The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-01-04

Mrs Sewall, who is the Principal OF the
Girls Classical School of Indianapolis Ind,
and who succeeded Miss Frances Willard, first
President of the Woman's National Council,
has been long known leader in the move
ment for the advancement of women aud a
writer aud speaker of ability and force.
But il was in tho Columbian year. as Chair
man of the Committee on Worlds Congress
of Representative Women, that she attained
worldwide distinction. Her plans, well laid
and carried to phenomenal success, evnced the
master spirit aud she has taken rightful place
among the educators, reformers and literators
of the world.
May Wright Sewall is Western woman of
the best type; born in Wisconsin of New Eng
land parents, a graduate of the Northwestern
University Of Chicago a teacher in the public
schools of Michigan and Indiant, a specialist
in English literature and German, and with
her husband, Theodore L. Sewall, founders of
the Girls Classical School of Indianap polls.
From her childhood she was trained to be.
lieve that women should have equal rights
with men in the educational, industrial and
progressive movements Of the age, and her best
energies have been given TO the advancement
OF these ideas in the smaller and wider fields
of wOman's activities.
In the formation of the National and Inter-
national Councils of Women and the General
Federation Of Woman's Clubs she was lead
ing spirit. In nearly score of National So
cieties she has taken foremost part, and in
recognition of her services she has been made
an honorary member of the Union Lternati0nale
DIES Sciences et DIES Art of Paris
Gov. Hovey, of Indiana. did the world of
women service when he appointed Mrs. Sew
all member-at-large of the Board of Worlds
Fair Managers for Indiana. Becoming mem.
Der of the National Board by virtue of her
Office, she was made Chairman of the Commit
tee on Worlds Congress of Representative
Women.
Being President Of the National Council of
Women, and acquainted with leading women of
England, France, Germany, and Italy, among
whom she had spent seve raj Summers, she
knew her field and was ready to occupy it,
She visited Berlin aud held numerous con-
ferences with prominent German women.
going from there to Hamburg, by appointment
with the Empress Frederick, before whom she
laid her plans and was assured Of deep interest
She visited Brussels and Paris, and her addresses
were widely noticed by the press of Russia
France. England, and Italy. thus disseminating
knowledge of the Congress.
The full history Of the Worlds Congress of
Representative Women, officially authorized
is being edited by Mrs. Sewall, aud will soon be
given TO the public.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.
The National Council of Women of the
United States, of which the Woman's Relief
Corps, auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Re.
public, is now part, was organized in Wash
ington, d. c., April 1, 1883, at the close of the
international Council of Women, which en-
braced representatives of women from seven
foreign countries and of 20 organizations of
women of our own country.
At the International Council of Women the
Woman's Relief Corps was represented by E.
Florence Barker, Past National President. by
appointment Of Emma Stark Hampton, Ma
tional President. That year the Relief Corps
was urged by officers of the Woman's National
Council to become part Of the Council: but
as the first constitution designated societies
entering as auxiliaries," and also reuuired n
per capita tax, these were considered insur-
mountable obstacles in the way of the Relief
Corps joining the Council, by the best friends
OF the Order.
The officers of the National Council recog.
nized the objections as properly taken, aud
pledged themselves to have the constitution
changed at the next meeting Of the Council
and these obstacles removed, which has been
done. When these facts were laid before Con-
vention it was voted that the Woman's Relief
Corps become part of the Council, provided