Empowering Women and Communities
How would you like to be a voice that is heard, make a difference in your community or learn a new skill?
Join British Columbia Women’s Institute!
Our Vision Statement
Women interested, Informed and Involved in Building a Better Tomorrow.
Who We Are
The Women’s Institute is an organisation for women who, by working together, expand their skills, broaden their interests and work together to improve conditions in the home, the community, and around the world through Service, Self-Fulfillment and Sociability.
Our Accomplishments
The WI has always been in the forefront of important issues such as :
From 1929 - 1938 WI campaigned the “ 3R-s” program, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
From 1949 - 1958 WI documented the existence of the Dogwood Flower Family in all ares of BC and influenced it being chosen as our floral emblem
1999 - 2008 - Campaigned against the use of Genetically Engineered Foods, opposed the introduction of terminator seeds
Started the first Buy BC campaign in the 1930’s
Successfully lobbied for changes to Dower Act, rewritten in 1947 so husband needed his wife’s consent to sell the family home
‘Agriculture in the Classroom’ developed by a WI member and introduced in BC schools
Founders of Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island (formerly—Queen Alexandra Center for children (Victoria)
Founders of BC Children’s Hospital (Vancouver)
Home Economics in Canadian Schools
Scholarships
4-H sponsors
Establishment of public health units province wide
Lobbied BC Tel for a special number for quick response to traumas and accidents, 911 was adopted in BC
Produced a set of Centennial History books . . . and much, much more!
These just a few of our many accomplishments and efforts to make our homes, communities and country a better place to live.
“What does WI mean to You?”
“I spent many years involved with a national service organisation and when I retired from that, I spent quite a few years wondering what the heck to do with myself. One of the Sinkut W. I. members literally hounded me to join as she had discovered this ‘Phenomenal group of ladies who turned her life around!’
After being out of the “volunteer loop” for a while, it is wonderful to be back among a group of non judgemental ladies, working for the same causes I believe in and all of whom I am so happy to say are friends of mine! Thank you Sinkut WI!!!”
-Christine Reinke
“I joined the WI after being invited by a friend. I enjoyed the fellowship and the opportunity to work with like minded women doing work for the betterment of our community.
I am a full-time working Mom of two school aged boys. I like that through the WI we can write resolutions to our government lobbying for changes we see that need to take place in our community.”
-Kim Coy
What Can WI Do For Me?
WI can be whatever you need it to be.
If you are looking for friendships and an organization to belong to the WI is for you.
If you are looking to learn new skills, WI promotes all those important skills such as cooking, preserving, sewing and gardening.
If you want to make changes to your communities and province, you can do so through local initiatives, campaigns, and resolutions.
WI works for all women because it is an organization based on fostering friendship and inclusion.
Ready to Join?
Women and women’s needs are at the heart of our organization. We offer opportunities to learn new skills, make new friendships, and make real changes in our communities.
I joined BCWI for the support, knowledge and love. I joined so I could better serve others and for the laughter and memories that I will carry with me forever. I finally found where I fit in and it was through the support and encouragement of some of the finest ladies anyone would ever wish for.
— Dayna Almond
History
We are proud of our history and how much we have accomplished for our communities and families. The Women’s Institutes have been active in BC since 1909. The legacy of friendship, inclusion, and being a voice for change is a strong and will continue as we welcome more women to join us moving forward.
Adelaide Hunter Hoodless
“In 1897, at Stoney Creek Ontario, Adelaide Hunter Hoodless' dream of an organisation to help women learn to better manage their homes and be more effective in preparing their children for the future came to fruition with the founding of the first Women's Institute.
Designed as both a place of learning and a source of friendship, it brought together the women from the countryside where they could share their knowledge and bring other women to teach them what they could not find for themselves. Whether it was how to make better bread, to preserve food, or to learn of remedies for children's illnesses, understood by other members, but new to newer mothers, this was welcomed by all who attended. As well, in the early days of settlement in rural Canada, it helped to assuage the loneliness and sense of isolation that many women faced. But most importantly, it included ALL the women of the area, without the divisions brought by different faiths, personal opinions on politics, or the barrier of racial differences.
“The Women's Institute was a bright new innovation, created in Canada, by a Canadian woman, who was ably assisted by Mr. Erland Lee of the Ontario Farmer's Institute. Initially designed for rural women, over the years women from all walks of life have joined to help themselves, as well as others and to help address the needs of their individual communities. Mrs. Hoodless believed that the education of women should be directed toward "a special attention to sanitation, a better understanding of the economic and hygienic value of foods and fuels, and a more scientific care of children with a view to raising the general standard of the life of our people."
“What was a dream for Mrs. Hoodless was now a reality; and in the time since 1897, millions of women, here and abroad, have joined together to build their own area of their country, and to assist others at home and overseas. The friendship factor should never be overlooked: this is the hallmark of an organisation that some joined "because it was there" and the longer they remained members, the more dedicated they became. There must be something very right about an organisation that records individual memberships of 50, 60 and 70 years duration!”
