With all the pomp and circumstance of royalty, the women who lead one of Canada’s oldest charitable groups were piped into their group’s 125th anniversary celebration Wednesday in Goderich. “We started in 1901. June 17th, 1901, is when the first charter was actually signed, and we are Canada’s oldest and largest IODE chapter in Canada,” said Penny Murray, president/regent of the Maple Leaf Chapter of the IODE. Goderich’s chapter of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE) started 125 years ago. It was just one year after the national organization was created to help soldiers returning and heading out to fight in the Boer War. “We’re very, very different today than we were in 1900, for sure. But I think that’s the beauty of IODE. We’ve evolved over 126 years, to whatever is needed, because every single region, every single community, can do what’s needed in their community,” said National IODE President Karen Dalton while in Goderich for Wednesday’s celebration. The Maple Leaf Chapter of the IODE started Goderich’s first hospital to help sailors coming to port in need of medical care, amid a national tuberculosis outbreak. Now they raise money through their consignment store to fund hospital equipment, and other community projects. “It’s all about care, service to others, and investing in our community,” said Murray. For some of the longest serving IODE members, the entirely female organization is empowering to be a part of. “I had a couple good friends who were members and thought I would like it. I do enjoy it, because it’s been 50 years now, as a member,” said Merle Stanbury. “Even for yourself, it’s rewarding. All the chapters I’ve been a part of, they are all so giving and so hard working. And it makes you want to give more and be more involved,” said one of the Maple Leaf Chapter’s oldest serving members, Pat Steele. Dressed in their finest fashion from yesteryear, the 81 members of Goderich’s IODE celebrated the milestone, eager to see what the next 125 years will look like for their all-female, charitable organization. “We started before women could vote. and we are older than the Lions Club, Rotary Club, and the Legion,” said Murray.
