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Sunshine Women's Institute Tweedsmuir History Book 2 August 1997 searchable pdfa Women’s Institute centennial celebrations held in Hamilton Hundreds of branch banners and thousands of miniature lights from the approximately 2,000 delegates of the Women’s Institute from across Canada and around the world helped Canadian members usher in their second century. Pageants, parades, bus tours, choirs, speakers, fashion shows, pan- els, banquets, a multicultural concert at Ontario Convention Centre in Hamilton, and an interfaith service made the week of June 15 to June June 22 an unforgettable experience for the double event, the Women's Institutes of Centennial Celebration and the Federated Women’s Insti- tutes of Canada Convention/97. Helen Burt Upper Saunders- Baufelt, a longâ€"time WI member from 'I‘horold, Ont., born in 1897, the same year the first Women’s Institute Branch was formed, attended the opening ceremonies and stated that she has never ceased praising the Women’s Institutes for their good work. Under the direction of Adelaide Hoodless, an activist Hamilton socialite, and Erland Lee, a prosper» ,ous Stoney Creek, Ontario farmer, the first Branch of the, Women’s Institute was initiated on Feb. 19, 1897 ‘and one hundred years ,later remains an organization devoted to developing informed, responsible citizens, encouraging good family life skills, initiating programs to achieve common goals and leader- ship development. Under the umbrella organization, the Associated Country Women of the World (approXimately six million women in more than 60 countries) projects continue to help women improve their living conditions. Lyn- dsay Hackct-Pain, World President of the ACWW stressscd the fact that the role of the ACWW is to “help women to help themselves" by offer- ing relatively modest but practical support to rural communities, requesting whatever the donces can offer and often receiving matching funds from specialist United Nations and other aid agencies. The convention theme Imlebfed to the Past; Committed to the Future formed the basis of addresses by all the guest speakers. Motivational speakers, Norman Rebin, and Ros- alie Wysocki congratulated the Women’s Institutes on their accom- plishments during the past 100 years but reminded members to scheme, dream and redeem as they enter their second century and that it is our atti~ tude that affects our altitude. Dr. Linda Ambrose, author of the recently published For Home and Country, the Ontario Women's Instiâ€" tutes History, encouraged the Women‘s Institutes in their future plans and was present to autograph copies of her book. The keynote speaker for the con vcntion, Dr. Roberta Bondar, when recounting her lifetime of achieve- ments including her participation in the space program, stressed the importance of setting adventurous goals, always keeping a clear vision of them and, if one path isn’t clear, finding another path and keeping enthusiasm alive. When a goal is reached, change our views to continâ€" ue to improve realizing that the achievement is not the end but only the beginning. During the convention, Charlotte Johnson, president for the past three years, turned over her president’s duties to Mildred 1. Keith of New Brunswick. Active at the national level of the Women’s Institutes for many vcars, Mildred was named to 39 the 1997 edition of the “Who’s Who of Canadian Women.” After a two- ballot election, delegates chose Faye Maybcrry, a Red Deer, , Alberta farmer and FWIC executive member over the other nominees, Margaret Munro and Joyce Johnson, to be the president-elect of the Federated Women‘s Institutes of Canada for the next triennium. Action will be taken on all resolu- tions presented at the convention including: requesting that Canada Post review addressed ad mail rates, requesting ,Health Canada to: set safety standards for cooking pots; set a minimum standard for print size on medicinal containers and, ensure a list of ingredients on the labels of all imported liquid-filled products such as paperweights. As well, a letter and petition will be submitted requesting that the quality of health care be preâ€" served by maintaining the Women‘s College Hospital in Toronto. Congratulations to Douglas C. Smith of Arkcll, Ontario and Jack Matthison of Avonton, Ontario who were presented with the Erland Lee Award of Appreciation in apprecia- tion of their outstanding contribution and support of Women’s Institutes in Canada. - As the convention and centennial celebrations reach their conclusion delegates will retum to their homes with the knowledge that the need for an organization promoting the Women’s Institute objectives is as great today as it was in 1897. At that time society was coping with changes resulting from the industrial revolution; today, society is coping with the rapid changes in the field of technology and communication. People still need basic skills to remain healthy and productive. 3‘1