Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-28
FIRST ANNIVERSARY.
Federation of Afro-American Women
In Session at Davenport.

In session at DAVENPORT.
From Tuesdays Daily.
The second annual meeting OF the
Iowa State Federation of Afro-Amerl-
can Women's clubs commenced IN
Davenport this morning and held the
first session at $50 o'clock. This fed
Grafton was organized in Ottumwa just
one year ago today, mainly through
the efforts of Ottumwa women. Mrs
Helena Downey of this CITY, is state
president, and other Ottumwa women
have prominent parts on the program
which has been arranged for the three
days session.
At the afternoon session today, Mrs.
N A. Strothers, of this city, delivered
and address on Domestic Science in
Womens Clubs" This evening Mrs.
Downey will deliver the presidents adj
dress. Tomorrow afternoon there will
| be paper upon The Nobility of Fed
| GRAFTON Work" from some one of the
members OF the Ida b. Wells club of
this city. AT the evening session Mrs
| l.. P. Robinett, also of this city will de-
liver an address upon the subject:
The Mother and Child"
Ottunwa Women Leaders.
Mrs. Helena Downey, of Ottumwa is
| the first president of the organization.
She has had the superior advantages
! offered by Iowa schools. She has made
a model president and has been able
to show marked progress in the
growth of the club both financially
and Intellectually. Those who had
doubts as to the benefits of such an or
ganization among the negro women of
| Iowa have had them dissipated. To
Mrs. Downey's hard work and execu-
| tive ability is due the marvellous
| growth of the federation.
Mrs. q. A. Taylor, who is resident
! of Ottumwa, has been identified
| with club life among women for num-
Der of years. She was the first to or
ganize club among the negro women
OF Ottumwa. 1t is known as the Ida
B. Wells club, of which she was presi-
dent six years. 1t was under her adj
ministration that call was issued for
state meeting of women.
Doubled in Membership.
! 1t was mainly through the efforts of
the Ida B. Wells club of Ottumwa that
this organization was perfected. A
state convention call was issued and
promptly responded to by delegates
from various cities throughout the
state. The Second Baptist church of this
city threw open its doors and the
people gave them cordial greeting.
The federation was launched by seven
charter mambers, who represented
$50 club women. The membership of
the various clubs in the state is Pc
culiarly adapted to the carrying out
of high and well defined ideas in club
life and club usefulness. The aver
age educational training is said to rep
resent an Iowa high school diploma.
In one city alone, there are ten college
graduates. And 1t is a common thing
to see negro girl working out at ser
vice in this and other cities of the
United States who is graduate of
high school. BY the services of this
class of women and girls the club has
a bright future. and with high ideals
Intellectually and strict moral code
it is hard to see how this federation
can help from doing good.
In the brief period of one wear the
number Of clubs affiliating with the
| fifteen. with a total membership of
800 All of the clubs in the state are
not affiliated, but additions are expect
ed at the coming meeting.
The Standing Committees.
Literature is studied in nine clubs
one studies domestic science, three art
and needle work, two mothers clubs.
There are four standing committees:
Household economies Ruth
Richardson, Davenport, chairman.
Educational--Mrs George Alexander
Ottumwa. chairman.
Social purity Mrs. Emma Jackson,
Des Moines, chairman
Reciprocity bureaus Mrs F. Groomes
Muscatine, chairman.
The aim and object is truthfully
shown in the motto: Lifting as We
& u \