USA > Ohio > The Western Reserve of Ohio and some of its pioneers, places and women's clubs, Vol. II > Part 4
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August-"Business Women" Mrs. H. C. Purdy
September-"Dress Reform"
Mrs. M. P. Rose
October-"Physical Culture" Mrs. Lee Caldwell
November-"Art" Miss M. Morrison
December-"Drama"
Mrs. F. W. Roberts
Music and recitations are to be given at each meeting; also fifteen minutes of parliamentary drill, by Mrs. H. E. Hammond.
Ten were to constitute the Executive Board, and they after- ward signed the charter: Mesdames J. M. P. Phelps, L. A. Benton, N. A. Gilbert, A. M. Searles, M. G. Browne, C. C. Bur- nett, M. B. Ingham, M. S. Fraser and Miss M. Quintrell. Ex officio, Mesdames M. A. Reilly, J. A. Nansen and W. G. Rose. All proposals for membership are to be given to the chairman, presented by one, and vouched for by two other members, and to state in which department the applicant choses to serve. If accepted by the Executive Committee, the application is to be voted upon vive voce, by the Society. Custodians for each ban-
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quet or concert were to be appointed at the meeting previous, with power to add to their numbers at their discretion.
July 16 .- Sixty-five ladies were present. A letter was read from Mrs. Bacher, of Pittsburgh Ladies' Literary Club, asking for the constitution of the New York Sorosis. Ours was sent to them. A paper by Mrs. H. E. Hammond, on "Women of the Bible."
August 2 .- "Nocturne," of Chopin, by Miss Grace Brown; recitation, by Mrs. A. J. Stewart; a paper, by Mrs. H. C. Purdy, on "Business Women."
August 20 .- We had our first parliamentary drill, led by Mrs. Hammond. The seventy ladies present voted that she and Mrs. Spargo Fraser teach us from Cushing's Manual the first half hour of each social meeting, but sickness and business en- gagements have so far prevented. Miss Dora Blum, of Can- ton, O., was present, and delighted the audience with her careful and perfect rendering of selections from Chopin and Wagner. Mrs. Lee Caldwell gave an hour with Delsarte. Among other things, she said: "To become beautiful, we must avoid cloth- ing which would impede the circulation of the blood; the vital affects the mental, the mental the moral; to be good, we need to build up physically." In this she is in accord with Anna Payson Call, whose book, "Power Through Repose," she uses in her classes and who was at that time in the city. We regretted not being able to present Mrs. Call to our society.
Mrs. Dautel moved we tender Miss Helen Watterson a re- ception the week of her return to Cleveland for her marriage, as she had so kindly obtained for us the Constitution of the New York Sorosis; and that we invite our husbands and friends; also that she be requested to speak at one of our regular meet- ings on the work of that club. Miss Quintrell, Mrs. T. D.
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The Western Reserve of Ohio and Some of
Crocker and Mrs. C. W. Loomis offered their homes for the occa- sion. The latter was accepted.
September 6-Three hundred of our friends gladly wel- comed the Cleveland girl, who, had through merit, won her way from contributor to a weekly newspaper to the staff of the New York Sun, and now was to become woman editor of McClure's syndicate. She was assisted in receiving by the President of the Sorosis and Mrs. M. G. Browne.
September 3 .- A song by Miss Ethel Seymour; a recitation by Mrs. Olga Sturm, and the talk upon New York Sorosis, by Helen Watterson. She said, "You are to be congratulated on your society, you will have work brought to you, and thus will come into the recognition of your own power. They will ask you to do things and say, 'we can not do it, others can not do it, but you can.' The Sorosis of New York has a business and a social meeting the first and third Mondays of nine months of the year. The business meeting is in a small room, the social is a luncheon always held at Delmonico's, and distinguished guests in the city are invited. First, the luncheon at 1 p. m., then a paper, then discussion of that paper, for women are never stupid after dinner as some men are, the best things are then said. The luncheon I attended, 175 sat down at the table. Mrs. Dr. Lozier, Mrs. Sangster, Marion Harland, Margaret Morrill, Mrs. Collis, Mrs. Griswold, who has just written another delight- ful book; Miss Dodge, of St. Nicholas; Mrs. Croly, the president for ten years, and Anna Louise Carey, now Mrs. Raymond.
I never heard brighter, or readier repartee. It was really table talk. First mentally, then wittily, they discussed 'Woman as a Factor of the State,' a paper read by Mrs. E. Akers Allen. She had never spoken there before, but it was most notable.
