The first Women’s Institute was established by Mrs. Adelaide Hoodless on February 19, 1897 in Squires Hall, Stoney Creek, Ontario. The Women’s Institute’s main goal is for women to come together and to learn more about community betterment, child rearing, health issues, agriculture, and whatever else is deemed advantageous to its current members. In 1899 the first government organizer, Miss Laura Rose, came together with Mrs. Adelaide Hoodless and together they chose the WI motto “For Home and Country”. This motto is still used throughout Canada and in many places around the world.

In 1909 there were 25 women’s institute branches established in British Columbia. The first one in BC Was founded at Gordon Head on September 28, 1909. Our Colwood branch was established in 1910, originating from the Metchosin branch. The advent of the BC Women’s Institutes created a change in the social lives of the membership. As women met and planned community events, exchanged knowledge, they grew to know one another. As they met more regularly it brought a greater sense of community and fellowship amongst the local women.

In 1914, with the support of the department of agriculture, Mrs. Alfred (Margaret (Madge)) Watt of Metchosin BC established the first Women’s Institute of England at Llanfair, Wales. It was patterned after the institutes in British Columbia. She also went on to found the Associated County Women of the World. Women’s Institutes are now present in countries worldwide.

Over the years, the Women’s Institutes have assisted Fellow Canadians in a variety of ways ranging from putting first-aid kits in schools, helping to establish children’s hospitals, funding scholarship programs, supporting troops during wartime’s, assisting local families in need, teaching healthy agricultural growing practices, sharing info on child rearing, to participating politically on a global level. The focus of the Women’s Institute is on Community Betterment, Health, Agriculture, Education and building friendships.

The first benefit of belonging to a Women’s Institute is the friendship that is fostered among the members. Friendship never goes out of style, nor will people ever lose their need for it. Out of that friendship, the members will find projects that will assist others in their community, as they learn something new from each other.

Excerpts from: — 100 years of BC Women’s Institutes 1909-2009 —

“The real value of life can only be gauged by what it gives to the world.

The service we render to others is really the rent we pay for our room on this earth.”

— Sir William Grenfell

Want to know more about the Colwood Women’s Institute"?

With our fundraising efforts we support:

• Our local schools directly with growing programs

• BC Children’s Hospital

• Local families with the extra costs over the seasonal holidays

• Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island

• Educational bursaries for local students

• Other WI Branches in their endeavors provincially and federally

• We politically pursue important local issues with our governing bodies

Membership fee is $50.00 per year:

• Your level of participation is up to you. We are happy to have you as a new member!

Benefits of Membership:

• New friendships with other women

• Helping to make a positive change in your local community

• Hosting community events for families

• Having a political voice in women’s issues provincially, federally, and internationally

Day meetings held on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 pm - September-May

• for women who prefer to meet in the day

Evening meetings held on the first Wednesday of the mon at 7:00 pm - October-March

• for working women who enjoy crafting and meeting in the evening