Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-07
Optimistic Report
On Equal Rights Law
Given by Mrs. Wiley
Womon's Porty Official
Sounds Victory Note in
Work for Amendment

In an optimistic report on the
work Of the National Woman's Party
in the last two years. Mrs. Harvey
w. Wiley, chairman of the Nationa.
Executive Council, today sounded a
victory note in the party's cam
palgn to have an equal rights amend
ment added to the Constitution.
Mrs. Wiley referred particularly
to the Republican National Conven-
tons adoption of a plank to sub
NIT the amendment to the States
as she addressed the opening bust
ness session of the party's biennial
convention at the Mayflower HoteI
today.
She added that many Democratic
voters were in agreement with the
demand for referring the amend
ment to the States for ratification
She also pointed out that she had
been able to obtain renewal of the
study resolution of the equal rights
amendment at the council meeting
of the General Federation of Wom-
ems Clubs in Milwaukee last sum-
mer.
Il am more and more hopeful
that this great organization, with
which I have worked for so many
years so happily, will, in the not
too distant future, join the ever
increasing group of women's organi-
cations who believe in the equality
of the sexes and that the constitu-
tional amendment as the only way
to secure that equality
Sees Threat to Women.
Mrs. Wiley described the present
as Crucial time for women.
Democratic principles are under fire
throughout the world. and a con-
slant threat is aimed at women s
right to work for a living, she de-
clared.
The time has come to make
democracy whole" she added To
throw the protection of the Con-
stitution around women by adding
new amendment which writes the
phrase including women beside
each of the guarantees of liberty in
our Constitution.
Reports of other officers also were
given at today's session, over which
Mrs. Edwina Austin Avery, the con-
vention chairman, presided. To-
night Pearl Buck, the author, will
be the principal speaker at a ban
Quet at the MayfloWer,
New officers will be elected at the
concluding sessions tomorrow.
Members and friends attended a
reception last night at Alva Belmont
House. national headquarters. A
portrait of the late Maud Younger.
one of the founders of the party and
one of the most active workers for
the equal rights amendment, was
unveiled.
Mrs. Irwin Is Speaker.
Mrs. Inez Haynes Irwin of New
York, was the principal speaker,
describing Miss Younger's contribu-
ton to the cause of the party and
stressing her perseverance and
determination. Mrs. Wiley presided,
while brief talks also were made
by Mrs. Bernita Shelton Matthews
and Miss Laura Berrien, active
members of the District of Columbia
branch; Miss Josephine Casey,
chairman of industrial women for
the party; Miss Helen Forbes, a
past chairman of Government
workers in the District; Mrs. Mary
Murray, leader of the labor group
in New York; Mrs. Jane Norman
Smith of New York. a vice presi-
dent, and Miss Anita Polhtzer of
South Carolina, a vice president.
Miss Pollitzer assisted with the
unwilling.
Painted by Alice Reischer.
The portrait of Miss Younger
which has been hung in the draw
ing room, was painted by Alice K,
Reischer. who came to America from
Vienna in November, 1898.
Among those attending the recep-
ton were Mrs. Lois Buenzli of Phil
adelphia, Edwina Austin Avery, con-
vention chairman; Mrs. Amy c.
Ransome OF California, Mrs Marie
Moore Forrest of Washington, Miss
Josephine Casey of New York, Mrs.
Florence Bayard Hilles of Delaware,
Mrs. Avery Coonley, Miss Alma Lutz,
Miss Marguerite Smith of Boston,
Mrs. Lorraine Blair, new Chicago
chairman; Mrs. Serena Davis of
Philadelphia, Clara Smell Wolfe of
Ohio, Mrs. Alma Anderson, Mrs. Ma
RE K. Brown, Mrs. Clara Kelly, DR..
Annie Ranes, Miss Matilda Fam
burke, Miss Olive Hurlburt Of Chi