When I desired the Constitution of Sorosis, one asked:
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'What for?' and I said, 'To send to the Sorosis of Cleveland,' forgetting about the pledge. The letter 'S' is like the old Eng- lish S, sometimes jewelled and is the gold 'S;' the silver 'S' be- longs to the Sidel Society. Any one knows it is the 'S' of Sorosis, it carries honor with it. In the Federation, they were the leading women in brains and brilliancy of speech, it really founded the other societies. The wards, or marshals usher in the people; they were the prettiest young girls, from sixteen to eighteen-a set of rose-buds-at the door, they quietly and care- fully seated all the members. They were beautiful among the white hairs of the elderly ones, and ranging from sixty to eigh- teen years, and all had thoughtful faces. It made a delightful variety. Women of elegant leisure were with those who earn their bread and butter, editors, writers, doctors and lawyers; I do not know of a person who does not enter into all the discus- sions. All kinds of taste, experience and council."
After recess, by request, Miss Watterson spoke of "Bab," as she had referred to the great success of many Southern women who had come to New York since the war, and supported themselves by the pen. "Mrs. Isabel Mallen was born in Balti- more, married at fourteen to a jovial Irishman of nineteen. Her husband, young, given to dissipation, they cut off his allowance; boy and girl had typhoid fever; he died. It was utterly impossi- ble for her to do manual work, she knew about fashion; she went to Butterick's and he gave her a place as a fashion writer, which she followed many years. She has a beautiful figure and is popular in her manner, her very impulsiveness lends a charm. As Ruth Ashmore, she gives good talks to young people."
September 17 .- Sorosis filled the room at City Hall. Mrs. D. Caldwell's resignation as auditor was not accepted. Miss Ella Robertson and Mrs. Helen Watterson Moody were elected
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The Western Reserve of Ohio and Some of
honorary members. Song, by Mrs. M. S. Penfield. Dr. Jessie Boggs gave a very instructive paper on the "Care of the Skin and Hair." Mrs. Roosa recited from Will Carleton.
October 1 .- Twenty names presented for membership. It was moved "We apply for a Charter, as this society is educa- tional." Mrs. Fraser, our attorney, was delegated to attend to it for us. Mrs. Charles Christy sang a solo with much expression; Miss Gibson recited "Bells" and in an encore, "The Raggedy Man." Mrs. Jennie Terrell Ruprecht's paper on "Queen Isa- bella," was exhaustive, and was read by Mrs. Roosa.
October 16 .- Music on the piano by Miss Jean Gilbert; "Minuet-antique," of Paderwiskey; and Hovelizza, by Godard; original poem, by Mrs. Sturm. The charter read by Mrs. Fra- ser. Mrs. John Bailey, of New York, gave a talk on "Physical Culture," in which she among other things said: "When we depart from the law of the perpendicular, we depart from the highest lines. Faulty poise is from resting on the heels; all we gain is from activity of the body, and is ease, repose, control, swift or regular motion. Poor instruction is worse than none. Mothers tell their children not to be so clumsy or awkward, but do not show them how to act. Lungs are as near the back as front, to throw your shoulders back is often an injury. It is only when the breathing is full and strong it is what it ought to be. You cannot breathe well with corsets; human beings don't know how to breathe; women suffer from oxygen starva- tion, it is a bloodless condition. We admire the Venus, and Paris journals say: 'Small waists are opposed to every idea of art.' Nothing but corsets could bring it into the shape it is. The kind of lines to find should be flowing lines, so we discard corsets. The hips are strong and should bear the weight of the dress. The body has a language; outside the hand
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is moral, inside it is vital. We put our hands together when in prayer, and expose only the moral side. Muscles, free and empty, manifest the true and beautiful. By relaxation we econ- omize the nerve force. Repression in childhood has much to do with awkwardness; the schools have too many children, some are allowed to sit with their elbows on the desk; the use of bicycles contracts the chest. I wish to train you until your mus- cles are strong. Correct poise is rarely attained except by exer- cise. I speak of poise, what will it be? The amount it accom- plishes varies with different people.' Mrs. Bailey was an easy and charming speaker. She taught several classes before leav- ing the city, and has aided in bringing the introduction of Physical Culture into our private and public schools."
