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THE FEDERATION JOURNAL
January, 1954
THE FEDERATION JOURNAL
“Lifting As We Climb”
ISSUED BY
The North Carolina Federation of
Negro Women’s Clubs
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MRS. ROSE D. AGGREY Salisbury
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
r^lRS. NORMA DARDEN Wilson
MRS. EDNA B. TAYLOR Southern Pines
MRS. H. B. BYNUM Kinston
MRS. P. R. BROW^N Hofiman
MRS. ALICE P. COLLTMS S-“it’'^i-l*^
MRS. AMMIE P. FOSTER Pinehurst
Miss Ruth G. Rush
Retires as President
After serving successfully for four con
secutive terms as President of the N. C.
Federation of Negro Women’s Clubs, Miss
Ruth G. Rush retired from office at the
annual convention May, 1953. As successor
to our late dynamic leader, Mrs. Lula S.
Kelsey, Miss Rush not only carried out
the splendid plans for federation improve
ment and expansion as initiated by Mrs.
Kelsey; but in a most distinctive and high
ly commendable way. Miss Rush projected
such excellent plans of her own that her
administration will justly be remembered
as the golden era of federation achieve
ment in North Carolina. Miss Rush’s suc
cessor faces no easy task in any effort to
follow in the path of so efficient a prede
cessor.
Delegates at the annual convention
found most difficult the task of expressing
to Miss Rush with any degree of satisfac
tion their deep appreciation of her noble
service. No words seemed quite adequate;
for Miss Rush came into office at a very
difficult time. The Federation for several
years had been none too alert. Then came
Mrs. Kelsey laboring intensively, reviving
the old leaders, inspiring new leaders
throughout the State, but passing to her
reward, alas, before she could completely
reorganize the work and carry out the
projects that she had so diligently
planned.
Under Miss Rush a new Constitution
had to be written; plans for the disposal
of the Efland Home had to be made; Jun
ior organizations needed to be organized
and supervisors selected; more clubs were
needed! and in short, greater pride in
State Federation work had to be stimu
lated in every area of the State. Miss
Rush approached this challenging task
with extraordinary enthusiasm and abil
ity. Club women in North Carolina rec
ognized her ability, were proud of her
successful leadership; and here and there
expressed their deep regret that no way
could be provided for retaining such an
efficient President. There was nothing to
do but to thank Miss Rush sincerely, and
earnestly wish for her abundant success
in the new opportunity for service at
Spellman College.
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY?
by SNOW BAILEY
Now, as one federated member to an
other, what is your hobby? This question
is being asked throughout North Carolina.
Hobbies have been popular for centuries.
However, the keen interest which is being
manifested by the members of The North
Carolina Federation of Negro Women’s
Clubs stems from a thought planted in the
Workshop: “Creative Experience for Club
Women,” conducted by Mrs. G. P. Lips
comb of Durham, North Carolina, during
the 1953 session. The idea was included
in the report of the Workshop and was
enthusiastically received and adopted.
Hence, a Hobby Show for the 1954 meet
ing began to take form. Mrs. Lipscomb,
Chairman of the Committee, has received
many encouraging letters from all over
the State.
Ladies, we want to make this initial
show a grand success. To do this, have
vour delegate, who attended the meeting
in Elizabeth City, tell you (again) exactly
what was said and done. Also, write Mr.
G. P. Lipscomb, 802 Macklin Street, Dur
ham, North Carolina, for details. Do this
at once, before too much time passes by.
JAMES ROBERT WALKER
At Statesville during the November ses
sion of the Iredell County Superior Court,
James Robert Walker, young colored at
torney, was admitted to the Bar and was
granted permission by Judge Will Pless,
Jr., to practice law in North Carolina.
Mr. Walker was graduated from the
Law School at the University of North
Carolina, in 1952, and passed the Bar ex
amination. In order to secure admission
to the University Mr. Walker had resorted
to the higher court and courageously en
tered the Law School.
In administering the oath. Judge Pless
said, “I am very glad to administer the
oath to you to practice law in North Car
olina. The practice of law is a high and
an honorable profession, and I am count
ing on you to keep it as such.”
Judge Pless’ challenging remarks to At
torney Walker may well be considered the
high hopes of all the friends and acquaint
ances of this outstanding young lawyer,
who will surely succeed, if he follows the
noble example of his talented and highly
respected parents who with a family of
seven children having managed to rise to
positions of efficient service and exem-
olary leadershio in their community. Mrs.
Walker’s sp’endid graduate work in Ele
mentary Education at the University of
Chicago, her unusual ability as an instruc
tor in music together with attractive per
sonality have made her an extraordinary
teacher. Mr. Walker, author of at least
a hundred interesting and delightful
poems, is none the less a successful
teacher in the field of vocational agricul
ture. From these remarkable parents
young Mr. Walker has a rich inheritance
Daughters of Dorcas Club
Fetes President, Ruth
Rush With Party
by CONSTANCE S. YOUNG
The Daughters of Dorcas Club staged
a lovely “Surprise Party” for its Presi
dent, Miss Ruth G. Rush, on the beautiful
garden lawn of Mrs. ]^ie Cotton, 708
Carroll Street, Friday evening, prior to
Miss Rush’s departure to Atlanta.
Although stunned when news came that
Dorcas Club would be deprived of the
presence of its President, everyone joined
hands in planning a fitting way to assure
her of the love and esteem in which she
is held by its members. The idea was
uniquely carried out — Vice-President,
Mrs. G. Hubbard, invited her to a long-
delayed dinner which turned out to be a
pleasant auto ride around the city, finally
ushering her into Mrs. Cotton’s lovely
soft-lighted, ever green and beautiful
flower garden where were gathered the
Dorcas Sisters with the Junior Dorcas
Club as guests. Knowing “Ruth Rush” as
one does, >t was not easy to believe she
could be so “taken in” but the trick
worked and proved (though the parting
is most regrettable) to be a very happy
occasion.
Out under the clear, moonlit skies
there was a soul-satisfying serenity that
banished every disturbing element while
cheery voices mingled in pleasant conver
sations—pushing afar as long as possible
the cause that had brought us together.
Beautiful Daughters of Dorcas Club
song rang out clear and sweet always be
speaking the club’s purpose—Love and
Cheer for others.
The special committees headed by Mrs.
L. V. Merrick and Mrs. EfIie Cotton had
every arrangement complete. A hand
some, gold, stone-set, heart-shaped broach,
selected by Mrs. Merrick’s committee, was
presented to Miss Rush in touching well-
fitted words by Vice-President Hubbard.
Mrs. Ava Leach read a most interesting
original “Will and Testament” to Miss
Rush, wishing every possible blessing—
she’d signed, in portions, the Club’s
Roster.
The Junior Dorcas Club’s expression of
esteem and best wishes was read by Sec
retary Constance Young. Miss Rush was
almost overcome by this demonstration of
affection, but expressed in most tender
and expressive terms her unbounded in
terest and devotion for Dorcas Club and
her love for each and every member, say
ing she knew the nature-purpose of Dor
cas Club, its high ideals for giving its best
Continued on Page Six
for the practice of any profession, not to
mention an inspiring background for a
life-time exercise of the highest principles
of noble living.
The Federation Journal congratulates
Attorney Walker on his historic success.