Speeches and Writings File. Published writings by Terrell, 1940-53 and undated. [*Save This Magazine.*] The Aframerican Summer and Fall, 1940 [*The History of the Club Women's Movement by Mary Church Terrell Page 34*] WOMAN'S JOURNAL WOMEN'S ARCHIVES AND SEMINAR ISSUES DIRECTORY OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN, INC. OFFICERS MRS. MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE, Washington D. C. Founder and President MRS. CHARLOTTE HAWKINS BROWN, Sedalia, N. C. First Vice-President MRS. CHRISTINE SMITH, Detroit, Mich. Second Vice-President MRS. ELIZABETH GORDON, Philadelphia, Pa. Third Vice-President MRS. ESTELLE MASSEY RIDDLE, St. Louis, Mo. Fourth Vice-President MRS. CARITA V. ROANE, New York, N. Y. Executive Secretary MRS. FLORENCE K. NORMAN, Flushing, N. Y. Recording Secretary MRS BESSYE BEARDEN, New York, N. Y. Treasurer MRS. EUNICE HUNTON CARTER, New York, N. Y. Parliamentarian AFFILIATING NATIONAL WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS The Alpha Kappa Sorority The Beauty Culturist League The Women's Division of the I. B. P. O. E. W. (Daughters of the International Order of Elks) The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority The International Council of Women of the Darker Races The Iota Phi Lambda Sorority The National Association of Business and Professional Women The National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses The National Association of Deans of Women in Colored Schools The Phi Delta Kappa Sorority The Republican National Association of Women The Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority The Women's Parent Mite Missionary Society The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority The Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority The Women's Auxiliary—National Medical Association The Women's Auxiliary—National Dental Association The Matron's Guild (Wives of the Omega Psi Phi) The Achievement Club The National Democratic Women's Association LIFE MEMBERS MRS. EARTHA WHITE MRS. MARGARET D. BOWEN MRS. MABEL K. STAUPERS MRS. LELIA ALEXANDER DR. ELIZABETH C. BROOKS MRS. NELLIE FRANCIS DR. MARY BRANCH MRS. MARY McCROREY MRS. LUGENIA HOPE MISS ALIDA P. BANKS MRS. ETHEL M. DAVIS MRS. SARAH LEE FLEMING MRS. VIVIAN O. MARSH MRS. HARRIET SHADD BUTCHER MRS. BERTHA DEMENT MRS. ADELLE CARTER MRS. REBECCA STYLES TAYLOR MRS. HELEN GROSSLEY MRS. DAISY LAMPKIN MRS. JOHN B. HALL MRS. FANNIE ROBINSON MRS. MARVA TROTTER BARROW MISS MAE C. HAWES MRS. G. D. ROGERS MRS. CECELIA C. SMITH MRS. MAYME MASON HIGGINS MRS. ALETHIA FLEMING MRS. SARA SPENCER WASHINGTON MRS. W. A. SCOTT, SR. MRS. GERALDINE RHODES MISS ESTELLE FITZGERALD MRS. A. SNOWDEN MRS. MARY HUFF DIGGS MRS. ETHEL MAXWELL WILLIAMS THE AFRAMERICAN WOMAN'S JOURNAL (Official Magazine of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.) Editor, MRS. SUE BAILEY THURMAN, Washington, D. C. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Vivian Carter Mason, New York, N. Y. Sara Spencer Washington, Atlantic City, N. J. Jeanee Young, Chicago, Ill. Bessye J. Bearden, New York, N. Y. Mrs. Sadie Daniel St. Clair, Washington, D. C. Mrs. W. J. Hale, Nashville, Tenn. Miss Lou Swarz, St. Louis, Mo. Miss Fannie Williams, New Orleans, La. ISSUED QUARLEY AT WASHINGTON, D. C. Yearly Subscription: $1.00—Single Copy: 35 cents The History of the Club Women's Movement By MARY CHURCH TERRELL WRITING the history of the club movement among our women is a very large order for the necessarily limited space of a magazine article. But I shall present as many facts as I can, and make no statement about any phase of the subject which can not be verified by documentary evidence in my possession. The first and real reason that our women began to use clubs as a means of improving their own condition and that of their race is that they are progressive. The effort made by colored women to educate and elevate themselves would read like a fairy tale if it were written. But, unfortunately for the race, it has not been written. Ignorance for which the group was not responsible, made it impossible for newly emancipated slaves to keep a record. And after there was a general diffusion of education in the group, the necessity of keeping a record was not generally felt. But in spite of absence of records, from rare pamphlets, occasional newspaper clippings, bits of chapters in books and conversations with those familiar with the early efforts to rise above ignorance and degradation, it is clear that the progress made by colored women in seventy-five years is little short of a miracle. From the day the colored woman's fetters were broken, her mind released from the darkness of ignorance in which it had been held for nearly three hundred years and she could stand erect in the dignity of womanhood, no longer bond but free, till this minute, generally speaking, she has been forging steadily ahead, acquiring knowledge and exerting herself strenuously to promote the welfare of the race. For a long time colored women who had enjoyed educational advantages worked as individuals to improve their condition. In their respective communities many have often struggled single-handed and alone against the most discouraging and desperate odds to secure for themselves and their loved ones the opportunities which they so sadly needed and so ardently desired. But it dawned upon them finally that individuals working alone or in small companies might be ever so honest in purpose, so indefatigable in labor, so conscientious about methods and so wise in making plans, nevertheless, they could ac- complish little compared with the possible achievement of may individuals all banded together throughout the whole land with heads and hearts fixed on the same high purpose and hands joined in united strength. The realization of this self-evident fact gave birth to the club movement among our women. 34 And so, in Washington, D. C., the Colored Woman's League, of which Mrs. Helen Cook was president, was organized in June, 1892. Its Preamble reads as follows: WHEREAS, in Union there is Strength, and WHEREAS, we, as a people, have been and are the subject of prejudice, proscription and injustice, the more successful, because of lack of unity and organization, Resolved, That we, the colored women of Washington, associate ourselves together to collect all facts obtainable, showing the moral, intellectual, and social growth and attainments of our people; to foster unity of purpose; to consider and determine methods which will promote the best interests of the colored people in any direction that suggests itself. Resolved, That we appeal to the colored women of the United States, interested in the objects set forth, to form similar organizations, which shall cooperate with the Washington League, thus forming a National League in which each society shall be represented. On January 11, 1894, the Colored Woman's League was incorporated. The Act of Incorporation reads as follows: THE COLORED WOMAN'S LEAGUE To whom it may concern: We, the undersigned, being of full age, citizens of the United States, and a majority of us being citizens of the District of Columbia, do hereby certify that we have united and formed ourselves into an association for industrial and educational purposes under the laws in force in the said District of Columbia, including the act approved May 5, 1870, and the act amendatory thereof, approved April 23, 1884, and all other laws in force in said District of Columbia relating thereto. Act 1. The name of the Association shall be the Colored Woman's League. Act 2. The term of said League shall be perpetual. Act 3. The object of the League is the education and Improvement of Colored Women and the promotion of their interests. Also to provide a suitable building in which it may carry on its educational and industrial work. Act 4. The number of trustees for the first year shall be nine. Act 5. The capital stock shall not be less than $5,000, not more than $50,000 divided into shares of $5 each. THE AFRAMERICAN Cameos of Heritage A DREAMER IN THE SOUTH Last year in southeast Arkansas, she celebrated sixty continuous years of service to her people in the south. Born, Susie Ford, in Mississippi, when freedom was born—she followed the dream which took her first to St. Louis, and Sumner High School, where she received her training. Returning to Arkansas, her career began as teacher in the schools, and later as wife and assistant to a member of the Arkansas Legislature. After long years of association with him, a minister, and upon his death in 1914, her home was established as a Social and Religious Center for the community, and her work included in the program of the American Baptist Home Mission Society of the Northern Baptist Convention. She has given more than $1,000 to the support of two schools and a hospital in Africa, and a medical center in China, as a memorial to her young son, I. G. Bailey, Jr., who died in Washington in 1918, during the world war, in which he had served as chief clerk of Selective Draft Board, No. 8. Being the only Negro appointed to a position of Chief Clerk, his had been an opportunity to render an important service. Her gifts to the schools in Africa and China were made with all funds accumulating from rent of property owned by her son, "completing his unfinished life," she says, and with income from a hundred-acre farm, still in her possession, bought in Arkansas, in 1879, with her first earnings as a teacher in her teens. Her best work, perhaps has been the boost and aid given to more than fifty brilliant boys and girls from her section whom she has encouraged to enter the various schools of the country. A loan fund has been established to perpetuate this source of student aid. "A dreamer in the south," she has achieved startling realities in her own community, and having won in her daily life the feminine title of respect from the citizenry of a conservative, southern area, providing that it can be done—she is known to all as "Mrs. S. E. Bailey." ADDIE WAITES HUNTON— would be the choice of younger married women over the country who were called upon to exercise selective judgment in choosing their ideal of perfect balance in wife-mother and career woman. As a young person who had spent her childhood in Norfolk, attended school in Boston, and taught a while before her marriage to the National Executive of the Colored Division of Y.M.C.A.'s, Alpheus Hunton,— she gave great promise of what would be accomplished in later years. Travelling with Mr. Hunton, which took her practically everywhere, or remaining at home, during his frequent absences, she became the tower of strength, filling his place at home and sending him bright, heartwarming messages, as her excellent biography of her sainted husband modestly reveals. Travelling took her to Europe, first with her small children in 1907-9, to study in German universities, and later to be Y.M.C.A. Canteen Secretary and hostess with Negro troops in Europe, 1918. After Mr. Hunton's death she gave years of work as field secretary of the N.A.A.C.P., working with James Weldon Johnson; president of the Woman's Service League of Brooklyn; as member of the National Board of the Y.W.C.A., and recently member fo the Women's committee of the New York World's Fair. Her daughter is the distinguished young lawyer, Eunice Hunton Carter, Parliamentarian of the Council, upon whom was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by Smith College, her Alma Mater (1938), and her son is Prof. Alpheus Hunton, of Howard University, a Harvard graduate and Ph.D. in English, who has given fine, spirited leadership to progressive young people's movements. The laurels go to Mrs. Hunton, who must look back upon her years with quiet satisfaction. SUMMER AND FALL, 1940 33 In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 11th day of January, 1894. Helen A. Cook, (seal) Charlotte F. Grimke, (seal) Josephine B. Bruce, (seal) Anna J. Cooper, (seal) Mary Church Terrell, (seal) Mary J. Patterson, (seal) Evelyn Shaw, (seal) Ida D. Bailey, (seal) Acknowledged and subscribed to before JAMES H. MERIWETHER, Notary Public. With the exception of Mrs. Anna J. Cooper and myself, nobody whose name appears above is living. It is interesting to note in passing that Mary J. Patterson received the degree of A.B. from Oberlin College in 1862, and was the first colored woman in the world, so far as the records show, to receive that degree. So far as I have been able to ascertain by careful and diligent research, the Colored Woman's League was the first club organized by our women for the definite purpose of becoming national. In the 1893 May and June issue of Ringwood's Afro-American Journal of Fashion, a magazine published in Cleveland Ohio, my article entitled "What the Colored Woman's League Will Do," appeared. The following excerpts from it emphasize the League's effort to become national. "A national organization of colored women could accomplish so much good in such a variety of ways that thoughtful, provident women are strenuously urging their sisters all over the country to co-operate with them in this important matter. In unity there is strength and in unity of purpose there is much inspiration. The Colored Woman's League, recently organized in Washington, has cordially invited women in all parts of the country to unite with it, so that we may have a national organization similar to the federated clubs of the women of the dominant race. The local societies are subject in no way whatsoever to the League." The Preamble is then quoted to show the purpose of the League. "There is every reason for all who have the interests of the race at heart," continues the article, "to associate themselves with the League, so that there may be a vast chain of organizations extending the length and breadth of the land devising ways and means to advance our cause. We have always been equal to the highest emergencies in the past, and it remains for us now to prove to the world that we are a unit in all matters pertaining to the education and elevation of our race." The League's desire to encourage and assist young people possessing talent is cited and the duty of gathering statistics showing what has been done in literature, science and art is emphasized. The establishing of trade schools is urged. "If, through the Colored Woman's League organizations should spring up all over the country, whose chief aim would be to gather under their wing as many young women as possible," says the article, "whose minds should be enlightened, whose fingers trained and whose sentiments elevated by personal contact with cultured, refined women, the race problem would be on the high road to solution. . . . . Beside the practical good it will do, the League will foster the spirit of unity among us, a virtue which we so unfortunately lack and so sadly need. . . . . Several organizations have already declared themselves willing to work hand in hand with it. With Mrs. J. Silone Yates as president, and Miss Anna Jones as secretary, Kansas City already boasts of a society numbering 150 members. Others will soon emulate their worthy example and the League will be an established fact, enabling us to work out our own salvation in that effective and successful manner possible only to earnest, zealous women." So far as available records show, this is the first article appearing in any publication announcing that a national organization of colored women had been formed. No history of the Club movement of the women of our group, who had organized to become national, would be complete without relating those activities in which they were engaged. The activities of the Colored Woman's League were varied and wide in scope! There was a night school in which classes in literature, language and other subjects were taught by teachers who volunteered their services gratuitously. A class in German and one in English Literature were taught by the writer. A member of one of these classes afterwards graduated from one of the eastern colleges for women and is now at the head of one of teh important departments in our public schools. A model kindergarten was opened with fifteen young women in the training class under a woman of national reputation. The school had two sessions daily and a total enrollment of 40 children. A free kindergarten was opened in the morning and in the afternoon one for children who could afford to pay fifty cents per month. The League started the training class and opened the kindergarten before these were incorporated in the Washington public school system. The Industrial Committee conducted a sewing class, and a course in kitchen gardening for girls under eighteen was offered. Children were taught actually to perform ordinary duties in the home. The League defrayed the expenses of a girl in the Manassas Industrial School. A Day nursery for children, whose mothers were obliged to leave home to work, was also maintained. The Woman's Protective Union was formed. It was composed of societies in Washington, each of which had its own separate and specific object, but they all united SPRING AND FALL, 1940 35 to form an organization whose executive committee had the power to claim the services whenever by concerted action they could advance any worthy cause. They hoped to bring about some needed reforms in the District of Columbia. The National Council of Women invited the League to become a member of the organization in a letter dated October 9, 1894, and addressed to the corresponding secretary, Mrs. Anna J. Cooper. The League was also invited by the president, Mrs. May Wright Sewall, to be represented in a convention which was held in Washington from February 17, 1895, to March 2. Only national organizations were invited to participate. In the 1894 November issue of the Woman's Era the following notice appeared: "The National Council of Women, which convenes in Washington, D. C., in February, has invited the Colored Women's League of Washington to be represented at the Convention. The Washington League, with broadminded courtesy, has made its committee so large as to be able to include delegates from other colored women's leagues, and has invited such leagues to send delegates. "Unfortunately, a majority of the members of the Woman's Era Club of Boston did not see the advantages of being represented, and voted not to send a delegate. In spite of this fact, which we regret very much, we hope to see the colored women of all sections represented by their best women at the coming council. In any event, Washington is prepared to ably represent the race." The Woman's Era magazine was founded by Mrs. Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, president of the Woman's Era Club, in March, 1894. The departments of the magazine were conducted by the following women: Mrs. Victoria Earle Matthews, of New York; Mrs. Fannie Barrier Williams, Chicago; Mrs. Josephine Silone Yates, Kansas City; Mrs. Elizabeth P. Ensley, Denver; Alice Ruth Moore, New Orleans (later Mrs. Paul Lawrence Dunbar); Mary Church Terrell, Washington. The writer of this article is the only woman among those whose names appear on the above editorial board who is living. About this time something happened which caused the colored women of the country to meet to consider what should be done about a foul slander hurled against them. In a letter dated March 6, 1895, James W. Jacks, president of the Missouri Press Association, sent a scurrilous attack on colored women to Miss Florence Belgarnie, of London, Honorable Secretary of the Anti-Lynching Society of England, and a well-known friend of the race. In this letter Jacks declared that the Negroes of this country were wholly devoid of morality, the women were prostitutes and all were natural thieves and liars. Miss Belgarnie forwarded this letter to the editors of the Woman's Era for publication. It was not published in the Era, however, but it was printed and sent to leading [*36*] men and women, particularly to those in the South, for an expression of opinion. On the editorial page of the June, 1895, issue of the Woman's Era, in an article entitled "Let Us Confer Together," the following notice appears: "We, the women of the Woman's Era Club of Boston, send forth a call to our sisters all over the country, members of all clubs, societies, associations and circles to take immediate action, looking towards the sending of delegates to this convention. Boston has been selected as a meeting place because it has seemed to be the general opinion that here, and here only, can be found the atmosphere which would best interpret and represent us, our position, our needs and our aims. One of the pressing needs of our cause is the education of the public mind to a just appreciation of us, and only here can we gain the attention upon which so much depends. "It is designed to hold the convention three days, the first of which will be given up to business, the second and third to the consideration of vital questions concerning our moral, mental, physical and financial growth and well-being, these to be presented through addresses by representative women. "Although this matter of a convention has been talked over for some time, the subject has been precipitated by a letter to England, written by a southern editor, and reflecting upon the moral character of all colored women. This letter is too indecent for publication, but a copy of it is sent with this call to all the women's bodies throughout the country. Read this document carefully and discriminatingly and decide if it be not time for us to stand before the world and declare ourselves and our principles. The time is short, but everything is ripe; and remember, earnest women can do anything. A circular letter will be sent you in the meantime. Let us hear at once for you." As a result of this call, what is designated as "The First National Conference of Colored Women of America" was held in Boston, Massachusetts. It opened its session on Monday, July 20, 1895. Mrs. Josephine Pierre Ruffin called the meeting to order at 10 A.M. Distinguished people spoke; representative women read papers; the convention went into secret session to discuss Jack's letter; resolutions were passed, and finally, the convention discussed forming a national organization. Mrs. Helen Cook, president of the National Colored Women's League, was present and, according to the Era's August, 1895, report of the meeting, "Mrs. Cook was allowed time to make the necessary explanations regarding the National League." It was "proposed that a national organization be now formed, with its own laws, officers, constitution, etc." This motion prevailed, and a committee on organization, consisting of one delegate [*THE AFRAMERICAN*] from each delegation, was appointed. A discussion followed as to the clause looking to a union with the Colored Women's National League. A committee was appointed to perfect the organization. Names of the candidates for whom the delegates should vote for offices, were given to the convention. It was voted "to frame the constitution, that the Women's Era be made the organ of the national organization," and "that the name of the new organization be laid over." It was also voted that "the officers and Executive Board of the National organization should confer with the officers and Executive Board of the Colored Women's National League for the purpose of effecting a union." The meeting was adjourned "subject to the call of the Pres., Mrs. B. T. Washington." The names of the other officers who were elected at that meeting were not given in this report. In this "the first National Conference of the Colored Women of America," said the 1895 October issue of the Woman's Era, "for the first time in American history, could be seen an audience of several hundred women, in dress, manners and general public appearance, fully up to the average presentation of a similar assembly of their sisters in white." In this same issues there was a "CALL TO THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF AFRO-AMERICAN WOMEN, organized in Boston, Mass., July 31, 1895," the President, Mrs. Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee, Ala. In an editorial, reference was made to the fact that many were disappointed because the President of the Woman's Era Club, who called the meeting, had not been elected president. It was also stated that "the convention unanimously voted that from this delegate body a national organization be formed looking to a union with the Woman's League of Washington, which in order to meet an emergency and grasp an opportunity to make a creditable showing for themselves, their race, and the cause they were invited to represent, had been obliged to call themselves 'national,' to be eligible to membership in the Council held in Washington in March last. This action had been taken hurriedly and nothing but praise is due the Washington League for rising to the opportunity and using any measure to make the most of it. The convention held in July was the first one ever held by our women, and as most of the states and territories were represented, either by delegates or letters, can honestly be termed national in its scope and the only legitimate source from which a national organization could spring." The members of the League were greatly shocked, that their organization had been accused of calling itself national before it had actually acquired nationality and an unfortunate misunderstanding between the two groups ensued. The article which appeared in Ringwood's Afro-American Journal of Fashion in the May-June issue of 1893 had stated that the Kansas City Club with a membership of 150 women had joined the League and [*SUMMER AND FALL, 1940*] that other clubs had united with it but the league had never held a convention. There is no doubt whatever that the Women's Era Club of Boston has the distinction of calling together the first national convention of colored women in the United States. Shortly after that the Colored Woman's Congress met in Atlanta, brought together many progressive women and gave an additional impetus to the woman's movement. In the 1896 May issue of the Era it was stated that the "National Federation of Afro-American Women had taken every step consistent with dignity and self respect to effect a union with the Woman's League," but that a definite reply which had been promised by the League had not been forthcoming. One of the Federation officers went to Washington, May 1st, she reports, and was informed that in its issue of April 25th, the Colored American announced that the League would hold a convention in Washington in July. It was then decided that the National Federation of Afro-American women would hold a convention there also "on account of the cut rates to that city for the month of July." And so it happened that on July 14th, 15th, and 16th, 1896, the First Annual Convention of the National League of Colored Women was held at the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church, and what was called the Second Annual Convention of the National Federation of Afro-American Women was held in the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church July 20th, 21st and 22nd. It was the consensus of opinion among women of both groups that it would be impossible successfully to maintain two national organizations at that stage of our growth and it was decided to unite them. On Monday, July 20, 1896, the first day of the Federation's convention, a committee of seven was appointed to confer with a committee of equal number from the League, with a view to uniting the two organizations. The Federation's committee was composed of Victoria Earle Matthews of New York, Selina Butler of Atlanta, Rosa D. Bowser of Richmond, Josephine Pierre Ruffin of Boston, Libbie C. Anthony of Jefferson City, Mo., Addie Hunton of Richmond and Mary C. Terrell of Washington, D. C. The committee from the League consisted of A. V. Thompkins of Washington, D. C., Coralie Franklin of West Virginia (now Mrs. George Cook), Anna Jones of Kansas, Julia F. Jones of Philadelphia, Fannie Jackson of Kansas City, Florence A. Barber of Norfolk, Va., and E. F. G. Merritt of Washington, D. C. The Joint Committee elected Mary Church Terrell as its chairman. On the second day of the convention, July 21st, the Joint Committee reported as follows: It is hereby stipulated That we do consolidate under the name of the National Association of Colored Women. That officers shall be chosen on a basis of equality by the Joint Committee. [*37*] That neither association shall assume any of the liabilities of the other incurred prior to the consolidation. That the new association shall support the work already planned by each of the old organizations. That the joint committee shall draft a constitution and elect officers for the ensuing year. Considering the difficulties encountered, merging these two organisations into one was accomplished with comparatively little friction. But it was not easy to "name the baby", The Federation wanted to have its name adopted and the League felt the same way about its name. After considerable discussion it was finally decided to call the new organization the "National Association of Colored Women." Then the most difficult task of all confronted the joint committee. Who should be the first president? That was indeed the question! It is safe to assert that while we were in the throes of electing the president, the name of no colored woman who had achieved success if prominence anywhere in the United States failed to be presented for consideration. To begin with, the name of every member of the Joint Committee was mentioned, not once, but several times during the day. When a member of this committee was nominated, the result of the poll showed that every woman on her half of the Joint Committee voted for her, while every woman on the other half voted for somebody else. Over and over again the tellers would report that Miss A had 7 votes and Miss B had 7. And this went on indefinitely, so that most of us had little hope that anybody either in the United States or out of it could ever be elected. Several times during the committee meeting prayers were offered by the members who sought divine guidance in accomplishing the task they were trying to perform. Like the other members of the committee, I had been nominated early in the day and had met the same fate as the others. Finally I was nominated the second time, the deadlock was broken, I received a majority of the votes cast and was elected the first president of the National Association of Colored Women. It was nearly six o'clock in the evening when this occurred. The Joint Committee had been in session all day long and had to return to the church for the evening session at eight o'clock, although each and every one of us was worn to a frazzle. I shall never forget the sensations I experienced while presiding over that Joint Committee. It was the hardest day's work I have ever done. I presided over three conventions - one in Nashville in 1897, the year after the Association was formed; the next one in Chicago in 1899, and the third in Buffalo, New York, in 1901. Each of these earlier sessions was successful from every point of view. This is the story of the manner in which the National Association of Colored Women was organized. It was not founded by any one woman or by any particular group of women. Owing to conditions which confronted them and obstacles which they had to surmount, colored women had reached a point in their development where they decided they must work out their own salvation as best they could. They realized they could do this more quickly and more effectively if they were banded together throughout the country with heads and hearts fixed on the same high purpose and hands joined in united strength. [*See Page 46*] Negro Digest The Sum and Substance of the Best Articles and Stories on the Negro Antar, Negro Classic Poet . . . . . . . . Julius M. Belcher 1 Frederick Douglass Interviews Lincoln . . . . . Frederick Douglass 4 Negroes Help Build America . . . . . . . . . L. D. Reddick 8 General Tubman on the Combahee . . . . . . . Earl Conrad 13 One Christmas Eve . . . . . . . . . . . Langston Hughes 17 The Status of the Negro in America . . . . . The Southern Cross 22 African Witch Doctors and Modern Medicine . . . The Golden Book 26 The Duke and His Music . . . . . . . . Victor Record Review 29 Dixie Advances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Justice 34 Negro Woman Worker . . . . . . . . . Jean Collier Brown 37 Bert Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Hecht 43 Crossing the Color Line . . . . . . . . Mary Church Terrell 46 Interview with a Panter-Man . . . . . . . From Witchcraft 50 America's Peons . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Masses 54 Christmas in Other Lands . . . . . . Elizabeth Hough Sechrist 58 The Bomber and the Musketeers . . . . . The Story of Joe Louis 60 Cooperative in Gary . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phylon 67 Arrangement in Black and White . . . . . . . Dorothy Parker 71 Color Prejudice in British Africa . . . . . . . . J. A. Rogers 75 Jack in the Pot . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dorothy West 79 Books in Review . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Recent Records . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Other Interesting Briefs and Features 25¢ December, 1940 [*DUTTON FERGUSON 1751 U ST., N. W.*] PEACE ON EARTH, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN Additions To Income The numbers of subscribers and readers who have written us for information regarding community representation of the Negro World Digest in recent weeks, makes us believe that perhaps many other readers would like to know more about this subject. As a community representative of the Negro World Digest you can make decidedly welcome additions to your income. It never occurred to us just how effective community representatives could be among their churches, clubs, lodges, colleges, etc., until orders began pouring in from men and women students who, after showing the Digest to their friends and neighbors discovered how impressed they were, how eagerly they wanted to buy copies, and then went to clubs and other community groups and everywhere met with the same success. They then became our representatives, and that's how it began. Their number and enthusiasm grow with each issue. Why don't you write us for information about becoming our representative in your community? Accredited Distributors and Agents are also urged to apply NEGRO WORLD DIGEST is published by Negro World Digest at 1 West 125th Street, New York, N. Y. Copyright 1940, by Negro World Digest. The Negro World Digest sells for 25 cents a copy; subscriptions - four issues for $1; twelve issues for $3; twenty-four issues for $5. Printed in U. S. A. ---------- Why not buy a subscription to Negro World Digest for your local hospital or charitable institution? It will be appreciated. Crossing the Color Line Condensed from A Colored Woman in a White World Mary Church Terrell Very often when I go downtown I see a woman whom I knew as a girl. She was colored then, but she is white now. She used to visit her sister who attended Oberlin when I did. She is fair enough to pass for white, although she is more oriental than Caucasian. This woman married a colored man who looked like a Latin-American. the couple moved from a middle western city to Washington, where the husband secured a position as a Government clerk. They had three children and seemed to be getting along nicely. Suddenly it was rumored that the husband had fallen in love with a white woman and had deserted his wife and children. Several years afterward her friends observed that she too had crossed the color line and had taken her children with her. Quite a while after that I watched an inaugural parade pass up Pennsylvania Avenue one day, and I saw this colored woman's son leading the cadets of the white high school as the captain of his company. "Don't look while I am talking to you," my husband said to me one day after we had boarded a street-car. "Pretty soon I want you to notice a man who sits near the entrance of the car on the opposite side of us. He and I used to be very close friends when he was known as a colored man. We went to New York together when President Grant was buried and we roomed together in a New York hotel. He has crossed the color line completely and is white now. When we meet on the street I do not speak to him because I do not want to embarrass him in any way. but occasionally we come together in some out-of-the-way place and then we have the time of our lives talking about his transformation and the many advantages it has brought. As a colored man he could not find a position he cared to fill. He was turned away everywhere he applied. then he decided he would allow himself to be handicapped no longer, moved from his colored 46 Copyright 1940, by Mary Church Terrell. Randsell, Inc., Publishers, Washington, D. C. BERT WILLIAMS 45 aged to pry into the anterior heaven. And to-day Bert Williams makes his entrance. Yes, suh, it took that long to find just the right make-up. To get just the right kind of ill-fitting white gloves and floppy shoes and nondescript pants. But it's an important entrance. The lazy crooked grin is a bit nervous. The dolorous eyes peer sadly through the opening door of this new theatre. "Lawdy, man, this is got a Broadway first night backed off the boards. Rejane, Caruso, Coquelin, Garrick and a thousand others sittin' against the towering walls, sittin' with their eyes on the huge door within to see who's a-comin' in now. "All right, professor, jes' a little music. Nothin' much. Anything kind o' sad and fidgetylike. Tha's it, that-a-boy. There's no use worryin' -- much. 'Member what Duse said as I was the greatest artist, an' 'member how Sarah Bernhardt sent me roses in Frisco an' says, 'To a fellow artist?' Yes, suh, they can't do mo' than walk out on me. An' ah's been walked out on befo'. "All right, professor. Tha's it. Now I'll stick my had inside the door and wiffle mah fingers kind [of] slow like. Jes' like that An' I'll [?me] on slow. Nothin' to worry about -- much." A wrinkled white-gloved hand moving slowly inside the door of the Valhalla. Sad, fidgety music. Silence in the great hall. This is another one coming on -- another entrance. A lazy, crooked grin and a dolorous-eyed black face. Floppy shoes and woebegone pants. Bravo, Mr. Williams! The great hall rings with handclapping. The great hall begins to fill with chuckles. There it is -- the same curious grin, the lugubrious apology of a grin, the weary, pessimistic child of a grin. The Great Actors, eager-eyed and silent, sit back on their thrones. The door of the Valhalla of Great Actors swings slowly shut. No Flo Ziegfeld lighting this time, but a great shoot of sunshine for a "garden." And the music different, easier to sing to, somehow. Music of harps and flutes. And a deep voice rises. Yes, I would have liked to have been there in the Valhalla of the Great Actors when Bert Williams came shuffling through the towering doors and stood singing his entrance song to the silent, eager-eyed throng of Rejanes, Barretts, and Coquelins -- Ah ain't ever done nothin' to nobody, Ah ain't ever got nothin' from nobody -- no time, nohow. Ah ain't ever goin' t' do nothin' for nobody -- Till somebody -- CROSSING THE COLOR LINE 47 boarding house, took a room run by and for white people and found a good job in a very short while." An old Washingtonian with whom I am well acquainted related an experience she had which was both amusing and a bit pathetic. She went to a large middle western city to visit her son who had married a white woman and to see her grandchildren. Even in her old age the grandmother was very fair indeed. One day on of her grandsons who was being prepared for college rushed to her in great distress of mind. "See here, Grandma," said he, "what do you think? Jack won't consent to go to Harvard. I wouldn't give a rap to go anywhere else." "Where does Jack want to go?" asked the grandmother. "Jack wants to go to the University of Virginia. He says he wants to go somewhere -- any old place -- where niggers can't come." The feelings of the grandmother, who kept a boarding house for colored people in Washington at that time, can better be imagined than described. A real estate man who lives in Washington told me a very amusing experience he had when he went to visit his sister who lives in Charleston, South Carolina. An exposition was being held there at the time. His sister gave him a list of things which he must see without fail. But she was very enthusiastic about an East Indian with an unpronounceable name who had astounded the natives with his wonderful feats of legerdemain. The most exclusive lady in that most exclusive social circle, she said, had invited him to her home, where he transported her guests with wonder and joy by his adroitness and extraordinary skill. "Herbert," said the man's sister, "I want you to meet this clever East Indian very much. Come with me and let me introduce you to him. He is at leisure just about this time." Then they wended their way to the celebrity's office. "Mr. So and So," said his sister, "let me present my brother to you." The eyes of the two men met in instant recognition. "Hello, Bert," said the great East Indian reaching out his hand. "We haven't seen each other since we used to play marbles together when we were boys." This case was all the more remarkable, because the "East Indian" had been born and brought up as a colored boy in that very southern city and some of his relatives were still living there. He visited them almost every night after dark when he removed his costume. But he grew so bold about it that a friend in his own 48 NEGRO WORLD DIGEST racial group warned him to exercise more caution. Even though there is absolute certainty that the chances of success are much greater for a colored person who foreswears his race than for the individual who remains loyal to it, many do not yield to the temptation to pass for white. A young woman who is one of my friends is a musician of distinction and has written a book. She could easily pass for white if she wished to do so. Her complexion is modeled after Spanish or French. Her hair and her eyes are as black as midnight. She married a young physician who can also pass for white. They went to a western city, where the doctor had a large and growing practice. He suddenly decided that he would shake off the body of the dusky death, so to speak, and cast his lot with the dominant race. When he revealed his plan to his wife, she told him she would rather live on a small income, if necessary, than have large one if she were obliged to forsake her family and friends. The husband could not be shaken from his purpose and the wife could not be persuaded to turn her back on her family and friends. So they separated. She came here to Washington, remained here a while and then went to a large eastern city where prejudice is less acute than it is here. When I used to see this accomplished young woman, as I often did, and her little daughter, who was both fair and pretty, I could not help wondering how the husband and father could have summoned the strength and courage to tear himself away from them and bid them good-bye. In this particular phase of the race problem a very unusual thing occurred in a western city not many years ago. A couple had been happily married a long time. The husband was a physician with a profitable practice and the wife, a college graduate, had been a teacher in a high school. Suddenly the wife noticed that her husband seemed very much worried about something. He had a far-away look, was distraught and evidently very unhappy. she feared that he no longer loved her. She questioned him repeatedly and begged him to tell her what was the matter. Replying to her questions he told her he was not in financial straits. Money matters were not troubling him and there certainly was no other woman in the case. He admitted that he was greatly worried about something. But he begged her not to insist upon knowing what was the cause of his mental distress on the ground that if he told her she would be much more unhappy than she was. But the wife assured her husband that no matter what was the cause of the trouble, she would rather know what it was than remain in ignorance and suspense. "Very well," said he, "since you insist and will not let me alone I'll tell you. I am a colored man." The wife ran to him quickly, threw her arms around his neck and exclaimed, "Thank God! Thank God! I am a colored woman and I feared that in some way you had discovered the truth and were unhappy because I had deceived you." LIE DETECTORS . . . Lying causes certain emotional disturbances which can be recorded. Attempted deception is usually accompanied by visible physiological changes, such as pulsation in the throat, blushing, eye squinting, and dryness of the mouth and lips. The lie detector brought out by Professor Keeler is thought to be a most up to date machine but the ancients also had various methods of detecting lying. The Chinese made their subjects chew rice while being questioned and spit it out for examination. If it was dry, the subject was presumed guilty because the salivary gland secretion had stopped. A crafty Hindu prince would gather all his subjects suspected of some crime into a room in his palace and tell them that in the adjoining room was a sacred ass who would bray loudly when a liar pulled his tail. They were then made to go in one at a time and grasp the tail of the ass. When each had done so and the donkey had not brayed, the Prince ordered all his subjects to put out their hands for inspection. Only the guilty one had clean hands. The Prince had dusted the donkey's tail with black powder before the test, and those who were not afraid and pulled it had blackened their hands. —Lilliput, August, 1940. 1940 STYLE "RIDE" Chiefs who were taken by the Italians when the army of Ras Desta was defeated were killed in batches. Italian airmen made sport of it. They were taken up in planes and flung out from 5,000 feet to be dashed on the rocks below. —New Times andEthiopia Review, 1940. Who killed Blito? Panther or Man? Interview with a Panther-man From Witchcraft William Seabrook ". . . but I tell you I do turn into a panther. No—I can't do it now for you! I can't do it like that —whenever I want to. I can't do it ever. It isn't anything I do. It's something that happens to me. But when it happens, I am a panther." "Do you like it?" "Oh, yes," he would always answer, "it's nicer than being a man." "But if you really do turn into a panther," I kept badgering him for the four-hundredth time, "then why do you have to put on that panther skin—those mittens with iron claws?" "It's a part of the fetish," he'd repeat, "it's part of the magic. It's like rubbing the panther fat, and eating the part of the panther's liver, and dancing the panther dance, crouching and leaping. It's when you make the leaping that you become the panther . . ." "All right," I'd say, getting back to the point which interested me most, "but after you've leapt and become the panther, if you really become a panther, why don't you leap out of the disguise? You don't need two panther skins, and you don't need the iron claws, if you've got real ones!" To this, Tei had a variety of answers, the best one being that you never knew when you might suddenly change back into your human shape—and be recognized. In the end, I became firmly convinced of Tei's sincerity, convinced that his hallucinations about actually turning into a panther were completely real. I got to thinking about the whole queer business and it occurred to me that in the typical panther-man murder-drama as it usually occurs in the jungle—and as it had occurred in the death of Blito to which little Tei had confessed — there is a three-way illusion, which spreads out beyond the mere illusion in the panther-man's one individual brain. Copyright 1940. Harcourt, Brace & Company, 383 Madison Ave., New York City. 50 Pittsburgh Courier, May 17, 1941 It is hard to imagine a biography more interesting and enlightening than Forrest Wilson's "Crusader in Crinoline" (Lippincott, Philadelphia), which is the life of Harriet Beecher Stowe. The author has made a painstaking search for available material and has used it with telling effect. The pictures of Mrs. Stowe are strong and clear, whether as a frail mother of seven children she is helping to support herself and family by writing under the most discouraging circumstances imaginable, or whether as the author of one of the most powerful novels ever published she is being given a reception in England usually accorded only to royalty. Mrs. Stowe's hatred of slavery, her determination to accept her sister-in-law's suggestion "to write something which would make this whole nation feel what an accursed thing slavery is," and the phenomenal success achieved in keeping her pledge are splendidly portrayed. SOUTH'S ABUSE The South's abuse of Mrs. Stowe for writing "Uncle Tom's Cabin" is mentioned, but not overdrawn. Several of her most successful books are briefly reviewed. Mrs. Stowe might have been one of the richest women in the world if she had secured the English and foreign copyrights to "Uncle Tom's Cabin," not to mention the dramatic rights, for which she received nothing at all, whereas, at her death, she left her family comparatively little. Both the Henry Ward Beecher-Theodore Tilton scandal, which shook the religious and social foundations of the country for a long time, and Mrs. Stowe's "True Story fo Lady Byron," for which she was severely criticized and in her England, ares candidly discussed. But the reader is allowed to draw his own conclusions. Mr. Wilson neither minimizes Mrs. Stowe's mistakes nor soft-pedals her faults. he impresses one as being absolutely just and fair. He takes special pains to prove Mrs. Stowe's interest in the race for whose emancipation she did so much, be citing her efforts to lift it to a higher plane after it was free. "Crusader in Crinoline" proves Abraham Lincoln's estimate of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was not too high. When Mrs. Stowe called at the White House, the President seized her hand and exclaimed, "Are you the little woman who made the great war?" "Uncle Tom's Cabin" "ranks fourth in point of circulation among all the books of the world." Mr. Wilson has rendered this generation a distinct service by writing the life o[f] Harriet Beecher Stowe, who not only stands "in the foremost rank of famous women in the world, but in shaping the destiny of the American people at a most critical period of their history, her influence was probably greater than that of any other individual. Charles Sumner said that if 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' had not been written, Abraham Lincoln could not have been elected President of the United States." Mary Church Terrell. NEGRO DIGEST [*Page 57*] A Magazine Of Negro Comment Round } Is Syphilis Primarily A Race Problem? Table } Yes .......................................................................W. G. Smillie 61 No ........................................................................Elmer Carter 62 No ...................................................................Albert Deutsch 63 D. C. Test Tube .......................................................Turner Catledge 3 Georgia Primer ..........................................................Lillian E. Smith 7 This Is The Army .....................................................................................12 Kings Of Boogie Woogie .........................................Virginia Irwin 15 Black Brazil ..................................................................Harold Preece 18 Rumor Clinic ...............................................................Boston Herald 21 Hot 'N' Sweet ..........................................................Eleanor Mercein 23 Charleston Folk Tales ..................................................John Bennett 33 Harlem Winchell .........................................................Haskell Cohen 37 Open Letter To America ........................................Wendell Willkie 43 Josh The Basher .............................................................................Time 45 World's No. 1 Negro ....................................................Mercer Cook 47 Debacle In Detroit .................................................Anna Mary Wells 51 Voice With A Message ..............................................Lewis B. Funke 55 I Plead Guilty ............................................................Richard O. Boyer 65 Jim Crow For Export ....................................................Joseph Dynan 69 The Duke Of Hot .....................................................Maurice Zolotow 71 'I Feel Like A Man' .........................................Spencer R. McCulloch 77 The Four Equalities ...............................................Eleanor Roosevelt 81 Book } New World A-Coming ...................................Roi Ottley 85 Section } Color Craze, 6 - Who's Who, 14 - Potent Prose, 23 - Chatter, 50 - If I Were Young Again, 57 - Vital Statistics, 59 - Digest Poll, 60 - Editorial Of Month, 68 - Success Story, 71 - Man Of Month, 84 SEPTEMBER 1943 [*25c*] DIGEST QUIZ Who Said It? WORDS that made history know no color line. The good- or bad-that men do is not interred with their bones-it lives centuries after. Here is a simple quiz designed to test your knowledge of the men, past and present, whose quotes are today or will in the future take prominent places in history books. The idea is to guess who said what. Score yourself fair for a 70; 80 is good; anything over is excellent. Answers on inside back cover. 