November 5 .- Extracts from papers sent from Grand Rap- ids' meeting of Association for Advancement of Women were read by Miss Quintrell, Mrs. Potter Palmer, who had writ- ten for it, on the Columbian Exposition, was requested to give her address in Cleveland. A letter in reply stated she was not able to be at Grand Rapids to read her paper; she would send to Cleveland Mrs. Charles Henroten, Vice President of the Con- gress Auxiliary. Miss Franklin gave a solo, and Miss Norton, Dean of the Art School, gave a talk on "Greek Art, what it has done for us." The great in art has the purpose of the heart. That is greatest that gives us the greatest truths. Art is and has been democratic; it is the outcome of need, and a most un- alloyed pleasure; it makes Greek art unique. The public mind must be educated symmetrically, artists must produce man's goodness, it is that in the art of the Greeks that strikes us. A political leader like Pericles, or a dreamy philosopher like Socra- tes, are the normally and fully developed. Aristotle distin- guished two-the active and the passive energy. Theirs was
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the life of intellectual relaxation. Education was technical and elementary; it was a friend of humanity, and was full of inter- est, even to old age. Art was a real need. The Greeks excelled in the education of productive artists, so as to express it in clearness of form, and be in sympathy with all. The artist was the highest type; Phydias shared it with Pericles, who was a student of philosophy and no less skillful as a draughtsman. Such were the conditions of Greek art. The atmosphere here is not the same. Our highest art is not readily understood, the art that expresses the best in us. In domestic art we excel, and in scientific attainments we are best. What do we need? Edu- cation by public museums, public works of art, to be supported by public treasury. France gives to education, and buys for public art.
November 19-Mrs. Halliday gave the song "Dear Heart." Miss Addie Strong spoke of wood carving. How, in Cincinnati, she "went daily to a shop from 7 to 5, where those who had been in the business from nine to thirty years were yet learners. She was thankful for their criticism, for it has in it more of truth and help than praise." The specimens of her work were perfect, as is that of the buffet and dining-table in her own home. A paper was read by Miss Quintrell on "The Effects of Art on Character."
December 3 .- Solo, by Miss Augusta Wilcox. Committee secured the banquet hall of the Hollenden for our regular meet- ings. It will seat two hundred, our average attendance is sixty- five. Letter read from Miss Steele, of Dayton, O., on the "Gen- eral Federation of Women's Clubs," to be held in Chicago in May. A collection taken for the "Woman's Cycle," from which extracts were read by Mrs. A. G. Carpenter, and also the paper of the working girls, called "Far and Near," for the use of
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Sorosis. Mrs. F. W. Roberts, chairman of Drama, gave a clear and interesting talk on the necessity in drama of voice and phys- ical culture. Mrs. Lee Caldwell gave the movement of Delsarte to music on piano, by Miss Pettee.
December 17 .- Miss Bertha Floyd, of School of Music, gave a musical number on guitar. Miss Jenness, two recitations -- one tragedy and the other humorous-that were perfect of their kind. Mrs. Mary B. Ingham read an instructive paper on the Plays of Ibsen. The custodians were appointed for the luncheon to be given at the Hollenden, January 6.
January 14 .- Miss Leopold Dautel read a paper on "Real- ism in Literature." It was clear and discriminating. She was followed by Mrs. Lillian Keyes, of Philadelphia, who gave an account of the New Century Club House, costing $500,000, and shares at $25 each. Mrs. Keyes also gave, the following Mon- day, at same time and place, a pay lecture on "The Dominant Forces in the Progress of the World."
January 21 .- Miss Keffer, of Painesville, delivered one of her course of lectures of Lake Erie Seminary. "Harmony in color in household decoration and shades of silk," and illus- trated it with chart. The lecture was greatly admired. Mrs. Henroten, who had arrived two days previously, and addressed the Conversational E. and I. Union and Art School, gave a very interesting talk on the work of the Congress Auxiliary, in Chi- cago in 1893. She left us leaflets explaining the work, a portrait of Mrs. Potter Palmer, and also of the buildings of the Expo- sition. She created the greatest enthusiasm by her earnest and inspiring words. The newspaper account is also submitted to you in this Annual .- (See Article on "Columbian Exposition".)
February 4 .- Letters were read from Mrs. Carey and Mrs. Tilden, accepting honorary membership conferred at the lunch-
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The Western Reserve of Ohio and Some of
eon of January 6. Miss Luella Varney, of Rome, Italy, and Mrs. A. A. Johnston, of Oberlin, were at that time made hon- orary members Cleveland Sorosis. Mrs. C. C. Burnett obtained two most interesting papers from Mrs. Hodge and Mrs. Springer for the month of February, on Literature. Mrs. O. J. Hodge read a detailed account of her trip to Alaska and the visit to the glaciers, also exhibited specimens of domestic art of the Alaskans. Mrs. E. H. Baker, of the East End Conversational, read her paper on the Columbian Exposition, giving the work in detail, and thus emphasized the talk of Mrs. Henroten.
