The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-02
ADDRESS TO CLUB WOMEN.


In the interest of the great work being
done by the Alabama Federation of Wo-
mems clubs, that of securing scholarships
the address made before that body at the
annual convention by the president, Mrs.
Phares Coleman, was read recently be-
fore every club in Birmingham, hoping
to enlist their sympathy and interest.
With a plan which she laid before them
Mrs. Coleman extended words of praise
TO the club and to committees for their
able work during the year, and as she
says, there have been change progress
and advancement everywhere. But for
proper growth she advises permanently
so that the results of their work may be
felt In the future. At this point she
struck the key note of the address, per-
manency In the maintenance of scholar
ships. She said:
LET us endow our scholarships. raise
a permanent fund for each separate
scholarship and let only the interest be
used for the beneficiary, keeping the body
of the fund intact and invested In good
interest bearing securities. Our past ex-
perience has taught US the discourage
ment of giving year after year with lit
tie evidence at the end of each year of
our striving, except empty Golfers and
beautiful memories. The plan to put
these scholarships on a permanent busi-
ness basis should appeal to the common
sense of everyone, who reads this; and
will take away the discouraging feature
of having to give over and over each
year. with no other prospect than the
expenditure of all our funds, with full
knowledge that each year holds out
repetition of the same efforts and results
under such conditions. When finally
strength and endurance have gone what
have we left? Memoriesl Only memories.
In any work of this nature we must
recognize the fact that returns are slow
at best and many times there are no
visible returns So from purely business
standpoint, is it not wiser that we should
not spend yearly our capital; but use
only the interest?
VIII you not unite with me this year
in commencing this permanent structure?
We would not wish our work as now
pledged to suffer I ask that you unite
with me in inaugurating this plan of en-
dowment, In addition to our present work
with the determination that we may go
to Birmingham next November with at
least one scholarship endowed It is nv
JOY to tell you that from the few to
whom this plan has been suggested most
enthusiastic endorsements have come
both in assurance of earnest cooperation
and practical results. The Chatauoua
Circle of Selma, in their hearty approval
of doing permanent work, gave an enter
talnment Tor the fund; and were the first
to write of their donation On the fol-
lowing day my heart was filled with graf
| ltude to have most substantial endorse
ment from our Mother Club"--Tbe Cad
mern Circle of Bfrmingham-one of whose
members gave through her club the splen-
did sum of one hundred dollars These
donations are such an inspiration and en-
enlargement to me that 7 have claimed
the privilege of telling you"
The manner In which the funds for the
endowment Of our scholarships shall he
raised or created I think, must be a mat
ter TO be decided by each club With your
permission I would suggest a few meth
ods There Is the voluntary Individual
tax, as suggested by the action of the
members Of the Cadmean Circle Then
there is the club entertainment as sug-
gested by the Chautauqua Circle of Sell
ma Then, In places where there is more
than one club the possibility of uniting
in greater effort than could be attempt
ed by one club is an encouraging thought.
| There Is also the possibility of individual
club members interesting men and women
OF means In such a noble work Many
are the ways and my faith is unfaltering
that you will ind the right way When
suggest to you that II every club woman
In the state would donate 81, or if every
| club would raise $40 the endowment OF
| one scholarship would have been accom-
! plfshed 1t does not seem an air castle
| to crumble with the first zephyr. All,
| No! believe the time Is not far distant