The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-04-14
The Feminist Movement and
Some of its Advocates
By Mrs T. J. Smith.

Inc IeIillnlSL movement marks
a new epoch in history. Not a
Revolution which involves the
sacrifice of property or privilege,
but an epoch which among peo-
pie of high ocialmorality, springs
from the spirit of democracy and
begins with the sharing rather
than the surrender of rights. That
is the characteristic of the new
age into which we enter, as wo-
men are granted larger opportq-
mites in our social life. Men be-
gin to share with women privi-
leges which have come down
from ancient days when men
were owners of their families and
warriors because they could be
citizens.
This new epoch promises to be
more significant than any period
that has marked the extension of
civil liberties. When one thinks
of the changes which followed
the abolition of slavery the or
ganization of a state with politi-
cal equality for all its citizens,
the extension of an education to
nations children, it is difficult
to imagine those other changes
which must result in state, in
families and social intercourse
when women come to enjoy equal
opportunity in the world of in
dustry and politics. Some of
these changes were demonstrated
here in Kentucky during the leg
islature. The facts that the La
Dor Association of $4,000 men
worked for the political enfran-
chisement of women, realizing
their industrial needs; the Pro-
gressive policy towards women
many thousands voting for wo-
men, the line up of the Republi-
cans, realizing that woman suf-
frage would be plank in the
next platform. The Prohibition
lists with the quarter of mile
petition, showing the strength of
the moral conviction of the wo-
men. Trained nurses, advocates
of child labor legislation and
other women were there in leg
islative halls Illustrating the prac-
tical effects of the feminist move
ment.
Women are needed to fill up
barren spots in our social life,
just as new trees are needed on
the sides of our mountains.
Waste of human life, waste of so
cial detectives, waste in criminals,
all need political action, need
technical knowledge. How effect
i've this movement will become
depends upon the way woman
assumes this great responsibility.
VIII she awake to this great SER
vice. Much might be said in
proof of what has been done.
The Womans Trade Unto n
League for example has shown
beyond cavil, woman's capacity as
an organizer. The wonderful
statue of Ella Buchanan, the
suffrdgist, arousing her sisters is
typical of the age. What prob.
lem IN cur developing social order
| is indeed limited by sex2 There is
a vast service to be rendered by
women in the way of not only
pushing humanity along the line
of its best endeavors to reach
Ideals, but in the conservation o.
that social inheritance that be
longs. to us all. We are impress
ed with the fact that women mus
reverence their own natures ane
takeeounsel of their own instinct.
while they traverse the highway!
thai men have built. Be true t.
herself and stOp trying to pleas,
men as he: thinks she Shoult
please him. There is doubt eS
pressed as to- whether woman
has any influence except as re
fhected by man. This enlightene,
view was given in an article b
w. L. George in the Atlanti
Monthly. Mans views as t
what women are and should BIZ
. were freely expressed before OF
Kentucky Legislature. The cru
of the feminist movement i
What women want, and her right
to be happy. Whether we accer
the opinion of Miss Key, Edn
| Kenton. Mrs. Gilman or Mr.
! Eastman in regard to woman
E economic independence; "Ou
side is inside the home to stay
There seems to be two sets
:. o-..Is4:1.c =. ...lsol IL ...:fo -