Page:Women of distinction.djvu/136

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WOMEN OF DISTINCTION.

sented to her by the citizens of Chicago, two magnificent necklaces, a basket of flowers two feet high, made of tiny shells from Key West, Florida, presented by the leading ladies of that city, and many other testimonials of appreciation too numerous to mention.

Miss Davis is one of the pioneers of her race in the legitimate drama, and bv her success has been the means of stimulating and encouraging others to emulate her example. While she has many imitators she has few, if any, superiors, and stands unique in being one of the few representatives the race has in the tragic art. She is entirely devoted to the upbuilding of her race, and believes the solution of the vexed problem lies in the hands of the Negro. She believes that the education of the hand, the head and the heart is the prime necessity of the hour. She has invented a dress-cutting chart and has done much in the rural districts, where sewing seems to be one of the lost arts, to instill a love for this useful occupation.