The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-05
RICHMOND TO SEE
MISS GRACE DODGE
Leader in Philanthropy, Who Has
Done So Much for Young Wo-
men, Coming to Convention.

OF the pany national chara cters
coming 10 Richmond next week to
attend the biennial convention OF the
Young Women's Christian Associa tons
of the United States, there is none
around whom there is more public in
terest than Miss Grace Dodge, OF New
York. president of the national board
OF the Young Women's Christian AS
ISOLATION. In generous philanthropy,
unsclhsh devotion to the cause Of
young girls and retiring modesty Miss
Dodge is second only to Miss Helen
Gould, now Mrs. Findley J. Shepherd,
who endeared herself TO a nation OF
young men.
In spite OF her remarkable beneh-
ceucc no one ever hears OF Grace
Dodge. She is almost representative
TO publicity and, like the former Miss
Gould, has mortal antlpathy TO
photogra pliers and cameras. SO far as
Is known, her picture has never APP
peared In newspaper or ma gazine
and emo press bureau has been able to
cnticc from her own lips the details
of her philanthropy. She has been en-
gagged In this public work for twenty
Gve years and in spite Of her great
wealth and social position. her gifts
have always been anonymous.
Her name has been made familiar
through the nation by four monument
Clubs for Working Girls. the Travel
ers' Aid Society. the National Young
Moments Christian Association and
Teachers College TO these noble en-
terprises Miss Dodge has devoted her
life and the bulk OF the huge fortune
left by her father. William +. Dodge.
She made her premier venture in
social work twenty-five years ago,
when she founded the first club for
working girls. inspired by the desire
to give to these whitening spirits OF
the factories some insight INFO the
hlgher,thngs OF life as well a prac-
teal education, Gradually the club
grew until il became unwieldy and
was broken up into several smaller
ginning OF a life work that has made
Miss Dodge the idol Of thousands OF
women.
Three years ago there were two dis
tinct groups of the Young Womcn's
Christian Association in America: the
one a practical body. working for social
ends. and the other devoted 20 religious
endeavors. Aroused by the uselessness
of the constant confusion and friction
went quietly to work and with infinite
tact succeeded In bringing the two an
taeonistic groups into close working
harmony. Her election as president
followed as Il matter of course.
Physically. the most enduring monu-
mcnt to Miss Dodge's generosity and
zeal is Teachers College. regarded by
the general public as an important part
OF Columbia University. This vast
enterprise grew out OF the Industrial
Education Associa ton. founded by Miss
Dodge about the time she was APP
pointed school commissioner Of New
York, in 1856. As the first woman 10
with remarkable diplomacy over
stony road. Although Teachers Col
lege is now in n flourishing financial
condition. il has seen dark days. whose
gloom was lifted only by the unassum-
ing generosity OF Miss Dodge. who as
treasurer, had habit of announcing
timely gifts from IAN unknown friend"
Suspicion eventually discovered Miss
Dodge in the character of the "un-
known friend"
y few years ago, the distressing per-
pleNities and discomforts encountered
by girls on arriving in New York at
tracted Hle attention of Miss Dodge.
who determined to do something 10
Offset the petncious Influences lying
in wait for Innocence at every station
and every ferry. After two years of
experiment, she organized the Trav-
elers' Aid Association, OF which she
is now president. In 1905 this society
had twelve agents in railway stations,
ferry houses and piers. and these mis-
sionaries rendered invaluable assist
ance 10 6.5fi persons. ~ per cent OF
whom were children and young women.
nA8s nnANn