The Douglas Trail was constructed in the fall of 1858. This was the first public works project on the mainland. It was initiated by Governor Douglas to ensure food and freight could be transported to the goldfields inland.
The B.C. Women's Institutes are celebrating 100 years as an Institution in 2009.
Women's Institutes were created by Adelaide Hoodless in Stoney Creek Ontario in 1884. Adelaide Hoodless was assisted by Erland Lee, a founder of the Farmer's Institute. Adelaide desired to form an institution whereby rural women, often isolated from each other, could gather and share information related to homemaking and domestic science. "Let them educate a boy and they educate a man; let them educate a girl and they educate a family" , Mrs. Hoodless remarked during a speech in 1904. Within one decade Mrs. Hoodless had pioneered against all odds two tremendous projects; the teaching of household science and the training of teachers in this subject. This was during a time when child mortality rates, particularly in rural communities, was still a real threat to families attempting to settle across the Canadian wilderness. The Women's Institutes went on to become a worldwide organization.
From it's earliest beginnings, the Women's Institutes across Canada were a beacon of light for women, keen to better the fortunes of families in "home & country". Women's Institutes contributed greatly to war efforts, lobbied governments for access to medical services in rural communities, and assisted with many community improvement initiatives close to home and province. They also organized social events like pot lucks, flower shows and fall fairs. The W.I changed the world of women who often lived at a distance from each other while forming a bond between country and city women.
In 1909, Laura Rose organized the first Women's Institute in B.C. - 15 clubs to be exact. She said, "Wherever there is a home with a woman in it, there is work for the Institute". The Pemberton Women's Institute began in 1940, according to Molly Ronayne, who joined in 1949. Their first flower show and dinner was held in the Upper Valley Hall. Mrs. J.O. Decker was the first president and Margaret Fougberg was the first secretary/treasurer.
Frances Effie (Booth) Decker, moved to Pemberton in 1927 with her husband John Decker. She helped to organize the first W.I. in Pemberton and became it's first president. Her essay, "Our Institute Takes a Forward Look", brought distinction to her branch when it won the Tweedsmuir Silver Cup in 1949. She served as director, vice-president and president on the North Fraser Board and in 1952 became provincial citizenship convener. Two years later she was elected a director on the provincial board and the following term became vice-president. In 1959 she became the B.C. president and for 4 years served as provincial representative on the federated board.
"On this 100th Anniversary of the Women's Institutes, there is pride in knowing that through the decades, the Institute has maintained the integrity with which it still speaks from a basically rural base while remaining a respected and strong voice for responsible, sustainable agriculture and a positive force in women's lives".
Iona V. Campagnolo, PC, CM, OBC, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, 2001-2007.
A special exhibit can be viewed at the annual Pemberton Women's Institute Strawberry Tea, the afternoon of July 7th. Also, check our photo gallery for archival images celebrating this important milestone for B.C. Women's Institutes.
Tags: pemberton, womens, institute, exhibit, celebrate
