The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10
GIRLS WHO ARE CULTURED
The Alter Egos Resent Any
Insinuation That They
Are Otherwise.
Young Ladies Employed in Offices and
Stores Are Int lligent and Bent
on Se,f.De velopment
The following communication is self.

The following communication is self
explanatory:
Editor Call-DEAR SIR: Last Sunday morn
ing there appeared in the columns of one of
the dailies of this City-a paper noted more
particularly for sensationalism than accu-
racy-an article headed ''Shopgirls Form a
Cub
Now, the term 'shopgirr' Is comparatively
unknown in America, and when occasionally
heard savorst strongly of snobbishness. That
there should be any hing in the way OF an in
novation i'll a number of Intelligent girls
forming a literary organization, merely be-
cause of their being of those "other girls so
delicately referred to by Mrs Whitney, re-
mains for tue move ity-seeking 10 discover, and
such an article would have been in much bet
ter taste coming from the pen OF one of our
cousins across the sea, where culture is
limited to certain classes, than one within
the borders OF democratic Americas most cos
mopolitan city.
When it is known that the Alter Egos num-
Der among their members musicians who can
render and appreciate Beethoven, artists who
have carried away honors from San Fran
cisco's most critical art school, teachers of
popular private institutions in this City and
The University OF California, and journalists
who If unable to champion democratic prin-
cples would forever hold their peace, the
appropriateness of the title used will be appre-
Grated.
The organization is unpretentious, having
no desire Tor rotorie:y, preferring rather to do
than say, and without doubt some of its
doings would be simply incomprehensible 10
manv OF the sO-caIled ladies OF leisure who
spend their time and strength n the pursuit
of some Duke or Count Tor purchase or the in
veiglement OF sn ancient money-bags into
matrimony.
Some young ladies and matrons of leisure
who recognize intellect, innate refinement
and all that goes to make up the real worth of
character, regardless of the accident of posi-
ton, have identified themselves, as active and
associate member for mutual help and i'm
provement, with the club.
The prime requisite of membership il not
only wage-earnlng. The applicant must be
one who realizes that Life is real, life is ear
nest" for the girls believe with Socrates that
the best man is he who most tries TO perfect
himself and the happiest man he who most
feels that he is perfecting himself. and re-
membering Hypatia, they recognize no sex in
mentality.
The contents of the books handled by one of
the Egos ali day are not SO unknown TO her as
might be supposed, she being found in Con-
versatlon quoting readily from ancient and
modern philosophers, poets and scientists.
When asked about the manner in which
they were, put before the public, the girls
smiled indiferently with air that said,
"We shall go on studying Plato, Lord Lytton
and Drummond, profting by Epictetus in
choosing rather to have things happen as
they do than striving to have them happen as
we choose"
A person having the privilege of entree to
the pleasant clubrooms OIL one of the evenings
at home would be impressed by the "shop"
element only bv its conspicuous absence
ana meeting there the air of warm sociabil-
1ty, noting the animated faces that give no
trace OF the duties of The day having been
otherwise than pleasant, but rather a strength
that would enable the possessor to rise above
circumstances, yet withal retaining that
of woman, would feel it q fortunate accident
which had placed these other girls in posi-
ton favorable to the development of such
characters; and that they are not only wise,
but happy in following the advice of the old
Chinese teacher, who admonished his pupils
to be not concerned about securing position
in life, but rather III becoming fitted to fill
one.
That the office and many other wage-earn-
ing girls OF this City are intelligent and cul-
tured is well known, and that they may not
than they do, having a hard struggle against
public sentiment in gaining what they "want
to know In the way of literhture, ID the OBJ
ject of this communication.
MINIERED PORTER