The Washington times., 1914-05-28

Inc history OF the SenueWOmen
League and Social and Domestic
Agency Is a decidedly unique one
Eleven years ago. in December, 1903.
a bereaved mother. suffering great
mental anguish on account "of .
little lad who died." conceived the
idea Of the Gentlewomen's League.
Her strong desire was to form
some lasting memorial for the boy
by uplifting humanity. and the in
spiration that came to her. was,
what could be more beneficial and
beautiful than TO establish a work
whereby Impoverished women could
be placed on a self-supporting basis.
thus exemplifying the Biblical
words. And a small child shall
lead them
Starting ost. then. with this OBJ
5ect in view. giving women chance
than twenty consigners. the first
sale of this now thrifty organiza-
tion of only an afternoons duration,
was held in a private house, the resi-
dence of Mrs. Stone. No notices
were sent out, but the public was
invited to come. take cup Of tea,
and buy their Christmas presents.
sidered marvellous. about three hum
dred dollars was realized. and this
amount. less a small percentage
used for expenses, was turned over
to the consigners.
Elated Over Good Fortune.
A few months later the little
handful of women who had aided
in this successful sale, elated over
their good fortune, called a meet
ing of all interested persons to dis
cuss the feasibility Of a permanent
organization
At this meeting an association
was formed with Mrs. Gordon-Cum-
ming, president; Mrs. Randall Hoes.
vice president; Miss Bessie Hickey,
and Miss Lilah Worthington. sec
retaries.
1t was then and there decided
to hold two sales a year. Easter and
Christmas, and limit the scope OF
the work to the handiwork OF gen.
tlewomen.
1t was at this meeting that the
picturesque name Of the Gentle
women's League was adopted. For
a number of years this little band
of earnest women continued their
good work, sometimes against ad-
verse circumstances, but always un-
dauntingly. often holding their semi
annual sales in vacant houses kind
ly donated by the owners for the
purpose.
A number of times these sales
have occurred in st. Johns parish
hall through the interest Of its rec
tor, the Rev. DR.. Roland Cotton
Smith.
Meanwhile the board of man
ayers met once a month, to keep
alive the organization spirit, to
take orders for work. discuss all
business matters. but principally
to raise money toward opening a
permanent place of business. As
the years passed the officers of
the league changed from time to
time
After two years active and ef-
ficient service. the first president.
Mrs. Gordon-Cumming. retired from
the vice president, Mrs. Hoes, was
elected to fill the vacancy. an Of
flee she has held ever since. For a
number of years Mrs. A. s. Burle-
son filled the office of vice presi-
dent, giving to the board her
splendid intellectual qualities.
Raised Permanent Fund.
- After eight years Of hard strug-
sle, IHe DOdTu OI IIlaudSciS, duuihS
from every source obtainable to
what was known as a permanent
fund. succeeded in raised $1,000.
and with this sum drawing inter
est in savings bank. IN 1911, open
ed a shcp in a room In Connecti-
cut avenue.
1t was about this time that Mrs.
Julisn-James suggested to the
board of managers the idea Of the
social and domestic agency This
practical suggestion was immedi-
atCly adopted. and through this
channel the scope of the work was
considerably broadened by assist
ing not only sentlewomen. but
every woman. through her handi-
work. CT by obtaining positions
for them. thus rounding out a
noble cause.
In the present little shop. which is
now located at 924 Seventeenth
street. CFarragut Square). the ju-
dicIous housewife can buy her bread.
cakes, preserves, jellies, pickles. in
valid foods &C, with the knowledge
she Is purchasing the best the
market affords, and at the same time
realize that she is materially aiding
some less fortunate individual. And
the fastidious woman can find In the
shop the most dainty needle-work.
such as hand made shirt waists
children's clothes. embroidery, fancy
work galore. even the relics of past
including laces, jewelry.
china, silver and glass.