Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-09-24
Work of American Women


uncertainty. growing out Of the mex
perience Of the members and the ex-
IRENE vagueness as to the rights. duties
and privileges Of the board. All this,
however, was altered when it convened
again ten months later, on the second Of
September. The members of the Board
now knew what they might do, what
they wanted to do. and how to set about
it.
Much had been accomplished during
the time which had elapsed between the
first and second sessions. Interest in
the woman's work, and comprehension
of the purposes Of the Board, had spread
throughout the world. The president
of the Board of Lady Managers had
aroused such enthusiasm by her person
al efforts in Europe. that the British
| Worlds Fair Commissioners now en-
route to Chicago, come pledged to give
women place in England's represen-
tation. This is but one of several similar
instances, which have already been an
nounced with authority by the press of
two continents. From the first distinct
delineation Of the Boards plans, most
remarkable stimulus has been apparent
in woman's work, in what have hitherto
been considered unusual lines. The
opport unity offorded by the determine
ton of the board to have the woman's
building designed by woman, gave
the first impetus The surprising re-
suits in this direction are already known
to the world. and the next incentive TO
artistic effort among young women was
the request for designs for an official
seal for the Board. One hundred and
seven designs, none of which were con-
spicuously devoid of talent end some of
which possessed distinguished merit,
were submitted to the Board at the ses-
sion just closed Seven designs were
selected from the entire collection, and
in compliance with the published terms
of the competitor, these were forwarded
TO ST. Gaudens, the celebrated artist.
who is to make the final selection from
the seven. The Board, having decided
TO have badge also, circular request
ing competitive designs will shortly be
issued. The most important art COM
petition yet invited from women. is for
the statuary upon the exterior Of the
Woman's Building. Circulars stating
details have already been sent out.
There arctic be eight figures above the
roof line, and relief position in the
main pediments. The space to be filed
by the latter is forty two feet long, and
seven feet high. aifording ample scope
for beautiful symbolic design. 1t
may be mentioned in this connection.
that young Southern girl. Miss Enid
Yapdall, of Louisville, Kentucky, is now
engaged in modelling the caryatides
supporting the cornice of the roof gard
ems of the Women's Buildings
Just what the building shall contain
has been the subject of much interest
and some uncertainty, and was sufli-
GENTLY defined during this session to
settle several important points There
will be no separate exhibit, that point
having been one Of the few definitely
and finally disposed Of at the first SEES
sion. But there VIII be a special exhib.
ii, and until this session of the Board.
there was no clear comprehension, or
even formulation, as to the precise
nature of the exhibit. The matter fully
discussed 10y the Board, and satisfac.
| tory conclusion reached as to the general
nature and arrangement of the contents
of the Woman's Building. although it is
still undecided whether or not the ex-
hibit shall be competitive. Adjoining
| the main entrance will be bureau of
Information, under the patronage of the
Board of Lady Managers. Here visitors
to the Exposition-espeoially ladies
travelling alone--can secure reliable an
swers to questions; and here girls and
women as interpreters and guides will
be supplied The desrability and
advantages of this portion of the plan
are obvious. In the main gallery, which
is two hundred feet long, and thirty feet
wide, will be special exhibit of the
most brilliant things women have done.
Precisely what these will be. it is OF
course impossible now to foresee, since
not only America, but the whole world
is to be drawn upon for the supply
But the value of the showing is ensured
by the high standard established BY the
recent action Of the Board. which re.
solved ITO let no sentimental sympathy
tor women induce the acceptance o.
mediocre work Each Lady Manager