The IODE by BARNEY MOORHOUSE For Reproduction Rights call Access 1-800-893-5777
PART 2.
1940-1949
The Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire raised $100,000 in just one month to purchase a Bolingbroke Bomber. In 1990, members agreed to help the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum restore a Bolingbroke Bomber, Number 704 IDA, the very same original IODE Bolingbroke that they had purchased earlier. What are the odds? The IODE continued to raise funds for the war effort, soldiers, clothing for Polish people evacuated to remote Russia and Polish Relief. It collected books for distribution in hospitals and on ships. Saskatchewan IODE created The Avenue of Trees in memory of Saskatchewan men who died in the war, and raised more than $1 million between 1946-50. To assist India, textbooks were translated and published. By 1995, more than 500 scholars have received over $3.7 million from the Second War Memorial Fund established in honour of Canadians who died.
Nationally, in 1940, women in Quebec became eligible to vote and to hold provincial public office. Food rationing began in 1942 and the first Canadian Lancaster bomber was produced at Malton, Ontario. In 1945, Germany and Japan surrendered, the United Nations was founded, Baby Bonus cheques issued, 48,000 war brides arrived in Canada, Rocket Richard became the first NHLer to score 50 goals in 50 games, Barbara Ann Scott won the world figure skating crown, Newfoundland became Canada’s 10th province (on April 1st) and Canada issued its first Canadian citizenship certificates.
1950 – 1959
The IODE provided hospital equipment, clothing, bedding and knitted socks for soldiers in the Korean conflict including 610,000 cigarettes for the troops. Members welcomed new Canadians at citizenship court ceremonies. Education activities adopted schools in the Arctic, rural areas and the West Indies.
In 1951 there were 14,009,000 Canadians and the baby boomers made their entrance in cloth diapers. Hurricane Hazel hammered Toronto and area, Charlotte Whitton of Ottawa became the first female mayor, Vincent Massey the first Canadian born Governor General, and Ellen Fairclough the first female federal cabinet member. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11 was televised on black and white TVs, hula hoops were a popular fad, cars had fins and the St. Lawrence Seaway was completed.
1960 – 1969
The IODE assisted in building community halls in the N.W. Territories, funds for eye research, clothing, and medical supplies. Manitoba IODE paid the full university tuition for the first Inuit to earn a medical degree and to return to the north. More than 6000 students participated in the Pen Pals program.
Aboriginal women won the right to vote and by 1961 our population exceeded 18 million. In 1962 Toronto’s Don Jail witnessed Canada’s last execution, Alouette 1 was launched and the Trans Canada Highway completed. Windfield Farms’ Northern Dancer dominated horse racing, Canada celebrated her 100th, and William Dixon won the world ploughing match in France. The Army, Navy and Air Force became known as the Canadian Armed Forces, the controversial Maple Leaf Flag became our national flag, a Mercury Montego Brougham car cost $4,200 and 22% of every food dollar was spent away from home. Mini skirts and beehive hairdos influenced female fashion and everyone tried to understand Marshall McLuhan when he said “the medium is the message.” Hippies, communes and peace marches were the order of the day.
1970 – 1979
Officially incorporated as a charitable organization the IODE continued its work in the N.W.Territories. Alligator Pie by Dennis Lee won the first Toronto Municipal Chapter Award. IODE red floribunda rose bushes sold across Canada to raise funds for their Concern for Children projects. The first Police Community Relations Awards were presented in 1977. In 1978 Snack Pack began providing nutritious mid-morning snacks including milk at schools in Davis Inlet and Northwest River. Mailbox Canada linked grade 6 classrooms and the name IODE was officially adopted.
Pauline McGibbon, past National IODE President, became the first woman to be appointed Lieutenant-Governor in Ontario, Willy Smith became the first Inuit Senator, and the RCMP introduced the first 32 female constables on Sept. 16, 1974. Canada won the first hockey series against the Soviets and the CN Tower was completed. Pocket calculators and digital watches were popular.
1980 – 1989
The IODE launched its Invest in the Future with $90,000 toward bursaries for post secondary education for Labrador students, Snack Pack fed 1300 students, an eye camp was sponsored in India, Blanket Canada provided $10,000 of warm bedding across Canada and the Canadian Activity Book for grade 4 students was created. Children in remote areas continued to be an important focus including medical, footwear, camp experiences for the underprivileged, mentally or physically handicapped, school breakfast and lunch programs. The IODE also assisted women’s shelters.
O Canada became our national anthem, Dominion Day became Canada Day, and the Queen signed the Canadian constitution. Bertha Wilson became our first woman justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, Jeanne Sauvé first female Governor General and Audrey McLaughlin the first female national party leader. Terry Fox (Marathon of Hope), Rick Hansen (Man in Motion) and Marc Garneau (first Canadian astronaut in space) made new inroads. The loonie and free trade made financial history.
1990 -1999
Born to Read, a program that provided books to moms and their newborns spread across Canada. The Food for Thought Box program provided lunch for students in need and members responded to flood disasters in Quebec (1996), Manitoba (1997) and the ice storms of ’98 in Ontario and Quebec. Ontario raised $60,000 for a cabin at Camp Trillium serving children with cancer and their families.
By 1991, Canada’s population was 27 million, the U.N. recognized Canada as the best place in the world to live, Roberta Bondar became our first female astronaut, and Kim Campbell Canada’s first female Prime Minister. The GST impacted Canadian life, the Toronto Blue Jays won back-to-back World Series Championships and recycling was “in.” Nunavut became Canada’s third territory in 1999.
1999-2008
The IODE celebrated 100 years in 2000. Education continued to be a focus with Read for Life, a literacy program, being introduced across Canada. The mission of IODE, as a Canadian women’s charitable organization, is to “improve the quality of life for children, youth and those in need, through educational, social service and citizenship programs.”
The IODE vision is to “improve the physical and emotional health and expand the educational opportunities of all Canadians within a unified country.”
The IODE information was provided by Marie Locke, Vice-President & War Memorial Officer and member of the Bemersyde Chapter in Campbellford, Ontario.
Photo- The Bolingbroke Bomber