Evening star., 1943-04-10
PEG President
Warns Against
Isolation
Mrs. Walker Urges
WOmen to Meet
Tests of Var

A challenge to meet the "acid test
of citizenship in a world at war was
before members of the District
Chapter of the PEO Sisterhood as
they prepared today to conclude
their annual two-day State conven-
ton. 81
Mrs. Blanche D. Walker of Helena,
Mont, supreme president of the
sisterhood, warned against attempts
at isolation from the responsible
ties of living in Nation at war as
she addressed the convention dinner
last night at the Sulgrave Club.
I'VE are facing the fact that we
may not supinely sit and watch the
procession go by" she said. I'VE
are a part Of it whether We wish to
be or not. 1t touches our lives at
every point and how we'll we are
meeting it is the acid test of our
citizenship"
Urges Open Mind.
The duties of citizen, Mrs.
Walker pointed out, include keep
ing a we'll informed but open mind,
conducive to sane and logical rather
than hysterical and confused think
ing.
I'VE need to keep firm grip on
ourselves she declared. Emo
tions are contagious; we need to be
sure our state of mind is one that
will not weaken those about us"
Mrs. Walker also spoke this morn
ing, sharing the program with Mrs.
Joy Elmer Morgan, president of the
Washington Council of Church
Women.
Speaking on the subject For the
Facing of This War;" Mrs. Morgan
declared that the only secret wea-
pons which have appeared so far
during the war are the inner spir-
itual resources by which nations
have been sustained under the i'm
pact Of disaster.
Allies Secret Weapons.
"Britains secret weapon" she
said, "for the facing of this hour
has been courage; China's greatest
strength has been her unbreakable
spirit; Norway still commands the
respect of the world because her
clergy, her school teachers, her plain
people, have never surrendered their
souls, even though compelled to give
up their cities and their lands
Warning that with the lengthen-
ing of the struggle this Nation must
be prepared for a deepening of its
wounds, Mrs. Morgan expressed
confidence that when the American
people are subject to their greatest
strain the secret weapon by which
they will be preserved will be their
spiritual assets-gripping convic-
tions, deep faith, great inner as
surance."
Election and installation of Dis
trict officers this afternoon will con-
clude the convention, which is being
held at the Mount Pleasant Congre-
gational Church. The organization
also will elect a delegate to the su-
preme convention to be held in De-
troit in September.
Musical Program.
A special musical program was 9
feature of the dinner last night, al
which Miss Alma Barry presided as
toastmistress. Piano selection By
Mrs. Gladys Vaile, violin selec.
tions by Mrs. Mary Ellen Pogue
who was accompanied at the
piano by Mrs. Mary Dwan, anc
vocal solos by Mrs. Helen Turley
contralto, accompanied at the piano
by Mrs. Beatrice Voight, were in.
cluded. Mrs. Alice Haig led com.
munity singing and readings were
presented by Mrs. Ida Ullmar
Brown.
Among those introduced we're Mr.
and Mrs. Wade Ellis, whose sponsor.
ship made the Sulgrave Club avail.
able for the dinner.
Mrs. M. H. Fohrman, president O.
the District chapter, and the presi.
dents of the three local chapter:
acting as convention hostesses-
Mrs. John P. Mutchler, Chapter O
Mrs. D. c. Trafton, Chapter P
and Mrs. R. E. Brewster, Chapter
Q-brOught greetings.