The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-13
FOR WORKING GIRLS
Y. w. C. A. BRANCH WILL BE ES-
TABLISHED IN SAVANNAH.
WORKING GIRLS MEETING
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED IN FAVOR OF
ORGANIZING AN ASSOCIATION.

MabIe A. Stafford, Travelling
Secretary of the SOuth-DOes for
Girls What Y. NJ. G. A. Does for
Northumberland Bureau and
Boarding House Directory One of
Features of the WOrk-AII Inter
viewed by Miss stafford Favor the
Plan.
The first step toward the formation
of local chapter of the Young Wom-
ans Christian Association was taken
last night at the meeting of the work.
ing girls of Savannah, held in the
Sunday-school room of the Independent
Presbyterian Church. The meeting
was conducted by Miss Mabel A. Stat
ford, travelling secretary for the as
sociation through the Gulf and South
Atlantic states.
In response to the call for a meeting
of the young women of the city who
are employed in the various business
houses, fully one hundred assembled.
At o'clock Miss Stafford called the
meeting to order, and in short adj
| dress stated the principles of the as
ISOLATION, and what it sought to do for
the young women of the cities and
towns where it had been established.
After fully explaining the work and
all the details. Miss Stafford asked
those present to vote as to whether or
not the association should be formed,
and an unanimous affirmative vote was
recorded.
This action practically assures the
| formation of the association here. A
| thorough canvass of the women of Sa-
vannah who are most prominently
| identified with Christian and philan-
| thropic work, has established the tact
| that there is a need for such an or
| ganization in the city. A series of
meetings, of which last nights was the
first, will be held from time to time.
| An endeavOr will be made to induce
| all classes to take hold of the work
| and give it their hearty support, as
! has been done in other cities. The next
meeting will be held at the home OF
| Miss Elizabeth Gilbert on CASTOR
street This will be a parlor confer
ence, and all girls not engaged in bust
| ness pursuits are especially asked TO
attend this meeting.
Purposes of the Association.
In her address Miss Stafford briefly
stated the purposes for which the Y.
w. c. A. is formed and what it seeks
to do. Summarized, it's purpose is to
help young girls through life and de-
velop them mentally, socially, physi-
cally and spiritually. 1t seeks to fill
the place for girls which the Y NJ. G.
A. fills for men, and it aims to accom-
plish the same things for it's members
as the mems association does for
| theirs.
A gymnasium will be a feature of
the work here, as elsewhere. A physi-
| cal directress will be chosen and she
will personally superintend the work
| which is going on. This will prove of
great benefit to those who either are
not in the habit of taking any physical
exercise at all, or whose employment
| compels them to stand during an en-
tire day behind counters, or to sit
| cramped over desks.
A reading room and library will be
! supplied. A rest room in which mem
| bers can rest during the noon hour
will also be arranged. Music will be
| rendered during the rest hour. Lunch
will be served at the rooms for those
who desire it, and others can bring
their lunch there, instead of eating
| them in the various factories. The hall
| will be located in the central part of
| the city.
In the education lines classes of all
description will be established. The
| number and character of these will de-
pend entirely upon the demand. In adj
dition there will be religious side.
Bible classes and Sunday meetings will
be held regularly.
Employment Bureau Feature.
An employment bureau will be one
of the features of the work. Girls
coming into the city, who so desire.
will be taken charge of by the asso-
citation and sheltered and protected
until they have secured suitable en-
| ployment. In case for any reason they
should desire or be compelled to
change, the employment bureau will
again be at their service
A boarding house directory will also
be a feature. A complete list of all the
reputable boarding houses in Savan-
nah and the prices charged for board
will be kept by the local secretary.
This list will always be at the disposal
of members of the association and any
girls seeking a congenial place to
board.
When once taken in charge by the
association no girl is lost sight of uTi-
til she has been secured suitable EN-
ployment and is located in a reputable
HOuSe. ODIll SuCn time she
is sheltered and cared for by the as
ISOLATION.
Confident of Success.
Miss Stafford, when seen by a
Morning News representative, was
confident of the success of the move
ment. In speaking of the matter she
said:
I'VE never go into these things I'M
til the ground has been thoroughly
canvassed. 1 have spent considerable
time in Savannah and all with whom
1 have talked have recognized the