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THE FEDERATION JOURNAL
Fall. 1958
49fh Annual Meeting Minutes Report Actions
The 49th annual session of the
North Carolina Federation of
Women’s Clubs assembled at the
Franklinton Center, Bricks, N. C.,
June 6. at 10:30 a. m. with Mrs.
Ethel Hines in charge. A most in
spiring devotion was led by the
chaplain, Mrs. Beulah Perrin. A
stillness permeated the audience.
Choice words of greetings were
given by the cochairman of the
host committee, Mrs. Sarah S.
Leonard. Her voice was calm and
her expression gave one to know
that it was a sincere welcome that
she was extending.
The assistant musician, Mrs. L.
E. Duers, spared no time in fur
nishing appropriate music when
ever necessary throughout the en
tire convention, which we all en
joyed and appreciated.
The president’s message was re
ceived graciously by the applause
from the audience. It wasn’t too
long, but warm words of apprecia
tion of what had been done and
encouraging words to continue.
The organizers of both the sen
iors and juniors were most encour
aging. and from reports of the
clubs organized and other expres
sions given during the sessions
proved that they are doing a swell
job. A request by them was made,
however, asking that some type of
identification be given them in the
form of materials, objectives, pur
pose and that sort of thing.
The committee on scholarship ex
pressed a growing need of funds if
they continue the project; that ap
plications are increasing; that the
girls being helped had proved
themselves worthy, and that more
emphasis should be placed on that
part of our program. This report
aroused the thinking of the conven
tion. so an idea was accepted by
the board that to help bridge the
present gap a public offering be
taken. This was done in the eve
ning session Friday. The response
was very good.
The district presidents’ reports
made all present feel that a good
job was being done, but that they
were able to find but few labors.
That we need more sincere people
to put the job over.
Mrs. L. V. Merrick spared no
time in stating the joy being given
to the blind who were receiving
the Braille Magazine. Here again
our funds were too limited to in
crease the circulation which is
badly needed. She encouraged those
listening to try to help the people
at home see the help and good they
would do in making a blind person
happy. She expressed that more
funds would be provided.
Recommendations of the Execu
tive Board and the appointing of
various committees ended a most
interesting and uplifting session.
At 1:30 p. m. Mrs. Maggie Jones
called the second session to order,
and here again the convention mu
sician proved herself faithful to
the task assigned to her. After sev
eral selections, reports of the clubs
throughout the state were called
for. Enthusiasm ran high with
anxiety, for the ladies were happy
to tell of the work they were doing,
and of having the organizers come
and be with them in their meet
ings. They stated that it meant
much to have them. Facial expres
sion and action gave one to know
that the ladies were bubbling over
within to tell of the many things
they were doing.
“The Power of Organized Women
in the Community” was the sub
ject for discussion in the workshop.
A summary of the workshop is also
given in this issue of the Journal.
Our most capable editor, Mrs.
Fannie T. Newsome, presided at
the 7; 45 meeting Friday evening
with promptness and poise. The
devotion gave a beautiful setting
for the program to follow.
Greetings from the entertaining
clubs by Mrs. S. N. Cooper of
Ahoskie gave all to know that the
planning and the work to make the
convention had been a pleasure and
with the smoothness in which the
convention moved we knew that
many hours of hard work had been
spent.
Rev. King, director of the Center,
in his words of welcome gave a bit
of information concerning the Cen
ter. He stated that there were
1195V2 acres of land in the tract
which was given for the purpose
in which it was being used. This
was given by a Philadelphia lady
many years ago and was once used
as a school, but through the years
it has undergone many changes and
is being used for club work, church
work, both white and colored, and
for camping and many other types
of organizations where people as
semble to discuss problems for
world betterment.
Greetings from the host school
and business were given by Mr.
W. R. Collins and Mr. W. M. T.
Grimes. One stated that the NAACP
was the one organization next to
the church and school that is help
ing our boys and girls.
Guest speaker was Mrs. Irma
Thompson of Newport News, Va.
In the absence of Mr. Kelly
Alexander, District President of the
NAACP, Mr. Charles McClain, field
worker of the NAACP, made the
presentation. In presenting the
Life Membership Certificate to the
convention, he also presented a
personal check of $25 to the con
vention for the scholarship fund.
