New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-12
y. A. G. ". CONVENTION.
A REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING THAT
is WORTHY OF NOTICE.
Az INTERESTING HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION GIVEN BY MRS. PAUL
LAWRENCE DI-NRAR

Az INTERESTING HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION GIVEN BY MRS. PAUL
LAWRENCE DUNBAR
one q the most interesting OF the many National
gatherings Of this summer is the National Asso
citation Of Colored Women's Clubs that will meet
n Chicago for three days session The mem
bs-s Will begin 10 gather to-day The fact that
re club movement among these women has
grown 70 such an extent that a Ma tional organza-
tor is not only possible but fact full of vital
sgnihcance in the social development OF the race
IT. this country will scarcely be believed by those
who have been accustomed 10 regard but slightly
the worth Of colored women
The National Association Of Colored Women Ia
composed Of representatives Of nearly two hundred
clubs and leagues Clubs from nearly every State
IN the Union represented in this body, and
the socal welfare Of thousands Of homes in the
South and North more or less affected by the
activities OF these women In method Of organiza-
ton and IN the main lines and purposes Of its work
this association Is modelled largely after the Ma
tonal Federation OF Womens Clubs. The motto is
Lifting as We Climb" and II has been real in
spiration 70 the women who have sought TO IN
eerpret its significance.
with the widespread interes; centrng about this
convention. the following history given by Mrs
Paul lawrence Dunbar wife Of the colored poet.
who pictures IN his writings life among his
own people will be read with especial interest
Tn the summer Of 1895" says Mrs. Dunbar.
''cnere
ne present association sprung. Prior 70 that time
the country was dotted with isolated colored won-
ems clubs The movement had progressed 10 a
certain extent and every fairly large city boosted
% club 81 sort but attempt had been
made 20 bring them all together in large body
The time almost ripe for consolidation of
forces. when the famous letter written by the
nan Jacks with its sweeping accusation against
women o. the negro race the scathing denuncia-
zion Of their morals and their mental status. was
published The result immediate and con-
elusive The wave Of Indignation which swept
ever the country reached its highest pitch n Bos-
ton and call 20 The colored women OF the coun-
ny issued 10 meet in that city. and by word
OF mouth and example denounce the man Jacks
This was the beginning Of the present association
Tn August 1895. IN Berkeley Hail. Mrs Josephine
St Pierre Rufln called order meeting which
ras since become historical Representatives OF
clubs from every section Of the country were there
IN. West and the South met on Eastern soil and
fraternized with the Middle States The Afro
American Federation OF Women was organized,
and ia delegates were sent forth bear the news
Of the good work begun.
There can never be one good thing without a
rival or an imitation. The Afro-Aue-tcan Fedora
ton gave birth 10 more than q constitution, a set
O, rules and number OF earnest resolutions.
washington the capital Of the Nation. inspires its
Inhabitants TO desire for ernulating their cty@s
example Therefore. Il was not long before there
was another National association, whose headquar-
ters we're IN the City Of Magnificent Distances and
whose being began IN few good clubs. supple
rnented by vast social following At the head
az the one stood Mrs Booker T Washington; at
n. Washington helm was Mrs. B. X. Bruce. This
condition Of affairs, with the keen rivalry between
The two institutions, was deplorable- Gifted ana
cultured women OF the negro race are many Out
not enough 70 be divided
TN 1895 the two organizations held their conven-
tons IN Washington within few days OF each
ether The result, after q holly contested nght'
was a consolidation under a compromise name
sod a compromise board Of officers 30 that the
present National Association OF Coiored women
M. Mary Church Terrell president can date its
,,r,b ~ Washington in 1895. The first annual
rrAe,ins was held IN Nashville in 1897, and with
few executions the officers were reelected Ihen IL
uas decided to hold the meetings benniaIy sucn IS
the history Of the association which meets IN Chl-
caEo next week
INTERESTING CHARACTERS
"Tbe-s ar, many interesting characters IN this
BODY Of women. which has come 70 be regarded as
.,,-o.o,.a.t,,o ~ their race. one OF the most
charming and best known is Mrs. Josephine 81
Pierre Rufin TO whose efforts the colored woman
movement may be directly traced STs f'uIiH
BIRTHPLACE and home is Boston. ana that CITY %
fads and movements never possessed mo.
thorough exponent Of itself than IN the person OF
o. - .|a.rrad white haired Mother OF the
Federation 80
The Woran's Era Club Of Boston one OF the
largest and most influential or Dooies' was VI
sspized By her years ago when the woInans cup
was stiu a strange animal 10 be regarded win
wonder not unmixed with contempt Inc New
England Federation body comprising tne ciupS
0. the New-England States and Ne"-fofA' - t-.o
result OF her efforts and is large success ~
several n, ,be older Boston clubs on the caucasian
eide does Mrs Rufin belong, and her LIST OF meet
!ngs and conventions and committee couhc"s d"
always full .,aa
Some Of the history OF Boston town Is ca" -
49,. NJ. punr She can tell OF the earlier days
Of the tine when the Abolitionist had not ATTAINED
that platform OF distinction on when ne now nov
stands She saw the marching forth OF the ya.H
Regiment in the bloody time OF the C5Vn va "a
hers we're among the hands which he4u .ne -
regmental flag when 1t was preseh'eo - e.. ,ho,
soldiers, and hers were among dovyn Bea con
ramped 10 the music OF the band oo N aostor 70
Hill es tbs colored men marched OUT Va Doom