The submission from British Columbia, prepared by Jane B. Burden, was titled Pageantry in British Columbia. It reads, in part:

“British Columbia is a new country in which fifty years is very ancient history, so that except for a wealth of Indian legend and tradition, there is strictly speaking no pageantry which can be described as belonging to the Province. Although British Columbia does not celebrate the memory of Captain George Vancouver locally, the Native Sons of British Columbia  send a wreath every year to place on his grave in Petersham Churchyard, but neither at Victoria nor at Vancouver is there any public demonstration.”

Ms. Burden goes on:

“Empire Day, May 24^th, is a Dominion Holiday, and everywhere it is celebrated with processions and and pageants etc., in which old and young take part. In the smaller communities the Women’s Institute is the leading spirit in planning the festivities, arranging in cooperation with the school teachers dances, drill, and sports by the school children, providing the refreshments and frequently “putting on a dance” for the grown-ups to end a long and hilarious day.

 In many places the Institutes have revived the old English May Day ceremonies as part of the Empire Day celebrations. A May Queen, chosen from among the school children, is crowned with fitting ceremony, and supported by detachments of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, watches over her subjects for the Day. In many towns it has become an established custom, which appears to be increasingly popular with old and young. The illustrations* show celebrations at Coquitlam and Vernon. The Queen usually receives a small gift from the Institute to commemorate her royal estate.”

If possible, we will include the two photos*, but they are quite dark and may not reproduce well.

This book “What Country Women of the World are Doing” is one of a series edited by Mr. Watt, but the only one of which I have a copy. It would be wonderful to have a full set, but I doubt that is possible.

The preface of this book, in closing, reads:

“This issue, “FESTIVALS NUMBER,” of “What the Country Women of the World are Doing” is the first of what we expect will be an important and authoritative series of special aspects of home and community life. The fortunate possessors of the previous volumes will have a comprehensive account of the organized activities of country women. With this and coming volumes on cookery, country homes, and so on, will form an interesting country women’s shelf in your library. This series ought to be of growing interest and value as the place country women play in our social and economic development is better appreciated.”

Yours For Home and Country, Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historian, British Columbia Women’s Institute

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Some of the issues which were mentioned in this brief are still with us today – probably addressed to some degree, but still needing more funding, or planning. One such issue as cited in Point 7: In rural areas, housing for the healthy aged is seldom a problem, but the  provision of good Home Care Service for these people is greatly needed and nursing home beds, in their own environment, are needed for those who develop into chronic cases and who cannot be looked after at home.

It does not seem to matter what area of our province this matter is raised in, the community response is very much the same: We need more beds, more facilities. As the life expectancy for seniors climbs, so do the numbers of citizens who require assisted living. In some areas, the balance of nursing home beds available to the list of those patients on the wait list is at a manageable, if not fully acceptable, ratio. But we hear of some patients waiting for months for the call that tells them a bed is ready for them! Such a wait can be difficult  for the patient, as well as for those loved ones who struggle to give them the necessary care, as best they can, at home.

One area that the Brief cited was Cancer Control and Treatment. Perhaps here we have made greater strides than in some other areas. With the expansion of Cancer Clinics to more British Columbia cities, more patients are being treated closer to their homes, but what about the patients from the more remote areas? Is there still a problem there – if so, is this something we should be pushing for?

The final point I would like to address is immunization:  At the time this brief was prepared, the authors wrote: The Immunization programme in this province seems to be well in hand. Our Public Health Units and Public Health Nurses are to be commended on their work in this field. Since naturally acquired immunity is practically a thing of the past, there should be no slacking, but rather more vigilance in this field.

 In recent years there has been a push by special interest groups to encourage parents to reconsider having their children immunized. Now, slowly that thinking is being questioned more and more. Here, is more vigilance on our part required? Our children are the citizens and leaders of tomorrow – surely anything that can be done to promote better health for them, not only in childhood, but throughout their life span should be continued –  so said Women’s Institutes in 1962, and I believe this is still true.

The Women’s Institutes everywhere, not just in British Columbia or Canada, but world wide have promoted better health care, upgraded nutrition, higher hygiene standards and improved conditions for children and families. Great strides have been made here at home, and throughout the Third World where the Associated Country Women of the World, in cooperation with the United Nations, have financed and operated improvements for villagers and town people alike. To each of you who have supported these activities, Congratulations! And keep up the good work – the world and it’s children need all of us!

