I have put together a series of slide presentations about the Women’s Institutes as part of my final project for ADED 380 Teaching Technologies,. Their present format is as yet incomplete, however, they are for the most part finished in terms of being a demonstrative part of the project. This presentation outlines just a few of the Adult Educational programs that were already in place around the turn of the 20th Century.

1. Alison Parvin
ADED 380, Summer 2013

2. As a precursor to our introduction to the Women’s Institutes, let’s look at
just a few of the Canadian Adult Education movements and organisations
that were around at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th Century.

3.  Frontier Camp
 Saskatchewan Grain Growers
 Imperial Order of Daughters of the Empire
(IODE)
 Council of Women – Local and National
 Victoria Order of Nurses (VON)
 The University Women’s Club

4. ‘Education must become a reality for all citizens, since
enlightenment and healthy citizenship is a better asset than
ignorant and filthy slaves.’ (Cook, 1970, p40)
 Born 1862, studied and
became a Reverend.
 Started Frontier Camp
in 1899.

5.  Logging, mining and
railroad camps.
 Labourer/Teachers:
worked alongside
labourers during the
day and taught them
at night.
 Reading, writing and
arithmetic.

6.  Continues today.
 110+ years of history.
 www.frontiercollege.ca
 ‘Literacy.
Learning for Life’

7.  Violet McNaughton
 Born in England,
emigrated to Canada with
husband John in 1909
 Formed Women’s Grain
Growers Association 1913
 Agitated for numerous
reforms that improved the
lives of farm families.

8.  Campaigned for trained
midwives and more
nurses, doctors, and
hospitals that were
affordable and in close
proximity to all farm
families.
 Led the fight for women’s
vote in Saskatchewan.
 Influencial as Editor of
the Western Producer

9.  Upheld the assimilation to the ‘British culture and way
of life’ (Sheehan, 1970, p56).
 Neither religious (although each to their
own denomination) nor political
(Sheehan, 1970, p48)
 Diverse range of members, urban centres
ranged from mid to upper levels of the class society,
which rural areas had all levels.
 Were extremely busy socially; and used their husbands
names, e.g.Mrs Edward Jones, Mrs Charles Hepworth.

10.  Local
 ‘Community as an
extension of the home’
(Crowley, 1970, p17).
 Education and child
welfare
 Cultural and moral
issues
 Women on school
boards; war work; and
Women as citizens.
 National
 Founded by Lady
Aberdeen, wife of the
Governor General of
Canada.
 President of the council
from 1893 to 1899.

11.  The nurses were taught based on English woman and
legend, Florence Nightingale’s rules of nursing.
 Although not a movement, this was an extremely
important organisation in the emancipation of
women.

12.  The University Women's was founded in 1907
 Promoting education, rights and opportunities for
women
 Fosters fellowship among members sharing ideas,
interests, and fun.
 Early members were involved in other groups such as
the Council of Women and the Women’s Institutes.

13.  Cook. George L. 1970, Educational Justice for the Campmen: Alfred Fitzpatr4ick and
the Foundation of Frontier College, 1899-1922. In Welton, M. R., Knowledge for the
People: The Struggle for Adult Learning in English Speaking Canada 1828-1973
 Dennison, C. 1970, Houskeepers of the Community – The BC Women’s Institutes 1909 –
1946. In Welton, M. R., Knowledge for the People: The Struggle for Adult Learning in
English Speaking Canada 1828-1973
 Fenner, Ruth, 1999. http://www.svanciswomensinstitute.bc.ca/awatt.html
 Howes, Ruth, Adelaide Hoodless: Woman With A Vision, 1965
 Sheehan, N., (1992) The IODE and the Making of Imperial Citizens, 1900-1940. In
Welton, M. R., (Ed), Educating for a Brighter Day: Women’s Organisations as Learning
Sites.
 Steer, S., (1992). Violet McNaughton and the struggle for the Co-operative Society. In
Welton, M. R., (Ed), Educating for a Brighter Day: Women’s Organisations as Learning
Sites.
 Welton, M. R., Knowledge for the People: The Struggle for Adult Learning in
English Speaking Canada 1828-1973
 Welton, M. R., Educating for a Brighter Day: Women’s Organisations as Learning
Sites, 1992