| MRS.
F. A. DOUTY, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD |
|
MRS.
E. E. COLLINS, CHAIRMAN OF COLORED WORK |
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Williams
Avenue Branch |
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|
Young
Women's Christian Association |
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PORTLAND
- OREGON |
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OFFICERS
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|
CHAIRMAN
OF COMMITTEES |
| MRS.
JESSIE C. GRAYSON, CHAIRMAN |
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MRS.
ROSA S. NICHOLS, FINANCE |
| MRS.
KATHERINE GRAY, VICE-CHAIRMAN |
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MRS.
EMMA STANLEY, HOSPITALITY |
| MRS.
THELMA FLOWERS, SECRETARY |
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MRS.
KATHERINE GRAY, MEMBERSHIP |
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MRS.
JESSIE EDWARDS, RELIGIOUS |
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MRS. MAHALA
KENNY, HOUSING
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MRS.
PEARL C. STEWART, GIRL RESERVE |
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MRS.
ELIA MORTON, HEALTH EDUCATION |
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Y.W.C.A. |
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274
TILLAMOOK STREET |
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|
HELENA
H. HARPER, EXECTUTIVE SECRETARY |
|
Mrs. Cordella Winn,
600 Lexington Ave.
New York City
My dear Mrs. Winn:
Enclosed
find the report for May by which you can tell somewhat how things
are going. I might also add that we have had the building painted
and it is all paid for and we have over half of the money necessary
to tint the inside. We are expecting a check from a white lady and
if it is enough we will have that work done now but if not I think
I will wait till fall as the people have been somewhat drained. In
September I want to have a big membership drive and get in a lot of
new members. My membership chairman is a very lovely and very willing
worker but I realize that I will have to keep right behind her all
of the time. If you have any practical suggestions to give me as to
just how to put on this drive I would appreciate them a great deal.
This summer when I am in California I am going to get some ideas.
Of course I wont let them know that I either have to get some ideas
from them or originate some but I will get the information in some
manner. I cant let anybody know just how ignorant I am of this whole
Y.W.C.A. proceedure or my prestige would be lessened considerably.
But they dont know how many times I just simply guess at the proper
thing to do. I am getting more and more confidence now and feel that
I know a great deal more now than I did last year.
We have started a young
girls club here now and it seems fine and that is going to mean some
recreation for me. We have a very congenial group so far and we might
go into the Federation. Most of them are married but there are several
single ones in it.
I
am going to take my vacation in July and will spend it in California.
I would like to get a few extra days and attend the Social Workers
conference but I guess I went [illeg.] it and I will get in on the
last day when I do arrive. At Berkeley they are giving a two weeks
course from July 8th to 20th and the faculty will be some who are
on the coast in connection with this conference. I think I will take
some courses at that as I hate to see the summer go by and I not get
any work at all as badly as I need it. I can take something along
the line of Community Organization work or Child Welfare or something
similar.
I received notice of the
Branch Conference in West Virginia and I would go to that only my
sister is coming to California and I want to see her. Also I have
to have some time for just pure rest and relaxation as I need it.
Well,
I have a busy three weeks ahead of me and lots to do. I made one big
mistake with the Blue Triangle girls, and I have to get them out of
it now. In May they started working on a big entertainment, vaudeville
and one act play. Now they havent got far enough along in it to be
able to put it on in June and it seems impossible to have it in July.
There is a man training the chorus and I am coaching the play. I am
afraid it is going to have a bad effect to have to postpone it till
September but I dont see any way out of it. I should have realized
that since they are all working girls and their time rather uncertain
that it would have taken longer than six weeks to start and finish
a big entertainment, especially when they are all terribly inexperienced
along that line. Next year I will get them started in February or
March.
Well
I hope that you are well and how is Miss Bowles? One of the ladies
who was at the seminar, Miss Shaedler sent me a letter written by
Miss Derricotte about her trip to India and it was perfectly grand.
I would like to be where all you folks are some time and be invisible
so that I could really watch you and see just how you are.
Oh
yes, I must tell you something funny. I have a most impossible voice
but these white folks think it is grand absolutely insist that I sing
for them all the time. The President of the Board thinks I sing lovely.
I hate to be always saying no but I surely hate to sing before them.
The Girls Work Committee and the Girl Reserve Advisors held a joint
luncheon meeting and out of clear sky they asked me to sing and insisted
on it. It fails to be funny to me sometime.
Well
I must close now and I hope that I have not bored you.
Sincerely,
[signed]
Helena H. Harper
