The Methodist Home

This annual report outlines the fiasco at The Methodist Home.

 In 1963, State's Mates opted to work with The Methodist Home for Children. The group became very involved in the moving and decorating of the campus library and pursued the tasks of making drapes for it; however, their relationship with the home was rocky. Despite plans to host a Girl Scout troop, chaperone a dance, and decorate the bulletin board, the women never had any contact with the children at the orphanage. The records of State's Mates indicate that this was not because of a lack of interest on their part; rather, a change in leadership and disorganization at the home prevented the group from being allowed to interact with the children. Since State's Mates was unable to work directly with the home, they offered a $25 donation to The Methodist Children Home; however, the director rejected there offer. There are no documents that explain why the money was declined; it is a truly bizarre situation. The group was so discouraged by this experience that the Projects Committee did not operate the following year. In 1965 State's Mates attempted to work with The Methodist Home once again, but their request was rejected.

This report outlines project possibilities.

No reports give any indication as to why the relationship between State's Mates and The Methodist Home took such a peculiar turn. If the members did anything to offend the administration at the orphanage, it has not been documented by State's Mates. Despite this failure, the organization's short-lived commitment to the home and devotion to institutions involving children illustrate their literal embodiment of social motherhood. Local activism among women was often maternalist in nature, both because of the political legitimacy gained by speaking as mothers and the typical high priority of children to mothers.  The committee and annual reports indicate that State's Mates members were distraught by the endeavor of moving The Methodist Home campus library; although they wanted to be of service to the orphanage, they wanted their primary method of doing so to be through interaction with the children. Their key interests include the supervision of dances and recreational activities, scout troops, and study hall monitoring.  Since the children at the home were orphans, it is clear that State's Mates sought to become mother-figures to the inhabitants and develop personal relationships with them, fully embracing the notion of social motherhood.

These minute discuss the library work done by State's Mates.

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