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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 1940)
G. F. W. C. GOLDEN JUBILEE EDITION mm VOL. NO. LVI PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, KONDAY, APRIL 1, 1940. NO. 17 TO OUR LOCAL WOMAN'S CLUBS This is your birthday! Your party! You deserve the heartiest of congratulations for each of those years that you have been organized. The high purpose of the original band of women who began the General Federation of Women's Clubs, "the enrichment of life through a better adjustment of human relations" which you still carry on today, makes the lives of all you touch better. It has been our pleasure to be associated with the present Senior club as member, as well as through the contact of publisher and we know considerable of the good work that organization is doing. We are also pleased to note that the Junior club, now a year old, is making rapid strides along the same lines of community service that have been carried on by your elders. Our heartiest congratulations to both of you as you come now to the Golden Jubilee of your General Federation. The Plattsmouth Journal and Staff. Fiftieth Anniversary of the General Federation 45th Anniversary of First Plattsmouth Club Eighteenth Birthday of the Present P. W. C. First Birthday of the Plattsmouth Junior W. C. In offering this Golden Jubilee edition of the Plattsmouth Journal, credit is due many of the members of both the Senior and Junior Clubs for their contributions of interest ing news matter and historic incidents contained herein. It is most regrettable that a number of very fine articles as well as all the recipes submitted have had to be omitted due to space requirements. We feel the experience has been well worth while and that we have gained a new insight on the publishing business. Thanks are extended to the advertisers for their co-operation also to others who have helped in any way. We trust readers will derive as much pleasure from this edition as we have in editing it! MRS. R. C. SHELLENBARGER, EDITOR, AND MEMBERS OF STAFF. TO OUR HOME TOWN NEWSPAPER On this day, the culmination of our year of Golden Jubi lee, we wish to sincerely thank you for the many courtesies you have shown us and for the many "miles of space" you have so generously and willingly given vis during the respec tive years of our existence. We also thank you most sincerely for the opportunity of presenting this G. F. V. C. Golden Jubilee edition, which has taken many hours of labor on your part to compose and assemble from the copy furnished by us. It is our sincere hope that your newspaper and our orga nizations may have many successful years ahead, in which we ntay share together the privilege . . . and obligation ... of serving this community to the best of our respective abilities, jn the light of our duties, as we view them. In this expression of thanks to you, we are joined by every member of The Plattsmouth Woman's Clubs. Civic Service Record Worthy of Repeating Review of the Years Reveals Wide spread Interest in Betterment of the Community. Early By MOLLIE GOBELMAN In our community is woven the best of American life. With this thought in mind, the Plattsmouth Woman's club from its beginning has endeavored at all times to gladly con tribute its share of funds, time and talents to the welfare of . thtt com munity. That the club has had noi small part in the growth aild de-' velopment of the community is evi- dent. 1922 At the very first business meeting of the club civic problems of the community were discussed. A move was started to try to re-open the M. E. Smith factory that work might be given to the unemployed women of our city. A much needed stove was purchas ed at a cost of $77.45 and located in our tourist park for the use of those who were passing through our city. The old band stand was repaired, painted and moved to the tourist park at a cost of $20. Our young people needed recreation, so a cro quet set and tennis court were placed on the high school grounds and kept no for the summer at a cost of $18.90. 1923 In November it was almost impossible to wade through the ceme tery between the old and the new, The Plattsmouth Woman's club came to the rescue. A letter was sent to each lot owner asking for ten dol lars. The typing class at the high school wrote these letters, with the; Woman's club furnishing the sta tionery and stamps. $595.50 was turned over to the city council for the paving fund. Our high school basketball team wanted to attend the basketball tournament but had no funds. The club came to their aid with a gift of $5.00. 