Richmond planet., 1896-08-01
National Federation of colored Women.
Especial Correspondence to the Planet

Especial Correspondence to the Planetl
WAsHINoToN, ID. g. July 10Th, 1895.
The city OF Washington has truly
been the city of Conventions during
the past month The great Christian
Endeavor meeting brought together
thousands OF earnest men and women
from all parts of the country and an
enthusiastic and inspiring convention
was the result.
But TO us as a race, the most signifi-
cant and important gatherings were
the two ma tional conventions held inn
mediately after that of the Endeavor.
On the 18th, 10Th, 10th, the National
League of Colored Women was in ses-
sion while on the 10Th, Dist. 22nd the
National Federation OF Afro American
Women was convened.
These two great bodies OF Afro
American Women represented the
strength OF our womanhood. With
Mrs. John +. Cooke presiding over the
former and Mrs Booker T. Washing
ton over the latter, and with women
from every section of the country
strong for right, home and God 1T was
/ very plain that these two bodies must
be no small factor in the solution of
whatever race problems we may have.
| Space will not allow us To give de-
| tailed description of the sessions OF
the National Federation OF Afro
American Women TO which we were
correspondent, but with more than
eighty local leagues reporting and over
sixty delegates present, the sessions
were full of business of vital import
ance TO race progress and of interest
TO the public.
lof which Rev. w. ii. Brooks is pastor,
was crowded at each session with
friends Of both races
Among the spea. ers We're Mesdames
Fannie Jackson Corpin, + L. w bar-
per, Ida Wells Barnett, I, Ii. Lyles.
| Victoria Earle, Victoria Matthews, B.
X Bruce, Rosetta La Nson, st. Pierre
Ruffin and Miss Alice Ruth Moore.
We were proud to see Baby Far
nett" son of Mrs. Ida Wells Barnett
of Chicago, Ill.
The most unique figure as Mother,
or General Tubman-' the Moses of
the Race"-new eighty years old and
who knew more of the plans of John
Brown than any one else Mother
Tubman came all tie way from Au-
burn, n. Y. to be present at this con-
vention.
We also had the pleasure of hearing
little Margaret Tate, the wond derful
lchild elocutionist from Michigan and
among sweet singers none received
greater appreciation than Prof. Loudin
of the famous Fisk Jubilee Singers.
The question of greatest Importance
to both organizations was that OF
Union.
From al over the country prayers
and petitions that these two National
Bodies, one in aim and object, should
be one in name and sympathy. A
1 .fe
tion was given full power to effect
union, elect officers and prepare con
stitution.
| These two committees had upon
them the most important and respon-
sible work OF the conventions and not
withstanding the many difficulties un-
der which they labored, union was eff
fected and the two organizations blend
led into the National Association OF
Colored Women.
II Richmond was we'll represented by
} Mrs. Rosa ID. Bowser and Mrs. w. A.
Hunton. Mrs. Bowser and Mrs. Hun
: ton had the honor of serving on the
Committee which effected union.
Mrs. Bowser was also chairman ol
the Committee on Rules, while Mrs
Hunton was a member of the commit
/ tee on Courtesies and was also Frater-
r nal delegate to the National League
? where she presented paper, "Tht
Z young manhood of the Race"
o The report OF the Richmond League
read by Mrs. BOwser, was enthusiastic
e Ically received and favorably comment
n ed upon by the press.
d We were very proud of Mrs. Booke,
n 7. Washington as president of tn,
Federation. She deserves grea prais,
n for her noble efforts. We admired
a her for the anxiety and earnestnes
! she had in the work, although she wa
|, not really well enough to have attend
n ed the meetings, as she had been con
r fined to her bed for seven weeks; bu
n with the help of Gcd and her perse
. verance she attended every session.
Miss Carter of New Bedford, Mass
needs special mention SIS she was Sc
cretary of the Convention. She acte,
her part nObly.
We will also mention Mrs. Rosett
r Lawson of Washington, d. @ who wa
h an important factor in the Convention
She is always ready and willing to len
d helping hand.
II AS correspondent, we were accOrde
!, the privilege of fraternal delegate an
enjoyed the large hospitality of tn
7 lcitizens of Washington.
d 1t is probable that the two great be
Idies now united and forming one pow
lerful national organization will NEE
in Nashville. Tennessee, during th
e Centennial next year.
JULIA A HOLMES.