The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-19

Whenever L have even half way eX-
cuse of writing a story about the Young
Woman's Christian association 1 take adj
vantage of it.
Why?
Because from my humble point of view
1 don't think that there is more worthy
cause, more necessary institution. a
more wholesome philanthropy, or more
loyal attitude toward womankind than
the maintenance of this organization.
This time my excuse for writing a story
Il must make an excuse-is more than
a half way" one-it is, in fact, an ex-
cuse and half, If you please, for among
the distinguished visitors to Birmingham
today, in the interest of the big 'cam-
paign" that is to be conducted for the
Young Woman's Christian association,
Miss Abby McElroy. the executive secre-
tary Of the South Central field commit
tee, answers for my opportunity to write
a story and tell you something about
what she thinks along these lines.
The impression one has of Miss McEl-
roy is that she is a woman, vital to a de-
gree, wholesome, clever, well educated,
a thorough master of her work, and with
a broad interest in humanity, and keen
observance of its needs-all of which
goes toward making her a most interest,"
ing person.
1.-The gentle art of giving" is one that
is very frequently misunderstood in its
widest acceptation.
When a big scheme is launched for rails
ing funds for an organization, you will
always find dozens OF women, who will
tell you that they will be glad to con-
tribute something, but please don't ask
them to beg"
my husband won't allow me to ask for
money for anything" says one.
my brothers think it's perfectly awful
for women to so in shops and offices beg
glng,n another exelaims.
Il just can't ask for money-but III do
anything else that you want me to-" a
third announces.
And
So you have the situation iu nutshell.
Now then:
Have YOU ever stopped to think that
there's different phase of this matter?
No?
All right suppose you 1itsen for few
minutes and hear what Miss McElroy
says about ''The Psychology of Giving.
She knows more about such things than
you and | could ever know In life time,
and she makes it all so clear and easy
and simple that not even the most old
fashioned brother, or tyrannical husband,
or timid woman could object to begging
il YOU wish to term it that way, because
Miss McElroy's Interpretation of beg
ging" or asking is not that at all; on
the contrary, it is giving-giving of the
very best and highest in your nature
giving because 1t requires some sacrlnce
on your part to do it.
Miss McElroy gave me a NEW moments
time between her busy engagements TO
talk with me about the Campaign" yes
terday.
Stacks of documents, letters, papers,
accounts. checks. piled high on her desk
showed the immense volume of business
that she and her constituents are trans
acting during this ''Whirlwind Cam
paign' of the next few days.
"Why do 1 hnd it difficult to secure the
services of women in such matters
Miss McElroy repeated my question after
me, and then answered:
Merely because women are afraid of
finances. They have not been called upon
to do things in the financial world. Men
have had that field almost exclusively to
themselves. Women have never had the
JOY lIOtli tiC tohihS III SiAeSs as, NC ios,t-
cally feel that there is joy in giving.
When a woman hestates to offer her SER
vices in asking she is usually converted
by the fact that we are able to make her
see the worthiness of the cause, and they
in turn ask others. BY taking this stand,
a woman gives far more than a mere sum
Of money which she might donate, be-
cause while she may give a thousand dol
lars herself, by asking others she makes
the way possible for ten THOUSAND dollars
to be given
Miss Helen Gould. whom ] consider one
of the greatest of philanthropists, Miss
McEldoy continued. when some one was
thanking her for a gift that she had
made, once said:
Giving is the least I can do; they who
give time and service give most and best.
THAT is the situation in a nutshell
1t really means far more to the woman
who asks for donation or to girl who
gives SO out of her small income. and
by the doing deprives herself of a new
dress or bonnet than to the financier, who
casually checks from his bank book S50,-
O0O which he never misses"
THE times are changing, however,
Miss AIcElroy said, lin regard to women.
attitude toward finance At no time IL
the history of the world have womer
come to the front as they are doing now
and asking for money for philanthropi'