New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-11
WOMEN CAN BE OPTICIANS.
THREE ARE ACCREDITED MEMBERS OF
THE CONVENTION NOW IN SESSION.
,,ps EMMA BEcKwIrH TELLS OF THE ATTRAc-
TioSs OF THIS FIELD. AND HOW II
NAY BE ENTERED.

MRS EMMA BECKwITH TELLS OF THE ATTRAC-
rIoNs OF THIS FIELD AND HOW 1T
NAY BE ENTERED.
Tho industrial exhibition of the American Asso-
citation of Opticians opened yesterday morning al
tha broadway Central Hotel About ten chibits
have been entered, and fifty in all are 9ecteo
before the end of the session These eXhots are
made with the intention of showing the indHs'riai
phase of the optical business. as well as the scie"
ti6c The convention convened at O'CLOCK last
night and will continue through tomorrow freu
erlck Boyer publisher of THE Optical journal
is the promoter of the convention, and mas the
meetings in charge. About thirty delegates nave
presented their credentials so far. among Whom are
Miss Annie T. Stark. a refractng optican. OF ST.
John. n. B.; Mrs. William c. G. Ball, OF Bridge
mort. Conn. and Ms. Emma Beckwith. repre-
,enting a firm Of .aolesae opticians at No 81
Maiden Lane. TIL city. Mrs. L. Beckmann OF TO-
ledo Ohio. is re attending the convention Win
her husband. though not graduate opticlali MIs'
Beckmann asists her husband in their store IN
Ohio. .o
Mrs Emma Beckwith, who has found prolessio"
IN the work of the optican, describing the oppor-
tunities for women in that field. said TO tribune
reporter yesterday:
although the thought of becoming an opuciah
seldom occurs TO a contemplating ousi-
n.ss career this field offers many advantages
In the first place fitting eyes is peculiarly den-
cate matter. and trained hand eye ana fn'i'u are
necessary. With study and experience any inter-
Ngent woman may acquire efficiency. Ihen' 100
the profession is not crowded. the work is grow
.ng and the field is likely to expand indefinitely.
son accouu; of this growing demand for educated
people. the calling is rapidly becoming recosnizeu
as a profession OF course. an optlcan Cannot
treat a diseased eye. He can tell you OF the e~'
,stence of the trouble and locate It, such cHseS
must be attended to by an ocuhst
PREFERENCE FOR WOMEN.
hot mon and
,ra,ar 70 have their eyes fitted by woman. posi-
tIv because she is more careful and deft In hand-
ling the lenses and frames than man Both spec
tacle and eyeglass frames must be htted 10 the
natients face as carefully and perfectly as are the
lenses the eyes.
Glow to 20 about learning the profession Is q
question often asked me By young women from all
PARTS of the country. OF course, the beginning Is
difficult One must be in earnest and devote eX-
elusive attention 10 the matter. as is not study
10 be taken up occasionally. as side issue Be
fore startng 10 take regular course OF lectures
advise buying reliable treatise on the eye OF
which there are many, and becoming familiar with
the formation of the organ. This will be great
aid In comprehending the lectures. A soo1 pooh
las the best teachers are in this city, should
advise that a course OF study be taken mere, Ihere
are schools. where diploma Is given after Ten en-
days study. at cost OF 50. OF course, tney 40
Of fitting lens. Yet. If ones time is limited,
term in Of these schools g an M a1d
close application during the ten days. will help one
by EXPERIENCE and observation combined with nat:
ural 'gumpt!on woman may become piactiea
optcian.
MORE EXPENSIVE SCHOOLS.
"There are schools more expensive. which go
deeper into details. and where one may engage
private teacher but in the end the same thing con-
fronts the sudent-the fact that experience is the
greatest educator.
at first II will seem impossible to learn the
meaning Of all the big words used in this profess
SION but gradually this thought will fade away
and one is surprised at the glibness with which
modal points 'ametropia and metric and doptic
systems roll from the tongue Almost before the
student is Of the fact. she is searching for
the blind spot. which exists in every pair of eyes
Il take It for granted that a prospective optcian
has good common school education, for this Is
necessary TO start with The study continues to
the end OF ones practice as mere are aiways NV
muscles. is one Of the most delicate organs OF the
Zone may obtain board in New-York at 81 a
day az the Margarei Louisa Home me cost ,Gs. o.
the course undertaken
MANY OBSTACLES.
Shall I meet many obstaces?' am often asked
Yes; there are many obstacles, as in other
occupations. It takes courage perseverance
and patience 10 get through advise taking
q place as a clerk IN a jewelry store which
has an optical department, and working ones
way up one may open an optical shop at
ones home and start out independently Many
men have done this, and go about or different
days to small towns. having days and office hours
in each place. where they may be consulted
small room in ones house Will answer the pur-
pose Of an Office -. =, .,.o...,.,
las have said before. one must be thoroughly
IN earnest, as that, in my opinion Is the secret
Of success in everything. In TINS new avenue LOT
women they must gain their own foolhold IN
spite II hindrances There are rev women phy-
sc!aus who make n specially OF ths eye ana ear
the West Notable among them IS Or. Emma G.
BOice os Toledo, Ohio. She has suppprl,u heis'it
ana her parents for many years III inns D'unn ~ "
the profession. ~ East Saginaw, .hlCii, 20
another successful woman IN TINS bihhSH. ~ nv
best OF NIX knowledcc there are no women phy-
siclans In our city making the eye a. sP0'i"'t..S go,
IL costs from 500 10 $.VO properly " 49,, ip,i
opticians Yet less pretebt0us y a. 49, 80
be satisfactory az a beginning, ana lnt H2Ic1 20
pensye Instruments and might Dc aout ~ as
ones practice afforded and required tneiii,. ncos
are several items Of furniture ansoiuse,y ard
few smaller items which may be purchaassu i p
about 600 and these Will ars"eI u W rmn,ents
opened In ones home The use OF these H'S'i "''
is taught during the course OF lessons aha, opce
Started in the study Of the eye. one dots o' nich
10 be cOntented with being an oyueisnn, ercoi or
means being able 1T an ordinary sPnea Ia he.
cylindrical lens The temptation TO 20 w, hes are
taxed each day. and the desire 10 help elcn bocnme
Will urge an optican OF course. " 20, he
oculist takes time, but the VOTE ,bnugh
iearnod while orc is "A pracucihs Vp' 'coio a dlplo-
In the convention Of opticians thar ~ vii
held in this city there are three women: coming be-
suend and vote on the various queS',am nertain
matters which are be presented beloIe aI over
Legislature and which Will affect opuCianS -" w.
me State OF Eew-Yofk ---2--. 1870