Evening star., 1896-06-16
Interesting Convention Soon to Be
Held Here.
PROBLEMS AMONG TEE COLORED RACE
A Washington Institution May Be
Sharply Discussed.
LOC AL COMMITTE EE S

Among those who are expected to attend
the sessions are Miss Julia F. Jones and
Mrs. L. ]. Coppin, two noted teachers OF
Philadelphia; Mrs. James A. Handy, KAN
sas City. Mo-; Mrs. L. NJ Olden and Mrs.
Ensiey of Denver, Col; Mrs. Yates of Kan
sas City, Miss Flora Lewis, a member of
the editorial staff of the Philadelphia
Press: Miss Boulder of Cambridge, Mass,
who enjoys the distinction of being the first
colored woman appointed to preside over a
white school: Mrs. Helen A. Cook Mrs. c.
F. Grimke and Mrs. Mary Terrell of Wash
ington, Mrs. Laura E. Titus of Norfolk.
Va; Mrs. A. ]. Cooper of Washington,
Mrs. 3. X. Bruce. Mrs. Rosetta E. Lawson.
Miss C. l.. Franklin, superintendent of the
Colored Orphans Home at Harpers Ferry:
Miss A. V. TompkinS of Washington, DR..
Rebecca Cole of Philadelphia, Mrs. Hun
ten of Richmond. Va: Mrs. j. W. E. Bow
en- OF Atlanta, Ga, and others from various
places.
The National League of Colored Women
was founded by Mrs. Helen A Cook of
Washington about four years ago. 1t was
at first distinctiveiy local body. and no
thought was had at thas time by the man
ayers that it would so soon become So
ciety of interstate membership. But cor
reSpondence between Mrs. Cook and other
leading colored women in different parts of
the country led to the conclusion that the
time had arrived for the women to make
vancement of their felloW-women, and so
Mrs. Cook. Mrs. Grirnke and others issued
the invitation resulting in the coming con-
vention-
Work of the Convention.
The sessions of the league will be held
IN the Fifteenth Street Presby terian
Church, Rev. F. ]. Grimke. pastor. and Mr..
Grimke VIII deliver address OF welcome
to the delegates. There will be three gen
eral topics for discussion during the con-
yention-..Woman as an Educator "Wo-
man in the Professions and Woman in
the Home and short speeches will be
made by most of those present on these
topics.
Speaking to a Star reporter last evening
about the matters with which the league
will deal, one of the women, who is taking
a prominent part in the mana cement of
the convention. said: ''B esides questions Of
deepest interest to the league as an organ
iZatioh, requiring the presence and consid-
GRAFTON of its members there remains al
ways the great cause of 4ducation-the di-
yinely imposed task of rearing the young
which falls to women without their voii-
tion and leaves them power of ch1ice.
How best they snail foster the growth
of the sterling virtues, truth, honesty,
faithfulness to duty; how assist in forming
habits of industry, thrift and self-den.al;
by what means they may Surround chill
dren, even in the humblest homes. with the
refining influences of "entleEess and cour-
consideration of which gives supreme value
to conferences of women, not mere mental
activity. but work with n iefHite aim
practical work. whose results will be felt
in everyday life.
''It is hoped that our women viii come
together with chapters from their own ex-
perience. that we may learn from our
failures. as well as our successes. with
well-digested plans, 10 he modified. in,
proved by comparison with others. so that
our meeting will gain something real for
ourselves. our children anl humanity.
The Question of Union.
Another matter of sucn Importance as
to command the attention CT all our wo-
men is the enlarging and strengthening
of the work by union OF forces. AT the
conference held in Boston last year reso-
luton was adopted by the Federation of
Afro-American Women lookini, to a union
with the National Leas1e of Colored Wo-
men.
In pursuance of this resolution. a con-
ference committee met at Atlanta during
the session of the wornan's congress, and a
basis CT union was reached, which irclud-
ed a proposition for Joint convention.
From some cause or Other an unexpected
hitch occurred, and it will be impossible 10
have the joint convention this year. The
Federation of Afro-Amcrican Wcmen Will.
however. meet in Washington the week
following the adjournment of the league,
when 1t is possible some steps may be
taken in the matter of uniting the two
bodies, that joint convention may be
held neXt year
Local Problem.
'In addition to the three general topics
above named, 1t is certain that the conven-
tion will discuss the affairs of the Girls
Reform School of the District of Column
bia, concerning which there was SO much
scandal a few months ago. The members
of the league take the ground that the
devoted
cclored girls. the colored people should
have one representative at least on the
board of management. and they propose to
agitate the subject until they obtain this
concession.
Though the absorbing topic of the year
has been national organization, the local
interests of the Washington league have
not been ns elected. The educational and
industrial work begun a couple of years
since has been continued and more fully
developed. and the kindergarten and other
enterprises i'll encourag ging condi-
tion.
THE effort to secure building for the
use of The league also continues. The pos
session of such a building is really indis-
pensable TO success; the league is obliged
to ask of other associations the of
their rooms. when little determine ton on
the part of the members would make it's
position one of independence and dignity.
Important Statistics.
'As showing the great necessity for the
has started out to perform. 1t may be
mentioned that the census of 1890 gives tie
number of coIored women in the District Of
Columbia II $50 the females outnurnber-
ing the males by more than 5000. OF these
14,J36 are between the ages of five and
twenty. most of whom are probably at
tending the several grades of the public
schools. OF those between fourteen and
eighteen years, there at present in the
High School over 40. Twenty-six of the
graduates will have each year an oppor-
tunity to enter the Normal School, making
during the four years of the course. 1U4
who will have a reasonable expectation Of
being employed in the public schools. The
remaining 300 or more without any
prospect of congeniai or remunerative en-
ployment- few may enter the profess
sfons, few may secure positions as teach
ers in other places, but the ma ajority, after
spending twelve years in fitting themselves
for their life work, will have no indus rial
future.
The census of 1870 reports 33S occupa-
tions open to women. If the statement
were modified SO as to refer TO coIored wo-
men, We should have to say they may not
be employed saleswomen, clerks CASH
iers, telegraph operators. typewriters ETC.;
they will not be received in factories book
bnderies, the work rooms of milliners and
so on through the list There Is, therefore
nothing for them to fall back upon except
domestic service. and they not even