Page:History of Woman Suffrage Volume 6.djvu/587

 RHODE ISLAND 571 During the winter of 1918, a civics course was conducted by Miss Anthony covering local and national government, Mayor Joseph H. Gainer of Providence and other city officers speaking in the course. Miss Anthony was elected State president at the annual meeting in June and brought to the office experience in public work and wide social influence that were of special value in the closing years of the association. Mrs. Jenks was made honorary president. On December 1 1 the 5Oth anniversary of the association was celebrated. An interesting historical review of the first meeting was given by Arnold Buffum Chace, who had acted as secretary on that occasion and whose mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Buffum Chace, was president of the association for thirty years. The Rev. Mrs. Spencer, also a charter member, recounted the early struggles of the pioneers. Miss Yates and Mrs. Jenks gave interesting accounts of the early and later work. Mrs. Catt and Miss Blackwell were guests of honor and brought inspiring messages. This year both the Democratic and Republican parties put suffrage planks in their State platforms and sent resolutions to Congress urging the Rhode Island Senators to support the Federal Amendment. The suffragists responded to every demand of the Government for war service. Mrs. Walter A. Peck, honorary vice-president, State chairman of the Woman's Committee of the Liberty Emerson, first vice-president, served in France with the Bryn Mawr unit. Miss Bauer, second vice-president, was a member of the executive board of the Red Cross. Miss Fill/., corresponding secretary, and Miss Yates, honorary president, received government certificates as speakers with the "four- minute men." In 1919 Miss Frances E. Lucas, chairman of the Civics Com- mittee, gave a course of lectures on social and political problems, which were largely attended. Miss Avis Hawkins, chairman on schools, perfected an organization throughout the State to advance the interests of both pupils and teachers. On May 27 the Woman's College and the State Association commemorated the centenary of the birtli of Julia Ward Howe, in Pembroke Hall of the college. At the annual meeting on June 4 Miss Anthony re-elected president. Mrs. Raymond Brown, national vice-