The Role Played by Women's Institutes in Western Canada by Louise Showman (Toffelmre)

              local chapter of the W. Lo y Well Baby Clinics were sponsored by the W. I.. and frequently, if no
adequate facilities were available, were held in the home of a local member/ 3 In Saskatchewan, the
Homemakers' Clubs held baby contests to promote good child care using slogans like, " Better
Babies. Not More Babies." 7 1 The lack of facilities to care for the sick, and the distance between
centres was an important issue. The women of the W. I. provided one of the first, of several
cottage hospitals at Fairview, Alberta It opened in November of 1924 at Waterhole. Alberta"
More were opened in Berwyn. Sexsmith. 7 3 and Cereal. 7 4 The poor road conditions and distances
were hazardous for pregnant women. To alleviate the problem in Grand Prairie. Alberta in 1934.
a room was rented and set aside as a waiting room for expectant mothers so that they could be
close to medical facilities. There was a steriie medial emergency package, as well as a layette
always ready. ? This program fit well into the national W. I. objective, to help lower the maternal
death rate. 7*
'"" Institutes Work for Home and Country." The Calgary Daily Herald. Calgary. Mayl930,
29
7 0Bossetti, " Rural Women's University," 161
7 1 GeorginaTaylor. '" Should I Drown MyselfNow or Later?' The Isolation fo Rural
Women in Saskatchewan and Their Participation in the Homemakers Clubs, the Farm Movement
and the Co- operative Commonwealth Federation 1910- 1967." Women: Isolation and Bonding, ed
Kathleen Storrie ( Toronto, Methun) 82
7 2The Story of the Alberta Women's Institute 39
"' Institutes Work for Home and Countrv.' TheCalgarv Daily Hearld. May 10 1930, 29
7 4The Story of the Alberta Women's Institute. 40
" History of the Grand Prairie W. I.. 16
76" Institutes Work for Home and Country'" The Calgary Daily Hearld. May 10 1930, 29
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