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FFWC History....continued

as hostess while Mrs. Meade A. Love, Quincy Woman's Club, was President,
1932-1934. In the days of deep economic depression it was not easy to keep
club contacts, yet the women's groups continued to sponsor libraries, help
with school problems, beautify communities and assist with many types of
welfare work. Extension was in the background because promotion of growth
in service by existing clubs was deemed most vital. There were now 228 clubs.

In 1934, Mrs. Robert Shearer, Sorosis Club, Orlando, was elected, but passed
away in July. She was succeeded by Mrs. T. C. Moore of Miami Woman's Club,
then First Vice-President.

Referring to her activities in visiting every District in the state in add-
ition to speaking to many individual clubs and to writing many aarticles for
magazines, she wrote, "Being President of so great an organization as the
Florida Federation makes the 24-hour day seem entirely too short", but she
added, "There is thrill after thrill, and it is impossib le to estimate the
joy one has in serving". "Club Institutes" were growin in popularity, and
there was a general unification of the clubs of the state. Clubhouses were
being used for community centers, nurseries and schools, and each was the
"center of the social and cultural life in every city or town to the smallest
community.

Mrs. John. J. Kellum, Woman's Club of Tallahassee, who had travelled the high-
ways and byways with Mrs. Moore, now became President in 1936-1938. She con-
tinued to take the Federation to the clubs by speaking in every District.
With the theme, "Good Citizenship" she advocated "Every club member a student
of the Constitution of the United States", and put into practice her reco-
mmendation by serving actively on 15 state commissions and organizations.

When Mrs. J. Ralston Wells, First Vice-President, succeeded to the pres-
idency in 1938 she had five goals: 15,000 membership, $25,000 in Endowment
Fund, 25 new clubs, 250 subscriptions to the GFWC Clubwoman and "Every club-
woman a thoughtful citizen in action". She acheived all but the first, and
she almost reached it. The membership climbed to 11,500, and Florida ranked
seventh among the states in increase. The score cards indicated more women
as registered voters and she noted "an increased respect showmn by men for our
efforts". The publication of a progam of work booklet was started and a
radio program, "Thoughtful Citizens in Action", was presented monthly on
almost every station in the state.

Wartime activities were paramount during the administration of Mrs. Thurston
Roberts, Woman's Club of Jacksonville. She served as Chairman of Women's
Division of War Savings and also as Chairman of Consumer Interests of State
Defense Committee. In spite of the curtailment due to war the Federation
grew to 12,862 and 22 new clubs were added. Over the state clubs sewed for
the Red Cross, were wactive in Bundles for Britain, bond sales and entertain
ment of service men and work in victory gardens.

Along with community service, programs of music, literature and conservation
of forests and beautification of communities were increasing. Mrs. Roberts
was named chairman of the nominating committee for GFWC. She led a dele-
gation of 50 Florida clubwomen to the Golden Jubilee Convention in Atlantic
City in May, 1941 and directed Florida's participation in that historic event.

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