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THE FEDERATION JOURNAL
April, 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
MRS. NORMA DARDEN Wilson
MRS. EDNA B. TAYLOR Southern Pines
MRS. H. B. BYNUM Kinston
MRS. P. R. BROWN Hofiman
MRS. ALICE P. COLLINS Smithfield
MRS. AMMIE P. FOSTER Pinehurst
TO THE WOMEN OF THE
FEDERATED CLUBS:
In our recent Executive Board Meet
ing at Bennett College, we were asked
by Mrs. E. R. Merrick, the publisher of
the “Negro Braille Magazine,” to consider
this publication as our new Project in
view of the fact that we have been re
lieved by the State of much of the re
sponsibility for the “Training School for
Girls” at Kinston. During the years we
have helped many worthy causes; but
she says, to her knowledge “We have
done nothing for this too-often-forgotten
group, the Blind.”
She further informed us, that more
than 300 magazines are published annual
ly in the United States. However, until
the appearance of the “Negro Braille” in
1952, no publication carried information
that related primarily to Negroes. This
magazine is beginning its third year, and
is published quarterly. Its content is made
up largely of selected matrial from “JET,”
a Johnson Publication of Chicago. The
embossing and handling is done by the
“American Printing House for the Blind”
in Louisville, Ky.
Like most Braille Magazines, it is sent
free to its readers, which number more
than 200. The cost last year was about
$700.00 (82 c per copy). The expense to
date has been provided by interested
friends. On a few occasions some do
nations from efforts of the Blind, them
selves.
This magazine, which has attracted in
ternational attention and commendation,
had its origin in our own state, and is pub
lished by one of our members. The first
Negro Braille Periodical is hereby of
fered for your consideration as a “Fed
eration Project.”
Many of the club women have prob
ably read the complete story of the Negro
Braille magazine as it appeared recent
ly in several Negro papers. Mrs. Merrick
deserves not only our sincere praise for
her extraordinary achievement, but also
our cooperation and generous support.
Deserving of our commendation also are
the members of the Local Planning Com
mittee, who from the beginning of the
project, have been associated with Mrs.
Merrick and with whom she confers from
time to time.
TO PRESIDENTS AND
CLUB MEMBERS
The time has again rolled around for
our Annual Convention which will be
held in High Point, May 14 and 15, 1954.
In order to strengthen our Federation
and support our projects, we are urging
all presidents to stress the need for larg
er representation. It is good to send a del
egate. That is required; but we want you
to emphasize also the help that your club
will gain by having as many members at
tend the State meeting as can conven
iently arrange to do so.
The fellowship, the reports, the plan
ning, the addresses are all most inspir
ing and are well worth whatever sacri
fice may be involved in the effort to at
tend. Some city federations arrange for
bus transportation which enables more
members to attend.
SESSIONS
The sessions are as follows:
Friday: 10:00 A.M., 1:30 P.M., 8:00
P.M.; Saturday: 10:00 A.M., 1:30 P.M.
Attendance—Every federated club in
North Carolina should send representa
tives.
Every woman’s club which has not fed
erated and will federate at the time of
the Convention should sent representa
tives.
Any woman who is not affiliated with a
club and desires to attend the Convention
may attend and apply for membership as
a member-at-large'.
Reports—There are two kinds of writ
ten reports to be made by each club.
(1) . Name and address of the club,
name and address of president, name and
address of secretary, number of members,
amount of representation fees, amount of
contributions to other projects. These re
ports are given to the treasurer.
(2) Each club should have a written
report of activities for the year. This re
port should be given to the secretary so
that it may be used by the organization
in preparing minutes of the Journal re
porting the annual meeting.
HOUSING
All correspondence conce^ming housing
should be addressed to:
Mrs. Frances S. Russell
1119 East Washington St.
High Point, N. C.
CONVENTION PROGRAM
Friday A.M.—Business Session
Friday P.M.—Public Meeting
Saturday A.M.—Youth Program
Saturday P.M.—Panel Discussion, Work
Shop, Memorial Session.
Place of Meeting—William Penn High
School.
Write immediately and make arrange
ment for housing and meals.
FINANCES
For state dues each club member is
required to pay 50 cents a year. Each
club is asked to raise $25.00 toward the
Scholarship Fund. If your club has fail-
BURLINGTON TO WORK
AGAINST DELINQUENCY
According to a recent announcement by
Detective Sgt. Boyd Murray before the
Lions Club of Burlington, the Police De
partment is preparing to launch a pro
gram for the purpose of crime preven
tion. This being a new type of police
educational program as stated, will re
quire the cooperation of church groups,
civic clubs, and uplift organizations
throughout the city.
“Our rate of delinquency in Burling
ton is low, compared to other cities of
our own size,” Sergeant Murray said, but
he pointed out that there is much reason
for the public to be aware of problems as
they can arise.
He stated that 93 per cent of America’s
youth never get into trouble with the
law. Five per cent are easily led, and the
remaining 2 per cent fall within the ages
of 8 and 16.
“One per cent of the final 2 per cent,”
he said, “is admitted to institutions and
one fourth of the 1 per cent is rehabili
tated with the remaining three fourths
per cent being continuous trouble mak
ers. The other 1 per cent represents the
group that never gets caught and never
are taken before a judge.
Of every child caught by the law in
violation, Sgt. Murray pointed out, there
are three who are released. In most cas
es officers wiU go directly to parents
when a child is caught violating the law
and will release him in the custody of
parents.”
We trust that civic authorities in Bur
lington as well as in other places will not
overlook the help that may be given by
our colored leaders, nor the financial help
that might be given to promote efforts
already initiated by our citizens. Experi
ence has proved that, in any market an
ounce of prevention is always worth a
pound of cure, and that it is much easier
to work toward prevention than to pro
vide the right cures.
Reports are encouraging from com
munities where there are wisely direct
ed boys’ clubs. These clubs provide ac
tivities that are highly beneficial in solv-
(Continued on Page 6)
ed to raise this amount, send whatever
you can.
CONVENTION EXPENSES
Lodging and Breakfast $2.00
Lunch — Friday 1.00
Dinner — Friday 1.50
Dinner — Saturday 1.50
Registration 1.00
Please pay your registration fee as soon
as you arrive. Should you stay two nights
^'our lodging and breakfast wiU be $4.00.
May we have a large representation from
your club and your very best reports.
Yours for a great convention.
(Mrs.) Rose D. Aggrey,
President