The Women's Institute Angel

In a glass display box in the lobby of the Queen Alexandra Foundation on Arbutus Road, Victoria, rests a model of an angel, dedicated to the British Columbia Women’s Institute.This girl angel is lying on her stomach, with her feet raised and crossed. There is a garland of flowers on her hair, and she is reading from a book. By any measure she represents a happy and contented child –and is an example of what the Queen Alexandra Foundation and the Women’s Institutes have dedicated themselves to achieve.In 2008, the British Columbia Women’s Institute held their Triennial Convention in  Duncan, BC, and with it the first event in the year long celebrations of the 100^th anniversary of this organization. Our association with established the first fund to raise money to open the first hospital facilities for children in this province. The Board of Directors and staff at the Queen Alexandra Solarium/Hospital/Foundation began in 1922 when the Alexandra Foundation decided to acknowledge the years of our association, and commissioned the angel.At the close of the Convention in Duncan, the members traveled to Victoria where they had been invited to tea at the Queen Alexandra Foundation. Here they were greeted warmly, and the angel was presented. A brass plaque on the display case reads:

‘In recognition and celebration of the 100^th Anniversary of the

Women’s Institutes of British Columbia.

Thank you for your outstanding support of children and youth

Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children

June 8, 2008’

We are grateful for the sentiments expressed in this gift, but we certainly did not do it alone. Our association with the Queen Alex, as we lovingly call it, has been one of cooperation and mutual respect. May we work together many more years, and brighten the lives of many more of our children!