1. This government cannot endure half slave and half free. 2. The South loves the Negro in his place, but his place is at the back door. 3. To keep a man in the ditch, you have to stay there with him. 4. We'll win because we're on God's side. 5. A Negro has no rights which a white man is bound to respect. 6. I know of no rights of race superior to the rights of humanity. 7. Peace, it's wonderful! 8. I asked, where is the black man's government... I could not find them, and then I declared, I will help make them... 9. Labor in a white skin cannot emancipate itself where in the black it is branded. 10. As for the Negro, it is a criminal absurdity to train a half- born ape. Published monthly at 3507 South Parkway, Chicago, Ill. by the Negro Digest Publishing Co. Subscription Rates: 25 cents a single copy, $3.00 a year, $5.00 two years, life subscription $25.00. In foreign countries $4.00 a year, $6.00 two years. Managing Editor: John H. Johnson Copyright, 1943, by the Negro Digest Publishing Co. Entered as a second class matter January 27, 1943, at the post office at Chicago, Illinois, under the Act of March 3, 1879. The articles in Negro Digest are selected on the basis of general interest and information and do not necessarily express the opinions of the editors. 43 If I Were Young Again Noted educator regrets she didn't study law to serve race Needed: Woman Lawyers by Mary Church Terrell If I had my life to live over again, i am sure I would do exactly what I have been trying to do for nearly fifty years. I have been trying to present the colored man's case clearly, strongly, and tactfully to the people of the dominant race. by talking with them I have discovered that many who are well-educated, broad-minded, and justice-loving have no idea of the efforts colored people are making to help themselves in spite of the almost insurmountable obstacles they have to overcome. I would want to repeat the public work of various kinds ----------- MARY CHURCH TERRELL was the first colored woman in the U. S. to serve on a board of education. She was a member of the D. C. board for eleven years. She was also the first president of the National Association of Colored Women and later named honorary president for life. She was a speaker at the International Congress of Women in Berlin, Germany, in 1904 and later was associated with Jane Addams as a delegate to the International League for Peace and Freedom at Zurich, Switzerland, in 1919. -------- have done, to represent colored women, not only in Europe and England, as I have done three times, but I should want to present the colored woman's progress and the perplexing problems confronting her here all over the world. It is a wonderful story and reads like a fairy tale. I should want to repeat the work I have done on the lecture platform, before Chautauquas, in the churches, in the forums and organizations of various kinds, multiplied many times by still more glorious opportunities to tell our thrilling story everywhere from a colored woman's point of view. In addition to writing articles for magazines and newspapers I would somehow force myself into the ranks of successful short story writers. I believe the deplorable conditions under which many of us live can be pictured more vividly and can be improved more quickly and more surely through the medium of the short story than in any other way. Concerning the trade or profes- 1943 NEEDED: WOMEN LAWYERS 59 wink at these disgraceful conditions with uttering a word in protest. I would show that the congressmen, who come from that section where the majority of colored people live and are not allowed to vote, site in the Senate and House illegally, and let them judge for themselves whether the business these Senators and Representatives transact is done legally. In the labor movement our prospects are brighter today than they have sometimes been in the past. Honest, earnest efforts are being made by those in power to give employment to our group and to remove the ban which has often prevented us from earning our daily bread. If I were young I would do everything I could to impress upon our group the necessity of training and fitting ourselves properly for whatever trade or occupation in which we want to engage. I would work hard and continuously to remove the many injustices of which we are the victims and to make it possible for colored people to reach any height of human endeavor to which by our ability and industry it is possible to attain. VITAL STATISTICS Race In The War By Robert Chase (Director, Negro Digest Research Bureau) There are 800,000 Negro troops in the armed forces today, the greatest number in American history. A total of 9000 Negro seamen are sailing U.S. Liberty ships in the seven seas. Colored army officers now total 4000. Twelve out of every 100 Negro draftees between 18 and 20 are rejected for education deficiency compared to one out of every 100 whites. The rejection rate for Negro draftees because of bad health is 45 per cent. Seventy-five per cent of all Negro selectees come from the South. The first American killed in the armored forces in World War II was a Negro -- Robert H. Brooks. 58 NEGRO DIGEST September sion I would follow I can say that I might be a lawyer. I am sometimes sorry that I did not study law when my late husband, Judge Robert Heberton Terrell taught in the Howard University Law School. But it seemed difficult, if not impossible, for me to do so and to discharge my duties and obligations at the same time. If I were younger I should be tempted to study law now in the Robert Heberton Terrell Law School here which was named for my husband. The women of our group can render excellent service as lawyers. I would join as many organisations established to promote the welfare of our group as I could, and I would always pay my dues. I would encourage those I could not join by speaking a good word for them and attending their meetings every now and then. I would never use the word Negro when I can avoid it. If a man is a Negro, it follows as the night the day that I am a Negress. I will not allow anybody to call me a "Negress" if I can prevent it. "Negress" is a term of reproach which the colored women of this country can not live down for thousands of years. In fact, they can never live it down. Those who handicap and persecute us always call us Negroes (usually with a little "n," when it is not changed into an uglier word). But those who are friendly and try to help us generally refer to us as "colored people." There are no Negroes in the United States, no matter how dark the individual's complexion may be. Every one of us has white blood in his veins. If I could live my life over again I would start and maintain a vigorous crusade against the use of the word Negro. Our group will never receive the respect and consideration to which we are entitled so long as we allow ourselves to be designated as Negroes. Colored people will succeed in business whenever they learn how to conduct it properly. Those who have earned the reputation of being good business men and who have made money have proved that their race does not militate against success. The political future of our group is bright in the North if we will only discharge our duties and obligations as citizens, faithfully, honestly and wisely. It is a sin and a shame that so many neglect to do so. If I were young I would go through the North, East and West urging people to do everything in their power to enforce the provisions of the Constitution which have conferred citizenship upon us. I would try to impress them with the fact that they are partners in the crime of disenfranchising millions of colored people, so long as they NEGRO DIGEST POLL 'Are Negroes Guilty of Misconduct in Public Places?' By Wallace Lee (Director, Negro Digest Poll) PUBLIC CONDUCT of Negroes is not all it should be, most whites and Negroes throughout the nation agree. While carefully averting a tendency to put the misconduct tag on all Negroes, both groups feel that the problem of decorum is very definite and aggravated by the slow but definite integration of colored citizens into American life. Because the spotlight is focused so much on Negroes today, even the minority guilty of hoodlumism is casting aspersions on the majority of Negroes, it is felt. The NEGRO DIGEST Pol for September on the question represents a cross-section of feeling that Negro misconduct is retarding interracial relationships. The question submitted and the results were: "Are Negroes Guilty of Misconduct in Public Places?" Negroes Whites Yes 62% 83% No 33% 11% Undecided 5% 6% A surprisingly large number of Negroes expressed opinions that it was time to curb unbridled elements of their own race who were giving a black eye to all colored people. While acknowledging that some, if not most, of the delinquent conduct can be traced to resentment against discrimination and inequalities, still most Negroes feel that steps should be taken to improve general conduct while at the same time pushing for fundamental changes in the status of black Americans. The section vote was: Yes No Undecided North 55% 42% 3% West 53% 43% 4% South 65% 28% 7% Among whites opinions were overwhelmingly toward the belief that Negro conduct could stand much improvement. It was felt that ill-mannered Negroes were keeping whites from recognition of Negro rights. Yes No Undecided North 72% 18% 10% West 70% 18% 12% South 91% 7% 2% Bot races agree that efforts to improve conduct is a two-fold task of education and of economic change to better Negro status. [*60*] [*Page 297*] January 1946 50 cents per copy $4.00 per year EDUCATION Volume 66 1 No. 5 Prefatory Statement What Every Child and Adult Should Know About "Race" A Psychology of Prejudice Today's Concept of Culture Teaching the Concept of Culture To Save Explaining . . . . . Inter-group Education in Liberal Arts Colleges Quiz on Democracy Next Steps in Education for Racial Understanding A Parent's Reflections Upon Viewing His Child's Text-book Are You Listening? All Blood Is Red [*(*]A Colored Woman Travels the United States[*)*] [*Page 297*] The Farmers Union Educates for Democracy Unions Fight Jim Crow and Racism Education Program and Policies of the American Jewish Committee Basis Principles and New Techniques for Inter-group Education Institute on Race Relations Volunteer Work Camp Books to Break the Stereotypes Movies in Inter-group Education Some Bibliographical Suggestions on the Problem of Anti-Semitism Not yet Loved Enough A MAGAZINE DEVOTED to the SCIENCE, ART, PHILOSOPHY and LITERATURE of EDUCATION EDUCATION RAYMOND P. PALMER, Managing Editor ASSOCIATE EDITORS ARITHMETIC MEASUREMENT GUY M. WILSON ERNEST W. TIEGS Professor Emeritus Dean of University College Boston University University of Southern California ART MODERN LANGUAGES ROYAL BAILEY FARNUM LOUIS J. A. MERCIER Executive Vice-President Associate Professor of French and R. I. School of Design Education, Harvard University AVIATION MUSIC N. L. ENGELHARDT, JR. LLOYD F. SUNDERMAN Air Age Education Research State Teachers College New York, 17 N. Y. Oswego, N. Y. BOOK REVIEWS PEACE EDUCATION WILLIAM P. SEARS LEON NORDAU Professor of Education James Monroe High SChool New York University Bronx, N. Y. C. CIVICS POST WAR PROBLEMS C. PERRY PATTERSON JESSE S. ROBINSON Professor of Government Professor of Economics The University of Texas Carleton College CLASSICAL LANGUAGES PERSONALITY B. L. ULLMAN LOUIS P. THORPE Professor of Latin Professor of Education University of North Carolina University of Southern California Chapel Hill, N. C. PUBLIC RELATIONS CREATIVE WRITING PAUL J. MISNER TRENTWELL MASON WHITE Superintendent of Schools President Lesley College Glencoe, Illinois Cambridge, Mass. RADIO and EDUCATION EDITORIALS MAX J. HERZBERG CARL G. MILLER Principal Weequahic High School Lewis & Clark High School Newark, New Jersey Spokane, Washington RELIGIOUS EDUCATION HENRY H. MEYER ENGLISH Dean Emeritus, Boston University ALICE HOWARD SPAULDING School of Social Work High School New York, N. Y. Brookline, Massachusetts SCIENCE HANOR A. WEBB GEOGRAPHY Chairman, Div. of Science and Math. OTIS W. FREEMAN George Peabody College for Teachers Indiana University SOCIAL SCIENCE Bloomington, Indiana ERNEST R. GROVES Professor of Sociology GUIDANCE University of North Carolina JESSE B. DAVIS SUPERVISION Dean Emeritus, School of Education WALTER A. ANDERSON Boston Univeristy Assistant Superintendent Minneapolis, Minnesota HISTORY VISUAL EDUCATION DANIEL C. KNOWLTON F. DEAN McCLUSKY Professor of Education, Emeritus Director of Scarborough School New York Univeristy Scarborough, N. Y. INDUSTRIAL ARTS VOCATIONAL EDUCATION ARTHUR B. MAYS L. H. DENNIS Professor of Industrial Education Exec. Secretary Univeristy of Illinois American Vocational Asso. Address all communications to the office of the publishers. THE PALMER COMPANY, Publishers 370 Atlantic Avenue Boston 10, Massachusetts NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., Printers, Salem Mass. EDUCATION A MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE SCIENCE, ART, PHILOSOPHY AND LITERATURE OF EDUCATION VOL. 66 JANUARY 1946 No. 5 INTER-GROUP EDUCATION NUMBER HELEN PARKER MUDGETT, Editor Regional Director, North Central Area Institute for American Democracy, Inc. Contents Page Prefatory Statement . . . . . . . . Helen Parker Mudgett 259 What Every Child and Adult Should Know About "Race" . M. F. Ashley Montagu 261 A Psychology of Prejudice . . . . . . . . William E. Henry 267 Today's Concept of Culture . . . . . . . . Ethel Alpenfels 271 Teaching the Concept of Culture . . . . . . . Marian Edman 272 To Save Explaining . . . . . . . . . . . . A Student 274 Inter-group Education in Liberal Arts Colleges . . . . . Leo Shapiro 276 Quiz On Democracy . . . . . St. Paul Council of Human Relations 280 Next Steps in Education for Racial Understanding . . . . Roy Wilkins 283 A Parent's Reflections Upon Viewing His Child's Text-book . . . J. B. Calva 286 Are you Listening? . . . . . . . . . . June Blythe 289 All Blood Is Red . . . . . . . . . . Eugene Lavine 292 A Colored Woman Travels the United States . . . . . Mary C. Terrell 297 The Farmers Union Educates for Democracy . . . . Gladys T. Edwards Unions Fight Jim Crow and Racism . . . . . . . Mark Starr 308 The Education Program and Policies of the American Jewish Committee . . Solomon A. Fineberg 310 Basic Principles and New Techniques for Inter-group Education . . . . William C. Kernan and Richard A. Zinn 313 Institute of Race Relations . . . . . . . Charles S. Johnson 316 Volunteer Work Camp . . . . . . . . Edward R. Miller 318 Books to Break the Stereotypes . . . . . . Margaret M. Heaton 321 Movies in Inter-group Education . . . . . . . Irwin Gladstein 326 Some Bibliographical Suggestions on the Problem of Ant-Semitism . . . LouElla Miles 329 Not yet Loved Enough . . . . . . . . . . Helen Parker Mudgett 335 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340 Published Monthly Except July and August Subscription Price: $4.00 per year, 50 cts. per copy Entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office, Boston, Mass., under the Act of March 3, 1879 THE PALMER COMPANY, Publishers 370 Atlantic Avenue Boston 10, Massachusetts 20 Skills Units In One Book: This teaching aid offers schools an efficient and economical means of giving pupils basic training in the 20 social-studies skills that they will need throughout their school careers. Written in a clear, simple style, and humorously illustrated SOCIAL-STUDIES SKILLS stimulates pupils to improve their social-studies work. And, as the list of units shows, many of the skills are applicable in other subjects. Many leaders in the social-studies field have stated that social-studies pupils in the final years of high-school generally are inadequately equipped in the basic skills needed for successful classroom work. But in schools throughout the country today, SOCIAL-STUDIES SKILLS is being used effectively on an early level to improve pupils' present and future social-studies work. Order a copy on approval today! SOCIAL-STUDIES SKILLS with Individual Self-Testing Key By FORREST E. LONG and HELEN HALTER Directions, Practice Materials, Tests, and Retests on 20 skills: 1. How to Use Parliamentary Procedure 2. How to Understand Social-Studies Reading 3. How to Use an Encyclopedia 4. How to Make an Honest Report 5. How to Use a Dictionary 6. How to Use a Map 7. How to Use an Atlas 8. How to Do Committee Work 9. How to Take Part in a Social Studies Discussion 10. How to Use the Library Card Catalog 11. How to Use an Index 12. How to Use the World Almanac 13. How to Locate References on a Topic 14. How to Read Simple Graphs 15. How to Read Pictorial Graphs and Maps 16. How to Read Percentages, Estimates, and Figures 17. How to Outline Social-Studies Material 18. How to Prepare a Good Report 19. How to Give an Oral Report 20. How to Make a Written Report 30-day approval - List price $1.50 Net professional price, with key, $1.20 4-29 copies, including keys, $1.05 each, net 30 or more copies 90c net each, keys 5c each INOR PUBLISHING CO, 207 Fourth Ave. New York 3 A Colored Woman Travels the United States By MARY CHURCH TERRELL Note: The editor would like to take this occasion to thank Madame Terrell for contributing to this issue of EDUCATION. Few American women have lived more varied or more useful lives. Madame Terrell has the distinction of being the first colored women to serve on a Board of Education, the first president of the National Association of Colored Women, and charter member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In 1904, she was the only American delegate to address the International Congress of Women, in Berlin, the three languages - English, French, and German. On the hundredth anniversary of Oberlin College, Madame Terrell was named one of the college's "100 famous alumni and alumnae." EVEN under normal conditions a colored women who decides to travel in some sections of the United States must make up her mind to accept philosophically any rebuffs and discomforts she may happen to meet. Under the present congested travelling conditions - despite the government's repeated requests that civilians refrain from unnecessary trips so that our soldiers and sailors may return to their homes as quickly and comfortably as possible - she would indeed be a dyed-in-a-wool optimist if she believed her prospects for a pleasant journey were promising. Long before the present emergency existed, when a colored woman succeeded in getting Pullman accommodations in a large section of this country, she considered herself lucky indeed. But now, generally speaking, the effort to obtain one almost anywhere in the United States would be something like trying to catch greased lightning in a bottle. Before starting on her journey a colored woman knows several things. For example, she knows that if for any reason she misses connections en route to her destination and is obliged to remain anywhere over night, there are comparatively few cities and towns where she can find hotel accommodations. If she is traveling on the South, she knows that she will be unable to get her meals in the diner, unless she is willing to accept the humiliation of being obliged to wait until all the white passengers have been served. If the train stops long enough for the passengers to get a meal at a railroad station, she knows that in many places a colored woman is not allowed to sit at a table, and in some places not allowed even to stand at a counter, while white passengers are being served. I remember distinctly the first time I had direct, personal knowledge of the manner in which colored people are sometimes treated on railroad trains. We lived in Memphis, Tennessee, and my father was taking me to Cincinnati, Ohio. Although he had been a slave, his complexion was as fair as that of the average Caucasian and fairer than that of many. We boarded the first class coach, for there was no Jim Crow car law in the state of Tennessee at that time. [*1*] There was, however, a separate coach for [*1 Editor's Note: For discussion of the introduction and subsequent increase of legalized Jim Crow after the decade of the 1870's, see Carey McWilliams, BROTHERS UNDER THE SKIN, pp. 267, 282, 305ff and Gunnar Myrdal, AN AMERICAN DILEMMA, Vol. 1. p. 578ff. 297*] [*298*] EDUCATION FOR JANUARY, 1946 colored people, and they were expected to occupy it. After seating me, my father went into the smoker. When the conductor came to collect tickets, he glared at me, asked me who I was and what I was doing in that car. I replied as well as a frightened, little girl five years old who knew nothing about the Race Problem could be expected to answer. But I did not satisfy the conductor and then and there he decided to put me into the coach where I "belonged." As he pulled me roughly out of the seat, he turned to the man sitting across the aisle and said: "Whose little nigger is this?" The man told him and advised him to let me alone. One of my father's friends, seeing the conductor fully intended to remove me from the car, went into the smoker to tell my father what was happening. My father returned immediately and there followed a scene which no one who witness it could ever forget. In that section of the country, at that time, it was customary for men to carry revolvers in their hip pockets. Fortunately, no one was injured, and I remained with my courageous, handsome father in the white coach. Naturally, this incident agitated my young mind considerably. I thought of all the sins of omission and commission against which mother had warned me before I left hone. I could think of nothing I had done wrong. My father refused to talk about it and forbade me to do so. When I returned home, I begged my mother to tell me why the conductor wanted to take me out of the nice, clean car and put me in one that my father said was dirty. I assured her I had been behaving myself "like a little lady," as she had told me to do: I was sitting up straight and proper, not talking loud, or looking out the window with my feet on the seat; I hadn't lost either one of the blue ribbons which tied my braids on each side of my head, and I hadn't soiled my dress a single bit! My mother looked very sad; she said she believed I had been behaving myself; and then she tried to comfort me by explaining that sometimes conductors on railroad trains treated even good little girls very badly. [*2*] I had a real taste of Jim Crow when I was about sixteen years old and was coming from Oberlin College to spend my vacation in Memphis. I had to change cars in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and when I detrained I asked a porter which car I should take for Memphis. As soon as I entered the one to which he had directed me, I observed that it was different from any coach I had ever seen. It was a regular day-coach divided into two parts - the front being used as a smoker for white men and the rear part serving as a coach for colored men and women. There was one toilet for the whole car. Instantly, I knew this was the Jim Crow car which I had heard about but never seen. I realized that I had been trapped, and I resolved not to remain in it. I tried to go into the car ahead of me, but the conductor barred [*2 Since, at that time, Jim Crow cars had not been legalized in Tennessee, colored people who bought first class tickets could get first class accommodations, if they insisted upon their rights. Now, even when colored people are allowed to buy first class tickets, they are often thrust into dirty, stuffy coaches, without even adequate toilet facilities for the two sexes, and compelled to stay in them; they are told that the Jim Crow cars are "first class for them." Those who maintain that conditions are growing better for colored people in the South might do well to consider how much more seriously handicapped they are today, when travelling in the South, than they were thirty or forty years ago.] A COLORED WOMAN TRAVELS THE UNITED STATES [*299*] the way, Later, when he came to collect tickets, I told him I wished he would give me a seat in the coach ahead. The conductor sternly informed me that I was in the coach where I belonged. "But I have a first class ticket," I protested, "and this is not a first class coach." "It is first class enough for you," he replied. "You stay just where you are." I tried hard to compose myself. In the afternoon, the Jim Crow car was well filled, but as evening came on, the number of passengers dwindled until I was the only one left. I had to travel all night, and when I thought that during the whole night, or even a part of it, I would be in that car alone at the mercy of the conductor or any other man who entered, I was frightened and horrified: young as I was, I had heard about awful tragedies which had overtaken young colored girls travelling alone in these cars at night. I decided to ask the conductor once more to allow me to go into the coach ahead. But he was obdurate. When I told him how frightened I was with nobody else in the car, he assured me that he would keep me company. "I should much rather be left to myself," I summoned up courage enough to reply, "than to have you stay with me." By this time I was so disturbed that I felt anything would be preferable to remaining alone with the conductor. But what could I do? All at once I made up my mind to leave the train. The conductor had announced that the next stop would be Erie, (Tennessee). I decided to get off there and wire my father for instructions. I was well aware that I was taking a desperate chance. I knew that any colored girl ran the risk of having an unpleasant experience, or of falling into some kind of danger, by getting off at night in a strange southern town - where she could not get a room in a hotel and knew nobody. Of the two evils, however, I decided leaving the train was the less. When we reached Erie, I took my valise and started toward the door. The conductor was there before me. "What are you going to do?" he asked. "I'm getting off here," I replied, "to wire my father that you are forcing me to ride all night in a Jim Crow car. He will sue the railroad for compelling his daughter, who has a first class ticket, to ride in a second class car." "Do you know where you are going?" he inquired. "Do you require all the passengers who leave the train to tell you their business?" I retorted. Whereupon, the conductor tried to wrench my valise from my hand. When he saw he was attracting the attention of passengers in the next car, he let go of my valise. Then I hurried into the first class coach and sank into a seat in the center of the car. I reached Memphis all right the next morning. [*3*] The first time I experienced the ordeal through which colored women pass who are stranded at night in a strange city came when I was travelling from Shreveport, Louisiana, to Paris, Texas. Since I knew I would be on the train all day I boarded the white coach. (Once during a trip in a Jim Crow car between Hot Springs and Fort Smith, I had not been able to eat from the time I started at five in the morning until I reached my destination [*3 Again I call attention to the fact that had there been, at that time, a Jim Crow car law in Tennessee, I should have had to remain in the car all night - or to have left it for the unknown discomforts or dangers of a strange town.*] [*300*] EDUCATION FOR JANUARY, 1946 -tination that evening. I had resolved after that experience that in the future when I knew I would be travelling all day, I would not go into the Jim Crow car.) There were so many deeply-tanned, dark, white people around that I hoped my swarthy face might get by. Anyhow, if I got into trouble I had made up my mind to take it. A short time before reaching Texarkana in the early evening, the conductor told me the train would not go through to Paris that night. "What shall I do?" I asked. "I am acquainted with no one in Texarkana. Where can I stay tonight?" "You can stay at a hotel, of course," the conductor replied. Up to that moment, it had never occurred to me to attempt to stay at a white hotel in the South. Without thinking, I exclaimed: "I can't stay at a hotel in Texarkana!" Apparently the conductor did not understand the meaning of my exclamation for, as the train came to a stop, he called a porter and said: "Here, Jim, take his lady to the Rawlings House. (That is not the name of the hotel.) Colored people can always recognize each other, and I wondered whether the porter would take me there, but he did. When I registered, the clerk probably attributed my swarthy complexion to the smoke and dust which had blown in through the car window and made me several shades darker than I usually am. In my room, I actually hesitated over washing my face for fear that, when it was clean, I should be "discovered" and ejected from the hotel. Finally, I washed my face and decided to take another chance: I went to the dining-room. The fact that the man and his wife at whose table I was seated did not rise immediately was reassuring - If they had entertained the slightest suspicion that a monster in the shape of a real, live, honest-to-goodness colored woman had been placed in such close proximity at a table, they would have died the death before they would have tamely submitted to such an outrage. After I returned to my room and began to get settled, I remembered that I had written my full name, quite legibly, in the register, and fear took possession of me: I had been filling engagements in that part of the South for three or four weeks; it was possible that some of the waiters in the hotel had read accounts of both my career and speeches in the colored newspapers. What if they should tell the management? I trembled with apprehension. What a fatal mistake not to have registered under an assumed name! Drawing about myself what tag-ends of comfort I could muster, I finally fell asleep. I was wakened by a loud noise at the door. "Your time has come," was the first thought that popped into my head. I was sure that the clerk or the proprietor had learned that I was colored and had come to wreak upon me the vengeance of the Southland for daring to violate its traditions and customs. I did not answer. The second knock sounded louder than the first. I decided I would not allow myself to be taken out of that room alive, to be beaten and disfigured, or otherwise mistreated by an infuriated mob. I recalled that Texarkana was the first southern city in which a colored man had been burned to death. This thought was no comfort. My room was on the first floor above A COLORED WOMAN TRAVELS THE UNITED STATES [*301*] the main entrance with a window which reached from the floor to the ceiling and opened on a little veranda. I resolved to throw myself from the balcony. If it did not kill me, I argued, it might stun me enough to prevent my being sensitive to pain. A third knock came. I mustered up courage to answer: "Who is it? What do you want?" "Lady," came a soft, ingratiating voice, "did you ring for a pitcher of water?" "No," I fairly shouted at him, "I did not!" I hope I shall never pass through an experience like that again. It is said that it is possible for a human being to have certain feelings only once in a life-time. If the feelings are such as overwhelmed me at that hotel at Texarkana, that dispensation of Providence is indeed a great blessing. Even in places where a colored woman feels she is least likely to be the victim of race prejudice, she sometimes gets a large and bitter dose of it. Not long ago a friend went to a New York hotel where we had both stayed. The clerk told her they were no longer accommodating colored people. "Why are you excluding us?" she asked. "Because," the clerk replied, "our southern patrons don't like it." Ever since the War of the Rebellion the effort made by the North - which claims to believe in Democracy - to appease the South amounts to a national tragedy. Can anybody imagine a proprietor of a southern hotel deciding to accommodate colored people to please his patrons from the North? Not even in the national capitol can colored people be certain of being able to satisfy their hunger and thirst. Some time ago the Five-and-Ten Cent stores decided to permit colored people to stand at a counter to eat a sandwich and get a hot or cold drink, but they are still not permitted to sit at a counter and eat a meal. Before the Five-and-Ten Cent stores allowed colored people to be served standing, a mother who had to take her child to the shopping district and was detained longer than she expected, could find no place where she could get the child as much as a glass of milk. Colored women visiting Washington learn that their race is barred from most theatres and moving-picture houses. Year in and year out, thousands of colored people in the national capitol walk by theatres and movies displaying alluring advertisements of entertainments which race prejudice prevents their seeing. This is a special hardship for teachers when historical pictures are shown from which they could derive so much help for their work. As a colored woman travels the United States, she is encouraged by the strenuous efforts of inter-racial groups, here and there, to promote better understanding between the two races so that injustices of various kinds can be removed and they can live together peacefully. However, race prejudice is so powerful in the United States; it is so strongly entrenched all over the country that much work remains to be done. Indeed, only a very rash person would dare set a precise day when the ugly, monstrous evil will have been eradicated, and the relationship between the two groups established on the basis of the equality which should prevail in a nation that calls itself a democracy. The Farmers Union Educates for Democracy By GLADYS TALBOTT EDWARDS Director of Education National Farmers' Union The Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, commonly known as the Farmers Union, is an organization of farm families who live on, and by, the land. Its purposes are to insure security on the land to the farmer and to build a rural culture which will make farm life rich and beautiful. The Farmers Union members are not starry-eyed dreamers; they recognize the economic and social problems which farmers, as well as other groups, must face in a rapidly changing world. They know these problems can be solved only through study and action, and their program is built on this base. The Farmers Union is chartered in thirty-three states. It is organized at the community level into local units, and the entire farm family, from the eight-year-old Junior Reserve on up, participate in the activities of the local, county, state, and national union. These activities are many and varied since the Farmers Union program covers education and legislation on a national scale and the development of cooperative business from the community to the regional and national level. Education is the base of the Farmers Union program. Educators may ask why it is necessary for a farmer's organization to carry on an educational program: is not our public school system a good one, and is it not adequate? We answer that the public school system is a good one, but it is not adequate. Rural school facilities and equipment do not compare favorably with urban, not so rural schools provide enough education on the economic problems of farmers or the social problems of the nation and the world. Therefore, just as the churches must carry on religious education through the church and the home, a farmer's organization must carry on a program of economic and social education through the community and the home. The Farmers Union program of education is one which seeks to show the interdependence of farmers and other groups, to break down the isolation of farm families, and to bring them into a cooperative working relationship with their neighbors across the fence and across the world. The Farmers Union teaches that prosperity may not be attained by one group at the expense of any other in a healthful economy; that all races and creeds, political and occupational groups, must be assured of a decent living through fair wages for labor performed, whether such labor be performed in a factory, on the farm, or in a profession. The Farmers Union local in the community is the basic unit through 302 A—12 * THE SUNDAY STAR, Washington, D. C. SUNDAY, JULY 28, 1946. 50th Year Celebrated By Colored Women's Association Today The Golden Jubilee mass meeting of the National Association of Colored Women will be held at 3:30 p.m. today at the Nineteenth Steet, Baptist Church, Nineteenth and I streets N.W. Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, first president of the association, will be the principal speaker. The meeting will open with a message of welcome from Mrs. Harry Truman. The Rev. Jerry A. Moore, pastor, will deliver the invocation, and music will be furnished by the Israel Baptist Church Choir. The Association held and executive board meeting yesterday in the Metropolitan A. M. E. Church with registration of over 300 members. The first business session of the five-day convention will begin a 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Metropolitan A. M. E. Church. Reports will be read in the morning and at 1 p.m. an open forum on "The Role of Clubwomen in the Field of Legislation—City, State and National," will be held. Six past presidents of the association will take part tonight in a radio dramatization of the 50-year history of the group. The dramatization, sponsored by the Institute on Race Relations, will be heard over WWDC at 11:15 p.m. on the "Americans All" program. Mrs. Terrell will be in the cast. Other past presidents to appear on the program include, Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune, Miss Hallie Q. Brown, Mrs. Elizabeth Brooks, Mrs. Sallie Stewart and Dr. Mary Waring. Also taking part will be Mrs. Christine Smith, incumbent president. Judge Joseph H. Ramey of Philadelphia also will speak. [*The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C.*] First Leader Recalls Early Day Of Colored Women's Group [*Sunday, July 25, 1946*] By Mary Church Terrell (First President of the National Association of Colored Women.) "What you women did today has set us men a fine example." said one of my friends 50 years ago. "We men yearn to divide our forces. Some of us like to pull out from something just to form something else." This man was referring to the decision to unite their forces made by two national organizations of colored women—the National Federation of Afro-American Women, of which Mrs. Booker T. Washington was president, and the National Colored Women's League, of which Mrs. Helen Cook of this city was president. Both groups agreed that it would be impossible successfully to maintain two national organizations at that stage of their development and that much more could be accomplished by putting all their energy and resources into one body. The Colored Women's League and the Federation of Afro-American Women had held separate conventions here in July, 1896. Was Committee Chairman. On the first day of the federation convention, a committee of seven was appointed to confer with seve from the league with a view to uniting the two groups. The writer was elected chairman of this joint committee. The merger was accomplished with comparatively little friction and the committee, after much discussion, decided to call the new organization the National Association of Colored Women. The first convention of the new association was held September 15, 16 and 17, 1897, in Nashville, Tenn. The first biennial meeting in Chicago, August 14, 15, 16, 1899, with its 145 delegates, attracted widespread attention. The newspapers devoted columns to reporting its proceedings, making favorable editorial comments on its work and presenting pictures of the speakers and officers. An editorial in the Chicago Daily News stated: "Of all the conventions that have met in the country this summer there is none that has taken hold of the business in hand with more good sense and judgment than the National Association of Colored Women assembled in this city. The subject brought up, the manner of their treatment and the decisions reached exhibit wide and appreciative knowledge of conditions confronting colored people." Press Praised Members. During the second biennial meeting in Buffalo, N. Y., July 8 to 14, 1901, the press of that city praised the members of the association both for the manner in which they attacked the problems confrontin them and for the skill with which they dispatched business. There the association elected as its second president, Mrs. Josephine Silone Yates of Kansas City, Mo., a woman admirably fitted by education, character, culture and experience to serve in the position she had been chosen to ??? Since then, with one or two exceptions, the National Association has been meeting biennially in various part of the United States. There are now affiliated clubs in 43 States with approximately 50,000 members. Each club affiliated wit the National Association chooses the kind of work it wishes to do, so that there had been a variety of activities in which the members have engaged. May years ago a hospital with a training school for nurses was established in New Orleans, which gave such a striking proof of its usefulness and necessity during a yellow fever epidemic that thereafter the municipal government made an annual appropriation to help maintain it. Washington News A-11 [?ns] in place on west abutment. its entirety at upper right in [?oved into place after structural -Star Staff Photos. Parade on Saturday To Feature Convention Of District Legion About 500 delegates are expected to attend the convention of the District Department of the American Legion, next Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Mayflower Hotel. High light of the meeting will be a parade on Constitution avenue scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, with units of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps participating. Sessions of the convention will begin each evening at 8 p.m. In addition to addresses, election of officers and adoption of policy platforms will be the main orders of business. Schwellenbach To Speak. Principal speaker Thursday evening will be Secretary of Labor Schwellenbach, who will talk on "Employment, Its Needs and What the Government is Going to Do About It." "The New Army" will be the subject of an address by Gen. Jacob L. Devers, Army Ground Forces commander, the following night. Among resolutions to be submitted to delegates, according to Department Comdr. Herbert J. Jacobi, will be those calling for grant of veterans' status to Americans who served during he war with Allied forces, veterans' preference in employment Combined Show Of Army Might Slated Thursday AAF and Ordnance To Be Honored at Monument Grounds Washington will turn out to honor two branches of the Army next Thursday-the Air Forces and the Ordnance Department-one in observance of national "Air Forces Day" and the other at the opening of a six-week display of Ordnance materiel at the Washington Monument grounds. An armada of 63 planes including eight jet-propelled P-80s, will roar over the District Thursday afternoon as a part of exercises designated by President Truman in commemoration of the 39th anniversary of the Army Air Forces. The Ordnance exhibit will bring some 2,000 tons of bombs, planes, tanks, and guns to Washington, including many items of equipment never before seen by the public. Among enemy materiel on display will be a German jet-propelled plane, the Royal Tiger, Panther and Panzer tanks and the first V-1 and V-2 rockets to be exhibited in the United States. Giant Mortar on Display. American equipment will include the "Little David," a giant mortar First Leader Recalls Early Days Of Colored Women's Group By Mary Church Terrell (First President of the National Association of Colored Women.) "What you women did today has set us men a fine example," said one of my friends 50 years ago. "We men yearn to divide our forces. Some of us like to pull out from something just to form something else." This man was referring to the decision to unite their forces made by two national organizations of colored women-the National Federation of Afro-American Women, of which Mrs. Booker T. Washington was president, and the National Colored Women's League of which Mrs. Helen Cook of this city was president. Both groups agreed that it would be impossible successfully to maintain two national organizations at that stage of their development and that much more could be accomplished by putting all their energy and resources into one body. the Colored women's League and the Federation of Afro-American Women had held separate conventions here in July, 1896. Was Committee Chairman. On the first day of the federation convention, a committee of seven was appointed to confer with seven from the league with a view to uniting the two groups. The writer was elected chairman of this joint committee. The merger was accomplished with comparatively little friction and the committee, after much discussion, decided to call the new organization the National Association of Colored Women. The first convention of the new association was held September 15, 16 and 17, 1897, in Nashville, Tenn. The first biennial meeting in Chicago, August 14, 15, 16, 1899, with its 145 delegates, attracted widespread attention. The newspapers devoted columns to reporting its proceedings, making favorable editorial comments on its work and presenting pictures of the speakers and officers. An editorial in the Chicago Daily News stated: "Of all the conventions that have met in the country this summer there is none that has taken hold of the business in had with more good sense and judgment than the National Association of Colored Women assembled in this city. The subjects brought up, the manner of their treatment and the decisions reached exhibit wide and appreciative knowledge of conditions confronting colored people." Press Praised Members. During the second