USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > The Congress of Women : held in the Woman's building, World's Columbian exposition, Chicago, U.S.A., 1893 : with portraits, biographies and addresses > Part 2
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Women as Political Economists. . Mrs. Brain-
erd Fuller.
491
Women Citizens and People? Are.
Mrs.
Scull.
Emily B. Ketcham. 361
INDEX TO PORTRAITS.
A
PAGE.
Abbott, Mrs. Alice Asbury 645
Aberdeen, Lady Ishbel 743
Adams, Mrs. Mary Newbury 342
Albright, Mrs. Franc Luse. opp. p. 632
Allen, Mrs. E. W. opp. p. 502
Angell, Mrs. Sarah S. C
opp. p. 370
Anthony, Miss Susan B
787
Arcambal de, Mrs. Agnes L.
148
Ashley, Mrs. Susan R
23
Anstin, Miss Isabella J. opp. p. 632
B
Bagley, Mrs. John J 23-opp. p. 96
Baird. Mrs. Priscilla A 414
Ball, Mrs. J. Frank opp. p. 164
Barker, Mrs. Helen Morton 23-opp. p. 502
Barlow, Miss Florence. 797
Bartlett, Mrs. Edward L opp. p. 632
Bates, Miss Octavia Williams 664
F
Fairbanks, Mrs. Caroline Fuller 503
Farnum, Mrs. Anna E. M. opp. p. 232
Faulkner, Miss Jean W opp. p. 304
Felton, Mrs. Wm. H. opp. p. 232
Field, Miss Kate.
77
776
Ford, Miss Ellen A
opp. p. 96
Fosdick, Mrs. Anna M
opp. p. 164
Brayton, Mrs. Ellery M. opp. p. 502
Brazza di, Countess Cora Slocomb. 697
Briggs, Mrs. John S. opp. p. 370
Bristol, Rev. Augusta Cooper. 80
Brotherton, Mrs. Alice Williams. 67
Brown, Mrs. H. F. opp. p. 370
Brown, Miss Lillian Mason
477
Bucklin, Miss Loraine Pearce
450
Bullock, Mrs. Electa.
510 143
Burleigh, Mrs. Edwin C.
opp. p. 304
Busselie, Miss Mary E.
opp. p. 434
Butler, Mrs. Thomas J.
opp. p. 632
C
Cantrell, Mrs. Ellen Harrell. 253
Cantrill, Mrs. Mary Cecil opp. p. 96
Cappiani, Mme. Louisa 500
Carse, Mrs. Matilda B opp. p. 696
Chandler, Mrs. Ellen M. .opp. p. 568
Chapin, Rev. Augusta J 393
Clarke, Mrs. Francis B opp. p. 370
Clark, Mrs. Lanra H 512
Clark, Mrs. Whiting S
opp. p. 232
Cochran, Mrs. Mary A
opp. p. 568
Cohen, Miss Katherine M
428
Cohen, Mrs. Nina Morais 113
Cole, Miss Annette. 600
Coleman, Mrs. Robert J. opp. p. 164
Conway, Miss Clara 402 Hayes, Miss Mary V. 474
Cooke, Mrs. Susan Gale opp. p. 502
Cooper, Mrs. Sarah B 296
Cope, Mrs. Theresa Elizabeth 531 Hitchcock, Mrs. Romyn
Corbin, Mrs. Caroline Fairfield. 326 Holt, Mrs. Charlotte
Corson, Miss Juliet. 714
Craig, Mrs. M. K. 198
Crawford, Mrs. Emily 87
Cummins, Mrs. Ella Sterling 184
Cunningham, Miss Floride. opp. p. 502
Carwen, Mrs. Mary T. W
165
D
Dailey, Miss Charlotte Field opp. p. 502
Deane, Mrs. James R opp. p. 164
Delaney, Mrs. A. K _. opp. p. 632
Devereux, Mrs. C. A. R
752
Ives, Miss Frances S
PAGE
Dibble, Mrs. Martha Cleveland.
