Document 26: Willa Murray, "Report--Tea for Social Workers in Harlem," 18 January 1933, Reel 32, Papers of Margaret Sanger, 1900-1966, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Document 26: Willa Murray, "Report--Tea for Social Workers in Harlem," 18 January 1933, Reel 32, Papers of Margaret Sanger, 1900-1966, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Introduction

   This report, written for Sanger by Willa Murray, a white staff member of the Clinical Research Bureau, provides an account of an outreach event sponsored by the Harlem clinic Advisory Council. The event, a tea for social service agencies in the community, brought area social workers to the clinic to learn about its services. This tea is item 15 on the list of suggested changes to the clinic enumerated in Document 21.

   The tea was a collaborative effort between the Advisory Council and clinic staff. Advisory Council members took charge of the arrangements, providing food and flowers. The clinic staff welcomed guests and made introductions. The language of this report is very revealing; Murray wrote that members of the Advisory Council "responded beautifully" by assuming full charge of the tea, suggesting that there was some apprehension in advance of the tea about whether the council members would follow through. Yet the tea is an example of the kind of outreach the Advisory Council had been saying they wanted to participate in for some time (see Document 14 and Document 22).

REPORT -- TEA FOR SOCIAL WORKERS AT HARLEM CLINIC

   Invitations were sent to all Social Workers and Social Agencies in Harlem to attend a Tea -- January 18, 1933. About 45 persons were present representing various social organizations in the district.

   Members of the Advisory Council responded beautifully by assuming fully charge of the Tea. Flowers, silver services and delicious food were the gifts of the Ladies of the Council. The Staff, as hostesses, welcomed the guests and presented them to the members of the Medical Staff and Advisory Council.

   Dr. Stone addressed the Social Workers, giving them a splendid resume of various aspects of Birth Control. Many intelligent questions followed this discussion. Dr. Stone announced fees, also stating that all indigent persons referred by a letter by a Social Agency would receive services gratious [sic]. Dr. Weiser in the Medical examination room, gave a demonstration of BC methods.

   Miss Levine displayed various types of literature on the subject and some purchases were made by the guests.

   The Harlem Clinic pamphlet was given every departing guest.

   The Tea served its educational purposes.

signed by W. Murray