CORRESPONDENCE July - Sept. 1939 20 William St. Montclair, N.J. July 1, 1939 Dear Mrs. Terrell; I have intended on writing to you, but I've been so upset. I wish to acknowledge my thanks to you and your daughter, Mrs. Parks, for the lovely flowers you sent us. I still have the house. I haven't decided what I will do as yet. I have to spend most of my time in Montclair at present. I have some matters I would like to discuss over with you, when I'm in Washington. I've had the telephone disconnected. I will call you when I get in Washington. I hope this will find you and family all well. This leaves me well at present. Love to you Janey E. Garrison (Addie Sayles, sister. Elizabeth Lindsay Davis 3226 Prairie Avenue Chicago, Illinois July 7, 1939. My Dear Old Friend: Just a line to say that I think of you very often and of the days forty three years ago when our beloved N.A.C.W. was born and you became its first president; what changes have taken place since that historical week? how many of our faithful members have crossed the BAR and await our coming? As we wend our way to Boston this month we are wondering what will result from that meeting? What is the future of our national in this upside down world? We were organized to help the great army of WOMEN in every hamlet, town, city and state, To loyally live up to our motto "LIFTING AS WE CLIMB", are we doing it? I sincerely hope you will be in Boston to help those of us, who are really concernd to answer these puzzling questions. I was greatly pleased to see your name among the officers of the WOMANS VOICE, I think it a timely publication, and wish it may have nation wide support in bringing our G.OP. back in power. With love and best wishes, I am, your old friend and coworker. Elizabeth L. Davis Norris A. Dobson, Inc. Manufacturing Chemists Address 2283 Eighth Street, N.W. Washington, D. C. Phone North 6827 July 10, 1939 Dear Mrs. Terrell: Your letter was received today. I am glad to learn of your presence in Los Angeles. Washington has been very hot since you departed. Try to direct some cooling breezes this was. Davis paid rent. I am enclosing deposit slip. I shall look out for 326 "T" and other payments by Davis. My kind regards to Col Loving. Mrs. Dodson joins me in every wish to you and your daughter for a very pleasant journey. Sincerely yours, Norris A. Dodson Norris A. Dodson NAD:EP [*Note: I am holding duplicate deposit slip. So that if letter should go astray you will have deposit slip on file here.*] [*L A*] NATIONAL VOTERS 'LEAGUE OF COLORED AMERICANS A Non-Profit, Non-Partisan Organization to Secure and Preserve the Fundamental Rights of the Colored People of the United States, North and South. J. Finley Wilson President Executive Offices 609 F St., N. W. Washington, D.C. [*July 16*] Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S St N.W. Washington D.C. July 13, 1939 Dear Mrs. Terrell: I am happy to inform you that we have just consumated the permanent organization of the National Voters' League of Colored Americans, the business, purpose and program of which are set forth in the enclosed Memorandum. As one of our most esteemed and appreciated members of the organizational group, I take advantage of this opportunity to thank you most heartily for your prompt response and ready cooperation. The Organization, I am sure, will be helpful to you, while you can, of course, be of the greatest help to the Organization. "The gods help those who help themselves." By the same token we are called upon in a movement of this character to help ourselves. A selected self-sustaining group must launch and maintain a self-sustaining organization. So far, I have borne the entire expense of rent, printing, stenographic work, stationery, and other incidentals. At this time I am quite frankly writing to ask you, and each member of the Advisory Board, to contribute promptly at least Ten ($10.00) Dollars (or as much more as may be possible) for the work and maintenance of this organization until we can get out all of our printed matter, and through our organizational work, cover the entire country. Those few persons to whom I have had the opportunity to speak personally have readily agreed to cooperate in response to this request. You doubtless recognize the fact that the coming election is the most important since the Civil War. The colored voters undoubtedly hold the balance of power in the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Massachusetts and California, and they are in appreciable numbers also in Missouri, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Kansas and Oklahoma. We must organize chapter groups in every one of these states, and as nearly as possible, from the precinct up so as to demand worthwhile consideration from those who will be seeking the suffrage of our people. Checks, money orders, or drafts are not to be drawn to the order of any individual, but only to the order of the National Voters' League of Colored Americans, 609 F Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. We shall keep carefully audited accounts for the information of those associated with this movement. We are set and we are going ahead at once. Sincerely and faithfully yours, J. Finley Wilson J. Finley Wilson, President. For the Organization and Education of