NAWSA Genl Corresp POWELL, ROSE A. [*Rose A Powell*] Shady Oak Road R. R. No. 2, Boz 556 Hopkins, Minn. Dear Miss Blackwell: It was a pleasure to receive your usual stimulating holiday greeting card as it assured me that you were still with us– still active– and alive to the problems of our times. I don't know of another woman alive today who was so closely associated with the early pioneers, do you? Though you seem very much handicapped now, your courageous spirit is an inspiration to younger women. I have continued my efforts to get recognition for your mother and was disappointed to learn that in planning the Centennial stamp, Mrs. Catt was honored instead. The League of Women Voters, I understand, was responsible for that. Some women are boycotting the stamp, foolishly, I think, as–if we can't get all we desire, we must make the most of what we do get. The Journal of the National Education Association had an interesting article in the February issue on the Seneca Falls centennial. Space was limited and my plea that the "Four Square" of the Woman Movement, Mott, Stone, Stanton and Anthony by brought in– in a statement at least, was not successful. The writer, assistant editor of the Journal, wrote that she was sorry to leave Lucy Stone out as she was a teacher, but that she would try to have articles on her and Lucretia Mott as teachers in the future. Was the Committee on getting the issues of the Woman's Journal bound in permanent form successful? I hope so. It has flashed into my mind that I do know a woman who was intimately associated with pioneer days–Adelaide Johnson–sculptress of the Women's Shrine in the Capitol. The work the ASA had done for the cause, and the merger which you have to your credit, didn't sink into her mind in a democratic way or she would have included Lucy Stone in the group. I recently learned that she is now over 100 years old. How do you feel about the Equal Rights Amendment? I'd be interested to know. Do you think it covers all our blessed pioneers visioned? How about responsibilities as well as rights? Hoping that your general health is good and that I'll be here to receive next year's greetings, I am Yours in the sisterhood of woman, Rose Arnold Powell 3410 Snelling Ave., Minneapolis, Minn., March 11, 1947 Dear Alice Stone Blackwell: How thoughtful of you to send me your inspiring Easter greetings! I love your poem and recognize in it the spirit that animated your pioneer mother. My slogan has been, "Keep growing," as years ago I realized that we must be intelligent to help make a better world. It is indeed a courageous soul who will keep active as you do at your age. Next year will be our GREAT CENTENNIAL of the birth of the Woman Movement, and though neither Lucy Stone nor Susan B. Anthony were present at the Seneca Falls, N.Y., meeting in 1949, they belonged to the pioneer stalwarts who should receive the credit due them. Again and again I have referred to the "Four-Square" of the Women Movement and emphasized the jsutice of bringing out Lucy Stone more clearly. Not one of the illustrious four has reached the Hall of Fame. Thank you so much for remembering me, and if the spirit moves, write me again. I have preserved all your letters. With best wishes for continued health and usefulness, I am Most sincerely yours. [*P*] ALICE STONE BLACKWELL 1010 MASSACHUSETTS AVE. CAMBRIDGE 38, MASS. Dec 28 1949 Dear Rose Arnold Powell You have much more courage than I for I have various ailments but very little physical pain. Your courage is an inspiration to me Your grateful friend Alice Stone Blackwell who is now too blind to write more than her signature Hampshire Arms Hotel, Minneapolis, Minn., May 2, 1945. Dear Miss Blackwell: How good of you to write me again! I enjoyed so much your first letter and appreciated the two enclosures with their inspiring messages. Believe me, I prize these letters from a woman who was intimately connected with the work of our blessed pioneers, and they will find an honored place among what I call my "archives", which cover my years of activity in the Woman Movement. I would indeed highly value anything of interest you personally recall in your association with Miss Anthony. Thank you so much for letting me know about you two early risers. When the spirit moves, jot down similar recollections if it does not tax you. I first became interested in the Woman Movement about twenty-five years ago through reading Anna Howard Shaw's "Story of a Pioneer". It gave me my first knowledge of Miss Anthony, and came at a time when I was pioneering along another line and knew something of what it meant– to "break the stubborn glebe". I was able to see the deep significance of woman's struggle to improve her status and the hardships and sacrifices accompanying it. Later, destiny led me to Washington, D. C. where I had the opportunity to read the Harper biography of Miss Anthony, and meet women who seemed baptised with "the holy fire". The result was that I developed into an ardent feminist and have devoted many years to the "woman question". I've red the biographies of the "Big Four", the "Four-Square" of the Woman Movement, and, as I previously mentioned, felt that your mother wasn't getting her due. I hope to achieve another desire by writing to Harriot Stanton Blatch and getting a letter from her to place with yours. It is my impression that she still lives. I know there are descendants of Mrs. Mott but I don't have the address of any of them. For a year or more I have corresponded with Miss Katherine Boyles of Orange City, Fla. who is a great niece of Miss Anthony and a niece of Dr. Frances Dickinson, with whom she lives. I had many times thought of writing to Miss Lucy Anthony but delayed until it was too late. I've had considerable correspondence with Mrs. Catt. You are so brave to write under difficulties. With warm good wishes for your welfare in every way, Most sincerely yours, Rose Arnold Powell [*Powell*] MOTHERS OF DEMOCRACY Rose Arnold Powell Up with a flag for democracy's MOTHERS! Stars in earth's firmament-though dark the night: Abigail Adams- a Mott- and a Stanton- Anthony- Stone- in that galaxy bright. Resolute women! Brave torches they carried Reflecting their vision- your freedom and mine. Past joins with present- the legions are marching! Daughters of God- in their nature divine. See them advancing with step firm and steady, Holding aloft their heart's highest ideal; Somewhat divergent, but can only be daunted If tolerance tempers their purpose of steel? What though the Pharaohs encamp round about them? What though the Red Sea of fear rises wild? On the far shore- See! the Promised Land beckons: JUSTICE TO WOMAN- to man and to child. Perish the pretense, the sham and the shadow Flaunted world-wide in democracy's names! Onward, O women! each one is a mother Whose passion for justice but kindless a flame. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.