The Twin City star., 1916-08-05
Empire State Federation Re-
elects Mrs. N. C. laWtOn,
ECHOES OF REGENT SESSION
Reports Read at Annual Meeting Held
In Poushkeepsie Show Increase In
Membership and an UnfIassins In
terest In Constructive Effort For
Racial Advancement,
By N. BARNETT DODsON.

New York.-The notable growth of
the Empire State Federation of Wom-
ems Clubs during the past five years
is high compliment to the industry
and executive ability of the women
or our race. Through the untiring eff
forts Of Mrs. M. c. Lawton of Brook
yn as state organizer the federation
mas advanced from a weak and halt
ing position to that of matured expert.
ence with a force of workers in the
various clubs which covers every
phase of racial interest When Mrs.
=, Lawton was elected as organizer there
were possibly not over six clubs in
the federation; now there are fifty.
At the 1915 meeting of the fedora
ton Mrs. LawtOn was elected to the
presidency and was continued in that
office for another year at the meeting
held at Poughkeepsie in July. Mrs
Lawton Is woman of culture and
VIDE experience. She is intensely in
terested in race work, and as an agi-
GATOR for fair play and equal Justice
ner voice has been heard on many
occasions. For fourteen years she has
been a contributor to the BROOKLYN
Daily Standard Union, portraying the
aspirations, struggles and achieve
msnts of'tlfe race in every department
Of its activity.
The eighth annual meeting of the
federation was held recently at Pough-
keepsie. The roll call of clubs repre-
sented showed that seventy-five dele
gates were present. They came from
clubs at Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Ithaca.
New Rochelle, Syracuse, Tarrytown,
Yonkers, Jamaica, N. Y, Manhattan
and Brooklyn. Six new clubs were
added to the membership. After the
presentation Of credentials, receiving
OF badges and seating of delegates. the
ADDRESS OF welcome on behalf of the
clubs OF Poughkeepsie was delivered
by Mrs. M. J. Golden, which was re-
asponded to by Mrs. Charlotte Bell.
Governors island.
Rescue Work" was set forth in a
strong talk by Miss Grace P. Campbell.
superintendent Of the Empire Friendly |
Shelter, 116 West One Hundred and |
Th1rty-third street, New York. A me-
mortal service was held in honor of
Miss III. Cordelia Ray, first secretary
OF the federation and author Of the
state song of the same. The life, char
acter and work Of Miss Ray were beau-
TRULY told by DR.. Morton Jones, Mrs
A. w. Hunton, Nine. V. Scott and
others. Other deceased members in
cluded Miss Maria Tyson, secretary of
the M. c. Lawton Empty Stocking cir
Gle. A splendid tribute to the women
was delivered by the Hon. D. w. vii.
Der, mayor Of Poughkeepsie, who wei
coined the federation on behalf of the
citizens. Mrs. WILDER, who accomsa-
MED her husband, presented the fed.
Grafton with lovely fern.
The address Of welcome on behalf of
The churches was delivered by the Rev.
Clarence Van Buren, pastor Of the A.
VI. K. Zion church. The physical cul-
,ure demonstration given by Mrs. Dora
Jose Norman was rare treat to the
audience and was highly appreciated.
An informal reception was given i'm
AonoA VI ehO oSSoSiou ny Cue fOuSn- | 4
leepsie Neighborhood club, of which
he federation was guest. "The De-
'elopment Of the Y. w. G. A." by
drs. A. w. Hunton: "The Benefits of .
'ettlement Work." by DR.. v. Morton i,
ones; "Our Young People," by Mrs. .
Dillie Harden Of Poughkeepsie; 'The
Possibilities Of the Trained Nurse"
Irs Adah Thorne, r. s.; "The Wo-
nen Of Today" Mrs. F.. X. Burns; "The
Working Girl" Mrs. NJ. B. Gregory: 4
Education the Racial Lever" Mrs. v
'harlotte Delt: 'Ts Woman's Suffrage n
ustifable?' Mrs. J. II. Winfield. were n
he subjects ably discussed before II
lrge and appreciative audiences. s
The annual address Of the president a
frs. M. c. Lawton. which was well i
eceived by the members. emphasized q
he importance Of questions affecting 8
le working girl, Y. W. c. A., home L
Re, delinquent girl and the girl far
lest down. The establishment of an
It's and crafts department and a jun Ii
r industrial department were added 2,
the federation by a unanimous vote
Prizes will be awarded to the one !"
'inging In the finest piece of art work
Id the one presenting the best essay.
ne position of historian was created
Id the honor Of same conferred on