The next
three-year period opened with Dame Caroline
Haslett as President for a second term.
She had been elected unopposed. Similarly
Miss Elisabeth Feller of Switzerland was
elected Honorary Secretary, and Miss Doris
Smart of Great Britain, Honorary Treasurer.
Miss Bergliot Lie, Norway, formerly Honorary
Secretary, became a Vice-President.
Finance
remained in the hands of Mrs. Phillips-Marder,
but there were some changes in Vice-Presidents
and Committee Chairmen. So, there was all
the advantage of continuity of experience
at the top with an infusion of new blood.
The
United Nations continued to receive a good
deal of attention. The suggestion by the
Food and Agricultural Organisation that
the Federation should set up an F.A.O. Subcommittee
had aroused enough interest to justify being
done, particularly as seven member countries
were able to offer experts to serve on it.
The Executive Committee decided this should
be done for an experimental period of two
years, with special care taken of its terms
of reference to keep it within the competence
of the Federation.
The
Fine Arts Committee, so nearly extinguished
in 1950, had been quietly building up. When
it was decided in Stockholm in 1953 to hold
only one Board Meeting between the Triennial
Congresses, the Italian Federation might
have withdrawn its invitation to meet in
Italy in 1954. Instead, it agreed to a change
of form and to act as hostess for a workshop
on two major aspects of Federation work
"free from the many conflicting calls
on our time that characterise a Congress
or Board Meeting," as Dame Caroline
Haslett put it.
So
on September 21, in Venice, a new approach
to the Arts and Membership began. Three
papers had been circulated beforehand -
"B.P.W. and the Visual Arts,"
by Dr. Aune Lindstrom, Chairman of the International's
Fine Arts Committee; "B.P.W. and Music"
by Miss Ryta Neama, Chairman of the Belgian
Federation; and "Exchange of Studios"
by Mrs. Astrid Andren, a member of the Swedish
Committee. Similarly on the subject of membership,
the most important of all subjects as there
could be no International Federation without
it, Miss Marguerite Rawalt, President of
the American Federation, spoke on "Running
a Successful Club;" Miss Jean Randall,
Immediate Past President of the Australian
Federation, on "Planning for Greater
and Stronger Membership;" and Mrs.
Agda Rössel, International Vice-President,
on "The Club as a Civic Force."
These subjects were exhaustively discussed,
and on the last day, reported upon by each
leader. It was agreed by all, and the young
Federations in particular, that the workshops,
with their exchange of experiences, had
been immensely valuable. A resolution was
passed unanimously expressing the hope that
the workshop method be made a part of the
framework for future Congresses and Board
Meetings. The leaven during four days of
intensive thinking was the enjoyable social
programme and entertainment provided by
the Venice Club under the Presidency of
Mrs. Eugenia Mandruzzato.
The
majority of Federations had by the end of
March 1955 paid their dues, and there was
still money in the Lights-Up Fund after
withdrawals for the Netherlands Workshop
in 1953 and Miss Ruth Tomlinson's 1954 visit
to Greece and Turkey exploring membership
possibilities. The opinion of Miss Margaret
Hyndman, Membership Chairman for the last
seven years, was that real progress could
not be made until the International Federation
hired an organising officer. Meanwhile,
good contacts were often made by members
of existing National Federations while they
moved around the world about their own business
and talked about the International when
they met a suitable opportunity. Club expansion
had been encouraged by a number of membership
workshops conducted by Mrs. Margaret Thompson
and her Committee.
The
Publicity Committee had been producing considerable
results. As Miss Lisa Sergio, its Chairman
and also Editor of Widening Horizons once
said, "everything the Federation said
or did as an organisation lost much of its
value if it did not reach the outside world."
In fact, its press and radio coverage had
been remarkable, and certain surveys which
it had carried out at the instigation of
its U.N. Committee had drawn praise from
many quarters. International Week, with
its annually changing theme, had many times
been the occasion for radio programmes in
which members of the Federation had spoken
along with other world known names.
The
conviction that the Federation should initiate
a project outside itself had been with Dr.
