ELLEN MACPHAIL: WI – Doing Our Part

The Queen, who is also a Women’s Institute member in England, recently addressed the Commonwealth on COVID-19. Her encouraging statement emphasized, "In these most difficult times, it is absolutely essential to stay the course, to not get discouraged and to continue to do our part".  

Her message and the direction of P.E.I.’s chief medical officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, have given Women’s Institute incentive to extend the message for all to do their part.   

To follow directives involving COVID-19, the provincial board of P.E.I. Women’s Institute and its branches have postponed, cancelled or modified WI-related activity for the next few months. The PEIWI provincial board and its over 70 branches across P.E.I. are in touch and have developed actions to assist where needed. 

Several branches are listed in the P.E.I. government’s Islanders Helping Islanders Volunteer Services Directory, where others are involved in strategic key areas. Those projects will be unfolding and announced in the future. 

In the midst of event closures and postponements, a modification has occurred for at least one upcoming WI event taking place in late April. 

On April 29, Women Institute members around the world invite the general public to take part in the annual Women Walk the World Event. This event is part of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) to bring awareness to its efforts. This year the walk will proceed globally by following worldwide health authority guidelines and an P.E.I., by following Morrison's health directives. This walk will connect women around the world, yet by staying apart.

The ACWW brings attention and funds to vital global projects for rural women in over 70 countries and gives women a voice at international levels by its links with the United Nations. For the most update information on this global walk, go to [email protected].

If you are not required to self isolate, the PEIWI board encourages all to walk individually or with members of a household only, on or around April 29, using current provincial health directive guidelines. This includes avoiding crowds and adhering to social distancing practices. Using the guidelines, PEIWI suggests Islanders can simply walk close to their home or at approved locations.  

In addition to the April walk event, the WI wants to emphasize the importance of remaining active. The board would also like to promote walking efforts. Email photos of a walk to [email protected] – the images could simply include photos of a path, footwear, a family member walking or even a selfie. Have fun and share it with WI by emailing [email protected] or sending a message through to the P.E.I. Women's Institute Facebook page.     

Other postponements include the annual WI Roadside Cleanup (postponed until June or as required), the provincial convention (postponed until the fall) and branch events. Current cancellations include the annual Spring Is in the Air Gala Dinner on April 24, with proceeds for cancer treatment equipment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown. Online donations can be made in lieu by contacting the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation at qehfoundation.pe.ca/covid-19/.  

The P.E.I. Women’s Instituteboard and its members continue to exhibit resilience, hope and gratitude during a troubling time. As we are physically apart we once again note the Queen's words: “We will succeed — and that success will belong to every one of us."  
 

This article is prepared by Ellen MacPhail, executive director for the PEIWI, and appears in the Guardian every second Friday of the month. For information on the P.E.I. Women’s Institute, visit peiwi.ca, phone 902-368-4860 or email [email protected].