Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-19
Y. ". G. A.
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

Over thousand earnest, energetic
women from every part OF the country
will assemble at Indianapolis today In
attendance upon the third biennial con-
vention Of the Young Women's Chris
tan Association Of the United states.
This gathering represents one OF the
greatest reform movements OF the past
quarter Of a century. The full member
ship Of the organization, extending over
the country, numbers almost q quarter OF
a million young women and girls, all band
ed together for common good. The associa
ton maintains that every girl. irrespec-
tive Of environment or social position,
needs help and that every girl can give
help, so it provides the opportunity for
the mutual service by bringing them to-
gether.
There are four types or departments OF
association work, each distinct IN It's
operation, although all under the same
as the city, student. Industrial and coun-
ty associations. The city association car
ries on many forms of work. The board
ing home is perhaps the best known: A
Young Women's Christian Home receives
self-supporting young women as BOARD
ers giving them home comforts and pro-
lection at moderate cost. Noon rest and
lunch rooms also are being operated In
the larger towns. The employment bu-
reau is a vital part Of the city associa-
swimming pool and educational classes
of various kinds.
The student association plays an i'm
portant part in the life Of most colleges.
girls are being educated. The Christian
leaders in the world are generally COL
lege men and women. and the student as
ISOLATION gives a preliminary training TO
leaders in church, in society. in philan-
thropy and in association work itself.
-.
The Industrial association works IN
the communities surrounding large mills
or factories.
Association Works Atypic al
in Factory. Communities. HIS it's own
schools and churches and its government
Is usually under the mill management.
Homes for the operatives are provided at
low rentals and most members OF the
family who are old enough work In the
MILL Many Of these people come from
farms or mountains where they live prac-
tically an outdoor life, and the domestic
science classes teach them what kind of
food they should eat in their new envir-
onment and how 1t should be cooked. The
greatest care is given to physical welfare
and a visiting nurse is sometimes en-
ployed. Shower baths are freely used
and the playground and gymnasium raise
the standard Of health. Night schools
said last year that thirty boys and girls
from his village went away to school as
q direct result of the association welfare
work. The average mill village has
frrA ffnn0
and the association co-operates with
The county association is the practical
response to the great rural awakening
movement throughout the country. It Is
the newest development and has been or
ganized to meet the needs OF the chang
ing conditions Of those who live in small
towns or rural districts. The great prob
lem is their isolation: Churches "a. are . ar
ing together in social way are few.
Work is hard and the day is long. be
cause there il little Of the inspiration that
About 1000. 900 girls and young women in
America live under such conditions.
The county association aims to reach
these farm girls and help them to help
themselves by developing their own re-
the homes Of the members. but headquar-
ters are being established In the county
seats and larger villages. These often
serve as rest rooms for farmers wives
and children. The county association fire.
uuently holds domestic science classes IN
the kitchens Of different members. Bible
and mission study classes, physical cul-
ture, shirt waist making, stencihng and
other subjects are introduced according
to the demand.
Il
The national board of the Young Wow
ems Christian Association was established
in December,
Rnard Now Controls 1908, to in
200 City Associations. all the work
1t now controls about 300 city associa-
tons, over 600 student associations and
q growing list of Industrial and county