The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-11-24
LAURA HOLMES REILLEY.
THE NORTH CAROLINA sOROsIs


The only woman's club in the city
of Wilmington is the North Carolina
Sorosis True. we have the Colonial
Danes and the Daughters of the Con-
federacy, but these organizations are
but chapters of a great whole; the
women work nobly, but the work is on
different lines.
The Sorosis was organized in De-
cember, 1895. as a club for the study
of literature. The following year it
Joined the General Federation of Wo-
mems Clubs and was re-Organized as a
department club with three sections:
Literature, Art and Home Science.
The membership was increased and
interest grew apace.
Within a few years Current Events
Department was added to, which was
attached a circulating library for its
members. At one time the club edited
a few columns weekly in the Will
mington Messenger, which We're de-
voted exclusive to woman's work. But
this was discontinued after two years.
The Home Science Department was
the frs, to attempt work of an OUT
side nature. The board of aldermen
were petitioned for several needed re-
forms and interest was rife in all mat
ters of domestic science.
The members of this department
y
introduction of industrial work in the
public schools. and were finally re
warded by seeing q beautiful kitchen
with a fine Boston graduate in charge
and the White-caDDed and aproned lit
tie misses hard at work preparing
food. both substantial and dainty, for
the inner man. At the close of the
last session a gold medal was pre-
Sented to Mrs. George r. French for
Al - 10,
a silver one by the department for
second best work. The cooking
school has just begun its third winter
and is pronounced by all a great sue
| cess.
The Art Department, though liter
airy rather than technical, has not
been without it's definite work. Pic
lures have been collected and mount
ed for distribution among the rural
schools Of the county, some for study
and some for decoration. Encourag-
| ing reports of the helDfulness of these
gifts constantly reach the club.
Further work among rural schools
| is carried on, through the travelling
| libraries collected by the club, and
sent out through the County Superin-
tendent.
A work entered into by the club as
a whole has been the establishment
| % Il Tree library IoI the CITY ! e
club home in the Masonic Temple, has
| been open twice a week since last
| February as a free reading room. The
| table is generously supplied with
standard magazines and the book
| shelves with reference books and q
Constantly increasing number Of no
| vei3 and books of history.
| Money has been made at library
! teas and rummage sales for carrying
on this work. A number of books
| will soon be added as the result of the
| last sale. and within a few weeks Z
| librarian viii be i'm charge and the
| books circulated at five cents a vol
ume. This is to aid in defraying cul
| rent expenses but it is hoped tina
| even this will soon be unnecessary a.
| A petition has been sent to the boarC
| of aldermen begging the city for {
| room and other sub stantial assistance
| It was favorably received and com
| mittee was appointed 70 confer will
| the Sorosls
| Occasional lectures have been givei
by talented men OF our city and tn
| social life OF the club is estimated b,
an annual reception to which the
| friends of the club are cordially in
vited Each monthly business meet
ing closes with friendly cup OF tea
which loosens many an otherwise dir
hdent tongue.
A Music Department has Just beer
added. but work In this line will no
be begun until later.
| MARGARET LOWELL GIBSON.