704
Dickinson, Frances, M. D. opp. p. 696
Dickinson, Mrs. Mary Lowe 637
Dillaye, Miss Blanche. 643
Dodd, Mrs. Anna A
754
Donohue, Dr. Mary E 727
Doolittle, Jr., Mrs. James R. opp. p. 696
Doty, Master Willie K opp. p. 762
Douglas, Mrs. Selwyn. 383
Donglass, Mrs. Jean Longhborough. 733
Drury, Mrs. J. Wilson 471
Duniway, Mrs. Abigail Scott.
90
Eagle, Mrs. James P.
11 and 23-opp. p. 164
Eastman, Mrs. Annis Ford 612
Edgerton, Mrs. Rollin A opp. p. 164
760
Bay, Mrs. Lillian Cantrell. 260
Bayard, Mrs. Mary Temple
435
Beck, Miss E. Nellie ..
opp. p. 232
Beeson, Mrs. Marie P. Harmon
opp. p. 632
Bell, Mrs. Mary C ._
opp. p. 232
Bjorn, Mme. Thora K.
740
Blackwell, Rev. Antoinette Brown.
633
Blake, Mrs. Lillie Devereux
32
Brady, Mrs. Sue Huffman 306
Foster, Mrs. J. Ellen
668
Fredericsen, Miss Kirstine 237
French, Mrs Jonas H.
opp. p. 304
Frost, Mrs. Ruffus S. opp. p 304
491
C
Gaddess, Mrs. Mary L 221
Gage, Mrs. Marie Mott. 737
Galloway, Miss Janet A 337
Garrett, Miss Mary S. 443
George, Mrs. Jonnie Allen 388
Gillespie, Mrs. Laura
opp. p. 502
Ginty, Mrs. Flora Beall
opp. p. 568
Gohl, Miss Cecile. 316
Gordon, Mrs. Laura de Force 74
Gould, Mrs. Minna Gordon 660
Greene, Miss Mary A 41
Green, Mrs. Anna S. 649
Grinnell, Mrs. Katherni V 628
Guthrie, Mrs. Genevieve opp. p. 632
H
Hale, Mrs. Frances E „opp. p. 568
Hall, Mrs. Daniel
opp. p. 434
Hanback, Mrs. Hester A
opp. p. 304
Hanna, Mrs. John R 53
Harrison, Mrs. F. H.
opp. p. 568
Harrison, Mrs. Mary S opp. p. 96
Hart, Mrs. Mary P opp. p. 434
Hartpence, Mrs. Walter. opp. p. 434
Henrotin, Mrs. Charles 318
Hinds, Miss Ida K
438
556
Hooker, Mrs. Isabella Beecher opp. p. 164
Houghton, Mrs. Alice.
opp. p. 568
Howard, Mrs. A. L.
463
Howe, Mrs. Julia Ward.
102
Howell, Mrs. Mary Seymour
679
Howes, Mrs. Eliza J. Pendry
opp. p. 370
Hoxie, Mrs. Vinnie Ream 603
Hull, Mrs. Mary Hess 609
Hultin, Rev. Ida C. 788
Hundley, Miss Hattie Toney. opp. p. 164
.opp. p. 164
E
Edwards, Mrs. Amanda H
Field' (Catherine Cole), Mrs. Martha R. Foley, Mrs. M. D.
opp. p. 434
Boyd, Mrs. Gaston 570
Fuller, Mrs. Brainard
Brown, Dr. M. Angusta. opp p. 370
Bullock, Mrs. Helen L.
190
21
22
INDEX TO PORTRAITS.
J PAGE.
Jackson, Mrs. A. C
opp. p. 304
Jackson, Miss Lily Irene
opp. p. 568
Jenkins, Mrs. Helen Phillco .646
Johnson, Miss Helen Louise 810
Johnston, Mrs. . Adelia A. F 555
K
Keene, Miss Mary Virginia 194
Kenealy, Miss Annesley 354
Ketchain, Mrs. Emily Burton 361
Kidder, Mrs. George Wilson .opp. p. 434
Kinder, Mrs. Mary Richards. .opp. p. 16.1
Korany, Mme. Hanna K
359
L
Ladd, Mrs. Mira B. F. opp. p. 434
Lake, Mrs. Isabel Wing 574
Lake, Mrs. Leonora Mario. 508
Langworthy, Mrs. E. C.
opp. p. 370
Lankton, Dr. Freda M.
