Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-06
The Pittsbnrc IEornan.s c1nh-
Mrs. C. Z Wade.

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The Pittsburg Woman's Club is the old
est club in Western Pennsylvania devoted
to the intellectual improvement of women.
It is Il years of age. Everyone has heard
of the blue tea given by Mrs. Helen VI.
jenkins at her home on Arch street, Allie
gheny, and at which the Woman's Club
may be said to have been founded.
The women's club movement In Pittsburg
goes back farther, however The idea of
such club may be said to have originated
with the women who years ago used to meet
In the old Baptist Church at the corner of
Grant street and Third avenue. Mrs Jane
Grey Swissheim, Mrs. C. 1. Wade and Mrs.
Helen NJ. jenkins were among the ladies
most active in the proceedings Most of
them stood very much In awe of Mrs.
Swisshelm, who undertook the Office of
critic whenever she thought anyone particu-
larry needed admonition. One day an un-
lucky young woman in her paper chanced
to make some statements Mrs. Swisshelm
did not like. When the speaker had finished
and was seated, Mrs. Swisshelm arose
Planting herself in the aisle between two
windows, she squared her shoulders and
looked over her lasses in wav that to the
initiated indicated that the distinguished
suDraSlst was ABOUT 10 nIe series OF obJee-
tions.
Madam President" said she, IT was to
have read an ESSAY on Macbeth. 1 put on
my black silk dress to-day. The essay is
in the pocket OF nv other dress, and 1 for
got 1t. II you Will permit me have a few
criticisms to make on the essay of the
young lady who preceded me.
The few criticisms quite demolished the
young lady and the paper. Ever after the
ladies as they read were wont to keep one
eye on their manuscript and the other on
Mrs. Swisshelm
When the Woman's Club was organized
Mrs Swisshelm, however, was not among
its members. Tle clubs avowed object is
ITO bring together women interested in art,
literature, science and philanthropy for
the purpose of mental culture and mutual
help or whatever tends to the advancement
of women" Mrs c. l. Wade is its PresI-
dent and Mrs. Hugo Rosenberg Secretary.
The clubs past presidents include Mrs w.
j. Prentice and Mrs. George Taylor
Officers are elected annually in January,
and the meetings are held on alternate
Tuesdays of each month in the Central
Board rooms. The club membership is
rated at about 40 active members and in
cIudes many of the most talented and
prominent women in the two cities. The
topic for study during the present year is
American history.
Of the President, Mrs C. L Wade, a prom
inent educator said not long since: "She
is the wittest and best informed woman I
have ever known" She is a native of
Pittsburg, was once a teacher, and was
principal Of the Ralston school at the
height of its prosperity. She has always
been interested in woman suffrage, and her
articles criticising the masculine 49, =
have occasioned that self-satisfed portion ;
of humanity many squirm. Her literary
work has been varied and of high stand
ard. Her first article, due to the encour-
ment of Mr.. Robert Nevin, appeared in
the Pittsburg Leader, and was widely read
and commented upon. A number of peo-
pie claimed the credit of it, even vouch-
safng the Information to the real author,
mucn to her amusement. Since then she
has gained reputation more than local.
She is the only woman who Is 3 member o!
the Pittsburg Press Club.
Mrs Wade has pretty home at Edge
wood wnere every June she entertains the
Woman's Club. She has been President of
the club for many years and usually repre-
sents it at conventions. Unfortunately ILL
ness prevented her attendance at the con-
vention of Pennsylvania women's clubs
held during the week at Philadelphia.
Following is an abstract from history of
the club read by Mrs. Wade in the spring,
at the assembly OF women's clubs IN
Western Pennsylvania
The strong minded woman is popular j
supposed to be a shockinGly awful creature
who will not scruple to lead prayer meet
ing or speak in public. Women are usually
as dumb and dead as door nails in any meet
ing that has man in it. When we sug-
gested 1.-THE Woman's Club as name for
our organization some OF the members
thought "club' did not sound milx-and-
watery enough and suggested card playing
and drinking, but, as the dictionary in
dorsed it as perfectly respectable word,
the ma jority OF Us voted in favor of it. The
success of our club has demonstrated to the
public that women can get along without
fighting, AMI DO not, when they cannot
have their own way. take their dishes and
go home. Women's main topics Of conver-
sation are supposed to be dress, disease and
domestics. Club life has not made US love
the dear brethren less, but respect ourselves
more. The most enthusiastic toast at our
banquetS is "rhe Men, God
Bless Them"