Early Beginnings: 1897-1919
|
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, the wife of a local farmer.
Erland Lee, a member of the Farmer's Institute, and his wife Janet were instrumental in setting up the new organisation, supported by the Ontario Government, which appointed Laura Rose to be the first organiser in 1899. This website history relates to the Buckinghamshire Federation of WIs. If you would like to broaden your understanding, there are national history pages via this link: https://old.thewi.org.uk/about-the-wi/history-of-the-wi 
Ladies of Stoney Creek WI - Photo CR from NFWI webpage
|
Adelaide Hoodless University of Guelph Library, Archives and Special Collections
University of Guelph Library, Archives and Special Collections
|
1915
The Women's Institute Movement in Britain started in 1915. During the First World War it encouraged countrywomen to get involved in growing and preserving food to help to increase the supply of food to the war-torn nation.
The first WI in Britain was formed under the auspices of the Agricultural Organisation Society (AOS). The AOS Secretary, John Nugent Harris, appointed a Canadian, Madge Watt, to set up WIs. The first one to be formed was at Llanfair PG on Anglesey, North Wales.
1916
By this year, 40 WIs had been formed. The AOS set up a Women's Institute sub-committee to oversee the work, and Lady "Trudie" Denman was appointed Chairman.
1917
The number of WIs in Britain had risen to 137.
The first WI in Buckinghamshire was formed at Ivinghoe (later to become Ivinghoe and Pitstone).
The number of WIs in Britain had risen to 137.
The first WI in Buckinghamshire was formed at Ivinghoe (later to become Ivinghoe and Pitstone).
1918
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.
WIs were formed at Ley Hill and Little Kingshill.
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.
WIs were formed at Ley Hill and Little Kingshill.
1919
From the beginnings of the National Federation of the Women's Institute members wanted to have a badge.
The Canadian Badge had been designed for the first WIs in Ontario by Miss Laura Rose.
It 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.
WIs were formed at Bledlow Ridge, Chartridge, Hambleden, Hyde Heath, Long Crendon, Maids Moreton, Sherington, Stokenchurch, Stoke Poges & Wexham and The Lee.
From the beginnings of the National Federation of the Women's Institute members wanted to have a badge.
The Canadian Badge had been designed for the first WIs in Ontario by Miss Laura Rose.
It 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.
WIs were formed at Bledlow Ridge, Chartridge, Hambleden, Hyde Heath, Long Crendon, Maids Moreton, Sherington, Stokenchurch, Stoke Poges & Wexham and The Lee.