268
Lease, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth 412
Lee, Mrs. James W
opp. p. 370
Lewis, Mrs. Amanda Kerr
871
Linch, Mrs. W. Newton
opp. p. 568
Lincoln, Mrs. Mary J.
138
Lipscomb, Mrs. M. A .469
Lockwood, Mrs. Mary S
opp. p. 96
Logan. Mrs. John A.
opp. p. 632
Lord, Miss Eleanor. 281
Louis, Mrs. Minnie D. 539
Lovell, Miss Laurette.
23-opp. p. 632
Lundin. Mlle. Hulda 101
Lynde, Mrs. William P
opp. p. 568
M
Magnusson, Mme. Sigrid E. 521
Marsden, Miss Kate. 213
Marshall, Mme. Marie_ 211
MeAdow, Mrs. Clara L.
opp. p. 370
McCandless, Miss Mary E.
opp. p. 502
Mcl'onnell, Mrs. W. B.
opp. p. 434
McDiarmid, Mrs. Clara A
723
McDonald, Prof. Cora M
264
Mclaughlin, Mrs. S. W opp. p. 434
Meredith, Mrs. Virginia ( opp. p. 232
747
Messenger, Mrs. Lillian Rozell.
227
Meyer, Mrs. Nicoline Beck
213
Meyer, Mrs. Annie Nathan
135
Miller, Mrs. Kate O
782 695
Miller, Miss Ora Elizabeth
.opp. p. 232
Minor, Mrs. Katharine L
.opp. p. 304
Mitchell, Miss Alice A
405
Mitchell, Mrs. Jennie S
opp. p. 304
Monroe, Mrs. Harriet Earhart
311
Moore, Miss Aimee K. Osborne.
380
Morgan, Miss Anna_ 597
Mott, Mrs. Emma Pratt 514
Mulligan, Mrs. James A .opp. p. 696
N
Norris, Mrs. Mary E. C 674
O
Oglesby, Mrs. Richard J opp. p. 232
Olmstead, Mrs. Charles H opp. p. 232
Ormsbee, Mrs. E. J __ 590
Opening of the Congress of Women opp. p. 435
Owings, Mrs. Melissa D
opp. p. 568
P
Palmer, MIrs. Bertha M. Honoré 7, opp. p. 696 and 816
Palmer. Mrs. Sarah Eddy 432
Panl, Mrs. K. S. G
opp. p. 568
Payton, Mrs. Mary opp. p. 502
Peabody, Mrs. Mary H. 205
Peck, Mrs. Marie Purdy
623
Perkins, Mrs. Belle H
opp. p. 304
Pierce, Miss Ada .. opp. p. 762
Pitblado, Mrs. Effie 793
Pollard, Mrs. Marie Antoinette Nathalie
293 Potter, Miss Jennie O Neil 682
Potts, Mrs. Eugenia Dunlap 562
Prescott, Mrs. Lydia A 526
Price, Mrs. Charles opp. p. 434
Proctor, Miss Mary A 301
O
Quinton, Mrs. Amelia S 71
Reed, Mrs. Caroline G 210
Reect, Mrs. Elizabeth A
719
Reed, Mrs. William. opp. p. 304
Reese, Miss C'ara, 328
Reitz, Miss Wilhelmine opp. p. 232
Rich, Mrs. Ellen M
365
Richards, Mrs. Ellen II
712
Rickards, Mrs. Eliza opp. p. 370
Riggs, Mrs. Anna R. 813
Rogers, Miss May 586
Roman, Mrs. Sallie Rhett 535
Romney, Mrs. Caroline Wescott
579
Rue, Mrs. Parthenia P opp. p. 161
Russell, Miss Eliza M. 23-opp. p. 434
Ryan, Mrs. Rosine
opp. D. 96
S
Salazar, Signora Fanny Zampini 157
Salisbury, Mrs. Margaret Blaine opp. p. 632
Sawyer, Mrs. Winona Branch .273
Schahovskoy, Princess M 569
Scull, Mrs. Sarah Amelia 123
Scwall, Mrs. May Wright 771
Shattuck, Mrs. L. Brace . 23-opp. p. 696
Shaw, Rov. Anna Howard 152
Sheldon, Miss Elizabeth B 790
131
Shelton, Mrs. Matilda Hart
opp. p. 502
Shepard, Mrs. Frances Welles
opp. p. 232
Sherman, Mrs. Caroline K 761
Sherman, Mrs. Julia Edwards 670
616
Smith, Mrs. Mary Stuart.
