The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-30
A HOME FOR CLUB WOMEN.


Among the many worthy and val
liable organizations of which Topeka
can boast none is more so in any way
than the City Federation of Women's
clubs. 1t has grown and developed
during the past decade until it is now
one of the greatest powers for good IN
the city. Its progress to greater ac-
complishments has been retarded how
ever, by just one thing. and that is the
lack of an adequate home for perman-
ent headquarters. During the past year
or so it's members have been active
in projecting plans for the acquire
ment of such a home. and everybody
in the city should aid in every possible
way towards the speedy realization of
these plans.
1t was not so many years ago that
club women were held up to more
or less scorn and derision. Some OF
this criticism was a bit well founded,
too, for the women who banded to-
gether in clubs had a habit of devot-
ing their time and energies to the in
vestigation of esoteric cults and isms
of all sorts which resulted in little
good to themselves, and absolutely no
benefit whatever to anybody else. But
such things. if they exist at all, are
only side issues these days with the
members of women's clubs. And, in
deed, it is not recalled that they ever
played much of part in the deliber-
atoms of the club women of Topeka.
They have concerned themselves with
work that has meant something to
themselves and much more to the
general welfare of the community
which is so honored by their presence
and so benefited by their activities.
Every one in the city, is or would be,
il he stopped to think for moment,
familiar with the many and varied
undertakings of the club women
which have not only redounded with
such great credit to the women, them
selves, but which have also been of
such material advantage to the peo-
pie of the city as whole by making
it a much better place to live in.
An organization which has done so
much for a community is entitled to
all possible encouragement in any
step it takes to equip itself better for
it's labors of the future. And the get
ting of a home, or headquarters, is
just such a step. It will fit in nicely
too. with the many plans which are
now under way to make Topeka a
convention center for this section of
the country. A womens club house
would be an ideal place for the hold
ing of small conventions, especially
those where women are most con-
cerned. This is pointed out clearly
by Mrs. Lila Day Monroe. in an ar
ticle on this subject in the current
issue of the Club Member. Mrs.
Monroe demonstrates emphatically
just what an asset such a club house
which follows:
1T has never been the thought of
the federation that this club house
should be used selfishly or exclusively
by that organization. An organization
which has helped in every local en-
terprise could not be guilty of that.
The club house will be the home of
the clubs but will be used to further
the social. educational. musical and
club interests of the city. Incidental
ly, we mean to make it commercial
asset too. We want to bring many
people to Topeka not only to meet in
our club house and incidentally to
shop in our stores but we know we
can attract the right sort of citizens
to Topeka. Women will want to come
to a city where they may SO easily
become a unit in a social life which
centers in a club house for women.
And they will be the right sort of
citizens"