The San Francisco call., 1905-04-10
WHY Do CLUBW0NEN RESENT
COMMENT UPON THEIR A(TS2
When They Pose as Creatures of Opinions
They Must Stand Criticism.
BY LAURA BRIDE POWERS.

IN the ultimate relationship of club
dom much Of the childishness of women
is revealed, and not wholly TO their dis
aoVantage-if they could only see the
humor Of it and profit thereby.
And herein is the comedy of the
thing.
Inc American woman has long en-
tertalned the idea that there is some
lhlns sacred in her personality-that
her motives. words and actions, like
emperor Williams, are above and be-
gono criticism; that women are not of
the human stun of which men are
made, and therefore not amenable to
The laws of criticism and punishment
like them.
And under this unwritten law of 'lese
majesty" women have acquired a lib
eFly OF tongue that works more havoc
with happiness than q year of Junes
could o'ercome.
OF course, il all comes about logically
-aS DO all things that concern Gods
children For a good many centuries
men considered women merely as an
accessory to comfortable Iiving-never,
never as an integral part Of life. And
therefore were women never taken
more seriously than we take a little
flve-year-old to-day.
What opinions they expressed were
iEoulgentiy smiled at and dismissed
they were never analyzed and criti-
ciZed, simply because they were
''women's opinions" And thus has the
habit grown upon us not to expect
criticism and TO resist il when II comes.
And now that we have outgrown our
swaddling clothes-thanks to educa-
tional pportunities-and have acquired
the rudiments of reason, Of which we
prate so much, We must be willing 10
stand the tests by which men are
measured-that is, II we insist upon
the world taking us seriously. Sisters,
il is high time we got over the ridicu-
lOus notion that We are Sacred Ibises
and immune to the words of the pro-
fame.
i We thrust opinions forth, let them
stand upon their merits, and not upon
their sex
II We lose our tempers in discussion,
let US not grow cross when we're told
of it.
II our neighbor's opinion doesn't jibe
with ours, let US not fly TO the verdict
that the woman is Offering US insult
that she opposes the measures Just be-
cause she opposes US. And that is lust
the thing we do-and we all know it.
but many of the Sacred Ibises scorn to
admit il. Tt makes US ridiculous. don't
you know, in the eyes Of men," Pshawl
AS though the men didn't know that
we aren't not all Minervas, Portias and
Griseldas. They've known 1t a good
many centuries.
And herein IS the comedy of the
thing-club women take themselves so
seriouslyi
Why this diatribe?
Well, there are a few Of us who are
Sherlock Holmeses enough tc>know.
Do1r~ g-~,.5 -.
ing calendar for April:
Cap and Bells-President. Mrs. W. P
Buckingham; French section. Mrs. G.
Barnhart, leader; physics. DR.. T James
leader. Thursday, April 18th. at 2 D. m-
nominations OF officers for the ensuing
year: Shakespeare study, p. m. Miss
Eleanor Croudace. leader: social day.
April q, election OF officers. programme
impromptu.
The Daughters OF California Pioneers
meet on April II for their delightful
monthly gathering. the programme to
be announced next week.
To-day the regular business meeting
will be held.
Local Council Of Women will meet at
Golden Gate Hall Saturday. April s.
when matters OF public interest will be
discussed
The California State Floral Society.
Professor Emory c. Smith, president,
meets on Friday next at Central Hall
22S Sutter street. at ? p. m. when the
annual election viii take place
The bucket picnic TO Redwood Can
yon has been postponed until Saturday,
April Is, 1905.
On Thursday last the Jewish Council
81 Women. Mrs Louis Hertz president,
met In Temple Emanuel. when the
following programme was presented in
capital fashion: Paper. Jewish Ritual
Music" Miss Celia Bienenfeld: paper,
Resume of Jewish Literature Circle"
Mrs. Cowen; paper, Resume of His
tory Circle" Miss Rachael Abel: paper,
Resume Of Current Topic Circle, Mrs.
y. p. Scheeline; vocal solo. "Old He
brew Melodies" D. Liederman.
This splendid body Of women is on
the eve CT presenting a vaudeville per-
formance for the prosecution of the
work il has set for itself
Laurel Hall Club held an open meet
ing Wednesday afternoon. when the
following programme was enjoyed:
Schumann trio, led by Miss Mabel Por-