Emsdale Scotia and Area Womens Institute

For nearly 120 years, Women’s Institute (WI) Members have actively worked together for family, home, community and country. The objective of the first Women’s Institute Branch, formed in Stoney Creek on February 19, 1897, was to improve women’s skills in the art of homemaking and childcare. The Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) was organized in 1919, giving Members a stronger voice by working together as a united group. Through education and support programs and services, FWIO’s original focus expanded to include personal growth opportunities, government lobbying and health and community wellness projects. Our most notable initiative, the ROSE (Reaching Ontario Sharing Education) Program, encourages our Branches to help increase awareness and expand the skill sets of both WI Members and people in their communities. As a result, each year thousands of individuals become more knowledgeable on various social, health, domestic and environmental matters through their participation in “ROSE Sessions”. Today, FWIO has approximately 3,500 Members in over 280 Branches across Ontario.