Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/425

390 Sorosis of New York and the Woman's Club of Boston have long been rivals in their claim of being the oldest organization in the United States. Each was founded in 1868, but it has been decided that the Ladies' Library Society, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, deserves this honor. It was founded in 1852, and the Minerva Club, of New Harmony, Indiana, was organized in 1859. The Sorosis, however, was the leader of the federation movement and is responsible for broadening the scope of women's club work. The first biennial convention of the General Federation of Women's Clubs was held in Philadelphia, in 1894. Every state in the Union has its state federation, and there are to-day organizations in the Canal Zone and our insular possessions. Almost every one of the five thousand clubs has taken up some measure of active interest. The subject of home economics has been one of the principal issues for club work throughout the United States. Perhaps no other organization in the country represents a greater force for good than the General Federation of Women's Clubs.

After the Centennial in Philadelphia, in 1876, a few Cincinnati women, enthused by that exhibition of artistic beauty, created a sentiment which resulted in the foundation of the Art Museum Association of Cincinnati, whose object was to bring together collections of art and to form classes in art and handicraft. Ten years later the Art Museum arose in Eden Park, the fruition of continuous and enthusiastic endeavor of a few women who were capable of being inspired, and who possessed the ability and devotion necessary to inspire others.

After the World's Fair in Chicago, Cincinnati women who took an active part in furnishing and the administration of the Woman's Building, came home and were influential in the