Read More History from our Archives
Board Members
President
Shelly Simrose
I’ve been a member of Sinkut WI starting 37 years ago. After taking a few years off raising our 2 daughters and 1 son, I rejoined approximately 20 years ago. I have held the position of branch president for the past 15 years. As well I served as president for 5 years for the Central Interior District, and as vice president. I was elected to the BC Provincial Board in 2018. In this time I have been the Chair of the Victoria Salliss Creative Arts Legacy Committee. I have enjoyed all the new friendships and the learning of so many things.
Email : simroses@bcwi.ca
Vice President
Susan Hoszouski
Susan has been a Women's Institute member for many years. At Branch level she has held all offices and headed many committees, including fund-raising, home economics, etc. over the years. Susan was also very active at the District level holding all the offices at that level also. She has previously served on the BC Provincial Board and was Provincial President from 1999 to 2001, then continued on to the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada Board for a couple of terms. In 2000 she became an individual member of the Associated Country Women of the World and has been fortunate to be able to attend many world conferences. At present she is the BCWI ACWW Co-ordinator. A position she enjoys tremendously.
Email : suehoszouski@gmail.com
Director
Vicki Hess
I became a W.I. member in 1974, while taking my grandma to the meetings. My mother was a lifetime member and helped start the North Blueberry W.I. I guess W.I. is in my blood.
The past few years I have been the president of the Cecil Lake Recreation, I spent quite a few hours grant writing for Cecil Lake and helping other communities. Vernon was going to have to shut their seniors home down because their heating system was going to cost more than they could afford. I was watching the news on TV and saw this. I phoned down and spoke with the director of the home and helped them get the funds for their heating system.
I guess I am one person who likes to help and see progress, that is what I have learned of myself.
Email : vickihess7@icloud.com
Director
Fay Van Horn
As a young mom, I joined Quick WI and was lucky enough to have the mentorship of the likes of Barbara Jeffery, Elvira Harding and Ivy Middleton. After a few years, I went back to work and joined Glenwood WI as they had evening meetings. With Glenwood I have held the positions of Director, Secretary and President, currently President/Secretary.
Glenwood belongs to Bulkley Tweedsmuir District, and I have held positions of Director and President of the District. Most currently I have been a Provincial Director for two terms, and worked on Resolutions for all of you. I have the time to devote to Women’s Institute even though I spend three months of the year out of the country with Internet magic, I don’t miss anything.
I have been married for over 50 years to Jim, have three adult children, six grandchildren and one adorable great grandson who is almost on year old. We do lots of camping in the summer, mostly with family, and Jim devotes lots of time to gardening in an attempt to grow as must of our own food as possible.
Email: telkwatofsrud1@gmail.com
Director
Judy MacLeod
Hello, my name is Judy MacLeod and I am so pleased to be a new director on the BCWI Board.
I have been a member of the Horsefly WI since 2012 and currently the President, I am also the Vice President of the Cariboo District Board.
I first got involved with the WI because of my mom. I spent probably the first year as Faye's daughter and that was okay. Mom is gone now but she was so happy when I became Vice President in the region, now going to the next level as BCWI Director, I can see her just smiling away, proud as punch that I continue to be active in an organization she was proud to be a member of. I stay involved for me and my community and getting involved with the Provincial Board just seemed to be a natural progression. I will do my best to represent my area and our members.
Email: justjudy@live.ca
Director
Kim Coy
My name is Kim Coy and I am currently the Colwood Branch President. I have been a member of Colwood WI for the past 7 years. I have been working as the Director on the BCWI Board since 2019, with a one year leave of absence. I am an Early Childhood Educator and I have been operating childcare programs in my community since 1993. I am also a certified Baseball Coach and have spent many years coaching youth Baseball. I have two teenage boys and a husband of 23 years at home as well. I live in Sooke BC and enjoy spending my time on the beaches, in the forests, and on the ball fields.
Email : kcoybcwi@gmail.com
Director
Judy Roste
Hello, my name is Judy Roste, I am a sheep farmer in Cecil Lake and I work for the Transfer Station. I grew up around WI as a child and joined the Nor’ Pioneer WI in 2007. Since then I have been on the Board as President, Secretary, Director and Vice President. I have attended many of the BCWI Triennial Conventions. I look forward to working with the BC WI board.
Email: jroste@hotmail.ca
BC Representative to FWIC
Brenda Devauld
Email: bdevauld8@gmail.com
I joined because I had to get out of my shell. I had just retired from being a Care-Aid due to my health issue. As I look into the history of what the WI has done, I stand proud as a member. I too love volunteering for home and country.
— Dannica Turner
Ready to Join?
Your local branch is waiting to welcome you! Join the women province-wide leaving an impact on their communities and making life-long friendships.