On Saturday, March 26, 2022, eight of our Women’s Institute (W.I.) ladies met at the home of Joan Stroeder for their final meeting.
We had the honour of having Ellen Waye, president of Bruce County District, and Marion Leifso, secretary of Bruce County District W. I., at our meeting.
Brenda Meyer read the minutes of the last meeting and the correspondence.
Donations were given to Walkerton and Hanover hospitals, Brucelea Haven (activity programs), Walkerton and Hanover food banks and Saugeen Hospice (south build).
This being our last meeting. It was bittersweet, as we will miss each other’s company and social times. Low membership and ladies all getting older helped make this big decision.
Southline Brant Women’s lnstitute was formed May 13, 1934 and would have completed 88 years as of May 2022.
Hopefully this group of ladies will stay in touch with each other and continue our great friendship.
The Women’s Institute organization began in 1897 and will be 125 years old this year.
Southline Brant W. I., along with other branches, have many accomplishments including the following:
– Raised money to donate for student scholarships.
– Roots of Bruce education for Grade 6 students – Women’s Institutes supplied the dinner with homemade pies.
– Institutes also provided dinners and homemade pies for Farmers’ Week in Elmwood.
Institutes advocate for change and have supported resolutions to improve health, safety and well-being of people and the environment, for example, a safety arm on school buses, having local abattoirs use product of Canada Labels, removing glass in cereals, requiring roll bars on tractors, wash/dry clean labels instructions on fabrics, and banning balloons for celebrations etc.
The local branch did yearly roadside cleanup along the Southline for 20 years, as well as the following:
– Led and sponsored programs for 4-H clubs.
– Supported local fall fairs with money and participated in the Women’s Organization exhibit.
– Held R.O.S.E. (Rural Ontario Sharing Education) programs to educate members of the community – these included Lyme Disease, Vision Health, Heart and Stroke Disease, Laughter the Best Medicine, Hospice etc.
– Had guest speakers at our monthly meetings to educate our members.
– Gave donations to local charitable organizations.
– Made and donated handmade quilts to Participation Lodge for their fundraising auction.
– Visited and presented to local shut-ins a small gift at Christmas.
– Good cheer cards were sent to individuals in the community.
