Family Papers Family Correspondence Dorothy Church, cousin, 1941-54 and undated 342 Bloom St Baltimore D.C. DeCeasseres 3 / 25 / '41 Dearest Cousin Mollie, Mr. Shelton Hoskins called me the other day to say that you would be over Friday when your pageant "Phyllis Wheatley" is presented at the Community Center, and that he would be happy if I would entertain you. I told him that the pleasure would be all mine; that the sorority had wanted you over in January but that you had had a previous engagement to speak in Boston so I would indeed be glad to arrange something for you this time. He told me, too, that Phyllis is bringing you over so will you ask her please to get me two copies of "A Black Woman in a White World". There is still no place to get one here immediately, and the copy I had ordered for myself, the sorority bought as soon as it came; so I want another for myself and one that I promised to send to John Davis in St. Louis. I thought I would surprise him by having you autograph it if you will, and of course, mine too. The Afro had a fine picture of papa last Tuesday in its "Hall of Fame". It was taken at his desk and looks just like him. Your picture was in the week before concerning the pageant. I shall call you tomorrow evening to see what time you can come over Friday. As usual I'm in a rush. Love, Dorothy 5/1/'41 Dearest Cousin Mollie, Please forgive my not writing sooner. I have been terribly busy with school work and with papa's campaign for the "Association for the Handicapped", and to tell the truth I have had to miss my music lesson twice because I have not been able to practice. Besides I was so exhausted I had to take a day out of school and never got up to eat breakfast until[l] three o’clock. If Mr. Hoskins has not written I am sure it was for the same reason - he has been very busy. I talked with him about plans for placing your autobiography on sale here and he had a couple of good ideas, but nothing exactly definite. I am exceedingly proud of my copy and take great pleasure in showing the precious autograph it contains. Mr. Wilson, my music teacher, says he wants to get a copy and asked me if I could get it autographed for him. I assured him that you were very gracious about such things and that I was confident that you would. The clippings from “that” week’s Afro I saved for you. I am enclosing them. Have a lovely time on your trip and thanks for the priceless gift. Love, Dorothy Thursday 26, '44 Dear Cousin Mollie, I received your card this morning and want to thank you for remembering. I had a very delightful stay with you and Phyllis and certainly appreciate everything. I would have written sooner but I have had work piled up since last week end - twenty six hundred bulletins to fold twice and collide into envelopes which I had addressed to the various chapters after having estimated the number for each group from the treasurer's financial list plus the supplement. My husband says I am a sap for working so hard and then he turns right around and helps me whenever I get stuck with something, so we must be two of kind. I have included a word about the Equal Rights Amendment in the November News Letter. I tried to quote a statement from you as well as I could remember it. There will be frequent opportunity to say more from time to time, and don't forget you are writing something about it for the next issue of the bulletin This little thought just came to me. The line in (Right Page) 5/12/53 Dear Cousin Mollie, Once more June is rolling around, and once more Donor Dinner time is coming. Each year I have wanted you to attend but always something prevents. A "girl" likes to show off her people who are doing things and I would feel so proud to have you come as our National Woman of the Year and bring greetings. The time is Sunday afternoon June 14th The place is the YWCA where our Philadelphia Council has just contributed $500 for the equipment of a Teen-Age Room. Love to Phyllis, and tell her I say to drive you over. Love, Dorothy Please answer right away. Will send more details. world together and God has so arranged it that each of us must serve the other. We don't always get a chance to return a kindness to the very source from which it came, but someone along the line will reap the benefit of that service and he in turn will help some other soul, and so it goes. Some things we can not do for ourselves - then God steps in and through the various channels of good we have done, satisfies our little wishes. You have done much good and I'm sure there's more you still will reap. Love, Dot Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Grand Chapter Office of Grand Journalist May 1945 Dorothy Lymas 5730 Arch Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Dear Cousin Mollie, I am awaiting information. It is being done through the sorority. In a terrible rush. Will tell you all later. Love, Dot [1-10-47] Dear Cousin Mollie, Thanks for your card and for the lovely note enclosed. My number is Granite 4-0381. It is not in the book. Ethel Sargeant who lives down the street from where you stayed in Philly said, "I don't suppose Mrs. Terrell will be able to come to the Founders Day Dinner since she was just here