The Story of the Alberta Women's Institute

              THE

STORY

OF

THE

ALBERTA

WOMEK'S

INSTITUTES

N.S.; Mrs. L. B. Mellish, Montague, P.KI.; Mrs. Fred McLaren. North River, PKI.; and Mrs. Allison MacMillan, Fairview, P.E.!. The greatest national event of the year 1939 was the visit to Canada of Their Majesties, King George and Queen Elizabeth. W.I. branches throughout Alberta assisted in arranging transportation for children to travel to centres where Their Majesties could be greeted. In April 1939, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Stewart left to visit their homeland, Scotland. On that fateful day, September 3, when word flashed around the 'vvorld that World War II had been declared. Mr. and lVII's. Stewart were aboard the Athenia, homeward bound. At 7:30 p.m. a terrific explosion plunged the ship into total darkness and caused it to keel over on its port side-it had been torpedoed. Then came the donning of life-belts and taking to the life-boats, where after several hours afloat, they were picked up by the freighter City of Flint. While they put 111anxious moments, hundreds of A.W.I. members waited in silence beside their radios to hear the word that their beloved president and her husband were safe. Many a prayer \vas uttered by those anxiously awaiting news. How thankful aU were when that word came through, and it was with great thanksgiving that she was greeted at the convention. THE 1941 CONVENTION The 1941 convention was held in the Palliser Hotel, Calgary. May 27,28, and 29, with Mrs. Wm. Stewart again presiding. It was reported that in November 1940, the sum of $2,000 from the A.W.I. Emergency War Fund had been sent to the Receiver-General of Canada for the purchase of physio-therapy equipment for military hospitals. As a result of this donation, units were placed in military camps at Petawawa, Camp Borden, Toronto, and Nanaimo. At the convention, a cheque for $450.00 was presented to the Navy League of Canada, and one for noo sterling was sent to the Queen's Canadian Fund for air-raid victims. through ;VII's. J. C. Bowen, who accepted the presentation on behalf of Her Majesty. At this convention it was agreed that a convener for war work be appointed to co-ordinate the war effort of W.I. Branches and direct these into channels having the greatest need for them. Mrs. K E. Morton, Vegreville was appointed as first convener of this work. A resolution was passed that the A.W.I. Emergency War Fund be continued and its immediate use be devoted to the merchant marine and subsequently devoted to such causes as the A.W.I. Council found most urgent. Mrs. M. L. Thompson, Coaldale, was the Provincial President elected at the 1941 convention, so she and Mrs. C. R. Wood, the A.W.I. representative, attended the F.W.I.C. Board meeting held in Frederic. ton, N.B. At this meeting the number of conveners of standing committees was reduced to five-namely, Home Economics, Agriculture and Canadian Industries, Social Welfare, Citizenship. and War Work. -25-