Policy and Procedures Manual - Update

              place tor the women and children to sit and wait, or for the mother to feed and change her infants,
as most towns usually did not have a public toilet, or even restaurant. It was not so much the fact
that women's needs were neglected as the fact that the prairie society put the interests of men
before women." The Women's Institutes in the prairies recognised this need in 1910. and
addressed it.- 4 The establishment, and maintenance, of this vital resource was high on the list of
priorities.- 5 The early rest room was usually a rented room in a private home, 2 6 furnished with cast
off or donated furniture.^ Regardless of the size or the quality of furnishing, this small room
responded to the needs of women for self respect and companionship. 33
This was only the start of their community involvement. Every group prepared layettes for
the newborn in the community, or maintained a "• Mother's Bundle."- 0 The " Mothers Bundles"
were prepared in cooperation with the I. O. D. E. and the U. F. W. A for expectant mothers, who
found themselves unable to provide for their new arrivals. Since 1935, the A. W. I, had sent out
451 layettes, containing clothes made by its members.'" The Homemaker's Club in Woodlawn
" DonnaNorell, '" The most humane institution in all the village': Die Women's Rest
Room in Rural Manitoba." Manitoba History 11 ( Spring 1986) 38
2 4Cole, " Education. Community Service, and Social Life" 26
^ o r e l l . " The most humane institution" 39
:° Ibid. 41
*? Ibid42
: sIbid 38
:°" Alberta Samaritiaris,"( Title), N. A.( Place), N. A., September 1938, pg 26
"° The Story of the Alberta Women's Institute. 1909- 1955 21