1937 - Convention Report

              10 ALBERTA WOMEN'S INSTITUTES
Mrs. Ferguson presided and spoke of this session of the Convention, honor­ing
those Branches who had been organized twenty- five years ago and had been
in operation continuously. Mrs. Ferguson mentioned that the first Women's
Institute west of the Great Lakes was organized by Mrs. Graham at Lea Park
in 1909. This branch ceased to function after a few years.
The chairman then called on Mrs. Mclvor, of Stettler. Mrs. Mclvor had
been a charter member of the Institute at Lion's Head, Ontario. She was very
keen on having the Institute movement brought to Alberta, and was one of the
women who went to Honorable Duncan Marshall to get the Institutes going.
Mrs. Mclvor was the first President of Cowley Women's Institute, which was
organized in December, 1912,
Mrs. H. Brown, Verdant Valley, was the representative from that Women's
Institute. They were organized in May, 1912. and were first called Homemakers'
Club, planning to change to whatever name the Alberta organization chose. They
have encountered many obstacles, but have continued steadfastly.
Mrs. Win. Paris represented the Raymond Women's Institute, which was
organized in May, 1912. That fall they prepared a display of handicraft, canned
fruits and vegetables to the Dry Farming Congress in Lethbridge. During the
World War they worked for the Red Cross; later they assisted in erecting a war
memorial. They still have seven charter members.
Mrs. E. Daley represented the Munson Women's Institute, which was
organized November 7, 1912. They have four charter members enrolled now.
Their Institute is linked with the development of their community and has a
library of two hundred books.
Mrs. Sinclair lias been president of the Walsh Women's Institute for twenty-five
years, and in that time lias missed only twelve meetings. They were organ­ized
in November, 1912, after a visit of the demonstration train. They have at
present three charter members enrolled, and have their own hall.
Mr. Brailey then favored the assembly with a marimbaphone solo.
Miss Isobel Noble, of Wichita, Kansas, was the next speaker. Miss Noble
was the first President of the Alberta Women's Institutes. She said coming back
to Alberta was tike coming home. Miss Noble told of her years as President
when the Institutes were in their infancy.
Mrs. E. Baubier, Champion, second President of the Alberta Institutes,
touched on the high lights of her term of office.
Mrs. Ferguson read a telegram from Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey Price, con­gratulating
the Institutes on their years of service and extending wishes for their
continued success.
Mrs. W. Huyck, Strome. called her term of office a " Period of Readjust­ment."
This was the time of separation from the government. The New In­stitute
Act was also introduced at that time.
Mrs. H. J. Montgomery, Wetaskiwin, read a message from Mrs. Fleming,
of Alliance, who was the first Vice- President of the Alberta Women's Institutes.
Mrs. Montgomery stressed the need of curtailment of finances during her years
of President because of the depression, but they had always come " smiling
through" the bad years.
Mr. Brailey again favored the audience with a musical selection.
Mrs. H. W. Riley, President of the Child and Family Welfare Council,
brought greetings to the Institutes and told of happy associations with Institute
activities.
With the singing of " God Save the King" a verv pleasant evening was
brought to a close.