The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-09-16
MRS. POWELL VIGOROUS
WORKER FOR FEDERATION
Devils Dake Woman Responsible
for State Group Joining
National
By MRS. p. q. L e

BY Mrs. +. q. BOLExN
The first meeting Of the North Da-
kota Federation Of Women's clubs
was held 80 years ago, at the Devils
Lake Chautauqua, under an oak tree.
While that oak is no longer standing,
the state federation has q memento Of
this monarch Of the forest In a gavel
made from its wood and presented to
the state organization by Mrs. A. M.
Powell, Devils Lake, one Of the char
ter members and founders Of The fed
Grafton.
The. history Of the state organiza-
ton and that Of Mrs. Powell are In
delibly linked together, for 1t was
through her efforts that the North
Dakota clubs became q part OF the
national body. for there was not the
required number of clubs in the state
to apply for membership In the Gen.
eral Federation Of Women's clubs, one
more organization being necessary.
Essentially Is Pioneer
Mrs. Powell is q pioneer IN more
than club work, so, driving to Devils
Lake and interesting three friends in
the proposition Of forming q new club,
was all in the days work. That
these friends were enthusiastic we
know, for each asked another friend
and the Nineteenth Century club Of
Devils Lake, now known as the Twen-
tieth Century club, was Immediately
formed, and the North Dakota FEEDER
alton became q part Of the General
Federation with the smallest number
of clubs and the smallest per capita
membership Of any state organize
ton.
On occasion Mrs. Powell win share
her memories Of those earlier days.
She will recount the joys and suffer-
ings Of the pioneers In their struggle
to subdue the prairie, for this was the
land Of rich promise. Building the
claim shack, whether Of sod or OF
lumber hauled q long distance, was
an event, while the first furrow turned
in virgin soil gave q thrill Of expec-
fancy that still fingers In the memory.
The old buffalo trails have become
modern highways, ferries have given
way to mammoth bridges and the
prairie has become fields Of waving
grain. The State Federation OF
Women's clubs has grown to . recog-
nized place in the national organiza-
ton, but no n can measure the
broadening and ennobling influence OF
the women's club idea in the home and
community, because their ideals are
practical though lofty, and are daily
being put into practice.
Four Members Remain
Mrs. Powell Is one Of four remain
Ing charter members Of the Twentieth
Century club Of Devils Lake. the other
three being Mrs. Henry Hale, Mrs.
Fred Mann, ST., and Mrs. Richard
Daley. The outstanding project Of
this club was the maintenance tor IL
years Of the city library. Finally An
drew Carnegie donated . library to
the city.
Art work holds an important place
in Mrs. Powell's busy life, her hobby
being painting. She took . course IN
art work In Chicago Art Institute,
having won this scholarship while q
student at the University Of North
Dakota. She later studied under some
Of the recognized teachers Of that day
Mrs. Powell has kept her interest In
club work, and in July arranged and
conducted the Club Institute. held at
Jamestown college, which was one Of
the high lights Of the federation work
of the year.