Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-13
A WOMAN-S SOCIETY.
An Organization Devoted to the Study
OF Man.

THE woMEN's ANTHRoPoLoGIcAL SOCIETY
HOW 1T WAS ORGANIZED AND WHAT IT DOES
THE STUDY OF CHILD-GRowTH PAPERS
THAT HAVE BEEN READ.
The WOmen's Anthropological society, as its
name implies, is composed exclusively of
women. No man has ever been admitted to
the meetings, or initiated into the mysteries of
the society. AS the name also implies, the so
ciety is devoted to the study OF man; but not
in a personal sense. The society, which was
organized in the early part OF the summer of
1885, has proSpered, and now holds an estab-
tablished place among the scientific bodies OF
the city. The fact that the application made
by a lady for membership in the Anthropologi-
cal society was rejected, if not the immediate
cause of the organization of the Women's An
thropological society, suggested the advisablity
of forming such society. The ladies most
active in organizing the society were Mrs. Col
James stevenson and Miss Sarah a. Scull. The
first meeting was held at Mrs. Stevenson's
house.
SUGGESTED BY MISS CLEVELAND.
The name OF the society was suggested by
Miss Cleveland, who has taken much interest
in the society and attended many of the meet
ings. There are now thirty-four members. The
officers are Mrs Col. James Stevenson, presi-
dent: Mrs. Darwin r. James and Mrs. Charles
Nordhon, vice presidents; Mrs. Romyn Hitch
cock, secretary; Miss Sarah A. Scul, CORES
ponding secretary; and Mrs. John ". Foster,
treasurer. Among the members are Mrs. s. NJ.
Bryan. Mrs. ]. l.. Childs, Mrs. john Ketchum,
Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Senator Hawley Mrs Senator
Blair and Mrs. Senator Teller. Miss Cleveland
Mime. Schliemann and Miss Caroline Wolfe, of
Erminnie Smith, of Jersey City, a correspond
ing member.
Notwithstanding the exclusiveness of the
society, in the matter of sex, STAR reporter
who investigated its doings, could find nothing
that Indicated any unkindly purpose towards
ne sterner sex.
THE OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY.
'The object of the society,"" said a scientist
who has been let into some of the secrets of the
organization, "is to encourage ladies to under
take the study of anthropology in its various
branches. There is one direction, for instance
to make Investigations greater than those en-
Joyed by the average man, and that is in watch
ing and noting the development. physical as
well as mental, of children. Considerable has
been done In England and on the continent OF
Europe in the way OF making such observa-
ing the skull and parts of the body. This IS a
field Of Investigation which women can enter
upon very properly and very conveniently, as
observations can be made right in their own
homes. The proceedings of the society are-con-
Quoted just as those OF other scientific societies.
Papers that are presented are first considered
by the board of directors and, If approved. are
announced to be read.
PAPERS THAT HAVE BEEN READ.
''Thus far several very interesting papers
have been read" continued THE STARS inform
presented a
on Omaha Child Life. Mrs. Clara Bliss Kinds
has presented one on Child Growth, Indicating
the methods of studying the development Of
children, and Miss Smell and others have pre-
sented papers. 1t is expected that the presi-
dent, Mrs. Stevenson, will soon give an Interest,"
ing account of her experience among the In
dams last summer. By the way, she witnessed
dance, or sacred ceremony, among the Mo-
quis, which was never before witnessed by q
days and nights, and she had to keep awake ali
the time. She told the Indians that she desired
to witness the dance SO that she could tell the
not pay attention the Indians at once came to
her and told her that she must see everything.
Or course she was nearly worn out, but she
Stevenson has brought home with her, and has
as guest at her house, Zuni girl, who is as
customs. Mrs. Erminnie Smith, of Jer-
sey City, who has done excellent work
iny Indian a. a.n,.hhsopoogyy read an
resentative James, to which the sociecy was
invited. The society proposes to publish bull
held every two weeks at Mrs. Stevenson's house.
These meetings are held in the afternoon so
thst the ladies can be entirely independent Of
then Iei,eved OF the necessity Of waiting out
side for their wives to come out as the wives
| that no refreshments shall be served. The
society includes some OF the best and most In
tsligsnt, ~ women ss5sa' in washington. It is very
ones. mink the members mean business
| OBSERVING cHILDRRN.
| "ThAt, OF course, Is not the main thing con-
ttnued the scientist referring to the OBSERVE
tons OF childErowth. ''That Is only one of the
branches OF the work OF the society, butt IL one
which woman's society II especially well
Quaiined to take up. There il q great deal Of
unscientinc and erroneous observation made
respecting this subject. The society Will issue
bulletin containing directions for such obser
yauons, and Will endeavor TO collect accurate
data upon which to base conclusionan
A meeting was held In Richmond last Sun
day TO deprecate the extensive sale az r,oiics
tickets among the colOred p0Onla -