Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-07-10
CONVENTION OF
WOMENS CLUBS
Sixteenth Biennial Held at
Chautauqua Was a
Great Success
Miss Helen Norris Cummings Elected
To Presidency of the Colonial
States Division.

J Of the annual meeting OF the General
Federation of WOmens Clubs, at
Chautauqua, n. Y, which has just
ended it's session. We are also glad to
give some account of the various
honors that have been bestowed on
our fellow-townswoman, Miss Helen
Norris Cummings, which account has
appeared in other newspapers, and
/ which, of course, is entirely appro
priat in the home newspaper of that
lady.
The 10th biennial of the General
Federation of Women's Clubs held at
Chautauqua, n. Y, was in every re-
spect most thoroughly businesslike
convention. Its chief success was the
raising of the fund to purchase and
maintain permanent headquarters at
Washington, d. c. One hundred and
fifty thousand dollars was asked to
be given in three years and one hun
dred and three thousand dollars was
raised in 55 minutes.
The work of the six great depart
ments, fine arts, applied education,
American citizenship, public welfare,
Legislation, and the press, with their
manifold subdivisions, was placed be-
fore the convention, and each Of the
six national chairmen not only stated
her plans and policies for the next two
years, but secured the ablest speakers
in the country who are specialists IN
their own line to address the con-
vention. The speeches were practical
clear cut, brilliant. all offered their
aid to the women and asked for
closer cooperation.
Perhaps the most widely applaud
cd speakers, because their subjects
were so vital were Mr.. Will H. Hays
on the motion picture, Commander
Hanford MacNider of the American
Legion, Dr. Shailer Mathews, OF the
University of Chicago, and DR.. George
+. Vincent, President Rockefeller
Foundation, \. Y.
1t was ten day intellectual feast,
the National officials elected were:
President Mrs. Thomas G. Winter,
Mimi; 1st Vice-President, Mrs. W.
is. Jennings, Florida; 2nd Vice-Presi-
dent, Mrs. w. 7. Perham, Montana;
correspondent secretary, Mrs. II. S.
Godfrey, Mimi; treasurer, Mrs. +. c.
Floore, Texas.
One of the most interesting situa-
tions within the G.. +. W. {. Is the
grouping geographically Of those
states whose interests are identical.
Thus the intermountain states Of the
west, the middle western states, the
southeast division, the Mississippi
Valley and the newly organized group
Of the Original l3 as they are called.
Being buffer states neither the At
lantic nor Pacific coast are eager for
disarmament, while some other states
take different view point. Many ques
tions of national Importance are dis
cussed by these various groups and
to Virginia has fallen the honor of
the presidency Of the Colonial
States.
Miss Helen Norris Cummings of
Alexandria was unanimously elected
and she brings to this most important
group of states wide experience IN
both state and national work, hav-
ing served Virginia, / years az state
chairman literature and history; 1
years as state chairman social and in
dustrial conditions; years as 2nd
vice president Virginia Federation
Women's Clubs; years as lst vice
president Virginia Federation Wo-
mems Clubs; 2 years as state presi
dent Virginia Federation Women's
Clubs. In the General Federation of
Women's Clubs 4 years as member
National Committee Of Literature and
History, , years as National Chair
- >
wears as member of committee Of the
Revision Of the Constitution of the
G.. F. ". c., , years as General Fed
Grafton State Secretary, ! years as Di-
rector for Virginia on the National
Board, now member of Headquarters
Committee at Washington, and chair
man of the 9th District Division of
Virginia.
Miss Cummings war and govern
ment service record from the General
Federation: member Of War Ser
vice Board and chairman for Virginia
for the War Victory Commission, col
lected funds and sent two young wo-
men by General Pershing's request to
serve with the army, Miss Wexford,
ex-Gov. Montague's daughter, went to
France, and Miss Tucker, daughter of
Mir. H. st. George Tucker, went with
the army Of occupation in Germany,
representing this particular branch
of work undertaken by the G. f. w.
&c. Field; Secretary Food Conservation,
Field Secretary Red Cross. Liberty
Loan organizer and speaker.
Through the G. +. w. c. appointed
by the Department of Labor, State
Chairman of the Federated Council
on Employment, Miss Cummings is
engaged in other national work, but
this completes her record up to date in
the General Federation Women's
Clubs.