The Portland daily press., 1882-10-09
A. a. w.
The Object of the Association.

This organization, the Association for the
| Advancement of Women, the people Of Port
land are unfamiliar with. 1t aims are laud-
able in the highest degree. Its object is to
consider and present practical methods fer
securing to women higher intellectual, moral
and physical conditions with view to the inn
provement of all domestic and social relations.
! 1t has president and besides vice presi-
dent in each State. 1t has a board of directors
twenty-five in number, who have entire
charge of the business of the association for
which purpose they hold bi-annual session.
These are women noted for serious nindedness
and usefnlhess Maria Mitchell, Elizabeth b..
Chaee of Providence Rachel L. Bodley,M. D.,
professor in the Womans Medical College,
Philadelphia; Sarah Hackett Stevenson, M.
D., professor in the Womans Medical College
Chicago; Prof. Mary Patnam-Lacobi, Woman's
Medical College, N. Y; Mary A. Liyermore,
Carolina M. Severance and others
1t has stsnding committees to consider and
report on all matters pertaining to art,
science, education, literature and practical
work, which come within the scope of the as
ISOLATION for investigation or action 1t has a.
membership of three hundred.
The annual sessions of the Association maet
alternately east and vest
This year marks the tenth congress-the
close of its tenth year. Its sessions have been
held in Now York, Chicago, Cleveland,
Providence, Madison, Boston, Syracuse, Phila-
delphia and Buffalo.
The idea was originated and projected by
few leading sober women, Of whom Maria
Mitchell was one who felt the need Of this
association and the responsibility ofthe call to
organize it.
The purpose was to elevate woman not only
through her higher education but by present.
ing and discussing the practical issues of life,
help to make her see the necessity Of the best
preparation to meet them. They met to-
gether neither for enjoyment nor for their
own intellectual development, but in the
hope that by comparing experiences and views,
and discussing plans for future work, all
women might be better and nobler end hap
pier Maria Mitchell says every woman went
away from that meeting with hymn of
thanksgiving in her heart; every woman went
on with her work the next week more hope
fully. This was the seed out of which its pre-
sent fruitfulness shas grown. Several cities
owe to its inspiration, art, scientific and
literary associations.
1t has received the unstinted courtesies of
citizens wherever it has met. Mayors have
cordially welcomed them to the cities at their
opening sessions; Governors of States have
given them elegant receptions, and presidents
OF academies of arts and sciences, and the
press no whit behind, full and able reports.
In Cleveland the school board adjourned
the schools on Friday that the teachers and
older pupils might be able to attend one days
sessions
It was at the close Of this session in pulpit
discourse on the succeeding Sunday that Rev.
Mr.. Staples said, ''Those who have attended
the Woman's CONGRESS, which has just closed
'uft have felt that here was a company of
oble women, striving earnestly to do what
they could for the elevation Of life, and the
best interests of the race, women of large views
and large culture, having no poor ambition for
notorety, but with seriousness of heart with a
solemn sense of responsibility to God, studying
the great evils that aflict society," striving to
alleviate and cure them
The sessions of the Association will be held
from 8 to u a. M, 2 to 8, and to 10 p. m. on
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The morn
ing sessions will be devoted to the ex-
ecutiye committee in Reception Hail. The
afternoon and evening sessions will be
held in City Hall and viii be open to the
public.