Lena Madesin Phillips for some time, and
the Ad Hoc Committee concerned with it,
which she chaired, could now report progress.
It was a study of the Role of Women, their
activities and organisations, in five countries
of the Middle East-Egypt, Iraq, Jordan,
Lebanon, and Syria. The plan was accepted
by the Ford Foundation, which generously
allowed the International Federation a grant
of $47,500 to carry it out. Miss Ruth Woodsmall
and Miss Charlotte Johnson were its Director
and Assistant Director.
Work
began early in October 1954, and the study
was nearing completion when the International
Federation's Board of Directors held its
Jubilee meeting in Switzerland in 1955.
Dame
Caroline Haslett was to have had a concluding
consultation with leading representatives
of the five countries, but illness prevented
her. Dr. Madesin Phillips was travelling
to Beirut in her place when she too became
ill and died on May 20, two days after an
emergency operation in Marseilles. Eventually,
Mrs. Agda Rössel attended the consultation.
The
passing of Dr. Madesin Phillips was a most
serious blow to the Federation. It brought
also a sense of personal loss to all who
had known her, and a gap which would never
be filled. A Memorial Service for her was
held in Berne Cathedral on the opening day
of the Board Meeting, August 22, 1955. Five
hundred voices rose, charged with deep emotion,
singing the hymn, Abide With Me. The Rev.
Bernard Gray who conducted the Service read
the Prayer (see Appendix
No. 4) which Dr. Madesin Phillips
had herself composed in the early years
of the Federation.
A moment
had arrived in the life of the Federation
which was to have been one of jubilation.
Instead it was overshadowed by this removal
from its midst of a unique personality,
a person of magnetism who could draw out
the best from the most diffident, and harness
enthusiasm to an exercise of wisdom. She
was much loved. She would be greatly missed.
Yet
the passing of a great leader is never entirely
negative. Often it is the cause of an awakening
among those "who are left awhile and
must keep the faith both for the past and
the future." The words are her own
from a letter written about the time she
left New York for Beirut for the consultation
already mentioned, after which she had hoped
to attend the meeting in Switzerland. It
also contained the prophetic line, "The
pioneers are slipping away very fast now."
For
the first time, there was a double venue
for a Board Meeting. Because of the many
Conferences taking place in Geneva, the
hostess Federation, Switzerland, wanted
the business sessions to be in Berne. The
official Jubilee Luncheon, however, should
be in Geneva, where the Federation had been
founded twenty-five years ago to the day.
This suggestion was readily accepted by
the International Executive.
The
opening Session was held on August 22, in
the Casino at Berne. It was presided over
by Mrs. Agda Rössel, Vice-President,
who was acting Deputy President at the request
of Dame Caroline Haslett, who was absent
due to illness. Five hundred members from
twenty-five countries were present. They
stood in silent tribute to Dr. Lena Madesin
Phillips after Mrs. Rössel's remarks
and the reading of messages from Miss Haslett
and Miss Marjory Lacey-Baker, her close
companion and friend.
Dr.
M. Gafner, President of the Government of
the Canton of Berne, welcomed the gathering
warmly to the City of Berne, Capital of
the Swiss Confederation. He said that in
the history of Berne, 15th Century women
played a significant part as weavers, dressmakers,
potters, innkeepers, midwives, and even
doctors. It was only now that woman's work
had become a burning problem. The proper
solution to it was of concern not merely
to the mother and her children, but to society
as a whole. Conceding that many men owe
their professional success, be it economic
or political, to the devoted collaboration
of their mate, he said he would go a step
further and say that the collaboration of
women was needed in every field of endeavour.
"Your organisation has the merit of
bringing together women from different countries
who are thus placed in the position of knowing
each other and appreciating each other more
fully to the benefit of all concerned. The
importance of cultivating proper human relations
is as vital in public affairs as in the
professional field and is the only road
leading to durable peace."
Among
the members of the diplomatic missions who
were present, was the American Ambassador
to Switzerland, by happy coincidence a woman.