408
Smith, Mrs. Wesley
217
Smith, Mrs. Clara Holbrook
332
Smith, Mrs. Virginia Thrall
178
Smith, Mrs. Eva Munson
416
Souville, Mrs. E. M.
691
Spence, Mrs. Catherine Hclen
45.8
Spencer, Rev. Anna Garlin
170
Starkweather, Mrs. Amey M
opp. p. 502
Stevens, Mrs. L. M. N 23 opp. p. 304
Stevenson, Mrs. Matilda C'oxe
481
Stone, Mrs. Leander opp. p. 696
58
Stone, Mrs. C. E. Whiton
101
Stone, Mrs. Lncinda II.
opp. p. 370
Stranghan, Mrs. Joseph C
opp. p. 232
Street, Miss Ida M 286
Sundedland, Mrs. Eliza Read
318
T
Thatcher, Mrs. M. D) opp. p. 164
Thatcher, Jr., Mrs. Solomon „opp. p. 696
Thatcher, Miss Claribel opp. p. 762
Thatcher, Miss Florence, opp. p. 762
Thomson, Mrs. Alexander. opp. p. 304
Todd, Mrs. Mary C 39
Trantinann, Mrs. Ralph opp. p. 434
Truehart. Mrs. S. C.
Turner, Mrs. Ida Loving opp. p. 502
Tutwiler, Miss Julia S 36
Twitchell, Mrs. Eliza Stowe. 495
V
Verdenal, Mrs. D. F opp. p. 96 106
Villafuerte, Miss Virginia.
W
Wallace, Mrs. M. R. M opp. p. 696
Ware, Mrs. Eugene 2277
Welch, Miss Jane Meade 30
Whalen, Mrs. Thomas A opp. p. 632
Wheelock, Miss Lncy 323
White, Mrs. Jennie F 123
Wilkins, Mrs. Beriah opp. p. 632
Wilkinson, Mrs. Laura S
233
Wilson, Miss Alisan
188
Wilson, Mrs. Elizabeth M 203
Wilson (néc Petrie), Mrs. Ashley Carus. 651
Wilson, Mrs. John R opp. p. 502
Windeyer, Miss Margaret 97
Wise, Mrs. John Sergeant opp. p. 568
Women's Building frontispiece
Woolley. Mrs. Celia Parker 763
Wright, Miss Mary P 305
Z
Zacaroff, Mlle. Cariclée
618
Zeman, Mrs. Josefa Humpal
12
62
McGee, Miss L. C ___ 219
Stevenson, Dr. Sarah Hackett 708
Meriweather, Mrs. Lide.
Stone, Mrs. Lucy
Stone, Mrs. John M
Miller, Mrs. Annie Jenness
Starkweather, Mrs. Louise A
Sinith, Miss Marion Conthony
Sheldon, Mrs. M. French_
R PAGE.
OPENING CEREMONIES OF THE WOMAN'S BUILDING.
-
2
3
4
6
5
7
8
COMMITTEE ON CONGRESSES OF THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS.
