The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-08-09
COLORED WOMEN'S
CLUBS in CONVENTION.
Fourth Annual Meeting of North
western Federation i'm the Peoples
A. II. E. Zion Church.

The fourth annual convention OF the
Northeastern Federation Of Colored
women's Clubs opened In the Peoples
A. NJ f. Zion church on Winter street
this morning.
The Northeastern federation was or
ganized In Boston in 1896 and its growth
and usefulness since that time has dem
onstrated the need of such an organiza-
ton. and the great good that may be ac-
complished by II.
The New Century club OF Providence of
which Miss Mary Jackson Is the president
is the club entertaining the convention
and the large number OF delegates are
being most Hospitality treated by the
members.
August is not an ideal month for con-
vention Of club women, yet the church
this morning was made as inviting and
cool as an August atmosphere permitted.
Previous 10 the opening of the con-
vention a meeting of the executive board
was held In an upper room.
The convention proper was called to or
der by Miss Elizabeth Carter, president OF
the Northeastern Federation. Prayer was
then offered by Mrs. Charlotte K. France
OF Boston.
The committee on credentials was then
announced as follows Miss Ella Wilson
of Worcester Miss Kinlow OF Newport
Mrs Hannah Smith of the Woman's Era
Club OF Boston.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
The address OF welcome was given In
a graceful manner by Miss jackson,
president OF the hostess club.
The response to Miss Jackson was then
given by Miss Elizabeth Cotter, the presi-
dent of thes n. T.. Federation.
Rev Anna Garlin Spencer of this city.
president Of the Woman's Council was
then introduced. She expressed her great
pleasure because of the presence I'm our
city of the visiting club women. and
called especial attention to the fact of
what and how much IL means to the col
ored women of this state.
Following Mrs. Spencer. a paper was
read by Mrs. Julia o. Henson. president
OF the Harriet Tubman w. c. T. u. of
Boston.
The paper was entitled, Ways and
Means OF Helping Afro-American Work
ing Girls"
zone OF the most important questions
that confronts us al this. the close OF the
18th century" said Mrs. Henson, 'is
what can we do to help the working girls?
We find them all arond us. They come
from the school room and halls OF learn
ing, and look about them to sec how they
can earn an honest living.
1--WE find them i'm the workshops, the
stores tho factories. the hotel the laun-
dry and truly. there is scarcely trade
I'm our cities great or small but you will
find them employed In some way
II wish I could make an eloquent plea
for them, but IL seems 90 me that God
wants me 20 bring just this simple mes
hage TO young women that they may
look upon their work. whether it he an
accustomed or an unaccustomed work,
as upon a trust confided to them This
will keep them from encouragement
from idleness and from overtaxng them
selves and where God leads the way he
has bound himself TO help you go the
way.
THE essential thing for girls TO do is
to qualify themselves for work Every
girl no matter what her station or pros
poets are. should acquire some useful art
or profession and learn 10 do some one
thing so well that II shall have a value
I'm the great world market and In her
hour OF need suffice TO make her n bread
winner.
MANY sneer at the idea OF being n
domestic. but have you ever noticed that
she very often has a good bank account
and n VIC would help tho workers we
must help 10 elevate the work?
Education is Just as essential in house
hold affairs as IL IL In books. arts and
music.
"It Is well 10 strive for tho. wounded
life, the life which Is not unduly deve-
lopcd In ono direction at the expense OF
another.
''Our girls need time for cultivation.
They should be allowed TO attend the
evening classes and lectures and some
social gatherings that would help pre-
pare them for their life work and on the
Sabbath 90 attend at least once a day the
church OF their choice.
Mrs. Henson's paper was received with
much favor aud applause and at its coiss
the presiding officer announced that the
report OF the committee on nominations
and that OF the treasurer would be car
ried over until the afternoon.
Tho Federation Song was then sung
with n will bv the large audience and A
was anircdy an inspiration 10 all who
heard ~.
Mrs. "a ,. Winshir. President Of tho
| Elmwood W. c. T. L. was then intro