Colored Voters for their best Interests everywhere in America. NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1939 Incorporated ADMINISTRATION BUILDING WORLD'S FAIR NEW YORK July 17, 1939 My dear Mrs. Terell: On next Monday I shall be in Washington, at the suggestion of Mr. Whalen, for the purpose of discovering the local reactions to certain phases of our New York World's Fair. I am inviting a small group for luncheon on Monday, July 24, at 1:00 P.M., at the Mayflower Hotel, and it will give me great pleasure to have you as my guest at that time. Will you please address your reply to me at the Mayflower Hotel. Your advice and suggestions regarding the progress of the Fair will be most welcome, and I can assure you that your cooperation and interest in the success of the Fair are deeply appreciated. Hoping to receive your acceptance, I am Very sincerely, Rita N. Casey (Mrs. Thomas F. Casey) Women's Participation Mrs. Mary Church Terell 1615 S Street, Northwest Washington, D. C. 2472 Sutter St San Francisco, Calif July 17, 1939 Dear Mrs. Terrell -: Both your letters arrived this a.m. I am immediately returning the literature. (for which I would like to keep) Mr. & Mrs. Machie arrived Sat nite went to the fair yesterday & seem to be enjoying San Francisco. If you should change your plans again let me know, I shall be glad to arrange accommodations for you. Hoping you are enjoying California. I am. Very truly, J. S. Blackburn 747 E Jefferson Blo. L.A. Calif. July 19./39 Dear Mrs. Terrill Honor Mary Church Terrill Would like to comunitate with you, as I did not get out to your Reception on Sunday. Would like to see you Personally. In References to the Terrell Family May I make an appointment with you. for a brief Period. As I am aware you are a very busy Lady. Sincerly Yours Katherine Terrill Russell Mme. C. J. Walker Home for Girls (A Community Chest Agency) Miss Margaret C. Roberts, Superintendent 2066 Pine Street Phone West 8861 Board of Directors Mrs. M. Dennis, Chairman Mrs. Tulip Jones Mrs. Florence McClelland Mrs. Madge Lyons Miss Alice Reece Mrs. Tulip Jones, President Mrs. L. V. Davis, Vice-President Mrs. L. B. Richardson, Secretary, 1605 Woolsey St., Berkeley Mrs. M. White, Financial Secretary Miss Sara Fletcher, Treasurer Mrs. M. Dennis, Chairman Business Miss L. B. Porter, Parlimentarian Miss Nora Cabell, Chairman Exchange Mrs. Anna Bozman, President Auxillary Mrs. L. A. White, Ch. Literature & Education Mrs. M. E. Morris, " Citizenship & Legislation Miss Alice Reece, Chairman Forestry Mrs. V. Dodds, Chairman Domestic Science Mrs. A. Anderson, Chairman Mothers Work Mrs. Estelle Houston, Ch. Social Committee Mrs. E. L. Congo, Chairman Religious Work Mrs. Alice Carson, Social Worker Mrs. Leila Flippen, Chairman Music Miss E. M. Oliver, Sec'y Auxillary July 20, 1939 My dear Mrs. Terrell: It seems that I have known of you always. In every organization wherever famous women (were) [*are] mentioned, your name is always called first as a pioneer in every thing that has meant uplift and advancement of race women. My music teacher, Adele Banes Day is an Oberlin woman, and although you may not remember her, she looked up to you in school as her ideal and I learned of you from her. Mrs. Mary E. Lee ( Mrs. Bishop Lee ) wanted to take me to Boston in 1895 so that I might read my graduation essay on " the Higher Education of Women " before the body of women assembled there for the purpose of effecting a national organization. I could not go , of course but my interest was intense and I knew that you were the first president of the body when the organization was finally perfected. So you see I am acquainted with you and a great admirer of yours thru your marvelous contributions to world affairs in general and to the race and our sex in particular I am answering at my very first opportunity as I am very busy. I am sending it air mail. There are many visitors in the city and for those whom I cannot accommodate in The Home, I must find places elsewhere. If you will definitely be here on The 29 or 30, I'll reserve a room for you, it will be vacant on The 29th and Ill hold it for you. The terms are 6.00 per week, 3.00 for each of you. We do not serve meals. The Club women of the bay area would like so much to meet you. If you can be here on Sunday Aug. 6, will you please drop me a card by return mail, so That I can let the different clubs know. I wish that you will enjoy your visit to our beautiful sea-cooled city by the Golden Gate, and our marvellous Exposition on Treasure Island. I am returning these wonderful tributes to a great woman for I am afraid something might happen to them before you get here. Very cordially yours, Margaret C. Roberts. The Munsey Trust Company Washington, D. C. William T. Dewart Chairman of the Board July 26, 1939 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell c/o Miss Roberts 2066 Pine Street San Francisco, Cal. Dear Mrs. Terrell: Your letter received and your statement for the current month will be mailed to you at the above address. With kind regards, Very truly yours, C.D. Ratcliffe Vice President CDR:eb Vice-President Mae T. Wright 1209 Prestmann St. Baltimore, MD. President Vivian Osborne-Marsh 2838 Grant Street Berkley, California Secretary Edna M. Kinchion 941 Irma Street Fort Worth, Tex. Treasurer Marian Palmer-Capps Box 28 Hampton Institute, VA. Journalist Mary Lou Roberson 4309 1-2 Hooper Ave. :Los Angeles, Cal. