Page:Sketches of representative women of New England.djvu/601

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REPRESENTATIVE WOMEN OF NEW ENGLAND


but she retains her membership and continues her interest.

The Milford Improvement Society elected her a director when first organized. The Quinshi- paug Woman's Club, of Milford, Hopedale, and Mendon, was organized June 8, 1897, and Mrs. Rockwood was elected treasurer, serving also two years as a director. When the social service department of the club was started, in 1899, she was one of the committee of five appointed to have charge of it. During the two years .she served on this committee the stamp savings system was introduced into some of the schools, meeting with great success. This is one of Mrs. Rockwood 's pet schemes, as she believes in developing habits of thrift among the children of the public schools by encouraging them to save their ))ennies.

Having literary ability, she has prepared papers for the Woman's Club and other socie- eties. She is thoroughly patriotic, and takes a deep interest in all matters relating to the Grand Army of the Republic. As a member of Major E. F. Fletcher Relief Corps, No. 72, of Milford, she has done excellent work in vari- ous offices and on committee!^. When presi- dent of the corps, in 1899-1900, she conducted the work in a pleasing and efficient manner, representing it .so creditably on public occa- .sions that higher honors were conferred upon her. The Department Convention of Massa- chusetts has at several of its sessions elected her a delegate to National Conventions. , While serving in this capacity she has visited Western and Southern cities, her interest in patriotic work extending throughout the Union.

As Assistant Inspector she -showed such a knowledge of her duties and capability of im- parting instruction that she was appointed Department Inspector in 1901 by Mrs. Maria W. Going, Department President. Her report at the next annual convention covered fifteen printed pages, one paragraph of which shows the variety of work accomplished: "It has been my privilege to visit many of our corps per- sonally, and everywhere I have found the same spirit of charity, loyalty, and helpfulness among my co-workers, and have been cordially re- ceived by them at all times; and, whether standing with them on the top of 'Old Grey- lock' Mountain or on the sandy beach of Prov- incetown, I have felt, as never before, that the future good of our country was assured by reason of the noble, earnest women who com- prise our membership.

"I have attended all the Council meetings, been present at four County Associations meet- ings, instructed eight corps, attended eighteen exemplifications and social days combined, was present at the institution of the corps in Web- ster, inspected twelve corps, installed the officers of six corps, was a delegate to the National Convention at Cleveland, Ohio, have written six hundred ninety-eight letters, and have at- tended to various other matters pertaining to my oflRce. I also repre.sented the Department at the Barnstable County Association at Sand- wich." Mrs. Rockwood journeyed to Califor- nia with the official party of the Department of Massachusetts, Grand Army of the Republic, and Woman's Relief Corps, and served as a delegate at the convention in San Francisco. She made an extended tour in the State, and was the recipient of many courtesies from friends.

At the convention held in Boston February 11 and 12, 1892, Mrs. Rockwood was chosen a member of the Department ExeGlitive Board. She has continued her visits to corps, participating also in Grand Army gatherings, public meetings, and receptions. Her remarks on these occasions are always interesting, and their effect is aided by her pleasing manner. At the annual convention, February, 190.3 (having previously declined to be a candidate for the office of Junior Vice-President), she accepted an appointment as Department Patriotic In- structor, conferred by Mrs. Clara H. B. Evans, Department President. Mrs. Rockwood is a National Aiile in the W. R. C. She is now doing active work in preparing for the National Eiicnmpment of tlic G. A. R. and National Convention of the W. R. C. in Boston in August of this year (1904), being chairman of the Auditing Connnittee and a member of the Executive Committee, Reception Committee, and Floral Committee.

Mrs. Rockwood anticipates joining a chapter in the D. A. R. and the Colonial Dames, to each of which organizations she is eligible.