Philadelphia Friendship Fete.

Originally called the Friendship Festival, the Philadelphia Friendship Fete began in the 1920s in New York City. The purpose of the group was to promote friendship among Philadelphia area women's clubs, to recognize and honor area women, nationally and internationally. There were enthusiasts in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. In 1929 the Soroptimist Club in Philadelphia began with its first Friendship dinner. Seventy-five clubs were part of this dinner. This later became a luncheon, due to practicality and expense. The Advisory Council, which met three to four times a year, was the governing body of this club. The council consisted of officers and delegates from the various clubs. Officer positions were rotated on a yearly basis, finally becoming permanent positions.

The Fame Award recipient was chosen by motion within Advisory Council meetings. Suggestions for recipients were received from the council and the hostess committee. The announcement was made at the luncheon, unless publicity of the recipient would increase ticket sales. Guest speakers and Fame Award recipients included Ethel Barrymore, Amelia Earhart, Norwegian crown Princes Martha, South Korean politician Louisa Yim, congresswoman Katherine O'Hay Grananhan, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Baroness Maria Van Trapp, Shirley Temple Black, Abigail Van Buren, and journalists Orien Reid and Lisa Thomas Laury.

Member clubs took turns as hostess of the yearly Fete, which was generally held in the spring. The hostess committee presented plans for the coming Fete to the Advisory Council. The hostess club would be responsible for all expenses, except the Fame Award. Expenditures for the event appear to be paid for from ticket sales. The Hostess club was also responsible for preserving items from the Fete in "History Books."

The symbol of this group was the Golden Chain of Friendship. Each year a new link was added and inscribed with the name of the club sponsoring the luncheon. The link contains the number of the Fete, the name of the sponsoring club, the date, and the president's name of the sponsoring club at the time of the Fete. Buddendorf Jewlers appears to be the primary engraver. Each club in the chain paid dues for the insurance and additional expenses associated with the chain. The Chain of Friendship was displayed prominently in a center city location to publicize the luncheon. Locations for display included, Western Savings Bank, JD Caldwell & Company, and Wanamaker's Court.

By the mid 1960s there were over 1000 attendees at luncheons. In fact, on one occasion they had to deny ticket requests. Luncheon locations include: Benjamin Franklin Hotel, Fairmount Hotel, Bellevue Stratford Hotel (first), Philadelphia Sheraton, Penn Athletic Club Ball Room, Mitten Hall, William Penn High School for Girls, and the Warwick Hotel. The last Friendship luncheon was held in 1982, due to the lack of clubs willing to host, or sponsor the Fete. The Advisory Council sponsored the last Fete.

From the description of Advisory council records, 1929-1982. (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). WorldCat record id: 64229537