Yours For Home and Country, Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historian, British Columbia Women’s Institutes

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Recently I found the following poem, published in a column by “Dear Abby”. Introducing it, she wrote: I recently published a prayer entitled “Slow Me Down, Lord” and asked help from my readers in identifying its author. I received letters ascribing it to Norman Vincent Peale, Cardinal Cushing, a medical missionary in Mexico, a Methodist preacher in Bridgeport, Connecticut, a Jewish Chaplain in Texas, the president of Redlands University in California and a Chicago advertising executive who is supposed to have composed it “while reflecting on the hurrying masses below his office window.”

 But I believe I have found the actual author. He is Orin L. Crain, secretary-treasurer of Typographical Union No.283, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He wrote it five years ago while in Indianapolis. It was intended as a “gentle reminder” that “employees who work at a steady pace  without hurrying do better work and more of it than those who need a little slowing down!”

Mr. Crain’s poem:

“Slow me down, Lord!

Ease the pounding of my heart

By the quieting of my mind

Steady my hurried pace

With the vision of the eternal reach of time.

Give me,

Amidst the confusion of my day

The calmness of the everlasting hills

Break the tensions of my nerves

With the soothing music of the singing streams

That live in my memory.

Help me to know

The magical restoring power of sleep,

Teach me the art

Of taking minute vacations of slowing down

to look at a flower

to chat with an old friend to make a new one

to pat a stray dog

to watch a spider build a web

to smile at a child

or to read a few lines from a good book.

 Remind me each day

That the race is not always to the swift;

That there is more to life than increasing its speed.

 Let me look upward

Into the branches of the towering oak

And know that it grew great and strong

Because it grew slowly and well.

Slow me down, Lord,

And inspire me to send my roots deep

Into the soil of life’s enduring values

That I may grow toward the stars

Of my greater destiny.

In his letter to Dear Abby, Mr. Crain wrote, in part: “I am well paid if it makes you happy. Keep it or share it with your friends.”

Mr. Crain wrote the poem in 1957, but, to my thinking, it applies even more to today’s pace. Do we each need to stop, read this poem and think a little about the pace we are setting for ourselves? I know it has helped me just to work with it, and I hope it helps others out there as well.

The Women’s Institute is known for it’s work ethic, and our track record shows many, many achievements. So this summer, take some time for yourself, relax and rest up. When September comes, it will be back to work – there are many things yet to be done!

Yours For Home and Country, Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historian, British Columbia Women’s Institute

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In  his book, What Country Women of the World Are Doing, Sholto Watt, son of Madge and Dr. Alfred Watt, covered the June 1933 meeting in Stockholm, Sweden at some length. Here it was the name the Associated Country Women of the World was chosen and written in four languages on the blackboard: English, French, German and Swedish. It was here also that Madge Watt became the first President of the organization, a position she held until she submitted her resignation at the Amsterdam Conference  in 1947. Thirty country women’s organizations reported in 1933; in attendance were, among others, the Crown Princess of Sweden, and notable women representing the nations who had sent delegates.

A simple Constitution was presented and adopted unanimously. Mrs. Watt was elected President, and eight Vice Presidents were also chosen: Mrs. F. Conant, USA; Mrs. Godfrey Drage, Wales; Mrs. J. H. Fairfax, Australia; Countess Keyserlingk, Germany; Lady Tiphaine M.  Lucas, UK;  Fru Michelet, Norway; Mrs. O’Connor, South Africa; Mrs. de Soysa, Ceylon. A very international group!

Those attending this gathering from June 26 to 30, 1933, shared an abundance of information on what the various societies were doing in their home countries. Mrs. W. R. Lang, Legislative Convener, Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada, spoke of the Children’s Peace Gardens along the frontier between Canada and the United States. “A wistful sigh went up from the European delegates when Mrs. Lang ended: “Why cannot there be flower gardens instead of fortifications  along the frontiers of Europe?”

In the course of the Conference, it was suggested by Frau Carla Meyer that “ on certain days Mrs Watt might broadcast to the countrywomen all over the world. This was supported by many delegates. Mrs. Watt replied that requests  that she should broadcast had already been received, and said that if the Societies wish that she should do so, they would have to approach  their own broadcasting authorities and, through these, the British Broadcasting Corporation.” That was certainly a good idea,  and showed great forward thinking, however, it would have taken some considerable cooperation and negotiations to achieve it!

Another session addressed certain aspects of health problems. A member from New South Wales, Australia spoke about the possibility of cooperation by the countrywomen of the world in a campaign to promote the development of health consciousness in the rising generation. A delegate from the International Council of Nurses gave an account of what was being done to organize a nursing service in the extreme north of Sweden.

