The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-08-13
MISS BINA WEST
In HIGH OFFICE
Michigan Woman, Known
Here, Heads Big Fra
ternal Organization.
FIRST WOMAN in CHAIR

The unusual honor of being ele sted
first woman president of the National
Fraternal Congress of America was
conferred on Miss Bina M. West,
Port Huron, Michigan, when her as
sociate chief executives of 30 leading
benefit societies affiliated in this body
unanimously accorded her this distinc-
ton today in the annual convention at
Duluth, MINI.
Miss West is we'll known in Keno
sha, as she has visited here several
times, and on two or three occasions
has addressed club audiences.
The societies affiliated in the Ma
tional Fraternal Congress of America
founded in 1886 have paid out in bene-
fits over $76,O00,000 and have over
81, 100000 insurance in force.
Founder of w. 3. A.
Miss West, who is the founder and
supreme commander of the Woman's
Benefit association, Port Huron, Mich
igan, assumes the responsibility Of her
high office with the record of 33
years successful experience in lead
ership Of her own society. She brings
to her duties one of the best trained
minds in the business Of fraternal
benefit insurance. She left her pro-
fession of school teaching at youth
full age to follow the CLEAN Of great
fraternal society for the protection OF
women and their homes and today her
society is the largest of its kind in
the world.
AS an exponent of adequacy and per-
manency for the fraternal benefit sys-
tenn, Miss West says, What this coun-
try needs is closer bond Of brother
hood and sisterhood. We should be
interested in the joys and sorrows OF
others and the great fraternal system
endeavors to follow this ideal. Com
mercial has no place within our ranks
farther than the business integrity
necessary to keep absolute faith with
our members"
Has Successful Career.
Miss West was born at Columbus,
st. Clair county, Mich, the daughter
of Alfred J. and Elizabeth Conant
West, and a direct descendent Of Rog-
er Conant, first governor of Massa-
chusetts colony and the Conant who
shared the midnight ride with Paul
Revere.
She was the first woman in Michi-
gan elected to a seat on the Board OF
County School Examiners in 1885. She
taught school until 1891, when she be-
came interested in fraternal work, and
organized in 1892 fhe "Woman's Bene-
fit association.
She represented the National Coun-
ell of Women Of the United States at
the International Council Of Women
held in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1908.
Appointed by Governor Sleeper Of
Michigan as a member Of the commit
tee of three to recodify state laws re-
lating to child welfare, she became
chairman of the Child Welfare Divi-
sion of Michigan Council National
Defense.
internationally Known.
internationally known as one Of
the greatest women fraternalists in
America, had the honorary degree OF
Master Of Arts conferred on her by
the University Of Michigan at Ann Ar
Dor, June 16, 1924. This degree is q
reward for her courage in pioneering
a woman's insurance institution to un-
paralleled success.
She believes in womankind. She
has given valiant pioneer effort to
teach the home woman of this gener-
alton TO be self-reliant, thrifty and
provident, bringing her into correct
relation with business principles and
business methods.
Of the many honors which have
come to Miss West, she herself has
only to say: "There is nothing un-
usual about success. 1 only carried
out my ideas. Too many people fail
because they are afraid Of other peo-
ple's opinions. Especially true is this
Of women. The only thing to do Is to
go ahead"