a few days ago." I said, "My dear, you simply don't know her if you think that would ever matter even a little." Shall be looking forward to seeing you. Love, Dorothy Mrs. John C. Lymas (first page) Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Grand Chapter Dorthy C. Lymas Grand Journalist 5842 Haverford Avenue Philadelphia, Pa. May 31, 1948 Dear Cousin Mollie, You have been selected as one of the persons to be presented in the next issue of Negro Heroes, two copies of which I am enclosing in case you have not already received one. No. 1 was issued last year, and No. 2 was issued on the 20th of this month. Please select the highlights of your life which you consider of interest and inspiration to young people and list them for the story of your success. If there were any hardships that you had to overcome, they will help to make the story good. I would like to suggest that you just number the various episodes that you think should be pictured, giving as many as you can so that the best may be selected. I believe you know as much about doing this as I do though if you prefer that I come down I shall arrange to do so and we can work on it together. Probably you know that Negro Heroes is sponsored by the Urban League in cooperation with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. It is endorsed by Parents Magazine and many leading individuals. It has been greatly in demand by teachers for their classes and children, of course, like it tremendously. I received the very fine article you sent on the use of the word Negro. It is with the printer though I have not yet received the first proofs. Maybe we can get some discussion on the subject at convention. Please let me hear form you at your earliest convenience, which I hope will be very soon as copy must be sent to the printer by the middle of the month. You may keep No. 2 of the comic books as I have another, but I will want No. 1 back. Love to Phyllis. Love, Dorothy (end of second page) Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Grand Chapter Dorothy C Lymas Grand Journalist 5842 Haverford Avenue Philadelphia, Pa. June 15, 1948 Dear Cousin Mollie, A letter from Mr. Guichard Parris this morning states that we need not rush the story of your life, but rather that we shall wait upon you in order that you might give it the time and thought that it really deserves. This comes, I am sure, as good news, though I would like to suggest that we set a time limit of about two weeks if it would not rush you too much. I plan to write Mr. Parris in this same mail and to find out the exact deadline. I am all ears for the news of what took place on the 14th, and in the event that I should not be able to get down to Washington, I do hope you will write me about it. Love, Dorothy 3/28/49 Dear Cousin Mollie, Fellowship Commission based their presentation Sunday (its a weekly radio drama) on the early life of Cousin Robert. It was very good as far as it went, but it left out all the portion of his life that most people remember him by. (More about that later.) If you cannot attend this meeting Friday, it will be a small gathering of some of the leaders of Philadelphia, a word from you in time for the meeting would be most heartening. I shall be there as a representative from the local chapter of the national council fo Negro Women. Yours is the belief that Vigilence is the price of liberty - Love! Dorothy The more I think about you, and Papa, and cousin Robert, the more I realize why I'm always crusadeing. [**Don't overlook the enclosed literature and the Loyalty Order**] WESTERN UNION 1949 Jun 10 AM 7 50 ..WZO NL PD DUPLICATE OF TELEPHONED TELEGRAM=PHILADELPHIA =MRS MARY CHURCH TERRELL PENN JUN 9 =1615 S ST NORTHWEST= DEAR COUSIN MOLLY REGRET YOU CANNOT ATTEND DINNER SATURDAY PLEASE SEND REGRETS BY WIRE SO IT CAN BE READ AT THE DINNER: =DOROTHY LYMAS 5842 HAVERFORD AVE =5842= 6/6/53 Dear Cousin Mollie, I'm getting my masters and I'm really quite excited. Our Donor Dinner Chairman said she had written you details on the dinner including the change of date to June 21st We shall be expecting you. Love to all. Love, Dorothy Mary McCleod Bethune Dorothy Ferebee, M.D. FOUNDER, PRESIDENT-EMERITUS NATIONAL PRESIDENT National Council Of Negro Women, Inc. AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES, INC. AND THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF THE WORLD Philadelphia Council 6/14/53 Dear Cousin Mollie, This is the first free moment I have had in so long I hardly know how to act in it. What with school off for a while and with the dinner in the hands of a fine committee I feel very relaxed. I can't begin to tell you though how sorry I am about your being unable to be with us on the 21st. Everything was settled for the 14th and somehow the new girl on the desk at the Y, failed to make a card for the file after our date had been checked and recheked both by me and by the Chairman. The result was that the 14th was given to another group and they raised such a tumult when the error was discovered that everyone concerned decided it was better just to let them have it. I'm exceedingly sorry that you can't come though. I just read the Supreme Court decision on the