Evening star., 1917-05-20

nnS7 F I did not believe club work
W was Gods work I would not
be in it," emphatically de-
clared Mrs. Court F. Wood, re-
Gently reelected president of
the District of Columbia Federation of
Women's Clubs. in an interview COLI
cerning the value of club affiliation for
women.
Surely working for the reduction OF
infant mortality, the helping Of fallen
girls and aiding women to find self-re-
specting, self-sustaining employment is
Just as much Gods work as any form
Of definite church work. said Mrs.
Wood. land that is what we are doing
through our clubs. Yes, the federation
has an extensive plan Of work for the
coming year, but though our plans are
pretty big, we are scarcely ready to
discuss our new work. OF course, we
will continue much of the work OF last
year on broader lines. Just now we are
all much interested in the unit organ
each Thursday to sew, for a while, and
then drills on the ellipse.
= ::
'No." laughed Mrs. Wood, I'VE are not
sewing shirts for soldiers yet; it is
sheets and pillowcases now; the shirts
Will probably come later, for we have
enlisted for war just as seriously as
our sons are doing. Indeed, I had the
wonderful experience of taking the
oath Of allegiance as captain of our
Red Cross Corps at the same time my
son was taking his oath of allegiance
IN the same building as member of
the OHcers' Reserve Corps" and she
added. with Just the touch Of the heart
ache that all mothers Of grown sons
cannot but feel, Il was proud, glad,
and. of course. little sad.
Organization broadens and develops
our women. We see its influence each
year In the enlargement of the scope
used to devote their meeting time to
social good times and their papers, now
are studying all kinds Of civic condi-
tions. Women are no longer content to
take the affairs of the world or even
their own communities for granted.
They want to know the reasons for the
existence Of certain conditions and,
what is far more important, the means
TO Improve OF remove Them
With all of the hustle Of activity among
Women's societies. clubs and organiza-
tons throughout the city in the interest
or war service, it remained for the Fed
GRAFTON Of Women's Clubs to take the
initiative and organize a unit for Red
mans own heart. Instead Of each Of
the thirty clubs, representing 1000 women
affiliated with the federation, taking up
some special bit Of work which would
,s scatter ~ the energy over a large field and
lessen the final results. Mrs. Wood banded
her women together into one unit COM
posed OF twenty-three members, each
representing an individual club. These
women. as members Of the Red Cross,
have offered their services in any capacity
which may be needed. and have adopted
uniform and hold themselves responsible
70 appear for sewing and for drilling each
Thursday afternoon. They are demon
and by their complete cooperation they
have formed a unit that is more truly
representative Of washington's varied
club interests than any other group Of
tS}n women enc could is possibly BE- Moreover. by
which Is merged In this work they are
bound to render far more valuable service
as body than could be attained sinsly.
rhnssr these sewing ,vs bees" are held each
home Of Mrs. Cline Chapman. 1929
street northwest. after which the women
place themselves in tho hands Of a mill
tary Instructor Mrs: Wood is captain
The federation has just completed a
year Of remarkable achievements, MANY
OF which have attained more than local
fame through their practical civic value.
~
Asked about this record. Mrs. Wood
paid tribute to the chairmen of the
various departments, insisting that the
success which had crowned their year
was due to the loyalty and cooperation
In great measure. Of the women who
worked out the problems before their
committees. She said: TT is my belief
that our workers gave Of themselves
because Of interest in the work, be-
cause Of their love for others and their
high ideals of service, which held no
thought Of SELF" M
In fact the greater part. Is educational,
and the program for the coming year
provides for a continuation. 1t isf the
plan OF the child welfare Committee, Of
which Mrs. Louise Harding Earl is
chairman, to seek to provide q social
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