Brief History of IODE Nova Scotia

The first IODE Chapter in Canada was organized in Fredericton in 1900 after Margaret Polson Murray of Montreal recognized the need for loyal support for Canadians departing to fight with the Empire forces in South Africa. In 1901, the incorporation became known as the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire and the Children of the Empire for Junior Branches.  As many of you may remember, we became known as IODE, no periods, after a lively debate at the National Annual Meeting held in Digby, Nova Scotia in 1978. 

The Provincial Chapter of Nova Scotia IODE was established on October 22nd, 1920 at a special ceremony held at the Church of England Institute Rooms in Halifax, now known as the Khyber Building on Barrington Street, across from the old Paramount Theatre. The National President, Miss Joan Arnoldi, was in attendance along with two other National Officers.  Mrs. Geoffrey Morrow (Marion S. Morrow) became the first Provincial President, at that time members were known by their husbands names, Mrs. Morrow presided over “the daughters” as the members were referred to for a period of ten years.   

By the time the Provincial Chapter was formed in 1920 there were already 20 Primary Chapters in Nova Scotia and six Provincial Chapters in Canada. Primary Chapters that had been formed during and after WW1 contributed to the war effort. Returning servicemen had contracted tuberculosis overseas and their children were threatened with the disease.  IODE supported fresh air camps for children, meals for the undernourished, milk for babies and school children, and they provided equipment for clinics. This was the beginning of Rose Tag Days and the effort to raise money for post war time projects. 

The depression presented the next challenge for IODE members in Nova Scotia with calls for assistance to children and families in need.  With the onset of WW11 new challenges for the Provincial Chapter led to the establishment of three new committees – War Services, Wartime Hospitality and Ways and Means.  Thousands of hours were spent working in canteens and hostels.  Money was raised for the war effort at all levels of IODE. Wedding dresses were sent to England due to the wartime shortage to facilitate the many weddings that occurred while our Canadian Soldiers were in Europe, especially England. Another huge IODE effort was the raising of one hundred thousand dollars in four weeks by members across Canada for the purchase of a Bolingbroke Bomber, presented to the RCAF in 1940. Roughly seventeen thousand dollars of this amount was contributed by members in Nova Scotia.   

Books, magazines and games were collected and sent to hospitals, as well as navy and Merchant Navy ships. The Provincial Chapter sold costume jewellery brooches of patriotic design in aid of Air Raid Victims in Britain. One of these brooches is still in the possession of the Provincial Chapter.  Following the war several of the existing service departments of the Provincial Chapter were amalgamated into one department known as Services at Home and Abroad with a focus on the needy and less fortunate. One veteran related need, to which we and Chapters across Canada still contribute to financially, is the Canadian Overseas Veterans Christmas Fund. 

The Provincial Chapter established the Immigration and Canadianization department; members assisted the Red Cross in greeting newcomers and seeing to their needs to make them feel welcome. Citizenship Courts were set up in local communities and IODE members were an important part of the welcoming committee.   

Following the war, it was time to help make institutions at home more efficient and residents more comfortable by donating modern equipment and convenience items.  The Institute for the Blind, Municipal Homes, Hospitals, and Boys’ Homes were a few of the facilities helped.  IODE assisted at local disasters including the cave-in at the Springhill coal mine and a major fire in Canso. Volunteer hours soared to new heights as members worked in school, hospitals, clinics and day care centers.

Over the years, Primary Chapters have presented bursaries to high school graduates to further their education and in 1956, the Provincial Education Fund was established to give students across Nova Scotia the help needed to start their college or university education. 

The 1960’s saw our focus change to the north and the Inuit. Layettes and knitted vests were sent to help alleviate the high mortality rate among infants.  Nursery and personal property bags, good grooming kits, soft toys, warm knitted clothing and blankets were donated to Northern nursing stations and schools with a focus on Labrador.  These items along with daily snacks are still being sent today. 

