Week 39 - The Alexandra

Introduce yourself
I’m Emma Watson, the President of The Alexandra WI, which is the WI for Muswell Hill and Crouch End in lovely North London. I’m an Australian who has lived in London for ten years, and an Architect by training now working in the retail property development sector in the UK. I’ve been a member of the WI for three years and, apart from my role as President, I’m responsible for our website and social media activities.

Why did you become a member of the WI?
I was looking for an opportunity to get more involved in my local community and to meet some like-minded local women. My late grandmother had been very active in the CWA (Country Women’s Association) in Australia, and my involvement in the WI makes me very proud to be carrying on her tradition.

How would you sum up your WI?
We are an eclectic group of truly fabulous North London women who meet next door to the iconic Alexandra Palace to learn and laugh.

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?
The best thing about the WI is that it is no one thing: it comes in all shapes and sizes and really is what you make of it. Throw away your preconceptions, try a few WIs and see what feels right!

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?
As the year is progressing I’ve become so proud to be a part of such an amazingly rich tradition. I’m still learning about the immensely important role the WI has played in the advancement of women in the UK and the world since 1915. I am enjoying finding out about some of the influential campaigns initiated by the WI and what better time than this Centenary year to engage with this rich history?