Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1914-12-14
READER GUILTY
OF INJUSTICE TO.
WOMAN'S WORK
Leaders Of Parent Teachers
Associations Protes t
Against Attitude of Con
tributor to Club Depart
mcnt on Social Hour

Protesting against the injustice of
the statements of "A Reader" in yes
terdays Republican, leaders of the Pa
rent Teacher movement Indignantly de-
MED the substance of the statements
In Il public letter to the club editor
the association was scored for its lack
OF real spirit of work. and its meet
irgs were referred to satirically as a
social hour spent in the uplift move
ment" where nothing Of practical value
was accomplished. The article inferred
that the children felt the wants of the
poor more emphatically than their par
ents and while the mothers read loan
papers their young sons and daugh-
tiers supplied clothing to those in need.
Mrs. Frank Alkire, state organizer of
Parent Teacher associations in discus
sing the criticism last evening said:
The letter must have been written by
some one who has not looked into the
heart OF the work. He or she can hard
ly he familiar with what we have ac-
complshed for the work is done as
quietly as possible. That is part of our
creed. to do what we can for the bet
terment of the community without os
tentation. The questions have been
put to the superintendent of the
schools and the parents and teachers
cooperating in this manner have found
all the needy cases helped with food
and clothing, the recipient never know
ing from where the help comes. On
Thanksgiving many dinner baskets
Were filled by the various organiZa-
tons As to the children contributing
clothing, I rather think the mothers
made the suggestion. Clothing is al
ways in demand and we have not only
contributed "old clothes but often
made new and in several instances
supplied young mothers with complete
wardrobes. We have brought illness to
the attention of the school physician
and everyone interested has noted with
satisfaction our advancement in the
child welfare movement In this con-
nection We conducted the Better Ba-
bies contest al the state fair where too.
our rest room was boon TO thousands
Of women during the week, vet, we
have been scored for taking one hour
in month, the only hour many of
those mothers have for a social occas-
ion
Mrs. c. D. Young. an active worker in
the Mckinley Parent Teacher associa-
zion, who last year served as its sec
rotary treasurer. declared that the pub
lie schools were practically back of the
entire movement. I'VE spend our funds
as directed by the pricipal, Mrs. Shell
ton The recreation grounds tell the
story of what we have done for the
boys and girls. Our discussions of
subjects that are of interest to mothers
have value and because of these
meetings hygiene has been taught in
many homes. If any one has been ne
elected in our district il is through no
fault of our own for each month an in
vitation is sent out to every mother.
We try to reach every family in this
way"
According to Mrs NJ. P White of the
Fillmore Parent Teacher association,
the monthly gatherings create an in
terost in the work and lend an impetus
TO the movement.
Mrs. I. Is. NOOu, former president OF
the Osborn Parent Teacher association
and one Of its most active members of
the circle, told of the perfect harmony
with which the parents and teachers
work, the latter looking after the needs
which the former supplies. The play
ground apparatus, the medicine chest,
the school library have been contrib
uted to largely by this association. Mrs.
Wood strongly defends the work of the
Osborn members who have instilled
the social center spirit in the district.
Mrs. Charles r. Howe, publicity
chairman of the Arizona Congress of
Mothers and member of the Adams
Parent Teacher association, declared
she was not at all offended by the art
icle. In a way I feel the writer is
somewhat justified and a bit of criti-
cism might do some good. Something
is surely needed to stir up enthusiasm.
| have often been discouraged and
wondered if it were worth the effort.
There are few who work. anc work
well, but everyone should get together
and do her part