with the Associated Country Women of the World, people in 70 countries around the world. This great organization embraces 7 million In 1976, Mrs. Florence Matheson O.C ., Oyster Bed Bridge , resigned as Vice-President of the A.C.WW after having served two terms as Area Vice-President for Canada . Here is one example of a great honour being bestowed upon an Institute member, all the while living up to the Institute ideal, which is to "let your light shine." The Women 's Institute Organizes The first records of Sterling Women 's Institute were unfortunately lost in the 1930's, so infor¬ mation in this section is gathered from the memory of members, and from a summary written by Mrs. Agnes McGuigan and Mrs. Maud MacEwen , and delivered at the 40th Anniversary Banquet of the organization in 1953. On Thursday evening, June 19, 1913, at Hall, a group of women from Stanley Bridge and Hope River School Districts, banded together, and formed an Institute, with a view of not only improving their own minds, but also of developing a finer type of womanhood. The organizational meeting was presided over by the Supervisor, Miss Katherine James . Thirty-five women and girls joined and took up the work very enthusiastically. The Institute was known as " Women 's Institute". Mrs. Walter Simpson was its capable and faithful President for eleven years. In 1924 she was chosen Honorary President, and continued in that office until her death. While Mrs. Simpson was President, she entertained the members annually, to a Lawn Party. This was an outing which all members looked forward to, and enjoyed, as they viewed her well-kept lawn and beautiful flowers. Miss Lottie Brown was the first Secretary - Treasurer , and was followed by Mrs. John McGuigan , who held this office for a number of years between 1913 and 1935. In later years, the members of Sterling Women 's Institute were honoured when this same member, Mrs. Agnes (John) McGuigan, was chosen at the Annual Convention in Charlottetown , to represent the Island at the Federated Women 's Institute of Canada convention in Montreal. The name Women 's Institute was changed to Sterling Women 's Institute in November 1913. The name "sterling" was proposed by Mrs. Agnes McGuigan , as she had in mind the superior quality or excellence of this great organization, and its members. The name has remained although Hope River decided to form their own group in 1928. The earliest Presidents, as far as can be ascertained were: Mrs. Mary Ada (Walter) Simpson (11 years), Mrs. Agnes (Robert) Anderson, Mrs. Annie (William T.) Weir, Mrs. Margaret (Thomas) Bolger, Mrs. Maud ( H.S .) MacEwen. The earliest Secretaries, as far as can be ascertained were: Miss Lottie Brown , Mrs. Agnes (John) McGuigan, Mrs. Lenora (James) Hiscott. The following women are known to have been early members of the organization. 165