arbitrate an argument between Mr. and Mrs. San Antonio over whether San Antonio's character and charms should be killed to achieve prosperity more quickly. Of course, the Conservation Society members in the audience responded, “NO,” and many cheered. Preservation of the city's character and charms would reap greater long-term benefits, including civic pride, than the mere accumulation of money.

     Their response to the notion of filling in the Great Bend, which had been a recommendation in an engineering report, was to take the City Commissioners on a canoe ride on the bend just to show the men how beautiful it was. Many of them had never seen the river from that perspective before and were greeted along the way by children waving and pitching flowers to them from the bridges.

     After two years in San Antonio, Emily Edwards went to Mexico to study painting with Diego Rivera. She spent ten years there gaining a reputation as an artist. In the late 30's, she returned to Hull House to head up its art program. Rena Green continued with her intense interest in the Conservation Society, becoming its fifth President - probably she could no longer say no. Her longstanding interest in the missions and work with the Conservation Society culminated with relocating a national highway beyond the compound boundary of San Jose, piecing together its mission lands, and restoring its granary.

Reflecting on the astounding accomplishments of these creative, inventive women, I am reminded of a comment by Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. “

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