Adelaide Hoodless
Encyclopedia
Adelaide Hoodless née Hunter (February 27, 1858 – February 26, 1910) was a Canadian
educational reformer who founded the international women’s organization known as the Women's Institute.
She was born on a farm in St George, Canada West (now Ontario
), the youngest of 13 children. She married John Hoodless and moved to Hamilton, Ontario
.
When her infant son died in 1889 from drinking impure milk
she devoted herself to the betterment of education for new mothers. She became president of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), and taught classes in domestic science (home economics
).
With Lady Aberdeen
, she helped found the National Council of Women of Canada
, the Victorian Order of Nurses
and the National Association of the YWCA. In 1898 she published a book Public School Domestic Science.
A February 19, 1897 speech to farmers' wives in Stoney Creek, Ontario
inspired the formation of the first Women's Institute, intended for the education of rural women, and within a decade more than 500 had been organized across Canada.
recognizes her contribution to education by hanging her portrait in what was once called the MacDonald Institute. She was also honored on a Canadian postage stamp
of 1993.
There are schools named after her in Hamilton, Bridgeworth, and Blaine, Ontario. An Adelaide Hoodless rose
developed by Dr. Henry Heard Marshall at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is also named after her.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
educational reformer who founded the international women’s organization known as the Women's Institute.
She was born on a farm in St George, Canada West (now Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
), the youngest of 13 children. She married John Hoodless and moved to Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
.
When her infant son died in 1889 from drinking impure milk
Milk
Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...
she devoted herself to the betterment of education for new mothers. She became president of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), and taught classes in domestic science (home economics
Home Economics
Home economics is the profession and field of study that deals with the economics and management of the home and community...
).
With Lady Aberdeen
Ishbel Hamilton-Gordon, Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair
Ishbel Maria Hamilton-Gordon, Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair, GBE was a Scottish author, philanthropist and an advocate of woman's interests.-Family:...
, she helped found the National Council of Women of Canada
National Council of Women of Canada
The National Council of Women of Canada is a Canadian advocacy organization based in Ottawa aimed at improving conditions for women, families, and communities. A federation of nationally-organized societies of men and women and local and provincial councils of women, it is the Canadian member of...
, the Victorian Order of Nurses
Victorian Order of Nurses
The Victorian Order of Nurses is a non-profit charitable organization founded in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on January 29, 1897 created as a gift for Queen Victoria for the purposes of home care and social services. It is registered as a charity the Canada Revenue Agency, charity number...
and the National Association of the YWCA. In 1898 she published a book Public School Domestic Science.
A February 19, 1897 speech to farmers' wives in Stoney Creek, Ontario
Stoney Creek, Ontario
Stoney Creek is a community in Ontario, Canada.Note: This article will only deal with matters up to its amalgamation with Hamilton.-Geography and population:...
inspired the formation of the first Women's Institute, intended for the education of rural women, and within a decade more than 500 had been organized across Canada.
Legacy
The University of GuelphUniversity of Guelph
The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a comprehensive public research university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1964 after the amalgamation of Ontario Agricultural College, the Macdonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College...
recognizes her contribution to education by hanging her portrait in what was once called the MacDonald Institute. She was also honored on a Canadian postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
of 1993.
There are schools named after her in Hamilton, Bridgeworth, and Blaine, Ontario. An Adelaide Hoodless rose
Rose
A rose is a woody perennial of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae. There are over 100 species. They form a group of erect shrubs, and climbing or trailing plants, with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. Flowers are large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellows...
developed by Dr. Henry Heard Marshall at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is also named after her.