Submitted by: June Crandall, Contributing Author
I am writing this short series of articles mostly because I am a Women’s Institute (WI) member and because there is great value for women to join and belong to something greater than yourself….to help sisters in the community. I have only been a member for about 5 years, but I think WI is in my DNA. My mother probably took me to my first meeting when I was a baby. In those days, children were not left home with an expensive babysitter, and women loved the community of a group of like-minded women. The idea of the non-existence WI’s in Canada came to me when I think of what the group of women who make up my local WI mean to me. What if WI never existed?
In imagining a Canada without Women’s Institutes, I am reminded of the importance of collaboration, of home and family education, and the empowerment of women everywhere. In examining the legacy of WIs, I realize that it is a testament to what can be achieved when individuals come together with a shared purpose. Their absence would leave an undeniable void, underscoring their vital contributions to Canadian – in our case, New Brunswick society.
I am writing this short series of articles mostly because I am a Women’s Institute (WI) member and because there is great value for women to join and belong to something greater than yourself….to help sisters in the community. I have only been a member for about 5 years, but I think WI is in my DNA. My mother probably took me to my first meeting when I was a baby. In those days, children were not left home with an expensive babysitter, and women loved the community of a group of like-minded women. The idea of the non-existence WI’s in Canada came to me when I think of what the group of women who make up my local WI mean to me. What if WI never existed?
In imagining a Canada without Women’s Institutes, I am reminded of the importance of collaboration, of home and family education, and the empowerment of women everywhere. In examining the legacy of WIs, I realize that it is a testament to what can be achieved when individuals come together with a shared purpose. Their absence would leave an undeniable void, underscoring their vital contributions to Canadian – in our case, New Brunswick society.
WIs in Canada were born out of a need to address rural women's challenges and promote a sense of unity thereby leaving an indelible mark on rural society. But what if these institutes had never existed? This hypothetical scenario invites us to consider a vastly different Canada where grassroots efforts to improve women’s lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement were absent.
Women’s Institutes in Canada trace their beginnings to Stoney Creek, Ontario which aimed to provide rural women with education and skills to improve domestic life and bolster their communities. Over the decades, WIs became a platform for women to address pressing issues, such as healthcare, education, nutrition, and public policy, while also championing gender equality. Without these institutes, countless initiatives would have meant fewer opportunities for women, particularly in rural areas, to organize, learn, and lead.
What about rural New Brunswick? Over half of the total NB population (812,061 according to 2023 NB Statistics) live in rural areas. Rural New Brunswick women are facing challenges, including limited access to healthcare, education issues, and infrastructure difficulties. Women’s Institutes have played (and will continue) a pivotal role in helping to address these gaps. From teaching homemaking skills to advocating for public health improvements, WIs empowered women to act as agents of change. Without WIs, the challenges faced by rural communities might have intensified.
Women’s Institutes in Canada trace their beginnings to Stoney Creek, Ontario which aimed to provide rural women with education and skills to improve domestic life and bolster their communities. Over the decades, WIs became a platform for women to address pressing issues, such as healthcare, education, nutrition, and public policy, while also championing gender equality. Without these institutes, countless initiatives would have meant fewer opportunities for women, particularly in rural areas, to organize, learn, and lead.
What about rural New Brunswick? Over half of the total NB population (812,061 according to 2023 NB Statistics) live in rural areas. Rural New Brunswick women are facing challenges, including limited access to healthcare, education issues, and infrastructure difficulties. Women’s Institutes have played (and will continue) a pivotal role in helping to address these gaps. From teaching homemaking skills to advocating for public health improvements, WIs empowered women to act as agents of change. Without WIs, the challenges faced by rural communities might have intensified.
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