Involvement with the WCTU President of the WCTU Superintendent of the Department of Scientific Temperance Union (STI)

Louise McKinney devoted much her time and energy to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), and was launched into the world of politics as a result, her involvement reaching the local, provincial, national, and international levels.

While working as a teacher in North Dakota, McKinney became very involved with the Temperance Movement, and became an organizer for the WCTU in 1894. In 1898, she was elected the First District President, and the next year, attended the Silver Jubilee National Convention in Seattle.

When the McKinney family moved to Southern Alberta in 1903, and settled in Claresholm, Louise set about organizing a local chapter of the WCTU—of which she was the President until 1930.

In 1904, she went to Calgary to meet with a Mrs. Craig of Olds, as well as other like-minded women from throughout the Northwest Territories (what is now Alberta). As a result of this meeting, the Northwest Territories' Woman's Christian Temperance Union (consisting of 20 local Unions) was formed, with Mrs. Craig as President. In 1905, when Alberta and Saskatchewan became provinces, the group became the Alberta and Saskatchewan WCTU, and in 1912, membership had grown so large that Alberta and Saskatchewan became separate Unions.

McKinney, who had served as Recording Secretary and then as Corresponding Secretary of the Provincial WCTU, succeeded Mrs. Craig as President in 1908. In addition, McKinney served as President of the Alberta WCTU for over 22 years, and as the Vice-President of the Dominion WCTU from 1908 to 1930. After the death of her colleague Mrs. Wright, McKinney became the organization's President.

As President of the Dominion WCTU, McKinney acted as hostess of the World Convention in 1931, and was subsequently elected World Vice-President. Unfortunately, she died shortly thereafter.

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