Activities Among Negroes
The March issue of National Notes, official organ of the National Association of Colored Women, is devoted to the coming biennial meeting of that body in Oakland July 31-August 5. Mrs. Daisy Lampkins of Pittsburgh, Pa., chairman on transportation, has announced the first convention special all-Pullman train will reach Oakland on the morning of July 28.
President Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune has a splendid article in this number in regard to the completion of the Scholarship Fund drive. She said in part: "One of the brightest spots in the history of the negro in this country, one of the most assuring evidences of the possibility of inter-racial cooperation, is the extent to which white people, both North and South, have contributed to negro education. With the exception of a few of our denominational schools, any large negro institution of learning stands as a monument to the generosity of white people, and their faith in the possibilities of black people."
Continuing, she said: "They are constantly inquiring, however, as to the extent negroes are investing their own money in the education of their children. They known (know) the negro has strong social, religious, and fraternal organizations. They know that in the early history of this country, in the days of lean things, they had to give of their little to establish the great schools which are today the glory of the nation. They believe that the negro can and should do more to build and support his own institutions."
She then calls the attention of the club women to the matter of going to California with the avowed intention of completing the Scholarship Fund, of which there remains $38,000 yet to be raised. In conclusion she says: "Our organization is strong enough to get this sum before July, Women have ever been the greatest assets spiritual and otherwise to our educational system. Let us live up to our precious tradition of service in this fundamental human field. Let us say to the world that negroes are alive to their responsibility to their children in matters of education and that organized black womanhood successfully bear its part of the burden which belongs to every man to prepare the children today for the citizenship of tomorrow."
Mrs. Frances Boiling of Pennsylvania, state chairman and distributor of stamp books to use in this scholarship fund drive, also has an excellent article on how to raise the money. The following extract will be of interest to Californians, because of this sum Miss Hallie Q. Brown raised $1000: "Ohio was the banner state at our last biennial and raised $2109, setting a pace for every state in the Union. Will your state try to win the Loving Cup at the next biennial in Oakland, California? Other articles of interest will be reviewed at a later date.
The North Oakland Improvement club held its regular meeting Tuesday evening in the auditorium of Longfellow school. The large auditorium was filled with members representing all races living in the district. On the different committees there were representatives of these different races. The several reports read by the district manager and Inspector M. N. Johnson, showed that the people were improving the outward appearance of their property, and that the city of Oakland was cooperating with the club.
The committee that had charge of presenting the petitions to the city street department and also the police department reported the district had been promised a traffic officer for the protection of the school children of Longfellow school and that the street department of the city had placed refuse cans at Apgar and Market streets and other points for waste paper, in an effort to keep the district clean.
The music for the evening was furnished by the Community orchestra of the club. Miss Helen Holz, a pupil of Mrs. O. Dallstrom, sang.
The address of the evening was delivered by Commissioner Morehead who told in detail how the money was spent that had been raised through voting the school bonds. He also told of the tremendous task the school board had to confront in an effort to not waste the money of the taxpayers, and the number of schools that had been erected and were also under construction. He promised this district should in time have the promised Junior High school, declaring it had not been built because the school board was unable to acquire a suitable site.
Last Sunday afternoon was a history making day for the colored people of the city of Oakland, when their new modern fireproof hospital was opened to the public for inspection. It is located on Harlan street and contains 22 beds. The plans are in accordance to specifications required by the city of Oakland for such structures. It is concrete building with every modern equipment and with hardwood floors throughout.
Dr. Wm. Watts, the owner and builder, came to the state from Houston, Texas, about three and a half years ago. After spending one and a half years in traveling over the state decided that Oakland was the city of the great possibilities,
Roland Hayes will soon make his appearance in Oakland as a musical attraction. He has won many additional honors during the past year. He has brought inspiration and joy to his own race by appearing on several occasions under the branch Y. W. C. A. organizations in Chicago and Cincinnati to assist them to raise money to enlarge their buildings. On these occasions, as at other times, the largest auditorium in the city was not large enough for those who would hear him sing.
The Maria L. Baldwin chapter of American War Mothers entertained last Friday afternoon in the chapter rooms in Golden Gate library building for the State War Mother Mrs. M. E. Dodge from Fresno. She has just returned from the recent National War Mothers' convention held in Philadelphia. Among other things she told of the only colored delegate present, who stated that she was a representative from the oldest War Mother chapter in the U. S. whereupon the California delegate corrected her by telling of the Maria La Baldwin chapter. The State War Mother Mrs. Dodge stated that another colored chapter was forming in Hollywood.
She was followed by an address by Mrs. Watkins, the wife of the newly appointed colored branch Y. M. C. A. secretary. Mrs. Watkins served all during the World War in France. She told of the splendid work done by colored soldiers, and particularly after the signing of the Armistice. Her story of the American cemeteries, where rest the American dead, was so effective the State War Mother asked if she would not go before all the chapters in the state. especially the "Gold Star War Mothers," and repeat this part of her address, because it would be most comforting to these women.
The Alameda County League of Colored Women Voters held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday afternoon in the Linden branch Y. W. C. A. The most important business transacted was the reading of the Legislative report for the state and the nine bills that were presented for consideration. Of this number each unit must endorse five. This is the first time in the history of this league it has had a bill for consideration. Mrs. Mary Grasses, presided. A committee of five was appointed to consider these bills, so the endorsement could be sent to the Legislative chairman in time to be inserted in the State convention program. A communication was read from the California League of Women Voters asking for a contribution to the state quota for the National League of Women Voters. The Alameda County League of Colored Women Voters voted to accept the offer of one of their members to deliver a lecture in an effort to raise this required sum. The lecture will be on "The Value to the American Women Voters of the National League of Women Voters." It will be given Sunday, March 28, at 2.30 in the afternoon at Beth Eden Baptist church by Delilah L. Beasley. The public will be welcome.
Friends of Mrs. Hettie B. Tilghman are sending her condolence. While the funeral cortege of her sister, the late Mrs. Chandler, was about to start to the church a telephone message from Marysville told of the very serious illness of the father of her daughter-in-law Mrs. Tilghman's son and his wife left the funeral party and hastened to the railroad station. As the body of Mrs. Chandler was being lowered Into the grave. another message came telling of the death of the daughter-in-law's father, who was Mr. Looney, a pioneer citizen of Petaluma, but who had lived many years in Marysville. He leaves a widow, a daughter and several sons. The funeral of Mrs. Chandler was the largest ever hold for a colored, woman in Oakland,
