MRS. CARRIE W. CLIFFORD

There are very few women in this country who are accomplishing larger purposes for the uplift of mankind, or who are expending more mental and moral energy in unselfish endeavors, or who have achieved greater distinction on account of a liberal show of exceptional elocutionary talent and rare literary gifts, or greater forcefulness of personality as an organizer and leader of her sex than Mrs. Carrie W. Clifford of Cleveland, Ohio.

Mrs. Clifford was born in Columbus, Ohio, where she distinguished herself in the high school as a student of unusual brilliancy. Mrs. Clifford organized the Minerva Reading club for the study of literature and of course this brought her in connection with the National Association of Colored Women. Being an enthusiastic worker and having devoted her best energies to the development of the Cleveland organization, her ability was soon recognized and when the call for a state organization was issued, she took first place among those who brought about the Ohio State Federation in 1901. In 1903 in connection with her duties as president of the Ohio State Federation she launched “Queen’s Gardens” and later compiled a magnificent little booklet entitled “Sowing for Others to Reap,” containing some of the best thought of the Colored women of Ohio.

Of the 16 federated states belonging to the National Federation of Colored Women’s clubs, the Ohio Federation stands second to none. At the last convention of this organization Mrs. Clifford, having had her full share of the honors of the work, had determined to decline a re-election; but she could not realize how firmly planted in the hearts of Ohio women she had become on account of her faithful service to their noble cause than when the time for re-election came. The women in convention would consider no other candidate because they had learned to love and honor a worthy leader and could not easily be persuaded to try the uninitiated.

Mrs. Clifford is in great demand both as a dramatic reader and lecturer but must decline many engagements because of her devotion to her home. She has been the chief promoter of nearly every good work conducted in the interest of Colored people in Cleveland. It was through her efforts that Dr. Du Bois delivered his lecture in that city not long since, and she was largely instrumental in planning and carrying out the magnificent program on the occasion of the Dr. Booker T. Washington banquet. Because she is interested in literary matters she was selected by the publishers of the Cleveland Journal as editor-in-chief of the Woman’s edition and achieved notable success of the enterprise. We consider ourselves fortunate in being able to secure the service of such an able woman on our magazine.—The Editor.