The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-14
SCRANTON Y. ". c. A.
How It Mas Started and How 1t Has
Grown.
NOMAN'S WORK FOX WOMAN
Oserssariss and Others Talk About the
Object of This Christian Association.
end Its Very Practical Work snd
Its Wide Influence.

The desire for combined effort for
special work for the young women of
Scranton had been u growing one In
the hearts OF many in the city for
years.
Pastors. physicians and city officials
had seen the need.
THE IMPETUS FOR ORGANIlA-
TION.
was given by an address by Miss Nettie
Dunn. the National Secretary OF the
Young Women's Christian Association,
at q meeting arrapged through the
kindness OF Mr.. T. I. Horney. In Y. NJ.
G. A. hall. April Is. 1883. The large
audience Of earnest women. after list
ening to the heartfelt words of the
speaker, unanimously voted to organ
lxe and appointed a committee to mike
arrangements for competing the or
ganization. This committee consisted
Of Mesdames Simpson, SaxtOn, swan,
Derman and Gates. Misses We.tzel.
Gaylord and Drinker. In May public
meeting was held, when pastors, lead
ing business men and lawyers made
strong addresses and friends pledged
financial support. A board of man
ayers was elected, composed OF the fol-
lowing ladies: Mesdames Ripple. Hunt,
Scott, Green, Hand, Storrs, Lathrope,
Stelle, Manness. Everhart, Derman.
Blair, Connell, Reynolds, Gates. Miss
krigbaum. A place was secured In
June for reading room for girls, and
opened by religious exercises, which
over 100 attended.
Glasses were opened in the fall and
were largely attended. A basement
was fitted up to accommodate some Of
these and to use for gymnastic eXer-
cises.
Many social evenings were much en-
joyed by the girls in their first small
rooms: and the Sunday meetings will
be remembered by many as marking a
new era in their lives,
In May, 1859, public anniversary
was held and crowded house greeted
the new association in its first annual
meeting. DR.. A. T. Pierson gave an
able address, and the report of the
president, Mrs. Gates, was listened to
with interest. many expressing sur
prise at what had been accomplished
the first year.
THE FIRST SECRETARIES.
Miss Emma Rceder. of Iowa. was the
first general secretary, coming in
August. iSsS. Her faithful! services for
over two years, her enthusiasm, good
Judgment and excellent spirit, did
much to start the work right. and left
Its permanent impress on the associa-
tion.
When Miss Reeder was called to the
state secretaryship of New York, tire
board secured Miss Bertha Macurdy, OF
Walthom, Mass,
Eoth Of these secretaries were OBJ
tainea through the efforts of Miss
Dunn, who had helped In the organiza
tioD, ard always felt great interest in
the Scranton association. Miss Ma
crrdy gave us over four years Of de-
voted service and won large place In
the hearts Of the girls of Scranton.
Obliged to leave on account of falling
health, Miss Rachel y. Toiles, Of New
York, was called, y young woman OF
culture and OF lovely character.
In 1891 new quarters were taken, op.
posite the court house square, in more
central location, with larger and mort
convenient rooms, being the second
floor of block.
PHYSICAL CULTURE INTRO
DUCED.
In the following year another f'ool
was occupied, fitted up for n gym
instructor and entered upon the wori
with much enthusiasm. She coEt nuct
in the position only one year, as sic d..
sired to enter upon an extended COURSE
Of study. Miss Lois Shardiow then be.
came the physical director She hat
lust entered upon her second year o.
successful work, having won many
girls to the association, through the
benefits derived from the exe cises, ant
also by her own personality, when 6
severe and protractcd illness obliged
her to give up the work. Miss Juliet
Yeakle kindly completed the year. Mis-!
Janet Adams now has charge of th'
physical department. and has proved
herself an efficient teacher and willing
worker.
THE SOUTH SIDE BRANCH.
It was suggested by Miss Anna
Stahlheber in the summer of 1891 that {
room be opened on the South Side, nea
the Silk mills. as a noon rest for th'
hundreds of girls employed there.
suitable place was found and Mis-
Stahlheber was placed in charge of 1t
In the fall 1t was thought best to hav,
these rooms open evenings as well al
moons, for classes and for recreation
Miss Stitt, Of Pittsburg. and Miss Lib
bic Doersam assisted in this brancl
during the fall and winter. But as tn
work grew 1t became necessary to cal
a secretary who could give her Who'll
time to the South Side work. Mis-
Tomkinson, of Michigan, came in Feb
ruary, and the wonderful growth an,
influence Of the South Side association
Is due largely to her consecrated lif
and earnest efforts. The call to large
field in Pittsburg took her from III