1924 The Fourth of July must be celebrated in a big way by the city. The club was asked for $10, which was willingly given. As the club was asked for funds for all community projects, this year a committee of members were desig nated to sit in at the council meet ings. 1925 The American Legion was given $25 lor the new community building they were erecting. The theme of the club this year was "Boost Plattsmouth." Essays were written by club members and the Ad-Sell club was invited to a meet ing to hear them read. Mrs. John Gorder's was selected as the best and it was published in the Plattsmouth Journal. She was presented with prize by the club. A program for the entertainment of the .Masonic family was given by the club at the Masonic Home. 1926 An Art exhibit was held All the pictures from the Nebraska Art department were displayed, also all the work of art available from (Continued on Page 5) This year, 1940, we are celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the origin of the General Federation of Women'3 Club of America. Fifty years ago the first Woman's club was organized. Today every state has many such clubs with thousands of members, who have such a powerful influence for righteousness that they are re spected by all classes of people. At first, men bitterly opposed the entrance of women into public phil anthropies or into any project that would take them out of their homes and this feeling is expressed in the following poem of ridicule: History of Club Activities in Plattsmouth! By OLIVE CASS, Charter Member of First Club Organized Here The American Woman Today "Monday she lunched with a Housing Committee With statistics and stew she was filled; Then she dashed to a tea on Crime in Our City' And dined with a Church Ladies' Guild. "On Tuesday she went to a Babies' Week lunch And a tea on 'Good Citizen ship. At dinner she talked to the Trade Union bunch (There wasn't a date she let slip.) 'On Wednesday 6he managed two annual dinners, One at noon and the other at night. On Thursday, a luncheon on Bootlegging Sinners, And a dinner on 'Are Wom an's Clubs Right?' " 'World Problems We Face was her Friday noon date (A luncheon address, as you guessed) And she wielded a fork while "a man from New York Spoke that evening on 'Social Unrest "On Saturday noon she fell in a swoon. Missed the talk on 'The Youth of Our Land' Poor thing, she was through! She never came to, But died with a spoon in her hand." As a charter member of the first Woman's club of Plattsmouth I have hid the honor and the pleasure f delving into the age yellowed secre- U.ries' books, whose raded ink rec ords reveal so much of the limitations and frustrations encountered fifty years ago, and also of hopes renewed and final success. And so, I say with the poet: "Backward! turn backward, Oh time in thy flight, And make me "young" again just for tonight." that I may bring to you some of the ambition and courage possessed by us young women in the maintenance of our Woman's club, nearly fifty years ago. Eefore I go into the details of the work of our Woman's club, I wish to tell of the fact that in my re search work, I found that there was (Continued on Page 4) Public Welfare Chronology Past Eighteen Years Record Shows Many Worth-While Achievements Since Present Senior Club Organized. Club Woman Media So great an organization as ours, over two million strong, scauerea over 32 foreign countries and 48 states, must have some medium by which to realize this unity some way or saying to eacn commmee chairman: "These are the objectives that justify our organization. These are the things for which we are working two million women asking for world peace, for crime control, for child welfare, for highway safety for all those things that make for the betterment of life." The General Federation magazine Clubwoman G. F. W. C." sets forth these objectives, and experts offer tested plans for their accomplish ment, workable in your community. It is organization and united effort that brings results. The "Clubwoman G. F. W. C." brings the great inter national organization with all its wonderful purposes and plans, to each individual club member every month. It costs only $1.00 a year and no club woman could make a wiser investment. This magazine will not duplicate other women's magazines. It serves a distinctively different purpose. It is womanhood on the march, intelligent, organized, attempting to make your community and mine, and eventually the whole world, a better place in which to live. The Clubwoman G. F. W. C. has not always worn its present up-to-date garb. The first official publica tion of the G. F. W. C. was