The Washington times., 1914-05-18
By MRS. SAMUEL F. CLARKE.

It was in January. 1852. that seven-
teen college women met in a room OF
the Boston Institute of Technology.
and they saw. contrary to all the
dicta of the famous physicians OF
their day, that although really grad
uated from college. they remained
in. possession of their mental facul-
ties. Many of them were happily
married and were leading sane,
normal lives. Further, they realized
that they were not the only ones,
but that each knew many others In
the same state. So facts again dis
proved theories. They decided to
form an association of college wom-
en-. in order to demonstrate to the
world these things. and to improve
conditions under which women could
study-raise the standards for wom-
en-, not only in colleges where they
were studying. but also that they
might encourage higher scholarship
scientific research at home and
abroad
Since that day. these seventeen
women, representing eight colleges,
meeting in Boston, have grown into
al
tion reaching from Maine to Geor-
gia. and extending to the Pacific
coast.
While the Organization originated
in Boston and the annual meetings
were held in that city until 1880, the
constitution, even as carry as Ie4.
was amended to provide for branch
organizations and the first branch
witch was recognized was here IN
Washington, New York following
three years later.
In 1856 the University OF California
was admitted to membership and the
Iscific Coast branch was recos-
nizeG.
Only Body of Kind
The Association Of Collegiate Alum
nae is the only national unprofes-
sicral organization Of American col
lege women having .or its aim pure
Iy educational work. For this reason
il Is frequently consulted by national
bc6ies and by Government bureaus
for information with regard to the
hIrher education of women
One of the earliest committees
formed was the committee on fei-
iowship, for as soon az the finances
of the association would warrant
i. the members showed their good
fellowship in setting aside a fund
sufficient to send one OF their COM
IaGes abroad for further study. since
1850 the association, through Its com
mittee. has awarded an annual fei-
lcwship of $500 to some student de-
string to further her work by study
abroad; and for ten years has main
ta:Ied an American fellowship OF
tire value of $50.
The committee on educational leg
islation Is on guard for furtherfnS
desirable educational Legislation and
for calling our attention and masnai-
i..- our forces to prevent undesirable
legislation.
Those of our members who are
serving as presidents or trustees OF
the colleges in our corporate n.e1-
bsrship form a group of women VINO
meet for mutual help in the discus
sions of the problems coming TO
them. Such subjects as tuition. num-
ber of students. housing. food. and
hygiene, courses OF study, relative
merits of entrance by e8aminatlon
or certificate. student government.
the regulation of student activities.
and many similar questions are stud
led in the light OF common expert
ence or experiment with results OF
advantage to the individual college.
Study women's Vacations.
The association now has commit
tee to investigate all openings for the
college trained woman along other
lines than teaching. called the COM
mittee on vocational opportunities.
This committee keeps in touch with
the work of the appointment bureaus
in the various colleges. and Is largely
responsible for the establishment OF
the intercollegiate bureau of occupa-
tons, Just started in New YORK.
This will doubtless prove only the
forerunner of many similar bureaus
In other cities
The association has helped to raise
and to broaden collegiate standards
in matters of endowment, courses Of
study. faculties. and salaries. There
are now several agencies engaged in
unifying standards in higher educa-
I on, and the association was an in
fiuence in suggesting. and even in
the kinds of tests which
are now accepted as authoritative
and progressive.
Often interpreting education In a
pretty broad way, the local branch
has aided the city in its civic work.
its philanthropic work. its social
service work.
The Washington branch Of the As
sc citation of Collegiate Alumnae was
organized in the autumn of 1884, and
wc.s the first offshoot Of the parent
society.