biennial meeting in Buffalo, N. Y., July 8 to 14, 1901, the press of that city praised the members of the association both for the manner in which they attacked the problems confronting them and for the skill with which they dispatched business. There the association elected as its second president, Mrs. Josephine Silone Yates of Kansas City, Mo., a woman admirably fitted by education, character, culture and experience to serve in the position she had been chosen to fill. Since then, with one or two exceptions, the National Association has been meeting biennially in various part of the United States. there are now affiliated clubs in 43 States with approximately 50,000 members. Each club affiliated with the National Association chooses the kind of work it wishes to do, so that there has been a variety of activities in which the members have engaged. Many years ago a hospital with a training school for nurses was established in New Orleans, which gave such a striking proof of its usefulness and necessity during a yellow fever epidemic that thereafter the municipal government made an annual appropriation to help maintain it. Here and there homes for the orphaned and aged, for unfortunate women and girls have been founded or maintained. The association has tried to impress the dignity of labor upon its group. It has urged its representatives, so far as humanly possible, to remove the difficulty of obtaining employment, due to race prejudice, by establishing a racial reputation for reliability and proficiency in whatever occupation of vocation they earn their living. Domestic Science Schools. The necessity for providing schools of domestic science has been emphasized. women who have enjoyed superior advantages of education and training are constantly being urged to come into closer contact with the masses of their women, many of who make mistakes and depart from correct standards of living, not because they are naturally vicious and depraved, as their detractors and traducers claim, but because they are ignorant and poor and have never had a chance. There has been a goodly number of flourishing musical and literary clubs and some of the art clubs have sent fine exhibits to the biennials from time to time. Classes have been organized by some of the clubs to study subjects in which the members were especially interested. Every since women were enfranchised in 1920, the association has urged its members to do their duty as citizens, and to use their vote to elect just, capable, broad-minded women and men to represent the nation, the state, the county, the cities and towns in which they live. In various ways efforts have been made to improve the legal status of the race. The Tennessee Legislature has been petitioned to abolish the Jim Crow Car Law. The country's attention has been called to injustices and atrocities like lynching, disfranchisement, the contract labor and the convict leases systems, the Jim Crow Car Laws and other evils in the hope that law-abiding citizens will be induced to take steps to remove them. Creating a wholesome, healthful public sentiment, so that relations between major and minor groups will be more friendly and co-operative, is a tenet in which the national association wholeheartily believes. But in connection with all the work attempted by the national association, emphasis has been laid upon the value of mothers' meetings, where women-especially the underprivileged - may learn from competent leaders the best methods of rearing their children and conducting their homes. The members of the association who have worked with their poverty-stricken, ill-favored sisters living in the rural sections of the Deep South have tried to teach them how to make their hovels and huts more habitable and decent with the small means at their command and how to care for themselves and their families more in accordance with the rules of health. Indeed the health of the race has been a matter of deep concern to the members of the association who are alarmed at statistics showing how much greater the death rate among their group is than among other racial groups. There are many reasons to explain this fact, chief of which are poor housing, malnutrition, poverty and ignorance of the rules of health. Although the association realizes what a prodigious, baffling problem this is to tackle, nevertheless, through mothers' meetings, parent-teacher meetings and contacts of various kinds, it is trying to remove some of the course and to correct some of the mistakes which undermine the health of the race. July 31, 1928, was really a red-letter day in the life of the National Association of Colored Women. On that day it opened its headquarters with a dedicatory address by the first president. This three-story building and basement at 1114 O street N.W., with three lots, has been paid for by colored women and is not a gift. When the incomparable Frederick Douglass died, his widow decided to make a mecca of his home in Anacostia, where he had lived for many years. Then the national association paid off the mortgage on the estate, built a caretaker's house and has tried to keep the home in good repair. The Association's Scholarship Loan Fund helps worthy students to go to college and do postgraduate work. In November, 1900, in Minneapolis, the National Association of Colored Women was admitted to membership in the National Council of Women. it has been Raleigh's custom many years to offer you an ear of Overcoats and Topcoats, w forth extra effort to assure ou an outstanding choice for 1946- A complete selecti of styles, fabrics colors and sizes Overcoats . . . Hart Schaffner & Marx Velou and Cheviots. Also Fl Mohair and Wool and T Topcoats . . . Season Skipper Coverts, She Tweed. Also Gabard Cheviots, Camels Hair an Fleeces and Imported Harr t t Plans nts: With Charge k up your [t] it billed Weather has no respect for of men and Washingt is no exception. Winter days cold as today's heat is stiflin foresight will want to take a this event by selecting NOW [t and topcoat] Prepare for THE Aframerican WOMAN'S JOURNAL Frontispiece - Page 2 Page 5 - an appeal to colored women to vote In This Issue Lillian Smith Mary McLeod Bethune Mary Church Terrell Rhetta Arter 25 cents a copy FALL - - - 1946 DIRECTORY OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN, INC. OFFICERS Founder-President MARY McLEOD BETHUNE, Wash., D.C. Vice-Presidents ESTELLE MASSEY RIDDLE, New York BUENA KELLY BERRY, Norfolk, Va. JULIA PATE BORDERS, Atlanta, Ga. ARENIA MALLORY, Lexington, Miss. ELEANOR CURTIS DAILEY, Chicago, Ill. VADA J. SOMERVILLE, LOs Angeles, Calif. Chairman, Executive Board EDITH SAMPSON CLAYTON, Chicago, Ill. Chairman Board of Trustees EUNICE HUNTON CARTER, New York Recording Secretary MAME MASON HIGGINS, Washington Treasurer DOROTHY BOULDING FEREBEE, Wash. Parliamentarian ORA BROWN STOKES, Montclair, N. J. Historian MARY CHURCH TERRELL, Washington Registrar MARION H. BLUITT, Washington Executive Committee at Large MABEL J. ROBINSON, Madison, N.J. DAISY E. LAMPKIN, Pittsburgh, Pa. VIVIAN OSBORNE MARSH, Berkeley, Calif. HELEN F. GARLAND, Muskegon Hgts., Mich. Board of Directors MRS. J. EUGENE ALEXANDER, Charlotte, N.C. LOVONIA H. BROWN, Chicago, Ill. MAYME L. COPELAND, Hopkinsville, Ky. MAE WRIGHT DOWNS, Sewell, N.J. FRANCES F. GAINES, Chicago, Ill. ELIZABETH R. GORDON, Washington, D.C. LULLELIA W. HARRISON, Houston, Texas M. ANNE HAUSER, Salisbury, N.C. ANNE H. HEATH, St. Petersburg, Fla. ALMA ILLERY, Pittsburgh, Pa. CORDELIA GREENE JOHNSON, Jersey City MARJORIE S. JOYNER, Chicago, Ill. LOLA M. PARKER, Chicago, Ill. GERTRUDE ROBINSON, New York, N. Y. ETHEL R. SMITH, Chicago, Ill. LAURA VALDES, Bronx, New York BEULAH T. WHITBY, Detroit, Mich. MAMIE WILLIAMS, Chicago, Ill. Regional Directors REGION NO. 1-Estelle Massey Riddle, 1790 Broadway, New York, N.Y. New York Rhode Island New Jersey Delaware Pennsylvania Connecticut Massachusetts REGION NO. 2-Buena Kelly Berry, 1021 Maltby Avenue, Norfolk, Va. Virginia Ohio West Virginia Maryland Kentucky District of Columbia REGION NO. 5-Eleanor Curtis Dailey, 3758 South Parkway, Chicago, Ill. Illinois Michigan Indiana Iowa Kansas Minnesota Missouri Nebraska REGION NO. 3-Julia Pate Borders, 24 Yonge Street, N. E., Atlanta, Ga. Georgia North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee REGION NO. 4-Arenia Mallory Saints Industrial School, Lexington, Miss. Arkansas Mississippi Alabama Oklahoma Florida Texas Louisiana REGION NO. 6-Vada J. Somerville 2104 S. Harvard Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. Arizona Oregon California Washington Colorado ORGANIZATIONS Auxiliary of the National Dental Association Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Daughter Elks -- Grand Temple Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority National Achievement Clubs National Association of Mme. C.J. Walker Agents National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses United Association Beauty Culture School Owners and Teachers National Beauty Culturists' League National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa National Jeanes Association Sigma Gamma Rho Women's Auxiliary to the National Medical Association Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society- AME Zion Church Woman's Missionary Society of the AME Church Women's Army for National Defense Zeta Phi Beat Sorority METROPOLITAN COUNCILS Atlanta Metropolitan Council Baltimore Metropolitan Council Birmingham Metropolitan Council Chicago Metropolitan Council Cincinnati Metropolitan Council Cleveland Metropolitan Council Daytona Beach Metropolitan Council Detroit Metropolitan Council Jacksonville Metropolitan Council Kansas City Metropolitan Council Los Angeles Metropolitan Council Montgomery Metropolitan Council New Jersey Metropolitan Council New York Metropolitan Council Norfolk Metropolitan Council Philadelphia Metropolitan Council Pittsburgh Metropolitan Council St. Louis Metropolitan Council St. Petersburg Metropolitan Council Washington Metropolitan Council THE AFRAMERICAN WOMAN'S JOURNAL Organ of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. 1318 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington 5, D.C. Sue Bailey Thurman Founder-Honorary Editor Constance E. H. Daniel Editor in Chief Lois Mailou Jones Art Editor Harriet Curtis Hall Circulation Manager Associate Editors Frances Dunham Catlett Olive Diggs Jessie Fauset Harris Marjorie McKenzie Lawson Dorothy Coleman Lymas Edwina Wright Mitchell Louise Thompson Patterson Gertrude Schalk Emmeline Scott Venice Tipton Spraggs Rebecca Stiles Taylor Ethna Beulah Winston Margaret Just Wormley Contributing Editors Sarah M. Cooke Dorothy Ferebee Frances Fox Helen Harden Marguerite E. Harvey Sadie P. Herron Edna Holland Gladys Bangs Jones Artishia Jordan Lucile V. Miller Gertrude RIvers Gladys Scott Roberts Zatella R. Turner Rubye P. Watts Marion T. Wright National JOURNAL Subscription Agent-BERTIE L. DERRICK, 9 Logan Circle, N.W., Washington 5, D.C. Published quarterly by The National Council of Negro Women, 1318 Vermont Avenue, N. W., Washington 5, D.C. Entered as second class matter at the Washington, D. C., Post Office under the Act of March 3, 1879. Yearly subscription $1.00 -- Single copy 25 cents. Use The Franchise! An Appeal to Colored Women to Vote By Mary Church Terrell EVERY woman without regard to race or religion should do her duty as a citizen, and vote to try to improve the conditions which obtain in America today. All women should be actively interested in the political affairs of the respective countries in which they live. So far as in them lies, all women should inform themselves, not only about conditions in their own country, but about those which obtain all over the civilized world. But the duty of studying carefully the measures proposed and the questions discussed in the national congress, in their respective state legislatures and in their respective cities or town councils devolves upon no group of women more than upon the colored women of the United States. One does not have to possess more than her rightful share of gray matter to understand why this is so. Everybody who thinks at all, sees clearly why colored women should not only study the political situation in which they live and move and have their being, but should actively engage in politics wherever, when- ever and however they can, without actually breaking the law. Colored women have two high handicaps to hurdle - the handicap of race in addition to that of sex. White women all over the civilized world showed how great a handicap they thought sex was by the desperate efforts they made to secure suffrage. The extreme and violent efforts to which the English women especially resorted well illustrate that. But those white women had only one handicap to overcome. What would they not have done if they had been obliged to surmount TWO, as we colored women have to do? There is no doubt that some of the disadvantages under which colored women labor may be removed by their votes. By casting their ballots properly, by putting good men and women into office and keeping bad office-holders out, colored women can do much to remove some of the disabilities under which they live in those sections where their votes are counted. And even in those sections where the Fifteenth Amendment is not violated, there are many conditions confronting colored people which should and can be removed. Each group of colored women must study political methods for itself. As the first supervisor of the Eastern Division for Colored Women during the Harding-Coolidge campaign, I realized more than I had ever done before that situations, methods and conditions confronting colored women differ materially in the various states. The methods which can be successfully pursued in one state might not work well in another. A great deal depends upon the white leaders of a state and upon their attitude toward colored people on general principles. Much depends upon the breadth and justice of the white women who lead. But there is one thing which colored women can do in every state. They can do everything in their power to GET THE RIGHT MEN IN THE PRIMARIES. There is where they should use diplomacy and tact. If they believe a certain man will deal justly by their race, they might go to him and urge him to become a candidate for governor, or senator (or for any other office) for nomination in the primaries of the party to which they belong, assuring him of their support and promising to do everything in their power to secure his selection and election. Colored women must learn to play the political game as they would any other game in which they wish to become proficient and win. Colored women should certainly watch carefully what the legislatures of their respective states are doing, and keep posted on the bills which will help or hinder the race. Colored women should cultivate the habit of writing letters to their Congressmen urging them to vote for measures which are just and will advance the interests of their race. It is a mistake to believe that writing letters to Congressmen does no good. Congressmen read letters written to them and when many letters are received urging them to vote for a certain measure, it makes an impression upon them and induces them to favor a bill whose passage many of their constituents request. There is a special reason why colored women should use the elective franchise. A man belonging to our own race did a great deal to make it posible for the women of this country to vote ninety-eight years ago. In 1848, nearly a century ago, Elizabeth Cady Stanton made a motion at the First Women's Rights Convention, which was then in session at Seneca, New York, that full political equality be given to women. But her motion seemed doomed to defeat. The most ardent advocates of Woman Suffrage deemed in untimely and unwise. Many good people deem anything "untimely and unwise" which changes the old order of things and which is new. Everytime this world of ours takes a step forward in progress some old moth- (Continued on page 12) MARY CHURCH TERRELL, suffrage leader, lecturer and writer, was the first president of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs; is historian of the National Council of Negro Women FALL, 1946 Your Vote-Before and After Election By Katherine Shryver THE right to vote is not yet won. It has to be fought for over and over again. It is such a powerful right that someone is always trying to take it away from the people. When this country was founded, and a friend of ours named Thomas Jefferson was trying to abolish slavery and set up a new kind of government, many people thought that only property owners should be allowed to vote. It took a long fight to get rid of that idea. The next step was that anybody (any free man, that is) who could lay a dollar on the line could vote. And thus suffrage was enormously increased. Imagine the Daniel Boones dropping in out of the wilderness and having their say in politics. It was something new in the world. Slowly through the years, the restrictions on the vote fell away-but always by tremendous effort on somebody's part. The fight over each new state as it came into the union-should it be slave or free?- was a fight over the basic democratic right to a voice in government. Universal manhood suffrage had fairly well become a fact in this country after the Civil War. The former slaves took on this most meaningful of citizenship rights with dignity and worthiness. They put splendid men in office, some former slaves who became statesmen who will ultimately have their firm place of honor in American history. But reaction could not tolerate such thorough-going democracy. The struggle to cut down the right ot vote, to take it away from this and that group for this and that "reason," went on fiercely. The 1890's in the South saw a determined attempt to put a constricting poll tax back on the vote. It was obvious that a money tax in a no-cash economy (sharecropper-credit economy) would hit most people. It did. The Disfranchising Conventions, as they are called, heard opponents of the plan to impose a poll tax forewarn of the dire results of this unfair fine. "It is claimed to be a way of disfranchising Negroes," they said, "But it will disfranchise the great mass of white people too." The vote fell, from the first year the tax was put on. It kept on falling every election thereafter, till in 1940 the South had almost forgotten its constitutional right to vote. There was terribly apathy toward voting. The burden of paying the poll tax out of a non-existent or tiny cash income, of paying it under the most trying conditions, was too great. Most people gave up. Politicians were in office by grace of tiny handfuls of voters-as low as one percent of the potential voting population. These politicians were sure of their jobs. They were "re-elected" term after term. And, logically, they represented the tiny groups who put them in office-not the majority of their people. By virtue of the rule of seniority, they formed in Congress a hard crust that often stopped the democratic process and kept down the people's interests. Franklin Delano Roosevelt made a mighty effort to get the people of the South to remove from office some of those men who formed the hard crust. Roosevelt's reforms were being crushed by them. The people of the South loved Roosevelt and favored his reforms. But their hands were tied. They could not march to the ballot box and vote their enemies out of office. Disfranchised by the poll tax, they stood by helplessly while the tiny handful of voters repudiated their great President. They were not able to give him a helping hand. But President Roosevelt saw what was the matter in the South. He knew why the people of the south could not support him at the polls. He did not call the South the Nation's number one political problem -which it was. He called it the Nation's number one economic problem, which it also was as a result of its political bondage. Then he struck out against the poll tax. "I have always been against any tax levied on the right to vote," he told a press conference. When Mrs. Roosevelt became a sponsor of the National Committee to Abolish the Poll Tax, she stood there in her own right and also in the strength of her good husband. The South was dear to both their hearts. They loved its people and its land. They wanted it to blossom like the rose. They also wanted good things for our whole nation, and they understood clearly the destructive role played by the poll taxers in Congress. During the life of President Roosevelt, many of his dearest dreams were denied. And after his death, a poll-tax dominated Congress worried his program into its grave. Decent homes for our people, an adequate basic wage, security in old age, health provisions, jobs for all on a basis of merit-these were scrapped in our own country, even as the United States went forth as a crusader in the world to stand for fair and free elections in other countries. But Mr Roosevelt's words did not go unheeded in the South. His (Continued on page 7) Katherine Shryver, former Executive Secretary of the National Committee to Abolish the Poll Tax, is now Public Relations Secretary of the National Council of negro Women. 6 THE AFRAMERICAN Personal Recollections of Frederick Douglass BY MARY CHURCH TERRELL Meeting Frederick Douglass was certainly a red-letter day in my life. When I was a Freshman in Oberlin College in 1880 and '81 my father permitted me to accept the invitation to attend Garfield's inauguration which was extended to me by Mrs. Josephine Bruce, wife of Senator B.K. Bruce of Mississippi, the only colored man then in the United States Senate. As a friend and I were walking down a Washington street one day, a short distance ahead of us I saw two men talking to each other. Instantly and instinctively I knew that one of the men who had magnificent, majastic proportions and a distinguished bearing could be none other than the great Frederick Douglass. Fortunately, my friend was acquainted with him and introduced me to him then and there. And thus began a friendship which I prize more highly than words can portray because I derived so much inspiration and pleasure from it as long as Mr. Douglass lived. While I was a student at Oberlin, my attention was first attracted to the intermarriage of the races when Frederick Douglass married Miss Helen Pitts, a white woman, who lived near his residence in Anacostia, D. C. In the reading room of Ladies Hall, where I lived, I read the editorial columns of the newspapers and magazines. Few if any really approved of intermarriage, while the majority attacked it bitterly. After reading both sides of the question I was convinced that no sound argument or reason could be produced to prove that there is anything inherently wrong in the intermarriage of the races. A great hue and cry was raised against Frederick Douglass' marriage to Miss Pitts because it defied the customs and traditions of a country calling itself a Democracy, even though reeking with a cruel race prejudice which humiliates, handicaps and harasses millions in a minority group. They are victims of disfranchisement, segregation and discriminations of various kinds which often make it impossible for them to earn their daily bread. And yet, the colored people who criticized Frederick Douglass because he married a white woman were continually clamoring for EQUALITY-ABSOLUTE EQUALITY along all lines-equality of opportunity, equality in the Courts educational, political and social equality, world without end, amen! But when Frederick Douglass, the foremost representative of their race, actually practiced equality by choosing as his mate a woman classified as white, these very advocates of equality attacked him bitterly and condemned him NATIONAL NOTES, JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1947 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell for practicing the equality which they themselves preached long and loud. When the first World's Fair was held in Chicago in 1893, a year later than it should have been, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus, Mr. Douglass was the commissioner in charge of the exhibit from Haiti and he employed Paul Dunbar to assist him. Mr. Douglass was accustomed to entertain his friends at the Fair by taking them to see the exhibits which he especially like. Following this custom, he invited me to go with him one afternoon to take in some of the sights. As we walked along, either through the grounds or in the buildings, Mr. Douglass was continually halted by admiring people who begged the privilege of shaking hands with him. Great honor was paid to him by people of the dominant race. A mother would stop him and say, "You are Frederick Douglass, aren't you?" "Please shake hands with my little son (or daughter), because when he grows up I want him to be able to say that he has shaken hands with the great Frederick Douglass." "Let's get on the scenic railway," suggested Mr. Douglass, "so that we may have a chance to talk a 7 The home of Frederick Douglass, on Cedar Hill, at Anacostia, D. C. little. Nobody can get us there." But he had reckoned without his host, for we had no sooner settled ourselves on that little railroad than a man reached over two seats to touch him on the shoulder and greet him. "Well, we'll go up on the Eiffel Tower," chuckled Mr. Douglass. "I know nobody can interrupt us when we are in one of those cages." But just as we started to ascent, a man in another cage shouted, "Hello, Mr. Douglass, the last time I saw you was in Rochester." The great man had become deeply interested in Paul Dunbar, because his struggle for existence and recognition had been so desperate. The fact that Mr. Douglass was the first person I ever heard mention Paul Dunbar's name is a recollection that I cherish. By appointment I had gone to see him in his home in Anacostia, across the Potomac River from Washington. After we had finished the business I had gone to transact, the "Sage of Anacostia" inquired, "Have you ever heard of Paul Dunbar?" I told him I had not. Then Mr. Douglass rehearsed the facts in the young man's life. [*8*] "He is very young, but there is no doubt that he is a poet," he said. "He is working under the most discouraging circumstances in his home in Dayton, Ohio. He is an elevator boy, and on his meagre wage of four dollars a week he is trying to support himself and mother. Let me read you one of his poems," said Mr. Douglass. And he then arose to get it. I can see his fine face and his majestic form now, as he left the room. He soon returned with a newspaper clipping and began to read "The Drowsy Day." When Mr. Douglass had read several stanzas, his voice faltered a bit and his eyes grew moist. "What a tragedy it is," he said, "that a young man with such talent as he undoubtedly possesses should be so terrible handicapped as he is." When the sixtieth anniversary of the first Woman's Rights Convention was celebrated in May, 1908, Frederick Douglass' contribution to that cause was strongly featured. The descendants of those who called this first meeting to demand equal political rights for women were asked to represent their forebears, and I was asked to represent Frederick Douglass. This sixtieth anniversary was celebrated in Seneca Falls, New NATIONAL NOTES, JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1947 of militant women of color who were determined to secure for themselves and their children the full social, civic, and economic status of American citizenship. This they sought to accomplish through organization, training, and cooperation. Through the years that standard was maintained. With the publication of this new series of its magazine, the National Association of Colored Women reaffirms its policy of a simple, direct, and determined approach to the social problems that now beset the whole world, and the contribution organized women of color may make to their solution. The NATIONAL NOTES opens its pages for the expression of the ideas of its own membership and for those of other organized women. There will be no limitation of its subject matter-news, the arts, historical data, the expression of opinions-these may all have a place. The one limiting qualification is that the material must remain within the scope of the NACW motto: "Lifting As We Climb." 30 moded soci these question made answers; adjustment will patience for exe If NACW m are to uphold the ticipation in the munity life new cedures must be ditions must be r Associated club up new programms need of a world lievable scienfific must organize to and new objective ganize to meet th delinquency and they must make disentegration of establishment of housing programs sumer protection wag control. Organized wo NACW women, themselves into ev munity life in or children the ful for growth and York, where the first meeting was held July 19th and 20th, 1848. There is certainly a very good reason why Frederick Douglass should always be represented at an anniversary celebration which woman suffragists hold. When Elizabeth Cady Stanton presented a resolution demanding equal political rights for women at that Seneca Falls meeting in 1848, it seemed doomed to defeat. Even dear, brave Lucretia Mott, who for years had courageously championed the cause of suffrage begged Mrs. Stanton to withdraw her resolution. "Lizzie," she plead, "thee will make us all ridiculous if thee insist upon pressing this resolution through this meeting." But Mrs. Stanton refused to yield. And so, there was not a man or a woman at that meeting who had the courage to second Lizabeth Cady Stanton's resolution demanding equal political rights for women. But there was present at that meeting a single, solitary man through whose veins the blood of Africa flowed. He was the incomparable Frederick Douglass, a run away slave, upon whose head his master had set a price. And Frederick Douglass in the dignity and majesty of a broadminded, justice-loving manhood had the courage to arise in that meeting and second Mrs. Stanton's resolution. And it was largely due to his masterful arguments and his matchless eloquence that the resolution passed in spite of the opposition of its powerful foes. The women of this country owe a debt of gratitude to Frederick Douglass which they can never repay. At the risk of doing an irreparable injury to himself personally and to the cause of abolition so dear to his heart, he did everything he could to secure the elective franchise for women, so that they would no longer be classified with idiots and infants and criminals. If Frederick Douglass had not had the courage to second Mrs. Stanton's resolution and the delegates to that first Woman's Rights Convention had gone home disheartened, it is anybody's guess how much longer suffrage for women would have been delayed. As it was, women had to work and wait for it seventy-eight years. That was truly a wonderful meeting in the Johnson Opera house in Seneca Falls, New York, on May 26th, 1908, when the pioneer suffragists were honored. Harret Stanton Blatch, the daughter of Elzabeth Cady Stanton, represented her mother. Mrs. Henry Villard, the daughter of the great abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison, represented Lucretia Mott. Mrs. Alice Hooker Day, the daughter of Isabella Beecher Hooker who was the sister of Harriet Beecher Stowe, related the efforts made by her father and mother to secure suffrage by petitioning the legislature of Connecticut. It was a great privilege to be invited to represent Frederick Douglass in a company like that! NATIONAL NOTES, JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1947 The Seneca Falls Historical Society printed in book form the proceedings of the Sixtieth annversary of the Woman's Rights Convention which was held in their city. And this book contains among other things both the address on Frederick Douglass and the one on "Woman Suffrage." After Mr. Douglas died it occurred to me that a day should be set apart in our public schools in his honor. In my opinion by all odds Frederick Douglass is the greatest man whom this country has produced. It it were customary to judge human beings by "points," I am sure that it could be proved mathematically that Mr. Douglass possessed as many of the points mentally, morally and spiritually which are necessary to make a great man as any born in the United States, if not in the whole world. In reading history I can not recall a man who was born into such depths of poverty and degradation, who was reared in such a quagmire of handicaps and ignorance, and who largely by his own efforts was able to rise to such lofty heights as Frederick Douglass did. While I was a member of the Board of Education in Washington, in 1897, I introduced a resolution which was unanimously passed to make February 14th "Douglass Day" in our public schools. And for many years "Douglass Day" was faithfully observed. In its issue of February 18, 1897, the Washington Correspondent of the New York Age commented upon this as follows: "About a month ago Mrs. Mary Church Terrell conceived the idea that the colored children of this community ought to celebrate in a fitting manner the day on which Frederick Douglass was said to be born. In her capacity as a member of the Board of Education she introduced a resolution to this effect at its regular meeting, which resolution was unanimously adopted. Through her efforts, therefore, and by virtue of her foresight, the 14th of February will hereafter be known in our school system as 'Douglass Day.' On this day, songs of freedom will be sung, essays will be read, declamations given by the pupils and orations delivered by distinguished men and women touching the career of Frederick Douglas." Perhaps Carter Woodson was inspired by my "Douglass Day" to establish Negro History Week. Fate decreed that I should be with Mr. Douglass just a few hours before he died suddenly at his home. A little before noon he had attended a meeting of the National Council of Women. As soon as one of the officers spied him entering the door, she announced from the platform that Frederick Douglass was in the house. A committee was immediately appointed to escort him to the platform and when he reached it those women of the dominant race gave him a royal Chautauqua salute. (Continued on page 29) 9 Frederick Douglass and Paul Laurence Dunbar at the World's Fair: an Episode BY GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON ONE of the most unique and colorful features at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893 was the Haitian Building which was in charge of Frederick Douglass through the courtesy of the Haitian Government. Paul Laurence Dunbar was selected by Douglass to be his assistant. Within sight of the placid waters of a Venice-like lake, the building was artistically placed where one could see the gracefully curved gondolas smoothly gliding to fairy music all through the day and far into the electrical night. The various arts, crafts, and industries of the Island were attractively housed, each in its own specially allotted space, and demonstrated by efficient guides with proverbial Haitian courtesy. Men of affairs, scholars, philosophers, teachers and the world at large, crowded these corridors from early morning until far into the night ; however, the piece de resistance seemed to be the lovely tearoom which served as a mecca, the high place of reunion and rendezvous. The tea room was directly supervised by the Chesterfieldian Mr. Romain of Haiti. It was his purpose to have tea and the attendant sweets served only by the hands of the choicest and most beautiful debutantes of the city. He busied himself to this end and his success was such that long after many of the sights and sounds of the World's Greatest Fair had grown dim or faded quite away, a memory remained of some of the fresh and lovely faces that were forever unforgettable. At this time Miss Gene Burns was the center of Chicago's social set and all of her friends save one had gone out to be hostesses in this remarkable tea room, but to her deep regret, she was not permitted to join them because of her mother's negation. Later the lovely Genie became Mrs. John Hope, the brilliant wife of the first colored president of Atlanta University. Strangely enough, although Miss Burns, so often referred to as "Genie with the light brown hair," though not a member of the tea room group, was nevertheless, one above most others to receive the homage of the rising young poet Dunbar. All down the ages, poets have written most profusely of love and one cannot deny, they have an eye for beauty. It would have been passing strange had not Dunbar found his way much too often (if you asked Mr. Douglass), to the vicinity of the tea room, and could you blame him? However, came the day when one specially provoking and disdainful beauty made him captive. Then came a season of love notes carried by a swift courier. To and fro these missives went. In the meantime the poet was actually of little service to his chief in charge, but the Great Douglass looked on in due geniality, understood and smiled . . . he, too had had a love affair not so many years ago when he had wooed a Baltimore maiden, had run away to freedom, and then after much waiting and working sent for her to become his wife in the good, free land across the slave line. Little Haley Douglass, the alert and eager nine year old grandson of Douglass knew what it was to be the harried carrier of love notes. Dunbar would write to one particular cool damsel, then stride to and fro with mounting impatience while awaiting Haley's return. The answers, however, were usually far from satisfactory but served to fan still higher the flame ignited. Through the nights he dreamed of the dark-eyed charmer and through the day he knew the harassments of the unsuccessful lover. Then one day he placed a note in the willing young courier's hand with a look in his eyes that said, "Now this will speak for me." Haley returned empty handed. . . . "No answer?" Dunbar inquired with deep puzzlement. . . . . "None" answered Haley. . . . This episode marked the beginning of the end. Dunbar then requested the return of the last missive. It was a poem. He had spent many sleepless hours upon it. He decided that at least he could retrieve the poem even if he could not win the maid. But alas! He learned that his last effusion was torn up and thrown into the waste basket. Then it was that all the other poems became as nothing to him-this one poem had become his masterpiece and life without it seemed unbearable. He straightway forgot the girl in thoughts of his brain child. Then lo, came one of the other beauties of the tea room, one of the shrinking violet type. . . . She had watched this unequal affair of the heart and was (Continued on page 28) 10 NATIONAL NOTES, JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1947 PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS (Continued from page 9) When the meeting adjourned and the admiring [w]omen had ceased paying homage to Mr. Douglass, [w]hich I enjoyed at a distance, I came forward and [g]reetted him. He and I left what is now called the Co[lu]mbia Theatre and walked together to the corner. [T]here he stopped and asked me to have lunch with [h]im. But I was not feeling very well and declined [t]he invitation, alas! Lifting the large, light sombrero which he often wore, he bade me good-bye. About seven o'clock that evening a friend came by our house to tell us that Frederick Douglass had just died suddenly, while he was at the table describing to his wife the ovation tendered him in the forenoon by the members and officers of the National Council of Women. How deeply I regretted then that I had been unable to spend another hour in the company of that great man whom I would never see again! Judged by any standard whatever or subjected to any test there is no question that among the greatest men this or any other country has produced Frederick Douglass stands conspicuous in the foremost rank. To have been well acquainted with that great man and to have been honored with his friendship I consider a priceless possession and it is one of the most cherished memories of my life. From East to West, from North to South, the sky is written all over, "now or Never." - Frederick Douglass 29 Wednesday, March 19, 1947 The Washington Post Democratic Precedent There is no reason why we should despair of seeing democracy actually work in the National Capital. On one notable occasion at least, it did work beautifully and it has worked successfully in that particular field ever since. When on March 1, 1895, Congress authorized the District Commissioners to place women on the Board of Education, people began to wonder whether a colored woman would be appointed. Decided objections to such a monstrous idea were forcibly, if not elegantly, expressed by many. But the Commissioner of Education, a genuine Southern gentleman, Commissioner Ross, declared emphatically that if a colored woman could be found who was qualified, it would be only just and proper to appoint her, and he intended to do it. He kept his word, and appointed a colored woman who served six years and then resigned. Some time later, Congress delegated the Justices of the District Supreme Court to appoint members of the Board of Education. The colored woman who had resigned after serving six years was the only person whom the judges appointed on their new board who had ever served before. Five years afterward she resigned again, having served altogether 11 years as a member of the board. This colored woman never had any difficulty with either the white women or men, and nobody objected in any way, shape or form to her presence. If, in 1895, the Southern commissioner of education had followed the tradition and custom of segregation and discrimination it might easily have happened that colored women of Washington would have been deprived of the opportunity of serving on the Board of Education even unto this day. It is greatly to be regretted that there is a segregation in our public schools. But, so far as race relations are concerned, the National Capital has redeemed itself in one respect at least, by having a Board of Education on which the two races work together in peace. It is incumbent upon all good citizens who really believe in democracy to work with might and main to have this pattern spread over a wider field. MARY CHURCH TERRELL Washington longer do we have to put up with these conditions? E. S. M. Evening Star [Monday?] November 17 Washington D.C 1947 Democracy at Work To the Editor of the Star: The impressive and courageous statement recently made by Alan Barth at the League of Women Voters' luncheon, which showed the deplorable conditions under which colored people live her, may well be instrumental in correcting some of them. People may know that certain injustices exist, but they are often indifferent and not moved to do anything about them, unless somebody definitely calls their attention to them. But there is no reason why we should despair of seeing democracy actually work in the National Capital. On one notable occasion, at least, it did work beautifully and it has worked successfully in that particular field ever since. On March 1, 1895, when the Congress of the United States authorized the District Commissioners to place women on the Board of Trustees, as it was then called, people began to wonder whether a colored woman would be appointed. Decided objections to such a monstrous idea were expressed by many. But the commissioner of education declared emphatically that if a colored woman could be found who was qualified it would be only just and proper to appoint her, and he intended to do it. He kept his word and appointed a colored woman who served six years and then resigned. Sometime later Congress delegated the justices of the District Supreme Court to appoint members of the Board of Education. Whereupon those gentlement declared that they would put nobody on their new board who had ever served here in that capacity before. And the colored woman who had resigned after serving six years was the only person whom the judges appointed on their new board who had ever served in that capacity before. Five years afterward she resigned again, having served altogether 11 years as a member of the board. This colored woman never had any difficulty with either the white women or the men and nobody objected to her presence in any way, shape for form. It is greatly to be regretted that there is segregation in our public schools. Certainly this condition cannot go on indefinitely in the Capital of a country calling itself a democracy, unless it intends to make itself the jest and joke of the whole world. But, so far as race relations are concerned, the National Capital has redeemed itself in one respect, at least, by having a Board of Education on which the two races work together in peace. It is incumbent upon all good citizens who really believe in democracy to work with might and main to have this pattern spread over a wider field. MARY CHURCH TERRELL Washington Post March 19, 1947 Democratic Precedent 1947 There is no reason why we should despair of seeing democracy actually work in the National Capital. On one notable occasion at least, it did work beautifully, and it has worked successfully in that particular field ever since. When on March 1, 1895, Congress authorized the District Commissioners to place women on the Board of Education, people began to wonder whether a colored woman would be appointed. Decided objections to such a monstrous idea were forcibly, if not elegantly, expressed by many. But the Commissioner of Education, a genuine Southern gentleman, Commissioner Ross, declared emphatically that if a colored woman could be found who was qualified, it would be only just and proper to appoint her, and he intended to do it. He kept his work, and appointed a colored woman who served six years and then resigned. Some time later, Congress delegated the Justices of the District Supreme Court to appoint members of the Board of Education. The colored woman who had resigned after serving six years was the only person whom the judges appointed on their new board who had ever served before. Five years afterward she resigned again, having served altogether 11 years as a member of the board. This colored woman never had any difficulty with either the white women or men, and nobody objected in any way, shape or form to her presence. If, in 1895, the Southern commissioner of education had followed the tradition and custom of segregation and discrimination, it might easily have happened that colored women of Washington would have been deprived of the opportunity of serving on the Board of Education even unto this day. It is greatly to be regretted that there is a segregation in our public schools. But, so far as race relations are concerned, the National Capital has redeemed itself in one respect at least, by having a Board of Education on which the two races work together in peace. It is incumbent upon all good citizens who really believe in democracy to work with might and main to have this pattern spread over a wider field. MARY CHURCH TERRELL Washington. [*Nov 1947*] NATIONAL NEWS LETTER Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Edited by the Grand Journalist DOROTHY C. LYMAS 5842 Haverford Avenue, Philadelphia 31, Pa. FEDERAL LEGISLATION By Soror Carrie W. Williams 80th Congress, 1st Session, in Review The legislation considered by this Congress can be grouped as domestic, international, military and general. We are especially interested in all aspects of domestic legislation. Enacted Foremost is the Taft-Hartley Labor-Management act which I discussed at some length in the last NEWS LETTER. It is a law now, but it will soon be tested in the courts of the land. Other legislation includes the Portal-to-Portal Pay Bill which, though passed, limits jurisdiction of courts in future claims and nullifies most past claims. Social security pay taxes are frozen at 1 per cent until 1950. Rent controls are continued to March 1, 1948, with 15 per cent voluntary rent boost allowed. Also, along the housing vein, was a $400,000,000 increase in the maximum insurance the National Housing Authority may issue on mortgages of new homes. Veterans working on farms were authorized on- the-job training under the GI Bill of Rights. A permanent Army and Navy Nurse Corps as part of the regular services; and a Woman's Medical Specialists Corps in the Army were established. Vital Legislation Not Enacted 1. Tax reduction (passed by Congress but vetoed). 2. The Taft-Ellender-Wagner long-range housing program 3. Broadening the coverage of Social Security to farm labor and others. 4. Creation of a Permanent Fair Employment Practices Commission. 5. Federal aid to education. 6. Compulsory health insurance. 