Salem Witches' Institute

Salem Witches' Institute
Organisation information
Known members	Shania Shaw
Headquarters	Salem, Massachusetts, United States of America (presumably)
Intentions	Organisation for witches
Affiliation	Witches

The Salem Witches' Institute was a women's organisation for witches, presumably based in Salem, Massachusetts.

History

Some of the institute's members attended the 1994 Quidditch World Cup, and were seen gossiping happily in between two tents bearing the institute's name.

At some point in 2020, the entirety of this organisation joined the Statute of Secrecy Task Force in order to assist in the containment of the Calamity, and thus bolstered the efforts of the Calamity World Centre. Among these was a witch by the name of Shania Shaw, an expert in the use of the Hour-Reversal Charm whose knowledge on the subject led to a number of illuminating conversations with some of the pre-existing Calamity Investigators.

Behind the scenes

• J. K. Rowling has stated that the Salem Witches' Institute is a play on the Women's Institutes of the United Kingdom. These organisations seek to provide women with educational opportunities and to campaign on issues of importance to women and their communities.
• In an interview shortly before the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in 2000, J. K. Rowling responded to a question about whether American children could attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry by stating, "No, they have their own school. You'll find out in Book 4." This led to speculation among fans that the Salem Witches' Institute was an American wizarding school, which persisted until 2015, when the author revealed on Twitter that it was actually a women's organisation. Rowling later revealed that American wizarding children could attend the Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
• In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the banner which displays the institute's name is described as a "spangled banner". This is more than likely a reference to the American Flag, which is referred to as the Star-Spangled Banner.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (First mentioned)
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Mentioned only)