The Miami Times

State Women Close Successful Meeting

The Florida State Association of Colored Women, Inc., closed a very successful meeting in Palatka, Tuesday, June 14, with Miami having the largest delegation.

The delegates from Miami are:

From the West Club: Mrs. Davis, state president, who was highly praised for her efficiency during her first term of office and Mrs. Elizabeth Espy; the Idle Hour Club: Mrs. Mable McFadden, Flora Strachan, Marie Price, Marie Taylor, Annette McNeal and Marguerite Everhart; the Sunshine Community Club: Mmes. Portia Bannister, Naomi Trotman and Wilhelmina Sands; Co-operative Women's Club: Mrs. Bertha McKeever.

These ladies played important parts in the meeting, some as chairmen of committees and Mmes. Myrtle Davis, Annette McNeal and Marguerite Everhart as state officers.

The arts and crafts department of which Mrs. McNeal is chairman, gave away a beautiful hand carved leather bag to the holder of the lucky saying, who was Mrs. Mable McFadden. This bag was made by Mrs. McNeal, who is very well versed in the line of arts and crafts, having received her master's degree in the supervision of arts and crafts from New York University.

The state president's address on the "Power of Faith" was most inspiring and indeed a consolation to all in attendance. We had the honor of having our national president with us, Mrs. Irene McCoy Gaines, who is a native of Ocala and now living in Chicago. She gave the opening address Sunday afternoon which was inspiring and informative.

Her mission at this time was to plan with us for the national meeting which will be held in Miami in August of 1956.

The junior department of the FSA of Colored Girls also enjoyed a successful meeting, having shared part of their meetings with us. Their president, Miss Roslyn Williams, a very promising young lady, delivered a timely message to the youth and adults, also. Her topic was "Flowers in Bloom", which was very appropriate for their work. Miss Williams is the granddaughter of Mrs. Gertrude Williams and an honor student of Dorsey High School. Their supervisor is the amiable Mrs. Louise Taylor of Belle Glade, who is doing remarkably well with the girls, teaching them to live by our motto, "Lifting as we Climb."

Another young lady came down from St. Augustine to deliver an oration, which held the attention of the audience. Her subject was "The Constitution and Desegregation."

The meetings of both women and girls were conducted efficiently and harmoniously throughout.

The only cloud was the death of our beloved Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune who was past president of the National Association of Colored Women and the State Association of Colored Women. The memorial service for her and the other deceased members of the association during the year was very impressive. We will miss her for she was one of our trailblazers in both state and national.

She had worked untiringly in this organization as had the other great women who have earned their heavenly reward.

The next meeting will be held in Ft. Pierce in June, 1956 when we hope to meet again from all parts of Florida, sharing our ideas and helping others by "Lifting as we Climb."

Mrs. Marguerite Everhart is reporter for the Miami City Association of Colored Women, Inc.