The Washington times., 1913-09-21

This is the story of a school for
mothers.
For several years it has carried on its
work in a quiet way-work which from
its very nature is not blazoned forth to
the world, yet is Of inestimable value
to those concerned. a
Its sponsors are women Of Washing
toms exclusive social circles-who, mind
full of the fact that life is not so easy
for some Of their less fortunate sisters,
take time from their arduous social du-
ties to spend hours in the little work
rooms. ~ ~ .....
1t is not in a spirit Of patronage, nor
yet as passing fad. that these women.
whom the world knows only as social
leaders. daughters of old Washington
families. pick up their needles and
teach the mothers how to sew.
Our purpose Is to show these people
how to help themselves" they declare.
The Georgetown Industrial Center on
Wisconsin avenue has kept more than
one family from the poorhouse. It has
provided work for many q widow who
has found the battle for bread a hard
one. 1t has clothed whole families and
brought happiness and hope where there
was only desolation.
And best of all, It has shown them.
how to work on their own initiative
how to depend upon themselves.
PLEASE let me take some work homo,
whether you've got the money to pay
for It now or not. know it VIII be
m right I want to keep busy"
That was the appeal Mrs. Neal Nor
Enn made for plain sewing. She got it
. big bundle Of surgeons operating
room garments.
They were stacked neatly in a pile
ready to go back as she told Of what
the Industrial Center had done to help
her.
Mrs. Morgan, who lives at o and Wis
cunsin avenue, Is one Of the best seam
stresses on the list. and while the
work all comes under the head of plain
sewing" this old lady. who is seventy
seven years OF age, gets most Of the
line work.
You see I have to support myself
and my husband" she said. as she
turned aside for a moment from the
quaint little machine upon which she
has sewed for years.
hasn't been able to work for five years
During that time I have kept our little
home by my earnings, which haven't
been much, but they have been enough
for US to stay together.
My sister pays the rent. So what /
earn pays for our groceries. ] won't go
in debt, either. II l haven't work 1
just figure that / can't buy things.
That's why the Center has proved a God
send to me. 1t has been the means of
keeping my husband and me from the
poorhouse. And il isn't charity, either
I've earned the money" She held the
white coat up the light for inspection
Each seam was neatly run. The corners
were carefully turned.
The yenty-seven- year-old seamstress
has done her work we'll
That is just one OF the many instances
in which the Center has proven a God
send"
Often the women who come for work
the Center gives no aims, only work
have only a meager knowledge of house.
wifely arts.
had one applicant recently" said Mrs.
l.. r. Devine, superintendent, who said
sne could not sew. ] asked her il she
cpuic mend stockings, and she said she
couldn't. Neither could she hem tea
towels And yet she was the mother of
five children.
So we frequently include course of
instruction along with the work. In Is
rather uphill progress at times, but
the women are eager to learn, because
they need the money.
Most of them have small children |
and cannot leave their homes TO work |
go we permit them TO take the sewing |
home with them. We do not pay sweat |
shop prices, and We also see that the |
work is done under cleanly conditions. |
just now We are sewing for nine in
stitJtions. mostly hospitals"
Every Wednesday is exchange day
that is. the women bring their finished
work and take home the next weeks
task.
Many of them walk miles for the
work.
Occasionally we hold tea for them.
There is absolutely no formality,' con-
cnued the superintendent, ''and they
seem TO enjoy it We have a little II
brary here, too. and they often stay
70 read q half hour or so.''