Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-30
CONTROLLED BY NEGROES
Credit for Institution Is Due to
Mamie H. Burroughs.
SUCCESSFUL FROM THE START
With Seventy-Two Pupils and
Dozen Instructors Capacity of
Building Is Overtaxed.

ma1dS-that is the paramount aim OF the
National Training School for Women and
Girls, an institution in the District of CO.
! lumbia. which proposes to do for the fem
| mine half of the African race in America
what Tuskegee Is trying to do for the
colored males The institution is located
on six acres Of ground At Lincoln Heights,
q settlement beyond Benning.
Here girls are taught to make a living
by qualifying themselves to do those
things that will be expected OF them in
domestic labor High standards Of ideals.
of personal cleanliness and Of morality
are inculcated. Culture is not neglected,
but is minor consideration. Typewrit-
ing and dressmaking are taught. and stu
dents are prepared for social settlement
and Sunday school work
The National Training Schoo! for Wom-
en- and Girls is the only institution OF the
sort that is entirely under the direction
and control Of the negro race. 1t is also
supported by negro contributions almost
exclusively.
While it is undenonlinatonal, the insti-
tuition is the creation of the Womans
Baptist (African) Convention. The school
was started on funds provided by this
auxiliary and is maintained by it. with
supplemental contributions, mostly do
paid by the students
A colored woman is responsible for the
idea that brought the institution into be-
ing. Mamie II. Burroughs. correspond
directed the activities OF the auxiliary
into this channel. and has taken on her
own shoulders the active management of
the school. She it was who organized
tary for twelve years Among her people
she is recognized as a leader in humani
tartan projects.
Explains It's Purpose.
High purpose. practical wisdom and
great ability are accredited to this negro
woman by those who lend their support
to her energies.
THE institution Is not born to make
scholars. but to make women-women
who know how to work and who are not
lacking in disposition to do So" she says
of the school. I'VE preach the three
gospels of the bath tub. the broom and
the Bible. In other words. we are teach
ing our students that II they have clean
bodies. clean lives and clean homes they
can lift themselves and their race to
useful and permanent place in the indus
trial and social life of our country
Every idea put into practice at the in
stitution is the expression OF the purpose
of Mamie Burroughs. More than that,
occurs and Of everybody connected with
the institution, pupil, instructor Or en-
ploye, she determines that her ideas shall
have complete tryout, and that failure
shall not depend upon improper or in
adequate test and application.
The school is national in scope" she
explains, thorough in training, open to
all sects. Character building is the basis
or profession In which women engage
will be taught in practical comprehensive
courses.
1.-The lfework Of most women is MAX
the homes Of others. There Is no insti-
tuition in America giving its attention to
this important work, and the result is
that the home life Of the masses Of our
race is far from ideal, and the service
rendered by thousands of those who
work out is not at all satisfactory
Too Many Makeshifts.
Thousands OF young women are turned
out to make their living in the world
every year, and they constitute a class
of makeshifts. The fault is not with
the young women; many of them desire
to do better and will do better If prop
erly trained and helped
Bigger Buildings Needed.
mission that would make necessary &C
commodations for half thousand or
more pupils. To extend its activities so
as to provide opportunity for all who de-
side it is now the problem before the
management. Given better facilities for
its activities. President Burroughs would
try to make the institution self-support-
ing. This is impossible now, as the plant
barely permits of work made necessary
for the establishment.
A shop, where the products OF the
kitchen and of the garden could he dis
posed of to neighbors, laundry work for
all who would avail Of the superior craft
of trained laundresses--these would be
sources Of revenue ii there were facili-
ties that permitted the institution to do
labor beyond the needs Of the school or
to produce more garden truck than the
school would consume.
An Industrial hall, equipped for teach
ing all industries in which women en-
sage and with dormitory accommodation
for :GO students, would be built at once
il there were money available for the pur
pose. That generous humanitarians will
make this ambition possible in the imme-
date future Is the hope of President
Burroughs and her co-laborers and sup
porters. Such structure, it is esti-
mated. would cost $5O,C00.
4 model home, to cost $500. in which
to teach practical housekeeping; a three
thousand-dollar laundry. in which to
teach laundering and for the doing of
ers and the running expenses have been
met without calling on white friends for
aid. Only $500 of debt remains unpaid on
the six acres OF land owned by the
school.
Students of Many States.
Living in the two frame buildings on
the property are students from twenty
four states and territories, the District
of Columbia and four foreign countries.
This is more than these quarters should
accommodate, and it has been necessary
to rent rooms. in the neighborhood.
Every girl pays $3.50 a month for tut
ton. board and lodging. Those who are
unable to pay this amount receive no
concession in rate, but are aided in OBJ
tanning work that will allow them to
make up the deficiency. There are a few
day scholars.
Most Of the girls are from the far
south. Ohio, New York and other north
ern states are represented in the attend
ance. however. One student comes from
Haiti, another from Barbados, a third
from Demerara and a fourth from Cape
Town.
The pedagogic staff Is made up Of Pres
ident Burroughs, who teaches public
outside laundry work to help deserving