History Supplement of the Alberta Women's Institutes

              HISTORY SUPPLEMENT OF THE ALBERTA WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
CONVENTION SPEAKERS INCLUDED:
Mary Lou Armstrong, representing the Library Action Commit­tee.
She expressed a need for improved Library Services in Alberta,
stating that twenty five percent of the population have no access to a
library and that some schools do not have any libraries. She re­quested
that A. W. I, write Mr. Horst Schmidt, Provincial Minister in
charge of Libraries, expressing our support for improved library
services.
Honorable Helen Hunley, banquet guest speaker spoke about
the " Role of Voluntary Organizations in today's Society": She ex­pressed
a continuing need for organizations of volunteers such as
the Women's Institutes. She stated there is a trend in evidence today
that Governments will be expected to do some funding for the volun­teer
organizations in the future.
Mrs. J. McLean, F. W. I. C. President commended the provinces
across Canada for the work each is doing in its particular area and
stressed that Institute members have an important role to play now
and in the future. She commented that women are opinion builders
with power to bring about changes by standing together demanding
action. She urged women to support women running for political
offices because of their capabilities. She urged that we be aware of
laws affecting women and stressed that responsibility goes hand in
hand with rights and that we should let the World know there are
still women who believe in a strong society.
Mrs. Martha Bielish, Chairman of the Northern Canada
Women's Institutes spoke about the Institutes in the North ( now
diminished to only three, two Branches in the North West Ter­ritories
and one in the Yukon). She stated that the native people are
uniting trying to get their land claims settled while the women are
getting involved in obtaining their rights and are thus too busy to be
interested in homemaking— thus the reason for the fewer Institutes
in the North.
Mrs. Morrisroe expressed her appreciation of being given the
opportunity to represent A. W. I, at the ACWW Conference in Perth,
Australia, October 8- 18, 1974. She gave a short commentary about
what transpired at the Conference and showed slides taken at the
Conference and of her travels throughout Australia and New Zea­land
following the Conference. There were 604 articles on display in
the Handicraft rooms. " Pennies for Friendship" netted $ 175.37.
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It is a time for dynamic action and to promote equality but she
warned, et quote, Flora McDonald: " We do not want to see Women's
Rights" advanced to the detriment of the role of Mother and House­wife
since that role is still the key to our Society today".
Honored guest attending the Convention was Mrs. J. McLean,
Nova Scotia, the President of the Federated Women's Institutes of
Canada.