Rose (Thomas) Fernandes (1920-2010) was born and went to school in Wareham. After marrying Arthur, she moved to Marion where they raised 10 daughters. In addition to managing the household, Rose volunteered and worked as a cook for an East Marion family.
One of her volunteer activities was leading “The Girls Friendly Circle.” Founded in the late 1940s by Mrs. Isabel Talamo-Rossi and Mrs. Helen (Nellie) Hiller of Mattapoisett, Rose led the Marion chapter. About 20 girls between ages 9 and 13 learned crafts, how to sew and cook, etiquette and charitable work. The Girls Friendly Circle had a “theme song” that at least one participant still remembers. As uniforms were not required, it was a less expensive alternative to Girls Scouts.
One now remembers riding on the Girls Friendly Circle float in the Marion July 4th parade. As seen in a newspaper article from 1957, the girls had a fashion show at Grange Hall (441 Front Street) with the clothes they had sewn themselves.
Top picture: Lydia Rose, Janice Pina (first prize), Donna Pina, and Jill Texiera (second prize)
They made gifts to at least one local boy who was at Sol-e-mar hospital in New Bedford at Christmas time. The girls also made gifts for their parents.
Bottom picture: Cynthia Riberio, Sylvania Lopes, Mary Fernandes, and Mary Barros.
Many thanks to Cornelia (Lee) Dougall, who researched and gathered the information on the Marion Girls’ Friendly Circle and other 20th Century Marion women.