The Irish standard., 1905-07-15
WOMEN IN MEXICO.

| WOMEN IN MEXICO.
Catholic Institutions Give Advanced
Education to Young Ladies'.
| The Mexico of the near future is
going to surprise the world, predicted
Mr.. F. R. Guernsey, and this will come
largely through what he terms the
emancipation of women in that coun-
try. Under the old plan or tradition,
writes Mr.. Guernsey, every girl was
supposed to remain under the roof Of
parent or guardian till married. But
many did not marry, and custom
forced them to a life of dependence.
1t will take years to effect general
reform, and educate all the young
girls sensibly. But the change has
commenced and nothing can prevent,
the emancipation of woman in this
country.
Mexico honors teachers, and the IN,
structors of youth are held in esteem.
Great numbers of bright young women
have been graduated fro mthe normal
schools and are now engaged in teach
ing. Higher qualifications are now
demanded by the government, and the
Facilities for gaining thorough knowl-
edge of the teaching art are ample
This honorable careers have been.
opened to thousands of young women.
1t is common to hear, where many
Mexican women are assembled, en-
thusiastic commendation given to
these new and liberal policies. The
women of Mexico are bright, and.
when trained, easily take their place
in the ranks of the educated workers.
They rejoice in the new opportunities.
given them to earn their bread, and to-
aid their parents, which they often
do.
Among the poorer middle-class fam
lilies are thousands who were once
wealthy, and lost their all in the civil,
wars which formerly devasted the
country. The vicissitudes of life have.
been all experienced in Mexico, and so
one finds young women of gentle blood
among the working women of this
modern era. Their faces, refined and
intellectual, show race.
Many a simply dressed young wo.'
man in this city, possibly not wear
ing hat, but only black shawl, is
beautiful of figure and most attractive.
10 such women the new opportunities
of getting living have been bless,
ing. The grand-daughters now hold
places in the government or in COM
mercial houses.
The Mexicans respect good blood,
and do not look down on people Of
education and refinement because they
happen to be poor. The family tie
is very strong, and many rich families,
keep up intimate relations with their
poor relatives. Among elderly Mex
lean ladies of wealth and race it is
usual to dress with the greatest SIM
plicity. Purse-proud foreigners have
often been deceived by this CUSTOM,
and have snubbed women who own
city blocks and have their town and
country houses.
The great Catholic educational insti-
tutions give a sound education to-
young girls and have many poor pu~
pills who are instructed gratuitously.
The government insists that religious.
schools shall conform to the public
school standards and that education
shall be practical. Thus inspectors
visit convent schools to see that the
law is complied with.
Thus, while there are many things
remaining to be done here, while there
is no perfection visible any more than
in other countries, there does exist the
desire for perfection, a high ideal to-
ward which progress is steadily being,
made. Slowly, but surely, the govern
| ment is working to make this setter
nation, to popularize education and re-
ward talent. The Mexico of the near
future is going to surprise the world.