In 1905, a group of McGill woman organized what were called "College Teas." These were planned to bring together the Governors and their wives, and the professors and their wives. Saturday afternoon was the time — in order that the men might be free to come. At times, the teas were given in honour of some particular person or persons. The teas were held three or four times a year — at first in the Library of the Physics Building. The Women Associates have in their possession the minutes of the meetings held to plan the teas and the names of the women who were active are of interest. They were Mrs. Moyse, Mrs. Walton, Mrs. Bovey, Miss Roddick, Mrs. Rutherford, Mrs. Leacock and Mrs. Eve — all names intimately linked to McGill. The teas were apparently very popular, and were carried on until the war of 1914-18 brought them to an end.

With the beginning of World War I, the McGill women promptly organized themselves for service. A meeting of the Women's Auxiliary to the YMCA of McGill resulted in the formation of the McGill Women's Union, the direct ancestor of the Women Associates of today. The immediate purpose of the society was to do war work. Parcels containing "comforts" were sent to military units connected with McGill. The number of women working for the Union was around one hundred and fifty, and the number of articles produced was enormous. Letters were sent by the Union to wounded McGill men and to those who received honours.

The war came to an end and there were things to be done in closing this wartime chapter. The McGill men returning home were entertained and so gradually the McGill Women's Union returned to a peace-time status.

In 1912, Sir Arthur Currie, newly appointed Principal of McGill, addressed the annual meeting of the Women's Union. He expressed the appreciation of the University for the work done during the war by the Union and the hope that it would continue its activity in service to the University. During the next few years, the McGill Women's Union turned its attention to its own organization.

The October meeting of 1939 opened the year with another big challenge. Canada was again at war. The Women Associates acted promptly. Donations from members made possible the purchase of wool and the knitting began. Sewing machines were borrowed, tables and chairs procured, and scissors and all articles for sewing were collected. Supplies of material arrived from Red Cross House and the work began in real earnest.

An enormous number of articles were turned out. Whole outfits for refugee families, bandages, hospital sheets, dressing gowns and towels were sewn. Heavy pullovers, helmets, scarves and long heavy stockings for the Navy were knitted. Mrs. Otto Maass and Mrs. Lyman did wonders.

In 1943, the constitution of 1933 was reconsidered. Several amendments had been passed, and a major change was suggested. It was thought advisable that the Women Associates should have a charter. So, under Mrs. W. J. McNally as president, we underwent this rather awesome process. A resolution was passed as follows:

Resolved that all the assets of this association including its bonds and bank accounts be transferred to the Women Associates of McGill, a corporation incorporated by Letters Patent of the Province of Quebec dated April 2nd, 1943. And that the President and the Treasurer or either of them be authorized to sign all documents which may at any time be required to give effect to this Resolution. And further that this Association be, and it is hereby dissolved.

To dissolve ourselves seemed a drastic step, but the members felt much better when they learned that they only dissolved themselves as an association without a charter, immediately to spring to life as an association with a charter!

In 1949 another enterprise was undertaken and carried through to a successful conclusion. It had been noted that the Bursary Fund set up by the Women Associates had increased very slowly. With Mrs. Clive Carruthers in office as president, a committee was set up to study ways and means of increasing the Bursary Fund, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Otto Maass. It was decided to hold a large evening bridge in the Sir Arthur Currie Gymnasium. There were raffles and door prizes and refreshments were served. The money from the Fund was then transferred to the University to form a permanent endowment for our Bursary.

The period from 1950 to 1964 was a comparatively quiet time. Attention was focused on the needs of the students.

In 1957, as a result of the uprising in Hungary, Hungarian students from Eastern countries often appeared with inadequate warm clothing for our cold winters. This work goes on, in the hands of the Students' Interest Committee.

This is the second written history of the Women Associates. McGill has set up Archives where documents pertaining to the University are stored.