Evening star., 1939-02-07
Ten Past Presidents
OF Pen Women
Al Exercises
History Of D. c. Chapter
Is Reviewed in
Impressive Rites

The history of the District OF Co.
lumbia League of American Pen
Women was reviewed in an impress
sive program presented last night In
the leagues studio at the Grafton
Hotel.
Ten living past presidents OF the
organization were present and TOOK
part in a ritualistic ceremony, writ
ten entirely in poetry, which in
cluded a memorial service to the
three past presidents who have died,
The ceremony was composed and
arranged by Mrs. 1nez Sheldon
Tyler, the present president OF the
league, and the studio chairman,
Miss Matte Richards Tyler, who
also acted as page.
Address by Presidents.
The first past presidents night"
the league has ever held, the pro-
gram opened with symbolic pro-
logue followed by Introductory verses
preceding addresses by each OF the
past presidents. An altar had been
arranged in the center of the stage.
holding an antique brass candelabra
with II white tapers. After the
achievements of each adminiStra-
ton had been reported, Mrs. Tyler
named the tapers which were light
ed by the page In honor OF the 10
living past presidents and Mrs.
Tyler. Later the names OF the de-
ceased presidents were read and for
each of these the page placed a
white rose in a crystal bowl filled
with fern.
AS the first president of the
league, Mrs. Theodore Tiller occu-
pied a position of honor near the
altar. while Mrs. Tyler occupied
similar position.
Other Past Presidents.
Other past presidents who par
ticipated in the ceremony were Mrs.
Isabel Geddes Smith. Mrs. Agnes
Giles Newman, Mrs. Edna Knight
Gasch, Mrs. Estelle Moses, DR.. Jean
Stephenson, Mrs Azalea Green
Badgley, Mrs. Bess Heath Olmstead,
Miss Marguerite Merigold and Dr.
Frances Moon Butts
The deceased presidents who were
tonored were Mrs Harriet n.
Locher, Mrs. Elsie Mulliken and Mrs.
Anita Maris Boggs.
In addition, the guests last night
included two former presidents OF
the National League, Mrs. Theodore
Cunningham and Mrs. Victoria
Faber Stevenson, and one of the
founders of the National League,
Mrs Emma " Triepel. These, with
members of the National Board who
attended, entered in a body and
were given seats of honor at the
opening of the program.
Music for the professionals was
played by Mrs. Thora Seaton, chair
man of music, who also accompanied
the guest artist of the evening. Mar
garet Merz Richardson, for several
violin numbers.
The leagues weekly dinner pre-
ceded the program last night and
following the ceremony the past
presidents held an informal recep-
ton.
Cites Success of Chapter.
In reporting on the first admin
tstration of the District chapter
Mrs. Tiller recalled that while the
Rational League had been formed in
1897, 1t was not until 1920 that the
decision was made to form local
branch to be known as the District
OF Columbia Chapter. Opposition to
tnis move was strong, she declared,
but she pointed to the success Of the
local league as an answer to argu-
ments against it.
BY 1929 the league was "out of
the red" and had established saw
.ngs account. Though social activi-
ties were curtailed during the de-
preston, the few that were held
were outstanding events.
The league has occupied several
different studios, each move being
accompanied by an increase in ac-
tivities. It's activities have by no
means been confined to social af-
fairs, for workshops have been an
important part of its program.