The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-13
'PERFECT ANACHRONISM."
Miss Rodman Comments on Decision
In Teachcr-Mother Case.

IN IenCner-MOther Case,
woman OF about IS years sat in an
apartment parlor near Columbia Univer-
sity last evening Her hands were folded
in her lap: her knees were crossed. Now
Is was peculiar thing about this woman
mat although she was In a good deal of
trouble she looked and acted the picture
OF imperturbahle repose. Philosophizng
In general way. she was saying:
ut hasn't been very long since few
of us began to talk about the democracy
OF women. but in that time the community
at large has taken a pretty firm grasp
on the subject Not 80 the ran-l OF
Education. body OF men who present as
perfect an example OF an anachronism
one may find IN long time"
This remark was perhaps somewhat re-
markable because IL came from public
school teacher. The woman who showed
40 much repose was Henrietta R)dmon.
advocate OF women teachers OF the public
| schools who wish TO be mothers and still
hold their positions.
II Is quite true that Miss Rodmans
remarks are likely to read In print like
stormy paragraph OF exclamation
marks. but II is by no means true that
when they are spoken by her with her
hands folded In her lap and her knees
I crossed they would sound like anything OF
| the kind. Last evening she was dressed
as one might expect a thoroughly con-
I WINGED feminist to be dressed. namely In
n loose hanging tunc which seemed to
I insist that its main function was an alb
solute denial OF all frivolity. and to pre-
sent a sort of sartorial proclamation OF
/ indepe edence Her hair, which IL black.
was brushed straight down on her head
and gathered in knot 4 the back.
| There was part little to one side.
Miss Rodman does not wear any jewelry.
and II she will permit the compliment,
she doesn't need to.
Her conversation last night was a
pleasant exposition OF views about the
BOARD OF Education and maternity for
women teachers. which she has been gath
ering for the last ten years. There was
not the slightest evidence Of any bitter
ness against the board. however. and her
while point seemed to be that its mem
bers made a wrong decision in the matter
OF women teachers, which she. as citl-
zen. claims the right to critcise.
Last year the board conducted IN In
vestigation Of married and unm lrricd
teachers and discovered that married
teachers are more efficient both as regards
teaching and Discipline than unmarried
teachers. Personally, ! think that this is
/ so because married women arc more emo
tional. and that quality is an asset in
teaching.
81 believe that women teachers should
he permitted TO have children because their
having them involves tho welfare OF them
selves and the community. II involves the
welfare Of the teachers because a full.
happy and efficient lie for a woman de-
mands both a position and maternity. II
is an iutolerahle wrong II she is forced
! Ia sacrifice either one or tho other, and IL
IA exactly this that the Board Of Educa-
tion would require.
ION the other hand the welfare OF tho
L.,
| the offspring OF the ablest and most ener-
getic women. Certainly II Is this class Of
women who Nil the ranks OF tho public
schools. which, ny process OF selection, are
employing an increasingly great number
OF women yearly. There are now $4,000
women teachers. and the present policy OF
the board places a premium Of from SIS
10 $50 a week upon their sterility."
Were II not for the economic
exigencses OF the situation should
rather enjoy the flsht." said Miss
Rodman. Nor can say that I am
surprised that mo board has at last
openly attacked me. The board has been
waiting for the chance for all these years,
IA I have been always considered re-
dictionary. First when ] entered Wad-
leigh High School ten years ago at
tempted to change the system or dis
ciplinary study which was forced on the
pupils was asked to transfer to an
other school, but tried four principals
and none OF them would accept me, 30 ]
remained there. Then | attempted TO
10 something with tho question OF cell
bate teachers
THE board frowns uron married
women. refuses them appointment promo
ton and motherhood year ago l or
ganized the civil service for women. Be
fore then 1t was easy 10 get teachers to
leave the schools when they became
mothers.
"Of course, II Ia hard TO work with the
school system when you feel that II is
wrong. We are supposed to be training
children for a democracy. but we teachers
are in the position of subordnates in the
army The school system is not organ
lied as q democracy,
III I stay out on Monday morning 10
SEQ the Mayor. who has promised TO hear
the Feminist Alliance on tho subject Of
tea her-moth hers l shall expect them TO
bring charges OF neglect of duty against
me-"
Miss Rodman thus reduces the problem
| to one OF dollars and cents against ma
ternity by reason OF the fact that the
| salaries OF public school teachers range
| between SIS and $50.
Under normal conditions nearly 5000
| Of these $4,000 women teachers would he
married, and about 1000 OF them would
| have to he absent annually 10 bear chill
dren Thus. by employing 1000 more
| teachers. the Board Of Education could
permit normal childbirth among them with
out any additional expense"