Two Decades | Page 9

of the Seneca Collegiate Institute, also of the
Binghamton Academy, and was afterward preceptress of Oxford
Academy until her marriage with Rev. F. G. Hibbard, D.D., of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Hibbard was elected president of the State Woman's Christian
Temperance Union at Poughkeepsie in 1879, which office she filled for
three years, serving most faithfully and laying down the work only
because of the press of home duties. These years were years of peace
and harmony, and in giving of self to the cause she was also receiving a
blessedness in return. It was during these busy years that she organized
temperance work among the Indians on the reservation in Western New
York. She has many gifts and graces, and has kept even pace with her
husband (who is the author of several theological works of standing
authority) in both literary and spiritual attainments, and "her gifts make
room for her." She has been obliged to lay aside all public work and
devote herself to caring for her husband, whose ill health demands most
of her time, but she still gives her sympathies and her prayers to and for
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union--the workers and the work.
[Illustration: MRS. MARIA HYDE HIBBARD.]
CHAPTER III.

ORGANIZATION.
"In union there is strength"
At the first annual meeting, held at Ilion, a committee on organization
of state was appointed, consisting of Mrs. Dr. Kenyon, of Buffalo; Mrs.
Dr. Clary, of Auburn; Mrs. O'Donnell, of Lowville; Mrs. Truair and
Miss Noble, of Syracuse. This committee formed plans, and organizers
were appointed. Miss Elizabeth Greenwood, of Brooklyn, was the first
one who reported work done.
At this time those who did organizing work were called state agents.
Miss Greenwood, in her first report, suggested the change from state
agent to state organizer, which suggestion was acted upon and the name
changed.
For the first few years organization was effected by congressional
districts, but later on this was changed to organization by counties, and
has remained so up to the present time.
Department work was first taken up in 1878, six departments being
considered. Those having the work in charge were known as chairmen
of standing committees. In 1880 this was changed to the present
name--superintendent of department.
In 1882 the manner of representation to the national convention was
changed from congressional districts to grouping of counties.
For a number of years organization was made the leading line of work,
and in 1888 only three counties remained unorganized. Many of our
county workers did valiant service in the line of organizing in their own
localities, but the grand result reached in this year was due largely to
the untiring energy and activity of our state organizers. Mrs. Burt, in
her annual address for 1888, refers to their work in the following
glowing words of commendation:
But if our state excels, as I believe it does, in organization, it is largely
due to the fact that our organizers are beyond comparison. Where will

you find another Helen L. Bullock, or an E. M. J. Decker, or a Vandelia
Varnum, or a Cynthia Jump, or Augusta Goodale, or such a list of
county presidents, whom the record shows have made organizing their
"chief concern" during the past twelve months? New York points with
pride to these her daughters. They have not stopped to reason why, they
have not stopped to make reply, but with a courage born of their high
calling have gone steadfastly forward, and in many instances have
snatched the palm of victory from the jaws of defeat.
While paying this tribute to our organizers we do not forget her who
stood at the head of our state work during these years, planning,
directing, counseling, and encouraging. In Mary T. Burt we have a
living embodiment of "there's no such word as fail." For twelve years
she has led the white ribbon host of the Empire State, and if she can
point with pride to these her co-workers, saying, "Where will you find
their equal?" we can point with pride to our state president, and say,
Where will you find her equal? Self has been forgotten, and with a
courage born of her convictions she has grandly carried forward the
work, standing always for the best interests of the state. And what is the
result? In this year of 1894 there is not a county in our state, except one,
[3] but what has a branch of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union
within its borders.
[3] Hamilton County, a lumbering district with small population and
few, if any, railroad facilities.
Owing to various circumstances and conditions, the work in one or two
counties has at different periods been suspended for a short time,
usually to be taken up again with renewed vigor. Our total membership