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Samâ€"WWW digitized by Jim Austin OUR SUPERINTENDENTS THROUGHOUI THE YEARS MR. JOHN i. EODSON. ISM-lei Mr. John I. Hodson was the Superintendent of Farmers‘ Institutes in Ontario when the formation of the first Women's Institute was authorized 3: 'veu in schedule A. of the Act and Rules Governin Farmers’ Institutes n nutomatically became the first Superintendent of omen’s Instituteii. For many years Mr. Hudson had been prominent in Municipal and Agricul- tural matters, heingiui examiner in Agriculme and Live Stock at the Ontario Agriculture College in Guelph and chairman of the College Board. For fourteen years Mr. Hudson had been a. most acceptable lecturer at Farmers’ Institute meetings and was aware of the growing interest shown by rural women in community refining and had often ex ressed the hope that the day was not far distant when each Furniers’ Institute would have a Women's Institute afiliated with it, and that young women as well as young men might receive special training in pre are them for life on the farm at a Provincial School where farmers' daug tern would be taught Home Economics. Mr. Hudson only lived to see the organization of two more Institutes, that of South Ontario at Whitby and Grey North at Kernble. DR. GEORGE C. CREELMAN, 1899-1904 Professor George C. Creelman was appointed to succeed Mr. Hudson in 1899 and remained Superintendent of Institutes until 1904. When he retired to assumerhie duties as President of the A icuIturnl College in Guelph he retained his keen interest in the growth of omen's Intitutcs. In addressing the Women's Institute deleitates at the Third Annual Con- vention in Guelph in 1904 the Mocdonsld Institute course in Home Economics was introduced. Dr. Creeiman, as President of the College, said, "I welcome you here with a. full heart, because I feel in a sense you are in children. "I have felt ever since I graduated from this initltutlofl O-A-Cv) that while we had met with success in bringing about improved conditions of agriculture, there was a want in the farm home that was not being touched. When I was Superintendent of Farmers' Institutes I felt there was some- thing lacking. The delegates reported improvements in silos, in form build- ings, in stock, machinery and implements hut there was no one to tell me that the farm home was better Ventilated. and the homestead growing more attractive and convenient so I thought ‘Young man. here is an opportunity for on to do something in this line. If you do not undertake it you will not he oing your duty to the State’ ”. Thus Dr. Creelmim aided in setting.“ the Home Economics course for girls. fl 7» .p __.f MR. GEORGE A. PUTNAM, 1904-1934 The name of George A Putnam BSA became closel intern ’ l . . . . ’oven in the story of l{Vernon’s Institutes during the thirty years train 1904 to 1934 uhich he was its Superintendent In lilo long term of oil-ice he saw the gradual xggggzent of the organization grow in numbers from 5,433 to 42,000 Mr. I’utnam was a native of Elgin Corintv and after his ' gylmer HIP}! School took a business course ilnd later joined mdgtldlimogrtli: ntnrm _Agr‘icultural College as renzistrar. and secretary to the President of that institution. He_ remained zit the CoIieoe for twelve Wears until his epâ€" pomtment as. Superintendent of Women's Institutes of {interim The Institute was oriii'mnlly a rural homemakers’ organization but it was not lone before women of vision and earnestness saw that their had a Eesponsibflity and opoortunitv in addition to their home duties, Communitv- _ourekeeping demanded their attention, and they chfll'l to take an active interest in schools. librarieahneirlected cemeteries. relief. civic improvement and fig;- proJecta which require the nil-operation of the whole community ' greatest latitude was allowed the nmcers and members with. the that many original ideas were developed into fine community enter- iesul . . tnum very wisely used the information cumin ' basis for- ecial consideration. He excelled in program pantriingsai'idmieeefied for 3the local Institutes nnri_conventions qualified instructors and lecturers line deifieloping- throth this method an organization which provided on" / 01.3110?th for individual growth, increasing home efiiciency: introd cing tic-operative methods. establishing hit-h standards for community activities ' and vidin lier - . MR. GEORGE A. PUTNAM and Eregvice. g “c'l't‘” 1'" “mt” -“m"3°ment and social intercourse 1904-1934 Co);7/.77LL50 0'77 inc/(f Pajs M ,i M, A _,7.