THE FEDERATION JOURNAL
"Listen to our Clarion Watchword—We are Lifting As We Climb"
VOLUME 16
SPRING ISSUE—1960
NUMBER 2
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MRS. GRETCHEN V. C. ABBOTT—Guest speaker at annual conven
tion, N. C. Federation of Negro Women’s Clubs, Raleigh, June 3,
1960.
Mrs. Abbott is the Field Consul
tant for the Southern half of the
United States and has been work
ing in the field with these states,
helping them to prepare for the
White House Conference since the
fall of 1958.
She has served on the boards of
many national organizations: Na
tional Social Welfare Assembly,
National Council of Social Work
Annual Convention
Shaw University: June 2, 3, 4.
Theme: “Adult and Youth United
for a Better World’’
Thurs., June 2nd: Executive Board,
Banquet—Meeting in Shaw Uni
versity’s Dining HaU as guests
of Raleigh Host Clubs, at 7:00
o’clock
Friday, June 3rd: Convention opens
at 10:30 A. M. in University
Chapel. President’s message, re
ports of officers, etc.
Message From
Our President
Greetings to all Club Ladies:
As usual my apprecitation is
boundless to God and to each of
you for the many many acts of
mercy and unselfish service since
last we communicated.
Since attention is called through
out the nation to the Golden Anni
versary of the White House Con
ference on Children and Youth my
mind naturally follows the trend in
my article to you.
My reading the recently publish
ed “Profile of North Carolina’s
Children and Youth,’’ a summary
of reports from White House Con
ference Committee of 100 counties
issued by the North Carolina Com
mittee 1960 White House Confer
ence on Children and Youth and co
ordinated by North Carolina for
Social Service by appointment of
Governor Luther H. Hodges, cer
tainly revealed many interesting
facts.
As one would expect the report
includes findings on health, social
service, recreation, family life, em
ployment, church related activites
for youth and law enforcement. At
the conclusion of each discussion
for each section is given a list of
unmet needs which will certainly
be increased incentive for the work
of club women.
As members of the North Caro
lina Federation of Negro Women’s
Club we have not waited for the
White House Conference to point
cut the reeds among our children
and youth but have been mindful
of such as our record of the past
fifty years has proven.
Ever mindful of our motto, “Lift
ing As We Climb” it is my hope
that you whl pardon my relating a
recent experience with the idea of
its offering a suggestion that may
be added to your list of improving
conditions among the children and
youth of your community.
Seeing three children varying in
ages from four to fourteen poorly
clad and undernourished begging
from door to door rather often led
to an investigation at their home,
rather their place of abode. A de-
lapidated structure which had been
without water connections for
months housed the mother, three
children just mentioned and two
others whose ages were one month
and two years. The scarcity of
fuel and food and the unsanitary
condition of the place gave further
evidence of the need for aid.
After most immediate needs were
met temporarily, answers to ques
tions revealed that the family had
received aid from the welfare until
the birth of the last child who
had been born out of wedlock and
been preceded by another born un
der the same condition.
Welfare aid could not be issued
again unless the mother agreed to
sterilization. Then came the job of
convincing her that such was nec
essary in order that her children
might have bare necessities. In the
mean time the husband who had
disappeared several years before
(Continued on Page 6)
Education, National Association of
School Social Workers and others.
She is also known in Texas as past
president of the Texas Committee
on Children and Youth, of the Dal
las Children’s Bureau, of the Dallas
Association for the United Nations,
etc. Mrs. Abbot was, at one time,
instructor in psychology at South
ern Methodist University.
Raleigh Host Com. Planning Convention
At 1:30 P. M.: Address, Mrs. Tom
Grier, N. C. Conference of Social
Service; Workshops 1, Working
Mothers 2; Housing 3; Cultural
and Recreation Activities.
At 7:45 P. M.: Program of Host
Group and ^uest Speaker, Mrs.
Cretchen V. C. Abbot, Consult
ant to State Committees for
White House Conference on Chil
dren and Youth. Reception for
(Continued on Page 4)
RALEIGH HOST COMMITTEE planning for annual convention.
Seated 1. to r. Mrs. Lillian Logan, Mrs. Victoria Walters, Mrs. Hattie
Toole. Standing 1. to r. Mrs. Beatric HaU, Mrs. McKenny, Mrs.
Burns, Mrs. Devane, Mrs. Ida Jones.