The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-30
WOMAN'S WORK EXCHANGE
AN INSTITUTION THAT HELPS PEG
PIE TO HELP THEMSELVES.
ThA Saies- Rooms nrc not simply Avenues
for the Disribution Of Bric-a-Br"o.
A Noble Work.

However touching and beautiful the ira
a,,,onal imagery Of woman as the tender
flower. blooming only when sheltered rom
the world. and also. especially as 'ne
cunging vine. stern, everyday feaiiues
nroye that. in nImberlcss cases there Is
no protecting shelter, ana as to the man
w. supporting oak. alas. non est.
No latier-day problem IL more diiiicuit
Of solution than was the question, gem
GRAFTON or so ago. of how to assist the
needy gcnilewoman whose dehcacy an"
=. nncmcnt forbade her applying TOT pun
lie o. private relief. In the gooo olu
ti;oes when financial misiorthh's VN'i .
took a lady. she could but marry ~
hing. Loril'D take In sewing, or o'e.
.r..""e,ty ether alternatives then known
60 f.hrisfer1om were TO teach scnooi OF
ICON boarding-housc and these occnPa-
tiors required exceptional energy a"u
nh,ck: but with no scholastic or D'Sin'Sa
,ra3nlng. such ventures were irequtn'y
unslcccssful. and the world sald na'
better could you expect from only W.
man. o,a,.
Whatever opinions may be entertained
y, tho subject of the New woman
,t.ro ean surely be no unkind criticism
81 the ..Ncw Charity" which helps peo-
nile TO help themselves. Ana the ollsi-
no,ors Of the Womans Work Exchange
idea certainly possessed an lntehiseh'
comprehension OF the needs or many W.
men by opening before them TINS WIZ
and appropriate field Of opportunity 10
become. in measure at ieasl seli-s"p-
porting
sAIrs-RooMs.
The sales-rooms are not simply announcer
avonue for the distribution of brlc-a-piac'
but any well-executed article. useihi OF
ornamental, artistic or domestic "mcn 4"
woman can make In her own nome. hhus
~ favorable place for exhibition ana sdi''
Here the timid and inexperienced worker
Ga encouraged TO do her very best, is Kind
10 criticised and directed into the proper
channel for success, until now many
.ol,nowlcdge their deep obligation to such
institutions as a school OF training loi
helpful independence. The Managers re-
ioice when they hear. occasionally Oh
some who through the educating iiilu-
ences of the Richmond Exchange Tor No-
mans Work, have secured positions WHO"
proye useful and rcmuneratlNe'
II Is estimated that during the last dec
ada one million dollars have gone into
,ne hands of workers from the seventy
five Exchanges TO be found IN the Nail-
o,,r cities of the Union, and thousands
Of refined women regard these orsaih-
zations as their best friend in ADVERSE
". Here the new poor. VINO ins'ihc-
lively shrink from any public recogh-
lion of their changed circumstances re-
ceiye a helping hand: here the aged ana
invalid can utilize whatever talent they
may possess. and find market Tor any
salable article of their own production
and thus lead to the betterment OF their
condition
Perhaps the old prejudice, or slight So
cial stigma. attaching TO womans max
INC any effort for her own maintenance
fingered longest and strongest III our
own Virginia. But speedily. If not entire
w true at this date a woman lhapln-
~ 10 take care Of herself Of necessary
Will be considered an acknowledgment OF
inferior skill energy, or intellect, ana all
shall honor her noble ambition or puf-
pose to earn some part of the means OF
livelihood for herself and her dependents
IL is a source Of congratulatiOn, OF
course. that mankind can advance no
plausible objection TO a Work Exchange
as a channel for wOman's energy she
Is kept at home and improved in the do
nestle arts, adds to the family income,
and no possible rivalry onsues. Naturally
man does not welcome woman into the
learned professions. or, in fact, approve
of her attempting any branch Of business
heretofore monopolzed by the Lords OF
Creation.
MANS PART.
An contraire. women have never op-
posed a mans measuring of ribbons ana
dry goods. or engaging in any employ
ment for which his talents and taste III
him. so that his work is honestly and
faithfully Gone Every genuine woman,
In her heart OF hearts, does homage to
the man who acts well his part-'there
the honor lies" And these thousands
OF brave and uncomplaining female toilers
who daily so ont into the world to follow
avocations formerly RELOCATED exclusive
IN TO the masculine sphere, fully recognize
the blcssedncss Of that womans lot
whose duties lie i'm the sweetness and
privacy Of home. and their hearts often
ache for Just such rest and peace ana Sc
clusion. Eut however favored. socially
and pecuniarily. no true woman can es-
cape imperative duties. and II is no light
responsibility which rests upon the home
maker To guide well her household.
order her affairs with discretion. and
so live that the heart of her husband
safely trusts I'm her and her children
will arise and call her blessed. requires
divine aid for successful fulnlment as IN
evitably as that the lonely worker must
daily pray for grace 10 say Thy viii be
done"
TO the woman whose dom site duties
prevent her leaving home. and yet whose
slender income needs supplemcnting. the
Woman's Exchange. affords a favorable
opportunity for converting into money
whatever handiwork she may be able to
accomplish The Richmond Exchange for
Woman's Work was established IN March,
1881 and IN February 1855. became an
incorpO<s ted body under charter from
the State nj Virginia.
MONEY PAID.
About e.gflty-three thousand dollars
have been paid to workers In every de-
pa~tment. The consgnors number some
four hundred. and their consignments
have been Of every variety Of plain and
fancy needle-work: exquisite lace ana
artistic cmbroidories; such bread. cakes.
jelles. etc. etc, and delicacies for the
sick as could not fail TO satisfy the most
fas,idious taste No pin money" is earn
ed here. and II formerly. In an occasional
Isolated case. the benefits OF the sales
rooms were misapplicd. the conditions
have been made so exacting and are so
carefully guarded. that without down
right perfdy, 1t Is next to Impossible that
an unworthy applicant succeeds. The
Managers Of the Richmond Exchange