The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-29
THE GOLDEN JUBILEE OF THE r. w. C. A.
 WILL BE A NATIONWIDE REJOICING" SAYS
 LOCAL PRESIDENT MRS JOSEPH MI ESTER
By DOLLY DALRYMPLE

N celebration of the organization in
 the United States of that great and
 A influential institution, the Young
 Women's Christian association. 50 years ago, a nation n-wide jubilee will take
 place during the month of February, in which the 969 associations throughout this country, with their 33S,363 mem bers, will join enthusia stically. This Golden Jubilee" will be one of
 the most notable events in the history of the United States, women of great
 and high degree affiliating in the cele-
 bration, giving their time money and energy toward making a success of it. l It is fitting that such an event should be celebrated, for no other institution 1 in the world for women has done so vast an amount of good, has afforded
 more genuine support to all classes and kinds, morally and spiritually, as the Young Women's Christian association. The local branch of the great organ ization, with Mrs. Joseph McLester as it's beloved and honored president, will Ijoin heartily in the jubilee.
 Plans have been perfected whereby many interesting events will take place,
 and enthusiasm is rife among the mem bers in this community, each vieing with the other in adding a stroke of success to the big undertaking.
 Discussing the jubilee yesterday, Mrs. McLester said:
 ITO us the inspiring thought is that this celebration is not only national in its influence and import, but nation wide, and working as we are in our
 modest little corner of the great organ ization, the fact that we can contribute our mite to the great celebration is an inspiration.
 One thing that impresses itself iorcibly upon me in regard to the Y. w. '. A. Is what has been accomplished by women over the teacups. In 1866, March S' to be accurate" Mrs. McLester con-
 tlnued, "in Boston. 30 women chatted at tea one afternoon; the result was the organization of the Young Women christian association In the United States. In the same way-over the tea cups-in England some years before, Lady Kinnaird and a group of friends formed the association in England That the largest organization in the world for women, by women, should have taken root under purely casual cir cumstances shows that great things may arise from the smallest beginnings Today from that one association found- ed in the United States 50 years ago, there are now 969 associations in the United States that will join in the cele- bration of the golden jubilee during the month of February"
 'In that time" Mrs, McLester said,
 prominent women all over the country
 will visit different cities giving their
 views on organization and maintainence
 ot the Y. w. c. A. work. Miss Elizabeth Dodge, Mrs. Finley Shepherd Mrs. Dave
 Hennen Morris, Mrs. James Passmore
 who is so pleasantly remembered here
 when she paid us a visit a short time ago, all women of wealth and influence will assist in this general rejoicing" T feel that the golden jubilee will as- sume the likeness of a celebration in Germany of Bismark's s birthday, which
 witnessed once." Mrs. McLester said
 You know throughout Germany there are great monuments in memory of Bis mark, and on his birthday fires are light
 ed on top of these great shafts all over the country and it is like a big bonfire outlining the entire territory. a brilliant
 circle of light In memory of the great statesman"
 While this general rejoicing is taking place." Mrs. McLeSter continued. Ito Bir-
 mingham it has much local color since 1t will celebrate also the B years of pros- perity of the Y M. c. A. work in this