The Waitresses’ Ball of 1908

Miss Bessie Blodgett (upper), Miss Cora Schade (center) and Miss Louise La Rue, three girls of the smart set who are lending a helping hand to waitresses in ball plans.

SAILOR LAD FOR EVERY LADY FAIR

Jolly Tars Accept With Delight Invitation to Waitresses' Ball

A sailor lad for every lady fair at the waitresses’ ball. That is the optimistic prospect confronting the young women who have the affair in charge for tomorrow night at Walton’s pavilion. Graciously was the invitation extended by the waitresses to the men of the fleet now lying in the bay, and graciously has it been accepted. The correspondence leading to this happy consummation was properly formal and none of the niceties of naval etiquette were forgotten.

Serious looking documents stamped with the seal of Uncle Sam’s authority were received yesterday from all the commanders. Captain Nicholson of the Nebraska wrote the only letter of regret, stating that his jolly tars would not be able to attend the festivities by reason of the untimely departure of the Nebraska from the harbor Saturday morning. He added his personal thanks for the courtesy exhibited in the invitation, and so welcome was this epistle that it will be carefully placed in the archives of the waitresses’ union.

Miss Maud Younger, a leader in the local smart set and an honorary member of the union, is chairman of the committee on arrangements. Her assistants number many of the fairest young women in the city, among others Miss Bessie Blodgett, Miss Bertha Schaffer, Miss Sadie Brown, Miss Violet Ennis, Miss Lena Ruddell Miss Josie Hobb, Miss Theresa Simmons and Miss Cora Schade. And to make the ball truly feminine Miss Louise La Rue will act as floor manager..

Aside from the social side of the event, the waitresses have another incentive to make the ball a success. During last winter their union created a sick benefit fund and the proceeds of the dance will be turned into that fund. – San Francisco Call, 1908

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