The Detroit times., 1912-01-30
THE WOMAN'S HOUR
BY RUBY M. zAHN.

, after the boys had gone home, long
and grave discussions ensued before
this dangerous innovation was con
scented TO.
We know that the first efforts OF
Mary Lyon 10 establish seminary
for the education OF women, were
received with ridicule and opposition,
not only by men, but by women them
selves. Through the heroic efforts
of this splendid woman this idea was
born that women should be educated.
and the prevalent belief was forever
shattered that women were incapable
OF being educated. or were less wo-
manly or less desirable, il they knew
something besides sewing and cook
ing. The opening of the first semin-
ary 1928. lifted mountain load Of
ignominy from women, for however
much they may have resented II. they
were forced to accept in this, as in
every other issue. the idea OF their in
tellectual inferiority.
About this time the anti-slavery
question arose. The idea of equal
rights was in the air Angelina and
Sara Grimke and Abbey Kelley went
out to speak for the slaves. An earth
community more Such a thing had
never been heard of and abolitionists
forgot the slave in their efforts to sill
ence the women The Anti-Slavery
society almost split itself in two over
the question. The association OF con-
gregational churches issued a pastoral
letter against the public speaking OF
women. The press surpassed itself
i.. I'D 10 oh "a
against these women who had so far
departed from their sphere as to
speak In public-Abbie Kelley on en-
tering a church. found herself the sub
ject OF the sermon and 10 this
Jezebel has come among us" She
was rotten-egged on the platform, and
pelted on the streets, but still these
peerless women continued in their
effors 10 help the cause OF freedom
When Elizabeth Blackwell began
10 study medicine. that she might
bring 10 sick women, woman's deli
cacy and intuition; that she might
open the doors of medicine for women
TO learn the laws OF healing, to bring
aid TO the thousands OF sick women
dreading the ordeal OF this presence
OF male physician, she was treated
as a criminal, refused admission to
boarding houses, and women them
selves refused TO speak TO her. When
after prosecutions and trials or every
kind she succeeded in obtaining her
degree she was scoffingly referred 10
as the she doctor" But today We
have eight thousand women doctors
I'm the United States, we have six
thousand women clergymen. three
thousand women lawyers and six mil
lion women supporting themselves in
the Industrial world.
Seventy per cent Of the graduates
OF our high schools are girls and there
are more women than men preparing
for college. Last OF all but just as
important, are eight thousand clubs
and philanthropic organizations with
q membership in excess Of two mil
lion women
In the face OF such progress within
100 years, such an entire change in
woman's position. how absurd for any
woman 10 hold TO the old antiquated
idea that woman Is not part of the
great working force OF the world. To
day We are facing not only an ey61u-
tion but q revolution In the social and
economic life of women.
The woman's day is only dawning.
women are slowly awakening TO the
great truth OF their right to individual
life and liberty, TO the right to a
voice in their country's welfare.
Truly.
SLOW advancing. hating. creeping,
Comes the woman to the hour;
She cometh yelled and sleeping
For she knoweth not her power.