Her Excellency Miss Frances E. Willis underlined
the special link existing between the International,
the United States, and Switzerland. Miss
Elisabeth Feller, Honorary Secretary of
the International and President of the Swiss
Federation, said that there would be many
possibilities for renewing and making new
friendships, but they were gathered mainly
to work.
And
so, to work it was. Starting at precisely
2:55 p.m., according to records, Mrs. Rössel
welcomed as special guests five observers
from the Middle East and one from the Saarland.
Official delegates from 18 affiliated countries
were present as well as 386 observers.
After
presenting her report as Finance Chairman,
Mrs. Phillips-Marder read an extract from
the Will of Dr. Madesin Phillips. She had
bequeathed a sum of $1,000.00 to the International
Federation in trust for the establishment
of the Lena Madesin Philips Endowment Fund.
She enjoined that it was to be used "in
the encouragement and fostering, at the
organised or individual level, of public,
political, and social efforts of business
and professional women in the Middle East
and Asia. It is my earnest hope, and I feel
every confidence, that my friends and others
will add to this fund by gift and by bequest
so that its use may be a telling force among
women for whose benefit the fund is established."
Donations
had already been coming in from members
who wished to make personal contributions
to the memory of Dr. Madesin Phillips. Mrs.
Phillips-Marder therefore proposed that
two funds should be established: (1) the
fund as established by the Will and (2)
a Silver Jubilee Fund, also as a Memorial
to Dr. Madesin Phillips, to be used for
the expansion of the Federation's work in
areas outside those specified by the Will.
She proposed that Mrs. Claridge Taylor be
appointed to receive such donations until
the Fund was actually established. It transpired
that there was already a living Memorial
to Dr. Phillips. It had been instituted
twenty-five years previously for the purpose
of building permanent headquarters for the
U.S. Federation in Washington. Its goal
of $325,000, Mrs. Rawalt, its President
said, was expected to be reached in the
next six months. Once this was completed,
the U.S. Federation would be glad to contribute
to the new Memorial Fund.
The
holding of 12 workshops on the Reports of
the Standing Committees was an innovation.
"Buzz" sessions of six or more
discussed them one-by-one; "buzz"
spokesmen reported, which was followed by
general discussion and summing up. Observers
particularly appreciated the opportunity
to discuss and think aloud on two or three
questions posed by the group leaders. In
all, 323 took advantage of the opportunity,
some moving from one workshop to another,
some concentrating on one only. Every one
of the Group Leaders said there had been
lively interest and keen free discussion.
There
seemed to be no doubt that similar workshops
would be welcome on future occasions. "Think
of it!" said Miss Ruth Tomlinson who
was in charge. "It means that there
are 323 missionaries for our 300,000 members
who can explain workshops and "buzz"
procedure and try it out in their Club programmes."
Among the questions were: on Employment
Conditions-how can we urge women withdrawing
from employment to keep up training so as
to facilitate their return when and if necessary?
On Legislation - about discrimination in
old age pensions? On the United Nations
– to what extent have the various
U.N. Commissions and Specialised Agencies
helped to promote the objectives of the
International Federation? On UNESCO - has
there been any study of International civic
education? On Human Rights - what can Clubs
do best to obtain Government action? On
Status of Women (Technical Assistance) -
how can the individual member and Club help
to make known the position and special problems
of women in the underdeveloped countries?
On NGO Conference on Eradication of Prejudice
- what is your interpretation of the statement
"to denounce and combat discriminatory
practices?" On FAO and WHO - what are
your suggestions with regard to (a) abolishing
these sub-committees or (b) continuing them
on national level?
Miss
Tomlinson had represented the Federation
at the Human Rights Commission in Geneva
that year, and she stressed the need for
more action in promoting wider public knowledge.
The U.S. Federation continued to give the
International Federation the benefit of
being represented at the U.N. in New York
by a member of their staff, Mrs. Esther
Hymer. This was of the greatest help.
The
above questions and others elicited the
expressed opinions that women should be
represented at a conference of the ILO on
textile industries scheduled for that autumn,
and on classification Commissions for equal
pay, which in many countries, were composed
entirely of men.
