The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1908-06-26
WOMEN'S CLUBS

The meeting OF the General Federation of Womens
Gibbs in Boston this week is an event of more thanorGinarT
TARGET and significance, says the Boston Fvanirr u
m amt under date of June 22d. 1t is twenty yesre s 9m9
tbe coordination of the strength and interests Of these cIlts
~ss first suggested, and the record of that period bae been
~ most splendid system of organization of its lind - -.
world. We are to judge of a tree by its fruits and Of move.
vents bv their results. This one is truly and tbororgb1r
so+onal. 1t is represented in every state in the 15r;or ~
numerous branches. The Federation has a membership
II FIVE thousand, each one of which is a force in it's local
enyn onnent. Three-quarters Of a million earnest. active
and intelligent wome comprise its personnel, embodvingI
an influence that is as wholesome as it is far-reaching.
There has been criticism of wonen's clubs in hiobI
o1aces; but it has been critisicm based on misapprebensi0n
Of facts, and an imperfect knowledge of purposes. That
they have a social quality is undoubtedly and happily true
But that is only incidental. Their aims are broad and often
noble. They are active workers in many fields and bvI
their efforts they have given inca1cu1ab1e aid to sociological
phlanthropic and civic causes. We can see their influence
reflected in some of the best recent legislation. both State
and national; in the pure food laws; in the Improvement in
standards of public taste; in the betterment of the condi-
tons of child life; in the abatement Of the conditions of much
that society has declared a nuisance, but which but for their
protest and agitation would still continue its offensive
existence.
It is interesting to note that the development of the
club and federation movement has followed close upon the
great spread OF the higher education for women. 1t gives
opportunity to the educated woman for the play of her
activities and the exploitation of her ideals. They are
not yet generally admitted to the halls of legislation, but
they have been powerful and welcome auxliaries in many
cases to the work that is done there. The fear has been
expressed that womens clubs are a menace to that domes-
ITCHY which is regarded both as the charm and the duty Of
the sex, but there was never a more false alarm than this
has proven to be, and by the nature of the case must be. The
women of the country are the best conservators of the home
IDEAL and for nothing are the members of these clubs more
zealously and hopefully working than for the attainment
Of that idea.
In Boston the Federation will find Inspiration in its
environment. The citys history and traditions are in
themselves a welcome to the comprehensive service in
which it is engged. The hospitality that will be extended
will not be perfunctory, but sympathetic and genuine.
The sentiment of this city has long inclined strongly to-
wards many of those objects for which the Federation
is striving, and Boston is glad of its presence and assistance.
Its experience here will surpass all previous records. 1t is
annually showing an increase, not only in membership,
but in efficiency and force, and compelling recognition as
an important factor in Our national life.