The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-28
BUSINESS WOMEN OF TO-DAY.
LESS CHANCE FOX THE GIRL
THAN HER OLDER SISTER.
Twenty eight the Minimum Age Set by
Some Observation-Disclosures ged Women
Preferred for Places OF Responsibility
Good Looks Count Less Than Once.

some EmDIOyerS-WlOnIe.ASe N women
Preferred for Places OF Responsibility
Good Looks Count Less Than Once.
The standard of age for the business
woman is advancing. Not under %" is
a phrase that appears in many advertise
ments for help and about IS or So il
mentioned in others as being the age near
est the ideal for women who are needed
In places Of responsibility. The woman
Of what used to be described as the I'M
certain age has now just as fair chance
Of winning success in the business world
as her younger sister.
"The business woman Of the butterfly
order doesn't stand much chance nova
days." said one able to judge. Time
was when the pretty little incompetent
might get along or even make Roadway.
just through her personality and winning
ways.
But competition is keener now. The
business day Is shorter. and there is more
and more tendency to separate busins ss
from play and prevent any merging Of the
one with the other.
Few business men have time to waste
with Eighty women helpers. and they don't
want their men clerks bothered with them
eltneT. ~ " Uc OIL VIC odic EiuC NIcv
secure women clerks Of an age to be steady
going and discreet. while yet young enough
TO be progressive and ambitious.
There are many more business place.!
peculiarly appropriat to the woman OF
80 and over than formerly. Generally
speaking. the age mark for business
woman has been pushed forward ten or
twelve years as COMPARED with the former
standard.
women students of mature years who are
taking courses to fit them for practical
work In the schools for various branches
Of decorative work the same condition Is
found.
sidered herself ready to go on the shelf
and renounce most Of the active interests
Of life, the modern woman is just setting
out on career. Be she maid, wife or
widow, II she fits herself properly to do the
years will be no hamper to her progress.
will be, indeed, rather an advantage as
giving people confidence in her seriousness
Of purpose and good foundation OF
experience for her to work upon
Even behind the shop counters one sees
more mature faces among saleswomen
than formerly. The great army OF demon
strators, cashiers and managers for the
branch offices in various lines OF trade
are invariably women whose grlhood IL
QOOu way Ill talC puS''
The women who make striking sue
cess as book canvessers, as agents for real
estate and insurance firms, and as sellers
of goods on commission, are all well past
the girlhood period. Indeed, it Is their
assuredly uncertain age that helps them
on their way.
Il never order goods from any one in
that line, but Miss b., said business
man, referring to woman agent. She's
the right sort, straightiorward, indie
pendent, and working not only because
Of the money she makes. but also because
she likes to be employed
A good many women who have gone
to work in sober earnest in commercial
ri e.r success is founded on the respect
rather than the admiration OF the men
they meet and deal with.
1T is said that ii u middle-aged man
gets out Of a job three times 1t Is pretty
nearly impossible for him to get into an.
aged woman said another observer.
provided the middle-aged or the nearly
middle-aged woman Ia competent there
are more opportunities for work open to
her now than ever before.
There is so much business activity
in matters connected purely with the
household and with women and children
that women with a talent for practical
management are in great demand. Manu-.
factufers who want to extend their busi.
ness are Oh tuc watch ioi ~ WlSio~
awake women Of an age to be trusted with
responsibilities.
Il should say that the chance for the ex.
perienced between youth and-age woman
making livelihood these times Is superior
by far to the opportunities that the girls
enjoy. The older woman can do the grl's
work and the more peculiarly responsible
tasks as we'll, whcrcls the girls youth and
immaturity would be against her for many
jobs.
"A girl OFFS or24. for instance, would not
likely be engaged to travel over the country
In the Interests of commercial firm. how.
ever easy-selling the goods or however
taking her personality. Nor would she
he trusted to manage squad OF hotel
chambermaids and take them back and
forth from winter to summer resort, as the
managing housekeeper does.
Even school teachers and stenographers
are objected to sometimes if they look
over young. Youth. and especially youth
in woman. is regarded with suspicion. And
50 the girl who wants a job only until she
gets married is suppressed and her sister
Of less captivating appearance put forward