More than 70 men and women, including members from five neighbouring branches, attended a 100-year anniversary celebration for the Mary Riley Women's Institute (MRWI) branch at Eagle Hill Memorial Hall on Oct. 15.
In 1917 area resident Mary Riley convinced 12 local women to start the local Women's Institute branch, originally called the Garrington branch, after hearing Mary MacIsaac speak in Bowden.
The name was changed to honour Riley, the branch's first president, in 1940.
As it has for 100 years, the branch still supports local community projects, including the food bank and women's shelters.
Some of our members have held Alberta Women's Institute (AWI) positions, including at the constituency, district, education, and handicraft levels, attending conventions at Olds College for many years.
One Mary Riley member even travelled to England for the World Conference of the Associated County Women of the World.
At the Oct. 15 celebration three women received 25-year pins and corsages - Marie Sheets, Shirley Felker and Peggy Farrer.
Ruth Paton was honoured with a poem from Margaret Dinnssen, then pinned with her 40-year pin and corsage by Brenda Willsie, past AWI president.
Brenda then honoured the seven men from this district who have received the federal level award as started with Erland Lee of Ontario, who helped start the Women's Institute movement. The three of the seven men attended and received boutonnieres.
Everyone was invited to join the nine current members of Mary Riley WI as we sang O'Canada with Shirley Shrader at piano.
Copies of our creed were distributed so all could say the Mary Stewart Collect (written creed), which was adopted for WI groups in 1917.
Shirley Felker, secretary, gave a short history of our branch. Colleen Barr recalled some memories of her parents Archie and Vi Houston, who are direct descendents of Mary Riley.
The meeting's roll call (where all members make short addresses) included early memories of joining MRWI.
Brenda Willsie recalled her mom Bernice Willsie bringing her to meeting as a young child and meeting lots of other kids.
As acting constituency convenor, I (Carol Brown) spoke about convenor Glady Sholtz being involved in a 1967 project that saw local WI's asked to help with Centennial Park in Olds at $2 per member.
Marie Sheets, current branch president, called on Diane Dammon, our president elect of AWI and federal representative, to give greetings. Ken and Lynn Heck brought greetings from Mountain View County and the Eagle Hill Hall Board.
Congratulation messages were read from MLA Nathan Cooper and MP Earl Dreeshen as well.
We finished the celebration with God Save the Queen. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a WI member from Scotland.
Then there was time for tea, coffee, cake and fruit service on lovely decorated tables, with AWI cups and blue and white flower centrepieces.
