The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-14

Davidson is chairman of the physical education committee and Miss Mamie Lum has recently become physical di rector
 The winter term began with SO cial affair given on the roof garden early in October and through the winter there has been keenest interest in this department. There are classes morning, afternoon and evening. classes for lit the girls, business girls, girls of leis- ure and for matrons, classes in folk dancing, physical culture, basketball, and in swimming. On Tuesday and Fri day there are afternoon and morning classes on Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning the classes for younger girls, on Monday and Thurs day there are two, classes in the even ing, all in swimming. Friday is rec reation evening. In 1914 there were 234 enrolled in the gymnasium classes, with 10,764 enjoying the swimming pool. or rather it was used that number of times.
 Extension Department
 The very latest work of the Young Women's Christian association Is one that makes a Very strong appeal and one that will have the. best wishes of all of Birmingham. It is ans. that em- bodies the idea of association thae is> em- phaszed in all departments. It is tNe extension department, to which Mrs. Frank Nelson and the committee work ing with her, Miss Sandlin, two em- ployed secretaries. and a group of vol unteer workers have given and are pre- pairing to give attention.
 For some time there have been diff ferent attempts to provide recreation and entertainment and varied courses of study, or series of lessons in different subjects and arts to girls who could not go to the Y. W. C. A. building for these subjects. Many have only their noon hour and cannot go to the building at night Meetings at the noon hour for play and for religious work have been held for some time at several places. With Mrs. Moors, Mrs Williamson, and Miss Alice Hale directing these meeting have indicated what might be accom- plished if the work were extended.
 To that end an extension secretary has been employed to have charge of noon hour work through the city. She Is May Jones, who has had charge of similar work in the 16 Parker factories in South Carolina. She has been here only since the middle of January, and is eager to get really to work. She has already started, meeting the girls at sevtdal stores and factories during their lunch hours. She is asking that there be real aSSOClatlOn nere ana tndt every Sil UT woman in Birmingham who can and will help her will tell her so. She wants helpers who will give an hour or more, regularly if possible. once a week, and will teach crocheting, sewing, art, en- broidery. cutting by patterns, spelling arithmetic, physical culture, manicuring, hairdressing, writing, will teach them games, tell stories, give readings, direst chorus or glee club, make posters
 l- .l% nH hAg gr lines. If you know any art or handi- craft or have any accomplishment that you will teach others, by all means call on Miss Jones at the Y W. c. A. and talk with her about helping her in this department. If Birmingham girls and women will help, Miss Jones is going to have one of the really worth while edu- cational and recreation departments.
 At present, while 1t is entirely new. the girls take their choice of whatever they want and are deciding on what they will prefer to study or want to do. Miss Jones spent one noon time at store where the girls go from II 80 to 2:30 in three divisions to the lunch room. Those in one group wanted writing. and in another group they chose some recrea- tion. In one place of business some of the girls have wanted for definite study and have asked for instruction in aroth- metic, writing and spelling
 These courses will be worked out as the girls at each place prefer. so that every girl who wants instruction, study, recreation, or training can have at her noon hour whatever she desires. This will call for cooperation and association of workers and Miss Jones is depending upon those who have the time and who will teach what they know. to help her.
 In factories where the work is already started, there are organized clubs of em- ployees with committees to see sick girls Vho are sick or in need are cared for. The membership in these clubs last year was over 800, and there were 5,403 who attended meetings held in factories.
 It is all such an admirable example of association for mutual benefit-and every girl and woman will be happier for having part in this work or in any other of the many interests in the Y. w. c. A., the Christian club for women.