The San Francisco call., 1904-07-25
Enters Field of Social Reform, Winning Sue
cess and Fame as We'll.
BY LAURA BRIDE POWERS.

that period there have been two Two women
as assistant superintendents owe their posi-
tons also to the same influence largely, and
the election OF women as trustees OF the state
University at Champaign, Ill, is directly due
10 work done IN the club.
Another OF the good works in which the club
took an active interest the Glenwood
School. Industrial school for boys 1t
raised S4VVoo tor TINS purpose ana one OF ths
buildings bears it's name in commemoration OF
this fact
In 1888 the financial depression in Chicago
necessitated the raising OF large sums to re-
lieve distress among the unemployed. The
Womans Club sent out call TO the other and
similar wonlen's organizations Of the city and
together they established nine workrooms.
where sewing was given to women who applied
in order that they might support their fami-
lies. Twenty thousand dollars was paid out
In this way, distress avoided and the self-re
spect Of the recipient preserved.
From this beginning grew the Model Lodg-
ing house, which furnishes temporary lodging
al the small price OF Is cents a night Failing
even this pittance, the lodger may work OUT
the amount. The plan has been very success
ful and the work is carried the "emer-
gency work By number Of women's clubs
working together.
Many societies have been born in the club
and gone out into the world to battle valiantly
and successfully: The Protective Agency for
Women and Children a society which gives
legal aid and moral support 10 wronged women
and children; the Physiological Institute,
which opened courses Of weekly lectures for
instruction Of working women in the princi-
pies OF hygiene and sanitary science; the Mu-
nicipal Order League, now merged into the
NiflC feQerauCns the hOuSenOlQ economics,
the Society for Correct Dress. the Political
Equality League, whose object is TO promote
the study OF political science and 10 foster and
men; the Public School Art Association, which
places good and pictures in public
/ schools secures harmonious coIoring walls.
blackboards. etc: the School Children's Aid
Society, fifteen years old, which dis
penses from $1,000 10 $4,000 a year in keeping
destitute children clothed in order that they
may attend school
The art and literary department not only
has study classes in art. literature and music.
but engages IN reform and philanthropic work
along its lines; as. witness the establish
menU OF a scholarship OF $500 in the Art In
stttute 70 be competed for by the seniors in
the city high schools: the giving of exhb
tions OF the pictures Of local artists the pur-
chase for the clubrooms of several valuable
works OF art, the establishment OF the small
! park system in the city. and finally, the mu-
/ raj decoration Of an audience room in the
: Mckinley High School. the latter involving
! an expenditure Of thousands OF dollars
II was through the philosophy and science
/ department that Professor Breasted went tc
/ Egypt for exploration purposes. and the results
! ot MS labors the department presented TO the
Z Field Museum OF Chicago.
In addition TO the public work study classes
/ are carried on by the various departments fol
the benefit Of all members Of the club and
literary and musical well as practical pro-
srammes are given bi- monthly.
The income OF the club is derived from
yearly due OF SI2 and an Initiation fee of SO
I II expends about $1,000 yearly for rent anC
I after paying the running expenses incident [,
such club. the remainder goes mainly TO in
]
! lttle ior the proYerbial rainy day, and a.
I II Is its policy not TO give fetes or entertain
viduaI pockets and attracts from outside
! sources when the call for funds for some new
enterprise is imperative. (AlsS note this
ladies)
BY the conservatism and sincerity Of it
! work. the Chicago Woman's Club has ganes
the respect and confidence Of the citizens o
/ Chicago Its aid is sought and its appeals
always meet a prompt response.
II has a membership now of a thousand
] drawn walk Of life Of
/ creeds nationalities even races 1t has grow
mentally and spiritually as well as numeri
/ cally. albeit, not without its growing pains.
I Il is far cry from the day when it debated
/ whether IL were wise 10 even discuss SUI
! when IL Travelled in the decision as TO whethe
its motto was e pretty fancy or H0ng prtn
/ clpie II mas worked ana taiIereu mas IalleS
/ and succeeded. stumbled and girded itsel
anew 10 fresh endeavOr. Nowhere is ther'
I another such anizatiOn-thoroughly demo
ture and high social position banded viii
those less fortunate in worldly sense. hon
oring only ability. high ideals and noble lives
/ Women who without that common ground o
I the Woman's Club would never know eacl
] other here weld hearts in hfe-l long friend
/ ship Settlement worker and leader OF society
! Jew and Gentle black and white rich an'
poor alike labor together for the good of mel
1 and. therefore. to the glory OF God.
Many Of the members of the club are bust
ness women; teachers. physicians. lawyers
! etc and practically debarred from hearing tn
papers lectures and musicales which are giyel
I 10 the club on Wednesday afternoons Fo
I their sake and that Of other women. who oil
I account OF a business life, have little leisur
( during the week the club decided seVera
I years ago to open its doors on Sunday after
[ Moons and to have repeated there the best o
| the clubs programmes. with such additions o
changes as might seem best The result ha
/ been most satisfactory. The rooms have beel
I taxed 10 their capacity with most interested
/ and interesting audience. Many OF the clul
members declare these meetings TO be the bes
( part OF the club work
Now. fellow-clubwomen what do yoI
1 think of these achievements? If any
OF you are welded TO grumpy meI
who sneer at "wOmen's clubs" jus
tell them a few of these things tina
Chicago-even male Chicago-owns III
10. 1t may, if their minds be no
Theoretically sealed, start new
thought into life.
ODD FELLOWS MAKING READY