The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-04

HERE is woman in Chicago to whom success
nas W9an5 a lire Of usefulness so entirely out
1 of the common that her name deserves unique
place in the history Of feminine achievement
She is Mrs. Emagene Paul, the only official street
overseer Hers is strenuous life Her laborng hours
are longer than those Of the busiest mother and
housekeeper Her duties quite exactng as those
of the hardest working artist, actress lawyer, or
doctor. Her activities public and domestic COM
bined. SCI. ...-
: She is housekeeper in the largest sense of the
word The city of Chicago is her field of action The
streets and walks and alleys the floors she must
keep brushed and busted and scrubbed. o.
housekeeping day for her comes every day. The
management of servants is to her familiar problem
She directs regiment of -scavengers, broomers
drivers of street sweepers and street sprnklers-a
vast cleaning brigade. ~.r. ~ .... ,.
%7+ Municipal Housecleaner "
At an hour when other Chicago women sleeping
peacefully or rubbing their eyes in dread of rising
to prepare the early breakfast Mrs. Paul up and at
her post directing the great army Of workers who
to help clean the city before the hurryng thousands
begin their daily procession thru it's thorofares.
"Ward superintendent is the title by which this
remarkable woman is officially known, but municipal
domestic element in the Chicago STRENGTHENING de.
partment. She has been the moving spirit in reforms
that have revoutionzed the citys sanitary conditions
Altho limited in office to: the supervision Of but
ward at time, her influence is omnipresent.
The Nineteenth ward--the drtiest, most neglected
and most sorey in needs her present charge, and
Mrs Paul does not quail before the difficult task con-
for cleaning and renovatngkeeps her enthusiastic
she forgets to be dismayed.
Inspired by an Obituary.
Mrs. Pau's story Of how she became ward
superintendent is of the most interesting
tives heard She declares her in life is
all due to the reading Of obituary. - '.".
I reused and inspired by the story she
told it that could not help wishing every INDECENT
aimless, self-bound and woman in the land were
there to listen. 1t was the story of life lifted
petey from the depths Of selfish to the heights
Of great usefulness and SUCCESS. ::t
%> Her Start in Chicago.
IT to Chicago. It was just after the world g
fair and the committee known the Municipal Order
league, which had been active during the fair, was
continuing it's work and striving to extend it's infu.
ence. ...---g f. -. {. 81. . r:s..S
This committee composed of women whose
object to improve the sanitary conditions so dread
full at the close of the exposition. joined the league
and day proposedrto the women that we take
John p Hopkins, in work of reform.
"Not long afterward the mayor granted us hear
ing and agreed to assist appointing inspector
It his remark that occasion that acted as on.
he said lis that she will be able to endure defeat
better than the rest of you That was the spark
which set the finder abaze. Every bit of determine
ton in my being seemed to rush up in flame of pro
test. Defeat7 For me7F Never! I willed as I hai
wlled in my life before that the thing longec
to do would do. That was the beginning of my sue
cess'' - .s...' .2+ pc ~ 60. So ..."
What this all those who are familia
with municipal affairs in Chicago know. = ~..'
Several months after her appointment as inspector
the Civic Federation formed. It was composed
of leading Chicago citizens, both men and women
They asked Mrs. Paul to take control of the santar
work of the federation. She was given horse ant
buggy and 800 per month.