The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1881-08-11
AN ADDRESS TO THE ALUMNE.
Delivered by Hiss Harriette G
Heating. u. D., atthe WhitwOrth
Female College, EIissis-
sippi.

been invited to make an address be
fore your association, and accepted,
not from the impression that my pres
cnce or remarks would add anything
to the brilliancy or eclat of the occa-
sion, but from a sense of duty.
Being the only woman in the ex-
treme Southern States belonging to
the medical profession, and from the
broad ground which this profession
covers, must have had many expert
ences, l will endeavor to say some
thing to you which may encourage
and stimulate.
al have finished the work which
thou gavest me to do"
This sentence, from st. John, is of
ten the exclamation Of the student as
she bids adieu to her "alma mater" and
looks back with satisfaction over her
life there. She turns from the thres-
hold she has so often crossed 1ith
throbbing pulse and high aspirations
with feeling of pride, and a heart
full of pleasant memories, to recievC
that reward for long tedious hours and
patient mental toll passed within its
walls-her "dipioma;" still, as she
looks forward to her future practical
womaply llfe---that which is to liber
ate all the powers of her mind anC
body and develop them into forces
which shall be felt through all time
no wonder she hesitates and often trem
bles, fearing q mistep in the begin
ing.
She realizes that life is forceful ac
ton, the outcome Of powers seekin!
vent. Suppress that motion, find NJ
free play for the force which stirs he
mind, and the inevitable result will b
a dwarfed intellect, a discontente'
spirit and life of dissatisfaction an,
and unrest.
To be able to do work in whic
the best force of life, Its vigor, ii
strength of will, its energy of thought
its wealth of emotion shall be satisfied
IL the grandest. greatest blessing Go
.ives to his children when he SEND
them forth upon the world.
The reward of this work is found
developing powers which shall increa'
through all ages of eternity.
Who can limit the capacity of tt
soul? Who can estimate its immorti
powers when freed this mortal fran,
The question now agitating woma
is, what shall this work be?
How shall she find a sphere cor
/ mensurate with her necessities and C
pacities? There is great need for ops
svenues to self-supporting work an
opportunities for women to put in
practical use the knowledge they has
: have spent years in schools and CO
Z leges to acquire.
Why should you lock up your kno,
ledge with your diploma and ke'
l them for rare occasions?
We are called upon Cat times)
listen to the tales of women reduced
poverty, and how sad it is to see the
urning over their little stock at a
somplishments, to find if anythil
here can be used to earn brea
When questioned as to their eapaci
TO fill positions requiring thorous
knowledge they hesitate. and ut Ia
are obliged to admit their inabilit
1RWomen de- not, asa rule, perft
{ themselves in any study.
The time has gone by, when wom
we're employed just because they we
women. The rule now is ABILTT'
y She must be able to do her work no
Is well as man, before she viii
S employed and receive the same rem
neration for it. HaIfknowledge is !
u power. She alone possesses it "
\ can say, / am master of my prof
.ion.
\ Plato says Tin speaking of ply
\ ,ians) "A man and woman when Il
} both have the soIl of the physicii
n may he said to have the same natu
y. In the administration of a State nett
- a man, as a man, nor a woman, a
> woman, has any special functions,