The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-08
MRS. STERLING WOODS
 ADDRESS AT FEDERATION

1 that the state has ever had, a club com posed of both men and women. and many was the eloquent lectures, many the spirited debates, which stimulated the best literary talent of it's members. I refer, of course, to the Druid City Liter ary club and no thought of such club is complete which does not recall it great leader, Dr. B. F. Meek, whose portly form and grand knowledge of all matters lit- erary always irrisistibly carried one back to Ben Johnson and his time.
 Tuscaloosa is justly famed for its wo- mems clubs. It has the credit of having organized the first woman's literary club in Alabama, and this club has lent its kindly influence to the whole state. When this club was organized it stood alone, and we are informed that it is still outside of the Federation of Woman's Clubs. But this fact is not vital, 1t has aided in the spread of womans club movements, by it's very existance, probably more than any other single club in the state.
 It was the undeserved honor of your speaker to preside over the organization of the Federation of Woman's Clubs of Alabama at Birmingham about eight years ago. Since then sundry baby" en- agreements have occupied such a large portion of her time that it has been in- convenient for her to attend the annual reunions. But she has witnessed with special pride the growth of this federal tion, and, as all know, it's existence has now become a fixed fact, and it takes its | place in history as one of the aiders in the development of the state. We organ
 zed for good we have continued the or ganization for good, and no one can say | that harm has come to the movement. | There is so much to be done by us all that the workers in the field need not fall out among themselves as to the man. ner of doing work. Let each do her part in the uplifting of man, and there will be none left to cavil or complain.
 It Is very necessary that the woman s clubs of Alabama should counsel to- sether, should see each others work should learn each others resources should | compare notes as to progress want of progress, and should lend helping hand
 to the extent of their power wherever such help is needed.
 Your representatives have come from
 all parts of the state, from the north and
 the south, and the east and the west They have mission to perform. a high 1 mission 1t is their mission to make bet ter men, and especially to make better | women, better girls, better young ladies' l better sweethearts. better mothers, and better old maids. And how are we doing thisE By encouraging by all means in our power the development of the minds and hearts of the women of the state. If one
 wants mature judgment on any propo-
 siton Is is necessary to know the facts to be able to digest them, and thus to formulate correct conclusion. Women
 are seeking to know the facts and no one Will deny this ought to help their concu- sions, and the more correct their conclu- | sions are the more aid is rendered to all l It is consequently with the greatest pleasure that the Federation of Wo- mans Clubs has assembled at Tuscaloosa.
 ana It IS right glad to be welcomed with
 such warm words and kindly feelings. Tn the calm atmosphere of this city, dis
 turpeu only by football and rumors of
 iootpall We are ready to enter upon the
 puslhess which has brought us here; it
 is your wish that our deliberations may
 be fruitful, and it is ours that they may
 be helpful to all.