Cheryl Gallant, MP being served breakfast by White Lake Women’s Institute member Wendy Jonkman, at their breakfast fundraiser during the annual White Lake Community Garage Sale
Cheryl Gallant, MP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke was pleased to rise in the House of Commons to recognize the upcoming 100th Anniversary of the Renfrew South District Women’s Institute (RSDWI). With branches in Burnstown, Balsam Hill-Horton, Castleford, Calabogie, Glasgow, Lochwinnoch and White Lake, the RSDWI has actively worked together for family, home, community and country.
“I am pleased to recognize this year’s anniversary executive, President Margie MacKenzie, Past President Irene Robillard, 1st Vice-Pres Joanne McDonald, 2nd Vice-Pres Jo-Anne Camelon, Sec’t Ellen Martin, Treas Jane Flain, Tweedsmuir Curator Sara MacKenzie, PR officer Lynn Clelland, assistant Curator Marlene Schaly, advocacy co-ordinator Lillian Collins, and membership co-ordinator Anita Schubrink,” stated Cheryl Gallant, MP.
An important contribution by the Institutes to preserving the history of Canada, are their Tweedsmuir Community History collections, named in honour of Lady Tweedsmuir, wife of the 15th Governor-General of Canada, who started the Governor-General’s Literary Awards, Canada’s most prestigious book prize. New this year is the RSDWI’s Oral History project.
The week of February 18th is “Women’s Institute Week”. Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) has more than 4,500 Members in nearly 350 Branches across the province. Congratulations to the Renfrew South District Women’s Institute for its century of service!
41st PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION Thursday, February 14, 2013 Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, Conservative):
Mr. Speaker, celebrating their 100th anniversary are the members of Renfrew South District Women’s Institute, with branches in Burnstown, Horton, Castleford, Calabogie, Glasgow, Lockwinnoch and White Lake. Members of these seven branches actively work together for family, home, community and country.
The objective of the first Women’s Institute branch, formed February 19, 1897, was to improve women’s skills in the art of homemaking and child care. Through high-quality education and support programs and services, Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario’s original focus expanded to include personal growth opportunities, government lobbying and health and community wellness initiatives.
I am pleased to recognize this year’s anniversary executive: Margie MacKenzie, Irene Robillard, Joanne McDonald, Jo-Anne Camelon, Ellen Martin, Jane Flain, Sara MacKenzie, Lynn Clelland, Marlene Schaly, Lillian Collins and Anita Schubrink. Congratulations to the Renfrew South Districts Women’s Institute for its century of service.