seatedwoman

The Oklahoma City times., July 09, 1917, HOME EDITION, page 1 chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86064187/1917-07-09/ed-... has a picture of her. She is described as President of the General Federation of Women's Club and a member of the women's committee on the Council of National Defense. The Democratic banner., June 27, 1916, Page 2, col 5 chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88078751/1916-06-27/ed-... announces her election as President of the General Federation of Women's Clubs.

Ione Virginia Hill Cowles (1858-1940) was born in Indiana, lived in Los Angeles: gfwc.pastperfect-online.com/37319cgi/mweb.exe?request=rec...

The brochure she is holding is from the Thirteenth Biennial Convention of the Geneneral Federation of Women's Clubs, New York 1916.

Great image, great story. We'll add her full name. Thanks all!

Some backstory (NYT, May 23, 1916) on Cowles and the campaign to elect her (a Californian) to the presidency at the convention, including this catchy slogan:
"We're from the West, We're full of zest, We're bringing Cowles and she's the best"
query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F10916FB3B5512...
see also
More of the story, and a similar photo:
oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn83025138/1916-05-29/ed-1/se...

Claudia Muzio (February 7, 1889 – May 24, 1936[1]) was an Italian operatic soprano, whose international career was among the most successful of the early 20th century. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudia_Muzio

According to New-York tribune., January 28, 1917, Image 46 chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1917-01-28/ed-... her American debut was on Dec 4, 1916 as Tosca.

Shawn and swanq: Thanks for the more complete info on Muzio. We will improve this record as well as the other records for her in this collection.

Kristi (LOC P&P) Glad you found my comments helpful. Thank YOU and LOC for all the good work you do to make these amazing photos available.

Johanna Gadski (15 June 1872 – 22 February 1932), German soprano.
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johanna_Gadski

Gadsky as Brünnhilde:


Other photos of her:


See also comments there.

Quite apart from her singing, she was much in the news in the Spring of 1916, becaus eher husband was arrested and charged with plotting to blow up the Welland Canal. See, for example, the NYT of March 31, 1916 select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10E13FE3A5B17738DDDA80B94DB405B868DF1D3 "GADSKI'S HUSBAND ARRESTED IN PLOT TO BLOW UP CANAL; Capt. Tauscher, Krupp Agent, Seized as Conspirator to Wreck Welland Waterway. DATES BACK TO AUGUST, '14 Von der Goltz Gave Evidence Involving von Papen, Which Led to Capture. RAID THROUGH PRIVATE DOOR Government Holds Him in $25,000 Bail -- Admits Activity, but Denies the Charge. GADSKI'S HUSBAND ARRESTED IN PLOT"

Thanks B-59 for her first name. We'll add it to the record.