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Show I BL the Future Facing Bv Hazel S Parkinson Tribune Club Editor The Salt Lake Council of Women is reviewing its history and accomplishments over the past 50 years with both interest and satisfaction. To celebrate its half century of organization and civic service, the council has invited members and guests to a Golden Anniversary Tea, Tuesday from 2 to 4 p m. at the Governor's Residence, 1270 Fairfax Rd. On Feb 26, 1912, presidents of the various womens clubs in Salt Lake City answered a call by Mrs. A. G. Gorham, president of the State Federation of Womens Clubs, to organize a group for civic service to their community. At that time women hadnt won the right to vote. Yet they felt a compelling need to organize for the betterment and welfare of the city and its citizenry. What did they want to improve? The areas where women are most concerned, schools, homes, health and welfare, education, legislation and civic affairs. Goals of the present council with its 72 affiliates representing more than 10,000 women, are still keyed to the "promotion of whatever may contribute to the welfare of the community. At first the organization was called the District Federation of Womens Clubs In 1915 the name was changed to the Salt Lake City Federation of Women's Clubs In 1930 the group decided to split Clubs which were federated with the state and national Federatioh of Women's Clubs become the Salt Lake District Federation Clubs which had piograms outlined by their own national organizations and could only function in a local way, not on a statewide basis, comprised the group, the City Federation. Because of the confusion of the two names, the City Federation changed its name In 1934 to the Salt Lake City Council of Women. Throughout its 50 years the council has worked and urged work In needed areas. With projects completed it moved on to new ones. Some of the past projects may seem obsolete, but at the time were urgent Examples, Investigating free drinking water 7 Todd, BIrs. Clayton E. Johnson compare at Fifty-- of a municipal market en sell t where farmers-eott- id pioduce. Welfare of minors has been an area of continual interest. The members have worked for school lunches, employment of minors, curfew laws, Boy and Girl Scout work, child labor laws, recreation facilities, instruction for children with defective speech and detenThe council worked hard for the new tion of minors dentention laws and facilities. The council has worked for the welfare of others. It began the fight for visiting home nuises in 1922 in the city and for public health nurses m 1934 It has urged education for the blind, establishment of new womens prison facilities and in 1922 a home for fallen books and magazines to the women It gave the State Prison Library in 1934. Community improvement has caught the councils attention. It has urged better bus service, better conditions in the city Jail, treatment for those with mental health problems, zoning regulations, more recreation areas, parks and tennis courts. In 1934 the council began working for proper garbage disposal and as early a 1949 urged proper sewage, treatment plants Members have continually supported a civic auditorium. Theyve been interested in cultural advancement They supported the new library, theater at the University of Utah and restoration of The Eagle Gate. And have suppoited Americanism and education for the foreign bom Council efforts spearheaded the purchase of land by the city in 1926 for Linsey Gardens Annually they honor retiring presidents at a tree planting at the gardens. Since its inception In 1934 the council has supported the International Peace Gardens at Jordan Paik, Mrs Otto A Wiesley one of the originators of the idea is it permanent chairman. In 1933 the council began a movement to honor women who have given outstanding service to the community through its Hall of Fame Each five years, seven women are honored Mrs. Wendell E. Taj lor is general chairman of the Mrs. Clayton E. Johnson is golden celebration Mrs. Allan M. Acomb is council president. In the schools, establishment heir-gard- fnt 6 i 1912 62 bonnets. |