March 17 – Social Butterfly? What social organizations or groups did your mother or grandmother belong to? Sewing circle, church group, fraternal benefit society or lodge? Describe her role in the group.
Both of my grandmothers belonged to the ladies group at their respective churches. Verda Hankins McCauley belonged to the Women’s Society of Christian Service at the Pleasant Hill Methodist Church in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. Emma Taylor Hopkins belonged to the Ladies Aid at the Loyall Church of Christ in Harlan County, Kentucky. Her church group may well have been the only social organization that Verda belonged to but Emma was actively involved in several other organizations.
Emma joined the PTA (Parent Teacher Association) in 1927 and remained active in that organization long after her children graduated from high school. She was the local president from 1944-1945, district president from 1954-1957, served on the Kentucky State PTA Board from 1954-1960 and was elected state secretary for 1957-1960. She joined he Homemakers Club in 1930 and served as the chapter president as well as county president and the chair of various committees over the years. She was also a member of the Women’s Civic Club in Harlan County and served as 1st vice president from 1957-1958.
Fearless Females is a series of daily prompts for March in honor of Women’s History Month created by Lisa Alzo at The Accidental Genealogist.