It
had become not unusual for the majority
of resolutions up for consideration at International
Federation Meetings to be focussed on its
status at United Nations. If the volume
of words issuing from the Specialised Agencies
and their somewhat involved phraseology
were sometimes a little overwhelming, their
breakdown by the Federation's U.N. Committee
and sub-Committee into a simple form did
make them intelligible to those who wished
to understand. Thus, Resolutions passed
at this Jubilee Meeting underlined the significance
of accepting "equal pay for equal work
under equal circumstances;" married
women's nationality rights; support of the
U.N. Children's Fund; the application of
technical assistance to improving the Status
of Women; the need to urge Governments to
favour the appointment of women on their
delegations to U.N., and to ratify the Convention
on the Political Rights of Women (signed
by 40 nations in 1951). Based upon resolutions
received from a number of National Federations,
there was one concerning the effective system
of control for peaceful use of nuclear energy,
and the promotion of consideration of the
economic, medical, and social developments
that might result from such use.
The
next day, the entire gathering went to Geneva,
the "beautiful City which had cradled
the Federation's birth on August 26, 1930."
At the special Jubilee Luncheon in the Hotel
des Bergues, Mrs. Agda Rössel, presiding,
again spoke movingly of Dr. Madesin Phillips.
She ended by saying that the first of the
Federation's forward-looking tributes was
in the choice of its theme for International
Week in 1956: Facing the Nuclear Age. "We
business and professional women, conscious
of our increased responsibilities towards
mankind in the light of this new power,
accept the challenge of it and make it our
own." Among founder members present
were: Miss Marie Ginsberg, whose consummate
skill as interpreter had at many meetings
sometimes turned members' not too brilliantly
delivered speeches in one language into
inspirational words in another; Miss Dorothy
Heneker, now married but continuing her
invaluable work as an officer under the
name of Mrs. Dorothy A. Cummins; Madame
Marie Laudner; and Prof. Maria Riccio.
 M.
Aymon de Senarclens, Vice-President of the
State Council of the Canton of Geneva, was
the first guest Speaker. He said it was
possible some may have wondered why the
women of Switzerland did not have the political
role as in other countries. It was "not
for any lack of admiration, friendship or
tenderness for the women, but because we
consider that, for moral reasons, it is
wiser for them not to enter upon the road
of politics," he added, and looked
momentarily disconcerted by the unprecedented
loud dissent of his audience. Miss Annie
Muriset, President of the Geneva Club, and
Miss Marguerite Rawalt, President of the
U.S. Federation, speaking for all the Federations,
paid tribute to its pioneers. Miss Van Stoetwegen,
of the International YWCA, spoke of the
need for developing ethical standards of
work. The High Commissioner for Refugees,
Mr. Van Heuven Goedhart, hoped that in 25
years his office would not be needed, and
Mr. David Morse, Director General of ILO
associated himself with what had gone before.
Mr. Georges Palthey expressed congratulations
and good wishes on behalf of the Secretary
General of the United Nations. He said,
"You have fully realised that the elite
which you represent among women has a task
before it which far out strips the daily
interests of each member ... Peace is not
merely the absence of warfare: peace is
the establishment for all people of a way
of life worthy of being lived. This is something
you already understand." Other Speakers
included Madame Marie Laudner, of France,
speaking for all Founder members, and Mrs.
Dorothy Heneker Cummins who retraced the
Federation's history for the previous 25
years. Later, in the Palais des Nations,
a challenging address on "The next
twenty-five years" was, Widening Horizons
records, made by Madame Ana Figueroa, Director
of the Division of Women and Young Workers
of the ILO.
The
social side of the occasion offered a combination
of joy to the eyes by excursions to some
of the country's loveliest spots, stimulation
through visits to factories, and entertainment
through receptions and a supper party.
The
farewell banquet at the Casino in Berne
was an opportunity for toasts and talk,
and relaxation from the rigors of business
sessions. Diplomatic representatives of
all the countries attending the Board, seated
with members of the Swiss Government at
table, toasted the International Federation
proposed on their behalf by H.E. Sir Lionel
Lamb, the British Ambassador. |
