Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-06
WOMAN DRUG CLERKS RISE
From Two Dollars a Week to the
Ownership of Two Stores.
CHANCES FOR GIRLS IN PHARMACY
Prejudice Against Women Drug
Clerks Declared to be UnfOunded
Improved Methods hat
Brought Prosperity.

NEW YORK, Feb. 26-"The month after
/ passed my 10Th birthday i took a place as
prescription clerk in the largest drug store
In my home city" a western woman who
owns and manages a prosperous drug store
replied to the reporters question. Though
1 am not particularly proud OF what 1
have accomplished / am willing to talk
about It that other girls In my position
may see what they can do II they will only
work and try.
I'm the first place I want to say that 1
have taken the highest course in pharmacy
and my education cost my parents nothing
after I finished the first year in the high
school. 1t was at this time that my fathers
health failed and my elder brother and 1
had TO look out for the support OF the
family, five in all.
LAS my father had always worked In a
drug store what little influence he had
was with men in that business. He gave
me a note to the owner Of the drug store
where he had been employed, and ON pre-
senting It I asked for anything they could
give mo TO do.
This druggist aid he hadn't anything
for a girl to DO and wouldn't give II to
me 1t he had. as he believed in girls staying
al home. II II was necessary for them to
q Out to make a living then let them cook
or do housework. He read me a long lee
Nture on tho SIN OF women's taking bread
out OF the mems mouths.
1T was a long time ago, but I remember
distinctly how angry l was with tina man
at keeping me there while he talked and
then refusing me work. Once 1 got away
from him 1 made a Decline for the next
Grug store My father had sent me out to
get work in such a store and 1 was bent
on doing il.
II presented the same note TO the pro-
prietor OF this second store. and when he
asked me what the first man had said I
told MIN the truth as nearly as / could re-
member the lecture l had received. He then
tolu mo that the only vacancy III had
was the place OF a boy who was leaving
the next week to go to Chicago to study
pharmacy. lie explained that this boy
had begun on 81 a week and doing what
ever was needed. When he asked II I
thought ] could take this BOYS place I
was sure I could.
II remained In this place washing hot
ties. sweeping the floor. busting the coun-
tiers and running errands at first. and
gradually working up until all the pound
ing OF crystals and powders was intusted
to me, Ny employer was a Just II not a
generous man. and at the end OF six
months he raised my wages from Sc a week
to So
AT the end Of my year he went TO see
my mother, my father having died a few
months before and told her that / should
take a course In pharmacy. He said he
was paying me as much as he could az
FOd to give a clerk doing that class OF
PORK. but II / were a licensed pharmacist
Ne would be glad TO give me $40 a week
TO begin with and more as I gained exA
perienoe.
Because my wages were needed at
home ! had to remain IN the store one
year longer until my younger brother got
a raise. / then went 70 Chicago and took
a two years course in pharmacy, working
In a drug store all the while and paying
my expenses. even buying my own clothes.