The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-03-14
WoMAN's CLUB COLUMN
Mrs. W. H. Dodge. Editorl

" w
Had I been asked to write the Wo-
mans Club column some months ago
YOU would have read very different
article from the one which goes from
my pen now.
Nv first impressions of women's
clubs we're anything but compliment
airy. They stood before ne as some
thing very unnecessary, really an IN
noyation, a something that sa .ored|
of woman's suffrage, a something TO-
keep women away from, not only DO
nestle duties, but an interference
with family happiness. a something
that gave 10 women the feeling that
the affairs of town and state would
be the better for women having a
hand in them. Following this idea
would come that of-weli, We are too
intelligent to be shut up at home, or
ir a narrow circle, when We are just
as capable of using our brains 10 run
the affairs of county and state-yea.
even of the nation. as the men are.
Well. this woman's club idea grew
more and more repulsive to me.
But we must not shut our eyes. ltI
is we'll to have a clear, unprejudiced
vision; so I have quietly watched
what club women are doing what
club work really means, and in re-
spouse to the appointment by the
Ocala WOman's Club TO write for
their column this month. / viii give
you the vision that l have had.
Let US see what really has been
done.
A little more than twenty years ago
the housewives of the country busted
themselves with their own domestic +
affairs exclusively. To keep their
own home in perfect order. to give 4
their children the care and attention /
that God meant mothers to do. tot
look to their health and morals was I
the duty OF each mother expecting .
that others would do the same thing .
But. listen: These mothers, assisted F..
by those in the public schools. pri1-
cipals and teachers, soon saw that an T.
children were not properly cared for
and what happened? The care Of the 4
nations children is one very import
ant phase Of work done by club wo-
men. They have acted as unpaid (
school inspectors; endeayored 10 en-
ucate. where necessary. parents in
the care of children; endeavored u
various ways to encourage children a. +
work for an education and. IN some
states, have influenced legislatures TO
introduce better conditions They
have paid, and are paying. much al
tention to child welfare. I
AS with schools, so with libraries
Who can estimate the influence OF a
children's room with a storytelling
hour for the little ones. | have watch
ed with interest, in nearby city. the
children going to the library. with
their cards, to get books to read.
In domestic science. club work has
aimed at spreading good methods OF
among the ignorant
Club women have studied market
conditions. and kept before munich
pal authorities the sentiment OF keep.
ing food clean. thereby removing dan
ger of disease.
They are friends of the working
girls, having urged in large cities the
closing of department stores al six
o'c1cck in the evening. Saturdays a
step toward Saturday half-holiday.
They are studying the conditions Of \
of compulsory education. OF
libraries, the immigration problem.
the waiting rooms of railway stations
a crusade against lighted cigars and T,
cigarettes on trolley standing
ever ready to meet some special need.