Scottish Women's Institutes facts for kids
The Scottish Women's Institutes (SWI), also known as "the Rural", is a special group in Scotland. It's a registered charity that helps keep Scotland's old traditions and country ways alive. They especially focus on skills used in homes and rural life. They do this through local groups of women who meet often all over the country.
Contents
What is the Scottish Women's Institutes?
The SWI is a charity that helps women in Scotland connect and learn. They work to protect the traditions and heritage of rural Scotland. This means they focus on things like cooking, crafts, and other activities important to country life. Local groups meet regularly, giving women a chance to share skills and make friends.
How Did the SWI Start?
The Beginning in 1917
The SWI started a long time ago, on June 26, 1917. Back then, it was called the Scottish Women's Rural Institutes (SWRI). It was part of a bigger movement of women's institutes that began in Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada, in 1897.
The First Scottish Meeting
The very first meeting in Scotland happened in a place called Longniddry in East Lothian. A woman named Catherine Hogg Blair saw how important these groups were. She wanted to start one in Scotland. She chose Longniddry for the first meeting because there was a measles outbreak in her own village, and she wanted everyone to be safe.
Early Members and Leaders
At that first meeting, 37 women joined the group. A well-known campaigner named Nannie Brown helped organize things in the area. The SWRI gave women in rural areas a great chance to meet each other, share their knowledge, and learn new skills.
Sharing Ideas: The SWI Magazine
In 1924, the group started its own magazine called Scottish Home and Country. This magazine helped members share stories, recipes, and ideas with women all across Scotland.
A New Name for a New Era
In 2015, the organization changed its name to the Scottish Women's Institutes. This new name reflects how the group has grown and continues to support women in Scotland today.