7. Increasing the minimum wage. These will reappear in the 2nd session of the 80th Congress, and all voters should let it be known that they want this social legislation passed. THEY WANT YOUR HAT Some people have a penchant for conceiving and planning the unusual. One among them is our soror in Gary, Indiana, Mrs. Inez Brewer. Faced with the need for a money raising method to aid the Gary Metropolitan Council (NCNW) of which she is president, Soror Brewer sent out a call to all sorors and their friends to aid her in the presentation of a Benefit Hat Show. The plea is for a lovely hat from your personal collection, one that can be displayed as a snatch from your prized possessions. It will be placed beside models of glamorous Hollywood stars and other outstanding personalities. Here's your chance to do your bit to aid a soror and to help support the NCNW of which you are a member. Address all contributions to Mrs. Inez Brewer, 2143 Broadway, Gary, Ind. A REMINDER TO DELTAS WASTE NO FOOD Help the Hungry and Needy "Careers Ahead" SO YOU WANT TO BE AN AUTHOR By Soror Mary Church Terrell [*1*] Do you want to be an author? Got something to say? Can you come right to the point and say it with a punch? If that's the case, there's good news for you. Now is the time for people in our group to tell the world what's on their minds. That was not always the case. Not so many years ago the average publisher was by no means interested in manuscripts which colored writers brought to present their point of view. If the manuscript was well written by an author who had something interesting to say, an honest publisher might ease his conscience by telling the writer, "I'm not denying that you've done a good job all right in presenting your facts, but we just can't publish it because it's too controversial." In those degenerate days both the publishers of books and the editors of magazines and newspapers really overworked the word "Controversial." But now, Ye Prospective Authors, all that has been changed. Be of good cheer. If anybody tells you "the good day is coming," tell that prophet he is mistaken, that the good day for you is not COMING, it has already come. For a long time publishers have been printing books written by colored authors. What was once rejected by publishers because it was considered controversial is now accepted with open arms. This about face has come, not because publishers have been converted, and are now playing the role of saints, but because they know the public is intensely interested in books about colored people, good, bad, or indifferent, whether they rebel against the conditions under which they are forced to love or take it lying down. So great has been the interest in books about colored people of the USA which the public has manifested that some of the best writers in the dominant race have shown plainly that they are unwilling to let this subject be monopolized exclusively by colored authors and for a long time they have been writing about it themselves. A list of some of the best sellers which have appeared during the last few years would be sure to include books about colored people which have been written by white authors. Sinclair Lewis had no sooner put "Kingsblood Royal" on the market a short time ago than Kathleen Crawford, a Virginian, launched her "Straw Fire" which has just appeared. This novel tells the story of a Southern girl who rejects the traditions and customs of the South, and horrifies her family by presiding at an interracial meeting. This book is full of dilemmas which constantly face those who try to be fair with all races. A comparatively short time ago such a novel would have been rejected by the majority of publishers because it would have been considered too controversial. And so it is clear that manuscripts are no longer rejected by publishers because of the opinions on the Race Problem they present or because of the delineation of the character and conduct of individuals in the group, no matter how outstanding, queer or questionable they may be. If those in our group who want to be authors can write correctly, clearly, and cogently they stand a good chance to succeed. [*1 Soror Terrell, writer of the Delta Creed, and other short articles for select magazines, is a noted author, lecturer, and educator. her autobiography, "A Colored Woman in a White World," was top reading in 1940. This essay is a feature of our Job Opportunities Project.*] National News Letter DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY Vol. 4 - No. 1 Deadline for News - 15th of each Month November 1947 San Antonio Plans Warm Welcome For Christmas Convention According to Soror Myra Hemmings, Founder, Past Vice-President, and Chairman of the local convention committee, Psi Sigma chapter is planning one of the warmest welcomes Deltas have ever known. Inspired by the fact that Grand Chapter will meet in their fair city, December 27 to 31, San Antonio Deltas have aimed to omit no detail of preparation. For Sorors who arrive early they have planned two days of pre-convention activities including Morning Coffee, courtesy of Las Omega; informal Open House, courtesy of Psi Sigma chapter, and an informal Social Function, courtesy of the Progressive Young Men's Social Club. Social activities on the first day of the convention proper include Breakfast, courtesy of the Olmos Dinner Club, and the Delta Formal at Municipal Auditorium. The following day, which is Sunday, there will be Morning Coffee, courtesy of the Semper Fidelis Club, and an Open House, courtesy of Sigma Psi Phi Fraternity. Luncheon Tuesday will be at the courtesy of the San Antonio Metropolitan Council, NCNW, and that night the Delta Banquet will take place. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity will have cocktails on Wednesday the 31st. Plans of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority were incomplete at this writin. In scheduling events, the chapter aimed to reduce the expense of visiting sorors by arranging a number of courtesies at meal time. for those who desire to visit Mexico, a post-convention party is being arranged, at each Soror's personal expense, of course. Soror Hattie Briscoe is president of the hostess chapter. SORORS TO DECIDE ON TRANSPORTATION A letter from Soro Dorothy Height, Vice-President and Chairman of Convention Transportation, has been sent to all Chapter Presidents, Grand Chapter Officers, and Regional Directors in re possibility of a Special Delta Train to San Antonio. According to the letter, if there are 110 to 125 Deltas traveling at the same time from St. Louis, it will be possible to get a special train with all the "trimmings." The idea is that from principal cities, delegates will move "picking up" others all along the way. Whenever there are as many as 20 persons, a special train will be made up, and all cars will be put together in St. Louis to make a "Delta Special." Sorors from many Southern points will join along the way. There are a number of questions, however, that need to be settled before plans can become definite. Some of the more important ones are: How may are planning to go? What railroad shall be used? and What shall be the meeting date in St. Luis - December 25 or December 26? It is hoped that all these questions will be answered within the next few days, so that your next NEWS LETTER will give exact information on the time and the road. If your chapter has not already returned the questionnaire to Soror Height, please do so now. ANNUAL WORKSHOP (NCNW) MEETS NOVEMBER 9-14 Because of the great need for unity of purpose and strength on such matters as Housing, Education, and other important legislation, the Annual Workshop of the National Council of Negro Women should be a must for every chapter that can possibly send a delegate. The strategic placement of the Council Headquarters in Washington puts it in close touch with the national government and makes possible contacts with national figures. One of the features of the meeting will be the White House Reception with Mrs. Truman as hostess, Thursday, November 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. All fully registered delegates and observers will be given personal cards of admission. Registration (fee $2.50) begins 7 p.m. Sunday, November 9, at the Council Headquarters, 1318 Vermont Avenue, N. W., Washington, D. C. INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN HOLDS FIRST POST-WAR CONFERENCE The International Council of Women, a federation of all races, nations, creeds, and classes, met in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania September 5 to 12. The aim of the meeting was to further the application of the Golden Rule to society, customs, and law: "Do unto others as ye would that they should do unto you." That is the Council's motto. This important gathering brought together women's organizations from all parts of the world for consultation on ways to promote the welfare of the individual, of the family, and of mankind. That is one of its major objectives. Its other big purpose is to work for the removal of all disabilities or inequalities of women in our modern society. During war years, in all allied countries, the members' efforts were centered on practical war services of all kinds, and in the occupied countries, on resistance movements. At present, the Council aims to inculcate peace in- (Continued on page 4) Wash. Post Wed, Dec 31, '47 Letters To The Editor Spreading Prejudice The situation in Panama reminds me of a very unpleasant experience which I, a colored woman, had when I studied in Europe many years ago. It was caused by the same determination of the prejudice-ridden representatives of the dominant race in the U. S. A. to teach other countries to humiliate, handicap and harass nonwhite people as that which resulted in the decision of the Panama National Assembly unanimously to refuse to release the bases to the United States. Panama had been fed up on the Jim Crowism insisted upon by the representatives of the U. S. A. When I was studying in Berlin I was urged by some of my Oberlin College friends, who knew me as a student there, to come to the pension where they were stopping. I had been in this pension only a short time when the landlady told me she would like to see me. "Are you a Negro, Fraulein Church?" she asked me, as soon as I entered the room. "Why do you ask me that?" I replied. "Because," she explained, "there are two young men from the United States who are studying medicine here and they say you are a Negro. And they also tell me that if I let a Negro stay in my pension no self-respecting white people from the United States will come here. They are from the City of Baltimore." I explained the conditions existing in the United States. I told the landlady I would leave her pension immediately, so that she would no longer be embarrassed by my presence. But it was hard for me to stick to that decision. "Now that I understand the reason the young men wanted me to cast you out," she said, "I want very much to have you stay." Not all United States citizens who travel in foreign lands are bitten by the prejudice bug, I am glad to say. Although I made it a rule not to thrust myself upon my countrymen when I lived abroad, since I did not know what might happen, I have had some delightful experiences with them when we have casually met each other now and then. But every time I have gone abroad it has greatly pained me to see how unworthily, not to say disgracefully, this country, called the greatest democracy on earth, has been misrepresented by its prejudice-ridden citizens who flout the very principles upon which this Government was built. In the countries which they visit they try to teach the citizens to look down upon colored people with scorn and contempt, preach the doctrine of the colored man's inferiority. As a colored woman who loves her country, I wish something could be done to show how short-sighted and dangerous it is to cause nonwhite people to hate the United States as they do in Panama, because of her injustice to and contempt of them in this world where there are four or five human beings whose complexions are colored to every one whose face is white. MARY CHURCH TERRELL Washington. Communications must be addressed to the editor and must carry the complete name and street address of the writer, though pen names will be permitted at the editor's discretion. Letters of less than 200 words will be given preference, and all letters are subject to condensation. No communication can be returned. Two Points Of View The All Soul's Unitarian Church and the District Federation of Women's Clubs disagree on the report of the President's Committee on Civil Rights. The overwhelming vote of the church to adopt a resolution supporting the report shows clearly that the members know the racial conditions here and are honest and courageous enough to face the facts. Those who voice deep resentment to the report on the ground that "there are many misleading and inaccurate statements" either do not know the racial conditions here or are unwilling to admit them. However, the federation admits the statement in the report about segregation is not "inaccurate and misleading" when its resolution expressed the opinion that "such a radical social change" as the immediate ending of segregation should not be forced upon the citizens because "radical social change cannot be made in this way." An Old Argument There is nothing new or original in this argument. The Federation in this modern day, is using the same argument advanced by slaveholders for nearly 300 years. They declared that freeing more than 4,000,000 human beings would be such a radical social change that it would ruin the slave and wreck the South. People who oppose, brutalize and deprive human beings of the opportunities and rights to which they are entitled always insist they do it for the good of the State and the good of those over whom they tyrannize. History is full of cases in which the oppressor continued to hold in subjection the oppressed becaused pursing the policy of justice would be too radical a social change. Evidence Is Here It seems incredible that anybody acquainted with racial conditions here should claim as inaccurate the inference that Washington practices jim crowism, that schools for colored children are inferior to those for white children and that colored people are refused service in downtown restaurants. Color phobia is so rampant here that people from India, Siam, Burma and other colored countries are often refused service. Not long ago a group from India was refused service in a downtown restaurant. It is a well-known fact that colored people are not admitted either to the theatre or to the movies anywhere in Washington There are few movies which cater especially to their group, but the theatres patronized by the dominant race exclude them. Nor will the hotels accommodate them. A colored person who comes to Washington, a stranger, misses a train, perhaps, and has to remain here over night is faced by a problem hard to solve. Some of the women's experiences have been harrowing indeed. Advocating Ghetto A well-known members of the District Federation practically suggests fixing a ghetto for the colored citizens of Washington. She names two streets where they can find restaurants and movie theatres, and moreover, she says there are "several colored hotels operated by colored persons for their own group." The natural inference is that colored persons should stay in their places, and remain away from establishments operated by white people. "The downtown part of the city referred to by the report is made up of white merchants who naturally cater to white customers," she says. Reduced to its lowest terms-this can mean only one thing. Colored people must lead separate and distinct lives. It is disturbing and alarming that a distinguished woman of the dominant race should show such contempt of the tenets of democracy and should so flagrantly flout the principles upon which this Government was built. It is to be hoped that by respecting and observing these principles we shall not lay up for future generations the sorrow and sufering to which a violation of them may eventually lead. The Washington Afro-American, December 6, 1947 Pittsburgh Courrier 1947 Dec. 13 Scores Attitude of Federation Which Criticized Civil Report EDITORS NOTE: "All Souls Unitarian Church passed by overwhelming vote, resolution endorsing report of the President's Committee on Civil Rights" . . . "District Federation of Women's Clubs (white) passed resolution opposing 'immediate ending of segregation' in the District and Criticizing Civil Rights Report'" These items appeared in two Washington newspapers recently. Comments on these articles made by Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, widow of the late Judge Robert H. Terrell, and first president of the National Association of Colored Women, are herewith presented for our readers. BY MARY CHURCH TERRELL The All Souls Unitarian Church and the District Federation of Women's Clubs disagree on the report of the President's Committee on Civil Rights. The overwhelming vote of the All Souls Church to adopt a resolution supporting the report of the President's Committee shows clearly that the members know the racial conditions here and are honest and courageous enough to face the facts. Those who voice deep resentment to the report on the grounds that "there are many misleading and inaccurate statements, either do not know the racial conditions here or are unwilling to admit them. The Federation of Women's Clubs admits the statement in the report about the segregation is not "inaccurate and misleading" when its resolution expressed the opinion that "such a radical social change" as the immediate ending of segregation should not be forced upon the citizens because radical social change cannot be made in this way." ARGUMENT NOT NEW There is nothing new or original in this argument. The Federation in this modern day, is using the same argument advanced by slaveholders for nearly 300 years. They declared that freeing more than 4,000,000 human beings would be such a radical social change that it would ruin the slaves and wreck the South. Those of us whose ancestors were slaves are very glad they did not have to wait for emancipation until their masters were "educated" up to the point where they were willing to free them. People who oppose, brutalize and deprive human beings of the opportunities and rights in which they are entitled, always claim to do it for the good of the State and they good of those over whom they tyrannize. SCHOOLS ARE INFERIOR It seems incredible that anybody acquainted with racial conditions here should claim as "inaccurate" the inference that Washington practices jim crowism; that schools for colored children are inferior to those for whites; that colored people are refused service in downtown restaurants. Color phobia is so rampant here that people from India, Siam, Burma and other countries are often refused service It is a well-known fact that colored people are not admitted either to the theatre or to the movies anywhere in Washington. Neither will the hotels accommodate them. Some of the experiences of colored women who have missed trains and are forced to remain overnight have been harrowing indeed. A well-known member of the federation practically suggests fixing a ghetto for the colored citizens of Washington. She names two streets where they can find restaurants and movies and moreover says there are "several Negro hotels operated by Negroes for Negroes." The natural interence that Negroes should stay in their places and remain away from establishments operated by white is clear. SAVE NEXT GENERATION The downtown part of the city referred to by the report is made up of white merchants who naturally cater to white customers, the federation member says. Reduced to its lowest terms, this can mean only one thing . . . Colored people must lead separate and distinct lives from the whites of this city. It is disturbing and alarming that a distinguished woman of the white race should show such contempt of the tenets of democracy and should so flagrantly flout the principles upon which this Government was built. It is to be hoped that by respecting and observing these principles we shall NOT lay up for future generations the sorrow and suffering to which a violation of them may eventually lead. The Delta OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY VOLUME XVIII 1948 DEDICATION To the Pursuit of Justice, Friendship, and Equality in a Free and Unified World. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority welcomes into her fold young women with scholastic attainment, personal attunement, and a willingness to use their talents for the betterment of mankind. TABLE OF CONTENTS Call to Convention 2 Grand President Dorothy Height Special Notes on convention 4 Presenting from Roster of Grand Officers 5, 151 Soror Myra Hemmings Soror Oralee B. Mitchell Soror Dottie McKinney Your Invitation to St. Louis 6 A Letter from Mayor A. P. Kaufman 6 Henry W. Kiel Auditorium 7 Why Lambda Sigma Clicks 8 Lambda Sigma Chapter 10 We, Too, Seek-To Secure These Rights 11 A poem by Soror Lillian B. Clarke Black Treasures 11 A poem by Soror Ruth R. Dease St. Louis : Gateway to the West 12 Soror's Banks and Rahn at Founders' Day Dinner 13 Special Feature : M.D.'s, Ph.D.'s and L.L.B.'s 13 Soror Jeanne E. Cole 14 Soror Marechal-Neil E. Young 14 Soror Ruth Brett 15 Soror E. Mae McCarroll 15 Soror Sopholia Lanier Faniel 16 Soror C. Vernette Grimes 16 Soror Sadie T. M. Alexander 17 Soror Emma Cole Gamble 17 Soror Dorothy M. Reed-Granger 18 Soror Margo Thomas 18 Soror Anna Johnson Julian 19 Soror Elsie Austin 19 Soror Lena Beatrice Morton 20 Soror Eva Cornelia Mitchell 20 Soror Natalie Tanner Cain 21 Soror Margaret V. Nelson 21 Soror Hilda M. Bolden 22 Soror Mary Waring 22 Soror J. Stratford Rogers 23 Soror Jean Murrell Capers 23 Soror Lorraine Laneuville-Jones 24 Soror Helen O. Dickens 24 Soror Kara Enid Vaughn Jackson 25 Soror Flemmie P. Kittrell 25 Soror Lucia F. Thomas 26 Soror Lula B. Steward 26 Soror Dorothy Reed Cornelia Lynn 27 Soror Helen Edmonds 27 Inter-Racial Team Receives Scholarship Awards 28 Alpha Sigma Chapter Members of President's Committee Participate in Forum 29 300,000 Negro True Comics Hit News Stands 30 Negro Heroes Flood the Nation 31 Delta Surveys Adult Education 32 Indications of Need for Programs of Adult Education 32 Dr. Ambrose Caliver Dr. Horne Views the Housing Situation 34 Dr. Frank S. Horne Delta Symphony 35 Soror Natalie Watson The Role of Literacy in National Security 36 Colonel Campbell C. Johnson Veterans Need Community Assistance 38 Joseph F. Albright Taking a Look at Negro Elementary Schools 39 Dr. Jane Ellen McAllister Planned Parenthood 40 Soror Mamie Todd The Best Things 40 A poem by Soror Bessie Beecham Democratic Education, The Hope of the World 41 Soror Thelma A Meaux Delta : All 41 Soror Jamye Coleman Williams A Delta's Prayer 41 Soror Olive Grier If You Would Live Better-And Longer 42 Dr. Roscoe C. Brown Beta Beta Sigma Chapter at Meharry 42 Do Negroes Offer A Health Problem? 43 A Call for Medical Record Librarians 44 Looking to the Future 45 Soror Addie D. Jones The Greatest of These 45 Howard Thurman The American Council on Human Rights 46 Soror Bertell Collins Wright National Pan-Hellenic Council 47 Delta's Detroit Girl of the Year 48 Soror Helen Garvin Brief History of the Delta Home for Girls 49 Soror Roberta McGuire Europe As I Saw It 50 Soror Merceder Cassandra DeFreitas Mellon The Last Time I Saw Paris 51 Grand Journalist, Dorothy Lymas Lest We Forget San Antonio 52 Sorors Louise Burge, Jessie Covington Dent, Frankye Dixon, Myra Hemmings, Joyce Sowells, et al. Stepping Stones That Have Helped Secure These Heights 53 Soror Ruth Gwendolyn Smith 54 Soror Amelia Robinson Taylor 54, 55 Soror Mary Smith Buford 54, 55 Soror Maude Watkins 54 Hostesses to San Antonio Convention 55 Psi Sigma A Convention Saga 56 Soror Hortense Watkins Something About Our Name 57 Soror Mary Church Terrell A Tribute to Delta from the House of Beauty 58 Delta Personalities 58, 149 Soror Virginia Lacy Jones 58 Soror Maynelle Dixon Dempsey 58 Soror Maggie Nance Ringgold 58 Soror Marian Palmer Capps 59 Soror Lillian C. Williams 59 Soror Carrie H. Coleman 59 (Continued on page 152) Editor: Dorothy Lymas . . 5842 Haverford Avenue . . Philadelphia 31, Pennsylvania CALL TO CONVENTION The Twentieth National Convention of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. St. Louis, Missouri, August 24th-28th, 1948 The times demand the noblest effort of which Delta Sigma Theta is capable. We stand today at a moment of unusual opportunity and decision. This a day when women, and especially college women must prepare and take leadership in the struggle for a better life for all people. We dare not lose sight of our responsibility. As a nation-wide sisterhood, Delta has a very special contribution to make to the kind of world in which we live. We are challenged to put our minds together to discover our distinctive role. The crisis today is human relationships. We dare not rest until every person has fullest opportunity for participation in every phase of community and national life. The ten thousand women who are members of Delta Sigma Theta must have new insight into the critical issues of our times and renew their pledge for service to humankind at home and the world over. Delegates are called from all chapters of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to the Twentieth National Convention. Visiting sorors are urged to come and share in the deliberations. The opportunities for fellowship are many. May God grant us the wisdom and the courage to assume a role worthy of our heritage. Dorothy I. Height Grand President SOMETHING ABOUT OUR NAME SOROR CHURCH TERRELL SOROR MARY CHURCH TERRELL Author, Lecturer, Educator, and Doctor of Humane Letters Come, Sisters, let us reason together. From my point of view, many of us are making a serious mistake which greatly impedes the progress of our group, and I want to beg our women to try to correct it. I was a charter member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In 1909 I had been delivering addresses in various parts of the South, being especially interested in speaking to the students of our institutions there, when I received a letter in New Orleans post- marked New York. It urged me to attend a meeting there on a certain date which was being called to form an organization, the purpose of which would be to improve our status along all lines. At the appointed hour I attended that meeting. As I heard the sponsors outline the plans they had made, discuss the methods of procedure they would use and explain the work they inteded to do I knew a new era had dawned for our group. The occasion on which the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People blossomed into a full-grown reality and an active, functioning certainty was a red letter day in my life. But I am writing this to call your attention to the name which was given this great organization which has grown to be the wonderful, powerful instrument for good that it undoubtedly is today. After mature deliberation its founders gave it the name it now bears instead of calling it The National Association for the Advancement of Negroes. They knew the name Negro would be a misnomer for our group. They knew it does not represent a country or anything else but one single, solitary color, and no one color can accurately describe the various and varied complexions in our group. We range in complexion from deep black to the fairest white with all the colors of the rainbow thrown in for good measure. We are the only human beings in the world with fifty seven varieties of complexions who are classes together as a single racial unit. Therefore we are really, truly colored people, and that is the only name in the English language which accurately describes us. To be sure, the ideal situation would be to refer to every citizen of the United States simply as an American, without describing him as a German or an Irish American. But if our group must have a name setting it apart, the sensible and wise way to settle it would be to refer to our ancestors from whom our swarthy complexions come, the Africans. A certain dignity is added to any group which has a country as a background, if it is insisted that its representatives must be designated by some special name. There is no reason why any colored person in this country should be ashamed of his African descent. Africa had great universities before there were any in England, and the African was the first man industrious and skillful enough to work in iron. There are two reasons why I object to designating our group as Negroes. If a man is a Negro it follows as the night the day that a woman is a Negress. Negress is an ugly word-a term of reproach which the colored women of this country can not live down in a thousand years. I have questioned scores of men who call themselves Negroes, and each and every one of them strenuously objected to having his wife, or daughter, or mother or any woman in his family called a Negress. In the second place, I object to that word Negro because our meanest detractors and most cruel persecutors insist that we shall be called by that name, so that they can humiliate us by referring contemptuously to us as "Niggers" or "Negras," as Bilbo used to do. Some of our leaders say they will continue to classify our group as Negroes until an individual referred to as such will be proud of that name. Several months ago a distinguished man of the dominant race wrote his views on this point to the New York Herald Tribune. The letter follows : "Granting that racial prejudice is taking a frightful toll on the nation's productivity, admitted that this discrimination is a blighting mockery to our professions as a Christian country and a damning reproach to our one-world leadership, what are we going to do about it? There is one simple thing that all Americans who love their country can do about it. THEY CAN DESTROY THE BASIC CAUSE OF THE NATION'S PREJUDICE. They can change and right the basic concept of the public mind toward the Afro- American by calling him and giving him the name and dignity of "American" --NOT "NEGRO." This will cut the ground from under all those of both races who, for personal aggrandizement seek to perpetuate the bedeviling color problem. The abortive efforts OF THOSE WHO ADVOCATE DIGNIFYING THE SLAVE TERM "NEGRO" BY CAPITALIZING THE COMMON EPITHET MUST BE APPARENT TO ALL HONEST AMERICANS. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN OUTLAWED IN THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION, JUST AS ALL GOVERNMENTS AFTER REVOLUTIONS HAVE OUTLAWED TERMS LINKING THEIR FREED PEOPLES WITH PART REACTIONARY ASSOCIATIONS. Let all those responsible for the nation's public sentiment cooperate to effect this easy, constructive change in the terminology applied to the fifteen millions of loyal black Americans, and America's color problem for all practical purposes, will vanish as wrong before right and as the mist before the sun. GEORGE W. HARRIS President of Association of Trade and Commerce, New York. It is a pity the word "Negro" was not outlawed in the Emancipation Proclamation. After people have been freed it is a cruel injustice to call them by the name they bore as slaves. It is painful and shocking indeed that those in our group who have enjoyed educational opportunities; that those in an organization which repudiated the word "Negro" forty years ago should continue to use the slave term and thereby increase the difficulties of their group in their effort to reach the worthy goal toward which they strive. It is to be hoped that the women of the race will do everything in their power to correct this serious mistake. [*1*] Soror Mary Church Terrell is three times a Doctor of Humane Letters, having received the honorary degree in May '46 at Wilberforce University, in May '48 at Howard University, and in June '48 at Oberlin, her Alma Mater. [*58*] A Tribute to Delta The Delta From the House of Beauty The Rose Meta Hair Style Show of 1948 presented this attractive arrangement at the Golden Gate Ball Room, Sunday, April 25. It was dedicated to Delta Sigma Theta, and was greeted with abundant praise and admiration. Sorors of Delta consider it a distinct honor, and are justly appreciative of the thought it represents. They wish for its creators, Rose Morgan and Olivia Clarke, co-owners of New York's House of Beauty, 402 W, 148th Street, who truly "Glorify the Woman of Color' continued success and prosperity. They feel that because of its simplicity and charm, its taste and distinction, it is a fitting prelude to the next feature, "Delta Personalities." ...DELTA PERSONALITIES... Soror Virginia Lacy Jones Chairman, Iota Sigma's Library Project. See page 149. Soror Maynelle Dixon Dempsey of Atlanta, Ga. Consultant on Negro Elementary Education. See page 149. Soror Maggie Nance Ringgold of Baton Rouge, La. Upsilon Sigma's Guide and Inspiration. See page 149. Washington 3 March 1948 Douglass and Women's Rights To the Editor of The Star: At the recent anniversary celebration of the first women's rights convention-held at Seneca Falls, N. Y., in July of 1848-Representative Stevenson of Wisconsin referred to "Frederick Douglass, a Scotsman." He was mistaken in his identification. Here are the facts: For a long time the men and women who believed in woman suffrage had planned a meeting at Seneca Falls at which ways and means of securing suffrage for women might be devised. But when the meeting was called and Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton made the motion "That the women of this country secure to themselves the sacred rights of the elective franchise," not a single delegate had the courage to second it. Those who had been its stanchest advocates declared such a revolutionary measure would be "untimely and unwise." Even Lucretia Mott, who for years had courageously championed woman suffrage, begged Mrs. Stanton to withdraw the motion. "Lizzie," said the little Quakeress, "thee will make us all ridiculous if thee insist upon pressing this resolution through the meeting." But Mrs. Stanton stood firm and refused to withdraw the resolution. Yet not a man or a woman among the delegates was willing to second it. However, there was at that meeting one man through whose veins the blood of Africa flowed. He was the incomparable Frederick Douglass, a runaway slave, but a short time out of bondage with a price set on his head. And Frederick Douglass, in the majesty and dignity of a broad-minded, justice-loving manhood, had the courage to arise in that meeting and second Mrs. Stanton's resolution urging suffrage for woman. And it was largely through Frederick Douglass's masterful arguments and matchless eloquence that Mrs. Stanton's motion was carried in spite of the strong opposition of its powerful foes. The women of this country owe a debt of gratitude to Frederick Douglass which it would be hard to repay. At the risk of doing an irreparable injury to himself personally and to the cause of abolition, he did everything in his power to secure the elective franchise for them, so that they would no longer be classed with infants and idiots and criminals. If Frederick Douglass had not seconded Mrs. Stanton's resolution and the delegates to that convention had gone home disheartened because nobody had had the courage to do so, it is anybody's guess how long the cause of suffrage for women would have been delayed. When the 60th anniversary of that first woman's rights convention was celebrated in 1908 in Seneca Falls a bronze tablet was placed on the Johnson Opera House, which now occupies the site on which stood the Methodist church in which the first woman's rights convention was held. This bronze tablet shows in relief the figure of a woman supporting a shield on which is inscribed: "On this spot stood the Wesleyan Chapel in which the first woman's rights convention in the world's history was held, July 19, 20, 1848. Elizabeth Cady Stanton moved this resolution which was seconded by Frederick Douglass: That the women of this country secure to themselves the sacred right of the elective franchise." At this 60th anniversary celebration at Seneca Falls, Elizabeth Cady Stanton was represented by her daughter, Harriet Stanton Blatch; Mrs. Henry Villard, the daughter of William Lloyd Garrison, represented Lucretia Mott; Elizabeth Hooker Day, daughter of Isabella Beecher Hooker, sister of Harriet Beecher Stowe, represented her mother and the writer represented Frederick Douglass. MARY CHURCH TERRELL Woman Suffrage At the recent Women's Bureau celebration of the centennial of the first women's rights conference Representative Stevenson of Wisconsin delivered an address in which he stated that the man who seconded Elizabeth Cady Stanton's motion that women "secure to themselves the sacred right of the elective franchise" was Frederick Douglass, a Scotsman." This demands correction. For a long time the men and women who believed in woman suffrage had planned a meeting at Seneca Falls, N. Y., at which this question should be discussed and ways and means of securing suffrage for women be devised But when the meeting was called and Mrs. Stanton made the motion, not a single delegate had the courage to second it. Those who had been its staunchest advocates declared such a revolutionary measure would be "untimely and unwise." However, there was at that meeting one single human being through whose veins the blood of Africa flowed. He was Frederick Douglass, a run-away slave, but a short time out of bondage with a price set on his head. Douglass arose and seconded Mrs. Stanton's resolution urging suffrage for women. And it was largely through Frederick Douglass masterful arguments and matchless eloquence that Mrs. Stanton's motion was carried in spite of the strong opposition of its powerful foes. The women of this country owe a debt of gratitude to Frederick Douglass which it would be hard to repay. At the risk of doing an inreparable injury to himself personally and to the cause of abolition, so dear to his heart, he did everything in his power to secure the elective franchise for them, so that they would no longer be classed with infants and idiots and criminals. When the sixtieth anniversary of that first Woman's Rights Convention was celebrated in 1908 in Seneca Falls a bronze tablet was placed with this inscription: "On this spot stood the Wesleyan Chapel in which the first Woman's Rights Convention in the world's history was held, July 19, 20, 1848. Elizabeth Cady Stanton moved this resolution which was seconded by Frederick Douglass: That the women of this country secure to themselves the sacred right of the elective franchise." MARY CHURCH TERRELL Washington. POST 3 MARCH 1948 Washington May 28 -49 Outlawing "Negro" Several days ago a leper stood before a congressional committee urging that the Federal Government ban the use of the word "leper." He said the word "leper" should be removed from the dictionary because of its unjust and shameful stigma which hurts its victims and efforts to control and wipe the disease out. For a similar reason, I am urging The Washington Post and others willing to advance or interests and deal justly with our group to stop using the word "Negro." The word is a misnomer from every point of view. It does not represent a country or anything else except one single, solitary color. And no one color can describe the various and varied complexions in our group. There are at least two strong reasons why I object to designating our group as Negroes. If a man is a Negro, it follows that a woman is a Negress. "Negress" is an ugly, repulsive word-virtually a term of degradation and reproach. In the second place, I object to the word Negro because our meanest detractors and most cruel persecutors insist that we shall be called by that name, so that they can humiliate us by referring contemptuously to us as "niggers," or "Negras" as Bilbo used to do. A distinguished man of the dominant race wrote his views on this point to the New York Herald Tribune several months ago. "Granting," he said, "that racial prejudice is taking a fearful toll on the Nation's productivity, admitted that this discrimination is a blighting mockery to our professions as a Christian country and a damning reproach to our one-world leadership, what are we going to do about it?" "There is one simple thing that all Americans who love their country can do about it. They can destroy the basic cause of the Nation's prejudice. They can right the basic concept of the public mind toward the Afro-American by calling him and giving him the name of "American," not Negro. MARY CHURCH TERRELL. Washington. Ban on Word Asked Senate Group Hears Plea By Leper By the United Press A leper stood before a congressional committee yesterday and urged that the Federal Government stop treating those with his malady as outcasts and that it ban the use of the word "leper." It was a far cry from days when lepers were shunned as "unclean." There wasn't a murmur as the witness, who used the assumed name "Nick Farrell," told members of the Senate Labor Subcommittee that victims of the disease are treated unfairly because of public misunderstanding. "Farrell," who came t this country as a boyhood immigrant, has an arrested case of leprosy. He was formerly a patient at the National Leprosarium at Carville, La. He said less that half the lepers at Carville are bedridden, and most of them live fairly active lives. He indorsed a bill which would authorized care of lepers at other Federal hospitals under certain conditions. Senator Claude Pepper (D., Fla.) urged approval of the bill which would call the affliction "Hanson's Disease." He said the word leper should be removed from the dictionary because of its "unjustified and shameful stigma which hurts its victims and efforts to control and wipe the disease out. The subcommittee also heard several witnesses indorse legislation to promote research on arthritis and rheumatism. It's styl 1949 DRIVER CAN SEE 11 FEET CLOSER TO FRONT OF CAR 1948 1949 Chevrolet's new L Panoramic Visib ou look ahead through a ndshield that contains 30% ass area . . . and that sweeps ba eet the narrower corner pos eir new out-of-the-way pos ou look down over a hood and d so smoothly and gracefully rou at you can see the road a full l ser in. ANd you look back th greatly enlarged rear window RST FOR QUALITY AT LOW YOUR Conveniently l at!" he ken A. 4200 ewhere SINGLE | Daily .05 " [ewhere] COPY | Sunday (city zone) .10 " [ewhere] PRICE | Sunday (elsewhere) .15 ewed Reuther Plea To Company Head Ends Deadlock New Negotiations Will Begin Today But Manufacturer Declines to Debate Detroit, May 9 (AP) -Walter Reuther's top-level appeal to Henry Ford, 2d, today broke the ice in the five-day strike deadlock. Renewed peace talks were scheduled at 2 p. m. Tuesday. They ended abruptly when the strike began Thursday. The Ford Motor Col head however, declined an invitation from the CIO United Auto Workers' president to attend personally. The said other company officials would be "happy" to meet in an effort to settle the walkout of 65,000 workers. His reply came within two hours after Reuther's re- THE POET A Magazine of Contemporary Verse Five dollars for the year -- Single copies fifty cents. Published monthly by TWENTIETH CENTURY PRESS, 3908 Olive Street, St. Louis 8, Mo. Copyright, 1948, by TWENTIETH CENTURY PRESS. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden. Printed in U. S. A. JOHN G. HARTWIG, Editor VOL. V APRIL, 1948 No. 1 A TRIBUTE TO KEATS Alida Smith Bards of passion and of mirth- "Ye have left your souls on earth!" So said Keats before he left; Earth, this globe, too soon bereft Of his immortal song. Of him as of the nightingale "Immortal Bard" in leafy vale- Thou wast not born for death, we say Of him who even to this day Charms with immortal song. ----------- TO KEATS Vera C. Stallknecht Sweet modulations that ripple and flow Made by the Masterful Maker of rhyme, Rising and falling with infinite chime- You play the lead in Life's metrical show, Sure-footed syllables row after row, Work of a genius with shading sublime- Peerless the fashion that challenges Time Softly sustained, as a deep tremolo. Shepherd of Beauty, though decades have fled Into the darkness with little to spare: Death has maligned you-by calling you dead, You--with the earth-scented lightness of air Drew inspiration, artistically bred- Close to the sanctity mirrored in prayer. ----------- KEATS Vesta Addison Kiker Through time the wonder bard, wise Keats, Shall sing his thoughts in verbal lore, He sang and wrote a rhythmic note In words that now echo and soar, To teach a world still needing more. Gay, sad, and glad his mood by turn, And men who looked to bards before, Can reverence and goodness learn From words so kind that they return, HUMBLE TRIBUTE TO JOHN KEATS Ida Huglin His poetry is Stradivarius, flow of brook and river, mountain tops and green valleys. It is meadow, garden, trees, houses of cedar; It is attar of roses, and wax of calla lily. His poetry is a temple, spires reaching heavenward. -------------------- TRIBUTE TO JOHN KEATS Maude Alexander Snyder We shall miss him, truly miss him, Loved poet of the past. His dreams shall still be with us As long as life shall last. We praise him, yes, we praise him And his glorious thoughts sublime. And ever pay him tribute For his offerings so divine. ------------- GRECIAN URN Lydia Hammond Gale Pause where this azure elegance endures, Memorial of primeval life and art; Attesting facts of Attic days it lures Attention to the record it imparts. It may encase the dust of man-made shrine Where orators with gods were wont to vie; Walking the fields of grain in spring sunshine Plato took the shade of trees in Sicily. From what forgotten city has it come- From Athens whose inventions topped them all, Or Corinth leveled by decay, or Macedon? This crucible saw the ancient Parthenon fall And leave for time a reminder of that radiance Whose mold of beauty pleads its own existence. 