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Grand Chapter Office of the President July 27, 1939 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 1044 East Washington Blvd Los Angeles, California. My dear Soror: I regret that illness delayed my answer to your letter. I am send- a copy of this to the above address and one to Yosemite National Park. I live in Berkeley across the Bay from San Francisco. We live very informally, if you would like to share our abode we would be very pleased to share it with you. Because of my work with the NYA. I shall be out of the city from the Nite of July 31 to August 7th. You would be well cared for during my absence. My boy can drive you where you would like to go, my husband and mother-in-law would see to your other comforts. If you receive this and will wire me the time of your arrival I shall see that you are met at the train. If you desire to stop in San Francisco, the Madam C.J. Walker home at 2066 Pine Street is a popular place to stay. It is a Federated club momument. I shall not chance sending to you the printed matter, which you were so kind to lend to me. I look forward to seeing you upon your arrival and returning it to you. Miss Parks of Washington asks that your companion, a relative of hers, get in touch with her on arrival. She is stopping with Mr. Edw. Snelling,879 37th St., Oakland, telephone is Hu. 0546. Sincerely yours, Vivian Osborne-Marsh Vivian Osborne-Marsh World Fellowship of Faiths Hotel New Yorker, New York City, U.S.A. Savoy Hotel, London, W.C.2. July 27th, 1939. Dear Friend, I most humbly submit to the members and friends of the World Fellowship of Faiths, my ever-growing conviction that the only way out of the present troubles is Prayer to the Most High. In my private life I experienced many times that my prayer was answered. For the past few months a group of our members have been praying to God according to their own respective faiths, for keeping off the war. I believe their salutations have reached the throne of the Supreme, as we see a ray of hope today that the European crisis will pass over. WORLD PEACE DAY, August 27th, is the anniversary of the signing of the Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact, which was ratified by almost all nations - outlawing the war. WILL YOU UNITE ON THIS DAY (August 27th) with believers all over the world, IN PRAYER, to make the ideal of the Peace Pact real, and thus drive the war out of the world. I have just arrived in London. We have arranged a conversazione on July 28th at 8 p.m. at the Essex Hall, Strand. Dr. Maria Montessori will give an address on "Educate for Peace". We have been invited to start our movement in Sweden in September. Ours is a world-wide movement, so we are always active in some part of the world, in which we need your support and co-operation. Help keep our flag flying. Cordially yours, Kn Das Gupta (Kedarnath Das Gupta) General Secretary Vice-President Mae T. Wright 1209 Prestmann St. Baltimore, MD. President Vivian Osborne-Marsh 2838 Grant Street Berkley, California Secretary Edna M. Kinchion 941 Irma Street Fort Worth, Tex. Treasurer Marian Palmer-Capps Box 28 Hampton Institute, VA. Journalist Mary Lou Roberson 4309 1-2 Hooper Ave. Los Angeles, Cal. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Grand Chapter Office of the President August, 1, 1939. Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, Madam C. J. Walker Home, 2066 Pine Street, San Francisco, California. My dear Soror: I sincerely regret my inability to contact you today. I do trust that you shall remain in San Francisco until after August 8th. I am leaving to-night on official NYA business in the Southern part of the State, and will not return until the morning of August 8th. I would be delighted to have you and your daughter call at our office on that date, and also to have lunch with me. If by chance you can do this you may give the message to my sister, who will give you a small token from me on August 6th, at the reception in your honor. I replied to your communication to me, but am certain now that you had left both Yosemite and Los Angeles before the arrival of my letter. I just learned yesterday that you had arrived in San Francisco. Miss Parks of Washington is stopping at Mr. Edw. Snellings, 879 37th Street, Oakland, telephone is Humbolt 0546. She desires that your daughter contact her. Thank you so much for this enclosed very interesting material, which you have permitted me to read. My only regret is that I must return it to you and not add it to my collection of facts on our most outstanding Race leaders. DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY meets in New York, August 26-31. I would be so very happy if you could be with us. I want all of our Sorors to have personal contact with such great leaders as you. You inspire us to accomplish greater achievements. I am sure that your stay in our midst will be enjoyable for each of us are so very proud of you and are more than delighted to have you with us. Yours T.T.B.O.D. Vivian Osborne-March Vivian Osborne-Marsh vom:p F42 31 DL=TD SANFRANCISCO CALIF 7 1134A 1939 AUG 7 AM 11 45 