The Delta independent., 1913-06-06
CAN A WOMAN BE BOTH
ARTIST AND MOTHER?

sible for her to reach the highest
pinnacle OF her chosen profession, ano
vet give her husband all the attention
that he needs ard train their babes
in the way they should go? In short
must the ambitious woman be welded
only to her work?
In seeking an answer to these ques-
tions, one naturally tuc.is to success
full women themselves-to women who
have made coed in business and pro-
fessional life. Yet when these women
are approached for a solution of the
problem. what widely vcrying answers
do they give!
Ask Geraldine Farrar. the famous
opera star. what she thinks about II.
Without moments hesitancy she II
tell you that a woman can't possibly
be both a great singer and good
wife and mother.
The real mother having thousand
things to do. has no time in which 10
become an artist affirms Miss Far
rar. "A woman can't divide family
interests with any other.
Il could not look forward to sing
ing an i'll child to sleep at home.
have talent for being what ] am;
take me out of my sphere and domes-
ticate me and ] a mdone.
Look at the great musicians who
have been unhappy! The qualities
that make a good husband do not lie
in a genius. Take a woman writing
book, play or melody; ask her 10
come out of her absorption and 20
housekeeping accounts. FAM. ask
ing Sarah Bernhard how much her
cook spent last week!
Plenty there are who can be good
mothers: it is the highest thing to
which any woman can attain But
such are born to that one thing. You
can not get away from it that singers
are something separate and apart
We are gramaphones to be turned
I on at will-we are poppies so brilliant
so flaming that We burn out of our.
selves.
Submission is a vital attribute TO
women in marriage. Individual free
/ dom in achieving her own progress
/ is an iuvincible argument against such
] conditions for the artist.
Change to singer means every
/ thing. She has her moods-a husband
does not understand moods. those wea-
thervanes of fancy, and to stifle them
means to the artist to be dishonest and
untrue to herself. The thought of an
/ eternal bond. OF what is christened
the Joyous OCCASION makes me grow
cold,
Much has been said and written OF
the husbands of prima donnas. In my
opinion they get as good men as thev
( deserve. Singing scales and rehears-
ing all day. performing at night. ans
/ resting in bed much Of tho time be-
.Seen TO be ready % repea; their ron
tine. what time LSVe they 10 give 10
husband? The man is not satisfied.
5ut then what rus band is"
After YOU have talked a while with
Miss Farrar you come to the conclu-
sion that it was foolish OF you ever
to have asked the question. OF course
an opera singer can't be good moth
er. Quite out of the question.
Then it occurs to you to get the
opinions of other opera singers. You
approach Nine. Louise Homer one OF
the most famous of all opera stars
and ask her what she thinks about ii.
Children are an inspiration she
declares. her face all lightened up with
enthusiasm. "Of course a woman can
have a home and be successful in her
art. Why. nv children haven't inter
fered in the least with my work.
You are surprised to hear Nine
l Homer talk about her children. be
cause you had made up your mlnd
/ that no opera singer can have home.
Yet on inquiry you will find that she
has five children. and that they re
/ Just as fine as anybody's. Louise. the
oldest girl, is sixteen. The twins
Katherine and Anna. are five years
old. while Hester Makepiece, the
youngest member of the family, Is
just a few weeks past her first birth
! day.
In addition to these children, Nine
! Homer has a devoted husband. The
whole family is unit in saying that
1 the wife and mother has been the best
possible success as home maker.
Personally supervising the welfare
and training OF her children. Nine
Homer never has allowed her oper-
attic career to affect her home life. Yet
for years she has held place as lead
I ing contralto in the New York Metro
| - ,i...- a.. iI-.... ..h.. rin,.s ON