The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-02
Brilliant Year in
AIabama's Club Circles

The convention in Mobile of the Alabama
Federation of Women's clubs, which will
be held April 4-6, inclusive, is the one topic
of conversation in club circles. The ses-
sions will be held in the Young Mems
Christian association building, and the pro-
gram for each day will include addresses
and discussions upon many interesting sub
jects. The social features will be bril-
liant, and the notable assemblage of club
women, augmented with the delightful en-
vironments of Mobile will make the occa-
sion memorable one in Alabama's club
life.
The Birmingham party leaves for Mobile
tomorrow morning. Many of the most
prominent women In the city will represent
the local clubs. An invitation will be ex-
tended the federation to hold its sixth an
nual convention in Birmingham. The in
vitation comes from the Nineteenth Cen
fury and Amaranth clubs.
In view of the approaching meeting the
following article, from Woman's Work
VIII be of great interest, touching, as 1t
does, upon the work accomplished by the
RECREATION the past year, and also brify
teling the story of its organization:
Inc organization of the Alabama FEEDER
alton of Womens clubs was apparently a
small matter few courageous souls in
spite of prejudces against innovations and
ridicule from conservatism, answered the
call from the Cadmean circle of Birming-
ham to form a federation Under the
gracious leadership, Miss Mary LaF. Rob
bins, its first president, reciprocal rela-
lions were established between the clubs.
ana literary revival began among the
women OF the state. By TIE second year
the sisternood of clubs had grown and the
spirit of the movement had broadened.
self-culture alone no longer satisfied these
ardent and aspiring women. The third
year was given to broadening the seone
OF the federation, to laying plans by which
knowledge could be used and sentiment
could De coined into action At the con-
Neh1lon IN Selma the ideal was transmitted
into the real. Then began the practicaI
demonstration of the ability of women to
met crude ore by the fire of their love
ana mould 1t by the strength of their art.
when Mrs. Erwin Craghead of Mobile
was made its honored chief the federation
was III transition period The founda
{ Tors or practical philanthropy had haen
lald the plans made-her's was the dim
cult task of executing them. of building
the superstructure.
no" faithfully she has done this work
how nobly she has fulfilled her trnst ;s 80
hard to see 40 nv
All the work suggested by the preceding
administrations when the limitations of a
narrow constitution were thrown off has
been begun. The committee on club exten-
SION with its efficient chairman, Mrs Cecil
bfoWne, has organized new clubs and
Drought numbers into the federation.
The Travelling Library committee. with
MRS. l.. j. Haley to direct the work ha,
Deen successfully inaugurated In Alabama
that wonderful modern movement which
opens closed doors to many a shut-in soul.
The committee on free scholarship led by
that lover and benefactor of our girls Mrs
j. |. McConaughy, has put into the great
school at Montevallo students who are
there because of the unsefshness of Ala
bama women, while individual clubs, like
the Shakespeare club of Mobile the Studi-
o5is of Admission, and the Studiosis of Mon
teVallo, support one or more girls in differ
emit schools in the state. The committee on
an Industrial school for boys has accom-
plished good work. With an enthusia SIN
born of unselfish love Mrs. R. D. Johnston,
at sacrifice of time and ease, personal
feeling and private interests, made visit af-
ter visit to the capital to present the cause
to the Alabama Legislature. A bill granting
. a charter and &c. 900 for this work was pass
ed. II is said that this is the first charter
granted to a state institution with a board
of women directors.
The committee on education with its brill
liant and untring chairman, Mrs. Kate
Hutcheson Morrissette, has aroused senti-
ment in the state that, without doubt, help
ed to accomplish the increase in school APP
preparations made by the Alabama legisla-
ture. The intelligence, frankness and wis
dom of the president have been powerful
factors in all that has been made to come