In 1895, the first organized women’s work was reported on the success of the Pastor’s Aid Society. By 1913, each church was asked to organize a Women’s Missionary Society followed by a request for each church to send at least one woman to the Association meeting of 1917. The purpose was to organize on a provincial level. Mrs. C.S McLearn a representative of the Baptist Convention was invited to the Association to help with the women’s work. She arrived at Preston East on September 3 rd 1917, to find no room in the building where to have her meeting with the women. She met with the women by a well near the church.
The first Women At The Well were Sisters Jane Hamilton, C. M. Saunders, Mary Howell, Eliza Tolliver, Mary Saunders all of Halifax. Sisters Sarah Middleton and Edith Samuels of Dartmouth, Isabel Diggs of Preston East, Sister Rufus Marsman of Hammonds Plains, Sisters Maude Sparks, Louisa Bundy, Bessy Wise of Cherrybrook, sister Martha Middleton of Weymouth Falls, Sisters Margaret and Rachel Upshaw of Windsor Plains, sisters Muriel States and Julia Williams of new Glasgow and sisters M.E. Jones and Louise Byrd of Truro. The following day, the Ladies auxiliary was organized with sister Maude Sparks as president. In 1955, the Women’s Institute was formed bringing together all women’s groups in the Association. The Institute meets for their annual meeting on the third Sunday of October. They also sponsor an annual retreat in June for women. Their Association activities include scholarships for post secondary education.
Highlights
The Institute has performed admirably in the task of being a rallying point for fellowship as well as dealing with issues. The Video “No More Secrets,” dealing with the issue of family violence and abuse in our communities was a 1 st runner up in the National Prized Pieces Film and Video Festival awards ceremony in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Doreen Paris and Mrs. Rose Brooks represented the Institute at the awards ceremony along with producer Sylvia Hamilton. Every five years, the Institute gathers for a three-day event which includes a special banquet. Each ladies' group nominates a woman in their church who is honoured for their contribution to their respective group.