Newspaper Page Text
Camp mis Mirror
Published During the College Year by the Students of Spelman C ollege, Atlanta, Georgia
VOL. XIV APRIL 15, 1938 No. 7
Left: Harriet Giles, Principal of Spelman Seminary, 1 891 -1 909.
Right: Sophia Packard, Co-Principal with Miss Giles, 1 88 1 - 1 89 1.
Spelman College Founders
Day
Spelman College celebrated its fifty-
seventh anniversary of Founders Day
on April 11, 1038. Beginning at 10:15
with mimetic exercises on the center cam
pus, continuing at 11:00 with the re
port of gifts in Howe Hall, the final
feature of the day was the formal ex
ercises at 3:00 P.M. in Sisters Chapel
at which Miss Fannie C. Williams, Prin
cipal of Valena C. Jones School, New
Orleans, Louisiana, was the principal
speaker. Miss Williams is a pioneer
educator in the progressive system which
she has advocated in her work at New
Orleans. Besides being one of the out
standing citizens of New Orleans, she
has also served on national government
boards for educational work and was at
one time the president of the National
Association of Teachers in Colored
Schools.
Miss Williams’ address resolved itself
into a plea to the young women of Spel
man College to make the most of their
education when they go out to teach
oi to do other work. She cited the ne
cessity of applying the methods of teach
ing learned in college and of know
ing when that application is needed
most.
As an example of what she had al
ready discussed, she gave the incidents of
two girls going into a rural district to
teach. The first, discouraged and dis
gusted by the poverty and ignorance
which she saw, returned to the city to
her parents and friends. The second,
touched by what she saw, made the
best of what she had learned in college
and was the means by which the com
munity benefited in its social and intel
lectual life and health conditions.
Miss Williams is an interesting speak
er who gets and holds the attention of
her audience by the sincerity of what
she lias to say, and not the least by
the experience which colors the content
of her speech.
As usual there was an academic pro
cession which included the faculty and
student body of Spelman and the plat
form party. After the processional
“Fair Spelman” was sung, followed by
scripture reading by Dr. R. E. (’leni
ent, President of Atlanta University,
the Spelman College Glee Club sang
“Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring” by Bach
and the Spelman Quartet sang “God is
my Guide,” by Schubert. Between these
numbers, the Reverend E. R. Carter,
pastor of Friendship Baptist Church,
who was the Founders Day Vesper
Speaker on April 10, made the prayer.
The speaker was introduced by Presi
dent Read and after the address the au
dience sang a spiritual led by Mrs.
Maise, “I'll Never Give My Journey
Memorial
Ruby Sanders, ’38
Retirement may not mean that one will
rest
From weary hours of toil and sacrifice;
No doubt it comes to caution or suggest
That greater needs are waiting for
advice.
Some fifty-seven years ago there came
Two women from their many days of toil
To study urgent needs of those whose
names
Were once unrecognized but with the
soil,
Yet now were free and knew not how
to face
The hostile world of hardship, pain and
woe,
Who only knew obedience to the race
That made the plans and watched the
cotton grow.
In womanhood of this respective group
The interest lay of this noteworthy twain ;
They wished no more to see its honor
droop,
Its virtuous progress ever without gain.
Eleven Negro women harkened to the
call,
Ambitious to o’ercome their weak re
straint,
Controlled by strong desires of learning
all
That these two women taught without
complaint.
Within this span of years progress pre
vailed,
And providence praiseworthy changes
made;
From basement lloor the institution
hailed
To fifteen buildings well-equipped, with
aid
Their stateliness to save and beautify;
With halls displaying tokens of the past,
With strong attractions to the passersbv
Which seem to shout aloud to them,
“Avast!”
All that the women of this race can be
They owe to those who lifted up the veil
Of shame and disrespect that they might
see
Their way to lofty stands of great
appeal.
Beloved Spelman may thy name march on
Attaining even greater heights anon.
O’er.” “The Negro National Anthem,"
coming just before the benediction by
the Reverend Charles I). Hubert, Acting
President of Morehouse, marked the end
of the program. The recessional march
was “Marche Romanic" by Gounod.