Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-03-19
|SoroPtinzist Honor
Is Presented to
MISS Baker
By Ruth Dean


Miss Sibyl Baker, who two weeks
ago was named by the Washington
Soroptimist Club as the achieve
ment woman of the year." yester-
day received the symbol of that
honor. Mrs. Zada Daniels, presi-
dent of the club, presented her with
| a beautifully engraved silver medal
in recognition of her work as as
sistant superintendent of District
recreation.
More than 200 guests, including
Government and District officials as
well as civic leaders and members
of other clubs in Washington, Mary
land and Virginia, attended the
luncheon which was given in the
Hall of Nations dining room at the
Washington Hotel.
Mrs. Nellie Tayloe Ross, Director
of the Mint. headed the list of
special guests, including many men,
bers of the Recreation Department,
who offered Miss Baker their con-
gratulations.
AS a special surprise for Miss
Baker, the Soroptimist Club asked
10 members OF the class with whom
Miss Baker graduated from Welles-
LEY and they occupied table direct
ly in front Of the honor guest.
introduced by Miss Werner.
In introducing Miss Baker, Miss
Ella Werner, chairman Of the Pub
llic Affairs Committee of the club
which selected Miss Baker for the
honor, described the work Miss
Baker has done, stressing the fact
she has been responsible for i'm
proving the administrative and eco
nonic status of an extensive group
of women workers in the District.
She also pointed out how Miss
Baker has set standards that are an
example and influence in advancing
women employed throughout the
Nation in the profession of recrea-
ton.
Miss Baker thanked the club for
the every great and very moving
honor" they had bestowed on her.
She praised the work being done by
other women in recreation, adding
that there is a real place for women
in that field, particularly with small
children.
Mrs. Ross said she always feels
exuItation when she hears woman
has received an honor" but that it al
ways stirred in her the question we
should all ask ourselves, "Are we
measuring up to the opportunities
this wonderful country is giving
us?"
Leadership Urged.
Referring to the suffering in other
parts of the world, Mrs. Ross said,
wouldn't it be wonderful if some
great leadership should rise up
among the women of this country,
to mobilize the great compassion we
all feel and project it to the corners
of the world that need that help
and understanding" We should all
think now in terms of how we can
make ourselves useful members OF
society, she urged.
| Joining with Mrs. Ross in offering
their congratulations were: Milo
Christensen, superintendent of
Recreation OF the District; Harry
Wender, chairman Of the District
Recreation Board; James E. Schwab
of the District Recreation Board
and Melvin Sharp, Board Of Edu-
cation representative on the Rec
reation Board.
The presidents of several women's
and mer's business and professional!
clubs were also present. Mrs. Hazel
B. Hackett, president of the Amer
lean Federation Soroptimist Clubs,
could not be present because Of ILL
ness. She was represented by Mrs.
Anna Rose, director Of the South
Atlantic Region Of Soroptimist
Clubs.
A special feature Of the after
moons entertainment were musical
selections played by three members
of the all-string ensemble Of the
Thompson Recreation Center.