2. MRS. JNO. J. BAGLEY, Vice-Chairman.
4. MISS ELIZA M. RUSSELL.
7. MES. L. BRACE SHATTUCK.
1. MRS. JAMES P. EAGLE, Chairman of Committee.
5. MRS. HELEN M. BARKER.
3. MRS. SUSAN R. ASHLEY. 6. MRS. L. M. N. STEVENS.
8. MISS LAURETTE LOVELL
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY MRS. POTTER PALMER,
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS,
ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE WOMAN'S BUILDING, MAY 1st, 1893.
PUBLISHED BY PERMISSION.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS AND FRIENDS :- The moment of fruition has arrived. Hopes which for more than two years have gradually been gaining strength and definiteness now become realities. Today the Exposition opens its gates. On this occasion of the formal opening of the Woman's Building, the Board of Lady Managers is singularly fortunate in having the honor to welcome distinguished official representatives of many of the able foreign committees and of the state boards, which have so effectively co-operated with it in accomplishing the results now to be disclosed to the world.
We have traveled together a hitherto untrodden path, have been subjected to tedious delays and overshadowed by dark clouds, which threatened disaster to our enterprise. We have been obliged to march with peace offerings in our hands, lest hostile motives be ascribed to us. Our burdens have been greatly lightened, how- ever, by the spontaneous sympathy and aid which have reached us from women in every part of the world, and which have proved an added incentive and inspiration. Experience has brought many surprises, not the least of which is an impressive realiza- tion of the unity of human interests, notwithstanding differences of race, government, language, temperament and external conditions. The people of all civilized lands. are studying the same problems. Each success and each failure in testing and develop- ing new theories is valuable to the whole world. Social and industrial questions are paramount, and are receiving the thoughtful consideration of statesmen, students, political economists, humanitarians, employers and employed.
The few forward steps which have been taken during our boasted nineteenth cent- ury-the so-called age of invention-have promoted the general use of machinery and economic motive powers with the result of cheapening manufactured articles, but have not afforded the relief to the masses, which was expected. The struggle for bread is as fierce as of old. We find, everywhere, the same picture presented-over- crowded industrial centers, factories surrounded by dense populations of operatives, keen competition, many individuals forced to use such strenuous effort that vitality is drained, in the struggle to maintain life under conditions so uninviting and discour- aging that it scarcely seems worth living. It is a grave reproach to modern enlighten- ment that we seem no nearer the solution of many of these problems than during feudal days.
It is not our province, however, to discuss these weighty questions, except in so far as they affect the compensation paid to wage earners, and more especially that paid to women and children. Of all existing forms of injustice, there is none so cruel and inconsistent as is the position in which women are placed with regard to self-main- tenance-the calm ignoring of their rights and responsibilities, which has gone on for centuries. If the economic conditions are hard for men to meet, subjected as they
25
26
THE CONGRESS OF WOMEN.
are to the constant weeding out of the less expert and steady hands, it is evident that women, thrown upon their own resources, have a frightful struggle to endure, espe- cially as they have always to contend against a public sentiment which discountenances their seeking industrial employment as a means of livelihood.
The theory which exists among the conservative people, that the sphere of woman is her home-that it is unfeminine, even monstrous, for her to wish to take, a place beside or to compete with men in the various lucrative industries-tells heavily against her, for manufacturers and producers take advantage of it to disparage her work and obtain her services for a nominal price, thus profiting largely by the necessities and helplessness of their victim. That so many should cling to respectable occupations while starving in following them, and should refuse to yield to discouragement and despair, shows a high quality of steadfastness and principle. These are the real heroines of life, whose handiwork we are proud to install in the Exposition, because it has been produced in factories, workshops and studios under the most adverse con- ditions and with the most sublime patience and endurance.
