Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-07-17
THE WOMENS CLUB BEN,
NAL

the last ten days of June. This
great meeting drew together more
than three thousand club women
from Maine to California from Mon
treal to Florida, and even from far
off Japan.
Chautauoua, "beside the lake, be-
meath the trees" offered unique
and ideal spot for such meeting,
equipped as it is to entertain thou
sands of visitors, yet with no city
noises to disturb, nor counter diver
sions to detract.
To contemplate the program was
enough to make ones head swim.
There was no club interest but had
attention. and club interests are
legion. The Federation Of Women'c
Clubs is not u specified organlza-
ton. but represents the rounded life
and activities of the modern wom-
an. However, there was system
Each greater interest was covered
once in a mass meeting IN general
way. usually by experts; and later
in conference, it was discussed more
in detail.
From eight o'clock in the morn
ing. when the ambitious began the
studv of parliamentary law, until
eleven at night, the program might
be described by the vaudeville ad-
vertisement, continuous program,
something doing constantly, no dull
moments"
To tell in a short article, the con-
tent of these programs, would be
ike bringing you handful OF SAND
that might visualize the sea-Shore.
In general the topic OF study was:
What does the World need, and how
NAV we best meet its needs IL
mas always been woman's instinct
10 help better her environment. AS
her sphere is broadening, reaching
now into community, national and
world life, she is broadening her
activities.
There is a solidarity among wo-
men. which was evident from the
harmonious stand they took on such
matters as the forming Of leglsla-
tive unions. child welfare problems,
education mad illiteracy, befrlendlng
the soldier, cultivating friendship
among the nations, conservation or
resources. the enjoyment of art and
its application to everyday life, the
study of citizenship, the spread OF
home economics inUuction and home
demonstrators. public and private
health, service to the unfortunate
prison reform. law enforcement,
civil service, and better motion pic
lures. 49,.
Discussions were free from politi-
cal embarrassment That the IN
dividuals were party leaders, dId
not hamper anyone from expressing
her opinion, and there was no evi-
dence of conflict, nor anything but
the finest courtesy.
Kindly good humor dubbed forth
on all sides. The audiences laughed
easily at witticisms, and the spirit
of festivity relieved the deep ear
nestness with which problems were
discussed. A pleasing feature was
the state greetings. Whenever a
speaker was introduced. the delega-
ton from the state which claimed
him would rise and sing a verse OF
greeting-a refinement of the col
lege yell.
Music Of the highest type was in
terspered throughout the ten day
program. 1t was all native. west
ern hemisphere music. There were
exhibits, dramatics, pageantS, a
boat ride, receptions, teas, lunch
cons and dinners, moving pictures
to be seen and to take part IN and
all informal.
But more remarkable than the
event or the program We're the wo-
men themselves. There were many
noted ones. many with a striking
record of achievement, many who
were beautiful, womanly, strong, ell
oouent speakers. we'll dressed but
not over-dressed. sincere, modest,
democratic. sOciable, sane, we'll
poised, full of pep" and wiz, philan-
thropic. and. if there be other viz
tues, YOU would find them there.
Either club women are near ideal.
or else these were on their good
behavior.
There were among them, as some
one said. mot too many gray heads
but too few brown heads This Is
probably because older women are
better able financially 70 manage 4
ten day excursion Of this kind. and
also more free from family cares
and able to engage in club work.
Their up to the minute manner
and language was noticeable. iusH
enough slang creeping into their
speech to make il alive Many had
attended a dozen or more biennialS
and their coming together Is like
great family picnic
The majority We're club officers.
local. state. or national, and they
represent leadership. They have
reason to be proud Of their record.
The woman'S club movement is
marching on. Nearly q thousand
clubs have Joined the Federation
since the last Biennial. making a
total of 1900 clubs with two and 4
half million members. Their pro-
gram is not specialized, faddiSt, nor
militant but comprehensive, altru-
istic. and looking toward peace II
will make appeal to increasing num-
bers Of women. That the spirit
and the benefits may be permanent,
Junior clubs are being organized in
high schools. colleges, and among
the young matronS. 4 special ef-
fort is being made to enlist rural
women who. on account of long dis
tanceS and isolation. have not vet