The Role Played by Women's Institutes in Western Canada by Louise Showman (Toffelmre)

              resources of" the women. They were untiring in their dedication to both, and to any other crisis that
might arise in their own community.
The role that the W. I. s played in the west and the world has helped broaden the horizon
and scope of women's roles in society. This nonpartisan, nonsectarian organization was. and still
is. open to all. The only cause that it was dedicated to was the education and improvement of the
home and community. It was not involved with the suffrage movement, as Adelaide Hoodless did
not believe thai women needed the vote, as she could execute more influence on government
through the education of her sons. 3 4 Since the only acceptable role of women was that of
" maternal feminism" the only way that women could justify their work outside the home was in
terms of domestic responsibilities.-'" The isolation and loneliness of the early farm women were
alleviated by meeting and sharing of ideas and problems. The rise in popularity of the Women's
Institute can be attributed to discontentment with the monotonous, backbreaking work of
homemaking. The meeting provided a pleasant break in routine.' 0 Through affiliation with the
organization, women make national and international connections37. There ore Institutes or similar
organizotions in nearly every civilized country in the world4*. The motto of the Federated Women
Institute of Canada " Home and Country" is lived up to in all aspects. Possibly, the dedication of
the members can be best described in the Change Islands, Newfoundland, where some members
8 4Alison Prentice, Paula Jones, et. al. Editors. Canadian Women . 195
s 5Bossetti, The Rural Women's University. 52
3 6Ibid. 31
" Taylor, " Should I Drown Myself Now or Later?', 81
3 S " Institutes Work for Home and Country " The Calgarv Daily Herald. May 10 1930, 32