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The Women's Institute was founded in 1897, in Stony Creek, Ontario. Its original purpose was educating rural women so they could improve their lives through domestic science. One of the founders, Mrs Hoodless had lost her son after he drank contaminated milk. Hoodless believed similar deaths could be avoided if women had more knowledge. Hoodless said, “A nation cannot rise above the level of its homes, we women must work and study together to raise our homes to the highest level possible.” The group quickly grew, with BC getting its first branch in 1909. It soon spread overseas.

Percy Worrall was born in England on May 12, 1904, to Mr and Mrs John Worrall. The family moved to Fort Langley in 1919. Percy Worrall became a member of the Fort Langley Farmers' Institute and served for a time as its president. He was one of the founding members of the Fort Langley Board of Trade, and a charter member of the Fort Langley Restoration Society. With his father he started the Fort Langley Athletic Club. Percy was a painter, an accordion player, wood carver, and a poet who wrote poems about the area. He also enjoyed researching local history. Percy died at the age of 79 on March 9, 1984. Percy was interviewed in 1976, see SR-002 B for the interview.