David Bailey, Mayor for the County of Brant, has been named the recipient of the 2023 Erland Lee Award.
Presented by the Federated Women’s Institute of Canada, this award is handed out each year to a male who most exemplifies those qualities of Erland Lee, whose support led to founding of the Women’s Institute.
“I am truly honoured to receive this year’s Erland Lee Award,” said Mayor Bailey. “I am proud to be the Mayor of the County of Brant, the home of Adelaide Hunter, a true pioneer of women’s education and family health. I am so thankful to Adelaide and the Women’s Institute for their dedication to education and health for all Canadian families.”
Adelaide Hunter Hoodless was born and raised in St. George and was a Canadian Educational Reformer who founded the Women’s Institute. A doting wife and mother, after losing her 14-month-old son to contaminated milk, Adelaide began her public life, ensuring that women had the knowledge to prevent death like her sons.
Erland Lee was a Canadian farmer, teacher, and government employee from Stoney Creek. After hearing Adelaide speak, he brought her to speak at his Farmer’s Institute’s “Ladies Night” meeting, on February 12, 1897. When she spoke that night, she suggested forming a group with a purpose to broaden the knowledge of domestic science and agriculture. Together with his wife Janet, the Lee’s promoted Adelaide’s presentation and Adelaide returned one week later on February 19, 1897 to find 101 women in attendance. This group became the first branch of the Women’s Institute, with Adelaide as honorary president.
“The Erland Lee Award is presented to a gentleman who has made an outstanding contribution to the Women’s Institute movement,” said Margaret Byl, President of the Women’s Institute of Canada. “Mayor Bailey exemplifies the qualities of Erland Lee. He is a strong supporter of the Women’s Institute, the County of Brant Women Institute Branches and the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Museum.”
