WOMEN’S INSTITUTES ACHIEVEMENTS

Over a period of 84 years, Sterling Women’s Institute has achieved many significant milestones. Rural women learn early in life to be innovative, resilient, persevering and indefatigable. Choosing a life style that is so dependent on the vagaries of nature for successful crops, teaches the valuable lessons of humility, generosity and tenacity. So often in the history of this organi- zation these values were evident in the decisions and sacrifices that were made in order to bene- fit individuals, organizations and future generations.

One such example of sharing with the less fortunate was the decision after World War II in 1945 to correspond with an Institute in Leeds, England. At least once a year the roll call was answered by each member donating a can of meat. Boxes containing this meat, canned goods and other staples, together with pictures and literature were shared with their new friends from across the Atlantic. The members of Sterling W.I. continued to correspond and donate food to this Institute in Leeds, until the late 1950’s.

In 1957 a fund raising project worthy of note was the compilation, printing and sale of one thousand Sterling Women’s Institute Cookbooks. This project under the capable direction of the President, Mrs. Gladys Ferguson, was a financial success.

The Provincial Women’s Institute with the support of the local Institutes have been a powerful force in the area of social justice, and the advancement of the rights of women. Scholarships for women in the areas of Home Economics and Law were established. One of the recipients of the Law Scholarship was Nancy Orr, Mayfield, who is currently a Provincial Court Judge. Amendments to the Matrimonial Property Law which recognized the concept of equal partner— ship in marriage and the equitable distribution of assets accumulated during marriage was an important milestone for equality of women’s rights. The Jury Act was repealed so that women would be subject to the same jury duty as men. Mrs. Hilda Ramsay, Provincial President of Women’s Institute 1963-1964 was chosen as the first woman in Prince Edward Island to be a jury foreman. An amendment to the Human Rights Code prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex and marital status, instead the concepts of experience, skill training and responsibility would be the determining factors in hiring practices. In 1975, the Prince Edward Island Council on the Status of Women was formed. The first chair of the Council was Mrs. Beatrice Reeves, a Provincial President of Women’s Institute 1973—1975.

The Roadside Clean-Up Program was an example of the respect governments had for the Women’s Institute. In 1973, the Island Government was considering implementing a “Roadside Clean-Up” program. A representative of the Department of Environment contacted the presi- dent of the Women’s Institute to request the support of its members for this project.

The Board of Directors of the Women’s Institute agreed on condition that the program would be a Women’s Institute project rather than Government operated. The Government agreed and offered the full support of the Department of Environment.

With the enthusiasm and energy of all W.I. Branches on the Island, and enlisting the help of the media, voluntary groups such as Allied Youth, 4-H, Red Cross Youth, Guides, Scouts and Brownies, Lions and other service organizations, the result has been that our Island is virtually litter free.

Many of the community name signs throughout the Island had been an initiative of the local Women’s Institutes. These signs with the place name and Institute logo are both attractive and informative. Pride, which has been defined as self—imposed standards of behaviour, is very evi- dent in the well kept rural farm establishments, churches, community halls, cemeteries, well

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