The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-08

The meeting of the Southern Assoca- ton of College Women yesterday after noon brought together the leaders in the
 intellectual life of the community. It oc- cured at the home of Mrs Thomas Joy, charming home and an ideal hostess for a function of so much dignity.
 The chapter invited two representatives of the various literary clubs to be their guests on this occasion and to hear Miss Laura Drake Gill discuss plans for the establishment of a Southern University for Women, to be formed on the lines of similar institution for men at Sewanee Miss Gill Is a woman of strong per sonality, tremendous intellect and pleas ing saddress She made a straightfor- ward talk as to her ideals where the education of women is concerned, be- ginning her discourse with description of the university, which is as yet dream She explained that her trip here and to other southern cities is purely ex- perimental. She is anxious to secure an amount sufficient to guarantee the inter- est of the women of the south and wishes to look into conditions In various places to discover the best one in which to locate an institution. Many things are | to be considered before a place is to be decided upon. She said that. already two cities had inited the location of the uni versity, but that many things must be considered before a decision is to be reached-the manner in which the pub lie generally looks upon the project, and the question of whether educational in- stitutions already located should desire it or would refuse their cooperation be- ing among the matters to be decided. A point which she stressed with much em- phasis was her desire to make the uni- versity non-esectarian. Her idea is that it should be open throughout the year to students one term offerings as many advantages as another; and that it shall have all departments common to great universities.
 Miss Gill's plans are beautiful, and intensely practical. Her chief point was the fact that women should be prepared for all the duties of life whether they happen to lie in the home or in public service. Women are so sentimental, she pointed out, that they love to do things, and are apt to rush into matters for
 
 sity supplies this need. She illustrated with the case of the daughter of Mrs. Phillips N. Moore who, when she was called up to inspect the milk supply of her city, realized that she knew nothing of the manner in which to go about it and very sensibly prepared herself by course of study at one of the great in stitutions of learning. She then did her work so capably that it aroused general interest and was a step toward other duties of civic nature which were Of immense value to her city.
 A feature of the afternoon was Miss Gills request for an expression from her. hearers as to her plans. Mrs l.. J. >Ha- ley spoke in a most intelligent way in favor of its establishment. She men toned the fact that Birmingham is all ready a commercial center and it needs now the development of the artistic and educational side. Miss Willie M. Allen of the Margaret Allen school, and Miss Hattie Morton of the Birmingham semi nary also approved Miss Gills plans, each with a charming little talk Mrs. Harry Upson Sims, a leader in the col lege women's association, was one of the speakers. making a clever, tactful appeal for the establishment of an in stitution which might be credit to Birmingham.
 The presiding officer at the meeting was Miss Jamie Robertson, who mtro- duced each speaker in delightful way and stated the purpose of Miss Gilrs coming with much grace. One of the charming incidents was the rendition of a beautiful vocal number by Mrs. Jack Adams Mrs R. T. Williams, Miss Bessie Davis and Mrs. Peyton Norvell. Tho auartette, with Mrs. Oliver ChalifeuX as the piano accompanist, gave an arrange ment of "The Lorelei in a manner which was a credit to each of the four charm ing singers and their capital accompan-
 st. Mrs Prentiss B. Reed. who is Q comparative newcomer in Birmingham and a decided acquisition to club and literary circles, was one of the most in- teresting speakers of the afternoon. Among the members of the chapter and their guests were: Mrs, Elwyn Ballard. Miss Pauline Ballard Miss Julia Berry man, Mrs. Charles s. Blair, Mrs. r. T. Dow Miss Lucy Downey. Mrs Edwyn E. Ellis. Mrs. Selder Furlow. Mrs. H. M.