St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-05
COMMENTS AND NOTES
BY MAT R O N 7 A.

| Among the foremost women of the day
women who are living and working for the
good and for the uplift Of her less fortunate
fellow beings, Miss Gertrude Barnum stands
out bravely noble figure OF gentle woman
hood and intelligent achievement.
Reared in home of comfort, and luxury,
surrounded by many friends and social
pleasures she voluntarily forsook them all
to hearken to the call of suffering humanity,
and without thought Of self or backward
glance at the gay world she had left she
threw herself heart and soul into the light
of the poor, especially the women and chill
dren of the poor, who stretched out their
thin. weak hands to cold world for sympa-
thv and for help. We have not space to
dwell upon the trend of work that Miss Bar
mum hued out for her earnest efforts, and so
can only tell Of the most prominent work OF
her career.
For some years she was treasurer of the
Hull House in her native city, Chicago, and
then associated with Miss Jane Adams, CID
splendid service in that wonderful settlement.
Later Miss Barnum took entire charge of the
Henry Booth settlement in the Ghetto OF
Chicago, and here her work was wide spread
and deeply felt. When the strike of the
shirt waist makers in New York was de-
clared. Miss Barnum fastened to their aid,
and it has been greatly owing to her general
shin and influence that this great strike has
been so successfully carried on. Miss Bar
mum has worked almost breathlessly for
these girls, arranging, advising, etc., lind
ing work for the army OF unemployed strlk-
ers, and soliciting money to support those
who were without maintainance during the
terrible days when starvation daunted even
the Quickest Of the fighters
The keynote of Miss Barnum's nature IS
.,,~, a xyi6o cvmnafhV which
bepets the love and confidence OF all with
whom she is thrown, Rich and poor, high
and low, all seem to fall within her sweet
charity and to be uplifted by her cheerful
kindness. and loyalty to them and their
welfare.
Such woman as this is glory to her sex,
to her country-aye and to motherhood, for
hers is the great mother love, the motherlng
of suffering women and children who cry
out to her for the sympathy and help Which
she so generously gives -.
Her life is beautiful examples touching
appeal to other women to put their thoughts
on some good work and to forget the selflsh,
ness which makes them self centered and
careless of the welfare of Others
Such an appeal should not go unheeded.
There was an enthusiastic meeting OF the
School Improvement League held in the
school house on Friday last The President,
Mrs. Prague, graced the chair, and brought
before the members many important ques-
tons for discussion. The League has grow
ing membership, and every man and woman
in Covington who feels responsible for the
welfare of the community, and educational
advantages of their children should not only
Join the League, but give their entire sup
port and encouragement to the earnest
women who are now carrying the burden.
It wont be forever, for we ali hope that in
time. the parish and town can take entire
care of the school and school matters. but
until they can, it behooyes us all to help.
So put your shoulder to the wheel and help
push. Prof. Lyon made favorable report
Of pictures and maps given and framed, ex-