At the close of the evening ses
sion, the ladies in charge of the
social activities adorned in their
lovely pink and green gracefully,
quickly and orderly had the audito
rium arranged into an activity
room where singing, marching,
speaking and other social activities
which made an enjoyable event
with the ladies in their colorful
attire darting about serving from
the beautiful table laden with
crdeovus for us to feast upon as
we conversed with friends. The
social brought the day’s work to a
close with pleasant memories.
Saturday morning, June 7. at
9;30 a. m., Mrs. L. B. Curtright,
presiding, greeted the audience and
presented Mrs. E. O. Donoho, who
gave the devotion which was most
uplifting and prepared us for the
day’s work. After which time was
given in reverence of those passed
since the last convention.
At the close of the memorial
service, the workshops reassem
bled to complete the unfinished
work of the day before. This was
a brief period as the youth were
in charge of the 11 o’clock period,
and all were anxious to share with
them as they are a part of the
whole convention. They proved
themselves worthy and interested
in their work and what the organ
izers were doing. A representative
number was present and took an
active part on the program.
The president, Mrs. E. M. Spell
man, presided at the business ses
sion Saturday evening. Miss Mae
D. Holmes, superintendent of the
girls’ home at Kinston, was unable
to be present. However, a repre
sentative was present and made the
report. She brought with her a
weU-trained group of girls who ren
dered an excellent program which
explained the work that is being
done at the home better than any
report in other forms could have
done. It showed that both the train
ing and the administration were
being well handled.
Mrs. P. R. Brown reported for
the boys’ home at Hoffman, N. C.
The new Rose D. Aggrey building
was mentioned. She stated that
they were so happy in getting that
building, as they were sure it was
going to relieve the crowded situa
tion, but to their disappointment
they were still crowded and with
56 on the waiting list. They had
310 boys and only a faculty of 47—
that they needed help for those
boys and that each one could do
something if no more than send
some magazines, to try to think of
them at certain seasons of the year
when others were receiving gifts.
Reports were then received from
various committees and accepted
with gratitude for their work. How
ever, the hobby show committee
asked that more clubs take part in
the display, that only a few clubs
brought articles. The time and
place committee was not able to
secure an invitation for the 1959
convention. This committee sug
gested that a standing committee
be appointed to contact the clubs
throughout the state during the
year to secure a place by the next
convention, if approved by the
body. No action was taken. A
place for the convention was left
with the Executive Board and the
President.
This ended the 1958 convention of
the N. C. Federation of Women’s
Clubs.
Approved:
Mrs. E. M. Spellman, President
A. W. Pridgen, Secretary
Poems
Evening Nap
Evening is that special time .. .
Not ever soon or late ... It is the
bridge from day to night . . . On
which to meditate ... It is the
passageway that leads . . . From
daily work to rest . . . With
peace and comfort and perhaps
. . . The pleasure of a guest . . .
That quiet hour of reprieve . . .
From every business care . . .
When you emibrace your family
. . . And favorite easy chair . . .
When weariness is oozing out . . .
Of every pore and vein . . . And
as you start to nap, each loss . . .
Becomes another gain . . . And
just before you fall asleep . . .
You see your sweetheart smile
. . . And tell yourself the evening
nap . . . Makes everything worth
while.
As We Are One
When you and I were wed, my
love ... It never dawned on me
. . . How much two persons could
become . . . One personality . . .
I thought I loved you for your
charm ... Of physical design
. . . And all the glances and the
smiles ... I longed to claim as
mine . . . But I discovered I be
came ... As much a part of you
. . . And in the final picture we
. . . Were one instead of two . . .
I mean, I really love you for . . .
The way you think and feel . . .
Your mind and soul, instead of
just. . . Your sensual appeal . . .
And every night until the dawn
, . And to the setting sun ... I
give my heartfelt thanks to God
. . . That we are truly one.
Mortar of Life
My failures make me shudder,
but . . . They give me courage
too . . . And frequently inspire
me ... In what I strive to do
. . . Because I know that most
success ... Is built upon mis
takes . . . And only perseverance
will . . . Provide the needed
breaks ... I have to keep my
spirits high ... To gain the
smallest crcwn . . . And get up
on my feet again . . .Whenever I
fall down . . . My failures fright
en me as they . . . Pile up along
my shelf . . . But well I know
that I must not . . . Feel sorry
for myself . . . Cement must
have its gravel for ... A house
of stones and bricks . . . Success
must have its failures to . . .
Provide the proper mix.