The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1940-02-02
Youth Council
HOnOrs Founders
BY EUNIS MOTT

achieved one of its major prob
lens towards making the young
Negro more race conscious. This
achievement was the organizing OF
Youth Groups all over the country
known as Youth Councils. Dur
ing this great moment, you elected
a man capable of leading you in
the civic, economic, and social
problems concerning the Negro OF
Portland. There was no person,
believe, more DESTROYS of seeing us
young people organized than was
Mr.. Williams. And so very wise
was he in his selection and ap-
pointment of Mrs. Mary Duncan in
charge of the Youth department.
These two grand personages will
always be accredited with what
success the Portland Youth at
tains, for it was through them that
we were organized, and we are
indeed gratified. At our initial
meeting on June 6, 1888, only nine
boys and girls were present. How
ever, at our second meeting, we
were able to elect officers in whom
we had confidence as to fine lead
ership. The very first thing we
wanted was charter which would
emphasize more our relationship
with our NAACP elders. That
most of us were in school, few of
us were working, and to ask our
parents for our dues would BELT
tie our pride. So we put our heads
together and planned a carnival.
To make it sound big we called it
"Swing-a-Roo." We advertised it
through posters and newspapers,
we gave publicity talks, we called
upon the assistance of you, espec-
tally the Ladies' Auxiliary, and,
with the wonderful cooperation of
the Council members, we gave our
"Swinga-Roo." We covered ex-
penses and we now merit a char
ter of 80 members. BY this time,
our chests were naturally expand
ed; but not to such an extent that
we were willing to sit down, so to
speak. We wanted to know just
what our purpose to you. meant.
How could we be more race con-
scious? To satisfy our inquiries
we invited race leaders to speak
to us. Completely satisfied with
our purpose to each other, we Won
dered just how our problem relat-
ed with young people of other rae
es. Thus we sent representatives
to the association of Portland
Youth, an organization in which
all races are represented to con-
verse civilly on breaking down the
ignorant prejudices between races.
Three of our members served on
that executive board: past presi-
dent Hubert Lewis, Carl Diez and
I.
During your fight for Civil
Rights we gave a Vesper service
on this question, What a Civil
Rights Bill Would Mean To Me"
You probably recall that only the
members of the Council contribut-
ed to this Vesper; that, we hope,
fully expressed our honest opinion
to you in our desire for Civil Lib
critics. You recall that we were
thankful to you for training us so
when the time presented itself we
could take over your work; that
we spoke appreciation for your in
terest in us as your race leaders
of tomorrow. Also outstanding
during the term under our leader,
Mr.. Williams, was the campaign
ing of Christmas Seals which we
again helped sponsor last Christ
mas. Although many of our char
for ~ oyoharo owe a1,,oo t;po tIa,,o
selves in colleges outside of Port
land, we are still striving to make
you proud. And now, as president
of the Portland Youth Council, the
only one on the Pacific Coast ano
which boasts membership of so
I would like to wish DIR. Unthank
all possible success as he takes
the chair that other capable pre-
sidents before have shared. The
DR.. has long been sincere friend
to young people, understanding
guiding, and loving us. So while
we cherish the sparkling leader
ship of Mr.. Williams, we will
proudly share this beautiful truth
which is the never dying friendship
with DR.. Unthank. DR., am sure
it is needless to say that you may
always call on we Youth Council
ers for any support that you may
need. Sincere best wishes to you
Thank you.