The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-12-26
FOR GIRLS WHO WORK.
A USEFUL CLUB FOR THOSE WHO
EARN THEIR OWN LIVING.
The Parent of Many Working Girls
acknowledgements Self Cow
crnment and Self Support Their
Fundamental Principles.

that wrought by the so called "emanci-
patton of women Charles Kingsley S
-hdea that "men must work and women
must weep" is out of date. Women in
New York are doing as much weeping
as ever, but they are doing an amount
of work that, while most honorable and
praiseworthy in itself. is disgraceful &c
the civilization that requires it. This
wonderful transformation of economic
conditions is in a measure responsible
for the Working Girls club, founded
by Miss Grace H. Dodge. II is for work
ing women in the literal sense Of the
term, women who earn their own liviul;
and perhaps that of their families by
labor OF the hands rather than of the
head, and, receiving wages in accord
ance with the generally accepted rate
OF payment for manual toll, are unable
to afford those luxuries which are to
their more fortunate sisters the neces-
sites of hfe-books, pictures, music and
similar pleasures. The purpose of this
first club and of its numerous out
growtlls is best expressed by a defind-
ton given in one of the printed docu-
ments issued by the New York Asso-
citation of Working Girls societies. "a
working girls society is an organiza-
ton formed among busy girls and
women to secure by cooperation means
OF self Improvement, opportunities for
social intercourse and the development
Of higher and nobler aims. 1t is govern
ed by the members for the members
and strives to be self supporting.
The practical nature Of the under
taking was at once so evident that
within year OF the organization Of
the first club the New York Association
of Working Girls societies was formed,
eleven clubs joining as members. The
association had in its membership at
the beginning and for several years
clubs in Brooklyn, Massachusetts,, Con-
J. necticut and Philadelphia. Each Of
ptheSe places has now an Association of
Working Girls societies of its own,
which shows how rapidly the clubs have
multiplied.
The rules OF government Of each club
are contained in a constitution and by
laws, as in more specifically social
clubs. That the letter of the law diff
fers need not be added when it is un-
derstood that working girls societies
are established with an eye to mater
tal as we'll as mental benefits. Au-
thority is vested in a. corps Of officers,
consisting of president, secretary,
treasurer and their assistants with
such minor officials as the domestic
economy of the individual club renders
it necessary. These officers are elected
by ballot. A business meeting is held
monthly, at which business matters are
presented, discussed and decided by a
vote Of the members. Candidates for
membership must be over IA years of
age and recommended by a responsible
person.
The pecuniary department of every
club is a vital portion of its being, and
in a society Of working women this is
felt with special force, for the neces-
h sary expenses, although modest in
4 themselves, are large in proportion to
The resources. A small initiation fee
IS paid by those who enter the club,
and there are also moderate dues, pay
able monthly instead of yearly. The
finances are additionally recruited by
slmeans of entertainments, fairs and
feales Of fancy articles, enterprises
(which are carried through by the
members. Out of the entire fund must
come the rent, the cost OF light, heat
and needful furnishing, the@hire of a
piano. subscriptions to magazines and
incidental expenses. A piano and the
current periodicals would be beyond
the means of the girls individually,
but by cooperating they can enjoy
these and other indulgencies and have
pleasant rooms in which to spend their
evenings.
A general Impression seems to pre-
vail that these societies are charitable
institutions. This, as has been already
shown. is by no means the case. They
are organized by wage-earning women
and girls for mutual advantage, are
founded on a self-suppordng basis ana
do not depend for existence upon pup
lie or private philanthropy. Gifts OF
hooks pictures, furniture and other
things are often presented to club
bv its friends and are accepted and
appreciated, but the solicitation by
members Of such donations or OF
money is deprecated.
Active club life is, Of course, con-
fined to evening hours, as the women
are at work all day. The rooms are
omen every weekday night for the use
Of members, wlo may read, write, sew,
converse, play or otherwise occupy
themselves, according to their fancy.
Each club has a circulating library,
and there are often volunteer teachers
who give gratuitous instructionsin nee
,lIeUc,rk and other branches to those
who wish to learn. Lectures on NY
eiene are delivered at all the clubs and
classes formed for physical exercise.
Some societies employ at a. monlhly
salary a woman physician, VINO ao-
vises members without further charge
BESIDES these general privileges Whlch
rive principle is made use Of IN Sc
.uring various additional advantages
at q reduced rate. Glasses IN dress
making. millinery, bookkeeping, COOK
ing and other useful accomplishments
are thu. formed, each pupil paying
her share OF the exact cost, and sum-
mer boarding places are estaohsheo'
where members may enjoy q country
holiday at the lowest possible price. A
MUTUAL benefit fund has been organized
by the New York association as pro-
vision against the expenses OF illness
or death. and an employment bureau
founded for the purpose OF obtaining
r,ositions for those who are out OF
1,,co-lr successful applicants being re-
uuired TO pay small Zee.
Although the societies deal necessaT-
tlv with practical affairs. their intellect
nal and social aims are kept conunu-
alIv in view. AS membership is not
strictly limited to working girls, II Oh
ZEN includes a number OF women more
fortunately situated in a worldly sense,
but the proportion is so small thal IL
does not affect the distinctive charac-
ter Of the general body. In some on
the clubs one night Of every week. is
devoted to debate on question Of
social economy or q, current topic OF
s,llE5ic interest A chairman presides, |
and the discussion is open to all. The |
fact that education can only develope, |
mt originate, is borne in with especial |
force on the mind OF A listener at one |
Csf these debates. The speaking is ready |
and. to the point. and there are mani |
festly as many clear heads, quick |
brains and fluent tongues among work |
ing girls as among women Who have |
bad wider opportunities and greater
ricIJrsa fnf. eo1f-cIllfty5 fiOn.