Activities Among Negroes
The writer wishes to acknowledge the numerous letters containing news of interest to this column. They will all find a place in due time. One letter was from Mrs. .S. W. Layten of Philadelphia, formerly of California. She is regretting that she cannot attend the N. A. of C. W. biennial meeting in this city. She has been appointed chairman of the Women's Board Negro Activities, Sesquicentennial International Exposition, of which the Hon. J. C. Ashbury is director. She states: "This women's board has centered its attention upon the following:
"Cooperating with the general committee in the collecting and production of exhibits. The State Federation of Colored Women's clubs held its annual meeting July a 12-16, and arranged a Women's Day program, presenting a historical pageant, Loyalty's Gift,' which perhaps will be the outstanding feature of the negro program, The enclosed program of this historical pageant in song was under the direction of Mrs. Dora Cole Norman, the author, and was given in the auditorium on the Sesquicentennial grounds. It portrayed the struggles and activities of the negro, featuring a chorus of
voices singing negro spirituals in their original settings by the Hampton quartet; the Fisk quartet, Miss Marion Anderson, winner of the New York Stadium contest, and also music by Grinnell's concert band."
Another reader of this column has sent the following concerning the exposition: "Upon the opening of this great exposition commemorating the 150 years of American independence, there were just three speakers, Secretary of State Kellog, Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover; A. Phillip Randolph, representing the negro people. He is general organizer of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, and editor of The Messenger Magazine.
Dr. Vada Somerville, of Los Angeles, who represented the Los Angeles branch N. A. A. C. P. at their recent annual meeting in Chicago, has sent the following news item of that branch. They recently held a baby contest in which the contestants raised $4050.55. The largest amount for any of the nine babies was by the baby sponsored by Mrs. A. C. Richardson. She raised $406.38 for Baby A Hudson. Other babies were Gloria Roberts, $311. She is the daughter of Assemblyman Roberts, and Mrs. Pearl Hinds-Roberts, a former society belle of this city. Two other babies, Ruth Flowers, for whom $292 was raised, and Alonza Adams, $272. These three babies, out of the nine entered, broke all records for individual totals in baby contests. Mrs. M. D. Scott, who served as chairman of the contest, was assisted by Dr. Vade Somerville, Mrs. S. Johnson, Mrs. T. A. Cole, Mrs. Ruth Fowler and Mrs. Mamie White. Dr. Wilbur Gordon, assisted by paying for and donating a whole page of advertisement in the colored weekly papers of Los Angeles, this donated space running for several weeks. He also sponsored the much-talked-of Bell Boy of San Francisco, who wrote a play, afterwards going to New York for its production. Mrs. Snelling who had been called to Los Angeles on account of the illness of her brother, says that it was not the amount of money that the contest represented, but the solid united effort of every race-loving person in the city. She says, notwithstanding she has traveled extensively, she has never seen in any city the great spirit of unity as in this contest."
The Harmon Foundation in regard to awards to be given annually as recognition and stimulus to creative work among negroes July has extended the period for making nominations or filing applications until August 1, this year. Names of successful candidates will be announced about December 1. William E. Harmon, president of the Harmon Foundation, in telling of the appointment of man, the judges said: "No self-respecting negro desires to secure advantage through special favor, without due consideration being given to his merit. All he asks is a fair field of opportunity, words of encouragement, a sympathetic understanding, and the assurance that his work will be judged on par with the work of the white race, without either unfair discrimination, prejudice, or, on the other hand, any undue support or paternalism.
"It is believed by those who are interested in these awards that there are probably few organizations in this country that can do as much for colored men and women of ability and character as this independent courageous and far-sighted foundation which is consecrating its best endeavors toward the equalization of opportunity for all Americans irrespective of race, color or creed."