Men of the finest and most chivalric type, who have poetic theories about the sanctity of the home and the refining, elevating influence of woman in it, theories inherited from the days of romance and chivalry, which we wish might prevail forever -- these men have asked many times whether the Board of Lady Managers thinks it well to promote a sentiment which may tend to destroy the home by encour- aging occupations for women which take them out of it. We feel, therefore, obliged to state our belief that every woman, who is presiding over a happy home, is fulfilling her highest and truest function, and could not be lured from it by temptations offered by factories or studios. Would that the eyes of these idealists could be thoroughly opened, that they might see, not the fortunate few of a favored class, with whom they possibly are in daily contact, but the general status of the labor market through- out the world and the relation to it of women. They might be astonished to learn that the conditions under which the vast majority of the " gentler sex" are living, are not so ideal as they assume; that each is not " dwelling in a home of which she is the queen, with a manly and loving arm to shield her from rough contact with life." Because of the impossibility of reconciling their theories with the stern facts, they might possibly consent to forgive the offense of widows with dependent children and those wives of drunkards and criminals who so far forget the high standard established for them as to attempt to carn for themselves daily bread, lacking which they must perish. The necessity for their work under present conditions is too evident and too urgent to be questioned. They must work or they must starve.
We are forced, therefore, to turn from the realm of fancy to meet and deal with existing facts. The absence of a just and general appreciation of the truth concern- ing the position and status of women has caused us to call special attention to it and to make a point of attempting to create, by means of the Exposition, a well defined public sentiment in regard to their rights and duties, and the propriety of their becom- ing not only self-supporting, but able to assist in maintaining their families when nec- essary. We hope that the statistics which the Board of Lady Managers has been so earnestly attempting to secure may give a correct idea of the number of women-not only those without natural protectors, or those thrown suddenly upon their own resources, but the number of wives of mechanics, laborers, artists, artisans and work- men of every degree-who are forced to work shoulder to shoulder with their hus- bands in order to maintain the family.
There are two classes of the community who wish to restrain women from actual participation in the business of the world, and each gives apparently very strong rea- sons in support of its views. These are, first, the idealists, who hold the opinion already mentioned that woman should be tenderly guarded and cherished within the sacred precincts of the home, which alone is her sphere of action; and, second, certain political economists, with whom may be ranged most of the men engaged in the profit- able pursuit of the industries of the world, who object to the competition that would
27
THE CONGRESS OF WOMEN.
result from the participation of women, because they claim that it would reduce the general scale of wages paid, and lessen the earning power of men, who require their present incomes to maintain their families. Plausible as these theories are, we can not accept them without pausing to inquire, what then would become of all but the very few women who have independent fortunes or are the happy wives of men able and willing to support them? The interests of probably three-fourths of the women in the world are at stake. Are they to be allowed to starve, or to rush to self- destruction? If not permitted to work, what course is open to them?
Our oriental neighbors have seen the logic of the situation far more clearly tlian we and have been consistent enough to meet it, without shrinking from heroic measures when necessary. The question is happily solved in some countries by the practice of polygamy, which allows every man to maintain as many wives as his means permit. In others etiquette requires that a newly made widow be burned on the funeral pyre with her husband's body, while the Chinese take the precaution to drown surplus female children. It would seem that any of these methods is more logical and less cruel than the system we pursue of permitting the entire female population to live, but mak- ing it impossible for those born to poverty to maintain themselves in comfort, because they are hampered by a caste feeling almost as strong as that ruling India, which will not permit them to work on equal terms with men. These unhappy members of an inferior class must be content to remain in penury, living on the crumbs that fall from tables spread for those of another and higher caste. This relative position has been exacted on the one side, accepted on the other. It has been considered by each an inexorable law.
We shrink with horror from the unjust treatment of child widows and other un- fortunates on the opposite side of the globe, but our own follies and inconsistencies are too close to our eyes for us to see them in proper perspective. Sentimentalists should have reduced their theories to set terms and applied them. They have had ample time and opportunity to provide means by which helpless women could be cherished, protected and removed from the storm and stress of life. Women could have asked nothing better. We have no respect for a theory which touches only the favored few who do not need its protection and leaves unaided the great mass it has assisted to push into the mire. Talk not of it, therefore, until it can be uttered, not only in polite drawing rooms, but also in factories and workshops without a blush of shame for its weakness and inefficiency.
