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The origins

The Women's Institute Movement in Britain started in 1915. During the First World War it was formed to encourage countrywomen to get involved in growing and preserving food to help to increase the supply of food to the war-torn nation.Llanfair PG WI, first WI in Britain (1915)
Adelaide Hoodless, founder of the WI movement
1897
The first Women's Institute was formed in Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada, as a branch of the Farmer's Institute inspired by a talk given by Adelaide Hoodless. Erland Lee, a local farmer and his wife Janet Lee were instrumental in setting up the new organisation, supported by the Ontario Government which appointed Laura Rose to be the first organiser in 1899.

1915
The first WI in Britain was formed under the auspices of the Agricultural Organisation Society (AOS). The AOS Secretary, John Nugent Harris, appointed a Canadian, Madge Watt, to set up WIs. The first one to be formed was at Llanfair PG on Anglesey, North Wales.

1916
By this year, 40 WIs had been formed; the AOS set up a Women's Institute sub-committee to oversee the work and Lady Denman was appointed Chairman.

1917
The number of WIs had risen to 137. The first federation was born when neighbouring WIs in Sussex decided to meet together. As the WI movement was growing so fast, the Government decided it would be more appropriate for the AOS to hand over responsibility to the Women's Section of the Food Department of the Board of Agriculture.		Alice Williams, First NFWI Honorary Secretary (1917)
Although the Board of Agriculture continued to fund the formation of WIs, the organisation became independent in its own right. The National Federation of Women's Institutes was formed on 16 October, involving the adoption of rules and the election of an Executive Committee. Lady Denman was elected Chairman. Alice Williams was appointed Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. The subscription was set at two shillings.
Queen Mary visits the NFWI Handicraft Exhibition (1918)
1918
By the end of this year there were 199 WIs and seven county federations. The paid organisers were unable to keep up with the demand to form new WIs and so the first training school for WI Voluntary County Organisers was held.
In order to fund the new organisation, and also to promote the handicraft work being done, the First National Handicrafts Exhibition was held at the Horticultural Halls in Westminster. At the AGM the first resolution was passed urging local authorities to take advantage of the government scheme for state aided housing. The first annual report of NFWI was published.

1919
When the war was over the Board of Agriculture handed over all responsibility for the formation of WIs to the NFWI, and gave a generous grant for the work. The Consultative Council was set up, with Inez Ferguson appointed General Secretary. In the same year the first issue of the NFWI magazine, Home and Country, was published, the first WI market opened in Lewes, East Sussex, Madge Watt formed a WI at Sandringham and HM The Queen became the President. The total number of WIs had reached 1,405.