Muscogee County GaArchives Photo Group.....Women's Club ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Christine Thacker http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00033.html#0008100 June 2, 2007, 7:49 pm Source: Sesquicentennal Supplement IV, Ledger-Enquirer Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/muscogee/photos/womenscl13415gph.jpg Image file size: 98.4 Kb Women of Year Contribute Much to City By Claire Adams Ledger Staff Writer Columbus volunteers have made incalculable contributions in every field - health,education, recreation and more - but none has contributed more than the Women of the Year of the Columbus Business and Professionals Women's Club. Since 1945, the year the late Miss Latimer Watson was named WOy for her "Ima Roamer" column in the Ledger-Enquirer news-papers, 33 women have earned the title, each for outstanding contribution in her area of interest. The first WOY, the late Miss Latimer Watson, was woman's' editor of the Ledger-Enquirer newspapers when she died Sept. 17, 1962. She received the honor for her column and newsletter. "Ima Roamer," which she wrote and published during World War II. The column, first published in the Ledger-Enquirer newspapers and then mailed by the newspapers to servicemen overseas, contained local happenings of interest as, well as news about those in the service. The late Mrs. C. A. Cutler, who died April 4, 1972, succeeded to the title in 1946. She was named for founding the Christian Fellowship Association. She was the first president af the CFA, which moved in 1958 from, Second Avenue to its present site on Wynnton Road. Miss Vella Pullen, now of Atlanta, was named WOY in 1947 for her work with the CFA's productions of "Song of the Chattahoochee" and "Columbus Calvacade." She personally cut the patterns for all the costumes as well as supervising their execution. The late Miss Edwina Wood, named WOY in 1948, died June 22. 1965. A pioneer leader in kindergarten education and in public recreation, she was cited specifically for her part in revamping the Community Planning Council, now the United Community Council. Mrs. Wilbur H. Glenn headed a project-finding committee of the Junior League of Columbus which raised funds to build the North Highlands Recreation Center. For this contribution she Was named WOY in 1949. More than $40,000 was raised for the center. The late Mrs. S. P. Wright, who died April 12,1963, became WOY in 1950. She was honored for her work as a teacher and interpreter for the deaf and the mute, an undertaking she continued as long as her health permitted. Mrs, Wright worked for 30 years with the deaf in the Sunday School of First Baptist Church, and organized the first Vacation Bible School for deaf adults, later organizing one for children. The year 1951 found Mrs, Shelby Compton, now of Quitman, Ga., named WOY for her work with handicapped children, mainly those afflicted with cerebral palsy. She was responsible for the incorporation of a school for the handicapped in the public school system, the first in the Southeastern United States. Aid to the mentally ill was the prime factor when the late Mrs. T. Charlton Hudson was named WOY in 1952. Mrs Hudson, who died Feb. 28. 1963, was instrumental in securing space at the Medical Center for mentally ill patients until they could be transferred to a mental institution. Mrs, Hudson was also recognized as a founder of the Columbus Symphony 0rchestra Guild, and one of the founders of the Three Arts League. In 1953, the late Mrs. Lee Snow was named WOY for her work with the Girls Club. Under her leadership $11,000 was raised, which, combined with previously raised funds, enabled the club to purchase the Girls Club building on Kolb Avenue in Beallwood. Mrs. Snow died Feb. 11, 1976. Mrs. Knight Smothers became WOY in 1954 for her work in instigating "Fight Blight," a program to alleviate slum conditions in the community. With the help of other organizations the Fight Blight Association was instrumental in having minimum housing standards adopted. Mrs. T. K. Kendrick received the high honor in 1955 for her efforts toward organizing community resources for a City-wide X-ray survey against tuberculosis, for' her leadership in the passage of a Medical Center bond issue and for her work in providing a recreational program for young people. Mrs. W. Marion Page became WOY in 1956 for, her chairmanship of a committee of the Junior League of Columbus which raised $69,000 for the South Columbus Boys Club building. She was also honored for her leadership in coordinating efforts of various organizations to secure minimum safety standards for nursery schools. Mrs. Joseph J. Spano, WOY for 1957, was honored for her oustanding work in the Parent-Teacher Association, on local, district and state levels. She is a former director of the Fifth District PT A and a former program chairman for the Georgia Congress of Parents and Teachers. She is food editor