Tag: women

From the Vault Friday: Farm Women’s Union of Alberta Bulletin

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Image: FWUA Bulletin, SPRA Fonds 055

Todays “From the Vault Friday” comes from the Farm Women’s Union of Alberta, Canuck Local 105 Fonds (Fonds 055).
This artifact is a Farm Women’s Union of Alberta bulletin from May 1969 by Mary Stimson. In the letter she asks if women are satisfied with how the world treats them and raises issue with the rising costs of living, costs of childcare (which was needed as the rising cost of living meant many women with families now had to work outside the home), and supporting further practical education for women to make it easier to pursue careers. She ends the publication with a quotation: “Indifference is the invincible giant of the world”

The Farm Women’s Union of Alberta was organized in 1949, a re-organization of United Farm Women of Alberta. The aim of the FWUA was a prosperous agriculture community, with the amenities of modern living for every member of the farm family. It’s objectives were to work as farm women, cooperating with the men and juniors to attain the objectives of the Farmers Union of Alberta; to obtain improved educational, health and welfare services for the farm family and the total rural community; to promote a continuing education program for farm women; to develop citizenship and leadership by supporting all branches of the FUA, especially youth activities and 4-H; and to strive for international peace through affiliation with the Associated Country Women of the World. The FWUA also involved itself with political action regarding changes to divorce laws and revision of the Estate Tax Act and Income Tax Act to benefit farm women.

The Canuck Local 105 was formed c. 1958, possibly from the base of the Bear Lake Women’s Community Club.

Learn more about the Farm Women’s Union of Alberta, Canuck Local 105 Fonds (Fonds 055).

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.

From the Vault Friday: Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire

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Image: SPRA Fonds 111

Today’s “From the Vault Friday” comes from Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire, Alphaeus Patterson Chapter Fonds (Fonds 111).

The Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire is a Canadian Women’s organization, founded in Montreal in 1900 to promote ties with Britain and the Commonwealth. The Alphaeus Patterson Chapter of the I.O.D.E was organized in 1921, when 60 local women were part of the organization, but its formal charter was not received until 1932. The chapter was named after Alphaeus Patterson, the first MLA to be elected to the provincial government from the Grande Prairie area.

To raise money for their programs, members held formal dances, silver teas, bake sales and fashion shows. From 1971 to 1987 they operated a “next to new” store. As well as being of social benefit, the thrift store was their financial mainstay for many years, allowing them to finance health, education and social programs.

Like many other long-standing organizations, the I.O.D.E. lost much of its volunteer base as membership declined, and the chapter disbanded in 1997.

Read more about the I.O.D.E. fonds (fonds 111) here.

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.

From the Vault Friday: Valentines Card

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Today’s “From the Vault Friday” features a Valentine’s Day card from the Eddie & Margaret Schadeck fonds (Fonds 131)

Margaret Alma Stevens (Regtl. No. W3225) was born July 8, 1907, in Easton’s Corners, Ontario. She attended school there until Grade 9, later taking a course in Business College in Ottawa. Her parents, Mr. & Mrs. William Stevens, lived at Kemptville, ON when she enlisted in WW II at Kingston, ON. Margaret joined the Canadian Women Army Corps (CWAC), No. 7 Company, and trained at Barriefield, ON in 1943, where she met Eddie Schadeck. She served as a clerk at Fort Frontenac, Kingston until her discharge in 1946. Her interests included riding horses and writing poetry and songs. Margaret started army correspondence courses while at Barriefield and continued them in Brockville, ON after she was discharged, and in Wembley after her marriage. After the war, Eddie and Margaret married in 1946 and farmed on land obtained through the Veteran’s Land Act. Their farm was located south of Huallen in the Wembley area. In the 1950s, they moved to Salmon Arm, where they lived until Margaret passed away in 1999.

The card, dated 27-1-45, reads:

Hi Eddie

                From the midst of snow drifts, very cold air + ice I salute you. Hope you are well. I am enjoying the very best of health, thank you. Went to see a very good show the other night, it was a comedy called Janie. I am glad the little sister isn’t mine what trouble!!! Then there is the picture everyone is talking about, Mrs. Parkington. Its good. Greer Garson is wonderful, but then she usually is. Hope you will find time to write soon. I like to hear from you. Will try to find something interesting to write about. We are having a sleigh riding party in a couple of weeks wish you were here for it.

Bye now! Love Mary

Read more about the Eddie & Margaret Schadeck fonds (Fonds 131) here.

From the Vault Friday is a social media campaign that highlights interesting materials from the collections of the South Peace Regional Archives. This project was made possible by an Access to Holdings Grant from the Archives Society of Alberta.