Evening star., 1917-01-24

THERESA HARPER.
1t was a scene which will long live
in the memory of members of the Dis
trict Federation Of Women's Clubs
and scores of guests who saw
Nanny Theresa Harper, eighty
seven years old. presented with The
Star prize of $40 in gold at the New
Ebbitt last night on the occasion of
the presentation of the prizes in the
faithful servant contest inaugurated
by The Star.
Although there were distinguished
speakers present, and the meeting of
the federation was an epoch-making
one in showing the country how to
treat servants so that "sbe is my
servant and friend, and 1 am her
phrased it, the bright stars of the
evening were the faithful servants
themselves.
Awards Are Presented.
Following the opening of the meet
ing by Mrs. Court F. Wood. the presi-
dent of the local federation, the meet
ing was turned over to Mrs. J. Edison
Briggs, chairman of the home economics
committee of the federation. who was
in entire charge of the contest, which
resulted in 1000 Washington domestics
being awarded certificates. and cul-
minated last night in the presentation
of the honor awards
All eyes were turned upon the six
old servants when they entered the
white parlor, following an address by
Representative Alliston T. Smith of
Idaho, in the course of which he lauded
the clubwomen for their efforts in be-
half Of local domestics and in like man
ner praised the faithful domestics
themselves.
Mrs John D. Patten. who had entered
four faithful servants herself in the
contest, presided at the distribution of
the prizes. When NANNY Theresa
Harper, in her neat maids costume
and clean bandana handkerchief around
her head, was presented with The Star
purse of $40 for the longest service in
one family. the applause of the audi
ence was SO loud that perhaps only
Mrs. Patten could hear Nanny"
| Theresa voice her thanks.
Whole Life With Family.
NANNY" Theresa is an active do
mestic at the home of Mrs. George
Clifford Boarman. 1915 NJ street north
west, in whose family she has always
lived the entire span of her years,
which are eighty-seven. In a letter
from Mrs. Boarman which Mrs. Patten
read it was brought out that Nanny"
Theresa was born slave and has seen
sixty-four years of service with the
Boarman family in the District alone.
Regina Taylor, who has been in the
! employment of Mrs. Juana Fl. Macias
l41T K street, for fifty-two years, was
| awarded the prize of $40 in gold given
by the Times for service the longest
with one mistress. Regina Taylor. ac-
! cording TO letter read from her mis-
tress, was born free in Cuba in 1858.
n. grandmother was an African prin-
| cess. Her father was a Nubian chief.
She speaks Spanish and sang for the
| assemblage last night La Paloma."
Robert Allen Gets $5 Prize.
| Robert Allen. who has been in the
employ of William NJ Gait & Co. for
sixty-two years. was awarded, So in
gold by a member of the Association of
| Oldest Inhabitants for the man who
had been longest in the service of one
| family. Mrs. Patten. in making this
| award. called attention to the Oldest
! Inhabitant badge which she wore. the
badge having belonged to her father.
! Maria Butler. who has served for
| fifty years with Mrs. II. w. Merriam
was presented prize of SO. with which
was given copy OF the "Administra-
tion Cook Book compiled by Mrs.
Susie Root Rhodes ahd Mrs. Randolph
Hopkins. the gifts of Miss Frances
! Graham French
/ A prize of So in gold was presented
! by Mrs. Briggs to a friend to give to
/ Lucy SmallwOod who was unable to
/ attend. This domestic works for Mrs.
l.. s. Sothoron, and when her mistress
, was III and came into financial straits
went to work as Il charwoman to sup
port the mistress 20 whom she was de-
voted.
Mrs. Patten, by permission of the
Z feasrasion. concluded the prize pres
/ entation by presenting, on behalf of
I her family. purse of gold and an illu-
minated testimonial to her own cook.
Betty Gpshur, my servant and friend.
as | am her servant and friend
/ Heart Chords Are Touched.
Miss Flora A. Briggs led in the sing :
I ing Of Garry Me Back to Old Virginia, =
in which the audience and domestics
Joined in the refrain. During the sing
ing Of this old song tears were in the
eyes of many women and men in the
audience There was something about
the scene-the faithful old servants
headed by Nanny Theresa, type of
a character which is all but passed
away I'm the life OF America-the white
audience and brilliantly dressed women,
who without affectation or any un-
seemly conspicousness of virtue asso-
ciated ON an equal footing with their
servants-there was something in all
this that smote the heart chords of all.
4 Way Problem Will Be Solved.
As A. Caminetti, commissioner of
immigration. put It, This is the way
the servants problem will be solved
Mr. Caminetti voiced to: the assemblage.
/ and afterward privately. his sincere
/ conviction that the women of the land
have great lesson to; learn from the
| local women in how to treat servants
| He also said that the government itself
| will seek advise from the District
| Federation of Women's Clubs.
/ Mra Rri0Oa ~y.a =