Unitarianism in America: A History of its Origin and DevelopmentCooke, George Willis
History
Unitarianism in America: A History of its Origin and Development
Cooke, George Willis
Unitarianism -- United States
Admirable as were the aims, and excellent as was the work of this
organization, it was auxiliary to the National Conference, and had no
independent life. After the first enthusiasm was past, it failed to gain
ground rapidly, the membership remaining nearly stationary during the last
few years of its existence. As time went on, therefore, it became evident
that a more complete organization was needed in order to arouse enthusiasm
and to secure the loyalty of the women of all parts of the country. The New
York League of Unitarian Women, including those of New York, Brooklyn, and
New Jersey, organized in 1887, showed the advantages of a closer union and
a more definite purpose; and the desire to bring into one body all the
various local organizations hastened the change. It was seen that, in the
multiplication of organizations, there was danger of wasting the energies
used, and that one efficient body was greatly to be desired.
In May, 1888, a committee was formed for the purpose of drafting a
constitution for a new association, "to which all existing organizations
might subscribe." The constitution provided by this committee was adopted
October 24, 1890, and the new organization took the name of the National
Alliance of Unitarian and Other Liberal Christian Women. The object
proposed was "to quicken the life of our Unitarian churches, and to bring
the women of the denomination into closer acquaintance, co-operation, and
fellowship." In 1891 there were ninety branches, with about 5,000 members.
While the membership, doubled under the impulse of the new organization,
the increase in the amount of money raised was fivefold.
The admirable results secured by the Women's Alliance, which has finally
drawn all the sectional organizations into co-operation with itself, are in
no small measure due to the energy and the organizing skill of the women
who have been at the head of its activities. Mrs. Judith W. Andrews, of
Boston, was the president during the first year of its existence. From 1891
to 1901 the president was Mrs. B. Ward Dix, of Brooklyn, who was succeeded
by Miss Emma C. Low, of the same city. Mrs. Emily A. Fifield, of Boston,
has been the recording secretary; Mrs. Mary B. Davis, of New York, the
corresponding secretary; and Miss Flora L. Close, of Boston, the treasurer
from the first.
[Sidenote: Cheerful Letter and Post-office Missions.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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