MRS CHURCHERRELL= 2066 PINE ST= PLEASE BE ADVISED DISTRICT GRAND LODGE NUMBER 32 DISTRICT GRAND COUNCIL 28 OF CALIFORNIA WILL BE HONORED WITH YOUR PRESENCE AT THEIR RECEPTION ZION CHURCH 1667 GEARY ST TONIGHT 8 OCLOCK= L G EGGLESEON. Howard Univ. Washington, D.C. August 9th, 39. Mrs Mary Church Terrell 1615 - S. St NW Washington, DC Dear Mrs Terrell, I am writing to a few outstanding women who have contributed to finer woman hood for a portrait of themselves. I wish to present these portraits to Truth Hall and to Howard University on Sunday October 8th. This collection would not be complete with out one of you, so I am requesting, that you be kind enough to donate yours. If possible I should like to receive the photo not later than September 15th 1939. The desired size is 12x15' framed. Hoping to have a favor- -able reply I am Respy. Yours Sadie Evans Gough D. C. Recreation Department Franklin Administration Building 13th and K Streets, N. W. Washington, D. C. National 1300 August 11, 1939 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: You are cordially invited to be our guest at the ninth Summer Festival program of the 1939 season to be held at the Sylvan Theatre, Washington Monument Grounds on August 15, 1939, at 8:00 P. M. Enclosed are tickets to this event, and it will be a pleasure to have you with us on August 15. Sincerely yours, T. J. Anderson Assistant Director. TJA:MAW Enc. 2 The Standard Furniture Co. 737 Yates Street Victoria, B. C. Furniture Draperies Carpets Linoleums Upholstery Ranges August 12, 1939 Mrs. Terrell Dominican Hotel, Victoria, B. C. Dear Mrs. Terrell: In reference to the Bleached Walnut Bedroom Suite which is now on show in our window. First we might mention that this Suite is subject to a Cash Discount of $6.00 reducing the price to $113.00. Under these circumstances you would have to pay duty on $13.00 only. We checked with our local freight office and received an approximate figure on the freight to Washington, D.C. Namely, $35.00. We trust you appreciate the exceptional value of this furniture. The design is right up to the minute and the quality is of a very high grade. Should you wish any further information the writer would be very pleased to interview you at your convenience. Our telephone number is G-1164. Trusting we may be of service. Yours faithfully, Standard Furniture Co.. per RF Whellams RFW:HF A.S. Denny, Proprietor Edward Grubbs, Publisher and Editor The Aristocrat of Publications Silhouette Pictorial Magazine Hollywood Art Home Radio Sports 655 North Broadway Los Angeles MIchigan 3941 September 2, 1939 Mrs. Mary C. Terrell 1615 S Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: Please accept my sincerest regrets for the long delay in returning the material you were kind enough to let me have. A copy of same has been made for use in our publication. Unfortunately, because of lack of time, we were unable to secure a picture of you before you left the city. I am, therefore, asking if you will be good enough to please send us one to run in an early issue. We have found that running pictures of those of our group who have distinguished themselves receives national approbation from all races. Your cooperation in this will be most highly appreciated. Being so far away from the center of things racial, SILHOUETTE is greatly handicapped to carry out its policy of recording in pictorial form our achievements. You will understand what I mean when you glance through the September issue which I am sending under separate cover. The lack of "solid" matter is obvious. I shall always cherish the rare opportunity I had of meeting you so delightfully informal after following your distinguished career all my life. Your work places you among the immortals. Very sincerely, Le Roy S. Hart Le Roy S. Hart Associate Editor SILHOUETTE PICTORIAL POSTSCRIPT-- I note in the material that no mention is made of your family-- parents, native home, marriage, etc. Will you kindly furnish us with this data? We shall be grateful. Hart SILHOUETTE MAGAZINE 655 N. BROADWAY Mrs. Mary Church Terrell's Record 1884 Mrs. Terrell received the degree of A.B. from Oberlin College and in 1888 she received her A.M. degree from Oberlin. She spent three years in Europe, studying in France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Mrs. Terrell taught in Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio, two years and in the High School for Colored Youth in Washington, D.C., two years. Mrs. Terrell's Public Record When Congress empowered the Commissioners of the District of Columbia to place two women on the Board of Education, Mrs. Terrell was one of the first two names and served eleven years, longer than anybody else had served up to that time. The Commissioners of the National Capital originally appointed members of the Board, as has been stated, but later on, Congress delegated the members of the District Supreme Court to name them. They announced they would appoint no-body on their new Board who had served in Washington, D.C. in that capacity before. Mrs. Terrell was placed on the new Board, however, and she was the only one for whom the judges made an exception. On two occasions Mrs. Terrell has represented colored women abroad. She delivered her address in English German and French at the