2. THE POET: A MAGAZINE OF CONTEMPORARY VERSE KEATS Francis Hay A brilliant poet forsooth Who left gems of duty and truth The future was prophetically divined By verse from the garden of rhyme Their beauty stands unique and alone Like lovely flowers prematurely blown Let our admiring hearts enshrine Poems of the inglorious Keats sublime. KEATS AND THE AUTUMN MOON Gennie L. Rudd Yellow and round, beautiful autumnal moon Each time one looks at you they'll know all too soon That winter is coming-just a short time away, When we will see the snow-flakes come out as if to play. Oh lovely moon, way up in the ethereal sky Are you not lonely? For what reason, why are You placed all by yourself to give out the light? Another one just like you would make your duty light. KEATS FOUND A STORIED URN Eva Joy Heitmeyer A sculpter smoothed his stone with careful hand Dreaming what beauty marble could portray. He shaped an urn and wrought a storied band Set with the pageantry of that far day. Fearful lest war or wrathful elements Might shatter the fair thing, he set it near The altar's foot, a loving recompense To gods his grateful heart sought to reverse. Years passed . . . a poet found the ancient vase And read the wordless story written there. For him the pageant moved with timeless grace Oh, "ever would he love and she be fair!" He broke into a song of ecstacy And set the urn where all the world could see. TO KEATS ON A WINTER'S NIGHT Hilda Clark Fairchild O, noble Keats, you told us years ago The poetry of earth would never die- That truth revealed itself to me tonight, As I watched the sun sink in winter's sky, And then beheld the scintillating light From Orion, Taurus and Pleiades. The same north wind now sings his martial airs, And mischievously shakes the sleepy trees And rocks the empty cradles for delight; The crickets chirp has ceased, but the hoot owls Deeper tones "Whoo-o" increases with the night. At dawn the downy's "rap-a-tap-tap" will Softly blend with chickadies cheerful notes; And now my kitten's purring little trill Emerges from life's eternal lasting song. O, noble Keats, the music you sang about Is truth to me, without a single doubt. JOHN KEATS Martha A. Woodcock I cannot think of Keats as being dead- But see him conning words the ancients said, Which like a thread of gold from sun's bright gleam He wove into the substance of his dream. I never see "White drifting, fleecy clouds," But straightway think of "Flocks of sheep new shorn," And "Dew upon the rose bud" still recalls His silver phrase "The sobbing of the morn." Not dead! . . . His words still pulsing life remain In songs whose haunting beauty seal his fame. THE YOUNG POET Jeane White Nimble fingers flying over Keys of ebony; Magic fingers making words, Words of mystery. Let me try it- May I, please? It's simple as can be. Yes, I've done it- Look here-quick! Hurry, come and see! But-my words are only words, Plain as they can be. Why is it that I, too, can't make Words of mystery? WASHINGTON, D. C. (A Valentine) Emma-Sutton Marquez Oh, Washington's a lady with bouffont skirts so light, He head poised very daintily, and hair of powdered white. Of the many jewels that she graciously shows a guest, I think among them her buildings are the best. They are made of stone and marble and glimmer and shine, So, lovely Washington, please always be mine. THE POET: 3. A MAGAZINE OF CONTEMPORARY VERSE THE POET Out of my sorrow I'm building a stair. My tomorrow may Climb to me there, With ashes of yesterday In her hair; My fortune is made Of a stab in the side, My debts are paid With pennies of pride, Little red coins In my heart I hide; The stones that I eat Turn ripe for my needs; My cup is replete With the dregs of my deeds; Clear are the notes On broken reeds Yes, I carry my pack Of aches and stings, Light with the lack Of all good things- But not on my back, Because of my wings. TARDY GLORY Ferne von Stein Byron, Keats and Shelley; Vachel Lindsey, Edgar Allen Poe, Whose "Raven" is familiar As "Good evening," or "Good morning;" Crusaders in an unending pageant Offering an accolade to beauty; Were stoned, discredited, Pierced through with The dagger of indifference. Why should they have to die To win due recognition, For the beauty they transmuted From the silver mists of dreams; Their hearts yearning Over those who suffered, Battling for the rights Of the downtrodden; Singing with the joy of living? What price fame? A banner in the sky, To lead others on to glory; Or bittersweet, distilled Within their broken hearts, To make their souls smile wryly When they finally attained To the Eternal Verities Which lie beyond us? I AM POETRY Leon Segall Its joys, sorrows, heartaches and strife! I am in the fragrant flowers, The rainbow, the woodlands, the sunshine and showers. I am in the starts by night; I am in the pale moonlight. I am in the song of the birds, The laughter of children, and lovers' words. I am in the factories, Ocean liners, bridges, and industries. I am in the song you hear In the hum of any wheel or gear. All life, all action, is my theme; I am in the whole universal scheme! LET ME DREAM AGAIN Bernice Esther Barrows Let me dream again, Dreams like heavenly dew; Dropping gladness down, Dreams of love and you. Let me dream again Of the paths we've trod, Of the vows we've made To ourselves and God. Life so dear and sweet, So like heaven above; Fragrance everywhere, Comradeship and love. But not without tears, Or the cross to bear, But 'twas worth the load, Just to feel you near. Let me dream again, Dreams like heavenly dew; Dropping gladness down, Dreams of love and you. THE MISSING FLOWER Margarete Ward Out of the night came the dawning Bringing a flower rare, A lovable little darling Perfect, and oh, so fair. I knew it came from heaven A divine gift for me; I wanted to keep it always, But that wasn't meant to be. Out of my garden was taken My little flower so gay Leaving sad, fragrant memories A soft hand took it away. A hand so gentle strong and white, Pure as the morning dew- I had no choice to refuse . . . This hand was God's I knew. AUTUMN Margaret Towey Evans The wind plays through the fallen leaves Purple and gold and gray, A bird calls from a leafless tree To its mate not far away. Summer is gone and autumn is here Purple and cold and gray. 4. THE POET: A MAGAZINE OF CONTEMPORARY VERSE I KISSED YOU Charles A. Smith (Song Poem) I remember the first kiss I gave you, It was in rose scented June. And in the shade of a wide spreading yew, Under a full brilliant moom Chorus I kissed you at a dance and again, In many places wherever we chanced to be. And I have a constant yen, To kiss you and have you kiss me. I kissed you in the rain one day. My heart always thrills at the thought. And the, Once when you were going away, I kissed you again and again. TEAR DROPS Merle Holtz Tears drops, on my window pane- I see them, in the rain As they patter to and fro- I wonder where they go. Sparkling like the dew Tear drops, old and new- Dribbling on my window pane Come snow, come hail, come rain. Must you always leave your stain In my heart or on my window pane? Tear drops, tear drops, in the rain- Symbol of sorrow and pain. ETERNITY Mary Olson The permanent things are not things of earth But those born within man's soul. The things given to him at birth, By God, to make him whole. The things of earth are but ships that pass As spirit returns to its God; And are left behind to return to earth Lost, lost beneath her sod. Man's transient things of flesh and self, Crushed by Truth's everlasting age Are faded and left rotting to naught- Mere props on life's endless stage. But beauty of Soul as given by God, Through selfless being of earthly man; Lives on and on into eons of joy- Weaving pattern for Life's timeless strand. BEAUTY IN ORDER George T. Gaylord There is art in great buildings, And beauty in the trees. There is life in things made with purpose, And love in you and me. MOTHER Laura B. Erwin There is a lady old and gray, Seems to be busy all the day; I never have the chance to see Her idle, as she might very well be. INGRATITUDE Basil C. Hammond O, ingratitude with thy sting And thou sheer of laughter, Thy wanton way of travel by wing, Thy naughty, haughty way of disaster, Thy scorpion head fixed with a thorn To kill love and ll the here-after And poison tings that are not even born, So they cannot come through thy mean laughter. O, ingratitude thou jewel, thou czar, Who spanks, though thy path be feathered with down, Smites good intentions; murderer thou art- Kills the fishes and would kill the spawn. Thou who tears down a kingdom which might Love you as a sunbeam, Thou robber who not only steals by night, But robs a child of its dream. A SURE REMEDY Margaret L. H. Smith (Selected from her book, BITTERSWEET BRANCHES) I own Too many things They dominate my life Indeed a slave am I, for they Own me! So now To lift my yoke I give them all away And thus become, oh happy thought, Quite free! A CHAIR OF HISTORY STORED AWAY Lula Bennett In a small store room on an old homestead, Where a father and son did dwell The father so lonely to his son had said, "Son, there's a story to you I will tell; Your mother rocked in that old rocking chair Each night as she sweetly did sing. But one evening lat the angels called her and Bore her away on death's wing. All through the hours of that gloomy night I could hear her voice whisper low and Quiet, "My dear ones, I'm gone, but will watch over you- I know your are faithful, loving and true." THE POET : 5. A MAGAZINE OF CONTEMPORARY VERSE CROSS OF CALVARY Frances B. Simpson Easter morn is here again, How happy we should be, Jesus died to save all men, And set the whole world free. To Calvary, the cross he bore And shed his blood for me. Then a crown of thorns He wore On the cross of Calvary. THANKSGIVING E. M. Osterndorff We thank Thee Father for the rain, We thank Thee for the sun, We thank Thee for Thy glorious work That Thou hast done. We thank Thee for the night, We thank Thee for the day, We thank Thee that Thou hast Shown the way. We thank Thee for Thy love That cometh like a dove From Thy Hosts above. This dove of peace that soon shall reign- You will not see another fall, For God's good and love is all. MEMORY Flora Harris Linn Memory lingers through the night- Awakens us from dreams, And friends, long absent, come to call Before the dawning gleams. Our eyes are filled with sudden tears That come against desire. We hear the chant of lovely hymns That sends our thought up higher. That memory sometimes forgets- 'Tis but a simple token That one forgives and still holds dear Despite all anger spoken. MY HEART IS A SEA Grace Evelyn Brown My heart is a sea with buoyant crests Blithely lifting high toward the sun, Where the white-winged ships of merriment Sail on until is life is done. Underneath are the dark, dim wastes And the white, bleached bones of dead hope, And the wreckages of many a dear lost dream With its treasures, for which I still grope. How merry I am with the laughter and cheer, While the wrecks their sad vigils must keep. I reveal, but the crests of the dancing waves, Hide the tragedies fathoms deep. GETHSEMANE Mabelle Rutherford Murdock Oh Master, with heart bowed low in loneliness and grief I come to Thee, Knowing Thou wilt understand the sorrows of my soul's Gethsemane. Teach me to live and love as Thou, Forgiving . . . and in sweet humility. HOW DOES RUSSIA WALK? Grace Shilling White Russia, you walk like a bear (So Kipling said) . . . And I, pondering, wish to know How does a bear walk? To and fro? From side to side? Upright? Alone? Your amplitude is huge-you walk and loom . . . You move-but forward? A bear walks like a man (he said)-yet differently; And quite alone. You lumber heavily Burdened by your sheer weight. Is that how you walk- Awkward and heavy, soft-padded and alone? So slow, yet sure, Toward a place unknown By any man. Russia, you walk like a bear- And bears walk thus. CAN IT BE? Isabelle Carter Can it be real that you have left me, No more to be near for me to see? Can it be you are gone to the other shore Where only Angels dare explore? Can it be you feel the touch of angel wings, Can it be you hear golden harps haunting refrain? Can it be you are where there is no pain, Sweetheart, do you hear the angels sing? Can it be? Can it be? I see your face pictured in the clouds, Can it be your lilting laughter floating back to me When I hear the oriole call from his tree? Can it be I hear your step or do I dream aloud? Darling, can it be, because I loved you so, That each hour, each minute, goes so slow; Can I live each day through without you? Some day, somehow, my love I'll see, Until then how can it be? 6. THE POET : A MAGAZINE OF CONTEMPORARY VERSE CHRISTMAS AND THE ARTS God bless us every one. - Tiny Tim Charles Remondino How grand it would be to have a Christmas dinner Celebrating the works of souls that have passed on, And imagine that they, like their achievements, were Still up and above ground. I would place Charles Dickens as Toastmaster And to his right I would place Shakespeare; To his left I would seat Dumas, another without a peer. Around the table would be men of fame, The Seven Wise Men of Greece, and our old friend Aesop by name. We have seats for Plato, Virgeleus and Homer And Hippocrates, whose works are different but equal, just the same. These were all in the years B.C. so now we do pass on to the years that followed with the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord, And it places us in the years A.D. We find Cervantes, with Don Quixote and Daudet with Sappho, Robert Burns, Goethe, Dante and Goldsmith-whose works will be Treasured as will be the works of Poe, Voltaire, Van Dyk and Eugene Field in Mr. Jones of the U.S.A. Now we find ourselves seating Hawthorne, Emerson, Longfellow and Holmes, and which one is the best it is really hard to say. And now we turn to Henrich Ibsen, and Kipling of Dunga Dee fame; Mr. Charles Dickens arises, and to the guest he will explain Just how he wrote the Christmas Carol, and all of his famous characters by name- If ever a man knew human beings, as evidenced by his many works It certainly was Charles Dickens. And never from the evil side Of the human being did he shirk. We meet Fagins, Bill Sykes and Scrooge every day And whether they'll ever be transformed as Scrooge was it is difficult to say; Poor old Scrooge, as Christmas Eve and Christmas night and Christmas Day developed, He had hallucinations of Marley, his former partner, and the Advice that Marley gave to Scrooge was not in a sealed envelope. He visited Marley's grave and he was still perturbed, He was aggravated when wished a Merry Christmas and thought it was absurd. He spent the day in misery until the evening came, and then he Went to his bookkeeper's home and greeted them by the same "Merry Christmas to all." San Diego City and County has been blessed with culture Mms. Schuman Heinck and Mme. Mojeska and Mr. Cadman, And we cannot forget Grace Moore in the opening aria from La Traviata, nor Caruso in Di Guella Pira, from Il Trovatore- Nor the trio from Faust, nor the quartette from Rigoletto, nor the sextette from Lucia. One of the prettiest pieces belongs to Lolita Rowan. She sang and is still singing "Home to our Mountains" from Il Trovatore. Another that is still singing is Frances George, as she sings "La Marseillaise" -as she sang it at the General Foch Dinner in Los Angeles. Another great musician is Nino Marcelli, and he sets to music many poems by Lusia Stahel. And as Tiny Tim said-"God bless us and every one." MY GARDEN Elida Merriam Green In shaded corners violets grow And sweet forget-me-nots; Their tender bloom like friendship is, They light the garden spots Wherein they grow, and waft to me Upon the evening breeze, A word of hope, a melody, A song in many keys. Great golden pansies are my thoughts, My love-it is a rose; A rose that blooms when others fade And die. Do you suppose That all the rest are jealous of My rose that lives and thrives Throughout the heat and frost of years When every other dies? AUTUMN'S WARDROBE Edith Nordeen Anderson Mother nature is going South She is packing her bags today, Flaunting a wardrobe of brilliant hue And folding it gently away. A scarlet gown of maple leaves Has a touch of green, here and there; Her top-coat is brown, she wears a beret, Of bitter-sweet vines in her hair. A shawl of purple hangs on the fence And a scarf of gentian blue, For Indian Summer to wear when cool, Or in need of a wrap or two. THE POET : 7 A MAGAZINE OF CONTEMPORARY VERSE VIGNETTE Marguerite L. Nolan Smoke curls from a cigarette In a city street, The sun paints lofty windows red, And shrewd eyes meet. Brisk strains of a polonaise Crash the evening air; Soft slacks, and sophisticate, Lounge upon the stair. Christmas in chaotic stores, Shoppers wanly smile; shoulders nonchalantly rub In a crowded aisle. Light bathes the Madonna fair, Connoisseurs draw near, Shrewd eyes shine with ecstasy- "Fancy meeting you here!" FOREST FIRE Beverly A. Caswell I watched the billowing clouds of smoke Like some ethereal fog rise, And was amazed. Captivated by the raging flames, Confused by a sudden rush of wind Blowing the smoke to another world. It must have remained for several hours, Towering above the once magnificent pines And then it was gone-much slower than it had come. A piece of charred bark, or blackened embers Being all that remained, When the flames were subdued. THE BANYAN TREE William H. Chitwood The banyan tree extends its boughs so wide The trunk alone can not support their weight; But Nature, every ready to provide For all emergencies in her estate, Sends from these branches, downward to the ground, Long shoots that thicken into trunk-like props; And thus the tree, supported all around, Spreads many feet before its growing stops. O truth-revealing tree, in thee I find More evidence of God at every glance! The very care with which thou art designed Refutes all claims that life was made by chance. Thy magic shoots, supporting every limb, Shall evermore support my faith in Him. A QUESTION (Written upon the accidental death of a young doctor) Mary W. Burnap Son, have they need of a young Doctor there? Has Christ, the Great Healer, called Upon you to share In healing young mother who Die here on earth? do angels, as nurses, assist At their birth? Do you help the babies Their new wings uncurl? Young mothers their courage and souls To unfurl? Please, smile at me; I Know you are near . . . Heal your own mother's heart, Kiss away her tear. IN RESPONSE TO A SYMPHONY Marie Blechert Music, tender, soft and sweet, With haunting strains so full, complete; Let me while away an hour In my cozy little bower While I lend a listening ear To thy symphony so dear. Ah, what hope and inspiration Arise oft in contemplation While a melody is played- Heart and spirit both are swayed. It is as if a prayer were sung, A heavenly hymn on angel's tongue- Thus while I sit in raptured bliss, No other joy doth my heart miss. A THOUGHT FOR TO-DAY Thelma L. Moon It's too bad we can't bottle up the spirit of Thanksgiving, The one day discontent is overshadowed by thanks-living. If we would put "it" in a jar and let some out each day, The greed and bickering in our land would surely pass away. GOD AND YOU Roba Beatrice Ward The tides are rolling slow today, My heart is calmly wide; I sit by my fern-leaved cabin door And rest, and dream by your side. I left the worldly noise and power To come where folks are few, Apart from the world's demandings, Alone with God . . . and you. I peer through the elm's green shading And healing filters through- I find the balm of heaven Alone with God and you! 8. THE POET : A MAGAZINE OF CONTEMPORARY VERSE DO NOT FEAR Josephine Johnson Do not fear the darkness, It is light turned inside out; Do not fear the God-head He is Love without a doubt. Do not fear the mass of people They are moved by inner urge; Do not fear the way of hardship, It is for the heart's clean purge. MEDITATION Ruth Harriet Hansen On high- The Maker took one look at His creation, Thru Time the ceaseless warrings fared. His people-ordained for "Peace on Earth," "Good will toward men" -they never cared. He let them touch awhile The space of the inexhaustible unknown; Perhaps a purge-a cleaner world emerge. He wasn't satisfied with these-His own. On high- He saw some awed and huddled masses In holy communion, here and there, At a cathedral altar-in hideouts, daring To pray again-of peace-so rare. On high- Creatively He stayed their hands Once more thru space and Time, Till thru the maze His own would find Again-good will and peace sublime . . . NONE BUT THE LONELY HEART Jerome Chadbourne As I wakened, the day turned dark And I found despair in my heart: What is it to face a world that turns away And leaves you like a beast at bay? Some will condemn, Some will condone But whatever happens My spirit is alone. Companionship and the joys I knew Are no more to me For I am through: Through with the trials and tribulations Of this earth Left only to grovel in their lonely dearth. Is this my fate Never to rise again, Never to experience memories without a pain? Why this melancholy That makes me sag when I walk? Why this boredom That causes my growing thoughts to balk? Is there no explanation Or Being to help me arise, Or is it that I deserve to be criticized? HOME Norabelle Elliott A long winding rail with a well worn track Leads to the door of a woodland shack. There's a fire on the hearth from a pitch-pine knot, New bread on the table and baked beans in a pot. Red ears in their husks hang from a rafter, A medley of voices mid ripples of laughter. Far from the city's pomp and blare, Romance and destinies blossom there. When winter comes and the storm clouds cry And the coyotes howl from the hills close by, I'll jump in my car and drive like sin, Ma'll ope the door and kiss me in. SPRING COMES AGAIN Shasta Leila Hoover Spring comes again, her old enchanting spell To cast around the strongest citadel The heart can fortify; why then gainsay? For who can disregard the bloom of May With roses, violets, and asphodel? Or who so dull, his memory does not dwell On lilac blooms with reminiscent smell, And whisper as he wipes a tear away: "Spring comes again!" Spring brings our long lost youth again to tell The weary heart that somehow, all is well. We may not know what after-life will pay, But at the last we shall look up and say: "Spring comes again!" SOULS OF THE RIGHTEOUS A. Bond Great souls can see the halo of freedom's light Pouring between; yea, even through the iron bars, In weakness, breathing the strength of right o'er might, They have power to ascend to unknown stars; Thus we say, "Stone walls cannot a prison make." There are no walls far-sighted eyes cannot brave, Though trembling persecuted flesh and bones ache, Liberated souls can see beyond the grave. Spiritual barriers are not stone walls, But our stony hearts of flesh as black as night, And the grooping spirits within these dark halls, Are imprisoned by great obstructions of might. THE POET : 9. A MAGAZINE OF CONTEMPORARY VERSE A HAPPY THOUGHT Edith J. Buxton There is joy in the world When we are in accord With the wiles and whims of Nature And the things she can afford. There is joy in our work When we feel we are true To the best that is within us, Be the task old or new. There is joy just in living With our friends round about; But the truest joy arises In helping some one out. A WISH Mary Church Terrell I wish I could express in words Emotions which I sometimes feel, And, sweeter than the song of birds, Some of my hidden thoughts reveal. Within my soul they're fettered fast Although they long to be released, And nobly struggle, till at last From vain endeavors they have ceased. Then, as a caged bird sings, though bound Still caroling its sweet refrain, So in my soul, though bars surround, My thoughts sing forth their sweetest strain. TOGETHER Ruth Ridd Let us ride together in the starlight, Listen to the piping of the breeze; And watch the netted moonbeams dance In and out among the trees. Let us sit together in the gloaming, Harken to the brook go murm'ring by, And watch the clouds paint masterpieces On the blue canvas of the sky. Let us walk together always Hand in hand along life's way; Sharing with each the somber rain And the smile of sunlit day. ANTIDOTE Jessie Frissell We work, we struggle, we strive for peace When really 't would be an easier task If we'd only look within ourselves Where fruits of Spirit do all we ask. Neither laws, nor ward, nor force can help Except the moral laws of Nature; So whenever we get in accord, We shall grow to a peaceful stature. You say, "No need for my righteousness; No one else cares a thing about it," But if each limb put forth good pure fruit Soon the whole tree will have to sprout it. No atom bomb, no brute force, no war, Can bring peace to this old troubled world; Our renewed minds is our only hope The world's greatest force . . . the flag unfurls. POPPIES Elizabeth Cannon Porter Poppies fair in silken dress Fragile beauty do express. Flouncing skirts in gayest swirls Like a group of dancing girls. Pink and rose against the wind Ballerinas quite undimmed. Scarlet shawled as a gypsy Nod and swing, flirtatious, free; Crimson robed in high disdain Like great ladies of old Spain. Exquisite white, ever sought, Lovely maid of Astolot; Rich colored, without duties Languorous harem beauties. All together sway and tremble In magnificent ensemble. ODE TO A BARTENDER'S WIFE (In a North Woods Tavern) Beryl Martin Lights flash, music and noise, A get-together for a bunch of the boys. Clatter of glasses, shuffle of feet, "Here's to you and Rosie, sweet." Tinkle of money along the bar. Toot of horn, another car. "Hello, Jake, how've ya been? Still leadin' a life of sin?" The juke box wails "Basin Street Blues," People jigging in threes and twos. A knock on the bar, "Another, please," He yells as he gives his girl a squeeze. "One with coke and one with sour. Let's stay here another hour." Smoke is thick and noise is loud. The bartender smiles, "What a crowd!" And in the corner sits his wife Thinking, "What a hell of a life!" MY THRUSH Hazel Adell Jackson The elm tree is in bud and on its crest My brown thrush balances himself and flings His rosary of songs of other springs, When, on this very bough, he found his rest. My thrush is back. Attuned to love's behest He waits enraptured while his lady sings In crystal tones alluring, and then wings Her way demurely to a cherished nest. Long months the thrushes' song was only heard In memory when barren days bore down And robbed the elm tree of each leaf and bird, And wrapped it in a winding sheet of brown. But, as the warm May winds bid snows depart, The thrushes sing once more within my heart. 10. THE POET : A MAGAZINE OF CONTEMPORARY VERSE WISDOM J. Ogden Bradley Wisdom is something You attain with age. A wise young man May become and old sage. You reason and think And ponder some more; To find the right answer That others implore. A witty remark Is returned by a sigh. That boy is intelligent Others reply. A volume of prophecies Is dull, I admit; But think of the brains That you must call wit. Wisdom takes time And can never be planned. While horseplay is practiced Wisdom is manned. THE WAY TO PEACE Minnie E. Schulz Great men have sought through ages Some definite way to Peace. It has puzzled the wisest sages, This great mystery to release. No lasting peace was gained by war- Always came suffering, sadness and woe, Following in war's footsteps, Alike to defender and foe. It becomes very plain that loving and forgiving Seasoned with unselfishness, kindness and humility, A real tolerance for all men living, Leads to true tranquility. Again we turn to the Story Old, Where in simple words, the angels, even then The way to Peace so grandly told- "Peace on earth-good will toward men!" ANCHOR OF SOUL Joellen Ingram The soul is transport ship, On mighty sea of life, That sails to final slip In port beyond all strife. Some days may hold to calm, When troubles do not loom, Or sailing breeze is balm; But an attending doom May blow a raging gale, Of dire adversity, And hope shall seem to fail With lashing of the sea; Yet soul is transport ship, God anchors through its strife, Until the final slip Ends mission of this life. YOUR BIRTHDAY Daisy E. Duncan You stand at the gate of another year- Your hand in His- There is no fear; You need no light in this unknown, For haven't your lips and actions shown That He is near? . . . There is no fear. Let birthdays come-just smile and nod As you walk the way That Saints have trod- Just plan and pray and work, then pause, For righteous patterns do have laws- (Those laws entwine as grass in sod,) So keep your hand In the hand of God. PORTRAIT Theodore L. Green I thought to catch with dancing brush The beauty of thy form and face. I thought to match the faint half-flush Of color born of love's embrace. I thought that I might somehow hold The freshness of a youthful smile, That from the magic pallette's face Might spring and stay dark eyes a while. And too, the simple grace that's you I thought I somehow might portray. And to the canvas I might bring Thy gentle loveliness to say. But as I stand and gaze the while, It comes to me, the sadder part, That even I, who love, must be Content to hold you in my heart. TRANSFORMATION Nellie Reed Ludington Raindrops fall before the setting sun, Coming from misty grey clouds To form an arched bow of eternal promise Before they replenish the earth With the waters of life. Autumn leaves, colored by frost and waning sun Many hued and myriad in form, Drop with hesitant musical whispers And rustling sighs To become one with the soil below. So fall my thots before the sunlight of Truth From out the Infinite Silence around me, Showering promises of a new day And murmuring comforting assurances Before they come to rest on the dark ground Of the inner mind. There, lost to all objective senses, They fertilize the tree of Life- That it may build new leaves for the spring And bud and blossom into knowledge that never fades. THE POET : 11. A MAGAZINE OF CONTEMPORARY VERSE SEVENTEEN Nym Wales Johnney is but seventeen. There's a cowlick in his hair And he scrapes his plate with care, Life will never be so fair- Johnney's seventeen. Johnney's young, he'll soon be old, Johnney's shy, he'll soon be bold; Johnney loves, he'll soon turn cold- Johnney's seventeen. Johnney's only seventeen, Standing on a hill, With the wilderness ahead, And the greatest words unsaid, All alive and nothing dead- Johnney's seventeen. DEAR OLD PASQUOTANK Jac O'Mine Powers I'm dreaming tonight of a river That glitters with a golden gleam, Whose tiny little waves all aquiver Are dancing in the full moon's sheen. I long to sit on its grassy bank Just below the house on the hill, To paddle my feet in its waters so cool Making tiny ripples that never are still; They circle and dance, whisper and play Past "Blue Beards Castle" now rotted away. On down to where the "Ole Pasquotank." "Ole Bull-frog" sits under the rivers bank And calls for his jug-o-rum. The baby frog sings Chil-le-e-e-e While he beats upon his "ole bass drum." KISMET W. A. Martin "Tis fate, " the pious Arab says, "God wills," And what is willed by Allah is as done, For He whose hand could frame and set the sun Whose burning glory all the Heaven fills, And He, whose hand could raise the eternal hills And shape the streams and rivulets which run Toward the ocean is, The Eternal One, Whose widespread voice the raging tempest stills . . . In Allah's sight we are but as the clay, And He, the Potter, whose skilled hand can trace Upon the yielding substance, day by day, A nearer semblance to the Heavenly race. "Tis Allah brings us forth and shapes our lives- "Tis Allah calls us when the time arrives. TO A CHILD Edna May Cheshire The stars are the eyes of the angels That smile upon you when you pray, And tho you don't see them in daytime, They watch over you when you play. FEBRUARY Ruth Goddard Finch When I think of February I think of Washington, Honest Abe, And Robert Louis Stevenson. On Valentine's day I think of brother Ted, He arrived three years after Mom and Dad had wed; The tenth holds memories, my dears, For on that day in '49 I will be married twenty-five year. BLESSED BE THIS HOUSE Goldia Andrews They say that the good Padre once blest my home, His crucifix still hangs in this very room; with his God and my God watching over me, No harm can come; from Him all demons flee. OUR SON Syble Byrd Everett Our home has always been so sweet But our son has made it complete; So Mother wrote this poem for him, A red blooded boy, full of vim. I said, "Whose old, big boy is that?" He said, "Mudder's, see I am fat." Sometimes he says, "I am Daddy's boy," If he thinks his mother he can annoy. At St. Paul, the people love him so, We teach him to love all as he grows; Daddy says his son is mind and soul, We pray that he attains the highest goal. We look at him from day to day And watch him develop in every way. Words can never express the joy That we get from our little boy. COMPREHENSION May Hines Richards The smoke curled upward, Spiraling to find its new location in the universe. The youth, who watched it, wondered how It left the log and leafy-bough. The spirit took leave of the discarded clay, Escaping through closed doors to meet its Maker; And the man, who watched, comprehended why- To gain heaven's location, that man must die. 12. THE POET : A MAGAZINE OF CONTEMPORARY VERSE COME, LET US GREET THE DAWN Lucy G. Henning Arise!-and come with me, my love, To greet the dawn. High on the cliff we'll stand, With the ocean breaking on the white sand. The roaring-dashing waves on the rocks below Will cleanse our minds, of yesterday's woe. Showering us with its salty spray- Giving us courage to live this day. EUROPEAN SCENE J. Wayne Lindquist The fruits of war are prevalent and bitter. Amid a riot of spring colors, The hungry throng have planted flowers. In faith so sustained- Their souls shall not starve. IVORY PALACES Alma Tatum Garner At dusk, low down in the sky there 'rose A Palace of Ivory Whose stately walls were radiant With pearl and chalcedony. Soon the halls were filled by a brilliant throng, With sandaled feet they came; Praising God with song and dance And music as soft as flame. Pale Diana had joined the chase As one by one the stars appeared. And the Ivory Palace faded out As a light bedimned and seared. A PRAYER FOR USEFULNESS Emma Louise Callis Lord help me as I tread life's pathway, Not live for self alone, But may I brighten someone's pathway May I cheer some heart that's sad and lone. Lord give me power to plant love's flower In some heart that now is bare, That it may blossom in great beauty Mid the roses of thy garden fair. WHEN MY SONG IS STILLED Helen T. Dirst Oh, when my song, from age, is stilled, My eyes with years grow dim, I pray my heart will the be filled With strains from some old hymn. And when my feet no longer take Me out in spring to hear The birds as they from winter wake, To sing their songs of cheer- Oh, may I then find in my heart The songs that I now hear; That I may have, though just in part, The things that make life dear. IN GRANDMOTHER'S GARDEN Anna K. Davis in Grandmother's garden tall hollyhocks grow Straight, slim and nodding all in a row. Over the walls the trumpet vines run Their colored cups brimmed with the warm sun. In a corner are the larkspur, blue Cool and gracious to winds that blow through. Above them all the sunflower stands Beckoning to birds with bright, glad hands. IN LIGHTER VEIN BACK WHEN (Grandpa Got In Politics) Thomas H. Williamson Grandpa owned a store and farm And worked just like a slave, Toiling in the snow and storm He tried to skimp and save. At last he was the leading man A power out in the sticks, But yielded to the great demand That put him in politics. His business that was growing grand Was soon by him neglected, And then he mortgaged all his land, For he had to get elected. But someone told a little tale About his wealth and money, And election rumors never fail To grow to be a honey. The rumor said he robbed the poor And also tricked his scales, And that his creditors were sore And some were put in jails. Next day was election time And the voters would decide, He thought everything was fine But they took him for a ride. Election day was long and hot But voters braved the heat, No use to tell what Grandpa got, For Grandpa-he got beat. STATEMENT OF POLICY: All issues of THE POET are published under a copyright held in the name of TWENTIETH CENTURY PRESS for the benefit of contributors, thus no one can use their poem without express permission, and contributors can again use their poems in books or any other way the see fit. We carry no paid advertising and we do not at present pay for poems. CINCINNATI, OHIO, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1948 Great are the lessons, Taught by her degrees, And their attainment, Will all worthy people please. -------- Washington, D. C., September 7, 1948. Wendell P. Dabney. Dear Editor: Ten thousand thanks for your kindness in publishing the account of the Honorary Degrees conferred by Oberlin College upon the recipients, of whom your humble servant was one. I am especially grateful to you for publishing in full the remarks made by Dr. Hope Hibbard, when the degree was conferred upon me, in addition to what the President of the College said. I am just a poor garden variety human being and like to have the world told, what I have tried to do. But, in addition to this personal desire, I want to encourage our young women to put forth their best efforts, to accomplish something worth while, either to benefit their group, or to distinguish themselves, along any line they choose and nothing will encourage our young people to do this more, than the proof that they will be honored, if they make a valuable, outstanding contribution, either to their own group in particular, or to humanity on general principles. I believe our young people will be spurred on to greater endeavors, if they have the same chance of receiving honors who are deserved, as do those in the dominant race. Sincerely and gratefully yours, MARY CHURCH TERRELL. ------- CONGRATULATIONS TO MADAM TERRELL Gratitude is God's grandest gift to humanity and it is doubly valuable, when its use shows a desire to furnish a lesson that will benefit others. The charmingly interesting epistle from Madam Mary Church Terrell, exhibits most fully and emphasizes most clearly, the ideas engendered by the above paragraph. Dabney. The Journal of the College Alumnae Club of Washington MEMORIAL EDITION April, 1950 "To Those Who Have Passed" "There is no death! The stars go down To rise upon some other shore. And bright in heaven's jeweled crown They shine forevermore." J. L. McCREERY COLLEGE ALUMNAE CLUB TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword....................................................................Orra W. Spivey 5 Tributes: Julia Evangeline Brooks........................................Albert N. D. Brooks 7 Harriet B. Allen 8 Adelaide Allen Brown.............................................Elsie Brown Smith 10 Sara Winifred Brown................................................Mary E. Cromwell 15 Mary Church Terrell 17 Jennie Scott Conner..................................Clarence Cameron White 21 Luella C. G. Craig.......................................................Louise Craig Lane 23 Caroline Bond Day.......................................................Otelia Cromwell 24 Lucy Messer Holmes................................................Charlotte Atwood 27 Mary Annette Anderson S...........................................Harriet B. Allen 31 Programme of 1947 - 1948............................................................................. 34 Programme of 1948 - 1949............................................................................. 37 Our Contributors................................................................................................... 43 Members of Committee..................................................................................... 41 ORRA W. SPIVEY, President 1947 - 1948 1948 - 1949 MEMORIAL COMMITTEE BERTHA HOWARD COLLINS, Chairman ELSIE BROWN SMITH, Editor HARRIET BROOKS ALLEN MARTHA HENSON C. VIRGINIA WASHINGTON COLLEGE ALUMNAE CLUB [*17*] Dr. Sara W. Brown THOSE who are cognizant of Dr. Sara W. Brown's innate ability, her high ideals, and her strong determination to finish what she started are not surprised at her many outstanding achievements or the valuable services she rendered to her own racial group in particular and to her country as a whole. I was well acquainted with her for many years. I taught her in my second year class in the High School in Washington. When she was a pupil in my Latin class, I was impressed with the sterling qualities which she possessed. She gave indisputable proof of the fact that she not only wanted to understand everything discussed or read in class, but there was no doubt in my mind that she definitely intended to do so. It was easy to see that she would leave no stone unturned to satisfy this desire. I do not recall having taught any student who seemed to enjoy improving her mind more than Sara Brown did. In the experience of every teacher there are students who stand out distinctly in the mind many years after they recite in class because of the satisfaction and pleasure afforded in teaching them. Such a student was Sara Brown, when I recall the time I taught her. Persistent were these qualities when I remember Sara Brown as a teacher when she lived in my home. Sara attended Hampton Institute and was graduated with honors. Later, she entered Miner Normal School and distinguished herself by the fine record she made. After teaching here for a while she entered Cornell University and received the A.B. degree in 1897. The benefit derived from her course in Cornell was greatly increased by her extra-curricular activities. She became a member of three societies, two of them literary-the Wayside Club and the Aftermath Club, and one of them biological-the Jugatae. After receiving the degree of A.B. from Cornell, Miss Brown returned to Washington, resumed teaching biology in the public schools and began the study of medicine at Howard University, from which she received her M.D. degree, in 1904. Having enjoyed such perfect academic preparation, Dr. Brown devoted much of her time and strength to practicing medicine and to discharging her duty as a good citizen by assisting the various social projects designed to benefit the community as a whole. Not content with her unusual scholastic record, Dr. Brown decided to study sociology under Professor Boaz, and then added to her fund of knowledge by attending lectures at the Sorbonne during one of her trips to Europe. 18 THE JOURNAL OF THE It was natural that various important organizations should call upon a woman who had availed herself of such exceptional educational opportunities as Dr. Brown had to assist and serve them. For instance, the Women's War Council appointed her a member of the "Flying Squadron" which was composed of fifty women physicians. The American Red Cross appointed her a relief worker in the flooded areas of Mississippi and Louisiana in 1927. She was appointed a medical officer to accompany the Gold Star mothers to France in 1930. Under the auspices of the National Board of the YWCA Dr. Brown was appointed a lecturer on health. In 1924 Dr. Brown enjoyed the distinction of being the first woman graduate trustee of Howard University. At the time of her death she was serving as trustee with two other women, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and Mrs. Dorothy Canfield Fisher, the writer. Among the organizations in Washington which were assisted by Dr. Brown may be mentioned the Freedmen's Hospital Nurse Committee, the Lend-A-Hand Club for unmarried mothers, the first social settlement in Washington, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She was affiliated with the St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church in Washington. But no attempt to give an outline, however brief, of Dr. Brown's achievements, services, and activities would be complete without referring to the important part she played in founding the College Alumnae Club. She and I talked about forming it for a long time. But we both knew there were difficulties connected with it and discussed the arguments for and against it many times. Neither one of us advocated or favored segregation. And yet we knew that many of our women would not graduate from accredited colleges, and that they would be unable to become members of the American Association of University Women. Therefore, if a club for college women to which colored women could belong were not formed, many of our women would be deprived of the benefits, opportunities of various kinds, and the pleasure which membership in a college club affords. After discussing the matter thoroughly Sara and I decided to go ahead and do something definite about it. I asked her to arrange for a meeting in our house, 326 Tea Street, N. W., on March 10, 1910. She complied and on that date four women, Sara Brown, her sister, Fairfax Brown, Mary Cromwell, and I met to discuss the reasons why we should form a college women's club. We decided to form one then and there. Of the four women who met on March 10, 1910, at 326 tea Street, all are living except the one who was so genuinely, deeply, and enthusiastically interested in forming the College Alumnae Club. All of us promised to invite all the college women we knew to attend a meeting at an early date, so that the club could start to work as soon as possible. COLLEGE ALUMNAE CLUB 19 The importance and significance of what had happened impressed me so deeply that I recorded in my diary what we four women had done before I retired that night. A photostatic copy of that record from my diary was made for the College Alumnae Club a few years ago. The invitations extended to our college sisters were cheerfully accepted. The first meeting was well attended and the founders were greatly encouraged. In the twenty-fifth anniversary number of the Journal of the College Alumnae Club, under the title, "The Day Before Yesterday", Dr. Brown gives some of the reasons why the Club was founded. After stating that "Through the haze of twenty-five years, some vivid recollections of the things we tried to do come to memory", she tells what some of these things "we tried to do" were. In referring to the pioneers she says, "Do you ask what of them today, these pioneers?" She answers her question by saying, "Not one has marked time. All continued to grow and become leaders of women." Then she proves this statement by giving a list of the important services these pioneers have rendered. In giving a sketch of Dr. Brown's life it would be an unfortunate omission to fail to state that she belonged to a remarkable family. Sometimes one member of a family, or maybe two distinguish themselves by the service they render or the lofty heights they attain. But each and every member of Dr. Brown's family has a record of which each might be proud. Dr. Brown's parents lived in Winchester, Virginia, where she was born on July 12, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were held in high esteem in this community and had the reputation of being experts in handling business affairs, a trait inherited by Sara and their other children. There were eight children, seven living to adulthood to distinguish themselves in rendering valuable service to their communities. Of the surviving members, Dr. James Erroll Brown is a professor in the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. John W. Brown is a retired physician of Winchester and Pittsburgh, and Dr. Fairfax Brown is a retired teacher and pharmacist. On November 12, 1948, the citizens of Washington were shocked to hear that, while crossing a street on the green light, as she should have done, Dr. Brown was struck and fatally injured by a Capital Transit bus which was making a left turn. This appalling accident suddenly closed the remarkable career of a woman with high scholastic attainments and fine training, who for many years and in various ways had been actively, eagerly promoting the welfare of her group and demonstrating a democratic way of living to thousands of citizens throughout the United States. MARY CHURCH TERRELL Miss Mary E. Cromwell and Mrs. Church Terrell were long associated with the woman whom they honor by their tributes. They both loved and respected her as they worked together in the interest of broader and deeper experiences for the college women of their day and ours. All were founders of the College Alumnae Club. JENNIE SCOTT CONNER Dave - See Page 3 The SOONER WOMAN OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE FEDERATION OF COLORED WOMEN VOLUME 1, NUMBER 1 SEPTEMBER, 1950 PRICE: 50 CENTS Mrs. Mildred P. Williams, State President IN MEMORIAM Honoring those members, now deceased, who gave unselfishly to the upliftment of Negro womanhood in the State of Oklahoma Staff Of---- The Sooner Woman EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mildred P. Williams CO-EDITORS Violet Bate Maxine Hill ASSOCIATE EDITORS Maxye W. King O. V. Ragsdale Willa Strong Leosho Moon Mary Buford Lee HISTORIAN J. P. Johnson Correspondence for the SOONER WOMAN should be addressed to 1055 North Lansing, Tulsa, Oklahoma On The Cover Mrs. Mildred P. Williams President of the Oklahoma State Federation of Colored Women, Chairman of the Policy Committee of the National Association of Colored Women, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee of the Women's Convention (Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention), member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, member of the NAACP and YMCA, active in religious, civic and educational movements. She was recently interviewed for a sketch in Who's Who. Active member of the First Baptist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma. OKLAHOMA STATE FEDERATION OF COLORED WOMEN Organized 1910 OFFICERS JESSIE M. HUGHES, First Vice President ELLEN E. ROBERSON, Second Vice President EDNA TUCKER, Recording Secretary C. L. ARMSTRONG, Assistant Recording Secretary GENEVA B. FAVER Treasurer JESSIE M. HIBBLER, Chairman Exective Board J. A. Johnson, Historian G. A. BOYD, Statistician A. B. HOLLIS, Chaplain IDA M. BROWN, Parliamentarian KATHERINE H. COOPER, Music MOXYE W. KING, Credentials PAST PRESIDENTS HARRIET P. JACOBSON JUDITH HORTON ANNA H. COOPER NELLIE WEAVER GREENE ARDELLA YOUNG LUCY ELLIOT HUTTON MAUDE J. BROCKWAY LULA E. KIFF GENEVA M. WEAVER LIFTING AS WE CLIMB MILDRED P. WILLIAMS, President 1055 N. Lansing St., Tulsa, Okla MYRTLE OLLISON, Corresponding Secretary 424 S. Bell St., Shawnee, Okla. REGIONAL DIRECTORS Northeastern Mrs. A. B. Hollis, Sapulpa Southern Mary Rose Hardin General Delivery, McAlester Central Mrs. Elphania Young 1220 N. E. 9th St. Oklahoma City Nothern Mrs. Luberta Chambers Guthrie, Oklahoma, Western Frances Littles 302 E. Robberts, Kingfisher Eastern Mrs. L. B. Burton 531 Altamont Muskogee, Oklahoma APPOINTIVE OFFICERS Health Hygiene Mrs. O. V. Ragsdale 803 Main St., Ardmore Religion Fannie B. Shaw Box 186, Anadarko Child Welfare Mrs. G. E. McClory 507 N. Delaware, Okmulgee Mother Home Child Ruby Cook Box 256, Stillwater Citizenship Mrs. C. E. Lee Box 188, Boley Peace Gussie T. Weston 810 N. Lansing, Tulsa Negro Women in Professions Fannie M. Sango 613 E. Latimer, Tulsa Constitution By Laws Lula E. Kiff 904 S. 6th., Muskogee Hospitaliry Courtesy Gertrude V. King 314 E. Oklahoma, Enid Legislation Harriet P. Jacobson 833 N. E. 9th St., Okla. City Ways and Means Nannie E. Clark 307 Fondulac, Muskogee Medical Research Anna E. McGowan 1303 N. Madison Pl., Tulsa Foreign Relations Willa Strong 1304 Wyandotte, McAlester Memorial Ozena Mabern 1130 N. Greenwood, Tulsa Ministers Wives Bessie Brach 509 E. King, Tulsa Juvenile Delinquency Henrietta Griffin Tulsa Resolutions Maurine Robinson Route 3, Ponca City National Assn., of Colored Girls Genevieve M. Weaver Anadarko Domestic Science Katie L. Duckery 416 E. Marshall, Tulsa Fine Arts Margaret 823 N. E. 5th St. Oklahoma City Exhibits-Displays Rosa Parker House 308 W. Harrison, Guthrie Princess Revue Frances E. Littles 302 E. Roberts Ave., Kingfisher Family Life Education Gala Brown General Delivery, Sand Springs Scholarship Loan Exzetta G. Gorman 211 Ocheese, Wewoka Negro Women in Business Doshea Burns 1304 N. Greewood St. Tulsa Social Hygiene Langston University, Mary S. Buford Langston, Oklahoma Temperance Francis E. Roberts Box 145, Langston Mental Hygiene Leosho Moon 1314 N. E. 8th Steet Oklahoma City Radio Gilla Banks Perry, Oklahoma Junior Department Elphanie E. Young 1220 N. E. 9th Street Oklahoma City Southern Region Mary Rose Meadows P. O. Box 684, McAlester Northeastern Region Gertie Berry Crawford 511 E. Marshall, Tulsa Nothern Region Nona Clay General Delivery, Stillwater Western Region Mrs. Corbin Shepherd St., Kingfisher, Eastern Region Mrs. Rocquemore Okmulgee, Oklahoma Junior Camp Directors J. B. McKerson, General Delivery, Ardmore Mrs. Brown, Wewoka, Oklahoma Interrac[i]al M. E. Travis Box 708, Holdenville Greetings . . . . . Congratulations are due on the fine civic leadership evidenced in establishing this professional publication. It is further evidence of the contributions which women's organizations are making in the development of our great state. I am confident that in the years ahead you will have occasion to look back on the inception of this publication with gratification. -Dr. CHARLES C. MASON Superintendent of Schools Tulsa, Oklahoma Dr. Charles C. Mason Congratulations..... to Okla. State Federation and to "Sooner Woman Staff: George H. Stoner Mayor of City of Tulsa History of The National Association of Colored Women By MARY CHURCH TERRELL The National Association of Colored women began its history in Washington, D. C., in 1896. It was formally launched in the 19th Street Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 21. It was the outgrowth of a merger of the National Federation of Afro-American Women and the National Colored Women's League. The National Federation of Afro-American Women was organized in Boston on July 31, 1895. Mrs. Booker T. Washington was elected President. The National Colored Women's League was organized in Washington, D. C., in June, 1892, and incorporated January 11, 1894. President of this organization was Mrs. John F. Cook. Mrs. Josephine Pierre Ruffin, of Boston, issued a call in 1895 for Negro women to meet in Boston to decide what should be done about a scurrilous attack on the character of American Negro women by the president of a state press association. The women who met in answer to that call formed the National Federation of Afro-American Women and elected Mrs. Booker T. Washington as president. In July, 1896, both organizations held their conventions in Washington, D. C. The National Colored Women's League, meeting for the first time, convened at the 15th Street Presbyterian Church on July 14, 15 and 16. The first annual convention of the Afro-American Women was held at the 19th Street Baptist Church on July 20, 21 and 22. On Monday, July 20, first day of the Afro-American Federation convention, a committee of seven was appointed to confer with a committee of seven from the National Colored Women's League to decide whether the two organizations should unite. On the second day of the Federation convention, the joint committee reported that it recommended the union of the two organizations. Following the merger, Mary Church Terrell was elected first President. Mrs. Terrell Mary Church Terrell holds the honorary degree of Doctor of Human Letters, from Oberlin and Wilberforce Universities. From Oberlin, she received the A. B. degree in 1884 and the M. A. degree in 1887. She represented Negro women at meetings in Europe on three separate occasions: In 1904, at the International Congress of Women, she delivered her address in English, German and French. She once taught at Wilberforce, and in the public schools of Washington, D. C. When Congress empowered the Commissioners of Washington, D. C., to place two women on the Board of Education, Mrs. Terrell was one of the first to be named. In 1896, she was elected first President of the National Association of Colored Women. First Citizen of Oklahoma The Sooner Woman salutes Roscoe Dungee, Editor of The Black Dispatch, "First Citizen of Oklahoma," and one of the great Twentieth Century leaders to emerge from the Negro Race. For thirty-five years his courageous voice has crystalized the thinking of Oklahoma against racial abuses. As an officer of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, he has waged a relentless attack upon sub-standard education for Negroes in the United States, and his work in the Oklahoma Conference of Branches initiated the fight which opened the universities of the South to Negroes. Approximately 200 Negroes are currently enrolled at state universities in Oklahoma as result of decisions handed down by the United States Supreme Court. ROSCOE DUNGEE 4 Past Presidents of the Oklahoma State Federation of Colored Women Harriet P. Jacobson First President, 1910-1915 Nellie W. Greene 1920-1924 Lucy Elliot Hutton 1932-1936 Maude J. Brockway 1936-1940 Lulu E. Kiff 1940-1944 Genevieve M. Weaver 1944-1948 DECEASED: Judith Horton, Adelia Young, and Anne Cooper 5 Forty Years of Climbing By Mildred P. Williams Following is a history of the Oklahoma Federation, as reported in an address by Mrs. Williams before the State Federation at the meeting in Ardmore in 1949. Vice President Robertson, Members of the Advisory Board and Fellow Citizens. I am happy to greet you tonight on behalf of this great State of Oklahoma and to tell you some of the things in the illustrious History of these Women's achievements. In April 1910, a statewide invitation was issued by the East Side Culture Club, Oklahoma City, for 11 Federated Clubs to meet in their City for the purpose of organizing the Oklahoma Federation of Colored Women. These clubs responded and became charter members of this Federation: East Side Culture Club and domestic Science, both of Oklahoma City; Matrons Improvement Club and the Dorcas Club, Muskogee; Excelsior Club, Guthrie; Ideal Reading and Art Club, El Reno, and Mothers Club, of Hennessey. The president of the East Side Club, Mrs. Hariette P. Jackson, was elected the first State President. The amount of money raised at this meeting was $6.60. Time marched on and many other women entered the ranks of President of Oklahoma State Federation of Colored Women, the late Judith Ann Horton, of Guthrie, the late Ann Cooper of Eufaula, Nellie Lucy E. Hutton, Maude J. Brockway, Lula E. Riff, Genevieve M. Weaver and Mildred P. Williams. These Presidents have worked zealously in order to make their communities better places in which to live. Some of the outstanding achievements are: 1. The presenting of State Legislation which resulted in securing a negro Boys Training School at Boley, Oklahoma, and a Negro Girls' Training School at Taft, Oklahoma. Both institutions are operated and superintended by All-Negro staffs and maintained by the State of Oklahoma. 