Fall, 1959
THE FEDERATION JOURNAL
Page 3
Larkins Addresses Virginia
Group at Charlottesville
Reprinted from Journal and
Guide, Norfolk, Va., Saturday, July
11, 1959
SPEAKER TELLS DELEGATES
The Virginia State Federation
of Colored Women’s Clubs has
met the challenge of social change
through “sacrificial and dedicated
service,” and with “dignity and
courage,” said J. R. Larkins in
addressing the organization con
ference in Charlottesville, Va., on
June 30.
Speaking on the meeting theme,
“Virginia Women Meet the Chal
lenge of Social Change,” Mr. Lar
kins turned back the pages to
yesteryear, remembering how
things were in the early 1900’s,
when the Federation was in its
infancy.
LOOKING BACK on the unpaved
highways, small cities and towns,
scarcity of electricity, and the
trolley car and horse as a means
of transportation, Mr. Larkins
pointed out the contrasts between
life then and now, and the social
changes that have since occurred.
In line with this, he referred
to the revolution of the automobile
and its effect on the living habits
of people, the advancement of
women, in particular colored wom
en, both educationally, socially and
economically. He told how the past
World Wars have affected changes,
and of the struggle for equality
and independence currently erupt
ing throughout different parts of
the world.
“THE MAJORITY OF these
changes are the result of inven
tions and discoveries,” he said,
and both “have influenced the re
lationships, lives and patterns of
living of people around the world
. . . and have been responsible
for the improvement in the status
of all women,” he continued.
As to the part the Federation
has played in these major social
changes, Mr. Larkins stated, “the
women of Virginia have met the
challenge of social change and
have been responsible for the initi
ating and accelerating of change
in many areas.”
“I KNOW OF no individuals
who have done more to improve
human relations than the Negro
women of the South,” he went on.
“This they have done through
patience, hard work and tolerance
of other people’s shortcomings.”
Mr. Larkins, Consultant to the
North Carolina State Department
of Public Welfare, addressed the
gathering on Tuesday, June 30.
Other activities during the three
day meeting at Jefferson school
included a discussion on the topic,
“Interpreting Our Educational
Needs,” by panelists Dr. Thomas
H. Henderson, Virginia Union Uni
versity; Miss Gertrude Perry, di
rector, School for “Norfolk 17”;
and Alfred K. Talbot, Jr., Wil
liamsburg, president, Virginia Con
ference of Virginia Parents-Teach-
ers. Also, business sessions, an
executive board meeting, and a
sightseeing trip to Skyline Drive.
European Tour
By Mrs. Pridgen
Many of our women are touring
and studying in Europe during
their summer vacations. They find
it thrilling, relaxing and informa
tive.
Mrs. Esther D. Moore of Hick
ory has just returned from a study
called “Education and Society.”
She will brief us on her six weeks
seminar in a later issue of the
Journal. The following are bits of
a report from our Federation Sec
retary, Mrs. A. W. Pridgen of Rae-
ford, N. C. She toured Europe
during the summer of 1958. This
reached us too late for the last
Journal.
“As a child in elementary school
studying history, the story of
Columbus sailing the seas, discov
ering of America and making a lot
of trips in and around Venice,
Spain, Genoa and Portugal made
me wonder if it were all a fairy
tale, so, when the opportunity came
and I could visit Italy my first
thoughts were to go to see
a reality.
After making the trips and ar
riving in Rome we were shown
the map that guided Columbus to
this great America. I was amazed.
Yes, I’ve long realized that the
story was not a fairy tale but to
see it made a difference. I stood
in amazement knowing I was see
ing the map used in 1492. Yes it
meant much to me, I now say as
Kelly Miller said in one of his
writings “I’ve seen, and am satis
fied.”
Yes, to have visited Rome, a
city of many Biblical incidents,
first the memorial house of prayer
that many a woman knelt in ask
ing God for the children when they
seemed to have been barren, a
building that thousands of tourist
view each year and are told the
same story. It has been told for
thousands of years to people from
aU parts of the world, a house
that causes one to wonder about
the handiwork of God.
Then to move to another Sanctu
ary known as the Church of Christ
there you entered a steep stair
way with people climbing on their
knees and offering a prayer on
each step. These steps are steps
(Continued on Page 9)
Junior President's
Message
Greetings to the senior as well
as junior members of the Women’s
Federation of Clubs.
It has indeed been a pleasure
and an honor to serve as your
president during the year 1958-59.
The progress has been gratifying.
Thanks to the many members and
friends who have given me en
couragement, support, cooperation
and in a larger sense, directed
my steps to the majestic heights
of ,my endeavor.
As we go forth, I hope that our
clubs win continue to grow, so that
each year will be a crowning
year. By your continuous growth,
you will be able to encourage
more and more clubs to federate;
thus strengthening our organiza
tion emensely and aiding in the
progress of it.
It is my sincere wish that every
girl will strive to be of service
to humanity. That she wiU partici
pate in the cultural life of her
community and enjoy the arts and
share in the scientific advance
ments of her community. The
girls today will be the women of
tomorrow and by keeping an open
mind and striving to promote a
spirit of friendship, unselfishness
and devotion, we wiU play a major
role in the betterment of our coun
try.
We must always remember the
task that lies ahead of us. Each
member has a .great responsibility
in this time of tension, fear and
unrest to promote better woman
hood, peace and understanding,
not only among ourselves, but
throughout the countries of the
world.
In moving forward, we mustn’t
stop there and say that we are
satisfied. Progress is impossible if
we are satisfied. We must aiways
reach higher to attain bigger and
better goals. Speaking of new
goals, I would like for all of the
clubs connected with the state
federation to join the national fed
eration.
Application blanks are .available
and if any club would like to have
one you may drop me a line.
Donnie L. Daniel — Pres.
1111 Washington Street
Wilson, N. C.
CLUBS
Wilson
We were fortunate to organize
a junior club in WUson, N. C., and
it was named “The Marion Ander
son Young Ladies Civic Club.”
The club, under the leadership
of Miss B. J. Hodges, Mrs. Sadie
Mims, Mrs. S. J. Satchell, your
humble servant and others, was
successful in achieving many out
standing undertakings. We v/ere
happy to have the honor of serving
as hostesses to the Junior Federa
tion.
Donna L. Daniels, President
Marion Anderson Jr. Civic
Club
Rich Squara
La Jeune Fille Club of Rich
Square, said “goodbys” and “best
wishes” to two of its most active
members in mid-September. They
shall miss Patrice Boone, club
treasurer, and Jeanette Belifield,
chairman program committee dur
ing the winter months. These girls
will be making new friends in Col
lege.
Patrice is at N. C. College in
Durham and Jeanette at Winston-
Salem Teachers College.
Executive Board
Recommendations
KINSTON, N. C. — Executive
Board meeting, September 12, 1959,
approved the following recommen
dations as related to the work of
the Junior Federation.
1. Board of Directors and Of
ficers of the Juniors shall name a
finance committee and an ad
visor to collect dues and fees from
clubs during their annual meet
ings. Said money shall be used
for Junior Federation purposes
subject to the approval of the
Junior Board of Directors.
2. As an activity to stimulate
club work, and suppliment the
Scholarship Fund, it was motion
ed that the Junior Federation pro
vide a $100.00 Scholarship annual
ly to the adult body. Plans for
club donations to be worked out
by Board of Directors.
Date to Remember
The N. C. Federation of Wom
en’s Clubs, North Eastern District
Meeting will be held in Selma,
N. C. A definite date is not known
but will be announced later. I am
looking forward to seeing aU of
the clubs represented, for we hope
to organize this district of Juniors.