Woman's chronicle. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1888-1???, 1889-11-16


The rooms, which are the meeting places of the
societies. in their several localities, are comfortable
and cheerful without any effort at luxury or dis
play. The members feel pride and ownership in
Them 1t is Sour club tour rooms, and the
altrustic spirit which has ruled in the first society
extends to the Others, which follow closely also, in
method and plan.
Practical talks on "Health," the ''Home,"
''Their Friends Husbands" "Womanhood,"
"Purity" Money; how to get it and how to
keep it, "Accounts, characteristics,
"Books, are topics always popular with the girls.
Miss Dodge has published under the title, Talks
With Busy Girls" her Tuesday night talks with
the girls of the Thirty street society, which
has been gladly welcomed by the members of other
clubs for its helpful and suggestive thoughts and
as handbook for inexperienced workers with girls.
Rambling parties are feature in some clubs, and
Nature speaks to wondering delighted listeners.
During last year eleven thousand four hundred
and sixty-one visits were made by girls from all
ranks of labor to the rooms of the society of
Thirty eighth street, but no one can measure the
good accomplished by any statistics or record of
work.
Over five thousand working girls have been
helped by these societies. Seventeen clubs in New
York City, with five clubs, honorary members
from other cities, form an association of working
girls societies, which meet annually and is gov
erned by General Council composed of repre-
sentatives appointed from the different societies.
Working-girls' clubs have been started during
the past year among the Hebrews, societies which
reach over five hundred working women and young
girls from all classes of labor. The main objects
of these societies are "to promote culture among
women and girls, and to ameliorate the condition
Of the working and immigrant classes" Although
an association of Hebrews, they do not refuse
membership to any Gentle who may desire to join
the society. Glasses are taught in millinery, elocu-
ton, general literature, cooking, dressmaking,
penmanship and French.
The aggregate membership of these societies is
from fifty to three hundred in New York, and in
Brooklyn from twenty to one hundred and fifty.
The general principles which govern these So
cieties are similar, the work varying to suit the
needs and requirements of the members. The
rooms are opened in some clubs every evening
during the week. in others, as the demand for
classes requires from half-past seven to half-past
nine.
With many inducements to life Of literary at
tainment and social leadership, the bearer of
name known and honored through successive gen.
erations of wealth and misunderstanding for
philanthropy and deeds of generous benefcence-
Miss Grace Dodge has chosen it as her "high
calling to serve the women of her time, not only
in positions of public honor and trust but as the
friend of the working-glrl. eff have helped
them," said she, "they have helped me more. 1t
has been hand to hand, heart to heart work. They
have taught me many lessons; they are my true,
faithful friends"
Many young girl sinking under burdens SEEM
ing too heavy to be borne, longing for opportunities
out of reach, has been encouraged to meet life's
struggles with brave and steadfast heart, and has
entered upon career of usefulness and response
bihty through the influence and advantages brought
into her life by the workng-girls' clubs of which
Miss Grace Dodge has been the creative spirit, in
binding women in common effort for each other, and