edited by Mrs. Jennie June Croly and was called "The Woman's Cycle." Later, it was changed to "New Cycle," then to "General Federation News' and in 1928 blossomed out from a clip sheet into a most attractive maga zine representing the various activi ties of Women's clubs, a publication really worthy the dignity and power of the national organization. The Nebraska Club Woman This magazine began publication in 1911. It is the voice of the State Federation. It carries the plans of the officers and chairmen to the in dividual club woman. It may also transmit from one club to another the reactions and results obtained Thus the whole program may become more effective. Much is gained from exchange of ideas. The magazine functions to promote (Continued on Page 2) - J Officers OF THE TWO Woman's Clubs In Plattsmouth Mrs. Frank Mullen (left) is president of the Senior Club this Golden Jubilee year. Miss Wilhelmina Henrichsen (right) is a Senior club mem ber and first president of the new Junior P. W. C. it v. si ' EDUCATION Every interest intimately related to the betterment of life is represent ed in the program of the Federation. The Plattsmouth Woman's club has conducted classes in Literature with Mrs. W. A. Robertson as leader; In Parliamentary Law under the leader ship of Mrs. R. B. Hayes; in Dra matics with Mrs. Wm. Baird and Miss Helene Perry as leaders; in Bet ter English under Miss Pearl Staats; in Art under Miss Marie Kaufman, and Music in charge of Mrs. E. II. Wescott, Mrs. Robert Reed and Mrs. J. T. Begley. The club has observed Music Week throughout the years. In all of these endeavors, the active members have benefited greatly. A Scholarship Loan fund was cre ated in our club by which a number of young people of the community secured assistance for the advance ment of their education. There have been six loans totaling $380 from this fund. Our club has also con tributed $50 to the state Scholarship Loan fund. From this state Scholar ship fund, one of our local students, Miss Madge Garnett, was benefited. Other educational activities sup ported were essay contests, sponsor ship of Girl Scouts and high school athletic activities. The club has supported the public library hy gifts of a piano, books and a fine globe, besides cash conttibu tions, totaling $361. "Today s opportunities neglected become haunting ghosts of regret accepted, they ease and beautify the paths up the mountains of achieve ment." FINANCIAL REPORT Who Said the Plattsmonth Woman's Clnb Hasn't Done Anything? This Report from 1922-1940 Dues from 1922-1940 $1,273.00 One-half of which is Paid to the N. F. W. C. Cemetery Improvements $ 60S. 83 Plattsmouth Journal, print ing and advertising Public Library, rent, books, globe and cash 441.3G Scholarship fund, loans to six local students Legion Building, donation Tourist Park (Stove) Paint Band Stand, Park Tables and Benches, Park Washington Memorial Park Hi School Activities, Day light lantern and slides Associated Charities Entertaining Teachers, Pub lic Schools Donations to State Scholar ship Fund Expense, Christmas Carols. District Convention held in Plattsmouth Girl Scouts Boy Scouts ' Essay Contests Fourth of July Donations Plattsmouth Sign, Washing ton Avenue Santa Claus Fund Theatre Opening Better Homes Display, ex penses Recreation Center ( Band Racks) Donation to Band, 1929 1939 Put out lor Milk, Crackers, Shoes, Overshoes and Repairs on Shoes EIST0EY OF FIRST DISTRICT 584.50 380.00 50.00 77.45 20.00 29.68 10.00 96.90 96.45 52.75 63.60 38.50 30.79 15.00 23.39 8.00 10.00 10.00 6.00 5.00 10.00 10.00 7.75 82.85 Total f $2,768.80 The First District Woman's club was organized in 1902. The six dis trict vice presidents were elected at the state convention by acclamation. The first district vice president was Mrs. Rebecca Wilson, of Falls City. In 1912 the designation dis Irict vice presidents became district presidents. The first district president was Mrs. J. B. Hungate of Auburn, with thirty-four organized clubs, and at, the present time we have 54 clubs with a membership of 2353. Of these, twelve are Junior clubs. There are over twenty departments in tne nrst district, to coniorm wun the state departments. The key note for 1940 will be placed on the Amer ican Citizenship department. The general theme will be "Adjust ing Democracy for Human Welfare,' with emphasis on "Youth Leader ship." Plattsmouth entertained the dis trict convention twice in 1925 with Mrs. E. C. Yant, Pawnee City, pres ident, and in 1934 with Mrs. M. KT. Tucker, Nehawka. COPIES OF JUBILEE EDITION GO TO FAE-AWAY PLACES Besides the regular mailing list circulation of the