The Washington herald., 1913-06-08
Problem Which Many June
Graduates Will Face

tables. little play - = mlgnty GOOD
thing. Every girl who has studied hard
through many years In the cultivation OF
her mind needs a vacation time; COM
plete relaxation both mentally and physi-
cally, but when she has rested and played
until she, gives signs Of restlessness the
time has come to direct her energies into
fields of helpful huamn service.
It would seem to the casual thinker that
II would be easy enough for her to sail
straight into the port Of happy, helpful
occupation. considering her college equip
ment, and the fact that she does not have
to work because OF any actual need OF
funds In her home. but 1t isn't true. The
fact Is that the girl who is not really
compelled to earn her livelihood Is not
wanted in either the business or profess
sional world. The struggler for her daily
bread protests that there Is no room for
women who have comfortable homes and
plenty of money to spend: that II Is I'M
fair for the girl who does not need the
position to take II from one who does.
Her viewpoint is based on her own neces-
stiles. and there is justice in her protest.
And the girl who enters business solely
for the sake OF occupying her time feels
III at ease among those whose incentive
for work differs so broadly from her own
so, YOU see, after all has been said OF
her splendid equipment for life, the Cir
Of financial means hasn't altogether the
easiest task in the world when she sets
out to find a field Of usefulness In the
world.
Problem Graduates Face.
To such a comment the most natural
observation from an outsider would bt
that she has her home. and the sugges-
ton would follow that she might easily
turn her energies into the domestic chan
MEL But suppose she is not domestically
inclined: suppose that. added to this. hel
mother accustomed to the service oi
hirelings prefers to continue her usua
household regime, which Is not infre
quently the case, and suppose (as is true
with the mother OF Georgiana), she ex
poets her daughter to make no use Of hel
culture outside Of the glittering circle Of
her social acquaintance. what then Is
sane. ambitious girl to do?
Shall she meekly conform to her moth
er's idea that she has been educated u
| have a good time" or shall she use hel
gifts of health. intelligence, and energ,
in service which will mean her own con
slant growth OF character and spiritua
DEVELOPMENT, as well as the bettermen
of the conditions which environ less for
tunate folk than herself?
InlS is Inc QueSlloH Wiiieh ihoeooAeo "
June graduates face: girls to whom cul
ture has brought a true conception o.
Gods plan of every woman's responsible
] ity of work in the world; girls so eager
| and fine, and ambitious that the solution
| of their problem becomes CONSTANT!
more pressing.
Practical Solution.
Civic betterment is a practical, satisfy
ing channel for the energies Of the CIR
: who realizes that her usefulness has jus
begun when she leaves college. She will
| feel an collaboration in working for tn
betterment of many. and the definite re
suits of her work will bring added salts
faction.
SuffraEists and nti-sunragists alik
admit the value OF the feminine mind II
the problems of civic government. ant
there are brilliant examples in Americ;
of the far-reaching effects of material In
terest in civic affairs, OF which the mos
notable examples are Miss Jane Adams
| of Hull House fame. and Miss Maui
Miner, who effected the establishment o
waverly House in New York.
The library furnishes another most &C
ceptable channel for the college girl
endeavors, particularly II literature ha
been her pet study during her colleg
years. In her town there may be m
| open shelf system, or perhaps no chill
dren's department What privilege ]
would be for any girl to become instru
mental in the establishment OF a well
lighted room in her town library for tn
children's use. where long shelves OF al
tractive books would delight the eyes o
the little ones. and where they woul
spend many a happy hour in unconsciou
self-development.
| Many Opportunities.
Or perhaps she is born teacher with
out the need of earning her livelihood i
the profession. What more congenis
work, in such a case. than to study tn
school system Of her town and establis
a public kindergarten, II there Is none
or inspire an interest in vocational train
ing, or a parent-teachers association
which may be afiliated with the Nations
Mothers Congress.
Whatever the natural taste and tenden
cies Of the girl graduate who is castin
out for a useful field Of service she ca
find It in some form Of civic life. Their
is, for example, the SUPPLEMENTARY @
Fairgrounds, or perhaps her city has nee
of some one to investigate and determin
what form Of drama should be presente
to the children; these and many other OF
portunities are open to the girl VIII
doesn't have to work. yet who has
clearly defined faith that God did nc
create her for a totally useless life
l