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leisure, picnics
See Also: sports
Term Source: Sears List of Subject Headings (16th. Ed.)

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.