FOR HOME AND COUNTRY

Women’s Organizations in Canada in the nineteenth century were organized primarily within religious denominations. The Women’s Institutes, founded by Adelaide Hoodless in Stoney Creek, Ontario, in 1897, is one example of a shift toward non—secular organizations which emerged at this time. The Women’s Institutes provided Canadian rural women with their first organization, reflecting many of the shifts, which took place in Canadian society at the turn of the nineteenth century.

The organization made its way to Prince Edward Island in 1913. Incorporated under the Provincial Department of Agriculture in that year, the Women’ s Institutes proved to be a popular movement on the Island. They offered Island women an outlet that was both social and educational. Attending branch meetings and Annual and District Conventions brought women together and provided them with skills, knowledge, and confidence to turn to problems that existed within their various communities. Institute Branches have existed within the St. Peters Fire District Area since 1921: (20)

Institute Branch: Date Organized: First President: Cable Head East November 21“, 1921 Mrs. J. O’Hanley

St. Peters North March, 1923 Mrs. John MacAulay Armadale June 6th 1923 Mrs. Hugh C. MacPhee St. Peters South October 22nd, 1923 Mrs. P. J. Power Greenwich November 18th, 1925 Mrs. Earl MacEwen Southampton April, 1928 Mrs. Frank J. MacAulay Cable Head West October 24th, 1928 Mrs. Jasper MacLaren Goose River 1932 Mrs. John MacKinnon St. Peters Bay Atomic March 31“, 1946 Mrs. K.E. MacCallum The Fortune Road September 11th, 1947 Mrs. Justin Larkin

Most Institute Branches had monthly meetings, often held in the homes of an Institute member, or in the local school. Like the lives of the women who belonged to the Institute, these meetings were very structured. The meetings began with a song, sometimes the “Institute Ode, ” or an Irish or Scottish favorite such as “Loch Lomond” or “When Irish Eyes are Smiling. ” The meetings ended by initially singing “God save the King/ Queen, ” and later with the “National Anthem” or the “Island Hymn.” Proceeding the meeting was a social hour where a lunch was always served. Occasionally there would also be some singing or dancing.

One custom that seemed to spread throughout the Institute Branches in the 1930s was the method used in answering roll call at the beginning of every meeting. At the end of every monthly meeting, the

* Accession No. 81 .18.3.7

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