February 18 .- The banquet hall being occupied as cafe, as that was being repaired, Sorosis returned to City Hall. Mrs. L. F. Lance gave an exhaustive paper on the "Unexplained Mystery of the Ages, or Who Wrote Shakespeare?" Among other things she said: "Francis Bacon, father of Nicholas Bacon, was born in 1516. He was a lawyer of note, and suggested to Henry VIII. to found a college out of the funds accruing from the dissolution of the monasteries. He appealed to Essex when he wanted his son advanced, and was given £2,000 a year. When Essex was tried, Francis Bacon was counsel against him and was, therefore, called treacherous. , Bacon was cautious, quick; methodical, deliberative and free from prejudice. His essays I have trans- formed into verse, and Shakespeare into prose, and from similar phrases and words I am convinced that Bacon wrote Shake- speare." Dr. Boggs read the opinions from Dr. Tait, one of England's greatest surgeons; Mrs. Ingham had visited Avon, and others expressed views upon the subject, eulogizing Shake- speare. The ladies differed in opinion, and requested Mrs. Lance to give us, in another paper, more reasons for her opinions.
March 3 .- Interesting letter read from Manchester, Eng- land, from Mrs. A. J. Stewart, now traveling abroad. Mrs.
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Dautel was made 3d Vice President. Mrs. A. D. Davidson, President of the National Science Club, gave an account of its formation, and promised to give a paper upon "Recreations in Geology." Mrs. Aug. LeQuesne recited a piece requiring: thought and practice. The piano had been removed and the Musical Committee asked to be excused until such time as we: had an instrument of our own. Mrs. Mary Springer read a paper on "Russia and its Institutions," and many questions of the reason of the Jews' expulsion were answered satisfactorily.
March 17 .- The Non-partisan W. C. T. U. gave, through Mrs. H. M. Ingham, an explanation for that branch of the Temperance work. Very many of them were present, and made remarks which were listened to with a great deal of interest. Mrs. Zieman referred to her work among foreigners on temperance. Mrs. Cogswell spoke of the new home for women discharged from penal institutions.
April 7 .- Mrs. D. W. Gage read a paper of Mary B. Ing- ham's, on the formation of the crusade at Chautauqua and the organization of the W. C. T. U., at the Second Presbyterian Church, in this city in 1874. Mrs. H. E. Hammond, on the work of temperance, from her standpoint. Mrs. Lida Grisell Romick followed on Social Purity, and said: "It was more diffi- cult to reach and cure than was drunkenness. Mothers must give their children constant employment and awaken to the importance of this subject. Having found your wings, it will be difficult to crush the butterfly back into the shell of the chrysalis."
April 21 .- Mrs. A. D. Davidson, in her lecture on "Recrea- tions in Geology," exhibited rare specimens obtained near her home in Iowa. She advises all to study with the objects before them. In her neighborhood, ladies and their children would
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spend a day geologizing. The fossils were very beautiful, and she told how to prepare them. Mrs. Davidson will form a class in Cleveland and other cities, and will also give a case of specimens for the new Sorosis rooms.
May 5 .- Mrs. F. W. Roberts recited from Longfellow. Mrs. N. Coe Stewart, who has been Inspector of Schools of Ohio, in manual training, gave the origin and success of this department in other countries. She said: "It was an extension of kinder- garten or object-lesson teaching, and should be in the grammar and primary schools. Many parents, now, indifferent to their children's progress, would assist them in these practical stud- ies." She was requested to continue the subject at no distant date.
The President and Mrs. Geo. A. Robertson were made delegates to the Biennial Federation of Woman's Clubs, to be held in Chicago May 11, 12, 13; Mrs. L. Dautel and Mrs. S. P. Churchill, alternates. Club members, Miss M. Quintrell, Mrs. A. D. Davidson, Mrs. N. A. Gilbert and Mrs. E. R. Pearson, also attended. The meeting at Chicago is related by the delegates in the following newspaper articles. It was enjoyed, as it could not have been but for this one year of Sorosis. The 20,000 women, represented by 400 delegates, marks a new era in the progress of the fair sex, many of them college graduates. It is university extension, now so advocated and begun in many cities. This search after truth and facts will give rest to those weary from the petty cares and toil of domestic life, and re- move the shadows that fall on those bereaved of loved ones, and help them to recover their usual cheer and brightness, and if this is all, Sorosis has done good work, for which she may well be proud.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. W. G. ROSE, President. MRS. J. M. NANSEN, Rec. Sec'y. MRS. M. A. RIELLY, Cor. Sec'y.
