The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-06-01
IOWA FEDERATION OF COLORED
WOMEN HOLD MOST INTER
ESTING SESSION IN HISTORY

WOMEN HOLD MOST INTER-
ESTING SESSION IN HISTORY
OR ORGANIZATION.
The sixteenth annual session of the
Iowa Federation Of Colored Women's
Clubs was held in Ottumwa, Iowa,
from May 21st to 23rd, inclusive.
The general board meeting was held
Monday at 3 p. m., with the president,
Mrs. Brown, presiding, and a splendid
representation of board members
present. On Monday evening the meet
ing was held in the Second Baptist
church, the birthplace of the organiza-
ton, and presided over by Mrs. Nina
Owens of Ottumwa. Welcome address
es were given by Mrs. Francis Hicks,
president of the Ida B. Wells club;
Rev. R. H. Cato and Mayor Leeny, who
accorded the delegates hearty well
come. Response to address by Mrs. S.
Joe Brown Musical numbers were
contributed by Misses Constance Dow
ney, Beulah Allen, Celia Wagner and
Lenora Williams.
Tuesday morning the meeting was
opened with devotional exercises, con-
Quoted by the chaplain, Mrs. Julia
Southall of Buxton. The creedntial
committees report showed more than
thirty-five clubs represented, with yot-
ing strength of nearly one hundred.
A school of instruction was conduct
ed by Mrs. Jessye E. McClain, chair
man of district No. 1, which proved
interesting and profitable.
Reports of officers showed the Fed
Grafton to be in a prosperous condi
ton. Mrs Harry Allen, chairman of
the art and craft department, made
splendid report, reviewing the work
of such artists as Henry O. Tanner
and others who have succeeded along
their line. Her display being the larg-
est ever exhibited, being valued at
$500.
Mrs. S. Joe Brown, who represented
the Federation at the biennial meet
ing of the National Association Of COL
pred Women, held last August in Bal
.imore, Nd, made her report, review
Mig the activities of the association,
and telling of their attempt at raising
funds for permanent memorial for
Frederick Douglass on Anacostia
Washington, D. c.
The report of the temperance chair
nan by Mrs. Alice Mcdowell was an
document. She told of the
recent achievements of the w. c. T.
u. of the state and their part in help
ng to make the state "bone dry"
The report of the music chairman
~ Mrs. G. G. Nichols met with hearty
applause when she urged the women
% preserve the Negro folklore and
demonstrated music written by S. Col
aridge Taylor, Nathaniel Dett and
other noted writer's throughout the
entire session.
The lecture by DR.. A. ]. Booker on
Health and Hygiene" was a real
treat. Among other things, he urged
the women to give more time to those
things that are conducive to good
health, keeping their bodies in a
healthy condition, plenty of fresh air
and we'll ventilated homes. He dis
the use of patent medicine,
pointing out the defects.
At this time Mrs. VIM. Stevens of
Burlington delighted the audience with
a vocal selection. After which Atty.
5. Joe Brown of Des Moines, DR.. E. A.
Carter of Buxton, Miss Georgia Black
burn of Des Moines, Revs. R. H. Cato
and father, Rhinehart, Mr.. Zach Tay-
|or and others of Ottumwa were in
,roduced to the convention, each max
ing interesting remarks.
On Tuesday evening the meeting
was held in the spacious Grand opera
house. The girls who represented the
various social centers served as ush-
ers. This meeting was opened with
he Star Spangled Banner by the quar-
.ette, composed of the following, Mes
DANES G. G. Nichols, C. B. Woods, A.
6. Coleman and Oceola Jones. An
original poem by Mr.. Bertram john
son, entitled washington was
beautiful tribute.
The president, Mrs. S. Joe Brown,
then delivered her annual address,
which was conceded to be carefully
document. Among other
things she recommended that the
Iowa Federation contribute the sum
Of 5000 to the Frederick Douglass me-
mortal, the establishment of a scholar
ship fund for the purpose of assisting