Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-03-27
An Open Letter to The
Albuquerque School Board

Dear Sirs: We understand hat tbs
board OF education is contemplating
| putting the study of domestic science
ana household economy into the pub
| lie schools of this city. and wish 10
add q word in favor of this step.
This community is justly proud of its
public schools and appreciates the
good work of the board to whose un-
firing efforts much OF the success in
maintaining the highest standards in
our schools is due.
We think the time has come when
this practical branch of woman's ed
ucation should be added.
Many schools throughout the coun-
try are now teaching domestic science
and household economy, and testi-
mony comes from all sides that 1t does
not detract from the other part of
education, but rather enhances it:
hat is. serve as a sort OF recreation
that practically all girls delight in 1t,
and pursue their other studies with
an added zest in consequence of it.. -
In the baccalaureate sermon adj
dressed to ten young women, who
comprised the graduating class of the
high school Of this city for the year
'0S. the speaker expressed sentiments
the real life work of women
which found an echo in the hearts of
all thinking people of this commu-
nifty. and was commended by all who
heard il for the truth that it contain
ed. But it came as a great surprise
to the young women of the class, be-
cause these homely truths had had no
place in the school life they were
leaving.
That the ideas contained in that
NAV hA fna1nlaafnI Is, fha
of the rising generation is the
principal reason why we so much de-
sire TO have domestic science made
a part of every girls school life. The
speaker said in part:
I'm recent years there seems to
arisen in the social mind an I'M
and uneasy feeling regarding
usual fate OF be lost
and buried alive and forgotten in an
domesticity. The with
a career has stepped blithly forward
TO assert her superiority Over the
wives and mothers of this and past
generations. None Of the humdrum,
domestic routine for
her. The press, to a certain degree,
has echoed the complaint. and has
proclaimed Il wider and a higher
for the tender sex. The stage
has responded TO the growing senti-
and eminent histrionic talent
las been dedicated to the sacred cause
If belittling the home, casting slurs
lpon the marriage relation, and an
bouncing the emancipation OF woman
rom the conventionalities OF the past.
he safeguard of social purity n OF
he home.
we should all rejoice in the eleva-
ion of 1t is necessary for her
happiness, and for the highest
development of the race. In oppor-
unities for education. I'm social Gus ,
oms, in law. she should be recog- )
To be. as she is by nature, the ,
quail of man. To provide Tor eXcep- y
iOnal circumstances and m~isfortunes ,
v which she may be denied her pro-
destiny. it is well that she should l
ave opportunities for independence !
n the business and professional world. !
tut beware of chcrishing or incul- !
ating the sentiment tina there is a
igher sphere for woman than mar 9
and a domestic life. 1t will he q
time of mourning for this now H. !
lstrious nation when our intelligent, =
ducated, gifted women. as a class. a
hall turn their backs upon the career I
0 which God and nature call them,
leave 10 the mediocre, and low p
rowed classes To become the wives e
mothers of a degenerate race. q
1t Is written in the book Of God "a
'hich we evere it is written in the q
cry constitution of human society p
'hich is TO be perpetuated. il is writ
N. thank God. in the heart and aspi-
ittons of every noble woman Gods
nrest n most beautiful creation, IA
lat. as FAR as this world is concern
], woman's highest destiny Is Wife l
ood' her supremest joy maternity. d
ld her grandcst service 10 humanity,
exception. as the presiding II
guiding genius over the purity. y
ie sanctity. yea, the divinity. of the /,
lme. In the tcnderest affections Of 7"
ankind. in the truest aspirations OF ii
omankind. will forever be cnshrined .
lis hoiV trinity of idcals-Mother. y"
and Heaven "a
You should have seen the aston u
on the faces Of these Young y
IL would be hard To describe h
an the twelve years OF their -,
life they had heard no word Of
il. W
Gentlemen, II YOU put domestic Sci n.
ice into the schools YOU can make
mistake. 1t is a forgone ~conclus- "a
n that a girl. II she live To grow into 81
manhood. will need to know how 10
anage "A house. Ninety-ninc women l
4 Of every hundred will have a real I