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FIRST LUNCHEON AND TOASTS
January 22, 1892 An Elaborate Affair, followed by Speeches
Report of the Cleveland Leader, January 23, 1892
That the women of Cleveland will stand in the front rank in promoting the social and educational advancement of Ameri- can women, was demonstrated yesterday afternoon. The Sorosis Club gave a luncheon at the Hollenden, at which one hundred and thirty of the brightest women of the city were present. The men were conspicuous by their absence. It was an occa- sion of, by and for women only. The after-dinner speeches were of a high order of merit, and it is a pity that the husbands and brothers of the members were not there, as they might have picked up a few "pointers" that would be of service, and besides, they would have gone away with enlarged ideas re- gardi ; woman's proper sphere. The luncheon took place in the large banquet room at the Hollenden. The tables were arranged in the form of an E. and were beautifully decorated with ferns and cut flowers. The arriving guests were wel- comed by Miss Mary Quintrell, Mrs. Wm. Bowler and the other members of the Committee and Custodians, upon whom devolved also the supervision of the table. The other members of the committee are Misses Morrison, Stockwell and Clark, Mrs. X. X. Crum, Mrs. Barrett, Mrs. S. B. Hubbard, and Mrs. L. H. Winch. While the guests were being seated Mrs. R. Vertner Holliday sang "O Promise Me," by DeKoven, Mrs. Hessler playing the accompaniment. An elaborate luncheon of eight courses was then served. It was just three o'clock when Mrs. W. G. Rose, the President of Sorosis, called the guests to order and gave a comprehensive history of the society.
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"Members of Sorosis and friends," the president said, "I am requested to speak a few words in explanation of our society. Cook's Manual of Botanic Terms defines Sorosis as 'a com- pound fleshy fruit, as the pine-apple, fig, bread fruit, etc.' So we as a society formed from many other organizations, take that name. We represent art, music, temperance, law, suffrage, edu- cation, science and philanthropy. We have twelve themes, and wish each month to have able speakers or essayists in the de- partment assigned to it. We have, so far, succeeded beyond our most sanguine expectations, and believe that in our associa- tions we must take on the type of the age, that of a large organization, and become more tolerant of others by listening to reasons for their life work. If at any time any woman of note or ability visits our city, we desire her friends should make it known to our Executive Board, and she will be invited by the society to address us.
"Besides all this, some of us desire to bring the talents of woman. as an analytical and ethical thinker, before the public. She has been doomed to silence through the force of public opinion, and she has not known her own powers. I have list- ened to after-dinner speeches where women, educated equally with men, formed more than one-half of the audience, and with but one exception she, who has lived as careful and complete a life, has not been asked to contribute of her experience.
"It was in 1829 that John Adams, in the senate of Massa- chusetts, introduced a bill admitting girls to the high schools. Four hundred applied for admission, and the next winter the bill was revoked because of the expense, but in three years public sentiment forced the legislature again to grant women the higher education. It is an instinct to wish to share with others what we have learned, therefore, if we educate women we must allow her the privilege to tell her thoughts."
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Continuing, Mrs. Rose touched upon the subject of dress re- form. "Why," she asked, "should a woman wear a dress that gathers filth from the street on a rainy day? Should she not have the protection of cork soles, and of short, loose, light garments? Why should she not preserve health as well as does her brother? She stands in as great need of it as he. For two hundred years man has discarded the ruffled shirt, knee breeches, and the corset. He stands before you in the congregation with clothing loose from the shoulders, while the woman at his side who, as a companion, must keep pace with him, has every function of her body forced out of place or compressed by that strange fashion, a small waist. It is not the way the human form is made, and like the flat heads of the Indians and the small feet of the Chinese, is a relic of barbarism. We hope the time will soon come when a manikin, with every part of the human frame in its proper place, will be studied with physiology in our common schools. And we shall help to secure, if possible, during the coming Columbian Expo- sition, a conference of the best modistes and physicians, to which the public will be invited, to consider the practicability of a universal dress for women that shall commend itself to the good judgment of all."
Mrs. Rose then introduced Mrs. Mary B. Ingham as toast- mistress. Mrs. Ingham announced the first topic to be "Houses and Homes of the Japanese," and called upon Mrs. Mary S. Cary to address the company. In introducing Mrs. Cary the toastmistress referred to her as one of the most experienced travelers whose home is in Cleveland. Mrs. Cary had twice made the circuit of the globe, and was about to start on her fifth tour of Europe. Her account of the home life of the Jap- anese was full of interest and was much enjoyed.
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