History Supplement of the Alberta Women's Institute

              HISTORY

SUPPLEMENT

OF

THE

ALBERTA

WOMEN'S

INSTITUTE

distributed without cost to women around the world. As requested at District Conferences, the A.WI. Council set up committees to study Structural Changes and Provincial Office, and to present their findings to Convention. I was privileged to lead the A.W.I. delegation to the 12th Triennial Conference in Lansing, Michigan, September 1968. To meet the women representing two hundred organizations from every continent is truly an unforgettable experience. I was able to secure funding for two Native Women, Christine Daniels and Edna Shirt, to attend the ACWW Conference under A.W.I. visitor status. Both were extremely grateful and they have become leaders among their people. Immediately following the ACWW Conference, A.W.I. in cooperation with FWUA arranged a tour of the Province for Mrs. Aroti Dutt, President of the Associated Country Women of the World, from Calcutta, India. Her talks and visit made a lasting impression on those who heard her. She cautioned us to accept our responsibilities in regard to our Native People. I served on the executive of the Indian Eskimos Association on the Provincial level and was elected to the Board of the Indian Eskimos Association of Canada. I also served on the Provincial Board of the Alberta and N.W.T. division of the Canadian Red Cross Society. I tried to -keep members informed of their programs and encouraged them to assist whenever and wherever possible. A good relationship was maintained with Canadian Mental Health Association, Unitarian Services Committee, Co-op Women's Guild and the Consumers' Association of Canada. I attended all F.W.I.C. Board meetings and served on the Resolutions Committee. I was elected Member-at-Large in 1967. Correspondence was maintained with ACWW headquarters and A.W.I. representatives in London. Mrs. R. McMullen kept A.W.I. well informed and she did a great deal on our behalf. I feel that we shall always owe her a debt of gratitude. Mrs. McMullen resigned in 1968 and Mrs. L. L. Palmer was appointed. Both Dr. and Mrs. Palmer were Albertans, so once again we were very ably represented. A marked increase in contributions to Pennies for Friendship was noted in this four year period. The work of the Alberta W.I. Girl's Clubs continued under the leadership of the Supervisors with financial assistance from Alberta Women's Institutes. The 1969 Convention with "Challenge of Change" as the theme, presented many challenges for changes: The role of women; the role of the family; rate of change in cultural development; the changing rural scene; changes presented by the structural committee and the office committee. Lively discussion and vigorous debate followed each presentation. Very few were willing to accept facts as presented. Very few were ready for changes. Delegates agreed that travelling expenses of delegates to the Provincial Convention should be paid by their respective Branches on a pool rate basis. 26