The Schoolmasters’ Wives Association

Joan Shume

Front row from left: Jean Klasz, Margaret McPherson, Bernice Flood, Viola Pelletier, Dorothy Bilash. Standing from left: Fay Alward, Helen Currie, Irene Huska, Mary Louise Zorniak, Evelyn Smith, Rosrmary Schur, Lois Green, Gail Farough, Joan Shume

In 1954, a group of ladies whose husbands were educators (Schoolmasters) met informally on several occasions to discuss the possibility of organizing a teachers wives’ association for all areas in the city. These women were interested in community service work, educational concerns, social opportunities and camaraderie.

Arrangements were made to hold a general first meeting on January 31, 1955, in the Free Press Board Room on Carlton Street. Over 80 replies were received after an advertisement was posted. Keen evidence of support was shown when 75 women braved minus 30 degree weather and climbed a long flight of stairs to attend. That evening, “The Winnipeg Schoolmasters Wives’ Association” was launched.

Membership grew most rapidly in the 1960’s and 70’s. One of their most important goals was to provide scholarships for students with high scholastic achievement and promising teaching qualities. The first scholarship of $100 was awarded in the year 1958-59. This has grown to three $1000 scholarships being awarded yearly. Scholarships were funded by projects such as coffee, dinner and card parties, teas, and craft sales. One big fund raiser was a SMWA cookbook, Treats for Teachers. In 1978 the fund, with The Winnipeg Foundation, as the administrator of the trust, established scholarships to be awarded in perpetuity. From 1958 to 2018 one hundred and fifty-four scholarships have been awarded for a total of $74,900. Our continued interest in education resulted in one of the most ambitious undertakings of the organization: "Seminar ‘75 Dilemmas in Modern Education,” a contribution to celebrate International Womens’ Year. Three key-note speakers, a panel discussion, an audiovisual presentation and a collage and a television interview were features of the seminar.

The organization’s project and social activity groups (bowling, bridge, crafts, gourmet dinners and a book club) cemented our participation and friendships in the Schoolmasters’ Wives Association through the years.

On December 31, 2018, after 63 years of activity, the members felt it was time to bring the Association to a close, due to declining membership. The scholarship plan has been established in The Winnipeg Foundation and interested persons may contribute to it as a gift, bequest or memorial. This fund is the lasting legacy of the The Schoolmasters’ Wives Association to deserving students in the Faculty of Education. §