Journal, copies of this edition are going to many non subscribers, including General Fed eration headquarters in Washington, D. C, sister clubs over the state of Nebraska and distant friends of the members who do not take the paper regularly, but are being remembered with a copy in the special wrapper. Religious Viewpoint Religion in the Woman's club is subtle presence, persistent but un obtrusive; strong, but not loud. De votionals and prayer begin each meet ing. Our membership roll includes wom en from every cnurcn in me cuy. Woman's club work is religion in action. Woman's Clnb as Help to Church Life It is true that the Church, which is Kingdom of Saints taken from all denominations of churches, has been negligent in not having an organiza tion within itself to do an intensive work for a better all-round commun ity. Being divided into denomina tions has been one reason why it cannot do such a service efficiently. The main effort of these denomina tions has been to cultivate Christian character by bringing individuals in to a true vital contact with our God. In a conversation with one of our leading church servants, she said, "All orders, of which there are a great many organized for the advance of personal, communal and national good, should have been an outgrowth of the church's interests in such im portant lines of work." I agreed with her, for they are carrying out- Chris tian service. In this respect, the Woman's club is suen an independent order. Tney are composed of church members of all denominations. They naturally have to be independent of church, for churches are not yet federated. Thus ttey do a Christian service that otherwise would be difficult for the churches to do. Their efforts are highly appreciated and we " believe that through such labors of love they make it easier for the church to go on performing her most vital task of converting worldly people to Godly souls. II. G. McCLUSKY. In Grateful Appreciation It is with a deep appreciation of the work done by the Woman's club in Plattsmouth during these 50 years our Methodist church extends hear tiest congratulations on their Golden Jubilee anniversary. We trust the next fifty years will see the fulfill ment of some of the Ideals for the home, nation and the world the church and the Federation of Worn en's clubs have always had in com (Continued on Page 7) 1922 The prevalence of social diseases as after-effects of carnivals was discusse at length. It was voted the facts be put before the American Legion and Board of Health by a committee. Mrs. S. W. Leete, chairman of the Welfare, committee, secured a place for a skating pond for our young people. The club petitioned all dance halls in the city be required to furnish a proper woman chapercne for dances. 1924 Gave $10 to City Treasurer for Cemetery fund. 1925 Contributed $5 to Scholar ship fund. 1926 Club co-operated with P. T. A. and conducted a child health con ference for two days in May. 1927 Welfare chairman reported delivery of garments at Christmas time to needy families. The club voted that gifts of food be brought to the Christmas party and turned over to the Red Cross for distribution. 1928 $25 given to Red Cross for relief of northeastern Nebraska tor nado sufferers. Two young girls stranded in Plattsmouth were given $30 toward transportation to their homes in Oklahoma. 1929 Established a Woman's Ex change for the benefit of women of our community. Food or fancy work could be placed on sale. A car was furnished for two fun eralsone made a 50 mile drive. 1930 Furnished a nurse for two days for a pneumonia patient. As sisted in clinic for pre-school age children. 1931 Sponsored a meeting for purpose of organizing a city asso ciated charity. 1932 Club donated toys for un fortunate children and several ladies sewed on garments that the Red Cross gave to the needy. Christmas baskets were given. 1933 Pre-school clinic held and 73 children examined. Cod liver oil was given the undernourished for a period of time. $7.54 expended on welfare work. 1934 Towels, toilet soap, etc were donated to nutrition and health centers. Food, toys and clothing distributed to needy at Christmas. Purchased shoes and coal for one needy family. 1935 Gave a Stnior girl $5.00 to apply on clothes that she might graduate with her class. 1936 Club held their annual Christmas party and gave their gifts to the needy. 1937 $5.00 given to Red Cross for flood sufferers. Helped find places for girls to work while they attend ed high school. Sponsored a recital given by Mildred Knoflicek to help her attend school at Pern. 1938 Cancer control program (Continued on Page 7)