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By Sandra Egger ast April, a few interested women attended the regular meeting of the Canboro Women's Institute at the home of Audrey Ricker. The New Branch Organizer for the Area - Isobel Booker - spoke at this meeting about the history. aims and objectives of the WI. In August, this core group of interested women who attended the April meeting gath- ered to brainstorm about program topics for a new Branch. keeping in mind they were busy with their families and worked outside of the home. They suggested guest speakers on the following topics: financial planning. farm safety. learning disabilities, interior decorating, women‘s issues (from the perspective ofn local .omen doctor or lawyer), and public health. In September, women were contacted by phone and a notice about the organizational meeting was put in the local paper. Fourteen interested women came to my home. Audrey Ricker. Board Director for Haldimand East. and Regina Wagter, District Secretary, guided us through our first meeting. Our guest speaker was one of our own mem- bers - Laurie Vanden Hurk. She spoke and presented slides on Tanzania. Laurie, her hus- band, Ted, and their three Children have spent two terms in Africa sponsored by the United Church of Canada, At our October meeting. we signed our charter. We called ourselves the Oswego Friendship Branch - Oswego after the creek that runs through the corner of the Town- ship where most of us live. and Friend- hip because of ‘hat we share. In November we held a ‘craft night.‘ and in December, a ‘family night‘ with a pot luck supper. In preparation for this profile a questionnaire was circulated at the potluck supper asking two things: Why did you join the Women‘s Instia tute'l, and What do you hope to do for your community? Some of the responses are outlined below: "To get to know my neighbours better." “I wanted an opportunity to gel to interact with neighbours and Iriends. And to take an active part in salety aspects and to help others in the community." "My mother-in-Iaw is very involved in WI, so I wanted lo find out whatil was like. It is a good chance to make new friends and meet neigh- bows." "To get out with women my own age and do something for my community, and yet for myself too. " "I'm impressed by the accomplishments ol the WI in Canada and wanted to be a part of this community-based organization working to im- prove our homes and country. I wanted to get to know neighbours better, and to develop the kind olnefghbourhood support network that I grew up with. After we become better established we will understand what issues are important to us all and try to find ways to address these. " “To meet women the same age and to get in- volved in my community. To make our community a safer place for our children. “ "WI has been a part of my lamin for many years and now I feel I have some time tojain such an interesting organization and meet with my neigh» hours on a regularbasis. [I wanted] to keep our community a sale, friendly place for my children to grow up. " Sandra Egger i: the Prerident oflhe Oswego Friendship Women ’5 Insliture Branch. The Oswego Friendship Women's Institute members from left to right are: Laurie Vanden Hurk, Wilma lpema, Sandra Egger, Helen Tiersma, Joyce Kirkpatrick, Manon}; Hoekstra, Diana Langeraap, Pat Flicker, CindyHuitema, and Laurie flicker. Profile: Ruth Ella Riehl of Brunner 'rr uth Ella Riehl fondly remembers September. 1926, when a new one~room school was opened in her community of Elmhurst. and how that same year a support group came into being â€" the Elmhurst Women's Insti- tute. Ruth Ella was elected President ofthis newly~formed WI Branch and one of their first projects was to supply the school with some necessary fumish~ ings. The Institute fed over 200 people at a fowl supper in the new school and raised enough money to buy a tower bell for the belfry, a “comfortable” swivel chair for the teacher. and a piano with an adjustable stool. In addition to WI work. Ruth Ella had plenty of work to do at home as the mother offourboys. includingtwins. In addition. during herdays as afarm wife, she made meals for a fifteen member threshing gang who travelled from farm to farm. In retrospect, Ruth Ella was truly a community leader. She exemplifies the very principles on which the Women's Institute was founded - For Home And Country. She has held all ot'thc offices at the Branch level. and always encoura aged and supported W1 projects and community concerns. At 10] years of age, Ruth Ella Riehl has seen many changes take place in her lifetime. She was born Ruth Ella Parke ham ofDownie Township and has lived her life in and around the Strattord area. She is a delightful conversationalistand vividly recalls the early days of living in rural Ontario. Home & Country. Spring '94 13