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Adelaide Hoodless: Our first: feminist? ADELAIDE HUNTER Hoodless was an early-day feminist. Founder of the Women’s Institute and domestic science programs in Ontario schools and other provinces, Mrs. Hoodless was also involved in the founding of the Victorian Order of Nurses, the Hamilton YWCA and the iGiiGa Eouncil of Women. A photo of Mrs. HoodIess is displayed at the Lee home. By CHERYL MacDONALD Special to the Spectator Although Women's Institutes and domestic, science programs might be considered conser- vative today, at the turn of the century Mrs. Hoodless was derided as a radical new woman. The tragedy goaded Mrs. Hoodless into action. She became involved in a campaign for clean milk and the Headless involvement in public lite had begun. She was born on a farm at St. George, near Brant- ford, Feb. 27, 1857, youngest of 10 children. Like many feminists of the day, including Judge Emily Murphy, Mrs. Headless never questioned that a woman's place was anywhere else but in the home. But she did question many other facets of daily life. Her tathdr, David, had died some months earlier, leasing her mother to raise the children who remained at ome. Mrs. Headless decided the education system did not prepare women for their role as homemakers. She argued that a special program was needed - a domes, tie science program. Records of Mrs. Hoodless' education 'are sketchy. But she has been described by contemporaries as intelligent and extremely charming. ,, In 1881, she married John Hoodless, son of a prosper- ous Hamilton furniture manufacturer. The young couple moved to the Hamilton area and the first of four chil- dren was born the following summer. She was trying to elevate women's work, a haphaz- ard chore for many, into domestic science on a level with farming and other masculine pursuits. Mrs. Headless wrote a book on the subject and helped set up programs in Ontario schools which co- vered cooking, cleaning, nutrition and hygiene. In 1890 her youngest éhild died at the age of 18 months after drinking contaminated milk. Between 1893 and 1908, she was responsible for intro- ducing courses in 32 schools. She also influenced others, notably tobacco magnate William Macdonald, to found schools for domestic science teachers. Having grown up in the country, Mrs. Hoodless was familiar with the lot of rural women. At a meeting in Saltfleet Township (Stoney Creek) on Feb. 19, 1897, she discussed the Farmers' Institute and pointed out the need for a similar organization which would teach women to run their homes more efficiently. Her proposal of an institute for women was met with an offer from Erland Lee, a member of the Farmers' Institute. Mr. Lee put his home at her disposal and it. became the first Women's Institute. The motto oi the organization, "tor home and Coun- try'.', emphasized one of Mrs. Hoodless' basic beliefs: a 'The Women's Institute has preserved the Erland Lee home in Stoney Creek in memory of itsyorigins.--- _ 7, “7'" r .. T Staff photés by Jim Fish The beginning Mrs. Hoodless' involvement with domestic science has thrown a cloud over her contributions to the wom- en's movement. There have been allegations that, like many women in her social class, her interest in provid- ing domestic science courses to working girls was root- ed in the need for reliable servants. Between the Women's Institutes, YWCA, VON and domestic science programs, Mrs. Hoodless had little time for political activity. And although there is little evidence to prove that she was politically inclined, it's probable that such an energetic woman supported the idea of votes for wom- en. Through Women's Institutes, farm women were taught basics of nutrition, cooking, sewing and preserv- ing. In some areas, they were given what amounts to courses in small business. Eventually, the movement spread throughout the British Commonwealth. She served as treasurer of the National Council of Women, an organization which had its roots in Seneca Falls, New York, prior to the American Civil War. But her drive and dedication were unmatched. She was tireless, campaigning constantly for domestic edu- cation. During the same period, Mrs. Headless was president of the Hamilton YWCA and in on the ground floor of another Canadian institution, the Victorian Order of Nurses. Mrs. Hoodless served as first treasurer of the VON and was credited with realizing 'plans within two years. On July 26, 1899, Emily Dakin arrived trom Halifax to become the first VON nurse in the Hamilton area. On Feb. 26, 1910, she spoke to an audience about the need for yet another domestic science school. That school would become the Lillian Massey School of Household Science. associated with the University of Toronto. Mrs. Hoodless would never see its opening. Earlier in the evening she'had complained of a headache. In the middle of her speech, she paused, sipped some water, and collapsed on stage. She died within seconds. nation cannot rise above the level of its homes; there- fore women must work and study together to raise our homes to the highest possible level. Tributes tfloured in from around the globe. The Tron- to Globe an Mail said, "She was one of the most wide, ly known edueationists in Canada and scarcely less known in the United States". By toiiay's standards, she may have been less than liberated. By the standards of her time, she was an important tlgure in Canadian feminism. Victorian Order