History Supplement of the Alberta Women's Institute

              HISTORY

SUPPLEMENT

OF

THE

ALBERTA

WOMEN'S

INSTITUTE

"How do we go about making the situation better? Where do we start"? Quite clearly, everyone must start where he is, with what he has. This maxim, incidentally is the motto of an organization - The Women's Institutes - which has probably had more constructive, unobtrusive influence on this country than any other public or private agency" - end of quote. That is how Mrs. Alexander began the report of her four years as President of the Alberta Women's Institute. Concerns and activities continued to be on-going ones of the organization with new directors and conveners taking the leadership. "Family Living" and "You and the Family" studies were held with films, talks and group discussions. Reporting and evaluation helped to focus on vital issues. In 1969 a joint meeting of the United Farm Women of Alberta and the Alberta Women's Institutes was held in Red Deerwhen Mrs. Philip Matheson, Area Vice President of the Associated Countrywomen of the World was guest speaker. Mrs. Matheson of Prince Edward Island was returning from a Seminar that had been held in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories for the Northern Canada Women's Institute members. It was an excellent opportunity for these two societies of A.C.W.W. to meet in Alberta with Mrs. Matheson and to learn first hand of the work our branches are doing in that area. Problems there are primarily the shortage of adequate housing and alcoholism. National Medical Services became a reality in 1970 - a long standing concern of our organization. Alberta Women's Institutes received a legacy of $534.00 from the estate of Mrs. Alfred Claxton, a member of the Edmonton Women's Institute to further the work of "Home and Country". During Mrs. Alexander's term for the first time Council of Alberta Women's Institutes met with Cabinet Members to discuss mutual concerns, and on several occasions also met with Mrs. Vera Macdonald, Head of the Home Economics Extension Department of Agriculture and some of her staff. A tribute was paid to the cooperation received from the Home Economics Branch at all times.

A.W.I. CONVENTION

-

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON JUNE 8-11, 1971

PRESIDENT:

MRS. MARION

ALEXANDER

BUSINESS: It was approved with one dissenting vote that the Alberta Women's Institutes Council establish a Provincial Office and hire a Secretary Treasurer on a part time basis. This necessitated changing the Constitution from "the executive shall consist of the President, Vice President and Secretary" to 32