But the sentimentalist again exclaims: " Would you have woman step down from her pedestal in order to enter practical life?" Yes! A thousand times, yes! If we can really find, after a careful search, any women mounted upon pedestals, we should willingly ask them to step down-in order that they may meet and help to uplift their sisters. Freedom and justice for all are infinitely more to be desired than pedestals for a few. I beg leave to state that, personally, I am not a believer in the pedestal theory -- never having seen an actual example of it, and that I always suspect the motives of anyone advancing it. It does not represent the natural and fine relation be- tween husband and wife, or between friends. They should stand side by side, the fine qualities of each supplementing and assisting those of the other. Men naturally cher- ish high ideals of womanhood, as women do of manliness and strength. These ideals will dwell with the human race forever without our striving to preserve and protect. them.
If we now look at the question from the economic standpoint and decide for good and logical reasons that women should be kept out of industrial fields in order that they may leave the harvest for men, whose duty it is to maintain women and children, then by all the laws of justice and equity these latter should be provided for by their natural protectors, and if deprived of them should become wards of the state, and be maintained in honor and comfort. The acceptance of even this doctrine of tardy justice would not, however, I feel sure, be welcomed by the woman of today who, having had a taste of independence, will never willingly relinquish it. They have no desire to be
28
THE CONGRESS OF WOMEN.
helpless and dependent. Having the full use of their faculties, they rejoice in exercis- ing them. This is entirely in conformity with the trend of modern thought, which is in the direction of establishing proper respect for human individuality and the right of self-development. Our highest aim now is to train each individual to find happiness in the full and healthy exercise of the gifts bestowed by generous nature. Ignorance is too expensive and wasteful to be tolerated. We cannot afford to lose the reserve power of any individual.
We advocate, therefore, the thorough education and training of woman to fit her to meet whatever fate life may bring; not only to prepare her for the factory and workshop, for the professions and arts, but, more important than all else, to prepare her for presiding over the home. It is for this, the highest field of woman's effort, that the broadest training and greatest preparation are required. The illogical, ex- travagant, whimsical, unthrifty mother and housekeeper belongs to the dark ages. She has no place in our present era of enlightenment. No course of study is too elab- orate, no amount of knowledge and culture too abundant to meet the actual require- ments of the wife and mother in dealing with the interests committed to her hands.
The board does not wish to be understood as placing an extravagant or senti- mental value upon the work of any woman because of her sex. It willingly acknowl- edges that the industries, arts and commerce of the world have been for centuries in the hands of men who have carefully trained themselves for the responsibilities de- volving upon them, and who have, consequently, without question, contributed vastly more than women to the valuable thought, research, invention, science, art and liter- ature, which have become the rich heritage of the human race. Notwithstanding their disadvantages, however, a few gifted women have made their value felt, and have rendered exceptional service to the cause of humanity.
Realizing that woman can never hope to receive the proper recompense for her services until her usefulness and success are not only demonstrated but fully under- stood and acknowledged, we have taken advantage of the opportunity presented by the Exposition to bring together such evidences of her skill in the various industries, arts and professions, as may convince the world that ability is not a matter of sex. Urged by necessity, she has shown that her powers are the same as her brothers', and that like encouragement and fostering care may develop her to an equal point of usefulness.
The fact that the Woman's Building is so small that it can hold only a tithe of the beautiful objects offered, has been a great disadvantage. The character of the cx- hibits and the high standard attained by most of them serve, therefore, only as an in- dex of the quality and range of the material from which we have drawn. When our invitation asking co-operation was sent to foreign lands the commissioners already appointed generally smiled doubtfully and explained that their women were doing noth- ing; that they would not feel inclined to help us, and, in many cases, stated that it was not the custom of their country for women to take part in any public effort, that they only attended to social duties. But as soon as these ladies received our message, sent in a brief and formal letter, the free masonry among women proved to be such that they needed no explanation; they understood at once the possibilities. Strong committees were immediately formed of women having large hearts and brains, women who cannot selfishly enjoy the case of their own lives without giving a thought to their helpless and wretched sisters.
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