The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-12-08
edith

''fN MY nv y1hNb' ~ -" pa'Ai 1
phlet, entitled 1.-THE Legal Status Of
Women In North Carolina was pre-
scented to the State Federation of Wo-
mems Clubs. The following is quoted
from my Introduction:
I'VE note with pride and gratifica-
injustice in North Carolina. as com
pared with their status in many other
OF the States.
For the unmarried woman North
Carolina offers y free and full oppor-
tunity. except to hold public office,
which is open only to voters. In
North Carolina a woman may be a
lawyer, a physician, a dentist, a chem
iSt, q druggist, q business woman, a
superintendent OF city public schools
in fact, in democratic North Caro-
lima. the main thing essential to wo-
mans freedom in the pursuit OF hap
piness and the earning of a livelihood
in any field. is to demonstrate eff
cheney In that line of work. The only
apparent hardship consists in the
pronouncement OF certain positions to
be Offices.
III any legal injustice should arise,
the General Assembly seems able to
right the wrong. For example, in the
selection of textbooks for the public
schools, women teachers are not de-
barred further on ccount Of sex from
VII thC 6OO-lCAt-OOOk COll-
mission. This was settled in the pas
sage Of h bill T authorize women
TO discharge certain duties pertaining
TO education" passed In 1913.
1T might expedite business and
prove a convenience, il the position Of
notary public were again open to wo-
e After a number Of women had
been appointed, this was pronounced
an office and women are not now con-
sidered eligible. A test case would
settle whether or not it is an office
Ii is this atmosphere of liberty and
more or less freedom from Irritating
restraint that has probably developed
IN the State a large number Of womer
Of marked ability in various lines O,
activity. and enabled them to mee'
success squarely and sanely.
some Prominent Church Workers
The first lines OF work in which
the executive talent Of our wome,
found expression was not In bread
~and-butter work or ven in winnin,
jam for the bread and butter. 1t wa
In generous unselfish organized work
first for the church. and next in tn
broader field where denominations
lines yanish--the service Of societ
and humanity. 1t is interesting t
note that while club or suffrage wor
Is the first interest of many wome
In other States the service of tn
church yet comes first with the wome
OF North Carolina. This situation,
hope, may continue. 1t will cor
tinue If the churches modify the
organizations in adaptation to moo
ern Ideas Of democracy.
The most distinguished service rel
dered by any wOman in the State
her church is hat Of Miss Fannie
), Heck. head Of h remarkable o.
ganization of women for Baptist mi
sions, known as Missionary Unto.
The full story Of Miss Heck's wor
would make an interesting and inspi
ational volume.
Another among the large compar
Of those who nave won distinctie
In church work Is Mrs r, b. job
now OF Fayetteville. Mrs. John n
only directs large activities in IL
North Carolina Conference, but is q,
of the council that has in charge Il
entire mission work Of the Methods
Church. South.
The Club Workers. .
Among the club women of {
state. active along civic and phila
thropic lines. are Mrs. n. r. Cote
the original club woman Of the Sta
. woman honored and loved throug
out the State. and one whose couna
IS sought in many sections Of
natioN. Then we have Mrs. Euge