The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-07

Mrs. Joseph McLester, the beloved president of the board of directors of our Young Women's Christian asso- citation. in talking of the work of the association here and elsewhere said, among other things: The wonderful thing about the Y W. c. A. is the fact that 1t Is Q worldwide organ ization with centers all over these United States and In 1S foreign coun- tries. On a certain day in Novembe all over the world, which unites the local units into a glorious whole by a sense of harmonious fellowship, the striving for common end. The purpose of the several associations
 has been defined as. TO associate young women in personal loyalty to Christ as Savior and Lord; to pro- and service through physical, social, mental and spiritual development, and to become a social force in the ex- tension of the kingdom of God
 The Birmingham center" Mrs Mo Lester continued, "was founded 20 years ago with Mrs Maybelle Sloss Cecil. who later became Mrs. Taylor, as the moving spirit of the associa-
 ton. She was first interested in work with girls when, as Mabelle Sloss, she was only a girl herself. In the early days we were often very hard put to 1t to raise enough money to carry on our work in even very small way Mrs. Cecil was, however, person of unflagging energy and unfailing faith. Largely through her efforts the association lived through
 the first few years. After she painted pictures, which brought only small
 sums. Later Mrs. T. T. Hillman, learn l ing through Mrs. Cecil of the great need. gave a very generous donation tOE, fAv- f1I1a Then the tea room and reading room were in the Watts building. The home was on Twenty-first street"
 Although Mrs. McILester was not charter member of the board, she be-
 came member during the first year. She has always given so generously of her time, of herself, of her thought. In 1911, on the resignation of Mrs. c. P. Orr. she was made president of Ithe board and since then she has been
 the real center of the board. She has well been called the "best loved
 woman in Birmingham" Beside her amending interest In the Y. w. c. A.,
 she has given her time and energy
 for many years as vice president of
 the board of the Boys Industrial school.
 Mrs. McLester continued: gro my mind the one most valuable thing in
 our board is the abiding interest of
 the members, who are women who
 stand always for the best in all things. They are all women of energy and intelligence with a vision"
 The members of this board are among the leaders in Birmingham. not only in the social world, but in all phases of the community life. The
 officers are Mrs. Joseph McLester, president; Mrs. James Bowron, first vice president; Mrs. H. l.. Badham, second vice president; Mrs. T. O.. Smith. secretary; Mrs. M. P. Northing ton, treasurer; Mrs. Robert Jemison,
 Jr.. chairman of finance.
 The other members are: Mrs. H. L. Lee Bradley, Mrs. William Little
 Brown, Mrs T. G. Bush, Mrs. John Cartwright, Mrs. John Chisholm, Mrs.
 J. S. Hood, Mrs. Robert Jemison. Jr.,
 Mrs. Crawford Johnson, Mrs. Joseph Johnston, Mrs. E. F. Linthicum. Mrs. Mrs Frank Nelson. Mrs M. P. North
 ington. Mrs. c. T. Randall, Mrs. o. DeWolf Randolph, Miss Rosa Strick-
 land. Mrs. Arthur Smith, Mrs. Ross | Smith, Mrs. T. o. Smith, Mrs. J. W. Shook, Mrs. Mortimer Williams, Miss
 A L. Williams. Mrs. John B. Weakley.
 Mrs. John Yeatman, Mrs S. L. Yerkes,
 Mrs. Lewis Underwood.
 Mrs. McLester then spoke of the
 work of the various committees. "The
 most important committee is the eX-
 tension or industrial, which Is under
 the chairmanship of Mrs. Oscar De- 1 Wolf Randolph, who has associated with her a group of board members
 and other women and young girls who | have done a splendid work. They are
 Mesdames Robert Jemison, Jr., Lewis 1 Underwood, J. A. Smith, Ross Smith | Scouten, Chalmers Moore. H. L. Moore Rhodes Boykin, w. c. Bonham, John Yeatman, c. B. Woodruff, Misses Vir- ginia Jemison, Virginia Raul, Rose Smith, Mary Allen Northington, Mar garet Coleman.
 "This department reaches more young women than any other Many of them do not need the protection of the home for they nave homes ot
 kind with their families, but this girls work brings. into their meagre,