Thompson Resturant chain, and you certainly have my profound admiration. I was quite excited about getting my Masters at Penn. Never worked so hard in my life, but it was worth the trouble I'm sure. One of the courses I didn't want to take because I had had a similar course at Morgan twenty years ago. My adviser insisted, however, and I took it only to find it the most useful course I have had. So much has happened in the last two decades, so many concepts have changed, that the fundamentals were very different from what I formerly had. The course was in [the] in psychology, "Adolescent Development." Now I feel that I would like to interest every young mother in a similar course with the hope of decreasing delinquence and making happier adolesents in general. I had some pictures made in my cap and gown so if they are any good, I'll send you one. I'm still looking forward to one of you and of Cousin Robert. Let me hear from you soon, and if there is any way you can rearrange the Saturday date, don't forget we would be most happy to have you with us. Love, Dorothy Thanksgiving Day - 1953 Dear Cousin Mollie, I seem to have a lot of things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day so I've been spending it sending belated greetings. Ever since the Director of the Christmas Cotillion called to discuss the wonderful way they're planning to honor you at the Cotillion this year I've been intending to write and say that I would be extremely happy to have you use my home as your headquarters during your stay here. So many, many times I have stayed at your house and only once to my recollection have I been able to return the kindness. Because of your long association with the National Council of Negro Women, he asked among other things to have the local council serve as 2. the Honor Guard and I promptly turned the invitation over to the new president. It was presented at board meeting and at the regular meeting last month and about 30 of the members are serving. You can imagine how delighted they are. I don't know if you were aware or not, but all of the previous honorees have not received the diamond cross of Malta. Some of them received the ruby cross of Malta but as an expression of that extra regard, you are receiving the diamond cross. When Mordecai Johnson addressed the Urban League here early in September, the speaker who preceeded him, gave great credit to President Eisenhower for breaking down segregation in the capital. In his own inimitable manner, Dr. Johnson opened his address by saying he was sorry he could not share the optimism of the previous speaker. The determination 3. of a colored woman and her committee deserve the credit that she has given to our president. It was they who etc., etc., and that colored woman was Mary Church Terrell. (Applause was excessive.) Sorry I could not get down to the council meeting on the 12th, 13th, and 14th. I heard the sessions were all exceedingly good. You can imagine my surprise to learn that I had been elected assistant secretary. The new president wrote me a letter congratulating me in which she said that being elected in my absence certainly showed the confidence the women had in me and their appreciation for my work. I was really surprised because I didn't even know they had an assistant secretary until our local president called me the night before to say that I was slated for regional director and for assistant secretary. I would not run for director although I knew I was backed by Region I, simply because I find it too difficult trying to do too many things. As assistant secretary, the load should not be too heavy. Hope you have had a pleasant day. Give my love to Phyllis. Shall be looking forward to hearing from you. Love, Dorothy 4. personally to the florist to select the posies and wanted to know if they made up well before she paid the bill. I assured her she could pay the bill with pleasure as they were beautiful. So now before I forget, I'll write the list of those who extended courtesies. I sent your check for the gloves to Phyllis, but I made it out for .50 too much, so keep the .50 until I see you. Love, Dot (Right page) [Jan 7, 1954] Wednesday Night Dear Cousin Mollie, I received your lovely letter, and the pleasure was all mine to have had you both as my guests. I have already gotten three copies of all the papers. The clerk at the Inquirer marveled that the story I was interested in occurred in all the issues from the first to the Sports Final. Will call Gene tomorrow about the programs, but I would like to suggest that 3. letter may become a document. It could also include some interesting feature of the things you would have said had the hour been less late last Wednesday night. It was wonderful having you with me. Everyone has marveled at your strong voice, your litheness, and your general demeanor which seems to belie your 90 years. They want to know the most personal things about you. Is it your hair, your teeth! Can you bathe yourself, etc, etc. Alma Harllee called to know how the bouquet of flowers was and if you liked it. Said she went 2. you write him personally at Heritage House, 1416 N. Broad Street. Dr. Eugene Wayoman Jones. You could tell him what