2. The acceptance of the emblem of "Lifting as we climb", by the National Association of Colored Women. This emblem was designed by an Oklahoma woman. 3. The maintenance of a $5,000.00 Scholarship loan fund for orphan girls. 4. The sponsoring of Government Camp No. 3, Lake Murray, for Junior Federated Girls and other qualified youth. 5. Maintenance of permanent Legislative committees for the fostering of interests 5 of Negro people and others. 6. A permanent plan by which we render financial aid to the State and National NAACP branches annually. 7. The setting up of worthwhile projects over the State, The Excelsior Library at Guthrie, a library in Muskogee, the Genevieve M. Weaver Library at Ponca City, The Community Center at Oklahoma City, and a receiving Home for Delinquent Girls in Tulsa. Ardmore Club Women are sponsoring a beautiful new community center built by the city. 8. The setting up of the State's First Federated Journal, "Sooner Woman's News". This journal is to be published semi-annually. Many other fine things have been accomplished and will be accomplished by these women. I would like to recommend to you three things that I would like to see done in our organization: 1. Place in the main Women's building at Langston a Trophey case with the picture of each President and her achievements, and a light to burn of our emblem", Lifting as we climb" in order to inspire other generations to come. 2. Setting up a State Journal "Sooner Woman's News" in order to pass information in magazine form and keep every Club Woman posted as to the happenings of this organization. 3. The buying and establishing of State Headquarters at some town in Oklahoma, whereby we may have an office and records kept with a secretary and perhaps, rooms for single working women. This, my dear Club Women is a time for decision, a time that we must face the future with courage, fortitude and faith in God. We are interested in our fellowman and his problems regardless of Race, Creed and Color, as stated by the humble Gallilean some thousand years ago-"Love ye one another". So I leave you with these words that I have spoken and humbly beseech you to cooperate and work together as we each day, "Lift Our Race As We Climb". Roster of Oklahoma State Federation of Colored Women MUSKOGEE Sojourner Truth Club- President, Patsenia Brown; Members: Nannie Clark, Annie Taylor, Carrie Lenzy, Odell King, Mary Frances Burr, Lizzie Harris, Clara Robbins, Susie Washington, Mamie Brady Bates. Art and Culture Club- Organized 1926. First President, L. B. Burton; Seventh and Current President, G. E. Daniels; Secretary, Fannie Garner Members: L. M. Barrett, C. Beckner, A. Cullars, B. C. Dedman, E. Ragsdale, B. E. Rogan, E. A. [H?]ession, C. Strather, Doris Wells, M. Barrett, J. B. Roberts H. L. Russell, H. E. Solomon, Willie Tyler, E. Williams. Frances Harper No. II- Organized 1950. President, Hattie Perry; Vice-President, Martha Green, Recording Secretary, Frances Twine; Assistant Secretary, Hattie Schoats; Corresponding Secretary, Naomi Shaw; Financial Secretary, Bertha Jackson; Treasurer, Frances Childers. Members: Mrs. Rosa Elliott, Mrs. Collotta Guest, Mrs. Callie MccDuffee. Art and Improvement Club- First President, Odessa Stephens; Second President, Bernice Jennins; Members: Glenna Mae Owens, Charlette Lewis, Beatrice Roland Willie Mae Hamilton, Ethel Porter, Cora Lee Miller, Wilmar Johnson, Dorothy Hamilton, Lois Freeman, Onita Nash, Ruth Wilson, Ella May Arnold, Christine, Swift, Lanona Priestly, Louise Cook, Ethel Jackson, Zelma Harris, Eloise Sango. Westeria Art Club- President, Mrs. J. M. Hughes, Members- Mrs. Mozell Babbs, Mrs. B. B. Bell, Mrs. Juanita Bridges, Mrs. Thelma Buffington, Mrs. Betrica Calhoun, Mrs. Earline Edwards Berry, Mrs. Della Hood, Mrs. Gladys Hughes, Mrs. Cora Jacobs, Mrs. Ida Mae Mack, Mrs. Laquella McVay, Mrs. Emmerine Moore, Mrs. E. Pyburn, Mrs. C. L. Continued on Page 20 Elective Staff of Oklahoma State Federation of Colored Women Ellen Robinson Second-Vice President Myrtle Ollison Corresponding Secretary J. [Pos?on] Johnson Historian Edna Tucker Recording Secretary Geneva Favor Treasurer 7 A Poet's History of the State Federation By Moxye Weaver King Moxye Weaver King In Oklahoma City, back in 1910 We'll let this little tale begin. They did not boast as we do now, Large numbers, but the few somehow, Despite the ghost of fear and doubt, Took what they had and so made out. The City Federation, few Set forth their plans and projects, too, The orphan and the destitute, The wayward, blind, the deaf the mute; All, like a Macedonia plea, Were words of Social Charity. When there were laws which we oppose, T'was then a Jacobson arose. T'was she the solons heard cry Our penal system's travesty. And from the haunts of felon rule Has come the Boley Training School. There was a Julia Horton here, Endowed with that persistent flair, In doing things which others tried, Our "Little Dynamo" - Oklahoma's pride. And then a Cooper there appeared, who to us all became endeared. And Reading Rooms, Libraries, too, From out of nowhere sprang and grew. A champion of our rights was seen, In fearless Nellie Weaver Green. And in the suave Adelia Young, A fluent and concerning tongue. To tell the wealth that, culture brings From education's hidden springs. In course of time there came the day That Lucy Hutton led the way For Junior Clubs, a Training course. Enlisting this potential force. The Regional Division Plan In Brockway's fertile brain began. In answer to an urgent call Lula Kiff loomed midst it all. She served the women, willing too, Determined to see every project through. In energetic, capable, Genevieve M. Weaver Oklahoma women found a great believer In diligent application to a task well done And creating a program to include everyone. Neon entrance lights were placed at Langston U. Separate Annual Meetings for Juniors was new, Awards were given through accredited High Schools To girls judged deserving by established rules. Mildred P. Williams continued with her best In the channel established by the rest. Junior interest began to grow Lake Murray Camp attendance an increase did show. The "SOONER WOMAN" dream in 1950 Under her guidance became a reality. She envisions and plans state headquarters, too, And persistence and time will make it come true. The "SOONER WOMAN" sent along, The emblem for this mighty throng And "LIFTING AS WE CLIMB", the pin, Must surely help the nation win. All these have wrought and are working still, To drive the heart and bend the will, Day in, day out, here, everywhere, To tasks that none but heroes dare. Oklahoma club woman have joined the nation's fight, Anxiously serving and helping where we might. With standard high and ideals sublime We faithfully try to "LIFT AS WE CLIMB". Scenes From the Camp Season at Lake Murray Lake Murray, at Ardmore, was the scene this year of the eighth annual summer encampment of the Junior Department of the Oklahoma State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. Seventy-five 'teen-age and pre-'teen-age girls were guests of the Senior Department. The girls were from various cities and towns, including Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Ardmore, McAlester, Luther, Idabel, Wewoka, Langston and Eufaula. President Mildred P. Williams was among state officers who visited the camp. [*9*] SEX And The College Woman By Mary Buford Lee MARY BUFORD LEE Dean of women at Langston University, member of American Association of University Women. She is listed in Who's Who in the Educational Journal. An expert in the field of health education, she heads the department of social hygiene of the Oklahoma State Federation. THIS writer is particularly interested in the sex problems of the Negro college woman. On the basis of findings from previous research in this field, suggestions that will help the Negro college woman to meet her problems in human adjustment are offered in this article. The purpose will be three- fold: 1.- To cite facts that will substantiate the need for a research paper on the thesis that has been suggested. 2.- To review previous research studies that may have some relationship to the problem. 3.- To make suggestions for social action on the part of the school that will tend to bring out the desired results, thus lessening deviation pressures that exist on the campus and in the communities. In April, 1947, the writer made a survey in which she interviewed one hundred Negro college women from eighteen colleges. They were from nine states. They were in the age-group of 18-33. They ranked from sophomores to graduate students. They were a rather select group, all of them being members of a college organization which admits its members on the basis of scholarship. (1) 100% felt the need of sex education at some level of education. (2) 100% admitted some form of petting ranging from kissing 77% to sexual intercourse 25%. (3) 40% said if they should become pregnant before marriage they would have an abortion either induced by themselves, drugs, or physician; (4) 25% indicated that they were ignorant of how gonorrhea is detected and 45% were vague about syphilis. (5) 5% admitted having had veneral disease. (6) 61% said they use some form of contraceptive. (7) 46% admitted some form of sexual maladjustment. (8) 23% believed that "rubber protectors" prevented catching venereal disease. (9) 16% believed married men were safer risks than single men for sexual intercourse, and (10) 5% indicated their approval of promiscuity. The largest number of requests came for courses in marriage counseling and problem concerning venereal disease. Facts that further seem to indicate a need for a study of the sex problems of the Negro college woman are as follows: (1) William and Pace both found in their studies with college students that one of the greatest needs as indicated by the students themselves is sex education. In fact, eight out of every ten students in the 951 included in Pace's research said that they felt that the biology of human reproduction should be taught in the schools. Fry found that problems related to sexual growth and behavior were responsible for the largest percent of the mental and emotional difficulties of 1,257 college men whose problems were presented to the Division of College Psychiatry and Mental Hygiene during a ten year period at Yale University. Sex problems of male students are closely related to those of the female student. It was found in Negro institutions for higher education that students "tested 26.8 positive blood tests per 1,000 as compared with 1.9 per 1,000 white students, and that the highest attack rate was in the 16-30 age group. Myrdal found that Negro women have eight times as many illegitimacies as native white and sixteen times as many as foreign born white mothers. The proportion of Negro women that were divorced in 1930 was 15.9% as compared with 9.7% white women. Thirty percent of all Negro homes are broken as compared with 20% of white homes. This does not represent the true picture because a large number of Negro couples separate without divorce. No stigma is connected with illegitimacy and common law marriages. The erring daughter is forgiven by parents and is not ostracized by the community. The tendency is not promiscuity but to cohabit with one person during a given period. Snow found the veneral disease rate much higher for the Negro college student than for white college students, and that it was more prevalent among the males. Kelly and Green found that the sex problem was ranked high as an area of need in college women in Negro schools. Perren says that syphilis flourishes where there is ignorance and poverty whether among the Negro or the white race. Wherever the Negro has had a chance for education and medical treatment the rate of the disease falls. He says that 56% of the cases of syphilis have been acquired before the age of 20. "The Child" for October 1945 gives these facts that have implications for the need of a study of sex problems of the college women in Oklahoma. (1) Oklahoma is one of the seventeen states below the national average for babies born out of hospitals; (2) Oklahoma was one of twenty-one states that are less successful in saving mother's lives; (3) The risk of child-bearing in Oklahoma is twice as great for the Negro mother as the white mother; (4) A large number of Negro mothers died from infection and toxemia. (5) Five times as many babies died in their first year of life as men in the service in 1943. Further evidence of a need for sex education in Oklahoma is revealed in the report of the prevalence of syphilis among selectees and volunteers. Oklahoma had 217.7 rejections per 1000 as compared with 30.6 per 100 of whites due to syphilis. Cornelly says that from 60-70% of college women cited in his research study did not know the names of their reproductive organs and that 85% did Continued on Page 12 10 Transformation on THE HILL By Dr. William H. Martin Dr. William H. Martin is director of the Division of Education of Langston University. He is also a member of the Oklahoma State Board of Accreditation for Secondary Schools. Those who doubted that Langston University would ever come into its own, need to re-examine the basis of their thinking. For, indeed, during the past ten years, the University has experienced an unprecedented period of growth and development. This growth is evidenced by capital improvement, a revised curriculum geared to the needs of the constituency which the institution serves, a maturing faculty and an educational outlook that makes the institution measure up favorably with schools of its type. The institution virtually has been transformed. This transformation "On the Hill" (Langston University is referred to affectionately as "On the Hill" by students, faculty, and alumni) may be attributed, in large measure, to the wise leadership provided by Dr. G. Lamar Harrison, who has just rounded out his tenth year as president, a period of office that has been out- distanced only by Dr. Inman E. Page, first president who served between 1891 and 1915. When Dr. Harrison took office as president of Langston on January 5, 1940, many observers were reluctant to consider seriously the idea that the Logan County institution could develop sufficiently to become a leader in the education of Negro youth. This feeling stemmed from at least two sources. First, a cursory examination of the institution's history disclosed that almost without exception the president's period in office had not exceeded four years. In the second place, as Dr. Harrison entered office, war threatened to become a reality and thoughtful people the nation over had begun questioning whether higher education could make a contribution to life and living in its area of service. But unlike many presidents Dr. Harrison immediately projected a long-range program which took into account post-war needs as well as those that might emerge during an era of peace. As a consequence, he has distinguished himself as one of the nation's leading educators, and in the process has given Langston the status it so rightly deserves. What is Dr. Harrison's background? What is the character of his training? What are his outstanding personal characteristics? What has been accomplished under his leadership? A native of Oklahoma, Dr. Harrison Continued From Page 14 The new Generale Lamar Harrison Library at Langston 11 Caribbean Tour by Violet Bate VIOLET H. BATE Mrs. Bate holds the A. B. and M. A. degrees from Fisk University, Nashville, where she majored in English. Before moving to Tulsa, she taught in the public schools of Baltimore and Nashville. She is a member of the Literari Artis Club, of Tulsa. Mrs. Violet Bate is the wife of Dr. Charles Bate, Tulsa Physician. The Bates toured the Caribbean during the Summer. Following is a report of the tour. On Wednesday, June 7, we boarded the plane at Miami for the most wonderful adventure of our lives. First stop was Cameguey, Cuba, then Montego Bay, Jamaica, and later Kingston, Capital of Jamaica, where we stopped. Going through customs was an experience we'd never had before. It took time to show landing paper, tell what money we had, where we would be reached and the like. We found class lines quite rigidly drawn in Jamaica. The well-to-do class in their spacious, lovely homes are far removed from the almost unbelievable squalor and abject poverty of Marcus Garvey Avenue where we saw buzzards perched complacently about as if perfectly at home in the stench. But even among the better class, evidences of the restricting hands of British Imperialism are everywhere-in the impossibility of travel to lands other than British possessions, in a five cent package of chewing gum selling for twenty cents, and in the heavy taxes on American goods. The language, though English as ours is supposed to be, was hard for us to understand, and we were constantly asking, "What?" What did you say?" even as we were asked what we had said. The island is beautiful, with what amusements it has for all who have the price. There are no signs designating the place for black folk. And yet, too many Jamaicans look to America, perhaps the birthplace of Jim Crow signs, as the Promised Land, the land where one has only to work to rise from what ever wretched circumstances might have been his. We had numerous requests for help in getting out of Jamaica and into the United States. In Haiti, where we later visited, not one Haitian voiced this request. On Friday, June 9, at 2:30 p. m., we said goodbye to Jamaica and set out for Haiti. At four o'clock we banked over the Cathedral Notre Dame. In a matter of minutes we set foot in Haiti, land of the magnificent Blacks. It was rather disconcerting to find people who look like you or your friends and relatives, yet so totally different from you. The proud Haitians walk their rugged land with dignity, seemingly knowing little if anything of the kinship of color. To them there are only Haitians and other people. These other people, regardless of color, are foreigners. And so, as foreigners, we stayed in Port-Au-Prince, Capital of Haiti, a place of magnificence and the lack of magnificence. We are all eyes and can hardly wait to see the sights. The government buildings are lovely but the loviest sight of all were the black men behind the executive desks. The Iron market, where anything and everything can be had (for the never-ending bargaining, of course) is a sight to see and smell. This is the social center for the peasant who is illiterate without being ignorant, poor without being poverty-stricken. Here news gets around by word of mouth, here the handmade sisal wares, the carved mahogany, the fruits and plants are sold, exchanged and a good time is had by all. There is the Centre d'Art where young Haitians are coming into their own with their primitive art where some, who will one day be famous names, dabbled in rich blazing colors. This is only a tiny bit of Haiti. It is impossible to know a people in ten days, folly to try to write about them in a few brief paragraphs, But of this one thing I am very sure-every American Negro should visit Haiti at least once. Every black American should have the unequaled thrill of seeing a country owned and operated by Ham's dusky descendants. And once, every Negro American should take the perilous horseback ride to the Citadel of Christophe the ex-slave who made himself Emperor. I, think it is here in the unbelievable fortress built around a mountain, that the true spirit of the Haitian dwells. The Citadel of Christophe, 17 years and 20,000 men in the making, looks over the land from its seven mile-high vantage point, mutely warning any would-be intruder that these fierce mountains, these deep, lush valleys belong to the Haitians, and even as they were prepared to defend them against the French, so are they prepared to defend them against others. We said goodbye reluctantly to Haiti, going next to Puerto Rico which is the United States with a Spanish accent. We saw huge, lovely hotels and many private homes that cost from $16,000 to $200,000. We say, too, huge slums, the name of which we have forgotten, where people live in a foul swamp. But slum clearance in already in progress and one of the largest housing projects in the world has recently been completed. We were delighted to be where drinking water didn't have to be boiled and where a hot bath was as available as it had been impossible in Haiti. We admit, reluctantly (or at least I admit. I'm not sure my husband does yet), that we are spirit, if not the color of America. Traveling has been a memorable, exciting thing, but being able to return to this, the greatest land of them all, has been sweet. We yearn for the laws of Puerto Rico which make color discrimination an offense punishable by law. We greatly desire the freedom, the dignity of the Haitians. But we return with this certain knowledge - all these freedoms, these rights, have been guaranteed us in our Constitution. We have the right to fight for them. And though the years may seem long, the right to fight is a precious thing and the strgugle to be an American in every sense of the word is well worth fighting for. Yes, its good to be home in America. 12 SEX AND THE COLLEGE WOMAN continued from Page 9 not know the names of venereal diseases nor the mode of their transmission. A study which would use scientific technology in building more wholesome sex attitudes might be helpful in assisting counselors and administrators of Negro colleges to build a more functional health education program for its students. Much scientific information is available on the health program for Negro but apparently the sex problems of the Negro college woman have been touched very lightly. It is pertinent that a study be made in this area because it is these young women who will go out to teach the Negro youth. Walker says that social diseases, delinquency, nuerosis, prevalency of prostitution and the rise of the illegitimate birth rate, could be checked if sex education were provided for the Negro youth. Economic conditions of the Negro make child guidance difficult for the Negro family. Many times it is the school alone that furnishes the chief social and moral guidance for the Negro child. Therefore, it is up to the Negro college to see that the graduates who go out from its walls are not only able to solve their own sex education problems, but to assume the leadership in guiding their students to wholesome attitudes and practices in the field of sex education. Carr says, "Morals are functional-the morale code consists of the accumulated judgement of generations on the type of behavior that is deemed the best for group survival in the long run under certain conditions. A moral code, in other words, is a means of adjustment to like conditions. Carr further states "That the lease useful method of insuring moral conformity is usually praise or blame and that the best lie of advance seems to be along the direction of increasing the positive stimuli to conformity rather than increasing the pressures against non-conformity." The problem of recreation is difficult because "off campus" commercial recreation has been hard to control, and because the school is handicapped by inadequate appropriations. These shortcomings may be partly counteracted by establishing hobby clubs, organizing class and club baseball and volley ball teams, by getting local clubs to build tennis horseshoes, a bowing alley, and by providing more campus dances, and parties. Since James and Moore found that adolescents' Sunday and week end activities are much more sexual in nature than their week day activities a greater emphasis will be placed on organized week end activities such as hikes, socials, excursions and student sponsored activities. Carr says that there are four kinds of social action namely education, agitation or propaganda, organization, and pressure. In order for the college to improve its condition, it must sell the the idea of its need to the "decision makers" of the state. This will be done by trying to interest the following groups to do something with the children before they become college groups. The groups in Oklahoma that have the most influence must be made to become aware of the need for better social adjustment of its youngsters. They are The State Teachers Association. The Negro Press, The Parent Teachers Association, The State Federated Clubs, The Ministerial Alliance, and The Langston Alumni Association. These groups will have to be sold on the need to improve the local condition that allows girls to develop unsatisfactory human adjustments, and be motivated to social action. This may be brought through such agencies as the newspaper, radio, public speeches, lectures, institutions, college programs, posters and any means of keeping before them the problem of the need for more recreational facilities and more courses in sex educcation not only in the college but in the high schools. The teachers on the college campus will have to be able to spot students who need guidance and assume some responsibility in at least directing them to sources where they can be helped. In-service training courses for the teacher may give help in this area. The college must seek to provide a focus, an ideal, which will serve to integrate the wishes and interests of is students. An active student council with proper cooperation on the part of the Administration might activate a constructive program of this nature. In the survey made by the writer forty-four percent thought that sex education should be given in the junior high school, forty-eight percent in the senior high school, and forty-seven percent in colleges. One hundred percent felt the need for sex education at some or all levels from the home through college. The writer wishes therefore, to suggest the following program to be tried at Langston University in Oklahoma to help its college women develop a more satisfactory life socially, morally, physically, and mentally: (1) That the school should add courses for credit in marriage counseling, sex education and mental hygiene; (2) That closer cooperation be sought with commercitl recreation in the village of Langston by trying to get the cooperation of the "big shots" of the community who control the law and the "recreation joints." This may be done by working with some of them and having them institute the program themselves. (3) Sell the idea of the need of courses in sex education and mental hygiene in high schools to the influential organization of the state. This may be done by an institute on the campus with representatives from all organizations present. Publicize the need thru the Negro Papers. (4) Present the facts to this group, based on the medical examination of students (no names called); (5) Institute a large recreational program that will include all students as participants and not spectators. (We have too many spectator sports); (6) Contact the psychiatrist from the State Health Department and attempt to work out a program with his aid that will give some training to teachers on the campus who are willing to serve as counsellors; (7) Provide a variety of weekend social activities that are student-organized and directed; (8) Try to have the students develop a sense of their own responsibility, and a desire to improve their own status and finally: (9) Realize that the problem cannot be solved in one year, that it requires faith, patience,, determination, and continued action to improve or re-direct cultural patterns that affect the mores of a race. In conclusion, the writer has attempted to do three things: I. To establish a need for a study related to the problem of sex education for Negro college women by citing the following areas that need improvement: (1) High mortality rate of Negroes from syphilis; (2) The number of illegitimate babies born to Negro mothers; (3) The attitude of Negroes concerning pre-marital sex relations; (4) The high birth and maternal death rates from syphilitic mothers, and (5) The large number of divorces and broken homes which led to delinquencies, prostitution and neuroses of children. II. To examine several research studies to see what investigations have been made or are being currently made on the subject and get suggestions for a program at the college level that will seek to reduce conditions that are unfavorable for wholesome human adjustment, and III. To make suggestions based on scientific methods for a program that will seek to help the Negro College Woman make more satisfactory adjustments in human relationships that will ultimately make her a better adjusted person from her own point of view and one more generally suited to American culture. Sidelights of N A C W Biennial, Atlantic City A group of America's most famous women. All are officers or past officers of the National Association of Colored Women. They are shown in group photo taken during the lull of the NAACP Biennial, held at Atlantic City, July 29 to August 5. Standing from left- Past Presidents Mary R. Waring, Mary Church Terrell, and Mary McLeod Bethune, President Ella B. Steward, Recording Secretary Irene Gaines, Second Vice President, Genevieve Weaver. Seated, from left- Annette Officer, first Vice President; Sallie W. Stewart, Past President, and H. M. Gibbs, of the Administrative Board. Lower photo- A group of Oklahomans pose proudly with the winner of the NACG national oratorical contest. From left- Ethel Hardin, of Ada; Willa Strong, McAlester; the champion orator, La Ronnia Mae Verner, McAlester; Onelia Ragsdale, Ardmore and Oklahoma State President Mildred P. Williams, of Tulsa, Oklahoma's official delegate to the convention. 14 TRANSFORMATION ON THE HILL Continued From Page 10 was born June 3, 1900, at Seward, Oklahoma, not far from the University he now heads. He received his early training at Lawton and attended high school in Kansas City, Missouri. After receiving the A. B. Degree from Howard University, he was awarded the Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Cincinnati in 1927 and 1929 respectively, and his Ph. D. from the Ohio State University in 1936. He was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity in 1931 at Columbus, Oho. Before receiving his doctor's degree, with major concentration in college administration, rural education and philosophy of education, he had acquired a rich background in teaching and research. Between 1932 and 1936 as director of Teacher Education at Prairie view College (Texas) he directed or assisted in the completion of nine major research studies dealing with negro life in Texas. Moreover, he had held outstanding teaching and administrative posts in a number of the major Negro colleges in this country. Tall, affable, and youthful (he is now greying), Dr. Harrison brought to Langston certain personal attributes that are usually associated with success. Those who work with him are usually amazed at the poise he retains when the chips are down. Moreover, he shows excellent skill in dealing with people. He is a man of vision, has unlimited capacity for work, a flair for dealing sympathetically with human problems, possesses a well-integrated personality. Above all, at the age of thirty-nine when he was inducted into office, he brought with him a rather mature educational philosophy. He believes that every educational institution must be judged upon the basis of the changes and improvements which it brings to the life of the people it is intended to serve. With this background of training and experience, a sound educational philosophy, coupled with fine personal qualities, Dr. Harrison has grappled for a decade with the following critical problems which faced the institution: (1) improving the faculty; (2) reorganizing the curriculum; and (3) making capital improvements. An overall problem with which these problems were intimately inter-woven was that of getting the institution accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Breaking altogether with usual practice, Dr. Harrison, as he entered office, did not in anyway distrub the on-goingness of Langston by discharging administrative or teaching personnel. Instead, he adopted two procedures for improving his faculty. He retained all faculty members, many of whom had served the institution for a decade or more; and he has, with the DR. G. LAMAR HARRISON aid of his faculty, upgraded the preparation of the teaching personnel by inviting some recognized scholars to accept teaching and administrative posts. Too, he has encouraged teachers to secure, advanced training through aiding them in securing fellowships and through a system of sabbatical leave. The tenure situation at Langston has improved under Dr. Harrison as is attested by the fact that no staff member has been dismissed during the past eight years. The gradual upgrading of the preparation of the faculty is evidenced by the fact that when he came to Langston only one professor held a doctor's degree. Today, there are nine professors holding the doctorate, with eight others who are candidates for this degree. Moreover, under Dr. Harrison's leadership salaries have been increased substantially. In this connection Dr. Harrison asserted, "The increase in the salary scale means that we will get better qualified men and women, as we want to improve our standards as we move along." As regards the college's offerings, Dr. Harrison began shortly after his coming to Langston to reorganize the curriculum. He points out that "if a college is to render maximum service to society it must formulate a philosophy of education which has a broad social outlook." In consonance with this educational position, Dr. Harrison led his staff to develop a statement of its philosophy and purposes. These purposes center around the contribution Langston can make to life and living in the area it serves. Reorganization has also involved the development of curricula in five divisions: agriculture, arts and sciences, education, home economics and mechanic arts. The more specialized courses are built upon a program of social science, mathematics and natural science. In the pre-war improvement program, launched shortly after his inauguration, the sum of $300,000 was spent for the erection of a science and agriculture building including equipment; $56,000 for and agricultural engineering building; and infirmary that cost $9,000 and a wing to the boys dormitory at $75,000 and a dairy barn. Since the war a library which conforms to most modern trends in library design has been constructed at a cost of $340,000. In recognition of his efforts , the library has been named the Generale mar Harrison Library. Naming the library for Dr. Harrison was first conceived by the Board of Regents of Oklahoma A. & M. Colleges. In addition, a resolution was passed in the House of Representatives of the State of Oklahoma, December 14, 1949, stipulating that the library be named for Dr. Harrison. Dr. Harrison was honored at the Founders Day-Library Dedication held March 12, 1950, at which time a large number of Oklahoma citizens and educators of state and national importance were in attendance. Other construction since the war includes a student union building, faculty apartments, a grandstand in Anderson filed, the paving and widening of the major streets on the campus and remodeling the president's home. At this writing, a gigantic beautification project is underway. When completed Young's Park, which borders the campus, will be flanked at the North by an artificial lake and the park itself will have undergone a transformation. Shortly after the opening of the 1950 Summer Session, construction of a new auditorium was begun at a cost of approximately $300,000. His was the leadership that aided Langston in preparing for accreditation in the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Thus, in 1948, after an examination by Dr. Earl W. Anderson, of Ohio State University and Dr. E. J. McGrath, recently appointed United States Commissioner of Education Langston was accredited. Although many individuals voiced concern about the accreditation, Dr. Harrison was the first to make it clear that the Continued On Page 24 15 The Club Woman's Responsibility For World Peace By Willa Strong WILLA STRONG Miss Strong, principal of the L'Ouverture High School, McAlester, is known throughout the State for her oratorical ability. She is a member of the Mesdame DePriest Club and chairman of the Peace Department of the Oklahoma State Federation. The terrific threat of the global devastation of a Third World War has hung like "Damocles' Sword" over the heads of the nations of the world since V-J Day. The uneasy peace which has camouflaged a deadly "Cold War" is now erupting in a flaming temper which daily threatens to engulf the glove. The hearts of mothers all over the world are weighted with the impact of the conflict of North and South Korea. Club women have a responsibility for peace of the world, a responsibility that cannot be relegated to the area of wishful thinking. Dorothy Thompson, Chairman of the "World Organization of Mothers of All Nations" reaches the heart of the problem of peace in this statement: "Peace is a reward; the reward of justice, mercy, and self-restraint. Peace is the reward of obedience to just law. Peace is the reward of service to principle.*** Peace comes only to those who deserve peace." What are we as club women doing to build a world deserving of peace? We are daily surrounded with opportunities for demonstrating the principles of living that bring peace. Are we functioning in the home, church, school, and community as vivid examples of brotherly love? Are we fully utilizing every opportunity to create understanding, appreciation, and brotherhood between ethnic, religious, and social-economic groups? Are the processes of cooperative thinking, planning and action activated in the groups in which we participate? Are mutual respect, the recognition of the dignity and worth of each individual, and the obligation of the individual to the welfare of the group guiding principles in our homes, classrooms, and organizations? To what extent are our club activities characterized by justice, mercy, and self-restraint? What right have we to expect the United Nations to achieve peace among nations, if we cannot achieve peace within our sisterhood? Our love of God finds expression in love of our fellowmen, not those across the ocean alone, but those on our club rolls and next door. Women can build world peace, if they first become converts to the principles of peaceful living themselves. Women who barter and scheme for positions of power rather than accept opportunities for service, women who trample over the rights and aspirations of their sisters in a mad scramble for positions of honor are not women of peace, but, rather, disseminators of discord, conflict, and disillusionment. Women of peace rather than women of power can best serve the needs of today's world. Women of peace rise in the process of lifting others to higher levels of living They are not conquerors, but servants. Unlike the invincible Julius Ceasar, they do not acclaim to the world: "I came, I saw, I conquered"; their manifesto is: "I came, I saw, and I served." Federated club women, is it not our responsibility to become such dynamic exponents of the philosophy of peace so unsurpassingly taught by the "Prince of Peace" that we will create such a contagion of peace as will spread throughout the world and transform it into a world of peace? It is an individual and a group responsibility. Is it not time that we should "be about our Father's business"? Nat'l Contest In Oratory Won By State Junior Champion orator of the National Association of Colored Girls, the junior department of the National Association of Colored Women, is LaRonnia Mae Verner, of McAlester. She captured the title at Atlantic City, where the Juniors held their annual meeting simultaneously with that of the NACW. The grand prize-$100 in cash- was presented to Miss Verner by Mrs. Irma V. Thompson, National Supervisor of Girls. There were four other contestants -Teresa Littlejohn, of Nebraska; Charlotte Martin, Ohio; Janie Goodwin, South Carolina; and Juanita Perteet, Georgia. The contest was a feature of "Talent Night". staged annually by the juniors. The program includes instrumentnal and vocal music. Mrs. Sallie W. Stewart, sponsor for the National Association of Colored Girls, assigned the oratorical topic. It was "Frederick Douglass' a Great American." Preservation of the Douglass home in Washington, D. C. , is a standing project of the NACW. Miss Verner, with her wonderful delivery, poise and grace captivated her audience. When she finished her great piece of exposition, one could hear murmuring voices in the audience, saying, "There is the winner." Miss Verner's oratorical talent was discovered by the Rev. J. L. Hawkins, pastor of Mt. Triumph Baptist Church, McAlester. She was only four years old at the time. She won her first oratorical prize in the State Junior Club in 1946. Under the title, "A Crown for a Great Woman," she spoke on the life and accomplishments of Mrs. M. J. Brockway. Winning biographies which were to follow later were based on the accomplishments of Mesdames Genevieve Weaver, Harriet P. Johnson, and Marian Anderson. Another winning oration was on "The American Negro and Civil Rights." She has appeared on several radio networks during National Negro History Week, her topics including "Brown Women in America," and "The Negro in American Life and Culture." She belongs to the State and National Honor Society and is active in the East Star Baptist Church, McAlester. Miss Willa Strong, principal of L'Ouverture High School, McAlester, has aided Miss Verner in her study and preparation for oratorical work and is to be congratulated for the interest she has taken. The Oklahoma Asociation of Colored Girls and all of the sponsors feel very grateful for this signal honor that Miss Verner has brought to the State. Greetings from Coca Cola Bottled by the Coca Cola Bottling Company of Tulsa, Oklahoma by authority of the Coca Cola Bottling Company To The State Federation Congratulations on the Launching of The Sooner Woman From The Magnolia Art and Civic Club Katie L. Duckery, President Doshea Burns, First Vice-President Janice Davis, Secretary Lucille Williams, Financial Secretary Sarah Dumas, Chaplain Dorothy Love Carrie O'Guinn Willie Coulter Narcissus Walls Katherine Lucky Elvira Williams Beatrice Williams Alversa Durant Alice E. Latimer H[o]llie Williams Madge Coward Ethel Suddeth Deceased Mary Morrison Evelyn Morgan Alberta Dean This club was organized in 1924. Katie L. Duckery was founder and first President. Away for four years, she was re-elected upon return, and has served a total of twenty-two years. KATIE L. DUCKERY President of the Magnolia Art and Civic Club, President of the Tulsa City Federation, and Pas President of the Northeastern Region. Compliments Jack's Memory Chapel We Have A Burial Association 639 E. Marshall Pl. Tulsa, Oklahoma Owned by Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Jackson Congratulations Oklahoma City Federation of Colored Women Maude J. Brockway, president Congratulations "SOONER WOMAN" Gamble Grocery-Mkt. 127 N. Greenwood Tulsa, Oklahoma Compliments of Jackson's Funeral Home Morticians of Distinction Clarke & Ross Owners Tulsa, Oklahoma Congratulations— Home Federal Savings - Loan Association Serving Tulsa and the Southwest Corner 3rd & Boston Tulsa, Oklahoma 18 Compliments William's Drug Store "The Payless Store L. H. Williams — Owner 119 N. Greenwood Tulsa, Oklahoma Congratulations H. W. Gowans Tulsa Business College Branch — Tulsa University Tulsa, Oklahoma Compliments Christian Funeral Home Chickasha, Oklahoma Bertha Fletcher — Owner The Blue Moon Specializes in Barbecue & Steaks Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Robinson, Prop. Ponca City, Oklahoma Compliments Tucker's Shine Parlor and NEWS STAND 1061 1/2 E. Grand St. Ponca City, Okla. Mrs. Edna Tucker and Son, Owner Compliments Gibbs Fish-Poultry Fish & Chicken Dealers 1348 N. Lansing Tulsa, Oklahoma Compliments Long-Bell Lumber Co. FOR BUILDING VALUES 2nd & Wyandotte — McAlester, Okla. — Ph. 2328 Compliments Of Sout SIde Community Committee For Prevention of Delinquency Robert F. Tinsley, Chairman, Board of Directors Chicago, Illinois Compliments Burns Sons Food Mart 1302 N. Greenwood Tulsa, Oklahoma Store of fine Quality Food Get Express Money Orders Cashed here Compliments of McAlester of City Federation Mrs. L. N. Phillips— President McAlester, Oklahoma 19 Public Service Company of Oklahoma CONGRATULATES "Sooner Woman" Serves All Tulsans R. K. LANE, President Tulsa, Oklahoma CONGRATULATIONS To "Sooner Woman" "A Sign of Progress" Ragsdale Funeral Home ARDMORE, OKLAHOMA PHONE 577 We, too send our best wishes for your progressice step Ragsdale Mortuary Phoenix, Arizona Lincoln J. Ragsdale Hartwell W. Ragsdale, II GREETINGS TO.... "Sooner Woman Staff" Oklahoma Natural Gas Co. Tulsa, Oklahoma Compliments.... National Bank of Commerce Serving Tulsa Since 1904 McBirney Building Tulsa, Oklahoma 20 Roster of Oklahoma State Federation of Colored Women Continued from Page 5 Vangie Carr; Parliamentarian, Mrs. Thelma Turner; Historian, Mrs. Geneva Roberts, Mrs R. A. Sawyer, Mrs. E. Sheppher, Mrs. V. C. Thomas, Mrs. E. Thompson, Miss Ernestine Walton, Mrs. Beatrice Young, Chrysanthemum Club No. II President, Carolyn Sams, Members— Captoria Aldridge, Marie Boyd, Gladys Carter, Thelma Chandler, Bernice Cozart, Callie Cunliffe, Elinor Fay, Josephine Granger, Melodee Graves, Gladys Hutchins, Vonia Johnson, Everlyn Marshall, Naimo McGuire, Odessa Morris, Opal Parker, Clemetine Price, Maurice Rambo, Catherine Smith, Ann Stubbs, Gladys Harlin, Dewey Grimmett, eola Woodard. Pleasant Hour Club— Organized April 1947, in the hom eof Mrs. Myrtle Martin. First President, Mrs. Therissa Jackson: First Vice President, Mrs. Mary L. Wofford, First Vice President and Current President: Members: Augusta Deloney, Dovie Walker, Rosetta Ryan, Vera McGinnis, Malissa Clark, Nanetta Barnes, Rosa Bell Walls, Prince Alice Kendrick, Alease Smith. The New Community Welfare Club— Organized 1940. First president, Mrs. Peggy Green, 1940-1944; Second president, Mrs. Clara Tucker, 1944-1947, Third and Current president, Mrs. Lydia L. Swain, 1947-1950. Members: Viola Armstrong, Sallye Ausbie, Lulu Brackeen, Viola Crowder, Coella Ford, Peggy Green, Dora Hardy, Betty Hunt, Estella Newton, Addie Pannell Gregory, Viola Powdrell, Callie Smith, Lydia L. Swain, Clara Tucker, Arvella Washington, Mary Williams, Pearl Mayfield, Gertrude Devers, Fannie Robinson, Juanita Starks, Loraine Anderson. Royal Art Club-- B. Cope,C. Dade, Adelnie Davis, T. Foster, C. Harrison, J. Hammonds, B. Hewitt, Eula Holland, Alfretta Johnson, E, Lamb, E .Leavey, Daisy Marlin, F. Macintosh, I.B. Patterson, J. Perkins, C. M. Polk, A. Pool, C. Richardson, S. Roberts, Thelma Sango, S. Stanley, S. Spears, M. Westboroks, M. Williams. Frances Harper Club-- Presidents in Order of Service: Lois Purdue, Founder, 7 years; Belzora Malvin, two years; Lovie Rushing Howard, two years; Laura C. Jones, two years; Elmira Anderson, two years; Lula E. Kiff, twenty-seven years; Hatte Green eight months. Members: Elmira Anderson, Rosalia Augustus,Mattye C. Boone, Ora Clemons, Georgia Coleman, Lucile Dupree, Thelma banks, Matilda Gibson, C. A. R. Grant, T. W. Grissom, Hattie Green, Edna Hudson, W. Poston Johnson, Lula E. Kiff, Nannie King, Corine Lucas, Lucile Mabson, Annabelle Maddux, Wilie M. Maddux, Lula Motley, Bernice Murrel, Alissa Owens, Elnora Riley, Ray Lee Smith, C, B, Taliaferro. Industrial Art Club-- President, Elen Thompson; Members: Irene Amy, Anna Becknell, Irene Berry, Pearl Cartenas Gussie Davis, Roberta Gordon, Rosa Gray, Fannie Grissom, Arlen Johnson, Ellen Ledbetter, Bessie Lewis, Blanch Mantoolh, Lena Ponds, Leander Primmer, O. V. Richard, Bessie Smith, Mary Stephen, Harriet Burrell, Ellen Thompson, Lucy twine, Lillie Walters, Belle Williams, Clyde Williams, Emma Worth[???]