Week 3 of #AnniesDiary100, the ‘Biltmore Luncheon’ – Wales Women’s Peace Petition presented 100 years ago #OTD 19 February 1924

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100 years ago this week, Wales’ Women’s Peace Petition was presented at a ‘grand luncheon’ in New York’s Biltmore Hotel to the Women of America – its 390,296 signatories from all over Wales appealing, ‘from hearth to hearth, and heart to heart,’ to 18 million women across the United States to “hand down to the generations which come after us, the proud heritage of a warless world.”

Welsh Womens Appeal Luncheon at Biltmore Hotel, New York, 19 February 1924

“thus ended one chapter in the history of the Memorial – It was a truly thrilling gathering and one which in our wildest flights of imagination, we had never thought of on such a comprehensive scale.”

Diary of Annie Hughes Griffiths, 19 February 1924

Facebook Post – 19 February 1924, Biltmore Luncheon, New York

Twitter Thread – 19 February 1924, Biltmore Luncheon, New York

Annie’s Diary Entries from week of 19 February 1924

Annie’s Diary – Digitised Pages
Annie’s Diary – Transcription
1924 Press Cuttings

Wales’ Women’s Peace Delegation of Annie Hughes Griffiths, Elined Prys and Mary Ellis spent their first week in America with a whirlwind of engagements, meeting the ‘movers and shakers’ of American Women’s Movements and New York high society. This was the fruits of much work behind the scenes by Mary Ellis’ (who had travelled to New York in December, in advance of the delegation) to prepare for the ‘big day’ on 19th February 1924 when – at NYC’s Biltmore Hotel – they would present Wales’ #WomensPeacePetition and its 390,296 signatories, to the women of America.

  • Annie’s Diary, Monday Feb 11th 1924 (PCW page 10) – end of the Transatlantic Voyage on SS Cedric
  • Monday February 11th 1924, Page 10 – Arrival in New York, the Women’s University Club: Meeting Belle Barouch & Florence Tuttle
  • Tuesday February 12th 1924, Page 11 and Page 12 – NY History Round Table; meeting Harriet Burton Laidlaw, Hilary Taft & Mrs Douglas Robinson
  • Wednesday 13 Feb 1924, Page 13 – Tea with the Crolys Family
  • Thursday 14 Feb 1924, Page 14 – English Speaking Union Club
  • Friday 15 Feb 1924, Page 15 – Town Hall luncheon; meeting Mrs Damrosch
  • Saturday 16 Feb 1924, Page 16 – Foreign Association Lunch + Ruth Morgan, Charles Levermore
  • Sunday 17 Feb 1924 Page 17 – Sunday Church Service with Harry Emerson Fosdick
  • Monday 18 Feb 1924, Page 18 – The American League of Women Voters

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  • Annie’s Diary P19
  • Annie’s Diary P20
  • Annie’s Diary P21
  • Annie’s Diary P22

Tuesday February 19th 1924: The Biltmore Luncheon, in Annie’s Words

New York’s prestigious Biltmore Hotel, where on 19 February 1924 the Welsh Women’s Peace Petition was presented to the women of America at a ‘grand luncheon’.

View Page 19, Page 20,

“Telephoning & much excitement. To bank to get money for tickets – Changed £80 into dollars. Paid 269 dollars for round trip to California & back including sleepers. Then back to hotel got dressed for the Luncheon which was timed to begin at 1pm at Biltmore Hotel. Rather nervous about my speech.

Got there in fair time in Mrs Laidlaw’s car & met many people. Was photographed with the other three & Mrs Laidlaw, Mrs Ruth Morgan & Mrs Tuttle by the chest in the reception room. Went into the Dining Hall – The Cascade – & sat on Miss Ruth Morgan’s right-hand at the guest table.

After the luncheon we had speeches. Mrs Ruth Morgan introduced the delegation – & I them gave an address on the links that bind Wales & America together, & our act of memorial. It seemed to be appreciated.

Then we three went up to the chest which had been placed on a dais & padlocks were unlocked, & we gave up the padlocks & the memorial to Mrs Ruth Morgan. Then the chest was inspected and the first question I was asked concerning it was “Oes yma enwau o Sir Feirionydd” (“Are there names here from Merionethshire?” – present day Gwynedd)

“Miss Sue Harvard sang Gwlad y Delyn & Hen Wlad fy Nhadau.”

“Thus ended one chapter in the history of the Memorial. It was a truly thrilling gathering and one which in our wildest flights of imagination, we had never thought of on such a comprehensive scale.”

Press Cuttings inserted. Continuing that evening: View Page 21, Page 22

“Went along to 200 Fifth Avenue to see Mr Fairman to pay for our tickets, then back to Club in a taxi. Had tea there, & a talk with 2 German ladies who were great pacifists.

That evening Miss Baruch called for me at the (Womens University) Club in her car, & she and Mary Ellis & I went as far as a Hall & I broadcasted my address. They stayed in an adjoining room & said I did it well.

Back to the Club had dinner & packed in readiness for our departure on the morrow.”

Onwards to Washington

The following day, they would leave for Washington, for a second ‘grand luncheon’ with Women’s Leaders in America, and a visit to the White House – which will be the subject of our next #WomensPeacePetition #AnniesDiary100 #OnThsDay posting.

Our next post will explore these engagements – meeting the ‘movers and shakers’ of American and New York high society, and Mary Ellis’ work behind the scenes to prepare for the big day on 19th February 1924 when – at NYC’s Biltmore Hotel – they would present Wales’ #WomensPeacePetition and its 390,296 signatories, to the women of America.

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