The Omaha guide., 1936-12-19
White Women Study
American Negro
Singer Finds Eager Interest IN
Accomplishments of Race

Little Rock, Ark, Dec. 10 (Spe-
ciaD-Will the influence Of women,
white and colored, become a really
potent influence in improving rela-
tionship and understanding be-
tween the races?
Eta Molten, who is on a concert
tour of the south during which she
has sung at points in Mississippi,
Arkansas, Louiana, Alabama, Geor-
gia, Florida and North Carolina, and
has had one stimulating experience
after another, described an incident
to interviewers here this week
which would indicate that such a
possibility is not merely in the
realm of conjecture.
The discussion leader of he Wo-
mems Missionary Society of the
Methodist Episcopal church, south,
the most fashionable church in Lit
tie Rock, had called on Miss Moten
and presented a picture of her work,
detailing the changed outlook which
it had given her. The leader, Mrs.
Cozart, a daughter of the old aris-
~tocratic south, had attended a Mis-
sionary Institute at which leaders of
several states were enrolled for
training in the study program to
be presented in their various ehur-
ches during the winter. Arriving,
she found that the subject to be
presented during the next six mon
tbs was "The American Negro"
Feeling that the women of her
church would never be interested
in any such program, she protest
ed to the instructor that there was
nothing for her to learn about Ne
groes; her father had worked many
on his plantation in Mississippi, and
she knew all about them. Prevailed
upon, however, to remain for the
course, she became so amazed and
interested that she confessed to the
instructor before it was over that
she could scarcely wait to return
home and arrange for the formation
of the class in her church.
She found a ready response am
ong not all, but a majority of wo-
men in the First church. They won
dered at their lack of knowledge Of
these people who had always lived
right at their doors as the leader
posed to them such questions as
'who wrote the first Negro SYM
ebony? Who is Charles S. Johnson?
Where is Tuskegee? In what city
is Fisk university? What great
scientist has made many products
from the peanut and sweet pota-
to-" They were eager to know more
and asked for additional examina-
tons and information of the same
type.
SO Mrs. Corzart arranged a pro-
gram which she invited several
Little Rock colored people including
a group of college singers, college
president Gregg, and a housewife.
Learning Miss Moten was in Little
Rock, she had come to ask her If
she would come and talk with them.
Miss Moten went, and found a
packed lecture room full of the lead
ing women of Little Rock including
members of the Daughters of the
American Revolution and Daugh-
ters of the War of 1912 who had
been invited. Almost as gifted a
speaker as she is a singer, Miss
Moten told them about the accom-
plishments of Negroes, particularly
in music and the fine arts. She
sketched the careers and achieve
ments of CATERING Jarboro, Marian
Anderson, Forenqe Cole-Talbert
Lillian Evanti, James Weldon and
Rosamond johnson, Harry Burleigh
Hall Johnson, Eva Jessye, DIR. Du-
bois, DIR. R. R. Moten, and DIR. F..
d Doftarcop
The wave of interest was electric
Expressions of appreciation were
profused. The wife of the editor Oh
the "Arkansas Gazette" the leading
newspaper of the section, drove hei
to the Gazette" office and to hei
next appointment.
The flowing night, when Miss
Moten sang at Dunbar High School
the women of the First church were
there in force and sent a gorgeous
basket of flowers.
81 admit" said Miss Moten, cha.
more than ever before I am i'm.
pressed with the possibilities which
lie before a better understanding
between the women Of the white ant
black groups. l hope our women