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Regional Profile: Southern WI Enables People to Help Themselves rene Richardson was born and raised near St. Marys. Ontario. After graduating Teacher’s College. she taught elementary school for six years and then supply taught for another ten. In [987. Irene became a licensed Lay Preacher in the United Church. and served for the next four years as Minister in a small Union Church in her community. In July of l993. she began a three-year course - Lay Pastoral Minister-In-Training - and was awarded the Ninetieth Anniversary Scholar? ship that fall to help further this education. Presently, she is a Minister in the Hibbert Pastoral Charge in Staffa. Ontario. Irene married a dairy/cash crop farmer and has six children and eleven grandchildren. Last year. her husband. John. semi‘retired. He now operates a soiacrecash crop farm and helps his son and daughterâ€"in-law who took over the other two farms and the dairy herd. Irene first joined the Women‘s Institute organization in high school as aJunior mem- ber. She has been a member ofthe Uniondale Branch since I961 and has held all the Branch offices. except Secretary-Treasurer. Pres, ently. Irene is the President of Uniondale WI. She has also been President of the Oxford North District. Prcsideut ofthe London Area and FWlO Board Director for Subdivision 23. “Ijoined the Women's Institute and contin- ued to become more and more involved because of the fellowship." claimed Irene. "and the fact that I always learned something at meetings." She added. “many different talents are needed in WI and there is an opportunity for all to participate.“ While Irene was District President. Oxford County hosted the International Plowing Match. Both the Branches and the District By Janine Roelens-Gmnt lrene Richardson (left) received the Ninetieth Anniversary Scholarship in 1993. from Margaret Eberie (right). President of the FWIO a! that time. realized enough revenue from running the official food tent to support major projects in their communities Oxford North District. for example. had a hydraulic lift installed at Woodingford Lodge enabling physically challenged people to get into and out ofthe swimming pool. In 1981. her District also completed seven “Women '3 Institute has constantly oflvred me the opportunity to serve others. to grow. to experience fellowship and to be a very small part ofa world-wide organization ' dedicated to making life better for others and enabling others to help themselves. " agricultural kits and placed them in Board of Education offices in the County. The kits were complete with puppets, toy farm imple- ments, soil samples. stories and lesson plans. The Districtstill repairs and replenishes them each summer. London Area hosted its first one-day con- vention in 1989. “We hoped to make iteasier for young mothers and working women to attend.” commented Irene. “Women’s Institute has always meant a variety of things to me." she explained. “By participating it means that I can help make life better for people in my own community. province. all across Canada and around the world. I am proud and happy to participate in an organization that acts across racial and religious lines." “I have appreciated the fact that WI is always there. When my life was so full of other commitments that I could not be active beyond my own Branch. others [were]. and the work. the fellowship and the growth went on. When I had more time to commit to it. added. the opportunity was there to do so." she. “Women‘s Institute has constantly offered me the opportunity to serve others. to grow, to experience fellowship and to be a very small part ofa world-wide organization dediâ€" cated to making life better for others and enabling others to help themselves.” “I find it difficult to imagine what the last 33 years would have been like without my involvement in WI." said Irene. “Certainly. both my family and I have benefitted in nu- merous ways and it is my hope that others have benefitted from my involvement as well. I look forward to being an active part ofthis organization for many years to come." Women’s Day at the Royal ‘ 8 J omen‘s Day at the Royal. hosted by the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO). will take place on Thurs day. November III. A luncheon will again be held in Cafe Royale. in the Upper East Annex in the Coliseum from | 1:30 to 2:30. In this International Year ofthe Family. we are pleased that the Hon. Elmer Buchanan. Minister, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture. Food and Rural Affairs. will attend as guest speaker. Knowing of his special concern for rural families and his interest in community 14 Home & Country. Fall '94 development. the committee has asked him to address the luncheon on “The Challenges Facing Rural Families in the ‘90s.“ Ticket price is $45.00 per person. and tick- cts are available from M. Dunn. RR 4. Stouft'ville. Ontario, L4A 7X5. (905)888- l 280. Cost includes admission to the Fair. the luncheon and the Opening ofthe Royal Horse Show in the evening. Although the Women‘s Day Luncheon has never been intended to include only Institute members. the W] has been the chief means of support. In this International Year of the Family. we especially ask you to invite fam- ily and community members to be with us. Since space is limited. we encourage eve- ryone to order tickets early. and certainly before November 1. Please include a cheque with your order as Horse Show tickets must be paid “up front." We depend on your support through an- nouncement at Area Conventions and active promotion in your communities.