of the Ledger- Enquirer. Mrs. Arthur N. Berry, now of Cape Coral, Fla., was WOY for 1958, named for founding the St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary, first hospital auxiliary in this area. Later she founded the annual Mardi Gras Ball, which has grown to be the city's leading social-benefit affair. The late Mrs. Joseph E. Flowers was named in 1959 for her work with the CFA mainly in her capacity as president. During her tenure of office, the CFA moved to its present site from downtown, money was raised to build a swimming pool and the membership rose to well over 1,000. Mrs. Flowers died Dec. 6, 1974. Therese Banner was named WOY in 1960, two years prior to her death Oct. 9, 1962. She was honored as one of the city's most beloved and respected teachers, having served her profession for 44 year. While at East Highland School, classes for exceptional children were established as well as a program for testing gifted children. Mrs. Ralph Hobbs, now of Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., was the WOY of 1961. Mrs. Hobbs was chosen for coordinating a project to provide pre-school health examinations for school children. Mrs. Kermit Blaney was named WOY in 1962 for her work as an American Red Cross volunteer. Mrs. John P. Illges Jr. succeeded to the title in 1963, being named for establishing the Medical Center Auxiliary. She served as the first chairman of the hospital's gift shop. For her service to the Three Arts League and for establishing the Three Arts Theater, Mrs. A. Illges was named WOY in 1964. The late Mrs. Mercer Blanchard, who died June 25, 1976. was selected 1965 WOY primarily for her work with projects of the Medical Center. She served on the board of commissioners of the hospitai for many years. Mrs. Simon Schwab was chosen WOY in 1966 for her work at Columbus College when she raised $560,000 for the Fine Arts Department. Federal funds more than matched the amount resulting in the construction of the Fine Arts Building. Mrs.J. R. Thompson was named in 1967 for her work for the Medical Center Auxiliary and in the gift shop. She also served as chairman of a Christmas Bazaar sponsored by the auxiliary. Mrs. Clarence Butler became WOY in 1968 for her participation in the Historic Columbus Foundation of which she served as president for two terms. Mrs. Jack Thorton was selected in 1969 for her work for the Waiting Wives, women whose husbands were serving in Vietnam. Mrs. J. F. Weekley Jr., was honored in 1970 for her work with the Listening Eyes School. She served on the board of trustees and executive committee, as well as doing volunteer work at the school and fund raising. The 1971 WOY, Mrs. William C. Cook. was chosen for her involvement with the American Cancer Society. In addition to many other positions, she served on the board of the Georgia Division of the Society, was regional volunteer chairman for an,18-county area and was a certified Reach to Recovery volunteer. Mrs. Julius Cartledge had been a vital force in the Parent-Teacher Association when she was selected 1972 WOY. Her interest carried her the gamut of PTA on a local level. A woman known for her exceptional service to the Columbus community, Mrs. James J. W. Biggers Jr. was named WOY in 1973. One of the founders of the Historic Columbus Foundation, Mrs. Biggers also served as chairman of the Planning Advisory Commission of the Department of Community Development, the first woman elected to the board of directors of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce ,on the metropolitan board of the YMCA, as a trustee of the Springer Opera House, as first president of the Springer Guild and on the board of directors of the Springer Theater Company. The late Mrs. John Rigdon, benefactor of youth and conservation in Columbus, was named WOY in 1974. She was particularly cited for her donation in 1974 for her lifetime of 24 acres in the South Columbus area for the use of youngsters in their athletic endeavors. Outstanding volunteer work with the Goodwill Industries and the Columbus Philharmonic Guild brought Mrs. Frank Inman Wilson the title of WOY for 1975. Her diligent volunteer work at Goodwill brought national attention to the local organization. Mrs. Thomas Eaton Griffin had been a Pink Lady at St. Francis Hospital for 18 years, and had accumulated a record of 5000 hours of volunteer service, when she was I named 1976 WOY. She began her work when the auxiliary was founded in 1958. Mrs. William D. Akers received the prestigious award in 1977 for her work for the Historical and Genealogical Room of the Bradley Memorial Library. She became chairman of a group called Friends of the Library, which primarily raised money for more books. Special Sesquicentennal Supplement IV Ledger - Enquirer, Sunday, May 7, 1978, S-28 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/muscogee/photos/womenscl13415gph.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 10.3 Kb