The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-02-13
WOMAN'S CLUB DEPARTMENT
Mrs. Florence II. ottmann, Editor
History of the WOman's Club from
Its Beginning to June 1916

Its Beginning to June 1916
The Woman's Club of Ocala was or
gained, incorporated and federated
in 1909. 1t was a direct outgrowth of
the Civic League, and with a large en-
thusiastic membership from the be-
ginning, it has made itself an infiu-
ence in the community, always inter-
ested and active in everything thai
makes for progress.
Our club was organized by Mrs.
William Hooker, who became it's first
president, holding office for three
years until she resigned to take the
presidency of the State Federation in
November, 1912. Upon Mrs. Rockers
resignation her first vice-president,
Mrs. Jack Camp, took over the respon-
sibility, handing it on to Mrs. C.. r.
Tydings, and she to Mrs. r. A. Bur-
ford, our present very gracious and
efficient officer.
During the first year of its exist
ence, the club made the first success
full attempt to arouse public senti-
ment for better sanitary and health
conditions by securing Prof. Routzah1
of the National tuberculosis Associa-
ton, who gave illustrated lectures,
that, with the cooperation of local
physicians, made possible some initial
steps towards much needed improve.
ments in civic sanitation.
In the second year of our organiza-
ton, our club entertained the state
federation at its annual convention.
1t had as it's guest of honor, Mrs.
Philip N. Moore, of st. Louis, presi-
dent of the national federation; Mrs.
w. N. HUT, of North Carolina, lectur-
er and great worker for the women of
the rural districts, and chairman of
school hygiene; DR.. John Clifford, au-
thority of forestry, formerly of Cor
nell; and Horace McFarlain, presi-
dent of the National Civic Associa-
ton.
Our organization is now made up of
fourteen departments, each working
in harmony with it's chairman for the
best interests of the city, the home,
and especially the children. The his
tory of these various departments
during the five years of our clubs ex-
istence would fill volume. Scores
of enterprises for public benefit have
been started by our club, often to be
taken over later and continued by the
various city departments. Among
the multitude of activities that have
had their origin in our club, one of
the most important was medical ex-
animation of school children, Ocala
being the first city in the state to
make this forward movement. Now
our city provides physician whose
duty it is to be at the primary school
building each morning to see that all
of the pupils are well, and twice dur
ing the school year they are given a
thorough examination of eyes, teeth,
hearing, etc. He also inspects our
meat markets, dairies and bakeries.
An animal protection committee was
feature of our club work from the
beginning.
Since the meeting of the State
Federation in Ocala, in 1910, we have
maintained a study class, at first
studying American history and Amer
lean literature, with the late Mrs. D.
w. Davis as chairman. Since the re-
moval from our midst of this much
loved woman, the class was continued
for the study of Shakspere and, par
liamentary law.
Last year this was enlarged to a
culture department with classes in
Oh Lrcnnrn o,a1
ature. We have also an art depart
ment, the chairman of which has con-
Quoted very interesting class in his
torical art.
Only few of the many activities
of our civic committee can be men
toned here. 1t has secured three va
cant lots in different sections of the
city and transformed them into play
grounds; it has conducted two NUM-
cipal Christmas trees, several flower
fetes and Mayday pageant; dis
tributed flower seeds to the school
children, followed by inspection of
their gardens and awarding prizes,
and best of all the establishment and
supervision of municipal rest room,
4O1 Which, Tic city uOW pTONlu0S C00
necessary funds. This very worthy
enterprise was started some years
ago by the Junior Civic League, which
did very much appreciated work,
though hampered by lack of funds
till the city came to the rescue. We
now have a public rest room that for
neatness, convenience and sanitary
conditions will compare favorably
with those of much larger cities. The
recent "Made in Marion" banquet was
decided success socially and finan,
cially, and reflected great credit on
the committee.
Our annual Clean Up Week was
the enterprise of our civic committee,
also the placing of trash cans about
the business section of the city.
Through the efforts of our educa-
tional committee the military drill
has been established in our public
school, Ocala being the first city in
the state to take up that work It
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