Making People Happy

In a bustling New York drawing‑room, a newly married Cicily Hamilton finds herself wielding a gavel against a chorus of outspoken women. What should be a genteel gathering quickly erupts into pandemonium as the twelve members of the Civitas Club argue, laugh, and clash over their lofty ambitions. Cicily’s attempts to restore order reveal both her own nervous energy and the fierce determination of a generation eager to redefine its role.

Among the voices are a militant English suffragette, a sharp‑tongued aunt, and a confident spinster, each championing a different vision of female empowerment. Their spirited debates—ranging from the “emancipation of woman” to the tongue‑in‑cheek claim of “subjugation of man”—create a vivid portrait of early‑20th‑century social change. As the meeting finally settles, the club’s purpose is declared, setting the stage for a lively exploration of friendship, ideology, and the messy business of making people happy.