About PEIWI
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The Women’s Institute was first founded by Adelaide Hoodless in Stoney Creek, Ontario in 1897. In April 1913, the Department of Agriculture introduced Women’s Institutes into this province for the improvement of home and community life. The first official organization under the Department of Agriculture was formed at Marshfield in 1913, but previous to this, in 1911, a branch was formed at York known as the Alpha Women’s Institute. Many groups were formed following this and the first Annual Convention was held in 1914. |
In P.E.I., there are approximately 110 branches with a total membership of approximately 1500. The Provincial Board is the governing body of the Federated Women’s Institute of P.E.I. Directors are elected from the members by the members themselves and represent the various branch Institutes. These elected representatives form the Provincial Board of Directors and formulate policies, provide leadership and act on behalf of the Women’s Institute members of P.E.I. The P.E.I. Women’s Institute is a member of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada which has a membership of over 13,000.
It is also a constituent society of the Associated Country Women of the World which was formed in 1930 and has societies in over 70 countries with a worldwide membership of over 9 million. Membership at the branch level gives an individual affiliation in PEIWI, FWIC and ACWW
