Fonds F863 - Medical Wives' Society of Kingston fonds

The group was formed by wives of medical and dental practitioners, many young, new to Kingston and intent on building up professional careers disrupted by the Second World War. The wives met for fellowship and the association began in 1947, culminating in the organization in 1948 of the Junior Women's Aid of the Kingston General Hospital, headed by Mrs. Charles Danby, the prime organizer. In 1950 the group decided to broaden the scope of their activities and to raise money, by their activities, for the needs of sick children, although over the years it was broadened to include other community needs. Membership was extended to include wives of practitioners at Hotel Dieu Hospital and, eventually, all the Kingston area. By the late 1970s the Society was raising and distributing over $10,000 annually. A decline in membership became evident in the late 1970s as members had less time for volunteer work and government assistance to social agencies increased. In 1982 the letters patent of incorporation, issued in 1950, were surrendered and the Society disbanded.