In 1889, an eighteen-month old child in Ontario died from ingesting impure milk. Because of his mother’s grief and drive to understand what happened, this child’s death has had positive results that have encircled the world. Adelaide Hoodless probed her son’s death until she concluded that the problem lay with the milk that was delivered to her household that summer. Milk was delivered in open cans, and in the heat of an Ontario summer, the cans were surrounded by hordes of flies. Had Mrs. Hoodless known to boil the milk before giving it to her child, this tragedy could have been avoided. Once she understood the solution rested in educating the mothers, she set about designing an organization focused on delivering that education.The Founding of The Women’s InstituteWith the assistance of Erland Lee of the Ontario Farmer’s Institutes, she spoke to a large group of women, and some of their husbands, at Squire’s Hall in Stoney Creek, Ontario. Her impassioned address swayed the women. She reminded them that the Ontario Government offered more information and instruction to their husbands on the raising of livestock than they did to women on the raising of children. The evening grew late, so they decided to return the following week. So it happened on February 19^th, 1897, again in Squire’s Hall, when 101 women founded the Stoney Creek Women’s Institute – the first in the world. The organization came to British Columbia in 1909 and found fertile ground!A Continuing Interest in Food SafetySo the organization was founded in 1897 on an issue of food safety.  If we fast-forward to 2009 – what is one of the major issues today? Food Safety! Whether you look at the problem of genetically engineered foods, or the outbreaks of salmonella, e-coli, or listeriosis, or even at the issue of how far some foods are moved before they reach a dinner table, there are reasons to be concerned.Finding a SolutionThe problem with the milk in the 1880’s was solved when pasteurization became mandatory. What will it take to solve today’s food problems? Part of the solution definitely is the arousal of the population, focusing their efforts to oblige governments and importers to address these issues. The Women’s Institutes were founded to address such an issue – we are still here!Do you have concerns about food safety in your community? Leave a comment or email me at bcwi@bcwi.caInterested in learning more about the history of BCWI?  A set of books about BCWI's rich history are available at our on line store. To find out how to order or more info click on British Columbia Women's Institute - 100 years of BC Women's Institutes 1909 - 2009 and take advantage of our Christmas Special of $50 per set plus shipping and handling until December 15, 2011.Look for another piece of WI's  history next month!Ruth