Women’s charity IODE Canada marks 125 years in Fredericton

A national charity with roots in the Maritimes celebrates a remarkable milestone this year.

A charitable organization founded in New Brunswick more than a century ago is marking a significant milestone this year.

IODE New Brunswick is hosting its 125th anniversary meeting at Fredericton City Hall on Wednesday. Members from across the Maritimes are expected to attend the event, which will also honour Harry Beckwith – the mayor of Fredericton in 1900 – who was instrumental in the charity.

“He did a number of other things. He was quite a remarkable human being,” said Jane Cushing, IODE Canada’s president.

“He volunteered for the lot, he did a lot to support other causes, and I think we were just another one of the things that he thought, ‘Yes, that would be worthwhile.’”

IODE Canada -- a national women’s charity that focuses on children, education and community services – was founded in Fredericton on Jan. 15, 1900.

Over the last 125 years, members have dedicated their volunteer time to enhancing the quality of life for Canadians.

“This morning, from the archivist, I was able to actually hold the ‘first minute book,’ and it’s pretty amazing for a minute book to still exist 125 years later,” said Cushing, following Wednesday’s meeting.

This year, IODE Canada is awarding $50,000 on Thursday, also known as IODE Founder’s Day.

On IODE’s 100th anniversary, the organization established a fund to support research into the prevention of child abuse.

Since then, more than $300,000 in grants has been distributed across Canada to research projects testing new approaches to tackle child abuse.

The president of IODE Prince Edward Island, Gail MacLean, has been a member for 51 years.

“It’s a group that I’ve seen a lot of people benefit from what we do. Not only personally, but in group homes, women’s shelters, food banks, hospitals,” said MacLean.

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