Photo cutline: Whitewater Historical Society president Clare Stoppa, front row, right, accepts a cheque from Women’s Institute members, front row from left, Lena Oattes and Jane Mottershead. In the back are, from left, institute members Mary Campbell, Eleanor Tabbert, Sheila Broome, Ruby Bennett and vice-president of the historical society Mac Coughlin. Photo by Travis Turcotte
By Travis Turcotte
Museum Interpretive Guide
WHITEWATER REGION (Foresters Falls) — The Whitewater Historical Society received a generous donation to Ross Museum from the Queens Line Women’s Institute.
The society commended the Women’s Institute on the splendid window display that was featured at Ross Museum the past few weeks.
Mr. Turcotte welcomed a group tour of family members of the women’s institute. Members of women’s institutes from across Ontario gathered for a convention in Pembroke from June 20 to 24.
Other exciting news for the Queens Line Women’s Institute includes having members Sheila Broome and Sheila Wallace featured in a recently published book celebrating Canada’s 150. The book was launched at the convention on June 20th. You can find both of their stories in the book, Ordinary to Extraordinary.
Women’s institutes around the Ottawa Valley have functioned as an important building block for communities over several generations. The first women’s institute was actually started in 1897 at Stoney Creek, Ontario. The original objective of these institutes was to teach housewives safe health, nutrition, and education. This was the result of Adelaide Hoodless’s son dying from drinking raw milk. The various women’s institutes around the world continue to commit themselves to volunteering and maintaining a positive impact within all of their own distinctive communities. With over a century of history, the women’s institutes offer a resounding testimony as to the goodwill and kind-heartedness of the people within this community.
Thank you to Ruby Bennett for all of the background information regarding the women’s institutes.
