Article & Images Submitted by: June Crandall, Contributing Author
Last month I wrote an article about moving back to my homeland. I hope many of you enjoyed it. I mentioned that I was not aware of how centering home truly was until I came back home to Elgin…to Mapleton. I will get back to that.
This article focuses on what many may not be blessed to understand or have experienced is the stability of multi or cross generational women’s groups. So, what does that mean? It can mean common concepts shared across generations such as cooking, or gardening and so on. In my article, I discuss the Women’s Institute across generations and within generations. We have lost so much of our community to technological intrusions. Social media and technology have intruded into our daily lives to the extent that women fail to see the value of femininity and family but less community oriented. This is completely contrary to the vision and mission of the Women’s Institutes.
Last month I wrote an article about moving back to my homeland. I hope many of you enjoyed it. I mentioned that I was not aware of how centering home truly was until I came back home to Elgin…to Mapleton. I will get back to that.
This article focuses on what many may not be blessed to understand or have experienced is the stability of multi or cross generational women’s groups. So, what does that mean? It can mean common concepts shared across generations such as cooking, or gardening and so on. In my article, I discuss the Women’s Institute across generations and within generations. We have lost so much of our community to technological intrusions. Social media and technology have intruded into our daily lives to the extent that women fail to see the value of femininity and family but less community oriented. This is completely contrary to the vision and mission of the Women’s Institutes.
I have always been familiar with the WI for my entire life. My grandmother, Maude Crandall, was a WI member, my mother, Alice Crandall, was a WI member, and now my sister is a WI member (as am I), and recently her daughter became a WI member. Do you see the trend?
I think the lady that I find most fascinating in her WI membership is my grandmother, Maude Crandall. According to the WI minute books (yes, we still have them!) she had perfect attendance. She belonged to the WI during some very challenging years:
She and women like her in the community saw the wisdom of gathering with other women to discuss children, family, personal issues as well as consider and fundraise for those less fortunate. In supporting one another, they sewed together the fabric of community.
Then her daughter-in-law, my mother – Alice Crandall- joined the WI early on in her life as a wife and mother. She was familiar with WI because the community from which she hailed had a strong WI membership. Mom held significant positions of leadership during her tenure as a member. She held an Executive position in her Branch and later became trusted with executive positions with both the District WI and the Provincial WI. I think you see the pattern forming. For over 40 years, my sister, HazelAnna Carter (nee Crandall), has been a WI member. She has also held other positions and is currently the president of the Elgin WI. Further, her daughter, Kandice, recently joined the WI. Kandice is a successful and well-loved educator in the local school. Interestingly, as I was chatting with my sister about WI membership she stated, “Maybe it is in our DNA.”
This family lineage is the primary connecting with the centering part I mentioned earlier. WI membership and dedication could be in the DNA since my sister, myself, and her daughter hailed from several generations of dedicated WI members. I joined almost immediately upon returning home in 2020. It speaks to the familial connection of our shared personality traits and values that wants to do something beyond self for the greater good of all, the building of community. I encourage you to pick up the mantle or start your own legacy of volunteerism and love of community.
Consider this by Frank Guzzetta:
“There’s nothing more rewarding than giving back and making a difference in the lives of people in this [your] great community.”
I think the lady that I find most fascinating in her WI membership is my grandmother, Maude Crandall. According to the WI minute books (yes, we still have them!) she had perfect attendance. She belonged to the WI during some very challenging years:
- She lived through two World Wars.
- She raised nine children.
- She kept her home functioning and in order.
- She kept her family clothed and fed while having very little disposable income.
She and women like her in the community saw the wisdom of gathering with other women to discuss children, family, personal issues as well as consider and fundraise for those less fortunate. In supporting one another, they sewed together the fabric of community.
Then her daughter-in-law, my mother – Alice Crandall- joined the WI early on in her life as a wife and mother. She was familiar with WI because the community from which she hailed had a strong WI membership. Mom held significant positions of leadership during her tenure as a member. She held an Executive position in her Branch and later became trusted with executive positions with both the District WI and the Provincial WI. I think you see the pattern forming. For over 40 years, my sister, HazelAnna Carter (nee Crandall), has been a WI member. She has also held other positions and is currently the president of the Elgin WI. Further, her daughter, Kandice, recently joined the WI. Kandice is a successful and well-loved educator in the local school. Interestingly, as I was chatting with my sister about WI membership she stated, “Maybe it is in our DNA.”
This family lineage is the primary connecting with the centering part I mentioned earlier. WI membership and dedication could be in the DNA since my sister, myself, and her daughter hailed from several generations of dedicated WI members. I joined almost immediately upon returning home in 2020. It speaks to the familial connection of our shared personality traits and values that wants to do something beyond self for the greater good of all, the building of community. I encourage you to pick up the mantle or start your own legacy of volunteerism and love of community.
Consider this by Frank Guzzetta:
“There’s nothing more rewarding than giving back and making a difference in the lives of people in this [your] great community.”
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