The Washington herald., 1909-04-22

To-day representatives OF the IA Young
Wemen's Christian Associations. Of the
United States Of America, are assembled
in St Paul for the biennial session that
viii continue for four days. These dele
gates represent IS5,5u members Of the
widely scattered associations. They viii
hear reports from the various committees
Of the national board that VIII prove the
wisdom and efficiency Of organized effort
and that VII show the marvellous results
that are expected to accrue to the na-
uonaI organization when all the excellent
plans mapped out by the board have been
perfected.
The national body, under its present
name, IS only a little over two years Old
L was In 1906 that the two national
organizations. known as the American
Committee and the international Board
consolidated. the specific objects beins
TO unite in one body the Young Wom-
ems Christian Associations Of the United
states: to establish, develop and unity
such associations; 10 advance the physl-
cal. social. Intellectual. moral and spiritual
interests Of young women; 10 participate
N the work OF the Worlds Young Wom-
ems Christian associations. While this
is technically the second biennial OF the
newly federated associations, Il IS reaily
The first since the union became fact
and the members Of the national board
were elected.
Each association. 10 matter how small,
is entitled 10 one delegate al this confer
ence, with an additional delegate for
every I00 voting members The legisla-
Ifon effected viii have a far-reaching n
huence on the work Of the various asso-
Citations that are in all parts Of this
country, and IN foreign lands, too. for
good work is being done oversee, oy
secretaries sent out through the foreign
department The programme VIII en-
brace reports OF al kinds II viii pro-
vide for addresses from a number OF men
and women. on subjects bearing on the
associations work. Special hours for
the study OF the problems arising IN
specific parts OF the work viii be pro
vided for.
There is. possibly. no woman's orga-
nizatiOn in the country. outside the Cen
ersI Federation Of Wcmen's Clubs, that
has so representative a membership as
have the Y W c. A. Almost every de-
nomination OF the Christian religion has
members in the organization. and each
girl. through contact with girls OF otheT
sects grows broader. sweeter, more toll
Grant. There is no calling that mas noI
contributed members 10 the helpful circles
Of the order where they may lend their
oV1. influence and receive that OF others
The college and university student, the
factor. girl. The teacher. the shop girl.
Trrr ,Tr-r- -r-rr J.
sician. the housewife. the lawyer, the
trained nurse. and the physician are
among the members.
When the national board Of thirty mem
bers was created and intrusted with al
the various branches Of development that
the united associations meant 10 follow
one OF its first undertakings was 70 have
e systematic study made OF the condi-
tons in this country affecting womanhood
ard girlhood An expert staff OF able
investigators under DR.. Annie n Mac
Lean. OF Adelphi CoHege- Brooklyn, IN
dertook the vrork, and the results VIII
be offered at the present biennial An
association extension department has
been created, and its plans are far
reaching and comprehensive CO-oQerat-
ing with local organizations. this COM
r1ittee viii attempt 20 adapt the asso-
cfa-fon TO phases Of community life 70
which il has not yet been adapted Il
means to extend existing lines OF effort
until thousands Of other women are
brought into realization Of the potent
force that Christianity has in the gen
eraI uplift There are nearly 20o0.00
women in the industrial occupations
alone. such as saIesWOmen, laundry work
ers. telephone and telegraph operators,
and those engaged IN manufacturing and
mechanical pursuits. All these the asso-
ciations' extension department hopes 70
reach IN time
Already progress has been reported
While there are only eighty-nine asso-
Citations doing the special extension work
referred 10. there are nearly 1900 women
and girls reached weekly through classes
and meetings, and over 3.o00 Of these are
club members. Los Angeles had the first
department store work by the 7 W c A
beginning two years ago. Rochester has
q club established with this especial work
n view Washington has done some
work among cash girls and mas plans fOl
a more extensive campaign. The study
Of the general extension committee viii
be directed toward the needs Of all indus
trial workers IN every section Of the
country. and especial pains viii be taken
10 note the nationality OF workers, their
living conditions, and the nature Of their
occupations.
Telling work among the mill villages OF
cotton manufacturing States Of the
South has been reported. North and
South Carolina. Alabama. Georgia. and
Virginia leading. SO potent an influence
has this movement already become II
some OF the mill towns that thirty-1ve
delegates went from the mills to Ashe-
Vile. y G. not long ago. when the first
club girls council was held there. Sec
retaries for this work are scarce. The
movement viii be retarded until more
sre enlisted. though the ones already ir
the field are organized among themselves
and exchange helpful plans and encOursg
ing ideas A club in the mining town OF
Bisbee. Ariz, has proved the need OF
hundreds Of others. and clubs IN the hor
fields OF Washington and Arizona have
opened a new field.
II is when the country girl has beer
reached that the general extension com
rnittee viii feel that Il has achieved q
very great deal It is urged that in her
isolated life this girl needs the advantages
Of club rooms. classes. Bible study and
social life that the association offers
lust as much as does the city girl She
viii probably be reached through the
student body Of the associations, for the
girls al the normal schools and the col
Ieges are largely from rural communities
and could carry back the spirit Of help
fulness that they have found Of so much