The strength of this new national organization, even while yet in its infancy, gives encouragement of its ultimate power among the people it represents. The roll now includes fifty organizations, the average number composing a local organization being seventy-five members, many of the clubs having on roll as many as 250 names.
Mrs. Booker T. Washington, wife of that great educator, has a very interesting history. She is a Southern-born woman, having first seen the light of day at Macon, Miss., in 1865. She is truly a self-made woman, the story of her life and struggles to attain intellectual life being full of pathetic interest. A mere outline is inadequate to do justice to the heroic efforts that have placed her to-day as one of the prominent women of her race. One of a large family, of which the mother was bread-winner, her father having died when she was a small child, she would have had no opportunity for education had she not through her own exertions created for herself a way into the school life. Until her graduation from the Fisk University she gave her own labor in payment of board and tuition, gaining spending money through services rendered teachers and pupils—and by teaching at fifteen, it can be readily seen that all the usual pleasures of youth were sacrificed in the cause of education. Her experience as a teacher well fitted her to accept the offer that came to her on graduating, of a place in the faculty of Tuskegee Institute. She immediately entered upon her duties there, and at the time of her marriage to the principal of the institution, she was lady principal. Appreciating her own struggles, she stands, it is said, as a changeless friend to every girl working her way through school.
She is one of the leading spirits of this grand organization that is destined to do wonders for the colored people as a race. She was succeeded as president by Mrs. Mary C. Terrell, whose portrait is given and of whom mention is made in connection with school work in Washington in another part of this book.
MRS. MAMIE E. STEWART.
Mrs. M. E. Stewart, of Louisville, Ky., is the wife of Wm. H. Stewart, who is editor of the American Baptist. Mrs. Stewart is a very intelligent and refined lady, and one of the most useful women in the State. She is an accomplished musician, having completed a course in the National Music School of Chicago. For many years she has had charge of the musical department of State University in Louisville, and has made an enviable record as an instructor. Her pupils are among the most accomplished musicians of the young people. At the meetings of the National Baptist Convention, of which she is a member, her services are always in demand, as she is an expert performer on the pipe organ. For a number of years she has been organist of the 5th St. Baptist Church, and has the record of never being tardy nor absent. She is a leading member and officer of the Baptist Women's Educational Convention of Kentucky. Mrs. Stewart's home life is beautiful and her children show the influence of a refined and cultured mother.
CHAPTER XXVII.
DR. JOHN R. FRANCIS AND HIS PRIVATE SANATORIUM.
