Upcoming event celebrates the oldest black book club
Seventy-seven years ago on a
cold winter night in February, seven African-American women met in a
home on Williams Street to form a study group that would continue to
this day. Known as the oldest black book club in Springfield, the James
Weldon Johnson Study Guild meets bimonthly for programs of “discussions,
Negro accomplishments, book reviews, dramatics, music, Negro history
research, and fun,” as the group’s historical notes say.
On
Nov. 12 the JWJ Study Guild will host a semiformal dinner co-hosted by
the Ebony Royale Red Hatters at the Panther Creek Country Club. The
evening will include dancing, a wide range of music and spoken word
performances, a silent auction and program to honor five members for
their longevity and service in the group. Current JWJ President Theresa
Cummings, a 40-year member, is one of the honorees.
“Proceeds
from the evening will be used to award scholarships to young authors
and artists, and to put local authors’ books in area libraries and other
public meeting areas. We want to give authors exposure,” said Cummings
last month in the dining room of her Springfield home.
Since
its first meeting just six months before the start of World War II in
1939, the group has met in homes, emphasizing arts, literature and the
contributions of African-Americans through member book reviews and such
notable speakers as Marian Anderson. The group strives to raise
awareness of African-American contributions and leadership in the
community. Again from the group’s notes: “We realize that it is from our
own people and those vitally interested in our history and our present
welfare that we learn the true facts of our existence.”
In
that spirit of perseverance and truth, one of the most beautiful items
in the silent auction is a handmade quilt depicting the Underground
Railroad and showing the secret symbols used to communicate safe haven,
directions and warnings.
Although
ticket sales have closed for this first celebratory dinner, the next
public event is the group’s annual African- American Read-in at Zion
Baptist Church in February. There, hundreds of arts, literature and
history enthusiasts will gather to celebrate African-American history
and the many, varied contributions of local and visiting guest authors
and artists. And if you see a few dozen women of a certain age wearing
red hats, you may be getting a glimpse of the Ebony Royale Red Hatters.
“It’s
a fun group,” says spokesperson Mary Jane Forney, who is co-chairing
the James Weldon Johnson Study Guild dinner at Panther Creek. “We meet
monthly for lunches, musical theater, plays, concerts and some spicy
things such as going to the casino, even the churchgoing women and two
ministers’ wives,” says Forney with a smile. “We have a delightful time
with each other. We started three years ago to celebrate women turning
50. We wear purple attire and red hats. But on your birthday, you
reverse it and wear red, with a purple hat.”
So
it’s no wonder the two groups, led by two women who have been friends,
volunteers and co-workers for years, are teaming up to host the dinner
party to raise money for projects and honor Cummings and Clemmie
Webster, a 55-year member, Willo Wilson, 54 years, and Juanita Barton
and Barbara Gleghorn, 45 years each. They have a lot to celebrate.
Membership
is open to both groups. Bids are still being accepted for silent
auction items, and contributions in support of the group’s projects are
welcome. For more information about the groups, November program or
African-American Read-In, contact Mary Jane Forney at 217-698-5388 after
6:30 p.m.
DiAnne Crown is a local feature writer and longtime friend of Illinois Times.
