response on who started the WI -~"-“ -~ s 1 ‘ than.an with interest the letters you have printed concerning the Women‘s histinnesinee ‘ WW3 article ‘Women‘s Institme nukes a commitment to oornmunities‘ on Decembe- 12, 1995.. My Orrtlan. 2. 1996) is correct in her statement that the Women‘s Instith was not established pi- ‘ morin us a social organization. It started as an educational forum for rural women. to help them become hetterinl'omred about the latest scientific developments concerning the care of their families and homes. It still is an aganization for personal growth and community action. The movement spread very quickly in the early years because it provided a social outing as well. in a day when women had neither the has portatioo nor the numerous activities to attend that now exist. It is true that older members have much to offer the Women '5 Institute. Branches that have a mix of old~ er and younger women tend to be more active in the daily life of the community and tend to provide more fun and fellowship IE well as educational activities. Harts Rigg‘s bmrich in Madoc (Denelth Foley, Jan. 16. I996) has all the advantages of such a mix. With the launch of the Safe and Healthy Communi- tiesfocus Imtyeanitis tobehopedthatmembers willsharetheirexpertise nndknowledgewithuther munin groups to make apositive difference in today’s world. ' The Jun. 23 letter from Beverley McCreary states that Erland Lee, notAdelaide Hoodless. was the found: of the Women's Institue. The Women‘s Institute credits Erland Lee and Adelaide Hunter Hoodless as the founders. or coâ€"founders. of the WI movmtcnt. Cheryl Macdonald in her biography Adelaide Hoodless: Domestic Crusader (Dundurn Press. 1984) states that Erland Lee, president of the Farmers' Institute of South Wetttworth. heard Hoodless speak about women and education in the area of domestic sciences at the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph Impressed by her progressive idms, he invited herto speak to Ladies‘ Night at the Famiers‘ Institute in Felu'uary. l897. She was so well received that she was invited back to speak the following week. to a crowd of 101 womm and one mun. At this second meeting. on Fell 19. she proposed the induction of it “women's de- partment of domestic economy" in affiliation with the Farmers' Institute. This organization became known as the Women‘s Institute of Saltileet. Adelaide Hoodless was made honourary presidentr lee’sudfalanet wasoneofthe firstDirectorsoftheneworganintion. stitution and tryâ€"lows on her dining room table. This table is one of the artifacts at the Erland Lee (Museâ€" um) Home at Sloney Creek. which is owned and maintained by the Federated Women's Institutes of On- tario Lee went on to help the WI obtain government cooperation. support and affiliation with the Depart- ment of Agriculture. the same as the Farmers' Institute. Adelaide Hoodless became an activist after lhe death of her son who died from drinking impure milk She ' was instrumental in the formation of National Council of Women. the Young Women's Christian Associ- Mion and the \fictorizrn Order of Nurses. It was largely through her efforts that McDonald Institute at the University of Guelph and the School of Household Science at McDonald College at Ste Anne de Belle- vue. Qrebec. received their initial funding. The Fedemted Women‘s Institutes of Canada owns and operates the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Horne- steud. now a museum. but originally the home where she lived from her birth in 1857 to her marriage in 1881. Of interest as well is the fact that the Women's Institute is open to all people over the age of 16. Al- though not many men are members, men play an active pun in many Women's Institute activities, In order to recognize the important role they play. several years ago the Erland Lee Award was established. TWO awards are presench every lricnniuni In mu]: Ontario residents who give of their talean to promote the trims and objectives of the Women's Institute and who encourage the progress of the WI as a modem or- ganization for women. As the Women‘s Institute approaches the centennial ol‘the formation of the first branch in 1897. a great deal of mention is being paid to our past history. to our accomplishmean and to our future direction. As we look to the future we also pay tribute to our founders. Adelaide Hoodless and Erlqu Lee. gum-timed We men 5 l at 1 I at r; BLNVAN'DRI‘“ isAIIORDI I’D STRATFORD 5 234 Sunnydalc Dmc Burlington. Ontario L7? IE9 (905) 332- 3025