submitted
Twenty-First Century Club studies Columbus, Mississippi
The Twenty-First Century Club met on Wednesday, February 18, in the parlor of the First Baptist Church. Pam Chadick and Angela Thomas served as co-hosts. As members arrived, they were greeted with a slice of strawberry cake with a nod towards Valentine’s Day.
President Jean Fenwick called the meeting to order followed by a salute to the flag. Mary Bess Bryant gave a devotional on the meaning of Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent taken from a book of devotions written by John Piper.
Jeanne Oliver gave the history moment when the then Twentieth Cenury Club honored the faculty of the Kosciusko schools with an afternoon luncheon. This luncheon took place in the home of Mrs. S. L. Dodd where faculty members were greeted by a reception line of the Club’s officers and then treated to a six course meal to show the appreciation for these dedicated teachers.
After the history moment, Secretary Mary Davidson read the minutes and they were approved. It was noted that Ms. Davidson recently accepted a position as a board member of the Mississippi Federation of Women’s Clubs. She will be representing the Twenty-First Century Club which has the distinction of establishing the Federation and was its first member.
Jean Fenwick reported that the Club’s nomination committee, chaired by Pam Chadick, with committee members, Jennie Cook and Sandra Bagley, had recently met to nominate two new officers for the upcoming term.
Nancy King then presented a delightful and informative program on the history of Columbus, Mississippi. Ms. King began with Hernando DeSoto stepping foot in 1540 on land belonging to the Chickasaw Nation, named early on Opossum Town. In 1819 the name Columbus was given to the town in honor of the explorer, Christopher Columbus. Nancy entertained members with stories of the beautiful antebellum homes of Columbus, many of which are known not only for their grand architecture, but also for their ghosts who visit on special occations such as Valentine’s Day.
It was the ingenuity of the women of Columbus after the Civil War - through sewing, tutoring and cooking - that saved not only their homes but the town by investing in education. Out of this vision came the Mississippi State College for Women, now fondly known as the “W”. These same women also began a tradition of honoring Civil War fallen soldiers, from both sides, buried in the local Friendship Cemetery. This tradition, originally known as Decoration Day, was the origination of what would become Memorial Day, a national holiday recognizing fallen soldiers from all wars.
At the conclusion of the program, members who were once “W” students shared amusing stories of life in the school’s Callaway Hall.
President Fenwick then adjourned the meeting with the recitation of the Club’s 1904 Collect.
Members present were: Mary Al Alford, Sandra Bagley, Johanne Bryant, Mary Bess Bryant, Pam Chadick, Sarah Cheek, Linda Cockroft, Jennie Cook, Mary Davidson, Audra Dean, Jean Fenwick, Nancy King, Andra Mooney, Jeanne Oliver, Teresa Paton, Pat Proctor, Barbara Rose, Judy Ryan, Julie Taylor, Anglela Thomas and Associate Members, Sissy Bailey and Mary Corrine Shaw.