The 70’s saw our attentions focused on help to special needs, the disabled, the elderly and ethnic groups.  In 1975, when we celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of the National Chapter, 8,297 rose bushes were sold raising more than $9,000. The theme for that year was: “Concern for Children”; this was our introduction to Dr. John Crocker, Nephrologists’ at the IWK Hospital for Children, who was then and still is dedicated to his research in pediatric kidney diseases. This association with Dr. Crocker still continues today with our Cent-a-Meal Program, recently changed to Nickel-a-Meal with the demise of the penny. Primary Chapters also adopted schools or classrooms in the Northwest Territories, Newfoundland and Labrador and the West Indies. In the late ‘70’s attention was focused on Labrador through the Adopt-a-Class program; with many Chapters still continuing to support this program. 

In 1974, the Dr. C.H. Sutherland Rose Bowl was first presented as an extra incentive to Primary Chapters to increase their membership with the first recipient being the Colchester Chapter in Truro.  

During the 80’s our involvement with Dr. Crocker increased and we were joined by IODE members from New Brunswick and PEI in contributing to his kidney research. 1981 saw the Bestowal of the North Preston Chapter, now the Annie V. Johnson Chapter, the first black chapter in Canada. The 1980’s also saw the introduction of the Vial of Life Program, The Good Samaritan Fund, Bryony House, Operation Mickey Mouse and continued assistance to Davis Inlet and other Labrador communities. The 80’s also saw the acquisition of the jeweled Presidents Badge; the first Provincial President to wear the jeweled badge was our dear friend in IODE Connie Wenaus. It was also in the 80’s that Standard Bearers changed from the long formal gowns to short white dresses. Today our Standard Bearers look very smart in navy skirts and white blouses. The 80’s also saw the end of the Junior Chapters with the disbandment of the Georgie Gratto R.N. Chapter in Amherst.  

In 1986, following the death of Miss Annie G. Murray of Springhill, the last surviving charter member of the Nova Scotia Provincial Chapter, it was voted that a scholarship fund be set up in her name to be presented annually to a second year student at the Nova Scotia Teachers College. In addition to Provincial Funds monies were received from the late Miss Murray’s family and a bequeath from her sister. With the close of the Teachers College in 1997, the Scholarship was transferred to Acadia University where the IODE Annie G. Murray Memorial Scholarship is still presented annually to a second year student in the Bachelor of Education program.  

The 1990’s were very busy and productive years.  To celebrate the Provincial Chapter’s 70th Anniversary, $7,275 was raised under the direction of Stella Jones, a Past Provincial President, in support of the Talking Book Program at the C.N.I.B. The 75th Anniversary Project brought one of our biggest challenges for IODE members across Nova Scotia. The goal of this project was to raise $100,000 for the Staff and Patient Education Centre at the new Grace Maternity Hospital now the IWK Grace Hospital. Under the guidance and through the determination of Elise Murphy, a Past Provincial President, we met our goal and five year commitment.  

The year 2000 being the 100th Anniversary of the National Chapter, it was with great pride that a plaque was unveiled at Pier 21 in recognition of the contributions made by IODE members from across Nova Scotia to Pier 21 during and after the wars.  In the new century we were introduced to Baby Think It Over; the Provincial Office in the Roy Building was closed; we assisted a school severely damaged by Hurricane Juan and directed the National Chapter donation of lobster traps to fishermen in Sambro, who had lost their means of livelihood during that same storm. Under the direction of Marion Hopkins, a Past Provincial President, we raised funds that bought a “state of the art $10,000 bed” for the new Halifax Infirmary.  

With rapid changes in ways of communication by 2007 it was felt that it was time for IODE to advance into the new way of promoting IODE. With the help of the NSCC Institute of Technology Campus and with many hours of research, the IODE Nova Scotia Web Site was launched the following year and today remains a source of information and resources for members and for those wishing to learn more about our organization. 

In June of 2012, to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, a Cherry Tree was planted at Camp Hill Veteran’s Memorial Garden, Halifax. Two IODE Nova Scotia members were awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Metal on behalf of IODE Canada for their many years of service to the organization.

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