The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-05

the race problem, and her views were
widely quoted. She became regular con-
tributOr to several papers and in 1889 she
secured an interest in the Memphis Free
Speech and became its editor. Because
Of Her utterances in her paper in regard
to. the management of the public schools
in 1891, she was not re- elected. g.
AS Miss Wells she became prominent in
her work to create a sentiment against
Lynch law a propaganda very generally
remembered by newspaper readers. Her
husband is prominent lawyer in Chi
cago, and she is connected with many
progressive movements there.
Mrs. Fannie Barrier Williams was the
central figure in the first and most note
worthy club woman's fight on the "color
question:" In 1895 her name was pre-
sented for membership in the Chicago
Woman's club. Her application was in
dorsed by Mrs. Charles Henrotin, at that
time president Of the General Federation
of Woman's Clubs, and by other promi-
nent members. AS soon as it became
known that the applicant was a colored
woman, the excitement began. The press,
platform and pulpit took up the debate
and the case became of national interest.
For over fourteen months the debate con-
tinued. The negro problem was dis
cussed, as it had not been since the early
days of Garrison and Sumner. So anxious
and determined were the opponents of the
colored applicant, that all sorts of meth.
DDS were resorted to. Mrs. Williams life
and character were searched for some
vulnera BILE point. Members even went to
her home to find out her mode of living
and her social connections and standing.
But to the credit of Mrs. Williams and
the race she represents, she withstood the
ordeal successfully, so that the more they
searched the more they found in the way
oP
fit her for membership.
When the time for voting came, Mrs.
Williams won out by handsome majority
of the 700 women representing the wealth
and culture of Chicago womanhood. Since
her entrance into the club Mrs. Williams
has been treated with much consideration
and courtesy. She has participated in all
the high purposes Of the club. She has
represented the club in public addresses
several times, as delegate to other or
ganizations, and has received much atten-
tion socially, both in private and public
receptions
Mrs Josephine st. Pierre Rufin, of Bos-
ton, is best known as the storm center
of the great color fight in the General
Federation of Womens Clubs. This had
it's origin in the refusal of the credentials
committee of the Milwaukee biennial to
issue credentials to the New Era Club of
Boston when it was learned that the club
was made up chiefly of colored women.
Mrs Ruffin did not attend the Los An
geles meeting, although. provision for her
expenses were made by people who be-
! lieved in the justice of her cause. Mrs.
Ruf1in is a woman of fine appearance and
the highest education. She was born in
the north and is the wife of another
prominent and highly respected lawyer.
Mrs. Ruf1n is a philanthropist and sup
porter of educational work. The chief
mission of the New Era Club is to support
kindergartens for colored children in the
"black belt She is a writer and a
member of the New England Women's
Press association and takes prominent
part in the Massachusetts, Federation.