Viola Baker

Hasmanis family portrait, 1926, Latvia. Viola Hasmanis in front with bow and sister Herta on far right.

Edmonton area Latvian drama club, circa 1951. Seen here from left to right: unknown, unknown, Lilija Purickis (later Jurikass), Janis Grivnieks, unknown in background, Irma Lesins, Martin Dzidrums, Aina Sauja. Front row: Herta Vanags nee Hasmanis and Dr. Karlis Lesins.

Wedding celebration of Latvian Viola Hasmanis and Canadian soldier Frederick "Ted" Baker, Oldenburg, Germany, 1946. Sister Herta second from left, bottom row.

Hasmanis Family in Latvia, circa 1920. Family of Viola Baker nee Hasmanis.

Otto and Ella Hasmanis with daughter Viola, circa 1935. Latvia.

House party, circa 1952. Friends Stan Rudovics, Lidija Bagatais, Herta Vanags, and Mr. Bagatais.

Poster created to commemorate the beginning of Imanta. Viola and Ted Baker founded the organization in 1946.

Viola Hasmanis (later Baker) in her work uniform, Germany, circa 1948.

House party at the Bakers' place. Latvian friends from left to right: Mr. Birznieks, Dr. Olaf Ulmanis, Mrs. Alexander, Vera Donass nee Gipters, Ted Baker, the Schultzes, and Viola Baker in front.

Edmonton area Latvian drama club/theatre group en route to Calgary, Alberta. Red Deer, Alberta, 1953. Left to right: Ludmilla Cinats, Lilija Purickis (later Jurikass), Valija Mierkalns, Juris Cinats, unknown gentleman, Herta Vanags.

The Rudovics and Herta Vanags enjoy a dinner together at an Edmonton event.

Hasmanis siblings, Karlis, Marta, Herta, and Viola in Latvia.

Newlyweds Ted and Viola Baker donne their newly purchased winter coats in the chilly Edmonton air, 1946.

Marriage document of Latvian refugee Viola Hasmanis and Canadian soldier Frederick Baker, 1946.

Imanta is a cultural support organization formed on March 8, 1947 in Edmonton, Alberta. Imanta was founded by Ted Baker and Latvian people previously established in Alberta. Ted Baker's wife Viola Baker, also supported Ted's belief in the value of a formal organization that would serve as a contact point for new Latvian immigrants. Imanta originally helped immigrants connect with other Latvians and settle in the province. Imanta has continued to remain a vital cultural part of Latvian society in Alberta. The Edmonton Latvian Society "Imanta" meets regularly, through many social and cultural gatherings and formal events. The Imanta resource network remains a vital part of Latvian society in Alberta today.