The Washington bee., 1896-07-25
THE AFRO-AMERICAN WOMEN
HON. JOHN w. ROSS, DISTRICT COMMIS-
SIONER WELCOMES THEM TO THE
NATIONAL CAPITOL IN A TIMELY
SPEECH. MRS. BOOKER, OF WASH
INGTON, PRESIDED.

The First meeting of the Nationa
Federation of Afro American Women
| met on Monday morning, at the 10th
ST., Baptist Church.
The Committee on decoration had
the church beautifully festooned with
flowers, and handsomely decorated
with flags and other ornaments of an
attractive nature.
At 10 o'clock, the President, Mrs.
Booker T. Washington, called the
Convention to order and Mrs. Rosetta
Z. Lawson, of this city conducted de
votional exercises.
Rev. Walter H. Brooks, offered
prayer and after singing, he delivered
an address of welcome.
Mrs. Rosetta Sprague responded,
after which the roll was called for fra
ternal delegates, who answered as fol-
lows: Miss Ella Sheppard Moore, of
Nashville, Tenn, for the American
Missionary Society; Mrs. Ida B. Bar
nett, of Chicago, for the Anti-Lynching
Society of England Mrs. Lucey Thur
man, w. c. T. u; Miss Matte Bow
ers, District of Columbia Mrs. Vic
toria Matthews, for the A NJ E Zion
Church; Mrs. Ida Bailey, from the
National League.
Several letters regretting inability
to attend were received from dele
gates.
The Committee on credentials re-
ported ffty-delegates in attendance
Mrs. B. X. Bruce, then read, in a
very dignified manner, a report on the
progress of the organization which
was well received.
COMMITTEES APPOINTED.
In executive session, between and
4 o'clock the following committees
were announced:
Rules-Mrs. Rosa D. Bowser Mrs
B. X. Bruce, Mrs. Ruffin, and Miss
Matte n. Ford.
Finance-Mrs. C. G.. Foster, Miss
Ellen N. Ford, and Miss Hannah
Smith.
Resolutions-Mrs. Matthews, Mrs.
Ida Wells Barnett, Mrs. Lucy Thur
man, Mrs. Turner, Mrs. MARY F.. Sulis.
Mrs. Georgia Worthlngton, Mrs. E. S.
Moore, Mrs. Terrell, Mrs Stephens,
Mrs. Butler, Mrs. Lyles, Mrs Bruce,
Mrs. Anderson, and Miss Alice R.
Moore.
Courtesies- Mrs. Jessie Lawson,
Mrs. Emma Gray, Mrs. HuntOn, and
Mrs. Kate V. de Jamette
Credentials-Miss Lizzie c. Carter,
Mrs. Hannah Smith, and Mrs. l.. c.
Anthony.
The convention adjourned soon after
the close of the executive session,
until 7:3o o'clock in the evening.
The church was croWden to its
doors in the evening with an audience,
among whom were many white ladies.
Mrs. Victoria Earl Matthews presided,
and upon the platform were the Off
GERS of the Federation and the speak
ers invited to address the gathering
A choir of 100 voices, under the lead
erShip of Mr.. James K. Walker, furn-
ished several selections, assisted by
the Capital City Orchestra. Miss S.
Cole and Mr.. Walker rendered a solo
each, and Miss Blennie Bruce played
the organ. Rev. DIR. Alexander Crum-
nell invoked divine blessing.
Mrs. Victoria Earl Matthews, pre-
to introducing Commissioner
John w. Ross, made a brief statement
She said when the organization began
work a year ago there were but
twenty-eight clubs in various portions
OF the country. The representations
today was sixty seven clubs. The
work in which the Federation was en-
gagged was on mission, rescue, philan-
thropic, domestic, and educational |
ines. Mrs. Matthews thought the |
progress achieved and energy aroused |
among colnred women to work for
heir race, in the short space of one
ear, was very encouraging.
IN ADDRESS BY COMMISSIONERS ROSS.
Commissioner Ross was greeted with
n ovation. 81 deem it pleasure as
veil as an honor" said he, to re-
resent this municipality in extending
welcome to such an organization.
can conceive no purpose more worthy
D be carefully considered than that
or which your association is enlisted.
he most fortunate person is the child
orn today. Six months hence
lould say the same thing, for this old
orld is growing wiser and better, and
S advantages to the coming genera
on is growing broader. And in the
an of education and enlightment the s
,lored people enjoy their share today
they never did before" The Com ,
issioner spoke well of the work being