Mrs. Lucy Thurman, from Jackson, Mich., who has given the best part of her life to temperance work, is now managing the work among the colored people. As a public speaker she ranks among the best.
Mrs. Julia Ringwood Coston, who published Ringwood's Journal, which took the place in a way of The Ladies' Home Journal, is one of the remarkable literary women of the race.
Mrs. Harvey Johnson, of Baltimore, has written two very useful books, which have been published by the American Baptist Publication Society, one called "Clarence and Corinne," and the other, "The Hazeley Family." Both were regarded as especially adapted to Sunday-school purposes.
Her husband, Rev. Harvey Johnson, said, in speaking of his wife's ability: "I can't understand how she does it, but although she has the care of this house, and does a great deal of her own work, she in some way finds time to write." And I could add that what she writes is of the very best quality.
When referring to the women who have made a name for themselves in the musical world, I failed to call attention to Mrs. E. Lyons, of New York, who delights the people of New York with her sweet voice. She has just organized a quartette of young colored ladies, which is the only one of the kind in the country.
Philadelphia, Pa., can boast of a few colored ladies who are engaged in large business enterprises, namely: Mrs. Henry Jones, whose husband in his life was a large and successful caterer. At his death, instead of her giving up the work, she went on with it, and although she is quite an elderly lady now, she is still actively engaged in the business. In her case I am sure it is genuine enterprise, for I am told her husband left ample means for the support of the family.
There are two very successful lady undertakers in Philadelphia, in the persons of Mrs. Henrietta Duterte and Mrs. Addison Foster. Mrs. Duterte is the oldest colored undertaker in the city. Mrs. Foster, who is a younger woman, and for that reason more active, is doing a very large business.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ralls, who has been engaged in mission work in Philadelphia, and who organized the Sarah Allen Mission and Faith Home, is worthy of special mention; not because she is wealthy or highly intellectual, but because she has a heart full of love for God and humanity. Every year she serves a Christmas dinner to the poor. At some of these dinners over 500 poor colored men and women have been present.
Among the lady writers who are doing good work in general I invite your attention to a publication called Light and Love, a journal for Home and Foreign Missions, published by Mrs. Lida Lowry and Mrs. Emma Ranson. These two ladies are regarded as very energetic and useful workers in the "Mite Missionary Society of the A. M. E. Church."