The independent-reporter., 1910-04-21
MAINE WOMEN IN NEW YORK.

VI ~ "
Now Maintain a Regular Organization
of Much Influence.
The Maine Women's club of New
York is one of the largest and most
influential and progressive OF the
many so-called former-resident clubs
in the United States cities.
The club has been forging forward
since its foundation, under the guild
ance. of its first president and found
er, Mrs. Clara Rogers Tolman of
Hampden, Me- The succeeding pres
idents, Mrs. Stella Boston Swan OF
Norridgewock. Mrs. Ada Bird Keen OF
Rockland, Mrs. Emma Fiske Roberts
of Readfield, Mrs. Alice Strout CALI
son of Harrington and Mrs. Myrtle
French Bickmore of Lincolnviile,
have piloted the club through the
various years of the clubs existence,
to leave it each year stronger In
numbers and in influence. The pres
ont president, Mrs. Mary OSBORN
Kurtz of Winthrop, makes a most
efficient leader.
The club is largely composed or the
wives and relatives of successful and
pushing business and professional
men of Maine who have located IN the
maelstrom of trade. or of women VINO
have decided to cast their lot in the
Empire city for occupation, study or
recreation.
The club as a whole, Is a repre-
sentative gathering of the best types
of Mama wOmanhOOd.
The club started in 1908. 1t CHANGED
that, following the yearly banquet OF
the University of Maine alumni as
sociation that spring, Mr.. and MRS.
Frank s. Tolman were dining with
Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. kilbourne.
The conversation drifted upon the re-
cent gentlemen's affair, and the Ia
dies remarked that there were many
occasions for the men to meet ana
become acquainted, while the women
could count their Maine friends upon
their fingers.
The thought of forming a Maine
club had then and there Its Inception
at Mrs. Kilbourne's table. 1t seemed
more and more feasible as 1t was dis
cussed. Finally the four determined
to learn how many would attend an
informal dinner two weeks later.
All to whom the subject was men
toned became interested at once, and
30 men and women met with the IDEA
of forming a club to extend acquafnt-
anceship among the natives OF Maine.
Some thought they were unable to
attend a regular club, and OF the Ia
dies present only four, Mrs. F. s. Toll
man. Mrs. ]. S. Ferguson, Mrs. l.. W.
Riggs and Mrs. C. l.. Small, were Will
ing to undertake the task of forming
an organization. BY dint OF hard
work. writing to their friends and
asking them to write to others, these
four ladies' succeeded in interesting
IS others.
The first meeting was held at the
home of Mrs. Ferguson at $3.50 West
28th street, Manhattan, April IL, 1903.
The temporary officers were made
permanent, q constitution was adopt
ed. and the Maine women's club OF
New York was launched, with Mrs.
F. S. Tolman, formerly Miss Clara
Rogers of Hampden as first presi-
dent
The first year eight meetings were
held and at it's close nearly 60 mem
bers were enrolled. The second year
under the leadership of Mrs. Eugene
Swan, formerly Miss Stella Boston OF
Norridgewock, was delightful in ey-
cry respect.
The club continues to increase
steadily, and now represents in Its
membership every county in Maine.
Miss Caroline P. SWEET Is first vice
president of the club, Mrs. Frederick
c. Gay, End vice president; Mrs. Sam
uel l.. Keene, treasurer; Mrs. Waldo
B. Truesdell, recording secretary;
Miss Mary s. Snow, auditor. The ex-
cutive committee is composed of
these officers, with Miss Margaret s.
Robbins, Mrs. Herman F. Vose, Mrs
T. H. Roberts, Mrs. o. F. Page and
Miss Grace T. Moore.
The object of the club, as outlined
in the constitution, Is to bring to-
gether in social and intellectual in
tercourse women born in Maine or
who have lived there certain num-
ber of years consecutively, and to
keep alive memories of the Pine Tree
state. The membership is of two
classes, active and associate, the
former being those born in Maine and
the latter those, who through long
residence, descent, distinguished SER
vices to the state or close afiiliation
with it's interests. prove their elig'-
,bility.
The club has outgrown the ordi-
nary household where meetings were
interchangeably held, and the club
now occupies commodious quarters
in the Johnston building in Brooklyn.
The building is at the junction of
Fulton and Nevins streets, near the
subway station, and accessible to all
lines of cars to and from New York,
surface and elevated.
Last year the club met in New York
on East 10Th street, as 1t had all New
York ladies in Office. This year the
president and her officers, except the
first vice and recording secretary. are
Brooklyn residents, SO an attempt
was made for a central location for
all members. The only money raised
by the club comes from the dues
which are but 81 each year.
The entertainments are mostly
without expense to the members ex-
cept in time and making use Of