Evening star., 1946-12-29

one OF WaShlngton'S newest ana
most interesting women's clubs is
proving to be like the little acorn
that grew into an oak with branches
spreading and expanding to far
reaching distances.
The Club de Liaison des Femmes
de France" composed of French
women and French-speaking Amer
ican women who have lived in
France, will celebrate its first birth
day January 6, when its success
and accomplishments Of the past
year will be reviewed by its approx
mately SO or 60 members.
It will be just year on January
6 that small group of French and
American women met with Mrs.
Ruth Kelso Renfrow, extension Sec
retary to the Foreign and Territorial
Clubs of the General Federation of
Women's Clubs, to assist Mrs. Rem
frow with her unusually heavy cor
respondence for women in France.
Although there is no woman's club
in France afflliated with the General
Federation of Women's Clubs,
French women have shown great
eagerness since the end of the war
to cooperate with American women
In the Peace Plans Practical, spon-
sored by the Foreign and Territorial
Clubs department of the general
federation. These plans aim to
further the cause of peace by fos-
tering understanding and mutual in
terests among women of the world
through women's clubs, by the ex-
change of letters, club programs and
other "ties that bind
Letters to French Women.
The small group that met with
Mrs. Renfrow to assist her in writing
letters to women in France left the
meeting an organized unit which has
grown in membership and purpose.
Nine. Jean Chatel, American wife
of Commandant Jean Chatel, who
served with Gen. LIE Clerc's army
during the war and is now in Wash
ington on a special mission, is presi-
dent of the Club de Liaison," as the
organization is called informally.
The Comtesse de Ferclu, whose hus-
band is in Washington with the Far
Eastern Commission, is secretary,
and the treasurer, Mrs. j. C. Mac
Arthur, is the War French-Swiss
wife of an American Army colonel.
There are several active commit
tees in the club, one called "Petites
Annonces," under Craftsmanship OF
Nine. Marcel Clement, which takes
care of reciprocal needs Of mem
bers. For instance, French MEM
bers will help American members
secure French governesses or a hat
from Paris" while American mem
bers engage baby-sitters or hunt
for houses for their French sisters.
Another committee which han
dies translations is chairmaned by
Mrs. Harold M. Cooper, French wife
of an American Air Corps captain.
The club lives its name "Liaison" n"I
in practically every activity 1t un-
dertakes. AS a vehicle of liasiont
between French and Americans it
has already given proof Of effec-
tiveness in promoting better under
standing not only between its mem
bers but other men and women OF
the two nations. N
Already, French members have
been introduced to various forms
of American entertainment, lnclud-
ing square dancing and American
games. They have been taken into
American homes, gardens z and
kitchens and their opinions of the
country are thus formed through
practical contacts and real friend
ships rather than through news
papers, moving pictures and pass
ing acquaintance.
On the other hand, French
speaking American members are put
in touch with French women work.
ing and living in the United States.
They are also introduced through
correspondence to women in France
and the result is an exchange OF
letters, magazines and gifts. all OF
which naturally further and
strengthen friendship.
Library Committee.
A particularly constructive COM
mittee is the clubs Library Com
mittee, chairmaned by Mile. Renee
Beaujanot, executive secretary to|
the Commercial Counselor of the
French Embassy.
French publications are kept at
the present time, until the young
organization finds a home OF its
own, at the headquarters of the
General Federation of Women's
Clubs. 1874 N street NV. This lit
erature is sent by the federation to
affiliated clubs throughout the
United States. In this way, under
standing and interest is promoted
on both sides of the Atlantic. For
example, if woman's club in Mon