In June 1868 Margaret “Madge” Rose Robertson was born in Collingwood, Ontario, so this year we mark her 154th birthday. As Madge Watt, she is a Canadian woman who left her mark not only in Canada, but around the world.

If she were alive today, she would be asking each of  us this question: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO CELEBRATE THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE??????

February 19, 2022- 125 years to the day since Adelaide Hoodless and Erland Lee brought those 101 women together and created a new organization designed to be the voice of rural women, and to help them make their lot in life easier. At that time, rural women had literally no voice to be heard on matters that concerned them, and they had little to no influence on Government legislation and/or programs. They could not vote or hold public office. Truth to tell, they had very little time to devote to such matters, for housekeeping for rural women was an enormous amount of work, with few, if any labour saving devices to lend them a hand.

WE HAVE COME A  LONG WAY, Ladies!

But the struggle is not yet over. Women are not paid at the same rate as men for doing the same work. And that is only a beginning. But we are miles ahead of what our grandmothers and great-grandmothers had to do in the home

So, back to this anniversary that should be celebrated not only by rural women, but all women. We need to get out and CELEBRATE! I realize our activities probably will be limited by the seemingly never-ending fight with COVID, but local newspapers are still being printed – so step up and provide them with a good news story  - something that your branch or District has done recently, or something  you are currently working on. This is the time to blow our own horns, let the rest of the world know we are still around and functioning.

 - The resolution on a greener method if cremation, Alkaline Hydrolysis, is as up to date as tomorrow's news. It addresses one of the issues that is influencing and aggravating the climate change issue.

 - I believe most of our members are responsible and cooperative members of society, so very likely have had their three shots of COVID vaccine and abide by the Government recommended restrictions on gatherings and other activities.

The list could go on and on, but me writing about it, and you reading this about it isn't the whole story: We need to put some action behind it and really get the ball rolling. And if, in the meantime, it generates interest in the Women's Institute, and in turn results in more members who are enthusiastic about our plans, that would be a wonderful bonus!

Please, don't just think about it, TAKE ACTION!

 Yours for Home and Country, Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historian, British Columbia Women's Institute