International Congress of Women which met in Berlin, Germany in 1904. Her subject was the Progress and the Problems of Colored Women, and the foreign press was loud in its praise of both the kind of facts presented and the man-ner in which they were delivered. She was the only delegate from the United States who spoke in three languages on that occasion. After the World War Mrs. Terrell was named as a delegate to the Congress of the International League for Peace and Freedom of which Jane Addams is President. The delegation which was composed of some of the most useful and distinguished women in the United States unanimously selected Mrs. Terrell to represent it at its first large meeting held in a cathedral in which women had never been allowed to speak before. Under the management of leading Lecture Bureaus Mrs. Terrell has spoken to the largest and best Chautauquas in the West. In the East she has addressed the Ford Hall Forum of Boston and other forums of New England with great success. She has filled many engagements for the Y.M.C.A, Y.W.C.A. and Churches and organizations of various kinds. In addressing young people she is very effective. She has spoken to the students of Oberlin, Cornell, Wellesly, Radcliffe, and Mount Holyoke, the Liberal Club of Harvard University and many other institutions, both great and small. She has tried to interpret her group to the young people of the dominant race; to create a healthful, wholesome public sentiment in their behalf and to be a messenger of good will. A letter to Mrs. Terrell from the President of the Christian Association of Wellesly College shows how successful she has been in this respect. In writing to tell her what impression she made upon the students the President said among other things: "One southern girl was very reluctant to go to the meeting, but after it was over she had not a word of adverse criticism to offer." "I want you to feel that your visit here was distinctly worth while, and that the Wellesly people of broadest minds and widest sympathies feel a distinct debt of gratitude to you for the strong presentation of the subject. I hope that you will not for a moment feel that this is empty praise. It is my opportunity to know girls of different points of view, and it is only after hearing wide discussion that I say this to you." Mrs. Terrell has written for some of the best magazines both in the United States and England, such as the North American Review and the Nineteenth Century and After, which has published two of her articles. She has also contributed to some of the leading newspapers in the country, such as the Boston Transcript, the Boston Herald, the Boston Globe, the Springfield Republican, the Washington Post, the Washington Evening and Sunday Star, the Chicago Tribune and many others. Mrs. Terrell was made Supervisor of work among colored women by the War Camp Community Service after the World War. After the armistice was signed and the soldiers were returning from Europe, it was decided to establish recreational centers for them in those cities where they were to be demobolized. Mrs. Terrell was entrusted with the important commission of traveling through the country to find the women who should take charge of this work. It was also her duty to interview the members of the committees in the cities selected, so as to present the needs and secure their permission to establish the recreational centers for colored people which had been planned. When the 19th Amendment granting suffrage to women had passed, Mrs. Terrell was appointed supervisor of work among colored women of the Eastern States by the National Republican Committee. In 1932 the Committee complimented Mrs. Terrell by selecting her to do the same work again. A few years ago Mrs. Terrell's name was placed on the list of Oberlin's most famous alumni and alumnae. Oberlin College recently observed the one hundredth anniversary of its founding. Mrs. Terrell was chosen to speak on President Fairchild, third president of Oberlin College, when the Washington branch of the Oberlin Alumni Association celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of the opening of the classes of the college. Shortly after Mrs. Terrell graduated from Oberlin she was invited to be Registrar of the College, but the plans which she had prevented her from accepting the position. Mrs. Terrell was the first president of the National Association of Colored Women, served three terms and was then made Honorary President of that organization. Mrs. Terrell was the first woman elected to the presidency of the Bethel Literary and Historical Society, which is the oldest literary society among her group in the National Capital and probably the oldest one in the United States. Mrs. Terrell was one of the charter members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Mrs. Terrell has spoken in practically every well-known college for colored youth in the South, telling them what has already been accomplished by representatives of their group and urging them to put forth their best efforts to accomplish something worth while. She has also talked to the pupils of the public schools in many of the southern cities and towns. Mrs. Terrell issued a call to the colored people of the country