The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-15


ings."
Il should think that the library priv
ileges would rbe Of great value to the
members" 1 said to Mrs. Cecil.
I'VE find it so, decidedly. Our books
are chosen from the best literature, in
GLIDING fiction, history, religious books,
poems and altogether we have an assort-
ment of over 500 volumes to chose FROM
besides the privilege of the reading room
which is supplied with the current period
icals, covering a wide range of sub
jects."
And the social features must appeal
to every member, I should say, for that
is such an important item In work OF
this kind I suggested.
I'VE try to make Q, great point of that,
said Mrs. Cecil and in our endeaver in
q healthy, vigorous way, to satisfy the
social nature of our members. Our es-
pecIal entertainments, on various occa
sions such as Thanksgiving, Christmas,
New Years, and other holidays, introduces
the deep and sweet spirit of comradship.
which exerts a powerful influence, with
out, as well as within, the circle, of our
Y. w. C. A. work"
II should think the progress you have
made within the six years of the exist
ence of the association would be a great
incentive to the work. l remarked.
1T is and do you know we have never
contracted debt that couldn't be paid,
and instead of running aground, we have
accumulated property, and have been able
to make a splendid Roadway. The work
of our association has attracted quite a
bit of attention throughout the southern
states and indeed elsewhere. Not long
ago | received a letter from lecturer
in Scotland asking for information about
the way the association is conducted, and
l thought that was right remarkable, con-
sidering that her close neighbor. England,
was the mother of the Y. M. c. A. S"
'erhere is one branch of the work that
| want you to tell me about, Mrs. Cecil,
and that is, the Travellers Aid Work.
said.
This branch of the work is compare
lively new in Birmingham" said she. 1T
was inaugurated in January, 1908, and has
been of untold benefit. Originally, this
idea existed in England-again you see
we owe much to our foreign neighbors-
and with her majesty, the Queen, as pa
troness, Lady Frances Balfour as presi-
dent started the work under the super
vision of the Y. w. c. A."
And what is the object of the Tray
elers Asd?' | queried.
ITO protect inexperienced girls and wo-
men who are travelling in search of work
or merely LOT DlpdSuIts ltpltQ NIB. 1C-
ell Here we started with one represen-
tative, and the work has increased so
that we now have two. The work has met
with such universal success all over the
country that in Europe there are eighty
cities equipped in this way, and the work
is also established in South America and
Australasia that a woman may now
travel around the world alone, with no
fear, and be absolutely safe, through the
A oil Gn,11I I'd lee
Grace Dodge are both greatly interested
in this particular department of the Y.
w. c. A. work, and are lending their
efforts toward extending these plans
throughout all the American Cities
Il can well imagine the interest, Mrs.
Cecil, that you and your co-workers must
feel in the future work of the association
and when you are safely established in
your own building l know it will be, u
source of great pleasure and pride to
YOU"
I'VE are just counting the days" en-
Enthusiastically replied Mrs. Cecil, with the
sweetest of smiles, land every one con-
nected with the association is enthusiastic
over the prospects. The buildings, as you
know, which we have purchased are large
and commodious and we will be well
equipped In every way to make things
more comfortable, and to arrange things
on a larger scale. We are to have a well
fitted gymnasium, and already we have
engaged an instructor for this work-a
splendid recreation for our members,
feel sure 1t will prove. Then, too, the as
sembly hall in the new quarters, will Of
fer fine opportunity for% entertainments,
meetings, and all that kind of work. The
hotel department will be more commo-
dious and comfortable than ever, and
altogether we see ahead of us a great,
srIorious future"
And I think that you and your fellow
workers deserve it richly Mrs. Cecil"
said from the bottom of my heart, ''for it
is one of the grandest, noblest and most
worthy enterprises in which woman-kind
is today engaged"
s..........'......'.'''''
evening at the Country club will be one
given by Mr.. and Mrs. Levert, who will
have with them a few of their young
friends. Mr.. Charles McCrery will also
be the host at dinner.