Women Inspiring Women – Women’s Institute celebrating 8th Birthday and you’re invited!

By Casandra Turnbull

The Paris branch of the Women’s Institute is celebrating its 8th birthday and the best way to recognize that milestone, according to members, is by celebrating the friendships they’ve made – and eating some cake of course!

Women Inspiring Women –Women’s Institute (WIW -WI) launched a local branch in Paris in 2015. While it’s one of the newest in Ontario, WI is not a new concept by any means. The Federate Women’s Institutes of Ontario celebrated its 125th anniversary last year and the movement is worldwide with more than 9 million women in more than 80 countries supporting one another through involvement, interest and inspiration.

“Our 8th birthday will be a party, we always throw ourselves a birthday party,” said Paris WI President Elaine Tully. And what better way to celebrate than to eat some cake and dance the night away.

Local resident Melanie Ely will lead the group in line dancing lessons allowing everyone to forget their everyday troubles and just simply get their groove on. Ely attended a prior WI meeting in 2022 to introduce the women to yoga. During that meeting she revealed she also instructs line dancing and that’s where the idea was born. The birthday celebration takes place Thursday, April 13 from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Paris Fairgrounds.

“We thought that sounded like a perfect, energetic way to celebrate our birthday. We love to have fun,” said WI member Laura Tousaw.

“We will also be doing a 'Why I WI' activity at our birthday party gathering. Members will be asked to jot down their reason for joining WI and maintaining their membership over the years,” added Tousaw.

As the Paris WI membership continues to grow, even throughout the Covid years which was quite an accomplishment, the group is always looking for more members with a doors wide open, everyone welcome policy. Having said that, Tully invites everyone to come out on April 13th to celebrate – cowboy boots and hats not required!

“We invite women to come try us out. You are welcome to attend two meetings free before making a decision of whether or not to join. No pressure, just come and enjoy yourself,” said Tully

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Jennifer Budd is one of the group’s founding members. She vividly remembers that night in 2015 when the local branch was officially formed. “When news spread that a WI was starting in Paris, I was excited. I attended the first meeting at the Arlington in Paris. I remember the night well. There was a buzz of anticipation as the branch was formally launched and a name was chosen,” she recalls. Budd was a member of the Norfolk WI branch back in the 1980s, and as a young, homesick farm wife living in rural Norfolk County, joining WI was a life saving move for her. “I met caring, interesting women who helped me navigate a new culture and life in rural Ontario ”

Some 40 years later, Budd continues to value the friendships and networks created through WIW -WI. “I leave meetings feeling inspired and energized. The group continues to evolve and grow and be a presence in our community.”

Lisa Keefe is another member who joined for similar reasons after becoming a new mom “The WI has allowed me to connect to a wonderful group of women in our community. When I moved to Paris, I was finding it hard to meet people and make friends while being a new mom,” said Keefe. “Together we have created an amazing space for sharing ideas, helping our community and building friendships. I truly credit WI for allowing me to find my place of belonging in Paris.”

For Erika VanStowski, whose family lives far away, WI has given her the warmth and friendship she was looking for in a new community It has also enabled her to share her creativity

“The WIW also gives me a platform to practice and share my creative endeavours. I enjoy crafting and also sharing some of my DIY projects with these women. I have had plenty of laughs with this group, even some tears but mostly happy to find friends that care about the community we live in to make this whole community feel like home.”

Marilyn Sewell, another long time member, marvels at how the local WIW branch has evolved since inception.

“Our amazing programming has become more organized and we’ve fine tuned the business portion of each meeting to cover the basics,” said Sewell. “We are more social and taking a lesser role in advocacybut would gladly evaluate any cause for action brought forward by a member.” And don’t mistaken this group as purely social, while it obviously has its benefits WIW – WI Paris members work hard behind the scenes to fundraise for the community. Last year, they hosted a concert featuring local musician Ian Bell. The event raised over $6,000 for the Brant Community Healthcare Foundation. They donate back to the community every month, to various causes, they hand out two $500 scholarships to post secondary students annually and they keep the community informed by hosting allcandidate meetings during election periods (the most recent one was last October for the municipal election)

If you want to learn more about these interesting women and the camaraderie within the WIW membership, pop by the fairgrounds on April 13th where you’ll meet new friends and learn the electric slide at the same time!

WIW – WI supports a number of community causes. Each year they award two $500 scholarships to post secondary school students. Pictured are the 2022 recipients.