The Cosmos Club of Forrest City, Arkansas, held its first meeting on February 24, 1899, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Nichols. The club defined its purpose as studying and researching literary and social topics. In 1899 the Cosmos Club was admitted into the Arkansas Federation of Women’s Clubs (AFWC), a part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC). Three AFWC presidents have come from the Cosmos Club: Mrs. Sam H. (Alice) Mann (1932-1934), Mrs. Carroll (Helen) Harrelson Cannon (1960-1962), and Mrs. William (Carolyn) Huttig (1990-1991). The organization works with many groups, such as the Forrest City Library Association (sponsors of the Forrest City Public Library system), Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and its Tyson Wings Project. This project expanded into the SOAR reading program later sponsored by the GFWC and continues on an international level. The Cosmos Club works with other clubs in the area, especially in the Forrest City District (one of eight statewide districts), and frequently hosts district and state conventions.

Mrs. Cannon (October 26, 1912-October 29, 2002) was the president of the Cosmos Club from 1948 to 1950. She rose in the state organization and became the second member of the Cosmos Club to attain the position of AFWC president. After leaving the state presidency, she remained involved in the state and local organizations, as well as taking the position of Chairman of the Cultural Heritage branch of the GFWC in the mid-1960s. During her presidency, the AFWC took on the project of fund-raising for a mural in the chapel at the Conway Children’s Colony (now Conway Human Development Center). Also during her term, the North Little Rock Women’s Club placed fifth in the nation in the GFWC Community Improvement Project in 1962.