The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-13

Another step in advance is being
taken by the members of the Young
Women's Christian Association. The
movement now under consideration is
that of forming sick relief society in
connection with the association. The
girls are the originators of the project,
and the benefits to be derived from such
an association were apparent several
times during the winter when young
women were sick and unable to attend
their usual places of employment.
Miss Clara C. Giddings, matron, and
the secretary, Miss Lena Sheldon, were
both enthusiastic advocates>-f the pro-
iect when it was preached to them. The
executive committee favored the plan
and Friday evening there will be a
meeting in Y. w. c. A. building to
which the association has extended an
invitation to girls and women between
IA and SO years of age, who are inter-
ested in the formation of such a
society
Mrs. George H. Taft of the committee
on finance has been actively at work in
the interest of the proposed benefit as
ISOLATION, and she is confident of its
successful beginning. There is no So
ciety of a similar purpose in this state,
so far as is known, but there is an as
ISOLATION in New York city, the FEEDER
alton of Working Girls, the object of
which is much the same as that of the
proposed Worcester society.
Working girls have the benefit of
membership in a relief society in Wan
amaker's New York and Philadelphia
stores, provided they are employed
there. Annual reports and copies of the
constitution and bylaws of these so
cieties have been received at the Y. w
C. A, and Miss Sheldon and Miss Celia
M. Tfbbetts drew up a constitution yes
terday for the proposed society at the
local association.
The name suggested is Relief Society
of the Young Women's Christian Asso-
ciation." The constitution now drawn
up is merely foundation upon which
to work, and plans will be made at the
meeting Friday evening toward a per-
manent organization, a committee being
appointed at that time to revise and es-
tahlish-the permanency of the present
outline of the constitution.
In its main points, the constitution
suggests the holding of quarterly meet
ings, electing officers, and having
board of MANAGEMENT to include some of
Tie pICSEAAG lllG1lAbGl0 VI lLlt executive
board. The membership has but few
restrictions, age IA to 50 years, good
character and the ability to be self
supporting. The dues will probably be
10 cents a week and each member will
receive s. per week in case of sickness.
No one can receive that sum for more
than six consecutive weeks. and not
more than 10 weeks during one wear.
Estimated on a membership of So the
revenue from dues would be S. Der
week, and statistics Of the New York
societies indicate that even among a
larger number of members the chances
of cases of sickness are not more than
an average of one each week. The ex-
penses other than payments in case of
sickness would be practically nothing
in conducting the business and holding
meetings Of the society.
Benefit lodges in the city are not 81
attractive to wage earning women as
such an association would be because
of the constant drag on the nurse in
meeting the expenses Of supporting the
lodge and conducting social events
Women and girls who depend unon
their own efforts for living. win nm
doubtedly swarm to the Y. w Q
building Friday night when the orean-
ization of probably the first socie+7 in
Massachusetts to have as its sole aim
relief for the sick among working eiris
and women will be launched.