History of WI Campaigns | National Federation of Women’s Institutes (thewi.org.uk)

History of WI Campaigns

The very first WI meeting in the UK took place on 16 September 1915. More than a century later, the world has changed in many ways, but the WI has been a constant throughout.

From a humble start in a small North Wales village to boosting food supplies during both World Wars and groundbreaking campaigns on equal pay and AIDS awareness – the NFWI has a longstanding history of undertaking educational work and campaigning on a diverse range of issues. It was established to ensure that women are able to take an effective part in their community, to learn together, widen their horizons, improve and develop the quality of their lives and those of their communities and together influence local, national and international affairs on issues that matter to members.

100 Years of Campaigning

Over the last 100 years, our members have campaigned on an incredible range of issues, increasing public awareness and bringing about real change. 2015 provided an opportunity to reflect on the WI’s first one hundred years, resulting in our Centenary report which is designed to give an insight into the WI’s historic legacy and impact on women, family life, communities and the nation. It also offers a WI view on some of the key challenges women and their families are facing today.