Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1894-12-21

A COOKING CLASS.
ing women in the literal sense of the
term, women who earn their own liv-
ing and perhaps that of their families
by the labor of the hands rather than of
the head, and, receiving wages in ac-
cordance with the generally accepted
rate of payment for manual toll, are I'M
able to afford those luxuries which are
to their more fortunate sisters the ne
cessities of life-books, pictures, mu-
sic and similar pleasures The purpose
of this first club and of its numerous
outgrowths is best expressed by a def
milton given in one of the printed doc
uments issued by the New York Asso-
citation of Working Girls Societies "A
working girls society is an organiza-
ton formed among busy girls and wom-
en- to secure by cooperation means of
self Improvement, opportunities for So
cial intercourse and the development of
higher and nobler aims 1t is governed
by the members for the members and
strives to be self supporting"
The practical nature Of the undertake
ing was at once SO evident that within
year Of the organization of the first
club the New York Association of Work.
ing Girls Societies was formed, IL
clubs joining as members. The associa-
ton had in its membership at the be-
ginning and for several years clubs in
Brooklyn, Massachusetts,, Connecticut
and Philadelphia Each Of these 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 differs
need not be added when it is under
stood that working girls societies are
established with an eye to material as
well as mental benefits. Authority is
vested in corps of officers, consisting
of president, secretary, treasurer and
their assistants, with such minor Off
Gals as the domestic economy of the in
dividual club renders necessary. These
officers are elected by ballot. A bust.
ness meeting is held monthly, at which
business matters are presented, discuss
ed and decided by vote of the members
Candidates for membership must be
over IA years of age and recommended
by responsible person.
The pecuniary department of every
club is vital portion of its being, and
in society of working women this Is
felt with especial force, for the neces-
sary expenses, although modest in them
selves, are large in proportion to the re-
sources. A small initiation fee is paid
by those who enter the club, and there
are also moderate dues, payable month.
ly instead of yearly. The finances are
additionally recruited by means of en-.
tertainments, fairs and sales 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 furnish !
ing, the hire Of 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 indulgences
and have pleasant rooms in which to
spend their evenings.
A general impression seems TO prevail
that these societies are charitable insti-
tutions. This, as has been already shown,
is by no means the case. They are or
ganized by wage earning women and
girls for mutual advantage, are founded
on self supporting basis and do not
depend for existence on public or pri-
vate philanthropy. Gifts of books, pic
lures, furniture and other things are
often presented to club by its friends
and are accepted and appreciated, but
the solicitation by members of such do
nations or Of money is deprecated.
Active club life is of course confin-
ed to evening hours, as the women are
at work all day. The rooms are open
every weekday night for the use Of
members, who may read, write, sew,
converse, play or otherwise occupy
themselves, according to their fancy
Each club has circulating library,
and there are often volunteer teachers
who give gratuitous instruction in nee
dlework and other branches TO those who
wish to learn. Lectures on hygiene are
delivered at all the clubs and classes
formed for physical exercise. Some So
cieties employ at q monthly salary a
woman physician, who advises members
without further charge Besides these