In Touch With The Cosmopolites
“…Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. I rise. I rise.” — Maya Angelou
By Betty Miller Buttram
Ink Spot Contributor
The Cosmopolites Business and Professional Women’s Club has been involved in the Fort Wayne Community for 64 years and their digitalized history record of community service has become public information and available for viewing within the Allen County Public Library. What is their history? How did they come together?
There were ten African American women who conceived the idea of forming a strong network of professional women who would work to promote social, educational, and civic responsibilities in the Fort Wayne community. The names of these ambitious and strong-willed women were Ethel Bender, Floretta Ford Clancy, Norma Jean Cook, Othella Green, Buautenia Grubbs, Clara Leesme, Carol Masterson, Alice Padgett, Catherine Barnes Simmons, and Doris Williams. On November 7, 1957, through the collective strength of these women, the Constitution was drafted and adopted. After considering recommendations, the name Cosmopolites Business & Professional Women’s Club became the chosen name because it represented the diversity of the geographic areas and backgrounds of its founders.
In the early years of Cosmopolites, with a commitment to fulfill the mission of the organization, the Cosmopolites started stretching its service wings. Service program development and implementation in Cosmopolites was and continues to be a cooperative function through the leadership of club officers and its committees. Over the years, a wide range of programs addressing education, cultural and social development, and health have evolved. A focus for the club is the Ameater Pearson Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is awarded to an area high school student and currently pays $1400 per year over four years.
On Saturday, November 6, 2021, at the Main Allen County Public Library, the Cosmopolites not only celebrated the Club’s 64th Anniversary with the inclusion of the historical records, but also recognized and honored six “Legendary Sisters” service to the Club. The honorees were:
Oma Nunn Brown, Educator (Retired), membership year1969. Her hometown is Pittsburg, Tex.
Thelma Russell-Dixie, Educator (Retired), membership year 1995. She is from Marion, Ala.
Dorothy Grimes, Social Worker (Retired), membership year 1959. Her hometown is Richmond, Tex.
Mary S. Simpson, PHP File Maintenance Coordinator (Retired), membership year 1973. She is from New York, N.Y.
Jean Marie Smith, Nurse (Retired), membership year 1997. Her hometown is Harvey, W.Va.
Marjorie Ann Williams, Educator (Retired), membership year 1986. She is from Hope, Ark.
Each of these proud and faithful “Legendary Sisters” have served in various officer positions, as committee chairs, and committee members. The impact of their contributions and their continuing support to the Club gives the membership the collective strength that has been with them for 64 years.
On Sunday, November 7, 2021, the Cosmopolites presented to the African/African American Historic Society Museum a digitized copy of the history and records of the Club for inclusion in the Museum’s collection.
The Cosmopolites’ mission has always been to be a network for educational, cultural, social development and health issues involving the community, and they will continue to do so with dedication and determination.