Senate Concurrent Resolution 630

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARY CHURCH TERRELL LITERARY CLUB IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, AND COMMENDING THIS ORGANIZATION'S LEGACY OF CIVIC AND CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.

WHEREAS, the Mary Church Terrell Literary Club, Incorporated, has a distinguished history rich in the tradition of civic and social services. In the beginning the Club was an elite group of distinguished, dignified, sophisticated and elegant women. It was exhibited in their attitude and service which covered all phases of the cultural, social, economic and educational life of the citizens in the African-American community; and

WHEREAS, the Terrell historical highlights (1912-2012) are as follows:

• It was organized September 8, 1912, by a small group of women in the home of Mrs. Perry W. Howard on Pearl Street in Jackson, Mississippi;

• The Club was organized to offer women advantages for self-improvement, literary advancement and cultural pursuits;

• It was named to honor Mary Church Terrell, a noted educator, writer and spokesperson for equality and women's rights;

• Mrs. M.J. Butler served as the first President, and the longest-serving Club President was Mrs. Ruth O. Hubert, who served for more than 10 years. Since its inception, Terrell has had 29 women to serve as President;

• During its early years, the Club directed its mission towards securing a library for the African-American community in the City of Jackson. When conferences between the Club and the City of Jackson yielded no results, the Terrell women bought books and placed them in a room in the YWCA to set up a library. This was the beginning of library services for African-Americans;

• The Club submitted the name of Sally Reynolds to the Board of Education and it was accepted for the dedication of the new elementary school, built in 1938;

• One of the Club's traditions is celebrating Human Relations Day (once called Race Relations Day) in February. Through the years the celebration has taken on many forms, but the purpose remains the same, to unite the races in spirit through positive communication and understanding of the ways we relate to each other;

• The Club was incorporated in 1986 under the leadership of then President Mrs. Helen C. Moman;

• In 2001, Terrell premiered its first Literary Luncheon during National Library Week in April. This helped promote the Club's goal of literary advancement, and encouraged the use of the library while presenting interesting, thought-provoking and entertaining writers to showcase their books;

• Due to the escalating costs of textbooks at colleges and universities, the Mary Church Terrell Book Stipend Award was created to help deserving students, who meet established criteria, with their textbook needs;

• The Club annually presents the Club Woman of the Year Award to a member who has demonstrated leadership, service and commitment to the Club's goals and objectives;

• Over the years, Terrell's outreach has included purchasing books on the Jackson Public School's required summer reading list for Oak Forest Elementary School Fifth Grade students; support to the United Negro College Fund, Jackson State University and Tougaloo College; donations to charities such as Salvation Army, Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Stewpot Community Services, Susan G. Komen Foundation, the American Red Cross and Operation Shoestring; response to natural disasters Hurricane Katrina and the Haitian Earthquake; and a myriad of other activities; and

WHEREAS, the Mary Church Terrell Literary Club provides assistance in the community through various projects, and donations of time and resources. Today's Terrell women are service-oriented and leaders in all fields of endeavors. They are still relevant in missions and continue to exemplify the Club's motto, "Lifting as We Climb"; and it is with great pride that we join the citizens of Mississippi in celebrating a landmark event in the history of this respected service organization:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the Mary Church Terrell Literary Club in Jackson, Mississippi, and commend this organization's proud legacy of civic and charitable contributions to its community and state.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the members of the Mary Church Terrell Literary Club, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.