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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS TUESDAY MARCH 17, 1992 Community Mormon women celebrate 150 years of service as the Relief Society The exhibit is dedicated to Kntitled womens Women's Iet Us Rejoice: Come comprises a colHistory Month will h celebrated in ASesquicentennial Celebration lection of paintings, sculpture, the photographs, artifacts, memoMarch, 1992 The Museum of of Relief Society 1 ('hurch History and Art in Salt exhibit opens on March 13, 1992 rabilia, quilts and countless City will use the occasion commemorating the 150th an- handmade items, each telling to kick ofT a unique exhibit high niversary of The Relief Society part of the history of this dislighting the interests and ac- which was established on March tinctive womens group. Most National 842-199- complishments of women oxer the past 1 50 years The exhibit focuse on mem U rs of one of the nation's oldest and largest women's organon tions. The Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of I,at-r day Saints 1 842 in Nauvoo, Illinois. The exhibition follows the development of women from the mid-800s, pioneer era of the the through two world wars, and into the expandd world view the Relief Society enjoys today. 1 7, 1 Jack Christianson will speak Mar. 19 at Know Your Religion Popular LI)S speaker Jack R youth, he has lectured extenChristianson will lx- - the guest sively for BYUs Education sp aker at the Kanab Area Kno u Week, Especially for Youth proyour Religion .senes on Thurs- grams, youth conferences, and day, March 1 9 at 7 30 p m m the firesides. He is the author of three books and has recorder Kanab Utah Stake Center. be several cassette tapes. Olsons subject will Admission for those who dont Stir ngthcningspintual rcsoke in timesoftnal through the Book have a senes ticket is $4 for adults and $3 for students. of Mormon and Christianson is a popular get free. both and adults with in speaker Mis-sionan- non-membe- es rs Garden Club to meet Mar. 1 9 The Garden Club will meet Everyone is invited to join and ideas and knowledge. share at tohpm Grand Those interested can get on the Alvards located at Canyon Dnve in Kanab ('reek club's phone list for future meetRanchos The club will study ings, Share Walks, and visits to and observe hillside landscap- improsed gardens To get on the list call 644 5514 or ing and gardening March 19 from 4 p m 11-1- 644-818- 1 fxmk that a is uuxuting ime at the end a Lmg day mules that dux happier. Jml the Ltupu ledge items are accompanied by a descriptive text. From its inception the Relief Society has aimed to improve the lives of its individual members and their communities. The women were active in the suffrage movement, in the legislative process, in social work programs and in public health efforts. One display focuses on the Woman's Exponent , a Relief Society publication which became the first womens newspaper west of the Mississippi. First published in 1 872, the Expone nt was a womens forum where, through reports, letters, poems, and essays women shared their ideas and opinions concerning the events of the time. The womens suffrage movement in the United States was important to the Relief Society. With documents and photographs the exhibit follows the development of this womens crusade in the West, as Relief Society leadership participated in the founding of the National Council of Women (NCW) and the Womens Suffrage Association of Utah. Women in Utah Territory actually cast the first female ballots in the nation. And in 1 896 Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon became the first female state senator elected in the United States. On display in this section of the exhibit is a dress worn by Su- suffrage pioneer san B. Anthony. Latter-daSaint women made this dress of silk as a gift for 80th birthday in 1 900. Anthonys The dress is on loan from the Susan B. Anthony House in Rochester, New York. The exhibition catalogues the Relief Societys concern with public health issues, particularly as they concerned women and children. Photographs from the late 19th and early 20th century document the Relief Societys efforts to train community health care providers, which were rare during that time. Sponsored by the Relief Society, many women were sent East for medial training. When they returned to Utah they practiced medicine and taught nursing and midwifery classes supported by the local Relief Societies. Using funding collected by women, the Relief Society esy Utah-produce- d beorganization nevolent Christian service. A portion of the exhibit chronicles the groups work with national and international relief efforts followingboth world wars. Similar efforts continue to the present day, with ongoing church-sponsore- d international disaster re- lief programs. The Relief Society has celebrated anniversaries in the past. This exhibit contains letters, photographs, artifacts and memorabilia collected from its Jubilee (50th) celebration in 1892 and the Centennial (100th) observance in 1942. An important section of the exhibit displays hand-mad- e goods from Relief Society members in many different countries. These items express the talents, creativity, faith and individual cultures of the Relief Societys more than three million members around the world. Among tablished two maternity hospi- articles to be displayed are tals in the 1920s, one in Utah weavings from Bolivia, Venetian and one in Arizona. A typical lace from Italy, beadwork from maternity room circa 1920 is Colombia, cut felt work from the replicated for this exhibit and Philippines, needlepoint from contains authentic furnishings Austria, metalwork from South including a bed, a newborn crib, Africa, and embroidery from chairs, a hospital cabinet filled Taiwan. with medical supplies, and a - The Museum of Church Hiscompletely outfitted doctors ob- tory and Art is located in downtown Salt Lake City, across the stetrical bag from that era. Scattered throughout the ex- street west of historic Temple hibition are more than a dozen Square. It is open to the public hand-mad- e quilts. Today quilt- daily without charge. Hours are is considered an art form, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. ing but it has also been an impor- to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday tant part of womens efforts to and holidays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. provide for the needy through- The Relief Society exhibit is loout the Relief Societys 1 50 year cated in the Changing Art Galhistory. lery on the second floor. The The Relief Societys motto is exhibit runs through Monday, Charity Never Faileth and the February 22, 1993. The Cinnamon Bears are hoppin into Spring with their and lots of wonderful ideas. Come get ready for Easter and Spring at the same time. for the classes of your choice. Pre-regist- er Samples on display. Take Make-l- t March 20: 1 -- 6 Wreaths Watercolor Easter Decorations 406 East 300 South & March 21 It : 1 0-- 5 Baskets Home Decorations Kanab 644-556- 2 Graduating Class from the Relief Society Nursing School (circa 1902). Many Relief Society groups sponsored women to receive basic medical training with the understanding they would then return to serve their communities. This group of nursing graduates surround their instructor. Dr. Margaret C. Roberts. Dr. Roberts was one of a group of dedicated women who were sent East for medical training. She graduated from the Woman 's Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1882 and returned to teach and practice in Salt Lake City. Photo courtesy LDS Church Archives |