12/28/2025
The Danish Congregations Ladies Aid
Granly, Jackson County, Mississippi
Origin September 1931
The first few ladies, who helped in the beginning of Granly Colony, did in 1931, upon the suggestion of Mrs. Axel Buck, agree to meet a couple times a month in each other’s homes for a little encouragement in the loneliness. The first gathering was in the home of Mrs. Axel Buck, 23 Sept. 1931.
We jokingly called these social gatherings as “Ladies Aid Meetings” in hopes that in time we would be so many that we could form a society similar to it since most of us have been members in other places. At this first meeting we were only six ladies present; namely, Mrs. Axel Buck, Mrs. Axel Pedersen, Mrs. Jacob Pedersen, Mrs. Julius Karby, Elin Karby, and Mrs. K. Knudsen.
Later a few more came, and we decided to meet only once a month. At the meeting in January 1934 we agreed on monthly dues to be paid into a joint box. At the next meeting, Mrs. K. Knudsen was elected Treasurer, and the first monies were collected. Within the next year, more and more settlers arrived, and in October 1934 at the meeting in the home of Mrs. Ejner Mortensen; we agreed that at the next meeting we would elect officers and organize a regular Society.
The Ladies Aid met 14th November 1934 in the home of Mrs. Edward Jensen. The meeting began with the song, “Udrundne er de gamle dage”. Thereafter, Mrs. Pastor Knudsen presided over the meeting to elect a president Mrs. Enevold Smidt was elected president; Mrs. Axel Pedersen, vice president; Mrs. Edward Jensen, secretary, and Mrs. Andrew Outzen, treasurer. After the election, each took over her duties. Appointed to the By-Law and Constitution committee for the Ladies Aid Society were Mrs. Pastor Knudsen, Mrs. Axel Buck, Mrs. Jens Brinkman. Song, “Har Haand du lagt paa Herren’s Plov” was sung. Mrs. Peter Jensen entertained with piano music; and Mrs. Axel Pedersen sang a solo. Buffett coffee table was presented by the Hostess. In closing, we all sang “Altid Frejdig Naar Du Gaar.”
Committee meeting was held in the home of Mrs. Enevold Smidt. Mrs. Smidt opened the meeting. Mrs. Pastor Knudsen bought a writeup of the beginning Granly which we voted to include in our Constitution and By-Laws together with our own By-Saws for our organization which we had discussed and drafted, one by one. The committee voted to present it to the Society at the next meeting.
The Ladies Aid met in December 1934 in the home of Mrs. Enevold Smidt. The meeting began with a song. Mrs. Edward Jensen read a story; “Madame Holst”, written by Marie Takcoy. After the reading, we sang “Jeg Ved Det Gud.”
The meeting was now opened for business. The minutes were read and accepted. The minutes of the Committee Meeting were read and accepted. Mrs. Smidt read the Constitution and By-Laws, and one by one they were accepted. It was also agreed that the Hostess would not serve more than three things with coffee at each meeting. The membership agreed that the sugar and coffee would be paid by the Treasurer. Mrs. Pastor Knudsen volunteered her home for the “Juletrofest.” Self-serving of coffee followed the close of the meeting after singing, “Spurven Sidder Stum Bag Kvist.”
