The History of Bucks WIs 1897-1919
| Early Beginnings: 1897 - 1919 |
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| Wednesday, 23 September 2009 15:21 |
 The first Women's Institute was formed in Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada, as a branch of the Farmer's Institute inspired by a talk given by Adelaide Hoodless (photo). Erland Lee, a local farmer and his wife Janet Lee were instrumental in setting up the new organisation, supported by the Ontario Government, which appointed Laura Rose to be the first organiser in 1899.
1915 1916
1917 The first WI in Buckinghamshire was founded at Ivinghoe (later to become Ivinghoe and Pitstone).
1918 WIs were formed at Ley Hill and Little Kingshill.
1919 WIs were formed at Bledlow Ridge, Chartridge, Hambleden, Hyde Heath, Long Crendon, Maids Moreton, Sherington, Stokenchurch, Stoke Poges & Wexham and The Lee. |
By this year, 40 WIs had been formed; the AOS set up a Women's Institute sub-committee to oversee the work and Lady Denman was appointed Chairman. 
The number of WIs in Britain had risen to 137. 
In order to fund the new organisation, and also to promote the handicraft work being done, the First National Handicrafts Exhibition was held at the Horticultural Halls in Westminster. At the AGM the first resolution was passed urging local authorities to take advantage of the government scheme for state aided housing. The first annual report of NFWI was published. 
From the beginnings of the National Federation of the Women's Institute members wanted to have a badge. The Canadian Badge, which had been designed for the first WIs in Ontario by Miss Laura Rose showed a monogram of WI in the centre, with maple leaves either side and the motto 'For Home and Country' surrounding this. The first known British Badge that was sold from 1919 had a monogram in the centre, with a rose on one side and a maple leaf on the other, with 'For Home and Country' around the outside. Mostly these were produced in gilt, but some badges were made in gold.