The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-18
HAND THAT ROCKS CRADLE.
The Greatest and Grandest New
Woman Movement-How It
Started

Washington, Feb. 1s.-Every great
movement of the world has had it's day
OF small beginnings, and although the
congress of mothers is still in its day of
small things, yet it has within itself the
germs which are to be earth-Wide in
their influences. For many years Mrs.
Theodore w. Birney, its president, has
been thinking of and longing for q con-
centrated effort to raise the standard of
motherhood among the women of Amer
lea.
A summer or SO ago she was spending
few weeks at Chautauqua, and one
warm afternoon she was sitting on the
porch or her friends, Mrs. Masters
house, when a gentle-faced, earnest
woman, whose silver locks suggested
age, but whose energy and interest in
the questions of the hour plainly told
that lfe's mainspring-the heart-was
untouched by time, Joined her. This
lady was Mrs. DR.. Agnes Kemp of Har-
rlsburg, Pa, and, after a little CONVEX
Sat1on with her, Mrs. Birney found that
she was a kindred spirit in her own as
erhoOd.
As the three friends talked of the
matter, their thoughts suggested-why
not call meeting of the women who
llke themselves, were staying al Chau-
tauqua? Yes, call it to meet here on
this porch said Mrs. Master, whose
nome was in Illinois, and who is one of
the alert and progressive women of the
west A few days later a half dozen or
more women came together on the
porch, and thoughts and hopes which
mad only found Judgment in the mind
pe1ore, were talked over, and plans
were discussed for future action The
story of how the work has deyeIoped
and gone forward is well known now,
and the fruition of that little gathering
at Chautauqua is seen this week in the
national congress of mothers, at the Ar
Hngton.
Many prominent women from all
parts or the country will participate in
the congress. Mrs. Mary Lowe Dicl<in-
son, who is a prominent figure in the
congress, is resident of Boston She
mas been for many years a leader in the
society OF Kings Daughters, and is
now president of that organization
AS an authoress she has earned dis
junction, having written several hooks
OF poems which created favorable COM
ment everywhere. She was a. one time
president of the National Council of
women succeeding Mrs. May Wright
oeWe!l IN that position She is an at
ttactlVe speaker, and one of the best
konWn women in the United States
Mrs Lucy S. cambridge, who will
read papers on Mothers of the Sub
N WoTlo ana Day Nurseries" is from
New York. She is in charge of the wo
mans department of the CITY missions
tnere, and during her administration
mas accomplished much good in that
particular field. Mrs. cambridge has
traveled in nearly all the civilized coun-
C!eS OF the world in order to study
MISSION work. With her husband she
maze a tour of foreign countries and
pubIlshed upon her return a book called
Tour Around the World Among Mis-
sions," which attracted Widespresd at
tention. -
Among the many women who have
given their best efforts to the study of
training Tor children there are perhaps
none more prominent than Miss Amelie
dOIer OIL chicago. Miss Fofer is an an
Lhof OF kindergarten literature a pub
llSher, and a teacher. She is recogniz-
eu as the leader in kindergarten work
in this country, and devotes time ana
study 70 the best methods for instruct
ing children. Miss Hofer and her sister
nave large business enterprise in Chi
cagO-the Kindergarten Publishing com
pany-whlch publishes magazines for
hlHQerSarten teachers and various other
books, pamphlets, and papers Miss
Hofer will speak on What the Rinter-
garten Means to Mothers"
Mothers and Schools will be talked
OF by MRS. W. F. Crafts of this city,
one OF the pest known members of the
congress Mrs Crafts is Sabbath school
superintendent of the Worlds Woman's
christian Temperance union and presi-
dent OF the International Primary I'M
ion of Sabbath School teachers Hers
is the work of inStructing teachers and
that labor has carried her to ali the
states except three; to Ireland Italy
scotland, and other foreign countries
Mrs Crafts is a prominent figure in
Chautauqua work,and attends the year
~ sessions at Chautauqua, NY; Mont
eagle, Tenn, and other places
Miss Frances Newton OF Chicago will
discuss Mothers Greatest Needs Miss
Newton is one of the foremost women in
America in kindergarten work She is
a leader in that branch of instruction at
large classes every year. She is also a
successful teacher of children, and
wherever kindergarten work is done her