RootsWeb: CASANFRA-L [CASANFRA] City and County Federation of Women's Clubs, San Francisco, 1918-1920,

CASANFRA-L Archives

Archiver > CASANFRA > 2002-06 > 1024973698

From: Elaine Sturdevant <>
Subject: [CASANFRA] City and County Federation of Women's Clubs, San Francisco, 1918-1920,
Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2002 19:58:39 -0700

Club descriptions, cont. 7. California Home for Girls Mrs. Edward Dexter Knight, Chairman Organized 1913 Federated 1917 Meets first Mondays A few years ago several representative Christian women of San Francisco who were interested in charitable and social service work became impressed with the serious need of an organization which would be prepared to render aid to girls and young women who, for any reason, had become destitute and were without friends in the city to whom they could appeal for help. The number of cases to whom assistance has been given, as shown in the tabulated report to follow, is mute but eloquent evidence of the need and worthiness of such a work. Two removals to more commodious quarters have been necessary since the opening of the Home in the first little house. Financial support has not been forthcoming in proportion to the increased needs, but the organization has kept strong in the faith that when the great hearted people once really know of the splendid work the organization is doing and has in mind to do, there will be a half dozen giving aid toward the support of the Home where now there is one. In January, 1917, as the result of repeated demands, it was decided to make an effort to meet another insistent need which, perhaps, may be considered by many to be even a greater service to humanity, the welfare of future citizens and the community at large, than the work of aiding stranded girls. There had been no place in San Francisco where a destitute young mother could board and have her baby with her. The Home has extended its work to meet this great need also. Mother and baby are taken in to the Home, and in some cases a home is found for the baby for adoption, in others a boarding home has been found, and in others the father has been located and the parents reunited, and in some cases a position has been secured where a mother can work and have her baby with her. In the six years closing January, 1920, over three thousand one hundred cases have received attention. The following are some of the forms of service which are included in this total, all of which represent cases of destitution only: 1. Those who have been inmates of emergency home. 2. Positions secured for others who have not stayed at the home, for which service no charge is made either directly or indirectly. 3. Young mothers and infants cared for. 4. Arrangements made for adoption of babies in cases wherein the mothers are unfit or unable to care for the child. 5. Cases to whom transportation to friends elsewhere has been furnished. 6. Garments supplied to deserving women. 7. Destitute convalescents. 8. Cases treated by the physician to the Home. 9. Drunk and drug cases. 10. Court cases, covering various needs arising in the adult, probation, police and superior courts, etc. All inquiries regarding the work and donations or applications for assistance should be addressed to the secretary. Endorsed by Chamber of Commerce Charities Endorsement Committee. The California Home for Girls (Incorporated), 2607 California Street, San Francisco Directors 1919-1920 Mrs. Edward Dexter Knight, Chairman Mrs. Annette Blackburn, Secretary-Treasurer Mathilde Karges, Acting Secretary Mrs. E. R. Lewis Mrs. H. K. Moulthrop Mrs. Theo. J. Gosliner Mrs. A. Krebs-Wilkins Mrs. Robert Watt Mrs. Chas. Levy Mrs. A. Landsburg ------ 8. The California Woman's State Democratic League Mrs. Charles William Miller, President Organized 1914 Federated 1918 The California Woman's State Democratic League organized in 1914, that its members might be active workers in the Presidential campaign; proved its raison d'etre in that memorable campaign, and with the lull following the unceasing activities of the Presidential year, determined to continue as a study club, meeting monthly, in the intervals between political campaigns, deeming the personnel of the club too valuable to disband. The League assisted in many splendid undertakings of the City and County Federation, and at the annual convention luncheon of the Federation entertained the League members, with Mrs. Anderson Reid of the Woman's Federal Employment Bureau, as the guest of honor. The League, through its president and members, enjoyed the Literary Section maintained by the Federation, under the direction of Miss Suzanne Throop, who, with Dr. Castle, deserves our everlasting gratitude for contributing this pleasure to us, and the president of the League takes this opportunity of saying that the meeting of the Literary Section was looked forward to with keen delight, and the anticipation on every occasion was delightfully realized when Miss Throop gave an admirable presentation of the present day literature in her own pleasing way. The League also participated in the fete given by the City Federation at the Fairmont, each club exemplifying the activity of its organization; in other words, showing for what it stood. The League stood for President Wilson and the splendid work of his administration. The League contributed to the Tuberculosis Fund, the Homeless Children Fund under the auspices of the Native Daughters of the Golden West and many other charitable enterprises. The League assisted in the entertainment of distinguished visitors, notably that of Hon. Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, who was the honored guest at a luncheon given by the prominent women of San Francisco. This affair was held at the Palace Hotel and was a very large representative gathering. Mrs. George Bass was also entertained on her recent visit to San Francisco. Mrs. Bass, who is a well known resident of Chicago, is a member of the Democratic National Committee and came to our city as a representative of the National Committee. Mrs. Bass gave an interesting view of the women in politics throughout the country, as she perceived them, during her visits in the various states. The League contributed largely to the success of the dinner given to Hon. Homer Cummings, chairman of the National Democratic Committee, and party. The League endorsed the Preservation and Restoration of the California Missions, and contributed to that good work, believing the Missions to be a great contribution to the literature and art of our day, and valuing them as a legacy of other times passed on to us. We should keep them as vivid reminders of days that are past and bequeath these gifts of historical value, to those that come after. The days of the early Spanish settlers were the days of romance and religion. The League joined the Federation in 1918 on invitation of Mrs. J. D. McMaster, First President of the City Federation. Hon. James D. Phelan, United States Senator, Honorary President Mrs. Chas. M. Miller, President Mrs. Irene S. Thom, Secretary Mrs. Catherine Workman, Treasurer ------- 9. CAP AND BELLS CLUB Mrs. Ella M. Sexton, President Organized 1904 Federated 1918 First and third Thursdays The Cap and Bells Club was organized for the development of wit and humor, and for the study of the drama, music, languages and kindred subjects. The pointed cap, wand and bells of the Jester form its emblem, and unusual dramatic and musical talent characterizes the membership list, so that the programs during the sixteen years of the club's existence have been of great excellence. Section work, always an indication of progress, has received much earnest attention, and has proved a marked success during 1918-1920. The study of Art, under Mrs. J. H. Crabbe, of Household Economics, under Mrs. J. A. Kuykendall, of Literature, including California authors, with Mrs. Jesse Whited, of French with Mrs. J. K. Plencz, bridge with Mrs. Marshall Harris, and modern dancing with Mrs. A. J. Rossi as chairman, added knowledge and variety, broadening, also, the outlook and self-expression of the members. Mrs. M. H. Heynemann was chairman of an excellent Red Cross Section during 1918. The Cap and Bells Orchestra, with Mrs. B. Frank Howard as leader, preceded by Mrs. Charles Ker, furnishes delightful numbers for programs, and is of much advantage to the members composing it. The dramatic work has been in charge of Miss Mae F. O'Keefe, during 1918-1920. OFFICERS SERVICE FROM MAY, 1918 TO MAY, 1920 Mrs. Ella M. Sexton, President Mrs. George S. Beadle, First Vice-President Mrs. Robert B. Williams, Second Vice-President Mrs. C. F. Adams, Recording Secretary Mrs. John K. Plencz, Corresponding Secretary Mrs. J. Emmet Hayden, Financial Secretary Mrs. John Stewart Sinclair, Treasurer DIRECTORS Mrs. J. Edward Gilson Mrs. Angelo J. Rossi Mrs. J. A. Kuykendall Mrs. J. A. Simpson Mrs. E. O. Smith BOARD OF DIRECTORS SERVING FROM MAY, 1918 TO MAY, 1919 Mrs. Walter S. Gray Mrs. E. J. Morser Mrs. Frank D. Monckton Miss Mae F. O'Keefe Mrs. Charles A. Schroth OFFICERS 1920-1921 Mrs. Richard D. Martens, President Mrs. Marshall Harris, First Vice-President Mrs. Jesse Whited, Second Vice-President Mrs. J. A. Kuykendall, Recording Secretary Mrs. Walter S. Gray, Financial Secretary Mrs. J. E. Gilson, Treasurer DIRECTORS Mrs. Charles Ker Mrs. Angelo Rossi Mrs. E. L. Smith Mrs. J. Simpson Mrs. Jack Sammi CATHOLIC PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S CLUB Miss Genevieve Carroll, President Organized 1910 Federated 1919 Meets second Wednesdays The Catholic Professional Women's Club was organized in February, 1910, for the purpose of looking after the comfort and welfare of the Catholic girls enrolled in the San Francisco Normal School. With this end in view, it sponsored the organization of the Siena Club, which is composed entirely of girls attending the Normal School. This club has since developed its own Alumnae organization, the Siena Alumnae, which has largely relieved the older club of the responsibility of the Siena Club. The Catholic Professional Women's Club then took up the Americanization work in the North Beach section by the establishment of a class to teach English to foreign mothers. This class was started in April, 1917, and has been in session every school day since from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. It is in charge of Miss Adele Zabaldano, and has an enrollment of fifty-four. During the past year it has been necessary to add a kindergarten teacher to care for the little ones who accompany their mothers. The club conducts a Bible section under the direction of Rev. Father Foote, S. J., and a literary section under the direction of Monsignor Ramm. Besides this specific work, the club gives its support to numerous movements for social and civic betterment, endeavoring to attain the highest ideals of the Roman Catholic faith. Meetings are held on the second Wednesdays of every calendar month from September to June, at 4:00 p.m., while the Board of Directors meets similarly on the fourth Wednesdays. All meetings are held in Junipero Serra Hall, Young Men's Institute Building, 50 Oak Street. OFFICERS 1919-1920 Miss Genevieve Carroll, President Miss Eleanor Tierney, Vice-President Miss Anna P. Hunt, Recording Secretary Miss Gertrude Flanagan, Corresponding Secretary Miss Pauline Des Roches, Treasurer DIRECTORS Miss Agnes Regan Miss Norah Hussey Miss Agnes Clary Miss Agnes Gallagher Miss Cicely O'Connor Miss May Nolan Miss May McCarthy OFFICERS 1920-1921 Miss Eleanor Tierney, President Miss Nan Hunt, First Vice-President Miss Gertrude Flanagan, Secretary Miss Pauline Des Roches. Treasurer Transcribed by Elaine Sturdevant You can view all the transcriptions to date on the web at: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~rawls/CCFWC/index.html