The Story of the Alberta Women's Institute

              THE

STORY

OF

THE

ALBERTA

WOMEN'S

INSTITUTES

The story of the Alberta Women's Institutes is not complete without recording the work of the Alberta Women's Institute Girls' Clubs. In 1918, the Home Nursing Instructors sent out to the Women's Institute branches, found their Nursing and First Aid Courses were of particular interest to the girls of the communities. They were so enthusiatic over the work that they did not wish to give up the subject after the three days' instruction. Upon their own suggestion, the girls organized Girls' Clubs and appointed supervisors from the Women's Institutes. This First Aid Club gradually developed other interests and the demand for organization increased. In 1919, the Legislature passed an amendment to the Act respecting Women's Institutes creating Women's Institute Girls' Clubs. Miss Bessie C. McDermand was made superintendent of these clubs. The FIRST W.I.G.C. CONVENTION was held in Edmonton, Wednesday, March 17, 1920, in the First Baptist Church. It was held jointly with the Women's Institute convention with Miss Isabel Noble presiding. The W.I.G.C. elections resulted as follows: President, Miss Edna Francisco, Cavendish; First Vice-President, Miss Alice Gates. Stony Plain; Second Vice President, Miss Minnie Page, Elnora; Third Vice-President, Miss Della Fleming, Alliance; Secretary-Treasurer, Miss Daisy Hummel, Milk River; Directors: Misses Majorie Anderson. Stony Plain; Mamie Johnson, Provost; Clara Smith, Alliance; and Evelyn Joachim, Milk River. That year there were 40 W.I.G. Clubs with a membership of 840 girls learning teamwork and developing a high standard of community consciousness.

In June 1921 the SECOND W.I.G.C. CONVENTION was held in Edmonton. The F.W.I.C. Biennial Board meeting and A.W.I. convention were followed by the A.W.I.G.C. convention. All were held in Convocation Hall, University of Alberta. 54 clubs reported. A resolution which showed their interest in girls' welfare, was passed asking the government to provide dormitories for the girls at the Agricultural Schools. The THIRD ANNUAL CONVENTION of the A.W.I.G.C. was held in the Palliser Hotel, Calgary, in June 1922 and followed the A.W.I. convention. At this time it was decided to have a Provincial Fund raised by an annual levy at the rate of fifty cents per member. The FOURTH ANNUAL CONVENTION of the A.W.I.G.C. preceded the A.W.I. convention in May 1923, at Convocation Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton. At this convention, the following resolution was adopted, "Whereas it would help the Girls' Clubs a great deal to have someone especially interested in girls' work and with authority to give instruction and advice upon request, therefore be -63-