The account prepared by Sholto Watt and printed in this slim volume shows discussions on matters of interest to people everywhere, and a solid grasp of what issues needed to be addressed. I am grateful to Helen Geissinger for giving this book to me, and affording an opportunity to share some of it with you. Many of the issues discussed there are still with us, in a little different form. But we have come a long way from the fledgling organization established there, and we have achieve many gains in the years since then. Keep up the good work!

Yours For Home and Country,

Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historian, British Columbia Women’s Institute

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How that the time for these two gatherings has come and gone, and the world has been set on its ear by the COVID 19 pandemic, perhaps it is time to stop and reflect on the impact of this disease on ourselves, our organization and the world in general. We had never heard the terminologies : STAY HOME, STAY SAFE  or PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING nor agonized over the nightly newscasts updating the number of new cases and, worse yet, the numbers of deaths here in British Columbia, across Canada and throughout the world.

Not only were the two conventions altered, but the average Women Institutes, also. Firstly,no more gatherings, later that was amended to gatherings of no more than 10 people. Most halls were closed indefinitely. So, forward looking women in the WI discovered ZOOM – and to the time of writing, branches and Districts have been using this form to stay in touch with each other and to make decisions on what we can and cannot do under the current circumstances.

Next, plans were made to hold our Provincial Convention by ZOOM – another innovation to adjust to the changing times. For the first time in our history, the British Columbia Women’s Institute Provincial Convention was held “on-line” June 12, 2020. Thanks to the members who researched, learned and then instructed the rest of us so we could participate! It was quite an experience for us all, and well received by members. However, we missed the personal interchange that is such a large part  of Provincial Women’s Institute gatherings. In short, it was new and great, but many hope we get together face-to-face in 2023!

So, what are we learning from this this winter’s flu season? First, that the 1918- 1919 flu season was not a fluke, nor was it a one time only event. Considering that, and wondering what the women in this province did to help curb and overcome that earlier pandemic has given us a push toward creating innovations to help overcome today’s virus. Yes, it has been a trying time, a worrisome six months or more, but we will survive!

So put on your thinking caps, and see what else we can do to continue our efforts For Home and Country. How better can we cooperate with the Health officials to contain the virus? What about wearing masks?

Continuing stay at home when encouraged to? And finding new ways to stay in touch with family members and friends who live at a distance so that when this pandemic passes,  and it will, we will be ready to redouble our efforts to help everyone return to normal – however that is defined at that time.

As they say many times, in many circumstances, THIS TOO WILL PASS!

Stay safe, stay happy,

Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historian, British Columbia Women’s Institute

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” Be it resolved that British Columbia Women’s Institute urge the British Columbia Government to enact legislation to ban the sale of single use non compostable plastic dog waste bags and instead encourage products and methods that are proven environmentally safe and will degrade into natural substances.”

Reason for this Request:

• BC has no legislation to prevent or discourage the ongoing use of non compostable plastic bags for disposing dog waste
• Plastic bags made from traditional petroleum/natural gas products take up to 1000 years to break down ( ocean crusaders.org)
• Non compostable plastic bags eventually do break down into micro plastics infiltrating watershed and soils
• These micro plastics are entering the food chain and will have long term implications for animals and mankind
• There are 8.2 million dogs in Canada and the average dog produces 152 pounds of waste per year ( Canada Animal Health Institute 2019)
• In the Westshore area of Victoria 640,000 dog bags are used each year ( Victoria News, Oct 24/2018)

There are many environmentally safe methods and products commercially available for the disposal of dog waste.

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But there have been a host of Women’s Institute branches who have come and gone over the past 110 years, and some of them have been in quite remote areas of the province. The first one that comes to mind is Trinity Valley – I can just hear some of you “Never heard of it!” I am not surprised. When we were preparing the History Book in the years 2002 to publication in early 2008, there were several like these, and although we were successful in finding material on some of them, some like Trinity Valley, have still eluded us.

What little we do know, is that this Institute was located in what we now refer to as the North Okanagan-Shuswap District. Trinity Valley Women’s Institute was formed in 1940 and operated until 1942. Like so many others that were incorporated in the years immediately prior to, and during World War 2, they fell awry of the relocation of many families in this time period. With so many men enlisting in the military, small communities suffered an outflow of residents, which also included the families of the enlistees. Unfortunately, the only physical evidence of this Institute is a small black and white photo that appears on page 110 in 100 Years of  B. C. Women’s Institutes 1909 – 2009.

