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Show 198 throughout her report of the National Women's Council, Susa was sworn by the group not to reveal in print the dismal evening they had at the White House's public reception. Had she been there to share the experience, she would have had more difficulty restraining herself. She did, however, recount an evening that was an ordeal for her personally. In the interests of honesty and a rounding out of the picture, she informed her young ladies: Our young people are very apt to think that all these experiences, such as I have just now been telling, are one series of unmixed delights...old as I am, I just felt that such a privilege as attending that wonderful Council of Women would be one unadulterated delight from beginning to close. Well, dearest girls, it wasn't!...we rarely get the seamy side of the picture from those who go away from home. But I am going to turn this picture right around, and let you see all the tacks in the back.31 And then she proceeded to recount, most vividly, an evening which was a disaster for her personally. She concludes her report with acknowledgments to individuals for hospitality extended, and the observation: I don't think any one can really estimate the immense amount of good done by our Utah women at this late Convention. ..Hundreds, it is safe to say, have received a favorable opinion of Utah, and the prejudice and ignorance of years have been replaced by the kindest of opinions and the warmest of friendships.32 As the only woman ever to be officed in the Church Office Building, Susa was popularly known as "The 13th Apostle." She held responsible positions for years in the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations and in the Relief Society. Susa lived to be 77. 33 Her death in 1933 preceded Ellis's by six years. |
