The Story of the Alberta Women's Institute

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In 1931 a Nurses' Home was completed, consisting of an entrance porch, large living room and three large bedrooms all nicely kalsomined and the floors of narrow fir varnished and waxed. The beds, heater, and light fixtures were paid for by the W.I and at a tea and shower such things as curtains, cushions, clock, etc. were paid for so that the home was a home indeed. The building was completely paid for and insured. A wonderful achievement in depression years: The district grew rapidly and the demands upon the hospital services increased every month. In the year 1935, there were thirtyfour major operations performed. The W.I. was faced with a big responsibility in running the hospital so arrangements were made to have a vote taken in order to have a municipal hospital district formed. The vote was successful and in 1937 the community took it over and in 1939 a Municipal Hospital District was formed and the Women's Hospital and the Nurses' Home were turned over to the Municipal Hospital Board. The original hospital building is now (1955) the home of the Sisters teaching at the St. Thomas Moore Separate schoo1. In the new, modern hospital building there are 46 beds and the W.L maintains a two-bed ward in it. The \V.I. members also contribute to the New Year's baby gifts and give complete layettes to any mother having twins in the hospital. Mrs. James Boyd, a pioneer in the north country, had much to do with the establishment of the hospital which stood for so many years as a monument to her great motherly heart and her fine, sane good s(~nse. She passed to her reward in 1936, but her name lives on in the },carts of the early settlers north of the Peace. Other faithful \V.l. workers carried on her great work and after disposing of the responsibility of the hospital, the Fairview W.I. members de-voted their time and efforts to Red Cross work at home and overseas. At the close of the war, they concentrated their efforts on building a closed arena. They are proud of their project and have contributed over $2,000.00 a year for the past six years toward it.
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CEREAL REST ROOM AND HOSPITAL

president and Mrs. Charles Layton the secretary. Their first enterprise was the rest room. The district was canvassed for funds and money was raised by the Institute in various ways. A lot was purchased from the C.P.R., a shack was soon erected on the lot and the W.I. members furnished it bit by bit, until it was a very comfortable building. When the influenza epidemic swept through the community and -40-

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