to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Harriet Beecher Stowe in June 1911. Mrs. Stowe's grand-son, Lyman Beecher Stowe, accepted Mrs. Terrell's invitation to speak at the meeting which was held in the National Capital. Mrs. Terrell is president of the Southwest Community House in Washington, D.C. This is a character building institution for the children of that section for whom little has been done. Mrs. Terrell has served her day and generation in many other ways. [Reprinted from the June 1936 issue of the Oberlin Alumni Magazine] Mary Church Terrell An Appreciation By Carrie Chapman Catt There is one graduate of Oberlin that I may know better and admire more than most of her fellow alumni. Mary Church Terrell, class of 1884, by exceptional ability, has brought honor to her college, her sex, and her race. In 1898, thirty-eight years ago, she spoke upon the program of the Annual Convention of National American Women Suffrage Association. It was a long and illustrious procession of men and women who marched through the years across that platform. Speakers were invited because their presence lent influence to our cause or because they could make a telling, convincing address. For the latter reason, Mrs. Terrell had been invited. She presented a pleasing appearance and possessed what the world calls a "platform presence". Add a musical, well modulated voice and any audience might have been prepared for an enjoyable half hour, but the convention was astounded by her logic and eloquence. Her address was pronounced the gem of the entire program. No one who heard her then ever forgot the occasion or failed to note her after career. In 1904, she was invited at the request of the American auxiliary to speak at the great Congress of the International Council of Women held in Berlin. She spoke in German, French and English (having studied in Europe for three years after taking her second degree at Oberlin). So thoroughly did she know these languages, that she was eloquent in all three. Again, she won the unanimous approbation of the convention and, in addition, became the favorite of the European press. I head both of these remarkable speeches. Meanwhile, she was continuously a popular lecturer in this country, speaking in all parts of the nation, at Chautauqua's, Forums, and lecture courses. She addressed the students of most women's colleges and of many men's colleges. She spoke to all well known colleges and schools for colored youth in the South. At the same time, she was a prolific writer as well, her articles having been published in many magazines and newspapers. In 1894, women suffragists of the District of Columbia, after six years of effort, succeeded in gaining consent to the appointment of two women to the Board of Education. Mrs. Terrell was one of the the two first appointed, a position she held for eleven years, a longer period than any other member had enjoyed. She helped to organize the National Association of Colored Women and was its first president for some time. She was also a charter member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Thus she lived an exceedingly busy life. For forty years of more, Mrs. Terrell expended her entire energies in serving good causes. Especially did she serve the welfare of her race and her sex. Both have profited much by her devoted and practical aid. Oberlin was the first College in the modern world to open her doors to women. It was, however, clearly demonstrated that even Oberlin had not interpreted women's education very liberally since, for several years after the first graduation of women in 1841, the essays of women graduates on Commencement Day were read by a member of the Faculty instead of the student herself. Nevertheless, Oberlin did lead the way and women all the world around are grateful for her early courage. Oberlin opened her doors to colored men at the same time. In Mrs. Terrell, her race found a bold friend and a tireless defender. Her race and her sex appreciate the value of her never pausing helpfulness to their respective evolution, so nobly inaugurated by Oberlin more than one hundred years ago. I hope the long line of distinguished Oberlin graduates are as proud of the contribution to human liberty made by their college and are as appreciative of the service of Mary Church Terrell to Oberlin's immortal causes as are many of us who have never stepped upon her campus. Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt is one of the twelve foremost women in this country. She is president of the National American Women Suffrage Association and is recognized as having contributed more than any other woman to this cause. Sept. 8, 1939 1100 Rooms - 800 Baths Popular Prices Free Bus to and From Railway Stations Hart Bros. Co. Dwight H. Hart President and Manager New Rosslyn Hotels Corners Main and Fifth Streets Los Angeles, Calie My dear Children: You have been gone just a few short hours by the clock and here I am writing to you. It has occurred to me that it would be a nice thing if you had my ticket to the Women's Head quarters at the World's Fair. As you know, I am a member of the National Advisory Committee of Women's Participation in the New York World's Fair. For that reason I have a ticket admitting me and my friends to the National Headquarters. We members