The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-01-31
KELLER AND
MARIA MoNTESSoRI

Perhaps the record of no other
American woman has been. followed
with closer or more sympathetic in
terest by those Of her own generation
than that of. Helen Keller, who,
though, blind, deaf and dumb from;
early hildd1ood days has, through tho
utterly unselfish,, patient and inspired,
ninistration of her companion and
teacher, Mrs. John Macy (Annie
Sullfvan), triunphed over darkn ess
and silence until now, at maturity, she
is able to see visfons and catch deli
cate harmonies lost to most Of us,
who, having. eyes to see, yet see not
and ears to hear, hear not. e.
In: recent years, the name Of an
other woman. DR.. Marie Montessori,
the Italian teacher, has become a
household word in the United States
by reason Of the educational system
introduced and, successfully demon
strated BY her, known as THE Mon
tessort Method" This method of
teaching III based on the sacredness Of
individuality. It is sought to develop
the minds and souls OF children by
providing them with teachers, who can
supply children with stimulation and
WISE direction that will enable them
to- grow freely, along the lines of their
own natures, and to- keep from them
the things that debase and retard
Sruwth and produce unthinking UNI
feeling machine like men and women.
Isl A. feWsWeeks ago, THESE two women
met and talk ed together III New Y ork
City, each thre4gh the medium of an
interpreter faithful Mrs. Macy
spelling off on her hands the words
spoken by Dr. NIontessori, as they
were. translated into English. by Miss
Annie b. George.
i No Nones could read the report of
that conversation and remains UNI
/ moved by It,. It's effect is electrical.
/ Space does not permit the interview
to be given in full here, but the few
sentences quoted below are so. charged
with inspiration and hopefulness they
seem the words of prophets.
Tell her this, Z answered DR.. Mon-
|. tessori, g that my children UNDER
stand her; they know the triumph Of
the. soul over difficulties. But the
/ children Of the future the men Of the
future, will understand her even bet
ter than, men do now, for they will
Ibs: liberated and will know how the
spirit can prevail over the senses
Later on, the blind girl said, Blind
ness and deafness have their COM
pensations IL there is some one to
help. 7 cannot begin to tell what my
teachers coming meant to- me-
q Dr.. Montessori,. turning to Mrs.
Macy. said, In spite OF all you say,
!. Mrs. Macy, ali your explanations CT
how she was taught, Z do not see how
her spirit has such vision. She seems
like a. special revelation Of God.
Every child, 4 said Miss Keller,
IS can be q special revelation OF God
|, if he is taught properly and is allowed
to live under right conditions. =
That last sentence reads like a call
Z to arms! .#s Is
One cannot escape the thought that
/ if every subnormaf or abnormal child
whether mentally morally and ply
sically, had the benefit Of the patient,
enthusiastic, unselfsh. inspired serv-
ice Of a teacher OF the type of Mrs.
Macy, there might be a large num-
her Of Helen Ke1lers to whom we
could look as the keepers of our
ideals. Let US hope that DIR. Monies
sorf may draw into the movement,
she so ably heads, the services Of men
and women, touched by the spirit Of
the age In which we live and who are
!, r,,,ytnyf1lt1ifv fn work fny. Il