Some other short-lived Women’s Institutes include Milner WI in the Fraser Valley which operated from 1923 – 1926; Deerholme WI in the Duncan area of Vancouver Island which functioned from 1939 until 1941 and  Burns Lake in Bulkley-Tweedsmuir – 1954 -1956. There were numerous others: Williams Lake WI opened in 1981 and went into abeyance in 1984, also Chetwynd active from 1960 to 1963. However long they served under the Women’s Institute banner, they have added to our history, and we acknowledge their contributions.

There is one other that I can tell  you more about. I think everyone knows where Tete Jaune Cache is located. Although they were only active from 1946 until sometime in 1948 – 1949, some of their record has survived, and I wish to share that with you. They worked closely with their community:

• awarded a prize to the boy and girl of the school with the neatest book and another prize for the student with the best behaviour
• donated $10.00 in memory of late President Mrs. Clark to the McBride hospital which was used upon request to purchase a prenatal stethoscope
• Community Christmas tree – Mothers asked for a gift for their children, and the Institute spent about two dollars on each child.
• A member took in the child of a woman in the community who was leaving town for an operation, and another member sent a parcel of clothing to help
• They sent a letter to the Minister of Public Works regarding the road to McBride: “That this meeting go on record as imploring the Provincial Government through its Minister of Public Works to open up the road to McBride and keep it open, and be held responsible in case of complications arising though lack of needed medical assistance.”
• Aided in hot lunches in the school
• Annual community picnic with bingo and a dance
• Helped the teacher with a small picnic on the last day of school

They also offered a community social gathering, free of charge, plus the sale of sewing articles their members had made.

These groups have all passed into history, but they did their share to help make British Columbia a better place to live, and to enhance and expand their communities. Our thanks to each one of them for their efforts!

Yours For Home and Country, Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historian, British Columbia Women’s Institute

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This volume, printed in 1933 was edited by Sholto Watt, Madge Watt’s youngest son. One feature is a 21 page section titled Some Biographies of Country Women. In this, I found notes on 19 Canadian women, including Mrs. Watt. In addition to Mrs. Watt, there are Mrs. J. D. Gordon and Mrs. J. F. Price from British Columbia.

The entry for Mrs. Gordon, reads, in part: “President of the Provincial Board of the British Columbia Women’s Institute; Head of the Soldiers Settlement Home Service Branch after the War. President of the Board of Directors of the Provincial Women’s Institutes 1927. Well known throughout the Province as a Judge of Women’s work at the fairs.

Mrs. Gordon was elected Provincial President in 1927, and held that position until 1936 when the next Provincial Convention was held. In addition to her work with the Women’s Institute, she was very active in social reform and was a member of the Women’s Temperance Union and Victoria’s Red Cross Auxiliary.

Mr. Watt’s entry for Mrs. J. F. Price includes:  Publicity Secretary, WI’s of Canada. Journalist, special WI writer. Wrote and placed articles on development of WI’s in Canadian school histories. Keeps WI news in forefront rural and women’s papers. Maintains syndicated service of WI activities to Canadian papers and magazines. Lives in Alberta and takes prominent part in Alberta WI’s.

Mrs. Price moved to Point Grey in 1933 and became very active with BCWI, serving several terms on the Provincial Board.

The Canadian women that Mr. Watt choose to include in the Biographies measure up very well with the women from other countries and I think I would be remiss if I did not include Mrs. Watt’s biography:

Watt. Mrs. Alfred, M. A. M. B. E.: Member First Advisory Board of Women to the Government of British Columbia. Member, Senate, University of British Columbia. Honours Graduate, Modern Languages and History, University of Toronto, and First in English. Contributor, Canadian and American papers on literacy  criticism. President, University Women’s Club, Victoria, 1912. Delegate from British Columbia Government to International Conference 1912; from Canadian WI’s to Paris, 1921; from Board of Agriculture, England to Brussels, 1919; Rome, 1923;  Brussels for N. F.W. I, 1926; London, 1929; Vienna, 1930;  and Stockholm, 1933. Founder W. I’s in England and Wales 1915. Member N.F.W.I. Executive since 1925. Chairman, Agricultural Section. Member, Organization and Agricultural Committees, N.F.W. I. Chairman, Liaison Committee and first President of the Associated Country Women of the World. Has country home, with farms, Vancouver Island, Canada.

Many Canadian women have followed Mrs. Hoodless’ vision, finding like-minded women in all areas of the world, while offering assistance, education and friendship.

Yours For Home and Country, Ruth Fenner, BCWI Provincial Historian

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