of the Committee are requested to have our friends use the Headquarters when they wish to rest of wish to go to a nice toilet and dressing room or take their meals. I wish you would ask for Mrs. Casey. She invited me to a luncheon at the Mayflower Hotel while I was in California, so I could not accept the invitation. I am inclosing that letter, so that you may read it. Please, Please don't lose it. I prize it very highly. I saw Mrs. Casey when I was in New York with the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. We had some exercises in the Little Theatre out there and Mrs. Casey was present. She was sorely disappointed because I could not attend the tea which was given for the delegates who could stay to it. I had to return to the meeting. Be sure to tell Mrs. Casey that one of you is my daughter and the other my cousin. She will treat you very nicely, I know. Inclosed is a [ticket] check which the dear little attendant in the check room gave me. I could not find it when I went for my things, so she let me have them anyhow. Please don't forget to take it to her, it will amuse her, I know. We had quite a laugh over it. I know you will have a good time. That's what you went for. When I left the train I found Alonzo waiting for me where we left him. He brought me home. I have just called him up to get your address. I shall send this special delivery so that you will get it Saturday and can use the Headquarters whenever you want to. Be sure to ask for Mrs. Casey. She is there every day after eleven, I am told. Lots of love. It is scorching hot here. I have just come back from dinner. Lots of love and hugs for you both. Mother for The Two of You- Private Auto Entrance Direct to Lobby These Hotels Connected By Marble Subway Under Fifth Street Mrs. Mary C. Terrell Washington, D.C. National Advisory Committee On Women's Participation New York World's Fair 1939 Mrs. Vincent Astor, Chairman Identification card for use at New York City and at New York World's Fair Committee Headquarters. Not transferable and not good for admission to the Fair. World's Fair Headquarters: National Advisory Committees' Building Rainbow Ave., between Lincoln Square and Times Square New York Headquarters: Rockefeller Centre 34 West 51st Street, New York, N. Y. Member's signature: Mrs. Mary C. Terrell Arthur W. Little 425-435 East 24th Street New York September 11th, 1939. Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 1615 S Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: Thank you for your courteous letter of September 3rd, followed by your manuscript. Dr. Powell, I look upon as one of my very real friends in this world. Please note, I do not put in the qualification that some people might say was to be expected. With me, with all personal characteristics on an equality basis, I know no color line. In order to try to get your manuscript sized up with a minimum of delay, I am taking the liberty of asking Mr. Richard R. Smith to give consideration to it. Mr. Smith is the publisher who got out both of the Rev. Dr. Powell's books, and with him, we have the advantage of a sympathetic understanding, at least, of some of the practical considerations to be applied. I rather expect that Mr. Smith will elect to write you direct, when the time for the next step shall have arrived; but he will undoubtedly keep me advised, and I beg that you feel no hesitation about writing me further, personally, if circumstances should develop so as to appear to make sure action desirable. Yours very truly, Arthur W. Little RICHARD R. SMITH 120 EAST 39th STREET NEW YORK CITY September 22, 1959 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. Dear Mrs. Terrell: As Colonel Little wrote you in his letter of September 11th, he has turned over your manuscript to me. I am now preparing estimates of cost and shall hope next week to be able to submit a proposal for your consideration. Sincerely yours, Richard R. Smith [RRS:MT] JEANNETTE CARTER, Editor and Manager Lethia C. Fleming, National Director The Women’s Voice A National Magazine published in the interest of Women in Republican Politics 609 F Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. September 22, 1939. Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell: This is to thank you for consenting to contribute an article for the November issue and to inform you that our dead-line for that issue will be October 20. Hoping that you are well and happy, I am Very sincerely yours, JEANNETTE CARTER, Editor [JC:P] 1014 W. Lafayette Ave. Baltimore, MD. September 22, 1939 Dear Mrs. Terrell, The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority will entertain its Boule in Baltimore in December 1939. The public meeting of the sessions will be held at Bethel A.M.E. Church on Wednesday evening, December twenty-seventh. As you know, we are an organization dedicated to the general uplift of humanity and more specifically, to the 3. Street, Baltimore. The occasion is the public meeting of the Boule. We are earnestly hopeful that you may find it convenient to include this date in making up your calendar for the year. May we be assured of your acceptance of this sincere and cordial invitation from Zeta Phi Beta? Yours truly, ZOB Sorority, Ethel Thompson - Chrmn Public Committee 2. glorification