The following is the list of judges in their respective fields of awards: Literature, William Stanly Braitwaite, poet and author; Henry G. Leach, editor The Forum; Joel E. Spingarn, author and literary critic; John H. Finley, editor New in York Times; Mrs. Edith Fremdling, musician. Judges in Fine Arts, for William A. Boring, dean of architecture, Columbia University; Meta W. Fuller, sculpturess; Grosvenor Atterbury; architect; William E. Harmon, philanthropist and business. Music, Harry T. Burleigh, soloist and composer; Clarence Dickinson, organist, Brick Presbyterian church, New York City; Preston W. Orem, composer and theorist; Miss Edith Fremdling, musician. Industry, including business, Robert R. Moten, president National Negro Business League and Principal Tuskegee Institute; Sam A. Lewisohn, financier; William E. Harmon, Henry S. Dennison, president Dennison Manufacturing Company. Science, including invention, Dr. Edward E. Slosson, chemist and editor. Science Service, Dr. E. E. Just, professor of biology, Howard University; Professor Jacob H. Hollander, economist, John Hopkins University; Kenneth Duncan, business man. Education, President John Hope, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Ga.; Edward T. Devine, dean of the American University, Washington, D. C.; Professor Paul Monroe, Columbia University; James H. Dillard, president Slater Funds; Samuel McCune Lindsay, professor Columbia University. Religion, Channing H. Tobias, secretary; Colored Men's Department, Y. M. C. A.; Professor Luther A. Weigle, Yale School of Religion; Rev. Peter Ainslie, Baltimore, Md.; Miss Edith M. Burdick, Harmon Foundation. Race Relations, Mrs. F. Stephens, president Women's Missionary Council, M. E. Church, of South; Bishop R. E. Jones, M. E. Church, New Orleans, La.; Dr. Alva W. Taylor, Social Service Secretary, Indianapolis, Ind.; Dean C. S, Shailer Mathews, Chicago Theological Seminary; Professor Samuel McCune Lindsay.
Rev. G. C. Coleman has just returned from Los Angeles, where he served last week as Moderator for the State Baptist convention. He was accompanied to Oakland by a Rev. Wood, the president of the National Baptist Convention, Unincorporated. He was present in a mass meeting to the congregation and friends of North Oakland Baptist church Thursday evening. Rev. Nelson Pryor announces that Mrs. Helen Curtis, recently returned from Monrovia, West Coast Africa, will speak in First A. M. E. church Sunday morning on her work in Africa. Rev. Hubbard announces that he is preaching a special sermon Sunday evening to "The Youth of the Bay Cities." The Linden Branch Y. W. C. A. has as their guest Miss Jamleey of Pasadena, who is serving as executive secretary of the Portland Branch Y. W. C. A. The two secretaries of the Linden Branch together with 25 Girls Reserves left Tuesday morning for Camp Brookman.
The Alameda County League of Colored Women Voters are deeply grieved over the sudden death this week of their most efficient secretary, Mrs. Sadie Lawson, who died from an acute attack of appendicitis. She was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist church of Oakland, where she has served as secretary to the Home Missionary Society. She was a native of Tyler, Texas, a graduate of Prairie View College of that state, and had taught in the public schools of Fort Worth, Texas. Since coming to Oakland, she has lived a life of the service for her race. She was a member of the Linden Y. W. C. A.; recording secretary for the past two years for the Alameda County League of Colored Women Voters: member of Arts and Industrial club, Victoria Lodge Household of Berkeley; Beaula Chapter No. 24, O. E. S.; A
financial secretary of board of directors of Fanny Wall Childrens' Home and Day Nursery, and had but very recently accepted the position as matron of the same. Her funeral was held from North Oakland Baptist church and was largely attended. Resolutions of condolence were presented from the various organizations which she had served.
The Alameda County League of Colored Women Voters held their regular monthly meeting, at which time they were addressed by many candidates, Messrs. Warren, for district attorney Culver, for sheriff, McFarlan, for assembly, and Mrs., Holt. There were very few members present owing to the funeral of their later secretary, Mrs. Lawporta. It was therefore decided to hold another meeting next Thursday afternoon. Business of importance in regard to the reception to be tendered the delegates to the bienniel of N. A. of C. W. which will shortly convene in this city.
