Career
They settled on top of the Niagara Escarpment, and cultivated a prosperous farm. The Lee Homestead, also known as “Edgemont,” is currently the site of the Erland Lee Museum. In February 1897, after hearing her give a lecture at the Ontario Agricultural College in GuelphErland invited Hoodless to deliver a speech at the annual “Ladies Night” held by the Farmer’s Institute of Stoney Creek of which he was an influential member.
Erland Lee then suggested that women interested in discussing the formation of such a group might meet again the following week.
On February 19, 1897, 101 rural Canadian homemakers agreed to create a Women's Institute, which would become the largest international rural women's movement ever established. Erland Lee was the only man in attendance, and acted as chairman of the first meeting.
The original Women"s Institute constitution was written on February 25, 1897, on the Lee’s dining room table. Erland Lee’s political and financial support of the women's group was crucial to its expansion and success, and may be the only reason why the organization was recognized by the Canadian government during a time when women were not considered citizens.
