The Washington times., 1905-02-19
FRANCE: DECl)RATES
WASHINGTON WOMAN
''PaImas Academiques' for
Frances +. Johnston.
DISTINCTION is FITTING
Notable Figure in Photography-Wo rk
at Worlds Fair-Paper Reed
in Paris.

Ihat American women are fast cary
ing for themselves a niche in tht
I world history of achievements has
again been manifested /. the recent ac
ton of the French government III be
slowing upon an American woman
Frances Benjamin Johnston. one OF its
rarest decorations. the "Palmas Acad-
erniques.
tiny bow of purple ribbon formee
| the chief feature of a formidable pack
age which reached Miss Johnston al
her Washington home some weeks ago
and inclosed with this was the diploma
creating her an Officer d Accidents
The little bow of ribbon gives but a
tiny Bit Of color to Miss Johnston
gowns. but ii is sufficient 10 attract
the attention of everyone who comes
III contact with this distinguished wo-
man whose pride in its possession is
genuine through many reasons.
Reasons for Award.
The French government conferred this
order upon Miss Johnston for two spe-
cific reasons first, for her paper and
exhibits during the international con
gfess of Photography neld In Paris in
$780, and. second, for the assistance she
was able to give her French associates
on the board OF awards during the St
Louis Exposition.
If the real reason were stated how
ever, ii is just barely possible that a
third reason might have figured in The
award. which, though not paramount
with the Others, backs up a pretty little
story
Miss Johnston went to that congress
as the only woman delegate She had
been invited to read a paper on the work
Of women photographers and. believing
the subject would not yield itself readily
to interesting treatment, set about pre-
pairing something which would just
make the men delegates listen.
IN doing this, she gathered together
specimens of the work of about forty
women photographers Then she board
ed the boat and landed in the convention
hall among a crowd OF men who were
not only surprised at her appearance
among the delegates. but who had not
the faintest idea what they would do
with her.
Surprises Associates.
No one stopped TO think thaS perhaps
she might prove q factor in the conven-
ton Everybody was charming and po-
lite TO her There was, however, 40 wall
space for her pictures, and for two or
three sessions she could find no oppor-
tunity to address the convention.
When, at last. the opportunity did
present itself, Miss Johnston read 4
paper and illustrated her subject in such
manner that it proved the feature of
thu convention. IN consideration of this
she was awarded a gold medal by spe-
eial act Of the exposition managers.
During the St Louis Exposition Miss
Johnston was associated in group with
a number of Frenchmen The latter
were not very familiar with the English
language and her other associates found
equal difficulty with the French Many
points of discussion arose relative to
the duties of her jury group. 1t was
through her knowledge of the language
and customs of France that Miss john
ston was able TO smooth out many a
rugged place and make easy what 9TH
erwise seemed TO many a difficult task.
Miss Johnston Selected.
The French government signifed its
intention Of bestowing upon an Ameri-
can woman the ''Palmas Academiques'
IN recognition for her work at the st.
Louis Exposition. Miss Johnston's
friends IN the various groups Joined in
saying that If any woman at the fair
was to have the coveted decoration it
must be Miss Johnston And to Miss
Johnston the honor has come.
So it was that this famous American
woman went to France, showed the peo-
pie over there that woman is capable
of doing other things than pouring tea
Miss Johnston also does this
delightfully-and that the American wo-
man, above all others. has the pluck,
the energy, and, happily, the opportun-
ity tc forge ahead unrestricted by con-
ditions other than those with which she
surrounds herself
he order of .'Palmas Academiques"
was founded early in the nineteenth CEN
fury by the first Emperor Napoleon. II
was originally designated as Il reward
for signal achievement by students of
the French University. OF later years,
however, it has been extended to stu
dents all over the world who may have
added materially by their own efforts to
the progress of the sciences or signally
distinguished themselves in other WAYS.
A silver Insignia goes with the order.
This Is a circular ornament of crossed
palms suspended on a ring. and may be
worn either as a pendant or in various
other ways.