The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
REPORT ON Y. w. c. A. SHOWS FINE WORK
 DURING PAST YEAR
Continued from Page Fivc)

chosen for itself the greatest purpose that time or eternity offers-the bringing of a soul to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. the build ing up of that soul into Christian char acter and then sending it out that it may bring others to this knowledge.
 "A great man was once asked how he would improve the plan of the world if he could undo the present plan and make it over. His reply was, I would make health catching instead of disease The Young Women's Christian association be- lieves that Christianity is catching. That is the reason that the essential ideal of the association is association.
 Another reason why we should re- joice and give thanks at the beginning of this new year is because God has so richly blessed us and enabled us to put means in operation which we believe are helping to fulfil our purpose
 This year we have seen our colored branch move into permanent quarters. If one should pass SIS North Eighteenth street they would notice a 10-room house with a conspicuous sign: 'Colored Y. W. C. A. All Ladies Welcome" An employed genera secretary, who has had technical training is at the head of the work and well organized committees of colored women are in charge of the work, under the supervision of chairman from our board
 Outings at Vacation Cottage
 For sometime we have wished for vacation cottage tucked away in some qfliet, restfu spot where girls might go for much needed vacation. Our wishes and expectations were fulfilled in the little white cottage accommodating IS people on the hillside at St. Clair Springs, and many letters to Miss Breedlove tes- tify to the physcal and spiritual bene- fs received by the numbers of girls who were guests between June and September
 Our association was represented in 1914 by nine delegates at our summer con- ference held at Blue Ridge. N. c. So tremendously impressed have our dele gates been with the great spiritual awak- ening and uplift which comes to one at these conferences, that they have banded themselves together in a Blue Ridge club to promote interest and generate enthus- iasm regarding these conferences so that other girls might have the desire to go.
 Our first effort among the students of business colleges was made this year. Y. w. c. A. club was organized in Massey college early in October and or ganization in the other colleges will fol- low soon
 "A monthly publication has been issued since October. TOGO copies having been dis tributed. This has proven one of the best mediums of advertising the association has ever had.
 During the first eight months of the year, Mrs Bowman was employed as re- ligious work director. Since her depart ure, competent volunteer workers have assisted the general secretary with the religious work and full programme of religious work has been carried out
 Miss Alice Perkins. physical director, and Miss Elva Brakeman, business sec- retary, left us January 1. These vacan- cies were filled by Misses Mamie Lum and Clara Hine, respectively. Mrs. Grover, who came to us in the summer as cafe manager. and Mrs. Thayer as house sec retary. in the early rall are women of Helen Walpole and Mrs. Leroy Holt are taking care of our travellers aid work at the Terminal station and Miss Kate Booker at the Louisville and Nashville The splendid work doIie by Miss Hale in the factories will be spoken of by Mrs Nelson
 "I cannot pay too high a tribute to my co-workers. Their faithfulness and cooperation are making for success in each department of our work.
 "As we listen to the reports given by the committees we will see that we have gone forward during the year of 1914 and that our future is bright in deed. Facing the new year as we do, we should consider several of our most pressing needs.
 "Statistics tell us that one million girls left school last year before reach ing the sixth grade. That is one req son why the Y. w. c. A. in POI cities offered classes in English grammar Bookkeeping, millinery. sewing. cut-