. Nellie W. Green Club-- President, Bertie Mae Lee; Members: Essie May Harrison, Vera Loggin, Daman Russell, Alberta Gee, Ora Gray, Florence Fryer, Hannah Breedlove, Willa Mae Bracken, Majoria Yokley, Jayne Douglass, Fannie Jones, Melzena laughter. Oklahoma City Twentieth Century Club-- Florence K. Grier, President, Jessie L. Bunn, Lucy C. Coison, Carrie FilsonFelder Boothe, Katheryn Harding, Anna E. Harris, Georgia Huston, Myrtle Scales, L.D. Simmons, Etta L. Smith, Ollie Mae Smith, Cora Stewart Lottie C. Tatum, L.A. Tillry, Cynthia Wallace (Deceased), Mae Ella Coleman, Taleat Salter, Minnie Flowers, Semper Fidelis Club-- Onnie MsGee, President, Olivia J. Abby. Henrietta Mathews, Lodye Bowen, Augusta P. Morgan, Lamonia McFarland, Jennie V. Gear, Buzzeder Razland, Marie Robinson, Odessa, Temple, Natalie Watson Bernice Watts. Entre Nous Club-- Sarah Jane Bell, Alberta E. Cotton, Ophelia Cunningham, Fannie Mae Davis, Francis Edwards, Gertha Hudson, Arvella James, Odessa Jenkins, Juanita Keith, Elizabeth Luster, Mae Lyons, Leola Mathues, Mayme Preston, Myrtle Tannalill. President, Lucy Winslett, Ephanie B. Young. E.C.A.C. Club-- Eva Carson, President, Luvenia Reece, Margaret Foshee, Flossie Mae Barnes, Nellie Harper, Mattie Harvey, Ceola Lewis, Ella Lee, Francis Davis, Bertha Frazier, Ruth, Perkins, Alberta Felder, Ella Jones. Minerva Art-- London Alexander, Rosella Carter, President. Vivian Carter, Ivy Crayton, Elnora Crowder, Lennie B. Dyer, Ilalee Dailey, Lillie Mae Forde, Rose Mae Givins, Dorothy Glover, Bertie Honeylus, Ella Jackson, Lillie Jackson, Ora Nell James, Lena Johnson, Alice Pratt, Neelie Smith, Margaret Wilson. Phi Cavalier Club-- Vangie Carr, Lorene Childress, Geneva Dukes, Helen Johnson, Vera Johnson, Maggie McBeth, President. Zero Ponds, Gladys Stevens, Thelma Turner, Clyta Wright, Elizabeth Raefe. Cosmopolitan Club-- Carrie L. Edwards, Jewel Edwards Selma Fairly S. A. Haywood, Lola Hendricks, Cenerora D. Johnson, President, Juanita Keith, Ruth Littepage, Leosha Moon, Arzella Moore, Mable Nutter, Cora L. Price, Pearl B. Scott, Odessa T. Temple. Lovely Ladies Club-- Billy Moore, President, Eva Mae Willis, Teddie Allensworth, Myrtle Tilman, Oriest J. Gill, Opal House, Celestine Thompson, Bertha Lee, Sims. Idell Williams, Zelma Jackson. East Side Culture-- Rosa Bethel, M. L. Behel, Juanita Bruce, Ruby Hall, Rosie Hollis, Harriett P. Jackson, President, Mary B. Lee, Lucile McMahon, Ruth Norton, Mary Vicers, Freddy Williams, Domestic Science Club-- Maude J. Brockway, Inez Burnette, Leudora Cottrell, Minnie Gray, Myrtle Griffin, L. R. Huccagee, D. Hyder Johnson, A. D. Littlepage, Nell B. Pruitt, Camilla Rhone, Edna Slaughter, Elizabeth White, Elizabeth William, S. R. Youngblood, President Altrua Club-- Anna M. Bawrum, Mayme Cain, Julia A. Combs, Arvella Holmes, Juanita McGlory, Gloria Maynand, Johnnie Potts, President, Oneida Vickers, Mildred Russell, Anna Lou Johnson, Ida Mary Price Business and Professional Women Club-- Georgie Brown, Hattie Ellis, Alberta Haynes, Vestoria Haygood, Zeldabelle Jackson, Clara McFall, Roxie Miller, President, Jessye Moore, Mentory Nicols, Hazel Satterfield, Daisy Simmons, Vivian Sims, Gladys Smoote, Anna Strong Talbert Art Club-- Florence Dawson, President, Lula B. Cox, Chairty Bailey, Bashie Boyd, Estella Hubbard, Zeldabelle Jackson, Almeta Coleman, Lillian Lowe, Lucile McClendon, Nellie Powell, Talea Salter, Fannie Smith, Mary Lou Whitby, Arizona Irving Phi Cavalier Club-- President, Mrs. Maggie McBeth; Vice President, Mrs. Vera Johnson; Secretary, Mrs. Zira Ponds, Ass't Secretary, Mrs. Elizabeth Rofle; Treasurer, Mrs. 21 Roster of Oklahoma State Federation of Colored Women Continued from Page 20 Dukes; Critic, Mrs. Gladys Stevens; Reporter, Mrs. Helen Johnson, Chairman of Sick Committee, Mrs. Lorene Childress; Chairman of Social Committee, Mrs. Clydia Wright. TULSA Nannie H. Burroughs Club-- President, Mabel Campbell; Members: Fannie Hill, Elizabeth James, Beatrice Jenkins, Alta Morrow, Virgie, Richardson, Ottive Roberts, Ernestine Smith, Juanita Taylor, Theressa West, Angeline Woods, Bessie Branch, Gloria Harvey, Ida Ford, Sammy Chappell Magnoliatte Club-- President, Mozella Stewart; Members: Sephronia Mitchell, Mazine Burns, Corella Farley, Anna Jones, Ora Thomas, Marian Drew, Fannie Wilson, Opal Daniels, Edith Peterson, Dorothy West, Dorothy Lawrence, Rozena Price, Helen Amberes, Bernice Brannon, Linnie Busby La Fleur Garedn Club-- President, Mrs. Mayme Maxie; Secretary, Mrs. Louise Lunsford; Treasusrer, Mrs. Lorain Gibson; Chaplain, Mrs. Bessie Branch; Members: Mrs. A. B. Green, Mrs. P. S. William, Mrs. Emma McCulston, Mrs. Essie Figuars, Mrs. B. M. Bailey, Mrs. Ina Scaggs, Mrs. Irene Hendlerson, Mrs. Birdie Galloway, Miss Lucy Blackwater Book Mall Club-- President, Gussie Weston; Members: Ann Billingston, Joe Broadus, Ira Hall, Cora Gray, Mary Meriwether, Melissa mith, Ida Shoals, Robbie Sherpherd, Sarah Thomas, Marie Webb Magnolia Art Club-- President, Katie Druckery; Members: Doshea Burns, Carrie Guinn, Janie Davis, Dorothy Love, Ethel Sudduth, Alice Latimer, Narcissus Wan, Madge Cowars, Elvira Williams, Sarah Dumas, Willie Coulter, Lucile Williams, Hallie Williams, Katherine Luckery, Beatrice Williams Elversa Durant Mary Bethune Club-- President, Mrs. Fannie Sango; Vice President, Mrs. M. L. Combs; Secretary, Candaisy Totton; Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Irene Henderson; Treasurer Mrs. Ozena Mabern; Members: Mrs. Mary Horn, Mrs. Pearl Flennoy, Mrs. Georgia Brown, Mrs. Ophelia Wiley, Mrs. Geraldine McDonald, Mrs. Effie Smith, Mrs. Cora Jackson, Mrs. Woodie Lee Woodson, Mrs. Leora Franklin, Mrs. H. C. Griffin, Mrs. Bertha Williams, Mrs. Bertha Blevins, Mrs. L. Eaton, Mrs. Lucile Troupe, Mrs. Laura Singleton, Mrs Ocell Newman, Mrs. Bruce Pitts, Mrs. Simon Berry Literai-Artis Club-- Geraldine Brady, Pres. Viola Bate, Gladys Coots, Gertie Crawford, Anita Hairston, Margaret Hendrix, Hortense Johnson, Mildred Jones, Mozella Jones, Mildred Manor, Gloria Morgan, Marguerite Palm, Cleo Rogers Helen Rouce, Ann Sewall, Troy Tibbs, Faye Williams. Skylarkers Club-- Eva Small, Pres. Edna Jonen, Sec. Members- Callie Pierro, August aggin, Beadie White, Sarah Schuler, Viola Weaver, Martha Barrymore, Lillian Washington, Gene Wilson, Lucille Williamson, Ophelia Sangers, Alma Roberts Priscillaette Club-- Bessie Barnes, Cleo Butler, Mabel Crapps, Frankie Fields, Beatrice Harrison, Loyce Harvey, Josephine Hill, Maria Latimer, Anna McGowan, Conway Moore, Pres. Roxie Vaden, Gladys Williams, Sec. Mildred P. Williams, Helen Fowler Young Womens' Activity Club-- Juanita Burris, Pres. Willie Ida Avance, Louise Davis, Bernise Shaw, Pathenia Lewis, Jerry Liggen, Sarah Mayshaw, Velma Davis, Gladys Wright, Odessa Burnell Mary-Church Terrel Club- Mabel Lynch, Agnes Lewis, Buster Thompson, Gussie Robertson, L. A. Gibbs, O. H. Parker, Ida Washington, Birdie Allen, ouise Beck, Fannie Wright, N. Shelton, Mary Hardy, Fred Isom, Alvea Street, J. D. Mann, Donzella Bostic, R. A. Shaver, Martha Jones, Mary Fellows, W. M. Battle, Hattie Buckley, C. L. Netherlands, L. H. Moore, Ruth Morrow, Hazel Bridge, Lucy Vann Lula Motley, President Pricilla Art and Civic Club-- Presiden, Ruby Holley; Members: Mayme Baker, Mattie Bridewater, Beaula Bell, Jessie Benningfield, Nettie Cavers, Lilliani Curvay, Pearl Graves, Ida B. Johnson, Felma Lark, Carrie B. Weely Roberta Sullivan, Maybell Thompson, Alice B. Turner, Maude C. Wayne, Viola Webb, Grace Wilson, Mary Walker GUTHRIE Excelsior Club-- President, Mrs. L. White; Vice-President, Mrs. E. Edwards; Secretary, Mrs. P. Thompson; Assistance Secretary, Mrs. V. Hamilton; Treasurer, Mrs. N. V. Powell; Chaplain, Mrs. L. Jackson; Reporter, Mrs. L. Brown; Parliamentarian, Mrs. H. Harris; Year Book nad Program, Mrs. H. Clark; Finance, Mrs. Mary Black; Sick Committee, Mrs. O. Preston; Social Committee, Mrs. Flora Mack. E. L. D. Club-- Bertha Anderson, Ethel Barber, Ethel Burton, Luberta Chambers, Nona Clay, Anna B. Cole, Leona House, Minnie Howard, Ida B. Jones, Viola Levy, Ruth McHair, Ella Robinson, Beulah Smith, Althea Stevenson PONCA CITY Genevieve M. Weaver Club-- Mrs. Viola Austin, Mrs. Matilda Williams, Mrs. Leola Dewberry, Mrs. Lena Grady, Mrs. Cora Mix, Mrs. Jessie Striplin, Mrs. Emma Kirk, Mrs. Allen Graham, Mrs. Sisie B. Crawford, Mrs. Myrtle Williams, Mrs. Cornell Tyler, Mrs. Iolda Mae McClanahan, Mrs. Annie Vicks, Mrs. Julia Singleton, Mrs. Polly Harris SanPariel Club-- Mrs. Osie Lawson, Mrs. Lutrena Thomas, Mrs. Ailee Banks, Mrs. Ira Coffee, Mrs. Lillie Mae Blanchard, Mrs. Cordelia Carter, Mrs. Helen Burke, Mrs. Willie Roland, Mrs. Ada Merriweather, Mrs. Magnolia Lewis Lit-Phy-So Club-- Mrs. Lee Mackey, Mrs. Edith West, Mrs. Edna Tucker, Mrs. Maurine Robinson, Mrs. Mary Thompson, Mrs. Leia Bennett, Mrs. Mary Young, Mrs. Naomi Roundtree, Mrs. Odessa Tucker, Mrs. Alvis Tucker, Mrs. Sarah Barrett, Mrs. Nell Cason, Miss Marguerite Hudspeth, Mrs. Heloise Dooley Entre-Nous Club-- Anna Bee Baker, Essie Mae Brooks, Elizabeth Buffington, Rose Lee Caldwell, Mary-Louise Buffington, Deatrice Dooley, Mary Lenora Green, Julia Lee Jackson, Alice Aretha Jones, Mary M. Thomas, Leora Clay Tyler, Ernestine Webb BOLEY The Ladies Industrial Club-- President, Mrs. N. E. Tieuel; Members: Mattie Armstrong, Mrs. Velma Ashley, Mrs. Mattie Armstrong, Mrs. Velma Ashley, Mrs. Annie P. Hunter, Mrs. Bertha Hazel, Mrs. Harriet E. Lee, Mrs. Lucy Fiterzgerald, Mrs. Agnes Dukes, Mrs. Roy Mitchell, Mrs. Mary Walker, Mrs. Paul, Mrs. Rosena Turner, Mrs. Gertrude Geogre. Mrs. Pope. LAWTON Sunshine Benevolent Club-- Nannie Shegog, Frankie Stevenson, Rosia Elders, Maragrette Burkley, Ruby Brown, Lousie Wilhite, Eula Chandler, Cora Calloway, Elweda Dewberry, Ruth Baker, Erma J. Sawyer, Elsie Dewberry, Jessie Green Mary D. West, Willie Snowton Betty J. Wilson. LANGSTON Langston Beautiful Club-- Mrs. Frances E. Roberts, Founder and President; Mary Buford Lee, Vice President; Agnes L. Thomas, Recording Secretary; Mary L. Brooks, Assistant Secretary; Jimmie L. Gude, Corresponding Secretary; Susie B. Giddings, Treasurer, and Lucy J. Warren, Chaplain. Continued on Page 24 22 'lest We Forget . . . DOUGLASS Published in the interest of the Junior Department of the Oklahoma State Federation of Colored Women FREDERICK DOUGLASS supposed himself to have been born in February, 1817. His first experience of life began with his grandparents, Betsy and Isaac Bailey in Talbot County, Eastern Shore, Maryland. His only recollections of his mother were of a few hasty visits made in the night, on foot, from another plantation, 12 miles distant. The slave system had no interest in recognizing or preserving any of the ties that bind families together or to their homes, but sought to reduce man to a level with the beast. Of his father, he knew nothing. Slavery had no recognition of fathers, as of families. That the mother was a slave was enough for its deadly purpose. When Frederick was less than seven years of age, he joined his brother. Perry, and his two sisters, Sarah and Eliza, and in so doing, learned the sad fact that his childhood, his grandparents and all the little children around belonged to a mysterious person "Old Master" His childhood experiences there acquainted him with a slave child's lot, slave murders and many revolting features of slavery. He learned of the blood-bought luxuries at the "Great House", how the live stock fared better than the blacks and the gilding of slavery in all forms. He learned that the songs of the slaves represented their sorrows rather than their joys. Like tears, they were a relief to aching hearts. Nothing cruel or shocking happened to Frederick except cold and hunger and at the age of nine he was taken to Baltimore. In retrospection, Douglass regarded this removal as one of the most fortunate events of his life. But for this mere circumstance, before the rigors of slavery had fully fastened upon him, and crushed his young spirit under the iron control of a slave driver, he probably would have continued in slavery until emancipated by the war. There in Baltimore, for seven years the most interesting feature of his history was his learning, under somewhat marked disadvantages, to read and write. Frederick was taught his alphabet and to read by his new mistress and his white playmates, and learned first to write at his new master's ship yard where he had been given small chores. The Bible awakened his religious nature and gave him faith and hope and the newspapers acquainted him with the Abolitionists. The precious learning though miserably reminding him of his bondage, strengthened his determination to seek knowledge for the pathway from slavery to freedom. In March, 1833, Frederick was sent back to the plantation near St. Michaels to work. He was unsuited for slavery physically and emotionally so after numerous severe whippings, without any visible improvement in his character or conduct, he was put out "to be broken" by a man named Edward Covey, who enjoyed the reputation of being a first rate hand at breaking young Negroes. This Covey subjected him to his first brutal floggings that left his back raw with open sores and heavy blows that gave him warm salty tastes of his own blood. His experiences were bitterly cruel, not only the breaking in process through which he was carried, but his intellect languished, his disposition to read departed and seemingly became reduced to the level of a brute. This physical wretchedness continued on until one of the hottest days in the month of August when the turning point in his life occurred. Frederick was fighting madness and daring spirit resisted Covey in a "rought" and tumble" fight for two hours and bested him. This battle changed him from a "nothing" to a "man". It recalled to life his self-respect, his self-confidence and inspired him with a renewed determination to be a free man. His term of service with Covey expired on Christmas Day, 1834, and because the report had gone abroad that he was hard to whip, guilty of kicking back and because of his ability to read and write, he was considered a bad sheep that would spoil the flock, so he was sent again to Baltimore to work in the shipyards. It was from there, on Monday, September, 1838, that Frederick bade farewell to that city and slavery. His manner of escape was not disclosed by him until forty years later, so fearful was he that disclosure of his manner might prevent similar ones and also place in peril the persons who had assisted him. It was the custom in the State of Maryland to require of the free Negro people to have what were called free papers. Frederick was not fortunate enough to resemble any of his free acquaintances to answer the description on their papers but he did have one friend- a sailor-who owned a sailor's protection, which answered somewhat the purpose of free papers - describing his person and certifying to the fact that he was a free American sailor. Rigged out in sailor style red shirt, tarpaulin hat and black cravat, using the sailor's pass and explaining to the conductor that he never "carried his free papers to sea", Frederick reached New York safely in less than twenty-four hours and ended his experience as a slave. Upon advice from the New York Vigilance Committee in New York, it was promptly decided that since Frederick's trade was that of a calker, he should go to New Bedford, Massachusetts. His intended wife, a free woman, came on from Baltimore. They were married and journeyed on to safety in Massachusetts. Here, a comparatively unimportant question arose, a name by which he should be known thereafter in his new relation as a free man. The name give him by his mother was that of Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey. For safety, his host in New Bedford, Nathan Johnson, selected the name of Frederick Douglass for him, having just finished reading the virtues of Douglass of Scotland in "Lady of the Lake". Frederick Douglass began his life's work as a lecturer and Abolitionist in the summer of 1841. His suffrage fight took him into Rhodes Island, Vermont, Indiana and many other states on convention tours. His trials and triumphs as a liberator were many. He wielded a mighty pen as well as a voice in building up a public sentiment which would send slavery to the grave. So strong was his proof against the advocates and apologists of slavery that he was led to seek refuge in England Continued on Page 23 23 Southern Exposure A report of the Southern Region of the Oklahoma Federation of Colored Women's Club MESSAGE Together we build-National Together we grow-State Forward in service-Local Lifting as we climb always insure their effectiveness. To serve humanity is the ideal of the Southern Region Colored Women's Clubs. The means by which this philosophy is interpreted to club members and to the community is the program of the local Club, as it is presented in meetings and projects throughout the year. To maintain member interest in work that needs to be done you must Build an interesting and constructive program around a theme which is vital to members of each particular community and yet has general interest and values; One that will mean Growth both in numbers and activities. A stimulating meeting is far easier to analyze than to achieve. It is brought about by effective publicity, hospitality program building and good engineering by the presiding officer which gives the audience a stimulating experience, good for thought, and an avenue for action. The Southern Region of the Federation of Colored Women's Clubs convened at the Pilgrim Baptist Church, Ada, Oklahoma, October 29, 1949. The "Widow's Ready to Help" club, Mrs. Ethel Hardin, President rendered a beautiful program. The most outstanding feature was the book review by Mrs. Fouche of "Forty Cars of Wood," the life story of Dr. Perry. Response to welcome was made by Mrs. Eula Granger, of McAlester, first vice-president. Mrs. M. R. Hardin, Regional Junior Sponsor-reported that Mrs. E. E. Weaver had asked that Junior Clubs be organized into city federations and regions. Idabel has three Junior Clubs; sent 4 girls and sponsor to camp at cost of $87.00. McAlester sent 4 girls and Aardmore 19. LaRonnia Mae Dobson of McAlester won second place in the National Oratorical Contest. Since this achievement, she has filled speaking engagements at Luther Jr. NAACP, and State NAACP. Chairman Ragsdale commended Oklahoma girls for their showing in the National Meeting. She stressed doing more for Juniors. A report was made by the Art Committee Members- Mrs. M. T. Moore, McAlester, Mrs. Billingsley. Hugo and Mrs. Florence Tucker, Checotah. Memorial for Mrs. Sadie Lee Amos, "God Will Take of You." Mrs. Ragsdale spoke of the life of service exemplified by Mrs. Amos. All officers were retained for two years. Mrs. Tucker, Checotah, elected assistant secretary. Mrs. Ethel Hardin, Ada, Chaplain, Statistician-Mrs. Ester Bowden, McAlester, Historian-Mrs. W. A. Dobson, McAlester. The Widow's Ready to Help Club served a delicious turkey dinner. All present voted the Widow's as excellent hostesses and past masters of the culinary art. The Ada Ladies continued their hospitality by escorting ladies to waiting bus for a trip around the scenic spots of the community. Pictures of the Regional group were also arranged for by the Ada club. Ada was rated as a top hostess by all federated clubs ladies. The October 1949 session of the Southern Region of the O. F. C. W. adjourned with the Federated Motto- "Lifting As We Climb". Let us rejoice and give thanks for the greatness of our task. We are Builders of a superstructure having as its foundation the Welfare of Humanity. May we be always ready to sacrifice self on the altar of SERVICE and keep before us the thought that "in vain we Build the world unless the builders also Grows". Lifting As We Climb Always will insure the achievement of our goals. Mrs. O. V. Ragsdale, President Miss W. A. Strong, Secretary Mrs. Gladys Dobson, Reporter DOUGLASS Continued from Page 22 and for nearly two years Douglass had respite from prejudice became acquainted with educated people, saw and heard many of the most distinguished men of that country. He also enjoyed many favorable opportunities for observation on his lecture tours in nearly all the large towns and cities in the United Kingdom. Nothing more clearly demonstrates the loyalty and devotion of Douglass to his enslaved brothers than his resolute decision to return from England to America to face the difficulties which he knew to be awaiting him. But return he did-to work with John Brown, inspire Harriet Beecher Stowe, recruit Negro troops and to plead with President Lincoln for equality for them. It is history now that he saw secession and war, and finally the abolition of slavery in the forty years of his life given to the cause of his people. From first to last, Frederick Douglass shared the respect and confidence of his fellow men. He was the recipient of many honors, among them pall bearer at the funeral of Vice-President Henry Wilson, his appointment as U. S. Marshall of the District of Columbia and Minister President and Consul General to represent the U. S. at the capitol of Haiti. Frederick Douglass died on February 20, 1895, at the age of 78. He succumbed to a heart attack at his home in Anacostia, D. C. The Legislature of North Carolina adjourned to mark his passing. His funeral was held at the Metropolitan A. M. E. Church, Washington, D. C. His body was then taken to Rochester, N. Y., and interred in the Mount Hope Cemetery. Reference: LIFE AND TIMES OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS (Written by Himself) The Sooner Woman Official Journal of the Oklahoma State Federation of Colored Women. Address all correspondence in care of the President, Mildred P. Williams 1055 North Lansing Tulsa, Oklahoma 24 Roster of Oklahoma State Federation of Colored Women Continued from Page 22 ARDMORE Art and Improvement Club— President, O. V. Ragsdale; Secretary, Manilla Hornbeak; Treasurer, Lucy Jones; Members- Eria Lee, Sadie Smith, Onetia Richardson, H. P. Smith, son, Maggie Franks, D. B. Lackey, Johnie B. McKerson, Gladys Thomp- Lillian M. Crisp, Rosa Lee Clark, Cora Shelton, F .B. Swanson, Electra Baker, Effie Hurte, Bernice McIntyre, Jewell T. King, Robie Hill, Honorary. Classique Club Role— Beulah Abram, Blanche Abram, Jeraldine Black, Bernice Green, Genola Hawkins, Eldred Holleman, Maxine H. Hill, Lillian Miles, Zazola M[c]Kerson, Thelma McKinney, Linnie Shelton, Seppa Tolliver, Virginia Washington. Marian Anderson Club— Marva Daughtery, Pearl McCoy, Willie Grones, A. M. Candy, Lucy Jones, Frances Grant, Mary Eckford, M. L. Davis, Elize Pipkin, Maredie Bell, Adeline Morris, R. P. Sanford, Grace Alexxander, Ethel Macon, M. L. Smith. OKMULGEE Feur De Lis Club— Lilly Bullocks, Izza Carroll, Seedie Jackson, Guy Johnson, Mezzie Jones, Lillie M. Morrison, Mary Porter, F. Simmons, E. Shealey, Pearl Sneed, Abbie Turner, F. Gubbs, Mattie Young, Mrs. McKenzee. KINGFISHER Marian Anderson Club— Elnora Baker, Maud Caesar, Inez Jackson, Barbara Jacson, Geraldine Jackson, Gertrude Jackson, Tie Kern, Frances Littles, Josephine Redmon, M. Stephenson PERRY Lillie Talliferro Club— John Banks, Pres. Edna Thompson, C. L. Sears, W. M. Jenkins, C. M. Hancox, E. F. Miller, Florence Weeks, L. E. Johnson, Billy Mayberry, Amanda Grant, Mabbe Simpson, A. T. Belt CHICKASHA Tuesday Evening Thimble Club— Maggie Alexander, Fannie Chaney Pearl Graham, Annie Mae Lawter, Leora Lemons, Beadis Neal, Bessie Admas, Christine Robinson, Eartha Stewart, Ruby Watson, Stella King. Civic Culture Club— Eva Louise Boyd, Juanita Joe Beatty, Ada V. Briggs, Geneva L. Edwards, Clara Hayden, Margaurite Haydne, Lillie Mae Jefferson, Cecilia O. Lewis, Emily V. Newton, Lizzie W. Stevenson, Thelm[a] Taylor. EL-RENO Silver Leaf Club— President, Mrs. Ida M. Brown; Secretary, Mrs. Lola Pollard; Members: Mrs. Goldie Tucker, Mrs. Mattie Harrison, Mrs. Mary Harris, Mrs. May Sanders, Mrs. Mary L. Lindsey, Mrs. Willie Hasker, Mrs. Dora Hodges, Mrs. Godie Wade. Golden Rule Craft and Study Club— S. E. Buchanan, President; Members: M. B. Stevens, A. Walker, A. E. White, V. L. Ferguson, J. E. Henderson, W. B. Lewis, A. L. West, M. L. Davis, A. E. Samuel. Ideal Reading and Art Club— Members- Mrs. G. A Boyd, Mrs. S. E. Buchanan, Mrs. Merdis McCoy, Mrs. Cora Dixon, Mrs. Ida Hubbard, Mrs. A. L. Kyle, Mrs. Sybil Mewborn, Mrs. M. L. Minery, Mrs. Ellen Pollard, Mrs. E. M. Proctor, Mrs. K. B. Sales, Mrs. L. J. Scott, Mrs. F. G. Thomas, Mrs Ruth Young SAND SPRINGS Mildred P. Williams Club— Mrs. Oneta Smallwood, Mrs. Madge Coward, Miss Ethel Williams, Mrs. Manila Tilmon, Mrs. Bessie Westbrooks, Mrs. Bessie Zackery, Mrs. Rosetta Nable, Mrs. Fannie Waugh, Mrs. Fannie Lowe, Mrs. Wynona, Buush, Miss Flossie Thompson, Mrs. Elizabeth Chappelle, Mrs. Mae Pearl Parr, Mrs. Octavia, Douglass, Mrs. Pecola, Washington, Mrs. Muriel Sims, Mrs. Vera Howell. Margaret Washington Club— Members: Mrs. Lizzie Renn, Mrs. Mary Mayo Mrs. Ione Wigley, Mrs. Omie Reid, Mrs. Geneva Fever, Mrs. Elizabeth Ecton, Mrs. Lula Hamlin, Mrs. Mary Johnson, Mrs. M. A. Smith, Mrs. Martha Thomas, Mrs. Rosa Chadwick Mrs. Sina Singer, Mrs. Alice Gilmer, Miss E[lmira] S. Ridley, Mrs. Z. Fowler, Miss Bernice Whittaker. Excelsior Club— President, Mrs. Lillian White; Secretary, Mrs. Pearl Thompson; Members: Mrs. Essie Edwards, Mrs. Nannie V. Powell, Mrs.Lonnie Jackson, Mrs .Helen Clark, Mrs. Vivian Hamilton, Mrs. Oletha Preston, Mrs. Mary Black, Mrs. Flora Mack. McALESTER Madame Depriest A. L. & S. Club— Members: Mrs. Exempress Bashem, Mrs. Ida Batson, Mrs. Esther Bowden, Mrss. Ethel Boxley, Miss Wilma Boxley, Mrs. Laura Crawford, Mrs. Gladys Dobson, Mrs. Leslie Ellis, Mrs. Ida Hardy, Mrs. Lena Hinds, Mrs. Ruby Jefferson, Mrs. Carnie Belle Jordan, Mrs. Bessie Johnson, Mrs. Bessie Kemp, Mrs. Naomi Moore, Mrs. Mayme Moore, Mrs. Ethel Motley, Mrs. Myrtle Porter, Mrs. Lillie M. Phillips, Mre. EEmma Robinson, Mrs. Lucinda Foster, Mrs. Ruby Strong, Miss Ruth Strong, Miis Wilma Strong, Mrs. Anna Weaver, Mrs. M. L. Word. Honary Members: Mrs. Mayme Thompson, Mrs. Birdie Farmer, Mrs. Geraldine King. Corresponding Members: Mrs. Grace Jones, Mrs. Maggie Cochran, Mrs. Jewel Porter, Mrs. Bonita Seward. Associate Members: Mrs. Aura L. Seward, Mrs. Pearl Wickham, Mrs. Thelma Anderson. Friendly Friends Club— Members: Vina Ladell, Rissye Bostic, Martha Clogett, Mable Curtis, Mattie Dumas, Jessie Garnes, Thelma Grant, Bertha Graham, Richard Grayson, Anna Hancock, Sadie Hayford, Elizabeth Holly, Nina House, Pearl Mathis, Beatrice Mason, Lottie Maynard, Alberta McCarthy, Ethel Nance, Grady Phillips, Dizzie Rabb, Jennie Russell, Ora Stonesbury, Arvelia Stone, Etta Vaughn, Johnnie Watson. TRANSFORMATION Continued from Page 14 North Central Association was not primarily concerned with good schools that were deteriorating but with schools that are consistently showing capacity for growth. It has been Dr. Harrison's genuine leadership that had eventuated in transforming Langston into a school that is taking its place in the forefront of higher educational institutions in the nation. Patrons For The Sooner Woman Mrs. Alice T. Jones, Washington, D. C.; Mrs. Ida Belle Cooper, Chicago, Ill.; Mrs. Mollie Campbell, Bangor, Michigan; Mr. and Mrs. James Bailey, Des Moines, Mrs. Charles Roberts, Tulsa; Mrs. Amos Iowa; Mrs, Eugenia Taylor, Chicago, Ill.; T. Hall, Tulsa; Mrs. M. M. Mann, Tulsa; Ralph W. Brady, Tulsa; Mrs. Bretha Williams, Tulsa; Mrs. Pearl Flennoy, Tulsa; Mrs. Can Daisy Tohon, Tulsa; Mrs. Luda Bell Durham, Tulsa; Mrs. Ophelia Wiley, Tulsa; Mrs. Ozena Mabern, Tulsa; Mrs. Lucile Troupe[,] Tulsa; Mrs. M. L. Combs, Tulsa; Mrs. Laura Singleton, Tulsa; Mrs. M. L. Dawson, Tulsa; Mrs. Irene Henderson, Tulsa; Mrs. Fannie M. Sango, Tulsa; Mrs. L. M. Phillips, McAlestar; Miss W. A. Strong, McAlester; Mr. C. B .Thomas, McAlester; Mr. and MRs. W. A. Dobson, McAlester; Mr. E. W. West, McAlester; B. E. Woodson, Tulsa; Harry Burton, Tulsa. Prove the DIFFERENCE in Your Car D-X Motor Fuel Lubricates Upper-Cylinder Parts D-X and D-X Ethyl are noe catalytic cracked to provide even higher anti-knock, quick starts and long mileage. D-X The new D-X Lubricating Motor Fuel gives you the big plus advantage of lubricating for values, pistons, rings and upper cylinder walls — the parts that get greatest wear — because a special lubricant is blended into the gasoline. Sold on a money-back guarantee. Mid - Continent Petroleum Corporation Suggest .... Glencliff Ice Cream and Dairy Products For over twenty years— Oklahoma's Finest Congratulations- to The Oklahoma State Federation of Colored Women Langston University accredited by The North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools Curricula Leading to the Bachelor's degree in Arts and Sciences Education Home Economics Mechanical Arts Agriculture Strong terminal offerings in Special Trades Fall Term Begins, September 11, 1950 Dr. G. Lamar Harrison, president For Information Address: The Registrar, Langston University Langston Oklahoma SPEAK YOUR PIECE . . . March 3, 1951 Afro- Dear AFRO: It is discouraging and shocking to see colored people in the national capital insisting upon standing up to eat a meal, as they have been forced to do in a number of eating places for many years, when it is now possible for them to sit down and eat like other racial groups. And yet, as unbelievable as it may seem, there are many colored people right here in Washington who prove definitely that they like to be jim-crowed by standing up. A wise man once said: "It is a terrible gift of the gods that humman beings can get used to things." Victory Was Hard Work Of course, those who have not yet heard that his humiliating discrimination against us has been removed must be excused for continuing to stand up. But after long, hard work, the Co-ordinating Committee and their heroic volunteer helpers have succeeded in persuading a number of proprietors of restaurants and other eating places to permit colored people to sit down to eat a lunch or meal instead of forcing them to stand up. And now, since actions speak louder than words, colored people who know this change has been made in our favor and won't sit down to eat, are telling the world by their conduct here in Washington that they prefer to be jim-crowed. All Must Convert Timid Surely there are enough self-respecting, right-minded representatives among us to use our influence to show our thoughtless brothers and sisters what an irreparable mistake they are making by deliberately throwing away an opportunity of proving that we expect and accept equality of treatment in every way, shape and form. It would be a tragedy of the deepest dye if our group here in the national capital should get the reputation of enjoying the segregation and discrimination to which we have been subjected for nearly 90 years, by continuing to stand up while we eat when it is now our privilege to sit down like other racial groups. MARY CHURCH TERRELL Dear AFRO: Selling real estate today in Washington reaches far beyond the normal confines of merchandizing real property. Few ventures are confronted with so many obstacles and offer so many opportunities for service and uplift. Outmoded conventions and vested interest in maintaining highly restricted racial communities make the real estate market primarily one of old, obsolescent houses in blighted areas that are being discarded by our first-class citizens. This is the pattern which stigmatizes all of our group and assasinates and stunts our development and personalities. This is the pattern also which gives our sales persons opportunities to help shatter ugly traditional attitudes, modify undesirable community models in our nation's capital and aid our 'democratic' country in getting its interantional 'integrity' clean. JOHN P. MURCHISON Laurel, Md. Washington Post Sept. 14, 32 D. C. Discrimination Those of us who love our country and want it really to be the "greatest democracy on earth," as it claims to be, owe a big debt of gratitude to the American Psychological Association which has just held its sixtieth annual convention here and has voted unanimously never to meet here again "until such time as additional progress has been made toward treatment of minority groups." Some of the business of the convention was seriously delayed, it is said, because restaurants or hotels at which committees had decided to meet near meal time refused to serve colored members. By forcibly calling attention to the prejudice and discrimination of which colored people are victims in the Capital of the United States, the American Psychological Association is helping the Washington, D. C. Coordinating Committee for the Enforcement of D. C. Anti-Discrimination Laws. This coordinating committee has been urging the proprietors of hotels and restaurants and all other eating places here to stop discriminating against colored people, and when they have refused to do so, our committee has picketed the store until it agreed to serve customers without regard to race. In this way, the coordinating committee has succeeded in opening a number of places which have been closed for years against colored people in spite of the 1872 and '73 laws.. MARY CHURCH TERRELL. Washington. able numbers. One front-seater stood up at a rally and peered closely at the candidate. "He ain't pretty, is he?" he said. Then he sat down and chuckled as though it was a point in Stevenson's favor. One fact appeared obvious Stevenson is still a completely new face, a new voice and a new new figure to the crowd. He is going to have to see a lot of people, and vice versa, between now and November. And a lot of people are going to have to read more, hear more and know more about him before they can cast an informed vote. THE QUESTION is already arising as to whether his aerial type of campaigning is the best way to meet the people. In his lightning plane dashes about the Northwest, the only folks to get a good look at him were the Democrats in the halls where he spoke. Maybe the advance billing was a little off, but the street crowds in general seemed unaware in many cases of his passage to and from the airport. Even the press traveling with him complained that they saw all too little of the candidate on the trip-couldn't ever get within talking range. During the entire nine-day swing, not a single press conference was held to clear up questions raised by his speeches. Except for a pleasant, off- the-record "at home" with the Governor on the eve of his departure, he has held no press EBONY [*Page 72*] THE W[O] SMALLEST MEN A JOHNSON PUBLICATION OCTOBER 1953 30C CIRCULATION OVER 500,000 KID GAVILAN: BOXING'S HAPPIEST CHAMP Reece "Goose" Tatum court showman and world-famous basketball star, takes time out to enjoy the pause that refreshes with ice-cold Coca-Cola. Follow the Champions …Have a Coke Top-flight basketball is hard work. It calls for endurance…stamina…speed…balance …and timing. It calls for peak performance all the way. That's why you'll find champions pausing to relax, whenever they can, with frosty bottles of ice-cold Coca-Cola. Drink Coca-Cola REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. "COKE" IS A REGISTERED TRADE MARK. See all of the HARLEM GLOBE TROTTERS in their new feature length movie "GO, MAN, GO" COPYRIGHT 1953. THE COCA-COLA COMPANY Group hearing aid is used by Mary Britt to teach deaf intermediate grade children at Kendall School on Gallaudet campus. Elementary school is segregated under District laws, has 25 pupils, four teachers. Most of children were born deaf. DEAF CHILDREN CAN BE TAUGHT TO TALK AT SPECIAL SCHOOLS SOME VISITORS to Kendall school on Gallaudet's campus are surprised when for the first time they hear a deaf child speak. Yet today deafness need not go hand in hand with muteness. This is being proved every day at Kendall and at other schools like it throughout the country. Teachers admit frankly that it is impossible for a deaf child to speak normally, but say that he can learn to speak well enough to be understood. Learning to talk is one of the most difficult jobs a child can tackle, for he is really learning a foreign language. Having never heard English spoken and being unable to hear his own voice only makes the task more formidable. Perfection is not expected of the children at Kendall, but they are encouraged to learn as much as they can, are assured that friends and associates will overlook their deficiencies. Ideally, deaf children should begin their education when they are three or four years old. In Krendall's pre-school classes, they are introduced to speech and lip-reading, begin to think in words. They learn, for example, that they have names, and that other people and things may also be identified verbally. After a year the average child speaks 20 words, lip-reads 50 more. In high school, the students are taught sign language, the almost universally intelligible tounge of the deaf. Anxious at they are to master speech, the deaf are justly proud of the language of signs. "Put a deaf Frenchman, an American and a Dane together and they can all communicate through this one language," a student declared. "What other language can claim as much?" Learning to speak, Albert Johnson, 7, is shown how sound is made. 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NAME ADDRESS CITY ZONE STATE QUANTITY GIVE HEAD SIZE COLOR TOTAL 2nd COLOR CHOICE 71 Standing before bust of Frederick Douglass, Mary Church Terrell, 90, is still an active leader in fight for civil rights. Brilliant and valiant former president of the National Association of Colored Women won Supreme Court case against a Thompson's restaurant for refusing her service. Decision ended discrimination in Washington eating places. [*72*] I REMEMBER FREDERICK DOUGLASS 90-year-old-fighter for civil rights tells of her friendship with abolitionist BY MARY CHURCH TERRELL It is 58 years since Frederick Douglass, that most illustrious Negro leader and to my mind the greatest of all Americans. died of a heart attack in his home, Cedar Hill, in Anacostia, D. C. The passing of the years, far from diminishing his importance, has made Douglass an even greater figure in his country's history. I knew Frederick Douglass well and was his friend for 16 years. It seems more like 60 than 16 years, because so much happened of such great importance in the time that I knew him. Before I met Douglass I knew practically nothing about his career. I did not know the story of his stirring struggle from slavery to freedom. I had heard his name spoken by my parents and by other colored people whom I knew as a young girl. I think the only thing I ever read about him before I left college concerned his marriage to a white woman. Most of the comments I read on his second marriage were extremely hostile. But from all that I had heard and read I knew that Douglass was a very great and distinguished leader of his people. Meeting Frederick Douglass was an unforgettable experience. When I was a freshman at Oberlin College in 1881 my parents permitted me to accept an invitation extended by Senator and Mrs. B. K. Bruce to attend President Garfield's inauguration. Senator Bruce of Mississippi was the only colored member of the U. S. Senate at that time, and as far as I know there has been no other since. After reaching Washington Mes. Bruce arranged for a friend to take me out sigh-seeing one day. As we were walking down the street I saw two men talking a short distance ahead of us. One of the men was tall and distinguished, of magnificent, majestic proportions. Immediately, intuitively, instinctively, I knew that he was the great Frederick Douglass. Fortunately, for me, my friend knew him and introduced me to him. Thus began a friendship which I dearly prize because I derived so much inspiration, information and pleasure from it as long as Mr. Douglas lived. From the moment I saw him for the first time until the day of his death, not one of his words, not one of his deeds ever caused me to regret the high estimate I had put upon him as a man or the value I placed upon him as a popular friend. He was a perfect Chesterfield in manner, cultivated and gracious. It was hard to believe that a man of such culture and refinement could ever have been a slave with no formal education. He was a brilliant conversationalist. His English was faultless without being pedantic. He had had such wonderful experiences and could relate them with such force, vividness and charm of manner that it was a delight to listen to him. Very few people cared to say much when Douglass talked. Although he did not care to occupy the center of the stage in a small group (for he was a very modest man), if he felt like talking, even the most garrulous individual was perfectly willing to be silent. Douglass was no sedate, long-faced, solemn personality. He enjoyed having fun and being in a merry company, listening to jokes and telling funny stories himself. He liked to laugh. During the summer Douglass used to invite a few of his friends, myself included, to come to Cedar Hill to play croquet with him. He enjoyed the sport and was very skillful at it. Many times my late husband and myself had the pleasure of playing croquet with Douglass on the lawn. I cherish the recollections of those delightful afternoons, so full of pleasure, which usually ended with a stimulating exchange of views and opinions on the questions of the day. Both Mr. and Mrs. Douglass were very hospitable people who enjoyed entertaining friends in their home. Judge Terrell and I were often invited to Sunday tea at Cedar Hill. On these occasions Douglass would hold forth in the living room, telling fascinating stories. I now regret that I did not keep a diary in those days so that I would have a record of his wit and wisdom. During those Sunday evening sessions there was a "feast of reason and a flow of soul." Sometimes Douglass took out his fiddle, sang Scottish songs of which he was very fond, and played a few tunes. Then he and my husband would usually get up and dance a few steps, entertaining us immensely. When the World's Fair was held in Chicago in 1893, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus, Douglass was the commissioner in charge of the exhibit from Haiti. He employed Paul Laurence Dunbar, the poet, to assist him. Douglass entertained his friends at the Fair by taking them to see the exhibits which he especially liked. One afternoon he invited me to go with him to take in some of the sights. As we walked along through the grounds and the buildings Douglass was continually stopped by admirers who begged the privilege of shaking his hand. Frederick Douglass home in Anacostia, D. C., sits atop a knoll across the river from Washington, D. C. When Helen Pitts Douglass died in 1903 her will requested that the house be maintained as a shrine to the memory of Douglass and that a memorial library be built upon the property. Mrs. Douglass' dream is finally coming true. The Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association which has maintained the property for 58 years is now completing plans to restore the house "in the original character of the Douglass era." The National Association of Colored Women has taken on a share of the responsibility for raising the money to complete the task. Continued on Next Page [*73*] Newest Hair Fashions BY howard tresses AMERICA'S MOST WANTED HAIRPIECES SO NATURAL LOOKING OUR FINEST HUMAN HAIR SATISFACTION GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK! 3.95 100: PONY TAIL: 1953 creation. Sophisticated look. attaches easily. Lustrous real human hair. 101: Extra thick ..........$5.75 4.50 225: FAN CURLS; 2 ear puffs of lustrous small curls. Stylish. Real hair. Practical. Different. New. 13.95 210: THE SIREN: Long length. Styled to cover entire head. Versatile. 211: Extra heavy $17.95 Can be Combed, Cleaned and Redressed - Easily Attached! 660: BRAID CHIGNON: 3 stem braids. Stylish. Life-long weave. 22" long. 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Deane Hammond, a college trained New York Public Relations executive, has compiled a FORMULA FOR SUCCESS that helped him to open wide the door to SUCCESS, LOVE and HAPPINESS. Don't sit on the sidelines while others obtain life's greatest pleasures. Just send me your name and address for a 10-DAY TRIAL. When the postman delivers the booklet, FORMULA FOR SUCCESS with instructions, pay only $2 plus postage. Follow his directions carefully and I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE that if you are not COMPLETELY SATISFIED within 10 days, I'll send your $2 right back. You are entitled to try to gain for yourself the HEALTH, WEALTH and HAPPINESS you have always wanted. Write MASTER, 172 Scranton Ave., Dept. 127-TH, Lynbrook, N. Y. 74 Anna Murray Douglass (left), statesman's first wife, died in 1882 while preparing to move into "Cedar Hill," which husband bought for her. Second wife, Helen Pitts, maintained the house after his death, made it a shrine to his memory. I REMEMBER DOUGLASS Continued Great homage was paid him, especially by white people who recognized him. Mothers with their children would stop him and say "You are Frederick Douglass, aren't you? Please shake hands with my little boy, because when he grows up I want him to be able to say that he once shook hands with the great Frederick Douglass." When his patience slackened Douglass suggested, "Let's get on the scenic railway so that we may have a chance to talk a little. Nobody can get us there." But we had no sooner settled ourselves on the little scenic railway than a man reached over two seats to touch him on the shoulder and greet him. "Well, we'll go up on the Eiffel Tower, " chuckled Douglass. But just as we started to ascend a man in another cage shouted: "Hello, Mr. Douglass! The last time I saw you was in Rochester." Douglass was a man of infinite patience, tact and graciousness. He was never rude and was careful to do or say nothing that would hurt anybody's feelings. To me he was a practical Christian. Judged by his deeds there has been no better Christian in the United States. He enjoyed helping others. He encouraged and aided promising and talented young Negroes. As an example, he had become deeply interested in Paul Laurence Dunbar, the poet because of his bitter struggle for existence and recognition. I first heard of Dunbar from Douglass. One day by appointment I went to see Douglass in his Anacostia home. After we had finished our business Douglass, who was widely known as "the Sage of Anacostia," asked me, "Have you ever heard of Paul Dunbar?" I told him I had not. Then Douglass told me Dunbar's story. "He is very young, " he said, "but there is no doubt that he is a poet. He is working under the most discouraging circumstances in his home in Dayton, Ohio. He is an elevator boy and on his meager wage of four dollars a week he is trying to support his mother and himself. Let me read you one of his poems." Douglass left the room and returned with a newspaper clipping from which he began to read Dunbar's The Drowsy Day. When he had read several stanzas his voice faltered and his eyes grew moist. He was deeply moved. "What a tragedy it is," he said, "that a young man with such talent should be so terribly handicapped by poverty and color." I shall never forget Douglass's reading of that poem. I remember a delightful dinner with Douglass and his family one summer on Chesapeake Bay. Shortly after our marriage, my husband and I were invited by Major Charles Douglass, one of Frederick Douglass's sons, to take dinner with his father his wife and himself at Highland Beach, which is about five miles from Frederick Douglass, born a slave in Maryland, taught himself to read, write, to lecture. Before Civil War, he turned own home into underground railroad station, campaigned during war to have Negroes admitted to northern army as equals. the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Major Douglass had bought a large tract of land on Chesapeake Bay, which he intended to convert into a Summer resort for colored people. Frederick Douglass selected a corner lot facing the Bay and asked us to take the one next to his. We decided to buy it and built our Summer home there. I think Douglass would today be pleased indeed if he could see what a great success his son's plan of establishing an ideal colored Summer resort has proved to be. After dinner we decided to take a stroll to the Bay. As we walked over the land in front of Major Douglass's house he told his father that the following year he intended to have a fine garden on the plot. It was a sandy patch of ground, and his son's idea of having a garden there seemed to amuse Douglass very much. "Why Charles," he said, laughing. "Do you really think you can raise vegetables on this ground? I don't believe you can raise an umbrella on it." The first time I went to the White House to see a president of the United States was with Frederick Douglass. Douglass went to urge President Benjamin Harrison to speak out boldly against lynching in his annual message to Congress. I was thrilled, entering the White House for the first time in the company of such a great man. I accompanied Douglass into the president's office for the interview and listened spellbound while he eloquently pleaded the case for anti-lynching legislation. He implored President Harrison to act immediately against the lynching evil. I remember urging the president to comply with Douglass's request. "Please Mr. President," I said. "Do something at once to stop the lynching of Negroes in the South." President Harrison listened attentively, but so far as I can recall, took no action against lynching. But Frederick Douglass never ceased to fight vigorously against lynching and all the wrongs of which his race was the victim. I went to hear Douglass speak whenever I knew he was going to deliver an address. Each time I heard him I was more convinced than before that he was the greatest orator in America. When Douglass went to England to urge the British to help abolish slavery in America it was the consensus of opinion that this ex-slave was the greatest of all the abolitionist orators they had heard, including Wendell Phillips and William Lloyd Garrison. And the English are not prone to bestow undeserved praise. Douglass spoke with great warmth, conviction and depth of feeling. He spoke in a rich, resonant voice. I think it was the most perfect speaking voice I have ever heard. His command of the language was masterful. He had the quality of moving audiences. The beauty and power of the language used by this ex- Continued on Next Page NOW! JET POWER! YES, 56% MORE POWER! Jet powered! Amazingly different Jet 99 proved 56% more powerful than the average of 4 popular cleaners. 