The Great Washington Women’s Convention: A Sea of Green and White
Delegates from across the state gather in Tacoma to debate education, manual training, and the power of organized female civic life.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs convened this morning at the Trall Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, with a large number of delegates in attendance.
The large auditorium at the church was beautifully decorated. The federation colors, green and white, were predominant, being brought out largely by ferns and wall decorations. Over the rostrum the federation motto, "To Increase the Knowledge, To Increase the Light," was seen, while the background was draped with four large American flags. The window seats were filled by potted plants and the balcony was draped with green and white.
The platform was occupied by Mrs. Ella Hildreth of the Woman's Century Club of Walla Walla, Mrs. Emma C. Knapp of the Silver Wharf Club of Tacoma, and Mrs. Nellie B. Whitson of the Women's Club of North Yakima. In addition to the president, Mrs. Amy P. Stacy of the Aloha Club in Tacoma.
About 150 elected convention was called to order by the president. In Rev. Hethling's absence, the invocation was delivered by Rev. Miss Nayler. The report of the presidential committee was delivered by the chairman, Mrs. Kate T. Holmes. The recording secretary being absent, the corresponding secretary, Mrs. H. W. Howe, of the Nesha Club in Tacoma, was appointed recording secretary pro tem.
The roll call was then ordered and the following delegates and visitors were admitted: Misses V. Park, etc., Madames T. Perine, Wm. Hoger, Carrie Shaw Rice, etc., Messrs. Allan, Alfred Windus, Virginia Lee Hatch, Winnie Lee, Carus and Wilson of Port Angeles, Mr. Jno. H. Kell, Centralia, Mrs. Emma Millet Long, etc.
The president announced that all meetings of the federation were open to all women and men who desired to attend, and all club women would have the floor privilege.
After the minutes of the last meeting were read, the reports of committees occupied the rest of the morning session. Lunch was served in the basement of the church by the women's clubs of Seattle.
The afternoon session opened at 2 o'clock, and the following program is being carried out: Organ selections by Mrs. Howard Joslyn. The Kindergarten as a Social Agency by Miss O. Norton, Kindergarten Club, Tacoma. Kindergarten Philanthropic Society, Spokane. "Manual Training and Household Economics in Our Public Schools" by Dr. Rita J. Gilmore, Arapahoe Club, Tacoma. Discussion led by Mrs. W. B. Motley, Cliona Club, Seattle.
This evening a reception to the officers, delegates and visitors will be given at the Rainier-Grand.
In 1904, women across Washington State were organizing themselves into powerful civic federations, focusing on 'social betterment' through education and kindergarten advocacy. This mirrors modern efforts where women's groups and non-profits drive local policy on childcare, school funding, and community welfare, proving that organized female civic engagement is a long-standing engine of Seattle-area progress.
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