DUBUQUE LADIES' LITERARY ASSOCIATION

DUBUQUE LADIES LITERARY ASSOCIATION. This women's organization, often referred to as D. L. L. A. in the newspapers, for the "systematic study and mutual improvement" was founded on January 13, 1876. (1) The invitation to the thirty-eight ladies who attended the first meeting was sent by Clara Aldrich COOLEY. Officers elected were Mrs. Cooley, president; Mrs. B. M. Harger, treasurer; and Mrs. Benjamin Billings Richards, secretary. Membership dues were established at one dollar and in January 1895 the membership included 260 Dubuque residents. (2)

The Association was composed of eight divisions: First Division of American Literature, Second Division of American Literature, Art, English, English Literature, English Classics, and History. Members attended meetings with prepared written papers on various subjects related to the divisions. Studies were intensive and taken seriously. Issues involving religious or political matters were not discussed. (3) A constitution was adopted later in 1876.

By 1880 a permanent home was considered necessary given the Association's growing membership. Meetings once held in the Baptist church were moved to the Facade Building between Locust and Main on Ninth Street. In 1882 the Association studied such topics as foreign affairs, the electoral system, the condition of women in America, the Chinese question, and pension claims. A Homemakers Division was added in 1893.

Affiliations were made in 1890 with the General Federation and in 1894 with the State Federation. Representatives of the local organization attended both state and national conventions. In 1895 Mrs. Ada Collier represented the Society at the State Federation meeting in Cedar Rapids. Mrs. B. B. Richards represented the Association in Denver, Colorado in 1899 at the General Federation meeting. In 1902 the name of the organization was changed to the DUBUQUE FEDERATED WOMEN'S CLUB.

The Civic Division (sometimes accompanied by D. L. L. A.) was organized in 1902 and focused on civic improvement. The group posted the following announcement in the newspaper: (4)

                  FOR CIVIC IMPROVEMENTS 
    
                     Communications are solicited
                     from anyone interested in the
                     betterment of conditions in
                     our city, which will be
                     published whole or in part
                     in this paper and which may
                     be addressed to Civic
                     Division, No. 45 Fenelon
                     Place.

Responses came in reporting a variety of issues from slow garbage pickup to littering.

In 1906 the organization announced that an experienced horticulturist had offered to give time and suggestions to anyone thinking of plantings around their home. Interested people were to make a pencil sketch of their property giving dimensions and the location of buildings, trees and sidewalks. This information was to be mailed to the Civic Division. "As soon as possible," a working plans would be returned with suggestions as to the best varieties of plants and their arrangements. There was no charge. (5)

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Source:

1. "The D. L. L. A," Dubuque Daily Herald, January 1, 1895, p. 4

2. Ibid.

3. "Our Writers," Dubuque Daily Herald, April 7, 1895, p. 7

4. "For Civic Improvements," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, November 26, 1905, p. 4

5. "Civic Improvement Column," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, February 18, 1906, p. 9