you [thought] think of the [affair] Cotillion and the great opportunity it provides to the 6 or 7 hundred participants who might otherwise never touch such splendor, and also of the impression Conveyed to the numberless diplomats in attendance who have an opportunity to see Negro America at its talented best. Then anything else you want to include. Who knows? Someday your 1. From Delta Sigma Theta Sorority National Office Large bouquet red roses and pom poms. Sent by Mrs. Alma Harllee 5819 Arch Street 2. From Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Local Chapter Corsage - Roses (lovely) presented by Mrs. Helen Moore, Pres. Penlyn, Pennsylvania (Thats all-to the address) 3. From National Council of Negro Women Local Chapter Exquisite Orchid corsage Presented by Mrs. Dorothy Wright 1212 N. 59th Street 4. From Mrs. Marjorie Tucker (a Counselor at the Vaux Jr. Hi 4066 Porvellton Ave Box of Candy 5. From Mr. & Mrs. Wm D. Neely 952 N. 48th Street Breakfast after the Cotillion (over) 6. Dr. and Mrs. Willard J. Grinnage 2324 Christian St. Commissioner's Ball on New Year's Eve. 7. Luncheon - You have the invitation from the B & P Women. 8. Reception - You have the invitation from Mr. & Mrs. Paul Keene. (We all missed this one because you were at dinner with Mrs. Douglass.) 9. Your Escort on Wednesday at the station, at dinner and to the Cotillion. Mrs. Lucille Blondin 435 Winona Ave. Yours, Social Secretary MEMO Date 1/11/54 From Desk of Grand Journalist Dear Cousin Mollie, You'll get your copies of the Colored papers directly from the Philadelphia offices. The Bulletin and the News I have sent to you under separate cover. When I got home I found that the issue of the Inquirer which I had gotten had only the picture and not the story so I have called the office to request earlier editions. You will get them directly from the Inquirer office. By now you should have received your copies of the Program from the Cotillion Office. Twelve were sent. I left the front pages on the copies from the Bulletin as each is a different edition yet it carried the full amount. I thought that note worthy. Love, Dot (Social Secretary) [*Philadelphia was certainly pleased with you. I am still hearing grand comments: "Isnt she wonderful" "Going strong at 90." "Hasn't she a strong voice" etc., etc.*] and I believe a lot of others would be interested to know it too. Miss Vashti told me she invited you to Baltimore for their Founders Day, and I'm sure you had a lovely time. The new journals are just off the press, [and] I am sending you a copy. I want you to know that I have never forgotten the interest expressed in that letter you showed me. It was truly bread cast upon the water and I have tried in my way to show my gratitude by being somewhat a servant of fate. Once again, please don't be so formal about coming to my house, especially in face of the millions of times I have been to yours. Give my love to Phyllis. Best wishes for a happy and prosperous year. Love, Dorothy Granite 4-0381 5842 Haverford Ave Thursday Jan 30 Dear Cousin Mollie, A sprained foot gives me some much needed time for correspondence so I hasten to drop you a line and to say how very happy we were here in Philly to have had you as our guest. It was not until two days after the dinner when I was checking on all loose ends in the committee that I learned you had written Soror Bess about reservations. When she couldn't get in touch with me she called Soror Hartlee. I knew nothing of it at all, as both of them can attest. You know what it is being chairman of the committee and mistress of ceremonies too, my hands had long been full. But as far as being welcome to my house is concerned, I shall say it for now, henceforth, and forever, [amen] when you come to Philadelphia, just call this your headquarters. That way, you can take things just as they are and everybody will be satisfied. A cab will bring you right to my door and if there's still light in the sky, you'll find it unlocked. If its dark, just ring. Amen! But getting back to the dinner, we were indeed proud that you came. The flood of autograph seekers tells a story in itself. I never realized until then that you had been an honorary member since the very founding of Delta Mrs. Ada Davis, widow of the late Wm Allison Davis the druggist, lives in my block. I had Christmas dinner with her and her family and she would like to see you. Says she frequently saw you and Cos. Robert in Atlantic City. Do you remember her? Also Rose Stewart, who was Rose Norwood formerly of Washington is looking forward to seeing you. [*Says her father and Cos. Robt. used to play some game with horses.