The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1912-12-17
RURAL MOTHERS CLUBS.


At a conference in Philadelphia a
few days ago a prominent suffra-
gette speaker declared that politics
had retarded the progress Of educa-
ton in this country, and that the
placing of the ballot in the hands of
the women would bring about a re-
form along educational lines which
this nation has never known.
Without entering into the merits
of that contention We are forced to
believe there is an opportunity for
the women TO get in some good work
in behalf OF better educational facili-
ties even in advance of the coming
q wOman's suffrage. Here in Ter
rel, our own county, the women of
the Dawson Woman's Club have al
ready been the means of stimulating
interest in the schools, and The News
would like to see the work launched
actively among the mothers of the
rural school communities.
But what could mothers do, since
they cannot vote the money, employ
the teachers or WELD any other direct
hand in the management of the
schools? They could do great deal.
Through mothers and parents
teachers clubs they would come in
contact with the teachers, get bet
ter acquainted with them in a social
way, and cooperate with them in the
study of the child-something that
has been woefuIly lacking. Many chill
dren have peculiarities which are diff
ficult for teachers to comprehend. By
the assistance of the mother the
teacher may come to understand the
child, whereas without that sympa-
thetic aid the teacher might make a
bIunder in dealing with the child
which would ruin the whole future of
the little one. Examples of such
blunders are by no means rare. Moth
ers would thus come to see the prob
lens of the school room in their
proper light, and become an invalua-
bic aid to the teachers and the teach
ers in turn become a great aid to
the mothers by doing much more eff
cient work for their children.
Great improvement would come
to the physical side of the schools,
too, as a result of the work of the
mothers with the teachers. All
teachers would like to see better
buildings, have the rooms better
equipped and adorned. and active
clubs Of parents would result in Gre
ating public sentiment for these
things. Then, too, these clubs could
arrange special benefit programmes,
the proceeds of which would go to
the purchase of libraries, pianos,
good pictures, monographs and 9th
er things that would tend to enhance
the culture of the pupils and the
community. The mothers could also
be potent factor in bringing about
the Identification of the school
grounds through the planting OF
trees, flowers and such like.
1t is easier, perhaps, to carry for
ward this work in the cities than in
the rural districts, but the need i;
greater in the rural districts Moth
ers are busy and apparently have
their hands full at home, but a few
hours given to this character of worl
every month would soon arouse
new interest in all of the affairs per
tanning to the schools, the diversio
of the work would be restful to tn
mothers, and they would accompIis
more when they return to their d,
ties in the home. Then there wou-
result larger contribution to Il
general culture Of the communit
which would make the time and
fort spent we'll worth while.