The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-06-29
WOMAN's WORK.
BY NUMBER TWO.

thinking that work which is fitted for
woman alone is puerile, trifing and
unremunerative, for in the decided
boundaries between the Spheres of
the two sexes, that which was honor
able and well paid was given to man,
and the opposite but equally necessary
has been graciously accorded to woman.
Thus from time immemOrial, woman's
work has been relatively the same with
mans as it is at the present; but as
civilization advances, We are glad to
note evidences of transition state in
this as in every other vital affair. In
view of this, the world is becoming i'm
pressed with the fact that as many
must be self-dependent, they must have
certain means of support; they also are
gradually yielding the point that
achievement must not be governed by
sex, but by ability and opportunity"
With this taken for granted, we come
to the question, What, in general way,
must her work be? We answer briefly
and decidedly, That which she wishes
to do, and can do.
We see exemplified in the various
professions, and the countless trades
and industries, that individuals can do
those things best for which they have
particular taste, and in these alone can
they excel. And yet women themselves
say that their greatest difficulty lies in
lack of opportunity for carrying out
plans. Many are tied by many press
ing and necessary home duties; some of
these duties made heavier by fashion
able cares, others increased by really
imperative demands upon their time.
And yet among the last we find the
names of some American women who
stand at the very head of the Hterati,
and those known in professional life. 1
have but to mention the name of Mrs.
| H. B. Stowe to confirm my last state
ment.
| AS for what women have a right to
do, it seems needless to state that it
should be what they can do aUeIJ, and
that they have the same right as men
to fail if they cannot succeed. We be-
lieve in the entire human creation using
the talents entrusted to them, and not
one-half suffering theirs to be idle.
There are, of course, duties peculiar to
each sex; and there is no danger of
them clashing, if only the sensible way
/ iS TO lyan. fhaxy iNin hornoAnFor,.I,,
We see the dignity and necessity ol
labor, and the next step is careful
training for it. Women should begin to
realize that the world takes note not SO
much of what is done, as the manner in
which it is done. Therefore, a complete
and careful training is absolutely essen
tial to success. In this lack of needed
preparation, we have the key to the ill
success of many women who have en-
tered upon active professional lives.
They, in some way, have imbibed the
idea that because they are women SO
much will not be expected of them as
of men in the same position; conse-
quently, when they enter upon their
work, they can command but a low
price, and their services are accordingly
valued. To make the preparation what
it should be by educational means, the
training should be specially adapted to
the work chosen; and it should be chosen
as early as the woman can decide fol
what she is most capable by nature and
inclination. If these things were at
tended to properly, our women profes-
sionals would not be disgrace to the
calling, as some are, and therefore ap-
parently demonstrate that women are
not capable of professional life.
Another notable drawback to woman's
success in any public work is her de-
plorable lack of culture; without this,
she thinks and acts narrowly, and can
not succeed in any chosen work. now
take the liberty of repeatiDga definition
of this word found in an article upon
this subject-"Culture is that training
of the mind and heart which brings the
individual into the truest and most per-
feet relations with her surroundings,
and fits her to change and modify these
surroundings without jar or disturb
ance." By reading this carefully, we
can see that this is just what women
need-a training of mind and heart
which satisfies us with necessary sur
roundings and fits US for those for which
vya fool mara aIanfad
Our early education, and later train
ing and reading, with habits of obser-
walton, are our most potent means of
culture; and do let us give the girls
equal advantages in these respects with
the boys. If they have taste and a
desire for classical education and after
wards for trade or profession, let it not
be withheld; it is an essential need of
their natures if they really desire it.
AS to woman's success in any hitherto
unaecustomed work, let it not be doubted
Her excellence in domestic affairs is un-
questioned; and when now she brings
the same amount of care and diligence
to other duties, her success will be
equally apparent.
Let US then, who hope to do some
thing in the world, prepare ourselves
by every means in our power, even If
these means are narrow. Let us take
thorough and practical educatiOns; let
us not forget culture outside of school
days and years, culture both of mind
and heart; let US have certain assur-