The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-06-26
THE FIRST WOMAN's CLUB.

THE FIRST WOMAN'S CLUB.
Whether from fear of loss of pres
tige or from paupacity of well au-
thenticated records we may not say,
but sure it is that the uncertain hon
ors of having organized the first wo-
mans club have been wrongfully be-
slowed. Not the stately SOrosis, the
mother of the club monument among
women in America, not the band of
plucky women who started the cru
sades that ripened into the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union, nor yet
the fertile organization that originat-
ed in the brain of Susan B. Anthony
can rightfully claim these elusive
honors.
Away out in darkest Africa in the
colony of Sirerra Leone Is club fed
Grafton of over 900 women. The
origin of this club is as mythical as
the early history of the ropal house
of Italy. It's records are unwritten
lore, treasured in the hearts of it's
members. More than that the key is
turned so that even their husbands
can get not glimpse into it's mys-
teries, demonstrating conclusively the
fact that some women can keep a
secret.
Their president, although she does
not enjoy so euphonious title, is ac-
credited with power that is not only
potent with women, but for which all
the Bundu men have a most whole
some regard. Though elected to her
office she is absolute rule. This club
has entire and absolute control over
all women and girls of the tribe and
uses it wisely for their protection and
education 1t has established and
enforced the complete segregation of
the sexes during the adolescent per-
iod and while they are preparing for
the duties of maternity 1t has made
it's own laws for marriage and d.
vorce and enforces lem and has OBJ
tanned equal rights in government.
A leading club woman, in one of
our eastern cities, once proposed, as
the easiest solution of a much vexed
question, that a cooperative home on
a large scale, be established where all
children could be placed to receive
hygienic, scientific and professional
training, and education by those es-
pecially trained for that purpose. The
lady spent the rest o. the session ex-
planning that she didn't mean it, and
thought herself fortunate to have
paved a way to retreat even in con-
fusion. But the Bundu club has
solved this question and practically
demonstrated for generations the wis
dom of their decision.
A mother who is member of the
club, only keeps her children during
their babyhood. Then the girls are
sent to the Bundu Bush, a secret en-
campment in the forest where women
are paid to care for them and edu-
cate them in the domestic sciences
and the various lines of culture of
the life of womanhood. The boys
are sent to an institution of masculine
character governed much the same.
The parents pay for the keeping of
their children thus giving the moth
ers leisure for the onerous duties of
club life. r
The strictest secrecy is preserved
regarding the location of this female
seminary. Even the mothers do not
know unless they, themselves are
graduates and any man who is fool
hardy as to indulge a masculine cur
iosity in the matter, pays the penalty
with his life. This is suggestive, but
as we have no desire to further hui
initiate Tennyson's Princess we will
draw no comparisons.
The girls dress in this institution
Of learning is sort of uniform, much
of which is symbolic of their stand
ing and advancement.
Occasionally there is sort of COM
day exhibition. The pub
lie is not invited to the Bush but the
usual demonstration of their accom-
then are marched back to
their retreat. Now they are full fled
ged women and candidates for initia-
ton into the club.
The club women of Sierra Leone
are resourceful and devoted to the
interests of their sex. In this way
they have provided for equal advant-
ages for all girls of good families. |
When parents cannot meet the ex-
penses of their daughters education
but are people of standing and quail
-y, they betroth the girl to some
wealthy boy who defrays the expense
md on her becoming member of the
club he claims his wife.
The president is a woman of dis
.inction and her official robes offer
modest suggestions to her white sis
.ers. She is so perfectly covered that
10 part of her flesh is visible. This
must be trying If she is a pretty wo-
nan, but it pales before the glories
If her Office and the prestige it af-
ords her.
!. + +
THE BIENNIAL SOUVENIR.