The Alma Women’s Institute held a special meeting and afternoon tea in May to celebrate the publication of its historical book Alma Women’s Institute 1973-2017.
The 177-page collection on the workings of the institute was compiled by longtime members Ruth Grose and Marg Hall.
“Ruth, Bessie Bosomworth and I originally met at Mabel Trask’s house, using the living room floor to sort gathered materials for the book,” Hall said. “After many meetings and a lot of hard work the book has come together. The book is a legacy for future generations.”
Grose got involved with the project as one of her many passions is history.
“I was probably the only one who could type and the only one who knew how to use a computer,” she quipped.
Alma Women’s Institute 1973-2017 tells the story of the institute over the past 44 years. The introduction contains the history of the Women’s Institute of Ontario followed by details surrounding the formation of the Alma Women’s Institute.
The first meeting of the Alma Women’s Institute was held on April 19, 1973 at the Alma Public School. Seventeen women became charter members during that meeting. Today three of the original members, Grose, Hall and Pat Salter are still actively involved.
The historical book contains numerous photos of Institute members along with articles, poems and stories collected over the 44 years of the institute’s existence.
Scattered throughout the book are pages paying tribute to the lives of members who have passed on.
One large section, titled Our Family Tree: Who We Are and Whom We Came From, focuses on the family trees of institute members.
A number of contributions by members highlight stories about grandmothers.
The final pages of the book are filled with member biographies.
“History is a labour of love that allows you to reminisce when you read or hear things that you had forgotten,” Hall said. “We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the book.”
Special invitations were sent out to family members of Institute members who have passed on or were unable to attend. Fifty five copies of the book were presented to those in attendance.