of womanhood. We know of no one better equipped than you with wholesome advice and information on the ideals for which we stand. Therefore, Zeta Phi Beta would be highly favored and honored to have you as its guest speaker on Wednesday evening, December 27th at 7:30 o'clock at Bethel A.M.E. Church, Druid Hill Avenue and Lanvale like nothing better than to hear about it from your lips. Do you think we could be fortunate enough to be favored by a week end visit from you in the near future? Thanks again for the lovely month at the Beach. Sincerely, Helen Gilbert 4045 Aspen St. Philadelphia Sept. 26, 1939 Dear Mrs. Terrell: I wish to thank you for the use of your lovely cottage at Highland Beach. We had a delightful stay. Everyone was lovely to the children, and we made many new friends. I am very sorry about the Parks family however. They were very much annoyed by my children's noise and manners. Had I realized that F. E. was so miserable or that his mother and sister were to stay with us the entire time I would not have planned to stay so long, as they were both very exacting where the children were concerned and their attitude toward us was often offensive. We all missed you so very much. I am sure you and Phyllis must have had a delightful trip. We would Richard R. Smith 120 East 39th Street New York City September 26, 1939 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S St., N. W. Washington, D. C. Dear Mrs. Terrell: I have now obtained estimates of manufacturing costs and have gone over your manuscript in order to determine approximately the amount of editing which I think should be done. As a result I am now ready to submit the following publishing proposal. You have, as you no doubt realize, a pretty long manuscript, and I have therefore planned to use a large size page (6-1/8 x 9 1/4 paper size and 4 by approximately 7 inches type area). Set in this fashion it is estimated that the book will contain approximately 480 pages, including front matter. It will, of course, be well printed on good paper, well bound, and wrapped in a one-color jacket. Your preference as to color and pattern of binding cloth and other matters will be consulted. No allowance has been made for illustrations as none was submitted with the manuscript. If illustrations are to be used, there will, of course, be an extra charge. I plan on printing an edition of 2000 copies of which only 1000 copies will be bound at first. For this I must ask a payment of $2000.00. If you wish only 1000 copies printed and only 500 of these bound at first, the payment can be reduced to $1600.00. These amounts are all inclusive with the exception of author's alterations, that is, changes made in the proof from the original manuscript copy, and the binding of additional copies as needed. You may have for your own distribution or sale as many copies of these quantities mentioned above as you require without further payment save that of shipping costs. On any copies which I sell I will pay you 50% of the actual cash received. Sincerely yours, RR Smith RRS:MT 1615 S St., N.W. Washington, D.C. Sept. 27, 1939 My dear Mr. Abbott: I am glad you liked my article describing my visit to the Countess of Warwick well enough to have the Chicago Defender publish it. It encourages the women of the younger generation to see that some of the older ones have received recognition from distinguished people at home and abroad. I do hope your health has greatly improved. It is hard for me to realize that you are not well for you appeared to be in perfect health when I saw you last winter. You have a marvelous faculty of rising superior to physical ailments and I am sure you are either perfectly well now or soon will be. Please pardon me for asking you to give me some advice. If you are not well enough to do so, just lay this letter aside and wait till you can reply. I am wondering whether you can give me the name of somebody who would be able to sell a certain number of copies of a book which I want to publish. I am writing this in the strictest confidence, because I want no publicity until the book has been put on the market. It is something which will interest people, I am sure, and which contains facts which should not be lost. It has also received high rating from a well-known authority. If I can get somebody who will take up the business end and guarantee to sell a certain number of copies I can put the book on the market successfully. I am sure you will hold this letter as confidential. Please forgive me for thrusting this matter upon you if you are not well. You are the only one whose advice I have asked. Thanking you again for publishing the article and hoping you have completely recovered your health, I am gratefully and sincerely yours, Mary Church Terrell Richard R. Smith 120 East 39th Street New York City September 28, 1939 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 1615 S St., N. W. Washington, D. C. Dear Mrs. Terrell: I shall, of course, be pleased to see you on Saturday morning and suggest ten o'clock as likely to be convenient for you. If, however, you wish to call earlier or later, just give me a ring (Caledonia 5-5161) and we will fix a time to suit your convenience. Sincerely yours, RR Smith RRS:MT Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.