This is about Queen Mary, grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II. There was a Public Broadcasting System program yesterday about Queen Mary, and when they told about Queen Mary's Needlework Guild, that seemed something to which to pay more than normal attention. (Personally, I was hoping to see Queen Mary's Youghal lace train, but it was not included.) Today, I searched and found the site that tells all about this charity guild founded in 1882, how it is organized, how they work, etc. It is still in existence, though the name has changed several times. The History segment is particularly interesting. http://www.qmcg.org.uk/ This guild was very active in the UK during WWI, at the same time when Charlotte Kellogg was writing about the Commission for Relief in Belgium (Headed by Herbert Hoover) and the efforts of lace makers to survive when Belgium was occupied by the Germans. Kellogg's book "Women of Belgium - Turning Tragedy to Triumph" is particularly interesting to those interested in helping the needy. It was written 3 years before "Bobbins of Belgium". There is also an American branch, founded in 1885 in Philadelphia! It is called The Needlework Guild of America, _www.nga-inc.org_ (http://www.nga-inc.org) It is quite encouraging to realize that today's not-for-profit guilds are carrying on, on the shoulders of notable women (mostly) who began the organizational work we do today back in the 19th Century. We have more to learn about the history of women who came before - and passed their causes on to us. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
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