The Women’s Institute

The Women’s Institute (WI) is a local, provincial, national and international organization that promotes women, families and communities. The first WI was established on Feb. 19, 1897, in Stoney Creek, Ontario by Adelaide Hoodless. From here the organization spread across Canada and around the world. The Newfoundland & Labrador Women’s Institute began over 80 years ago with the formation of a Service League to help victims of the 1929 Tidal wave disaster. The Port Union-Catalina-Little Catalina branch on the Bonavista Peninsula formed in 1967, and there are currently ~30 active members. In addition to volunteer projects in the community and province, since the 1990s, the branch has run craft shop/visitor information selling pieces made by local WI members, and their families.

In a special collaboration, members of the WI are making limited edition tote bags for String Games, which will be available for purchase at select Biennale sites.