BeeLines - September 26, 2018
By Marybelle Beigh, Westfield Town & Village Historian
Some More Disclosure & Closure About Miss Jennie Macomber
Two more delightful emails about Miss Jennie Macomber from Marie Bruni, local YWCA Archivist, welcomed your Westfield Historian back from her recent trip to Colorado. She had previously shared information gleaned from the earliest meeting minutes when Westfield’s YWCA was first formed, and indicated she had additional research at that time. Ms. Bruni also requested copies of the photos of Jennie Macomber that were published with a recent BeeLines, noting that “We don’t have any pictures of her at the Y…” These photos are included again with today’s BeeLines. Below, in Marie Bruni’s own words is:
History of the Westfield YWCA and Jennie Macomber
The Westfield YWCA had its beginnings in 1894, but the road was rough for the first several years. Membership was minimal, those who took office resigned quickly, meeting space was a problem, and lack of money was a constant problem. Minutes are from the very first meeting.
Direct quotes from the minutes are noted with quotation marks.
April 23, 1894 - Westfield women met with state representative (Miss Taylor) to form the local YWCA. Charter group consisted of 32 members and by May grew to 41.
November 18, 1895 - A “special meeting of the Association was held in the Presbyterian Church. In the absence of the first Vice-President, Miss Pinney called the meeting to order and announced that a new president was to be elected to fill the place of Miss Ottaway who had resigned. Mrs. Amelia Holt was unanimously elected to fill that office and Miss Jennie Macomber was elected Gen. Sec. for a term of six months at a salary of $25 per month.”
July 20, 1896 - Miss Jennie Macomber, General Secretary was at the end of her six- month appointment, but she “offered her services during July and August for $5 per month.” There were no classes and the rooms didn’t need to be open as much during the summer. “This offer was accepted” along with a motion to allow the Board of Managers power to act until the next meeting in September.
“Early in Dec. 1896" (exactly as written in minutes book in an unknown, unsigned handwriting) - Miss Jennie Macomber was reappointed as General Secretary at $25 per month for six months. A committee was appointed to arrange for an annual reception between Christmas and New Year’s if feasible.
May 8, 1899 - “Mrs. Stuart in chair” and the meeting opened “with singing, Bringing in the
Sheaves.” Miss Macomber offered her services for free from May 1 to September 1, 1899. Mrs.
Rumsey, Treasurer, resigned. Miss Laura Skinner was appointed in her place. The rooms “will not be open afternoons until further notice.” Dues to be raised to $1 and could be paid quarterly or half year. The group of 21 voted to accept the new constitution “with any changes a committee of 3 appointed by the President think best to make.”
November 1, 1899 - The Westfield YWCA became a member of the New York State organization.
In the spring of 1900 Jennie Macomber asked for a leave of absence due to ill health and that continued for a year and a half. On July 1, 1902, Miss Macomber attended the board meeting and was back to work as General Secretary.
At the March 1904 Board meeting, “The chairman of Finance brought the following question before the meeting, “shall Miss Macomber’s salary for the month be paid out of the dues.” The strong veto at once hurled by the Gen. Sec. So paralyzed the Board that they were unable to take further action on the subject.”
April 1904 - The General Secretary was paid her regular monthly salary of $50 for April. There is no record of her ever receiving payment for March.
June 1904 - The General Secretary was absent from the meeting, but was appointed to the Nominating Committee for Board members.
Her tenure continues uninterrupted until June of 1909 when this occurs:
June 23, 1909 - “The General Secretary presented her resignation to take effect July 1 as follows:
To The Board of Directors of the Young Women’s Christian Association, Westfield, N.Y.
Dear Friends:
I hereby tender you my resignation as General Secretary of your Association to take effect July 1 and beg you to accept it both for the sake of the Association and for my own sake.
Most Cordially, Jennie Macomber, Westfield, June 22, ’09.
In motion of Miss Skinner, seconded by Mrs. Brown, that the resignation of Miss Macomber be accepted. Motion carried… Moved and carried that the Secretary embody the sentiments of the Association in a resolution and spread same upon the minutes of the Association.
“Whereas, Our General Secretary Miss Jennie Macomber, has tendered her resignation to take effect July 1… Resolved: That it is with sincere regret that we accept her resignation. Also resolved that we extend to her our hearty appreciation of her faithful services and untiring efforts in behalf of the association and assure her of our sympathy and earnest prayers for her speedy restoration to health and for the blessing of our Heavenly Father to rest upon her each day.”
The next item of business at the meeting was a report on the revision of the By-Laws which Miss Macomber gave due to the absence of the committee chair. The By-Laws were adopted as read.
June 28, 1909
Another Board meeting held, but only four members were present. They authorized Miss Macomber “to make some necessary purchases,” and “attend to the printing of the Constitution.” In a further motion which was approved, “Miss Macomber be allowed to keep the key to the rooms for a short time.”
July 12, 1909 - Even though Miss Macomber was to retire July1, she attended this meeting and “read a report of the Association for the two years last past, and gave the member of the Board some suggestions and advice; also made several recommendations in regard to the work.”
Jennie's position was called General Secretary as was every woman who succeeded her. That term was used by the National Y for the position. It is comparable to today's Executive Director. The General Secretary did everything. Ran the day to day operations, organized church services, Bible study, adult and youth programs, outreach to different groups in the community, fund raising, and a host of other things.
After the Y became a stable, vibrant organization, it was open 24/7 with the General Secretary always on duty with no time off. She lived in the building. That led to some resignations from what today we call burnout. Several times, a General Secretary submitted her resignation and it was not accepted! She kept on working. That would never happen today!
The title of General Secretary was used until 1959 when it was changed to Executive Secretary. Cleo Tidball held the position from 1959-1978. Shirley Holbrook succeeded her in 1978 and worked in the position until 1988. In 1987, the title was changed to Executive Director, and remains so today. The major reason for the change was the fact that they couldn't attract candidates to the position using the title "General Secretary." Not very glamorous for a job title. The Westfield Y advertised nationally at colleges and targeted upcoming graduates. Many of the colleges flat out stated that the salary offered was way too low to attract applicants, and they were correct, it didn't.