The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-05-03
The Denver Biennial of
Federation of W0men's Clubs

The women of Denver are determined to
make grand success of the biennial con-
vention of the general federation of wo-
mems clubs, which will convene in that
far western city June %.
They have issued circular letters to the
women of the country setting forth the
pleasant things that await them upon
reaching Denver, and have induced the
feminine mind to anticipate a season of
great physical and mental satisfaction.
Some of the data contained in these cir
culars has already been published in these
columns, and was of interest to the club
women of the state. The following details
of the workings of the great woman's club
of Denver should prove inspiration to
those women who hesitate to adopt the
larger ideas of the modern, up-to-date wo
mems clubs. Besides the various Depart
ments, viz, reform, philanthropy, art,
literature, science, home, philosophy, edu-
cation and music, there are many things
which connected with the work of the
Denver woman's club, which have been
helpful and encouraging to various classes
of the citys population. The circular
issued by Minnie ]. Reynolds, chairman of
the Biennial Local Press Association,
among other things, states that the public
library has been made special eompart-
ment during the past year, in which the
reference books, needed by the womens
clubs can be found. But the club most
glories in its practical work. Among it's
lowing lines of labor: Glasses of psyche
logy, singing, voice culture, dramatic art,
physical culture, kitchen and garden
classes for little girls in the poorer por-
lions of the city, a school of domestic
science, a club chorus and Junior chorus
for the daughters of the members. For
three years the club has superintendent the
Pingree gardens of Denver, which have
saved the country many dollar, In out
door relief, and which have preserved the
- nd n
strated the willingness of the unemployed
to work when opportunity is offered. One
of the prettiest things the club ever did
was to give the Pingree gardeners a re-
ception last fall after the crops were gath
cred. The club donates every year 800 to
be used in providing Christmas dinner in
the sums of Denver, and club women, in
relays, assist in serving it. The club gave
another large Christmas donation to the
Salvation Army haven. where unemployed
men may get meal, a bath and a helping
hand There is a weekly mendng class for
the Brightside Home for Boys. The club
women dress dolls at Christmas for all the
little girls in all the charitable institutions
in Denver. They have conducted a penny
provident found.
They have given scholarships. They nave
sent travelling libraries to the mountain
towns They have made travelling picture
galleries of fine copies of great pictures, to
circulate through the Denver schools, and
this year they will fit up five school rooms
with pictures and casts, as thoroughly art
istic in their way as could be found in any
home of wealth. The club has reading
room of it's own, with all the leading peril
odicais on it's table, and it collects and dis
tributes large quantities of the best liter
ature among missions. The City Improve
ment society was an off-shoot of the Wo-
mans club, as was also the Civil Service
Reform society the Newsboys' Aid society
and the Educational Alliance. This IS not
all the Woman's club of Denver does, put
II is a fair sample. 1t numbers within Its
rank women who have held all sorts OF
offices, state, county and municipal. MRS.
Sarah s. Platt, president, is also president
of the Colorado State Board of CHARITIES
and Corrections, and she might have sat III
thelast legislature had she accepted the
nomination offered her. as the lady selected
In her place was elected. Mrs Platt mas
brought to the club a level head, KIND neat
a discreet tongue and a merry SMILE when
1rave been it's inspiration. She is born
orator. q polished woman, yet Is not lot
those qualities that the club loves her, out
for the true unselfshness in which she mas
never been found wanting. She has been
the clubs only president, and the biennial
Will find her still in the chair. 1t may not
be amiss to say that a woman who can De
elected four times without shadow of OPP
position, president of a club of thousand
women Is somewhat remarkable, even IN
this day and age.