The Portland daily press., 1896-11-06
SCHOOL OF NURSES.
Alumnae of That of Maine General Hos
pital Hold Reunion-Words of the
Secretary.

The annual meeting of the Alumnas
Association of the Maine General Hospi-
tai Training School for Nurs es, was held
at the committee room, Wednesday eve-
ming. The following officers were elect
ed:
Presidant-Miss Allen,
| Vice President-Miss Mathews.
| Seoretary-Miss Mclaughlin.
Assistant Secretary-Mi ISIS Gibbs.
Executive COm.nittee-Miss Nye, MA
| A paper was kindly contributed by DR..
W. S. D ana, and read by one of the men,
| bers.
Miss Allen read paper on obstetris
work.
| The secretary's report is as follows
One year ago, November 6, we organized
our alumnae cluD through the efforts
AMI interested kindness of our president,
Miss Smith, to whom we owe our graft
tude and cordial support. AS the mem
bers of one training school after another
form clnbs for self improvement and mu-
tual help. we cannot afford to be lsft
behind, and l am sure we do not wish
to he. A nurse recently graduated, may
not feel the need of an alumnae club as
pressing need. and not experience the
earnest desire for Fellowship and frater-
nifty which begins and strengthens as the
months pass into years. A nurse worthy
the name surely means to keep in touch
with the latest methods of treating
disease and how can this be brought
about better than with frequent contact
and association with sister nurses, who
meet once month fer the express pur-
pose of mutual help and comparison of
needs. Interchange of ideas, aid and
encouragement in any form needed.
similarity of the work, aims and pur-
poses, and stronger than all, the force of
sympathy In understanding one another
to keep and hold US strongly together,
ever Jealous to guard against narrow
ness or prejudice, aud to keep our inter-
est in our hospital and all Its graduates
undiminished. Is there any true-heart-
ed nurse to whom the words "Sisterhood
of :Nurses' is not dear to the eyes and
sweet to the ears? Do not we realize that
every year we try for a higher standard
as women and nursesp Let US each and
every one try this year to do all we can
to promote the interests of our alumnae
club. The first twelve months of it's in
fancy have gone by, and while it has been
not exempt from the troubles peculiar to
this stage of it's life we consider our off,
spring as strong and vigorous hoping fond
ly to see it grow and gain in strength, land
as We watch. for acknowledgements we hope to
zee the work began of our necessities and
am bition, taken up by the strong and
willing hands of those who come after
US and carried on with enthusiasm and
joy.
That person who demands the best that
is in us, and better still, helps us to de-
mand it of ourselves is our greatest bene-
factor. We can and we will do our best
for those who depend upon us for faith
full service, for each other and for our
selves These words are golden to us
Look out, not in; look up, not down;
and LEND Hand" Let US do all we
can to elevate ourselves as nurses and
aid and encourage wherever we can our
Nothing definite has been done this
year In regard to sick benefit fund.
We must this year put aside 500 at least
as beginning, which will necessitate a
small tax on each mem Der. There will
no doubt he plenty to add to our modest
sum when they understand what it is
for and what we are willing to do for
| each other. am sure we all can think
of some person who would be glad to
show appreciation of some service in Just
this way. 1t is said "God helps them
that help themselves, and 1t is true
that the people do also. We began our
alumnae association. with ten charter
members to which eleven more have been
added In the year past. One has mar
ried. an event always pleasant to record.
AS last word, let me say we are always
interested in what we work for. Let us
not make the mistake of expecting great
| interest before we do anything. We work
| first; interest and affection follow, and
what more worthy than our association
of our loyalty and labor. Let us do