AWI Projects
Throughout its history, the Alberta Women’s Institutes (AWI) has engaged in a number of projects to establish social infrastructure, as well as to respond to catastrophic, or on-going, social needs.
The Women’s Institutes seldom required that its name be placed on signs identifying this infrastructure; so many Albertans are unaware of the debt they owe to the AWI.
A partial list of these accomplishments is available here.
Types of Projects
- In the first half of the twentieth century, WI branches raised funds to establish hospitals, libraries, cemetaries, community halls, maternity homes, and rest rooms, in addition to location-specific projects such as the pier at Sylvan Lake
- WI branches often operated the facility for a time once the money was raised
- For example, in Cereal, Sexsmith, Berwyn, and Fairview the Women’s Institutes (WI) financed and operated maternity homes and hospitals for several years
- During the Flu epidemic WI rest rooms, sometimes served as temporary hospitals
Fundraising
Over the last century, the AWI branches developed an efficient fund-raising network that could be actualized on short notice.
AWI branches and provincial executives have provided thousands of dollars, food, clothing, and household objects for Alberta families, Canadian soldiers, prisoners of war, homeless victims of the following conflict and natural disasters:
- drought in southern Alberta during the First World War
- the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918
- fires and floods
- the Great Depression
- Second World Wars
In addition, to responding to war and disaster, the AWI has taken on several causes over long periods of time; principally that of farm safety and the Cancer Fund.
Branch-led projects at Thorhild AWI
- Helped burned-out families with money and household goods
- Donated magazines and books to schools and monies to scholars with highest marks
- Presented a trophy to a 4-H Club member with the highest marks over a number of years
- Conducted bake sales, lunches at farm sales, raffles, whist drives, and quilting bees
- Sponsored workshops, organized the local annual Cancer society canvass, and donated to the Canadian Red Cross Society, the Northern Alberta Children’s Hospital fund, and the Abee Community Association
- Donated vegetables to a local hospital
- Sent Christmas fruit baskets and cards to local patients and shut-ins. Members also visit these people (Thorhild, 242).
Sources:
Wood, Cornelia. The Story of the Alberta Women’s Institute, 1909-1955 n.p. 1955.
History Supplement of the Alberta Women’s Institute, 1956-1975. n.p., 1975.
Thorhild and District History Book Committee. Building and Working Together: A Study of the Thorhild Area. Vol. 1. Thorhild, AB: Thorhild and District History Book Committee. 1985.