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Gertrude Weil - Federation Gertie - Federation Activities

Although Weil turned down a nomination to the presidency of the North Carolina Federation of Women's Clubs in 1917, she did serve as first vice president and as chair of countless committees. In 1924, for example, she chaired the Citizenship Committee. Writing to club presidents, she encouraged them to lead their members in taking advantage of their political rights. "A government by less than half the eligible voters is a democracy only in name," she wrote. "Let us make this a real democracy!.... Will you not form a strong committee to organize your community and whole county, so that, in cooperation with other organizations, every eligible voter may be reached and urged to vote?"

In 1926, as chair of the committee on International Relations, Weil wrote again to club presidents, urging them to emphasize world peace during their celebrations of Armistice Day:

While we glorify heroism and courage let us educate our people to devote these noble qualities to maintaining peace among the nations. Remember—and make others remember—that this Armistice whose anniversary we shall observe...ended a war whose avowed object was to end wars. On other occasions during the year I urge you to use your influence in promoting education for peace. In study circles or in occasional lectures, work for an understanding of international relations and a knowledge of the several ways that have been devised for settling international disputes other than war.

  1. Letters from Gertrude Weil to Women's Club Presidents, September 30, 1924, and October 22, 1926, in the Gertrude Weil Papers at the North Carolina Office of Archives and History.
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How to cite this page

Jewish Women's Archive. "Gertrude Weil - Federation Gertie - Federation Activities." (Viewed on March 29, 2024) <http://jwa.org/womenofvalor/weil/federation-gertie/federation-activities>.