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in GM: e‘TTE By Jeff Rowe Staff writer Hundreds of friends turned out, May 20. to help members of the Prince Edward District Women's Institute celebrate its 85th birthday and to hear the history of this community)mind- ‘ed organization. The Prince Edward District Women’s Institute. as well as the Bloomfield. Wefllington. Gilbert's Mills. Cherry Valley and Moun- tainView brancth celebrated 85 years as organizations at the event while it was the Consecon Branch’s 80th . District president Marlene ‘Corfield welcomed those in atten- dance. about half of whom were from branches outside the counâ€" ty. and .also acted as the evenings emcee. Following a splendid dinner, ‘prepared and served by members of the Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodge. repraentativw from each of the celebraimg branches cut a large birthday cake. lilossie Tripp, Bev OlShea May 205 1993 Nora Barber Marlene Corfield Miary Ellen Slosson ACTIVITIES Women's Institute member Audra Brickman [in hat). who ha Next on the agenda was the evening's guest speaker. Dr/ Ellen McLean. Past President of the Associated Country Women of the World LACWW). who spoke about the women she encounâ€" tered while travelling the world during her term. The ACWW is the only inter- national organization of country women and homemakers with its millions of members living in more than 70 countries on all five continents. One of its aims is to raise the standard of living of women and their families all over the world and every Women‘s Institute member is also a mem- ber of ACWW. ' “In talking about women in action around the world. I don‘t have much to say to you tonight." McLean told those gathered. “You are a prime example of women in action. I think about your annual arts and craft sale, what a fantastic opportunity it is for publicizing the Women‘s Institute and what it does. as well as raising money for the worth- while projects to which you give funds." The speaker then talked about the women she encountered in such nations as Iceland and Zimâ€" babwe as well as on isolated islands in the South Pacific and the headway these women have made in pursuit of a better life, She also focused on the Coun- try Women‘s Association of Aus tralia. which disputed the Aus~ tralian government's plan to burn a stockpile of wool. The president of the organization there lobbied the government to allow its 50,000 members to use the 3 million bales of wool as materialior: knitted clothes for the underprivileged. Paraphrasâ€" ing Winston Churchill, she said, “Give us the wool and we will fin- ish the job." She also talked about the donations Canadian Women's Institutes have sent to sister goups in developing countries. explaining the difference that the money has made. ‘ McLean concluded her speech 5 been involved with the organization for 76 years. and district president Marlene Cox-field cut the birthday cake while representatives =l'rom each of the celebrating branches look on. Local WI branches celebrate anniversary by saying. “This is the kind of action we need you to continue to improve the quality of life for women. In all you action projects, even if your raise just $10. it makes a difference." ' ', A review of the history of L Women's Institutes in Prince . Edward County followed the speaker with representatives ‘ from each of the celebrating 3 branches reviewing a specific facet of the organization‘s past. ‘ For example. the Mountain View branch reviewed the organi- zation‘s activities in support of the community over the. years. including the establishment of local libraries. the care of cemeâ€" teries and the donation of refiig- l erators. light fixtures. curtains ! and other items for area town . halls. Other topics covered v. included education. health and . the popular arts and craft sale. . The evening ended with the ‘ introduction of the new Prince Edward District Women's Insti- tute Executive and the singing of . the national anthem .‘ , Audra Briclcman, Geri Manlow, Marlene Corfield, Elda Brooks, Norma Hamilton, Rena Cunningham / , Flt? r.)