History Supplement of the Alberta Women's Institutes

              HISTORY SUPPLEMENT OF THE ALBERTA WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
50
ALBERTA WOMEN'S INSTITUTES GIRLS' CLUBS
1955- 1974
The story of the Alberta Women's Institutes ( 1909- 1955), written
by Mrs. Cornelia Wood, included a section on A. W. I. Girls' Clubs
from the time the first Club was organized in 1918 up to and includ­ing
the 34th annual Convention held at Olds in July 1954. Space does
not permit announcement of all competition winners at each Con­vention,
however all are recorded in the A. W. I. Report Book pub­lished
biennially.
A. W. I, has a responsibility to the Girls' Clubs because it was
through them it was created. It is their responsibility to support
them financially as well as give moral support and show interest in
them by providing leadership and attending Conferences and
Achievement Days. Voluntary contributions from Institute
Branches to the Girls' Club Fund assist the girls to attend Conven­tions
who would otherwise be unable to attend.
For years the Girls' Club received a grant of $ 150.00 from A. W. I,
plus $ 50.00 for the printing of the Convention Report. Today A. W. I,
gives them a $ 500.00 grant annually, this amount to include the
printing of the Report Book. Membership was .250 for years but is
now .500 per member. Age of members range from six years to
eighteen years, accepting all nationalities and religious denomina­tions.
The A. W. I. Girls' Club Supervisor is appointed by A. W. I, and
she chooses her own assistant. It is their duty to plan the Convention
and mail Newsletters regularly. The Girls' Club President is elected
annually at the Convention. The Secretary for the Convention is the
one who sends in the best Club Secretary's reports during the year.
She will have all expenses paid to the Convention at Olds.
The Club uniform is a white blouse for " Purity" and the green
skirt symbolizes " Loyalty". The Club Crest is worn on the left shoul­der.
At one time a green and white beanie was worn but it is no
longer a part of the uniform. They have Club spoons and pins. The
Club colors are white and green.
Scholarships for years included a $ 50.00 Scholarship awarded to
a member or a former member of the Club toward her University
Education. ( First winner of this award was Audrey Chaba, Redwa-ter,
who entered the Fall Term to take Home Economics). A $ 75.00
Alberta Wheat Pool Scholarship was awarded to a girl who is plan­ning
on entering one of the three Colleges in the Province.
CLUB PROGRAM:
The Club's five point Program includes a study of Social Ser­vices,
Health, Citizenship, Agrilculture and Home Economics with
sessions on Handicraft and Public Speaking, as well as additional
activities for girls interested in cultural pursuits. Club meetings
include demonstrations, sewing, crafts, practice public speaking,
scrap book making, short story and poetry writing. Members learn
how to conduct a meeting, how to become good hostesses and how to