The Story of the Alberta Women's Institute

              THE

STORY

OF

THE

ALBERTA

WOMEN'S

INSTITUTES

the fares paid for that convention but for subsequent conventions for several years. The new Superintendent, Miss Mary MacIsaac, a graduate of the Toronto General Hospital entered enthusiastically into the plans for the convention. Invitations were sent out to the forty-two institutes in the province and a very attractive programme was arranged. On February 17th and 18th, 1915, about 100 women gathered in Olds for the first provincial convention. Miss Isabel Noble, Daysland, a University graduate, a bright, enthusiastic speaker and a competent presiding officer was elected president, a position to which she was re-elected by acclamation for seven successive years. Mrs. William Fleming, Alliance, was elected First Vice-President; Mrs. Elves, Vulcan, Second Vice-President. The other officers elected were: Third Vice-President. Mrs. A. E. Saunders, St. Albert; Secretary, Mrs. Jean Muldrew, Red beer; Treasurer, Miss A. T. Carlyle, Vermilion; Directors: Mrs. Robinson, Cowley; Mrs. A. F. Wilson, Carmangay; Mrs. Colvin, Sedgewick; Miss Patterson. Taber' :vIiss Robb, Provost; Mrs. Blackwell, Athabasca. Then began a development in Women's Institute activities in keeping with the times. Travelling libraries were sent out among the institutes, and a loan collection service of bulletins, pamphlets and books on various phases of home, farm and community life and activities were made available free of charge. Within the year 1915-16 the number of institutes increased from forty-two to one hundred and seven. Second W.I. Convention The second provincial convention was held in the Macdonald Banquet Room on March 1st and 2nd, 1916, with two hundred and fifty women in attendance. On the afternoon of March 1st the convention adjourned to attend the sitting of the Legislature at which the Equal Franchise Bill was given its second reading. This Bill gave equal rights to the women not only in the government of the province but in the government of the municipalities and school districts and in every other place where a man has a right to vote. Achievements of the Women's Institutes The years from 1916 to 1921 were years of strain and stress, the war, the influenza epidemic, and the drought in Southern Alberta brought suffering and sorrow to many but the story of The Alberta Women's Institutes is one of magnificent achievement. Thousands of dollars were raised annually for Red Cross and other patriotic purposes, thousands of socks were knitted, numberless hospital supplies were made, prisoners-of-war "adopted", and soldiers and their depend. ants helped and cared for. Local hospitals, maternity homes, community halls, libraries and rest rooms sprang up through the initiative and support of the Women's Institutes where the need arose. One of the many Institutes with noble records was the Cowley W.I. situated in the foothills. These -9-