Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario

The Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) is a not-for-profit charitable organization with affiliations around the world, working with and for women in Ontario.^[1]

History[]

The FWIO was organized on February 6, 1919, when it became apparent there was a need for the coordination of the work of the Branch Institutes. The FWIO was incorporated under The Agricultural Associations Act by an order-in-Council of the Government of Ontario, dated May 11, 1921. Through the provincial organization, the Women's Institutes of Ontario are able to speak with authority as one voice.^[2]

Origin and growth of women's institutes in Ontario[]

In 1897, Adelaide Hoodless was invited by Erland Lee to speak at a Farmers' Institute Ladies Night in Stoney Creek, Ontario where she suggested the formation of an organization for rural women. The next week, on February 19, 1897, the first formal organization of a Women's Institute took place in Saltfleet Township.^[3] The original Branch is now known as the Stoney Creek Charter Women's Institute, by Ontario Regulation 352/78.^[4]

Organizational structure[]

The Branch is the basic building block from which the Women's Institute has grown since its inception in 1897. In Ontario, Members belong to a network that connects Branches to Districts and Areas, as well as to the provincial (FWIO), national () and international (Associated Country Women of the World) levels of the organization.^[5]

See also[]

• British Women's Institute
• Women's rights in Canada
• Erland Lee Museum

External links[]

• Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario
• Federated Women's Institutes of Canada
• Associated Country Women of the World

References[]