Louisville Equal Rights Association Minute book, 1889-1895

Committee for further consideration. The motion with amendment was adopted, and the meeting then adjourned.

Minutes of Meeting March 6th 1891.

The meeting convened as usual at the home of the President, after the customary devotional exercises, the minutes of the previous meeting were read and accepted. A letter from the Treasurer expressed her regret at being unable to attend the meeting, and contained her report, which showed a small balance in the Treasury. The Pres. reported for the Executive Committee that there had been earnest efforts made to provide a programme for this meeting, in accordance with the motion made by Mrs Leech at the previous meeting, but a combination of unpropitions events had prevented. Sickness, bad weather, and conflict aas to time of meeting, with other meetings which required the presence of some of our members. Articles of interest in regard to the work were then read by Mrs Avery and Miss Beeler, after which the meeting adjourned.

April Meeting

No Quorum

In the month of March we enjoyed the rare treat of two visits from Rev. Anna H. Shaw,

whose lecturing tour through the State, and delivery of these lectures in Louisville, was due mainly to the liberality and efforts of two of our members - Mrs M.H. Johnson and Mrs B.F. Avery. Miss Shaw's first visit was on March 8th at which time she spoke at 3P.M. in Harris Theatre, Subject: "True Manliness", and at 7.30 in Trinity M. E. Church, on: "Strength of Character".

The second visit was on March 23rd, when the lecture was on "The Fate of Republics", at McCauley's Theatre, in the evening. The attendance at all the lectures was good, and a favorable impression made.

Minutes of Meeting May 1st 1891.

The regular monthly meeting of the E.R. Asso, convened at the usual place and hour.

After being called to order by the President, the members present united in repeating the Lords Prayer. The minutes of the March meeting were read and approved, having been held over for want of a quorum at the April meeting. The Treasurer read her report, showing a balance in the treasury of $10.82. April being the time for the annual meeting and election of officers, that business remained to be transacted at this meeting. The election was held, and resulted in the retention of those in office, who are as follows; Mrs. M.A. Watts, President. Mrs C.A. Leech Vice President, Mrs M.F. Rogers, Treasurer, and Mrs M.F. Hibberd Secretary. The chairman of Committees: Mrs B.F. Avery, Literature. Mrs M. H. Johnson, Press. Mrs Bergmann, Hygiene and

dress. The President then read letters from Miss Clay, and Mrs Sawyer; the latter in regard to a lecture she had been requested by the Faculty of Berea College to deliver at that place, she also read extracts from the annual report of the State E.R. Convention for 1890. The meeting then adjourned.

Regular Monthly Meeting for June

No Quorum present.

Regular Monthly Meeting for October

No Quorum present.

Minutes of Meeting November 6th 1891.

The meeting was held in an informal manner at the home of the Secretary. It having been arranged to have the meeting of the State Conventions Dec. 8th 9th and 10th, a discussion was entered into in regard to ways and means. Mrs M.H. Johnson reported $140 raised by subscriptions solicited by her, toward defraying expenses, also that she had arranged for the Hall (Liederkranz) in which to hold the meeting. It was agreed that the money at present in the treasury should be drawn on, if necessary, for advertising or other expenses. The secretary was instructed to write to Miss Clay and make inquiries in regard to banners and mottoes to be used in decorating the place of meeting, Another meeting

was appointed for Thursday Nov 12th to hear the answer to these inquiries and to make further arrangements. Mrs M.A. Watts offered her resignation as President, being unable to give sufficient time to the work. Her resignation was accepted. There being no further business. The meeting then adjourned.

Minutes of Meeting November 12 1891.

This meeting convened according to appointment. The Secretary read Miss Clay's reply in regard to decorations etc for the Hall during the meeting of the Convention, and it was agreed that they be very simple and inexpensive, reserving the funds for other needs. Mrs Cady and Mrs Saul were appointed a committe to carry out this idea. It was also agreed that we have a sufficient number of large cards printed announcing The Convention, and endeavor to have them placed in store windows and other conspicious places on the principal streets. Also to have small cards announcing the evening lectures of Miss Shaw and others printed and distributed to the public.

The meeting then adjourned.

Minutes of Meeting December 4th 1891. This was the regular monthly meeting, and was entirely taken up with completing arrangements for the Convention, finding entertainment for delegates etc. The advisability of having a social reception for the ladies attending the Convention was discussed and decided upon for Tuesday Jan 8th, from 4 to 6pm, at the residence of Mrs Hibberd. The meeting then adjourned.

Minutes of Meeing January 8th 1892.

The regular monthly meeting for January was held at the home of the Secretary, Mrs Leech presiding. The Secretary read letters from the Treasurer, absent on account of illness, and from Mrs Eugenia B. Farmer Corresponding Secretary of the State Association. Mrs Farmer appealed to the Louisville Association to make every effort to assist in the school suffrage work, and advised that each member write a personal letter on the subject, to each one of our seven representatives. Mrs Johnson reported $140 as collected by her for the Convention expenses and disbursements for that purpose, leaving in the Treasury, from surplus and membership fees, the sum of $17.13. The President then called on members for an expression of opinion in regard to the impression made by the Convention meetings, and also the Social reception, The opinion was unanimous that the effect had been greatly to benefit the cause by bringing it to notice in the papers - The Courier Journal especially having given very satisfactory reports of the meetings - which would not only be of local benefit, but extend an influence all over the South. The opinion was also general that the social reception had been a good move in the direction of bringing the Equal Rights question before many who would otherwise give no thought to the subject. After deliberation it was decided that to benefit by any advantage gained through these late efforts