Page 6
THE FEDERATION JOURNAL
Spring, 1958
Editorial Viewpoint
Northampton County Experiment
This is the third in a series of
editorials pointing to a certain
aspect of the problem of children
born out of wedlock. In the first
article, we suggested that women
should give the cold-shoulder
treatment to men who do not
think them worthy of marriage
before sexual relations.
A more practical approach,
however, would be to set going a
program of prevention of the
problem. John R. Larkins, state
consultant on work among Ne
groes, has taken the lead in this
approach by selling the idea that
it is up to a community to do
something about the high rate of
illegitimacy among our group.
Northampton County was chos
en because of the large precent-
age of Negroes in the total pop
ulation and large per cent of chil
dren born out of wedlock.
On his first visit the consultant
discussed with leaders of the
community the problem of illegit
imacy. Leaders included librari
ans, farm and home agents, school
principals, teachers, supervisors,
and ministers. They organized a
voluntary group, with member
ship representing all social-eco
nomic level and geographic areas.
The consultant made a second
visit and assisted in organizing a
countywide volunteer group. Fol
lowing the public meeting, Mrs.
Fannie T. Newsome, chairman of
the committee, appointed leaders
from various communities to
serve as chairmen of sub-com
mittees.
A program of education for pa
rents and youth was recommend
ed by the consultant. The major
emphasis was upon prevention of
social disorganization through im
provement of home and family
life.
The consultant made a third
visit to the county to confer with
Chairman Newsome and hear var
ious committee reports. It should
be noted that prior to the con
sultant’s third visit, the county
sub-committees had studied ma
terials presented by the consult
ant. The committees recommend
ed the following organizations to
develop a program;
1. HOME DEMONSTRATION
CLUBS — Through activities of
home demonstration clubs, super
vised recreation could be provid
ed at least once a month, invita
tions might be extended to citi
zens to discuss family life, and
encouragement should be given
to families to set up good moral
standards for their children in
both the home and community.
2. CHURCHES AND RELIGI
OUS ORGANIZATIONS—
Churches were urged to establish
religious education programs that
stressed tne moral teachings of
the Bible, to hold panel-discus
sions on tne problems of children
born out of wedlock, to supervise
recreation for the youth of the
churcn, and to urge each member
to become a living example of the
teachings of Christ.
3. COUNTY-WIDE AND LO
CAL PTA’s — It was suggested
tnat the PTA organizations in the
county help set in motion a pro
gram of sex education with the
approval of the parents. The
study of sex education was to
cover one year or nine months
for the benefit of school pupils
and parents.
Now, just what did the people
in tne county accomplish? The
PTA’s sponsored a program of
family life with the assistance of
the school. Emphasis was placed
upon human reproduction and
tne dangers involved. The results
have been gratifying.
A supervised program of coun
ty-wide recreation has been set
up and developed. Prior to tnis
project, there was no supervised
and organized recreation in
Northampton County.
Two Boy Scout Troops have
been organized.
In December, 1956, a survey of
housing conditions among Ne
groes was made by the State
Board of Public Welfare. The
purposes of the study were; (1)
to gather data about Negro hous
ing, (2) to provide a factual basis
for possible programs of actions
to improve housing, and (3) to
evaluate the relationship between
certain social problems and par
ticular conditions of housing.
Realizing that little could be
done with women who had re
peatedly given birth to children
born out of wedlock, efforts were
spent on the youth enrolled in
schools. Principals and teachers,
through special classes in Family
Life, helped the children to be
come informed in this ar,ea. This
has caused a reduction of the
number of girls having to drop
out of school because of preg
nancy.
It is believed that the over-all
pattern of living of a large num
ber of Negroes in Northampton
County has been improved.
—Reprint from The Carolinian of
Raleigh.
Individual Club
Activities
1. The Dainty Duchess Club of
Salisbury, N. C. reports activities
as follows;
Fruit baskets to inmates at
Lowery Nursing Home.
Personal articles to elderly
lady confined to her bed indefi
nitely.
A potted plant to a member at
time of death in family.
January 5, 1957 they sponsored
the 95th Annual Emancipation
Proclamation Celebration with
tne Rev. Mack Brandon, Jr., Mrs.
Rose D. Aggrey and others as
speakers on the program that was
well attended and had the loyal
support of all its members. Presi
dent Mrs. Mary Wansley; Secre
tary Mrs. Blanche Blunt.
2. The Book Club of Rich
Square has just given full sup
port to the librarian of the Public
Library in celebration of Nation
al Library Week, March 16-22.
The activities of the week includ
ed a 60-minute story hour for
three days. Children six years old
and under were busy with stories,
songs and games, they left with
a bag of cookies and candy. The
club members supplied transpor
tation. Five members, Mrs. C.
Hodges and Mrs. C. S. Creecy
were in charge. Friday was “Open
House” for all at which time hot
coffee or tea, cookies and candy
was served. Special book exhibits
were made.
Negro History Week was also
observed by this club in Febru
ary at which time they prepared
and presented a pageant, “Wom
en—The Light of the World” in
the Jackson Elementary School.
At Christmas this club gave a
“Kitchen Shower” to a family
having lost everything by fire
early in December. At present
they are filling an “Easter Bas
ket” with articles necessary to
the care of an invalid bed patient.
The “Easter Bunny” will deliver
it on April 5, 1958. Mrs. C. S.
Creecy, president.
3. The Flower and Art Club of
Rich Square reports that their
Annual Christmas Party served to
start the “Season’s Spirit” to
move as never before. Each mem
ber invited a guest and under the
tree were gifts for members and
guests alike.
The cheer committee wrapped
and delivered 13 packages to
elderly women of the community.
These packages contained a bath
cloth, a bar of toilet soap and an
apron made by club members.
The February meeting featured
the exchange of Valentine greet
ings among the members that had
a beautiful handkerchief tucked
inside.
They report that the April 7
meeting will feature exchange of
Easter baskets among the mem-
Poetry Corner
My Prayer
Lord, let me be worthy of my
friends,
Worthy of those that love me
best;
So when my night comes,
I can lie down with Thee and
rest.
Help me to watch myself,
And strive to walk daily in Thy
path,
So when my night comes.
There will be no angry wrath.
Help me to know myself.
And seek to please Thee, and my
friends.
So when my night comes.
I’ll be. found with Thee in the
end.
Then let me live with Thee, O
Lord,
And praise Thee ever more,
For taking me in Thy loving care.
Inside the Heavenly door.
Susie F. Griffin
Member of Matrons
Social Literary and
Art Club of Elizabeth
City.
NAACP Plaque
All the clubs will be happy to
know that the life time member
ship fee of the N. C. Federation
of Negro Women’s Clubs in the
N. A. A. C. P. has been completed
in so short a time, all because of
your generous donations for that
purpose.
The presentation of the mem
bership plaque will be a special
feature of this convention. You
should not miss seeing it.
Burn Mortgage Campaign
At the time of our Fall Execu
tive Board meeting in Durham,
an appeal had reached North Car
olina from the National Associa
tion of Colored Women, Inc., with
headquarters in Washington, D. C.
Our N. C. Federation is af
filiated with this National As
sociation and in answer to this
most deserving appeal the board
voted to make a contribution of
$100.00 A most appreciative let
ter along with a receipt has been
received by officials.
Mrs. Irene McCoy Gaines of
Chicago is president of the Na
tional Association, and was guest
speaker on our Federation pro
gram a few years ago.
bers. At this meeting final plans
will be made to end a “Baby Con
test.” These are grandbabies of
club members. This money will
be used partly for contributions
to the State Federation Projects
in June. Mrs. F. T. Newsome,
president.