The Denver star., 1914-12-12
PROGRESS AMONG
COLORED WOMEN
How They Are Solving Eco
nomIc Problem 10 Chicago
IMPROVEMENT IN HOME LIFE

Confident Of Thsir Own Worth, They
Are Succeeding Along Many Lines ct
Employment Which Require Special
Training - Notable Work Of the
Phyllis WhsatIsy Home.
Chicago.-Not long ago the Southern
Workman. published monthly at the
Hampton (va.I Normal and Agricul-
tural school. carried an article written
by Miss Fannie Barrier Williams of
this city relative to the opportunities
open to the women of our race as wage
earners along various lines The Chi
cago Daily News says. with reference
to the matter: "Colored women are
often the objects of prejudice when
they seek to better their economic sta
ton. Not many months ago a writer
sought to show that virtually all doors
Of respectable employment are closed
to them because Of their color" 30
sweeping an averment would hardly
seem to hold in the light of the article
on the subject by Miss Williams.
The article by Miss Williams con-
tains much valuable information and
is as follows: ITO see colored women
on the streets, in public assemblies
and in the everyday walks Of life, they
seem altogether prosperous and sum
cient II they feel the sting of race
prejudice they seem to be confident Of
their own worth and hopeful for bet
ter conditions.
"One important evidence of progress
is the enlargement and improvement
of the home life of the negro people
Ten or fifteen years ago they lived In
districts of the city bordering on what
may be called the 'slums.' Vices of all
kinds menaced the morals and health
conditions of their families But it
is now easy to discern a great improve
ment in this respect. Better economic
conditions have enabled them to pur-
chase and occupy residences Oh some
Of the finest avenues.
TT scarcely need be stated that In
reference to employment in the trades.
shops and stores. colored women are
the least favored of any class of
women in the city. yet it is impossible
for them to be idle and respected
While only few colored women are
fortunate enough to gain positions In
what are considered the higher call
ings, they are nevertheless Industrious
and increasingly willing to do what
ever their hands 6nd in order to earn
respectable living. About nifty
colored women have won positions as
teachers in our mixed public schools.
There is a surprising number Of young
women holding good positions as clerks
and stenographers- One young woman
through civil service examination
secured an important position with the
board of education in Chicago and Is
now private secretary to the assistant
superintendent Of schools.
Young colored women may also be
found acting as assistants in dental Of
fees. as court stenographers. as demon
stratorS of special goods In large de
partment stores. as meat inspectors at
the stockyards. few in canning and
hair factories. Il few as clerks. and
scores of them earn comfortable hvings
AS manicurists. chiropOdists and hair
cultursts in private families. In addi-
tion to these there are n number of col
ored women who have their own mil
and dresSmaking and costuming pariors
that are elegantly appointed and up to
date in every detail.
There is also an increasing number
of professional nurses. several Of them
holdin. positions as nurses in the pub
lie schools and members OF the Visiting
Nurse association. There are several
colored women connected with the 5u-
venile court acting rs probation OH
GERS and one adult probation officer.
There are half II dozen colored woman
physicians. three dentists and one prac-
ticing attorney. Eight or ten young
colored women are employed in the
public library There is large num-
Der of music teachers. both vocal and
Instrumental. AS a further evidence of
progress young colored women are ea-
gerly crowding the night schools of the
city i'll order to equip themselves for
business positions.
Another phase OF the life of these
colored women is their passion for or
sanization. There are clubs for the
study of civics. social clubs to promote
the refinement OF life. clubs for the
care and protection of dependent chill
dren. religious organizations in the in
terest OF churches and Il number OF
social settlements and secret societies.
The most important undertaking
among colored women is the esta blish-
ment of the Phillis Wheatley home.
1t was organized and Incorporated
some years ago for the purpose OF Civ
ing shelter and protection to the young
coored women who wander into Chi
caso unacquainted with the snares and
pitfalls Of great city. The home is n
comfortable brick building. simply fur
nishnd and offers home for Y0un-