*] Saturday Noon. Dear Cousin Mollie, Just a line to let you know you have two invitations here at the house. One is for breakfast immediately following the Cotillion and given by Mrs. Sarah Nealy - who was formerly Mrs. Dan Murphy of the Afro Clan in Baltimore. She married a big caterer up here after Mr. Murphy's death and he just retired a few months ago. I'm sure you'll know many who will be there. The other is to greet Mrs. Geneva Valentine who will arrive, I believe, as you do Wednesday. The affair is given by Josephine Keene and takes place Thursday the 31st from 7 to 9. There will be about ten or twelve at dinner Wednesday when you arrive as some of the Committee members wanted to be there too. Lots of love and plan to stay the rest of the holiday if you like. Love, Dorothy [*(over)*] Dear Cousin Mollie, We had a touch of spring here in Philadelphia until last Friday when the city experienced the worst tie up it has ever known. Some folks were on the street car all night from four in the afternoon. Many kindnesses were reported by residents in the localities where that happened however. It looks as though I'll be quitting school after this term to accept a job with the Division of Pupil Personnel and Guidance at the Board of Education, so since they won't hold the job after February 1st, there's nothing I can do but work this out in the afternoon. Well, I'm used to that. As you probably know, February 1st is National Freedom Day. It was inaugurated by the late Major R. R. Wright founder of Citizens and Southern Bank here in the city whose picture was recently hung in the White House. Since his death, several years ago, his son, E.C. Wright, now president of the bank has been carrying on the celebrations quite as effectively as his father. Governors of most of the States send representatives to the meetings and each year a series of outstanding activities take place, among which are a night meeting at the Academy of Music, and a luncheon. This year, there is to be a pageant at the luncheon portraying the steps to Freedom. I am to represent a well known colored woman named Mary Church Terrell. I shall only have to stand and look beautiful (if possible). A reader will give a one minute sketch of her most outstanding achievements. Other characters are Mrs. [ ] Bethune, Harriet Tubman, Nannie Burroughs etc. Now what I would like you to do please is to write that sketch picking the most outstanding achievements of Mary Church Terrells life since I believe you know her intimately. If you do not wish to write the sketch, just please outline a number of things that can be told briefly in a minute or stretch it to two if necessary, they can pick what they can fit in and maybe they will use all. I am enclosing a special stamp, so you can get it to me at once without the Xmas delays. Shall be expecting to hear from you. Love, Dorothy [*Hello to Phyllis & Lathal. Have been planning to drop Phyllis a line - but the usual - days too short here in Philly.*] Sunday June 28th Dear Cousin Mollie, I'm certainly sorry you were not able to come over to our dinner. It was really a very grand occasion and of course you could have added quality to its splendor. Dr, Ferebee came and so did the executive secretary, Ruth Mueller. Also Dr. Hilda Bolden, a former Philadelphian who is a U.S. Commissioner Health Office, a pianist, and incidentally the owner of a base ball team. It was quite a head table. Our main speaker was Assistant District Attorney Isaah Crippins who brought a very inspiring message on the Role of Women's Organizations in the New City Administration. Please mark your calendar for next June. The dinner is an annual affair and we'll be letting you know the date. Tell all ladies who wish to give affairs in your honor that Philadelphia's Donor Dinner comes first. Love, Dorothy Mary McCleod Bethune Dorothy Ferebee, M. D. FOUNDER, PRESIDENT - EMERITUS National President National Council Of Negro Women, Inc. AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES, INC. AND THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF THE WORLD Philadelphia Council Dear Cousin Mollie, For the past three years, the Philadelphia Council has been having a dinner at the close of the year to honor those members of the council who have made the year a success. During the year we expect them to raise a minimum of ten dollars by selling tickets etc., for the various affairs that we have. Those who do, we call the donors. And that is how the dinner becomes the Donor Dinner. On this occasion we like to have outstanding personalities come and tell them what a fine job they are doing by making the local council effective. Locally we cooperate with such groups as the NAACP, the YWCA and other worthwhile organizations. At the same time we seek to develop leadership among the women who work with us as members. We would be very pleased to have you one of the special guests for the occasion. Some of the women have read of your accomplishments with segregation in the Capitol and would consider it a distinct honor for you to come. Hope you can answer right away. Love, Dorothy Mary McCleod Bethune Dorothy Ferebee, M.D. FOUNDER, PRESIDENT - EMERITUS National President National Council Of Negro Women, Inc. AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES, INC. AND THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF THE WORLD Philadelphia Council Dear Cousin Mollie, I'm very glad you'll be coming to the dinner. The date is Saturday June 28th at 6 p.m. It will be at the Central YWCA, but of course if you come over earlier you could come to my house. The Central Y is at 2027 Chestnut Street, and you know my address. Love to Phyllis and Lathal. Love, Dorothy Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.