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I REMEMBER DOUGLASS Continued slave was truly a miracle of modern times. People believed in him. He made people believe in him by his conduct and by what he said. On the platform he had an imposing presence. He was dramatic without being theatrical. No one who ever heard him could possibly accuse him of exaggeration or uncertainty. He could make a person feel what he said. Once, after hearing Douglass deliver an impassioned unprepared speech, I said to him, "O Mr. Douglass, women though I am, I would give everything I have to be able to speak extemporaneously as perfectly as you do." Douglass laughed. "Once I said the same thing to Wendell Phillips, after a speech I heard him make which I thought to be extemporaneous," he said. "I praised him for it." "Extemporaneous? Phillips laughed. 'Why, I've been thinking about that for 50 years.'" While I was a student at Oberlin College I first became interested in interracial marriage when Frederick Douglass married Helen Pitts, a white woman who lived near his home in Anacostia. She was a senior clerk in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia during the time that Douglass was Recorder. In the reading room of Oberlin's Ladies' Hall, where I lived while at college, I read editorial comments on the marriage appearing in many newspapers and magazines. Many of these Study used by Douglass contains many of his books, valuable letters, documents. Photos of Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, adorn walls. Press binder which he used for binding documents, repairing books, stands in between windows in background. Continued on Page 78 At last-a washer and a dryer safe for any fabric! NORGE DIV. 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Have a big supply I REMEMBER DOUGLASS Continued comments shocked and disgusted me. Few approved of inter-marriage, while most of them bitterly attacked it. A great outcry was raised against Douglass's marriage to Helen Pitts because it defied the customs and traditions of the country. Many Negroes criticized Douglass because he married a white woman. These same critics were continually clamoring for equality. But when Frederick Douglass, the foremost representative of their race, actually practiced equality by choosing a white woman as his mate, these very advocates of equality attacked him bitterly and condemned him. Incidentally, it is entirely due to the thoughtfulness and determination of this white woman that Cedar Hill has been preserved as a memorial to her husband. In making his will Douglass neglected to have it signed by three witnesses, a procedure necessary at that time in order to transfer real estate from one person to another. Because of this Mrs. Douglass had to purchase the interests of the other heirs in order to retain control of the property. This was a big, heart-breaking task for Mrs. Douglass, but she succeeded, and as a result Cedar Hill is now "a perpetual memorial to my late husband," to quote a phrase from her will. I must refer to some of the falsehoods told about the lowly position which Mrs. Douglass was said to occupy in her own racial group. Some colored people declared that they did not object to her solely because she was white, but because she was "a poor white woman" with no social standing whatever, who had married a Negro because he had a good job and was known as a distinguished man. The charge that Helen Pitts was "a poor white woman" was entirely false. She was a well-educated woman from a good family, and was the first president of the National Kindergarten Association. When the various women's organizations held their conventions in Washington the leaders invited Mrs. Douglass to their special functions and it was her custom to invite a few friends to luncheon or dinner at Cedar Hill. On such occasions Mrs. Douglass would usually invite Mrs. B. K. Bruce and myself. When the 60th anniversary of the first Woman's Rights Convention ever held was celebrated at Seneca Falls, N.Y., in May, 1908, Frederick Douglass's contribution to that cause was strongly featured. The descendants of the people who called the first meeting to demand equal political rights for women were asked to represent their forebears. I was asked to represent Douglass. There is certainly a very good reason why Douglass should always be honored at an anniversary celebration which women suffragists hold. When Elizabeth Cady Stanton presented a resolution demanding equal political rights for women at that Seneca Falls Lucretia Mott, who for years had courageously championed the cause of woman's suffrage, begged Mrs. Stanton to withdraw her resolution. "Lizzie," she pleaded, "thee will make us all ridiculous if thee insist upin pressing this resolution through the meet- Iron cooking ware used by Douglass family is arranged on old wrought iron stove by caretaker, Mrs. Gladys Parham. Small deskin in master bedroom was gift of Harriet Beehcer Stowe, who used it when writing Uncle Tom's Cabin. Amazing New! YOUNG FORM BRA Smooths Away "Spare Tire" Roll! Have you had the common bra problem— comfort but not support . . . or fit, but not comfort? Then here is the "bra" for you! Proper fit, correct support, complete comfort and a lovely bosom line– all in one brassiere and at a remarkably low price. 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Smash hit styles with magic comfort heel-to-toe cushion are selling dynamite. No experience or investment needed. Actual shoe samples supplied without cost. Write TODAY for full information and FREE 76 page Fall Catalog. TANNERS SHOE CO., 345 Boston 10, Mass. on hand. Kids love it! 78 I REMEMBER DOUGLASS Continued ing." But Mrs. Stanton refused to withdraw the motion. And so there was not a white man or woman at that meeting who had the courage to second Elizabeth Cady Stanton's resolution demanding equal political rights for women. But it was the incomparable Frederick Douglass, a runaway slave, upon whose head a big price had been placed by his master, who had the courage to rise in that meeting and second Mrs. Stanton's resolution. And it was largely due to his masterful arguments and his matchless eloquence that the resolution passed in spite of the fierce opposition of its powerful foes. The women of this country owe a debt of gratitude to Frederick Douglass which they can never repay. At the risk of doing an irreparable injury to himself personally and to the cause of abolition, he did everything humanly possible to secure the elective franchise for women. It was a proud and happy moment in my life when on May 27, 1908, I witnessed and participated in the unveiling of the bronze tablet which was placed on the wall of the Opera House in Seneca Falls, now occupying the site on which stood the Methodist Church in which the first Women's Suffrage Convention was held. This tablet shows in relief the figure of a woman supporting a shield on which is inscribed "On this spot stood the Wesleyan Chapel where the first Women's Rights Convention in the world's history was held July 19 and 20, 1848. Elizabeth Cady Stanton moved this resolution which was seconded by Frederick Douglass: "That it is the duty of the women of this country to secure to themselves the sacred right to the elective franchise.'" This bronze tablet makes it impossible to withhold from Frederick Douglass the credit due him for his heroic stand on Women's suffrage. A few years ago I was shocked to read a report of a speech make by a Congressman Stevenson from Wisconsin in which he said that Elizabeth Cady Stanton's resolution demanding equal political rights for women was seconded by Frederick Douglass, "a Scotsman." I promptly wrote letters of protest to two Washington newspapers setting the record straight. While I was a member of the Washington Board of Education in 1897, I introduced a resolution which was unanimously passed —to make February 14 "Douglass Day" in the Negro public schools. For many years Douglass Day was faithfully observed in the colored schools of the District of Columbia, but comparatively few schools observe it now. Douglass lived a long and fruitful life. He enjoyed life. He was a gourmet. In fact he loved the best of everything. He was a modern man in every sense of the word. He won the admiration of countless women, yet throughout his life there was never a word of scandal heard about him. He lived an honest, upright life. His second wife, Helen Pitts Douglass, absolutely worshipped him. Many times at Cedar Hill I saw her kneel at his feet while he sat in his favorite armchair. She would look into his face with adoring eyes and when his shock of white hair would fall across his forehead, she would lovingly put it back in place. Mirrored dresser stands in corner of Douglass' bedroom. He bought home from wealthy former slaveholder. Death mask and mold of hand, made shortly after Douglass died in 1895, lie in glass case in second floor hallway. 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PLINER $35 Made with Imported Genuine Black & Gray Calcutta Lizard Beige Doe Skin Black, Brown Suede all over trimmed with Ostrich leather ALL SIZES The Topper $21 95 Write for catalog $5 deposit with all orders l. c. pliner 131 E. 55th St. Chicago, Ill. 80 I REMEMBER DOUGLASS Continued Fate decreed that I should be with Douglass a few hours before his death on Feb. 15, 1985. Shortly before noon that day he had attended the second triennial meeting of the National Woman's Council. The meeting was held in what was then called Metzerott Hall, but what is now known as the Columbia Theater. When one of the Council officers saw him etering, she announced from the platform "Frederick Douglass is in the house,: exactly as she would have said "The president is here." A committee was immediately appointed to escort Douglass to the platform, and when he reached it, those white women gave him a royal Chatauqua salute, waving their handkerchiefs vigorously in the air. When the meeting adjourned and the admiring women ceased paying homage to Douglass, which I enjoyed from a distance, I came forward and greeted him. He and I left the hall and walked together to the corner of 12th and F Streets. There he stopped and asked me to have lunch with him. But I was not feeling very well and declined the invitation. Lifting the large light sombrero which he often wore, Douglass bade me goodbye. That was the last time I saw him alive. About seven o'clock that evening a friend, Walter Hayson, a high school teacher, came by our house to tell me and my husband that Frederick Douglass was dead. He had died suddenly at dinner while telling his wife about the great ovation tendered him that day by the National Woman's Council. I deeply regretted that I did not go to lunch with him, that I had been unable to spend another hour in the company of a great man. His funeral was held at the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, of which he was a member. It was one of the biggest and most impressive funerals Washington had ever seen. People of all classes and colors attended in thousands. Susan B. Anthony, the famous women's leader, was there, along with many other notables of the day. I almost did not get into the church. It took me over an hour to get inside, so great was the crowd come to mourn the passing of Douglass. I remember the funeral as though it happened yesterday. Mrs. Douglass entered the church wearing not mourning attire but a brown fur cape. She did not believe in mourning. In not wearing black she knew she was giving offense to many present, but she followed her convictions. Judged by any standard or test Frederick Douglass occupies a distinguished place among the greatest Americans. To have known that great man and to have been honored with his friendship I consider a priceless privilege, and one of the most cherished memories of my life. 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The Week League of Asia - David Belasco - A. M. E. Convention - Filipino Freedom - Publicity For Preachers. By MARY CHURCH TERRELL Let me introduce you to the League of Asiatic peoples, if you please, for that is the name which the Pan-Asian has adopted in a session recently held in Japan. To be sure there was a fight, when the Japanese chairman refused to let a Korean speak and the Korean went at him hammer and tongs. But after the other dark gentlemen present, namely to wit, the Chinese, the Filipinos and the Indian delegates had jumped to the rescue of the Japanese and loosened the Korean's tight grip, all went merry as a marriage bell. Nothing better for the world could happen than the union of the dark races. The first step has been made in a movement which will undoubtedly change many deplorable conditions which exist today. There are four people on this earth today whose faces are dark to every one whose face is white. All of which proves with apologies to Abraham Lincoln, that God must have loved dark people very much indeed, for He made so many of them. So let's all wish this League of Asiatic peoples well. The delegates say they were perfectly satisfied with the result of this meeting.. and we should all take out hate off to them for the good start. ------------ David Belasco is certainly "all wool and a year wide", so far as his attitude toward his colored brother is concerned. If you don't believe it just read what he says about colored people and their dramatic possibilities in an article which he has recently contributed to a magazine. It is a great temptation to quote almost every word he says, but the editor of the AFRO-AMERICAN would run a blue pencil thru it, so we'll just glance at a few thoughts which he has expressed. When he decided to stage his play - "Lulu Belle" - he intended to use white actors in burnt-cork make-up. But he decided that it would be very unreal and then he began to study the colored man first hand by visiting the cabarets in Harlem. He was amazed at what he saw with his own eyes and heard with his own ears. He say that after his fifty years of labor on the American stage he believes "The Negro from today onward, will compel recognition thru the sheer power of his instinctive mime talent.' He deslares that no race, even the "sorrow-swept Jews," can surpass the Negro for instinctive stage ability. The response to emotional suggestion is more delicately developed in the colored man's nature, Mr. Belasco says, than in that of any other people on earth. He is sure that in another decade there will be a "Negro Theatre" in which the Caucasian race will see a surprising development of this hitherto dormant nature gift. Mr. Belasco was amazed at the ease with which quite ordinary individuals who had not been trained at all both understood and remembered their lines after he had read them aloud only once. And he came into direct contact with the ignorant and the highly educated representative of the race. He refers to a few outstanding people in his company and predicts a brilliant future for them. It is not only refreshing and encouraging to hear that a man with the long and wide experience on the stage that Mr. Belasco has enjoyed has expressed such views on the colored man's dramatic talent, bit it is very heartening to know that a magazine in this country would publish such high praise of the handicapped race. It is easier for a big, fat camel to pass literally through a cambric needle's eye than it is to induce the average editor of an American magazine to publish anything complimentary about the Afro-American. If you get a fit of the blues and make up your mind "there ain't no use doin' nuthin' no how", just visit a convention like the one which recently held a session in Washington and see the large number of intelligent representatives of the race who are deeply vitally interested in promoting its welfare in every conceivable way, and the blues just melt away before such a sight as the snow does under the sun. More than 2000 delegates were enrolled, including representatives from various missionary societies - educational institutions, presiding elders of twelve episcopal districts including the British West Indies, the east and west coast of Africa and district superintendents of Sunday schools. The encouraging and delightful feature of this particular convention is that its leaders and members are talking seriously about the church's duty to educate the young. People are realizing more than they ever did before that the only way to build any race upon a firm foundation is to educate the youth, and help them lead decent, respectable lives. The convention of the A. M. E. ??? Institute of Politics held in Williamstown, Massachusetts. It would have done us good to hear these little dark gentlemen from across the sea hotly deny statements made by certain interested folk who claim that the Philippines are not yet ready for freedom. One of them said, "We stand for American principles and we refuse to be argued into political slavery." Several of these Filipinos have evidently been reading the history of the United States and believe that they have as much right to insist upon being free and independent as the colonists did, when they grew tired of being bossed by England. -------- Did you ever hear of ministers of the gospel getting so much publicity as they are receiving today in all your life? One of them murdered a man who came to his study to protest against something the minister said about the city government. Another minister was caught in a house in Memphis, Tennessee, when it was raided. He was exonerated by his brother ministers, when he told them that he took sick suddenly, entered the disreputable house and just happened to be there rather thinly clad, when the house was raided. The people in New Jersey are all excited about the investigation which is being made concerning a minister, Rev. Hall, who was found lying by the side of his choir singer, Mrs. Mills, both of them murdered in the suburbs of Somerville, New Jersey, four years ago. Then the other day a minister and a choir singer were shot dead in Morgantown, Ky., just as they were singing the opening hymn of the revival service. If this keeps up, Congress will have to order an investigation. ------------o----------------- Korean went at him hammer and tongs. But after the other dark gentlemen present, namely to wit, the Chinese, the Filipinos and the Indian delegates had jumped to the rescue of the Japanese and losoeed the Korean's tight grip, all went merry as a marriage bell. Nothing better for the world could happen than the union of the dark races. The first step has been made in a movement which will undoubtedly change many deplorable conditions which exist today. There are four people on this earth today whose faces are dark to every one whose face is white. All of which proves with apologies to Abraham Lincoln, that God must have loved dark people very much indeed, for He made so many of them. So let's all wish this League of Asiatic peoples well. The delegates say they were perfectly satisfied with the result of this meeting, and we should all take our hats off to them for the good start. ----------- David Belasco is certainly "all wool and a yard wide", so far as his attitude toward his colored brother is concerned. If you don't believe it just read what he says about colored people and their dramatic possibilities in an article which he has recently contributed to a magazine. It is a great temptation to quote almost every word he says, but the editor of the AFRO-AMERICAN would run a blue pencil thru it, so we'll just glance at a few thoughts which he has expressed. When he decided to stage his play - "Lulu Belle" - he intended to use white actors in burnt-cork make-up. But he decided that it would be very unreal and then he began to study the colored man first hand by visiting the cabarets in Harlem. He was amazed at what he saw with his own eyes and heard with his own ears. He says that after his fifty years of labor on the American stage he believes "The Negro from today onward, will compel recognition thru the sheer power of his instinctive mime talent' He declares that no race, even the "Sorrow-swept Jews," can surpass the Negro for instinctive stage ability. The response to emotional suggestion is more delicately developed in the colored man's nature, Mr. Belasco says, than in that of any other people on earth. He is sure that in another decade there will be a "Negro Theatre" in which the Caucasian race will see a surprising development of this hitherto dormant nature gift. Mr. Belasco was amazed at the ease with which quite ordinary individuals who had not been trained at all both understood and remembered their lines after he had read them aloud only once. And he came into direct contact with the ignorant and the highly educated representative of the race. He refers to a few outstanding people in his company and predicts a brilliant future for them. It is not only refreshing and encouraging to hear that a man with the long and wide experience on the stage that Mr. Belasco has enjoyed has expressed such views on the colored man's dramatic talent, but it is very heartening to know that a magazine in this country would publish such high praise of the handicapped race. It is easier for a big, fat camel to pass literally through a cambric needle's eye than it is to induce the average editor of an American magazine to publish anything complimentary about the Afro-American. If you get a fit of the blues and make up your mind "there ain't no use doin' nuthin' no how", just visit a convention like the one which recently held a session in Washington and see the large number of intelligent representatives of the race who are deeply vitally interested in promoting its welfare in every conceivable way, and the blues just melt away before such a sight as the snow does under the sun. More than 2000 delegates were enrolled, including representatives from various missionary societies, educational institutions, presiding elders of twelve episcopal districts including the British West Indies, the east and west coast of Africa and district superintendents of Sunday schools. The encouraging and delightful feature of this particular convention is that its leaders and members are talking seriously about the church's duty to educate the young. People are realizing more than they ever did before that the only way to build any race upon a firm foundation is to educate the youth, and help them lead decent, respectable lives. The convention of the A. M. E. ??? denomination is certainly on the right track, when it is devoting much of its time and money on our youth. --- Wish we all could have heard that Filipino judge plead for the independence of the Philippines a few days ago at a convention which the Institute of Politics held in Williamstown, Massachusetts. It would have done us good to hear these little dark gentlemen from across the sea hotly deny statements made by certain interested folk who claim that the Philippines are not yet ready for freedom. One of them said, "We stand for American principles and we refuse to be argued into political slavery." Several of these Filipinos have evidently been reading the history of the United States and believe that they have as much right to insist upon being free and independent as the colonists did, when they grew tired of being bossed by England. --- Did you ever hear of ministers of the gospel getting so much publicity as they are receiving today in all your life? One of them murdered a man who came to his study to protest against something the minister said about the city government. Another minister was caught in a house in Memphis, Tennessee, when it was raided. He was exonerated by his brother minsters, when he told them that he took sick suddenly, entered the disreputable house and just happened to be there rather thinly clad, when the house was raided, The people in New Jersey are all excited about the investigation which is being made concerning a minister, Rev. Hall, who was found lying by the side of his choir singer, Mrs. Mills, both of them murdered in the suburbs of Somerville, New Jersey, four years ago. Then the other day a minister and a choir singer were shot and in Morgantown, Ky., just as they were singing the opening hymn at the revival service. If this keeps up, Congress will have to order an investigation. N [WE]ATHER: Showers. Cooler. Sunrise: 5:17 a. m. Sunset: 7:12 p. m. MOON PHASES: New, 8th First quarter, 16th Full, 23rd Last quarter, 29th [i]ces 6c in City—7c in State a[n] RA gest Library in Unite versity which has 41,000 volumes an Andre Carnegie. Hampton, the seco Western Reserve University libraria all seating 200, 2 reading rooms, a office for [the] econd floor, a room for exhibits, pr room. WRIGHT QUITS AS HEAD OF LINCOLN U. After Three Years Refuses To Continue Longer As Acting President RETIRING HEAD IS LA[UD]ED BY ALUMNI Dr. George Hall, Of Chicago, Says He Is Logical Man For Vacancy OXFORD, PA.—Walter Livingstone Wright, professor of mathematics, has declined to serve Lincol o University any longer a e acting president. [Professor Wright was named G] COULDN'T SAVE BANDIT George L. Pendleton, who has freed more prisoners than any other lawyer in the state on writs of certeriori and habeas corpus failed in his efforts to free Reese Whittemore, white bandit and murderer this week. WIFE 20 YEARS YOUNGER WANTS HER DIVORCE WASHINGTON, D. C.—The suit of is wife, Mrs. Amelia Green, of 1703 ew Jersey avenue, northwest, for an bsolute divorce is without merit and due to her often expressed desire o get rid of him because he is twenty ears her senior an[d] she fears he may ecome a charge upon her hands because of his age and infirmities, says Jeremiah Green, of 131 Reeves Court, northwest, in his answer to her petition filed through Attorneys George E. C. Hayes and Ernest J. Davis. Although Mr. and Mrs. Green were married 27 years ago, their married life has been interrupted with frequent separations, he reveals. They were married in 1899. After living with him for a few days, his wife disappeared [did not see her agai] Convict Lease Savagery. To the Editor of The Post--Sir: Permit me to thank you for the editorial "For Shame, Florida" which appeared in this morning's Post. For publishing the atrocities perpetrated in the convict release camps of Florida and for the forceful editorials against that inhuman system The Post deserves the gratitude of everybody who loves this country and wants the United States to become really civilized. Some one may say The Post has simply done its duty in publishing the facts and he will keep his gratitude to himself. But the press in this country has not always done its duty to the public in the past. The newspapers in the North, East and West have deliberately withheld many facts concerning the various barbarities perpetrated in the Southern States for fear of offending the South. "The more the public is given to see of what has been going on in Florida camps, under legal sanction," says the editorial, "the uglier the record of that State becomes." The public has not been allowed to see what is going on in the convict camps of the South, because neither the newspapers nor the magazines have allowed them to see. It is amazing how few well-educated, intelligent people in the North know anything about the convict lease system. Seeing how little highly educated women Let??? Our Readers Talk ???mpanied by the names and addresses of ??? but as evidence of good faith. Letters ??? they will be cut down or omitted. knew about this cruel system operated in nearly every State of the South, I decided to write an article about it. For six weeks I went over old files of the Atlanta Constitution, which published the most shocking accounts of the atrocities reported by eyewitnesses when Col. Byrd was appointed special commissioner to investigate the convict lease camps of Georgia some years ago. I did not tear passion to tatters at all, but simply stated the facts, and sent my article to every magazine in the United States which would be likely to publish matter of that kind. It was sent back to me by return mail by every one of them. Since I could not induce any magazine in the United States to publish it, I sent it to the Nineteenth Century and After. That magazine accepted it and published it in the August number of 1907. After the article appeared in the English magazine a few of the newspapers in New York and Boston printed short excerpts from it. That article on an institution which flourishes in all its cruelty and savagery in a large section of this country would never have seen the light of day if it had not been published in a British magazine. And that is why I am grateful to The Post for publishing the result of the investigations of the convict lease system of Florida and for putting the weight of its editorial influence against it. MARY CHURCH TERRELL Washington, May 10. een and muscial attractions, the latest issue of the Pathe ever-popular Topics of the animated cartoon and a symphonic overture by the mphonic orchestra, under ion of Mr. Thomas Jospeh. [F]ailed to Grasp rtunity, He Says of Saul, King of Israel, was ne of ungrasped opportunit- e Rev. Charles J. Schudder [r]unswick, N. J., in the ser- e graduating pupils of the ase school yesterday. A [t]al was given by Felix Gar- he evening. nities come to every one, Dr. Scudder said, and the e the best kind of life con- aking the most of those hich are given to us. aduating exercises will be afternoon at 4.30 o'clock. C. Merriam, president of nsstitution of Washington, ss the senior class. The dance will be held at 8.30. MEMORIAM E—Anniversary mass at Sacred urch on Monday morning, May at 7:30 o'clock, in tender memory eloved grandchild, MADELEINE ILLE, who passed into eternal years ago today, may 14, 1918. my darling, gone to the clime, r other coming sometime; the angels, whiter than snow, for Loved ones waitning below. [THE LONELY GRANNIE] al h e t ier. The beau[tiful] c[oan] onated by Miss Mac Donal[d], is the selected by the expiring king to rd the secret of the birth certifi- that will clarify the line of suc- ion. Thus is she made the object [m]uch of Ferdinand's villainy. The her in which the identity of the tful heir to the throne is made wn comprises the climax of the na and the source of a large sure of its suspense. e comedy note is struck a re- ding wallop by Lloyd Hamilton Extra! Extra!" a clever two-reel esque of the trial of a newspaper ogragrapher. Dr. Hamilton is case the cameraman assigned to the lish business of getting a closeup frolicsome young bomb thrower se passion is blowing people to with large charges of dynamite. Eastmanite gets the picture, but after having a bomb mixed with flashlight poweder. The Kino- ns and pipe organ recitals com- e the bill. DIED EL—On Friday, May 11, 192[3]. JOHN P., eloved husband of Mida Cissell (nee legler), of Surrattsville, Md. neral from his late residence at Sur- attsville, Md., on Tuesday, May 15, at :30 a. m.; thence to St. John's church, here mass will be said at 10 a. m. [R]elatives and friends invited to attend. [N]INGHAM—On Friday, May 11, 1923, at [W]illiamsport, Pa., MABEL, REEVES, ife of Logan Cunningham, of Will- msport, Pa., and daughter of Sewell A. nd Zoe P. Reeves, 1859 Wyoming avenue orthwest, Washington, D. C. eral services at Williamsport, Pa., on onday, May 14, at 10 a. m. ON—ON Saturday, May 12, 1923, at his esidence, 6437 Connecticut avenue north- est, Dr. WILLIAM HOLLAND HERON. eral services at his late residence on uesday, May 15, at 11 a. m. RMOTT—ON Saturday, May 12, 192[3], at rovidence hospital, JOHN, beloved hus- nd of Mary McDermott. eral from the residence of his sister, rs. R. A. Fitzgerald, 349 D street south- in another city, with Laila Mo wealthy mine o better condition Things go fro strike is decla arise, and David for his own peo heart. Morton hands of the str acle is performe ister, and all is when he is arr of a wealthy s almost losing h[i] climax smooths Claire Windso part of Leila lovely and char lan is excellent while Hobart leaves nothing same can be sa cast, including Francis, Pauline Margaret Seedo Cyril Chadwick. The program and orchestral in itself. Snub P seen to better more mirth-pro "Before the Pub[l] "Moonblins," is and at the same tiful; the Fox most interesting Director Geor mous orchestra finishing touch bill, the overtu di Lammermoo rendered, with cert-master and storm of applau fully played nu[m] more[save], and [Drige's "Valse K] G i t the centra Director E T. Roy Ba characteriz Failure?" the part o charm and beautiful Mr. Barn young lu[r] business b and who r Cappy Ric other doug he acciden of the gen who advis father, but Ricks, the old fellow Cappy be go-getter," out his be man to a ta apparently that involv search, a fi and which, hair-raisin press train\accomplish young ma that he is ward is a p Ricks firm declaration servation [p] the young plane. In additi Owen in th story, the has broug[h] the picture Cappy Ric eral manag heim, the O'Neill's " the part Huntley, and many [The m] Capital Broadcast By MARY CHURCH TERRELL Political School At The New Willard Every now and then something happens in the National Capital which must give the demon of race prejudice a pain in his side. He certainly got a slap in the face not long ago. For, if a visitor had gone into the ball room of the New Willard Hotel, (one of the finest here) he would have seen both white and colored women attending what was called the School of Politics which was conducted by the League of Republican Women. It was a most unusual sight for Washington, D. C., where racial lines are strictly drawn, as a rule. Several years ago notices were sent out that this league would hold a similar school in another hotel, but at the last minute plans were hastily changed and those who had [re?tered] as pupils were directed to the New Willard. Folks who claimed to [?] why this change was mad [?] that when the manager of [?] hotel at which the school was first advertised to be held learned that a few colored women had been admitted as pupils, he absolutely refused to agree to this unheard of affront to his regular patrons, so the contract was canceled immediately. No Friction But in the school at the New Willard there was no friction whatever between the colored and white women and not the slightest evidence that colored women were not welcome. About ten colored women were registered, paid the tuition fee of $5 and enjoyed all the privileges of the "School". And indeed it was a school in every sense of the word. In the first place it was sponsored by the leading women of the Capital. Among these were the wives of the Secretaries of War, Navy, Agriculture, Commerce and the Postmaster General, as well as the wives of judges, representatives and senators. The most interesting subjects pertaining to the government were discussed by experts in the afternoon and evening The next morning questions on what have been stated in these addresses were asked by the students and answered by the chairman of the sessions in such clear and simple language that a child could understand. (Continued on Page Seventeen.) School, bu the superintendent [?] refused to appoint her, because he claimed, she was not sufficiently trained. The young woman then went to Boston to take a post graduate course and returned with a record showing that her rating was very high. When she presented this paper to the superintendent with a request that she be assigned a position in the public schools to which she is entitled, he threw it upon the floor. The young woman has already had two years of post graduate work and intends to take a third. The mother of the graduate of the Normal School was told that her daughter had not had the necessary training. When she stated that her daughter had been sent to the schools to teach like other members of her class, she was informed that her training was defective nevertheless. She related this conversation to a friend who had a daughter in the class which had not finished. The mother of this girl made up her mind that she would study thoroughly the requirements necessary to secure a position in the public schools of the city. She found a book issued by the Board of Education showing that in order to be eligible for the appointment to teachership in the public schools, a normal graduate would have to be trained in certain buildings. When her daughter was assigned to another building, the mother objected and requested that she be sent to one of the schools referred to in the book she had read. When the superintendent asked her why she wanted to have her daughter sent to the school which she had mentioned rather than to the one he had designated, the mother told him she had read the book issued by the Board of Education which especially mentioned that the building she preferred was one of those in which normal school graduates should train before [?] would be eligible for positions [?] teachers in the public school [?] gentleman is said to have [?] greatly surprised [?] with the colored [?] So the colored [?] England are [w?] [?] to have the [n? [?] [?]ceive the [reco?] [?] [?] entitled. Howard First D. [?] Opened to W[?] Memorial services were recently held in the Capitol at Washington, D. C. in honor of Dean Emma Gillett, founder of the Washington College of Law and a pioneer feminist. The Rev. Dr. John J. Queally of the Church of the Transfiguration, Mrs. Harvey W. Wiley, Dean George Grace Hayes Riley, dean of the Washington College of Law, and Mrs. Donald R. Hooker, National Council Chairman of the Woman's Party participated in the services. The American Legion Auxiliary of the District of Columbia withdrew from participation in the service upon advice from headquarters at Indianapolis that it was not a patriotic demonstration. Dean Gillett had a remarkable career. She was talented and ambitious, but sex barred her from all white law schools of that period. Howard University, established for Negroes, but open to all applicants, regardless of sex or color, opened its doors to her. She completed the law course, graduated from the Howard University Law School, and was [?ed] to the bar of the District of Columbia,, where she became an [?] on real property. [?] greatest service lay in establishing a woman's law class which [?ually] became the Washington College of Law, open to both women and men, and with both sexes represented on the faculty. The Law College has a woman as its dean. FORD NAMED TO REPRESENT B. U. WASHINGTON, D. C. - Charles P. Ford, an attorney has been named by Daniel L. Marsh, president of Boston University, Boston, Mass., to represent that institution at the inauguration of Dr. Mordeccai W. Johnson, president of Howard University, Friday, June 10th. Mr. Ford graduated from Howard University in 1903 and afterward received the Bachelor of Law and Master of Jurisprudence at Boston University in 1906. He is the first Howard man to study law at Boston University. TRI-UNE Makes Your Feet Happy Relieves All External Foot Troubles 50c - All Druggists - 50c Paris Gone Wild Over Primitive African Art "Charleston City" Is New "Harlem" Developing In Montmartre Section By MARY CHURCH TERRELL Paris has gone wild over African art. The Parisians comb all the auction rooms with a fine teeth comb, so to speak, trying to find objects of African art. Particularly do they seize upon musical instruments, when they discover them. Not long ago at one of the leading auction rooms in Paris some of these musical instruments brought record prices and the fad for anything black people have produced along the line of art continues to grow. Moreover, colored New Yorkers need not be homesick at all, when they go to Paris, for that big city has a sure enough, honest-to-goodness Harlem of its own. A large population of colored folks have steadily gravitated toward Paris since the World War and they have settled in a section known as Montmartre. And [?] colored people have come from [?] parts of the world from this country, from Africa, from Martinique and from the French West Indies. The white Parisians call that section where their colored population lives "Charleston City". Naturally many of these colored people who have migrated to Paris are dancers and jazz band musicians. And they are making money hand-over-fist, if the reports from some eye witnesses be true. Some of the best establishments in Paris employ colored men to open the doors and these men dressed in red and gold are gorgeous to behold. Some of the stores employ them as messengers also. But the best part of this story is that colored people in Paris are treated exactly like other human beings and not obliged to wonder where they can go and what they can do, because they are not white. They can eat where they please, if they can pay for their meal, can sleep where they like, if they need a room and can go to any place of amusement they care to visit, knowing that they will receive exactly the same treatment which other people get. The Frenchman has absolutely no prejudices against any human being because he is black. If he ever learns it, which the good Lord forbid, it will take him a long time and he will have to study hard to know how to act. How Not To Be Hit By Lightning Don't venture our during an electrical storm, particularly into a cleared space. If you are in the open, do not seek shelter under a tree, particularly a tree that stands out from the others. It is best to sit down. Do not carry an umbrella during a thunderstorm - its metal parts attract lightning. You are safer if your clothes are wet. Stay was from wire fences. For protection to livestock in the country, the continuity of metal fences should be broken by non-conducting insulating parts of wood. Don't believe "lightning never strikes twice in the same place". It does - very frequently. Avoid lakes, rives or other bodies of water during an electrical storm. The lightning comes from water in the clouds and is attracted by water on the earth. The safest place in a thunderstorm is indoors, in the center of the room, with all doors and window closed against drafts. Do Fish Sleep? Fish are unable to close their eyes and do not sleep in the ordinary sense of that term as applied to mammals. According to the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries however, experiments with special apparatus indicate that fish are more active at certain times and that these periods of activity are followed by periods of repose. Such periods of inactivity, more or less variable in degree may be comparable to sleep in the sense of physiological rest and quiet. The extent to which the sense organs become insensitive to external stimuli during these periods of repose is unknow. m??t, ; Flor- Irv'n McVey, 318 Ot- ta and l, $5 : k Gra- r, [6]0 r, $25 ; Mack s. 1522 17 N. aroline. Bes- Margee Evans. 1. 15[0]6 2 Rut- er. $5: ck $; en- ell, us- ed- ver ck- 720 $3: arah 832 N. $5; ames 1118 Ha[s]- assel- burg, Emma 27 S. $5; Moore. 316 hes, Chas. nson, ring, $10; John Wil- ella 942 na. 10; vin on, ry, n, m- r, n- 6 Investigates Execution SHREVEPORT, La—(ANP—Secretary of State Frank Kellogg, has instruced the American consul at Jaurex, Mexico, to investigate a report that Harry Honore, a Shreveport resident, is under sen[t]ence to be executed in Mexico for shooting a Mexican guard. Dr. Marshall Here Dr. Ernest Marshall, formerly of D. C. now on the staff of Kansas City Gen. Hosp. visited his aunt, Mrs. Amanda Smith, 629 Gilbert street this week. Wednesday he was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Chew at luncheon. Dear Old Lady: "I see you have some land for sale?" Real Estate Agent: "Yes, madam." Dear Old Lady: "Well, I want about three yards of nice, new land to grow some seeds on." ORED MAN by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON $2.70 PEABODY BOOK SHOP Hu[g]o Weisberger 913 NORTH CHARLES STREET Open Evenings Phone: Wolfe 0362 Mrs. Ida Snowden Sucessor to (CHAS. B. JONES) FUNERAL DIRECTRESS — and — EMBALMER LIMOUSINES for ALL OCCASIONS 1708 Madison Street Let Us Clean Your LACE CURTAINS BLANKETS COMFORTS FURNITURE COVERS DRUID LAUNDRY 1634 Druid Hill Ave. Madison 1664-1964 tf. 25 YEARS' EXPERIENCE P. D. Blackwell Wholesale Commission Merchant Fruits, Vegetables and All Kinds of SOUTHERN PRODUCTS WATERMELONS IN SEASON A SPECIALTY 11 E. Pratt Steet Baltimore, Md. PIANO HOSPITAL W. W. PINDERHUGHES, Player technician, 27 years' experience in tuning, repairing, rebuilding and refinishing. . Work guaranteed, estimates cheerfully given. (Pianos tuned, $2; Players, $2.50.) Used pianos bought and sold, cash or credit. 1203 DRUID HILL AVE. PHONE: MAD. 2403 BALTIMORE, MD. By Mary Church Terrell Author of A Colored Woman in a White World FROM MY POINT OF VIEW Richard Wright makes a serious mistake and does his racial group a great injustice when in his book, "Black Boy," he declares there is a "strange absence of real kindness in Negroes." Many years ago an officer in the American Missionary Association who visited the schools for colored youth all over the South, and who had come into close contact with colored people of all types and conditions, told me that if a colored person asked him for charity he was inclined not to give it, for he had observed how kind colored people are to those in their group who are in real need. "For instance," he said, "when a widowed mother has died and left four or five orphan children, I have seen families who were in poor circumstances themselves divide the children among them and take care of them as best they could. I know of no racial group which is kinder at heart than colored people." I agree with that opinion. certainly convoke a mass of unbelievers. This desperately personal story of Richard Wright's childhood and youth is, in part, at least, subject to just that curse of being so real and true that it eclipses the sense of reality of the city-swathed mind. For this reason Black Boy is more of an experiment in autobiography than H. G. Wells ever dared. Basically, Black Boy is the story of the emotional illness of a Negro youth who could not play dead in order to save himself. It is a story told in retrospect, as are all autobiographies, when the attention of the narrator is no longer absorbed in the trees of his environment; but is free to see the forest whence he emerged. It is, to me, a really integrated story of previously accumulated experience, well and artistically written. Previous reviewers have repeatedly told the stark narrative of this volume. Perhaps Wright was a "loathsome, foul-mouthed brat," as one reviewer described the character in the saga. In the world he know he could have been nothing else. Anyone familiar with Negro life in a small town, South, would sense that Wright was not unusual in his experience, but that he was unusual in being able to escape their fell clutches. Thousands upon thousands of our American Negroes Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.