ADDIE’S ANGELS - Clue #2

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Title of Creation: ADDIE’S ANGELS’ WI LEGO QUILT #125thAnniversary #fellowship #legofun

Crafts and food have been an important part of WI’s history. A quilt symbolizes crafting and the art of women creating and working together, each one contributing time and skills to achieve a common goal. This is similar to our WISH Lego challenge! A quilting bee provided a sense of community and purpose and provided an opportunity for social interaction among women.

Our WISH Team, named Addie’s Angels (Remember Charlie’s Angels?), Margaret McPherson, Lyanne Lynch, Karen Murray-Hopf and Ronna Hoogstraten (left to right in photo) responded to the Clue #2 challenge with our ‘weapon’ of choice; the Lego Teleconnector. We connected with one another on Zoom to plan our design (refreshments were on hand) and on the morning of April 19th we gathered in the home of a WI member in the Village of Glen Morris for a Lego quilting bee while enjoying a light brunch. Forgoing the traditional tools of needles and thread, we built a 3-D Lego quilt. Like a patchwork quilt composed of many pieces sewn together to make an interesting whole, our Lego creation is made up of nine blocks to represent WI. This is our WI LEGO QUILT story told in ‘parts’.

The grey block (bottom right) depicts a scene with a couple working together on a farm. It represents WI’s RURAL roots. Created as a source of domestic education and social interaction for rural women, the Women’s Institute was co-founded by Adelaide Hunter Hoodless, and Erland and Janet Lee. Adelaide spoke at a Farmers’ Institute “Ladies Night” meeting in Stony Creek, Ontario, where she suggested forming a women’s group with the purpose to advocate and broaden the knowledge of domestic science, as well as to socialize. The group of women who met together became the first branch of the Women’s Institute. More branches soon formed in many other rural Ontario communities. The movement spread to rural areas in other provinces and eventually to other countries.

The purple block (bottom middle) shows an URBAN setting to reflect the change and growth of the WI movement during the last century. From humble rural origins, the organization is now a world wide network affiliated with ACWW (Associated Country Women of the World). WI branches exist in many different countries and membership draws from both rural and urban communities.

Displayed on the orange block (bottom left) is a book which represents knowledge and the letter ‘L’ stands for LEARNING. From its inception, Women’s Institute has believed strongly in the value of education. Adelaide’s mission to organize and educate women about domestic science began after the loss of her young child who may have drunk contaminated milk. She wanted to ensure that women had the knowledge to prevent deaths like that of her son. The figure holding a book symbolizes that Women’s Institutes today advocate lifelong learning by engaging in opportunities to become more knowledgeable on a variety of topics and by sharing their individual skills and talents with others.

The white block (middle left) provides a background for the flag of Canada which serves as a symbol for the word COUNTRY in the WI motto. The flag also represents the many WI branches in Canada including the national organization FWIC. The Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada (WI Canada) has had a long tradition of providing a united voice for WI members across the country and it continues to advocate for national directives in many issues that affect the lives of Canadians. Adelaide’s birthplace and childhood home in Brant County is a National Historic Site of Canada. The flag reflects Canadian pride that the Women’s Institute was founded in our country.

The red block (middle right) represents the social hub of WI. Fun and FELLOWSHIP are at the core of each local branch. We included a figure holding a cup, a teapot, cake, chairs, a figure playing music and another figure with a plate of food, to symbolize the gatherings of WI members. The regular meeting is a time members can take for themselves to connect, interact, and support other women. Usually there is a speaker, demonstration or activity for members to learn and develop a range of different skills. Meetings typically include a business time to discuss plans for implementing ongoing community involvement, support and advocacy. Our local branch is called, ‘Women Inspiring Women WI’. In addition to monthly meetings there are clubs which focus on a variety of interests like crafting, reading, wine tasting, gardening, and dining. Various workshops like how to make a pie, preserve jam, and make soap are often offered by members. Special events include a strawberry social, auction, theme party and so much more! The opportunity for women to socialize with their fellow WI members has been a key component throughout the organization’s history and continues to be emphasized in the 21st century.

A playground and park on the yellow block (top right) represents the ties that WI branches have with their local COMMUNITY. Volunteering time to local events, supporting local charities and improvement projects, and participating in fundraising activities to support community needs are examples of WI members’ contributions to community service and action. WI is a community-based organization that enables women to experience having fun and doing good at the same time.

A house sits on the green block (top middle) with a family outside. This signifies the importance of HOME to WI and to Adelaide Hunter Hoodless. She advocated for family education and the objective of the first Women’s Institute Branch, was to improve women’s skills in the art of homemaking and childcare. WI has played an important role in the advocacy for family health and wellness, including promoting initiatives like the pasteurization of milk and addressing issues such as poverty, abuse and gender equality. The WI motto begins with ‘For Home’.

The pink block (top left) displays a red heart, the symbol for LOVE. It represents the values of compassion, caring, empathy, and the spirit of giving and nurturing - all of which are at the heart and soul of WI membership. The WI’s pulse is its mandate for advocacy, building community and supporting families.

The centre block created in the WI colours of blue and gold (yellow) reads WI 125. This simple graphic represents the Quasquicentennial milestone of the Women’s Institute as the organization is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2022. As the focal point of the quilt, it speaks to Adelaide’s WI legacy that grew from that first meeting on February 19th, 1897, and to 125 years of WI achievements and service. Coincidently, the colours serve as a reminder to think of the people in Ukraine during this time of raging war in their country.

Going around the centre block is a CIRCLE OF WOMEN. WI is an organization for all women and people who identify as women, of all professions and ages. Its membership reflects diversity and inclusivity. The circle represents the value and contribution of each individual WI member and the bringing together of everyone as one collective group. A circle is never ending and symbolizes the unbroken bond between women in a sisterhood that empowers, inspires, and supports other women.

So that is now the ‘whole’ story of our patchwork Lego quilt which we created to represent WI. Like many beloved quilts, it symbolizes the connection between the past and the present, and the anticipation of making new memories.

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