The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-11-10
A GIRLS CLUB.

IL has been advocated a wearisOme
number of times in this column that
Montpelier should have a Young
Wont ms Christian Association to do
a work among girls greatly similar
to that of She Young Mems Christian
Association among young men. The
eld-fashioned theory which resulted
in the formation of the endless chair
OF meas associations throughout the
country, namely, that boys inevitably
leave the home nest to make their way
in the world and that such an insti-
tuition was imperative to take the
place of the home in tho midst Of
strangers and temptations, still holds
true but the equally old-fashioned
theory that girls did not need such
provision because they remained in
the home circle and did not find
cause to seek their own living in the
outside world is no longer tenabie
Industrial conGIUons have greatly
changed in the last twenty-five or
thirty years Girls leave the home
hearth today by hundreds and tens of
thousands to make their own way
among strange peoples andO in the
face of many dangers. The destiny of
nine girls out of ten may be marriage
hut it is often the custom o'
young girls today to earn their
own bread in the period between
school days or college days and mar
riage. These girls occupy small bed
rooms which are their only home and
find reason for loneliness in their lack
of social opportunities and incentive
to do daredevil things in quest of q
very natural desire to have good
times and he jolly in their spare
hours. Then there are those other
girls who live largely upon the
streets, parading up ana down, per-
haps, TO show their good clothes
which they cannot wear elsewhere or
frequenting questionable dances not
because they prefer them to the jolly,
companionable clean variety, but be-
cause they have no choice.
1t has been suggested that the seed
for such an organization might be
planted in Montpelier by the forma-
ton of a girls club in which girls Of
all ages and sizes and parentagp
might meet to teach or be taught
simple sewing or chatting dish cook
cry, games or graceful dancing or any
one of those IL lGreds of others simple
diversions which pass an evening.
Such club should have its hours of
open house on Sunday where the girl
with d long, long afternoon or even-
ing before her might write her let
ters or read or chatter quietly with
this friend or that friend.
1t has also been suggested that the
auditorium of the new school build
ing might be secured-for such meet
ings. Certainly such a society would
have an educative and helpful inilu-
ence upon girls and would afford al
excellent opportunity for putting u
practice the modern theory that
schooihouses are made for twice as
many purposes and possibilities as
they are used.
1t should be understood distinctly
at the beginning that such club would
not be primarily for poor girls or rich
girls for boarding house maidens or
''hall-roCm girls" or any other espec-
ial class, but for all girls that they
might meet upon common ground OF
mutual helpfulness encouraging the
latent talent of each in her own par
ticular direction. and acquaintinS
themselves with the viewpoints OF dill
ferent girls differently situated. Such
an Interchange OF cOrdialities could
not bat be helpful. The girl OF splendid
home possibilities and every comfort
needs such Interchange as much as
does the girl OF limited chances and
she should support such movement
Just as eagerly. There are number
of women and girls in town today
ready to boom suoh movement and,
were it started and there is no ret-
son why it could not be begun this
winter, the beginning will have be n
made for the bigger wholesome.
sweeter womanhood just as the STAG,
has been made for the bigger, strong
err better brotherhood.
Shall we have a girls club?