The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-03-03
A HOME" YoR BLIND GIRLS.

Tie splendid record OF industry among the
blind people OF this country who have been
equipped as far as possible for LIES battle IS one
which should prove stimulating to those who
have been blest with eyesight. To see a bind
man one Of industry and enterprise, and then 10
note men with sight who are drones III the hlve
of activity is a sight which should teach a
needed lesson.
The great work done By the North Carolina
State School for the Blind In preparing those
trained at it to go out and be selt-supportin8 IS
demonstrated by the simple statement that
nearly ninety per cent of the male graduates OF
that school are selt-supporting Their activities
are large, among other things being teachers, pro
fessional musicians, piano-tuners. travelling sales
men, makers of brooms and mattresses, rner-
chants, farmers. preachers, and 50 on. They are
examples in thrift and enterprise to men whose
eyes give them opportunities denied those who
are ~sightless.
But the aghtless girl has handicaps which are
not placed on her sightless brother, and it Is Tar
more difficult for them TO earn a livelihood.
There are OF course some who, despite their
blindness, meet success in business, but this num-
Der IS not IN comparison with the sghtless men
who succeed And recognizing this, the North
Carolina Association of Workers for the Blind
has taken up the work Of establishing a Home
for blind girls, a Home" which will give them
protection, employment, companionship, the or
binary comforts and necessities Of life, one which
will be helpful in service in many ways.
The hope of the projectors Of such an insutu-
ION is to make this one day self-sustainiilg, but
it will take time to reach such a point. and III
the effort to establish it the generosity Of the
public is sought, for the task is too great for the
means Of the blind workers of the State TO build.
equip and maintain such a Home even OH a
modest scale, as to the present day need. But
they are helping while they ask for help from
those to whom God has given the great gift Of
sight. One blind woman has offered twenty
acres for a site for the Home; other sightless
citizens have pledged sums ranging from ten to a
hundred dollars each, and some who have sight
arc helping.
The movement for such a Home" is one which
should meet with a hearty response from all
parts Of the State. The General Assembly has
authorized the association to take all needed
steps to organize such a Home" and solicitors
have been appointed to seek funds. Donations
can also be sent to Henry G. Easey, of High
Point, president; Mrs. w. I. Reaves, of Raj
eigh, vice-pTeSdent, or Miss Estelle Flemming, q
Hester, secretary and treasurer. In another par
of this paper is published the appeal for hel}
issued by the association, which closes by wei
saying: The association appeals with confidenc,
to the good people of the State for aid in it
endeavors to help those who, through no fault O
their Owl, are unable to help themselves" e
such an appeal there should be such a respons
as to make the proposed Home q reality il
brick and mortar, and equipment and MAR
tenance.