Knights of Pythias of Texas. Grand Court Order of Calanthe. A Record of Progress and Prosperity. Dallas, Texas. June 4 - 7, 1950.

[Dallas, Texas]: [Cactus Printing Company], 1950. 12 x 9 inches. [36]pp + wrappers. Stapled white wrappers printed in black and dark brown. B&w illustrations. Light wear; light yellowing to wrappers; corners lightly bumped throughout. Good.

A scarce program for an a statewide conference of African American members of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias in Texas, as well as the traditionally African American women's group, the Grand Court of the Order of Calanthe. The event was held at Saint John Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, and included a memorial service, administrative opening sessions (report of committees, report of officers, and election of grand lodge officers), a public opening program, business sessions, a juvenile program, and the "princess revue and coronation". Notably, a conference on community problems was also held, with the speakers being a racial advisor from the Federal Housing Authority, the assistant administrator from the Farmers Home Administration, the executive secretary of the Dallas Negro Chamber of Commerce, the regional secretary for the NAACP, and the vice president of the Democratic Progressive Voters League of Texas. Profusely illustrated and filled with advertisements for and greetings from local businesses.

The Knights of Pythias is a benevolent fraternal organization that seeks to strengthen local community-service programs, and provides charitable donations for members in need. It was founded in Washington, D.C., in 1864, and is still in operation today. Nevertheless, African American lodges existed separately from white ones for much of the organization's history, and material documenting this aspect of the group is more uncommon.

Not located in OCLC, although we find a handful of issues from other years.