Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-03
WOMAN SCHOOL HEAD
MOVEMENT TO HAVE
HELP OF CIVIC CLUB
Alumnae Societies of Girls
High and Normal Schools
Also to Join Campaign
When Leaders Return.
Two Candidates.

A further boom for woman superin-
teudent Of schools came today when the
machinery of two powerful women's or
ganisatlons was set In motion to thresh
out the question.
The Civic Club and the Alumnee Asso-
| citation OF the Philadelphia High school
for Girls, two bodies which on more than
one occasion have thrown their weight
for policies in school matters, probably
will support woman candidate, accord
ing to officers and directors Of the two or
ganlsations.
The two women most highly esteemed
by the organizations are DR.. Lucy l., w.
Wilson, head of the biological department
of the Girls Normal School, and Miss
Katherine f. Puncheon. head of the High
School for Girls.
CIVIC CLUB MAY AID.
Intimation that the Civic Club. whose
earnest support was an important factor
in the election of Miss Puncheon to her
present position, will campaign for
woman superintendent was given by Miss
Eeanore Goepp. a director of the club
The directors of the alumnae association
of the school of which Miss Puncheon Is
principal will meet shortly after the lst
of September, before the Board of Educa-
tion elects superintendent. and II Is
foregone conclusion that they will rally
to the standard of their principal. Nearly
1900 women are represented by this or
ganization. The directors Of the older
body, the Alumnae Association of the
Philadelphia High and Normal School,
which has a membership of 1000, will meet
in about three weeks. and they, too, are
expected to support a woman.
IF Miss Puncheon or Doctor Wilson
would consider becoming a candidate.
am sure they would be supported" said
Miss Mary Hipple vice president of the
new alumnae association.
"The fact that the ratio OF women to
men in the school system is as nine is
to one, Is a good argument in favor of
having a woman at the head of the
schools. However difficult 1t would be
for q woman to overcome the handlcaps
which would result from her candidacy.
am sure that both Miss Puncheon and
Doctor Wilson could do so. Both are
highly capable women and both possess
the needed patience and executive ability.
1t goes without saying that Miss Pun
cheon is highly esteemed by the associa-
ton. and many members having been
students under Doctor Wilson, she is ex-
popular
"The Board of Directors will meet
soon after September l and concerted
action will be taken. Tho association |
will back up any policy decided upon by |
the directors
FAvoRS MISS PUNCHEoN.
Speaking personally. 1 should like to
see Miss Puncheon in the superin |
tendents chair" said Miss Edna r. |
Jatho, director of the association. 1T |
is not because she is woman, but be-
cause of her unusual ability. However,
II all other qualifications were equal be-
tween a man and n woman, / should /
prefer a woman superintendent, for be-
lieve that II is a position for woman"
IT think It is safe to say that the Civic !
Club would support a woman candidate
II 1t came to n question of merit" said |
Miss Goepp. II am not speaking officially
when L say this The club would not
favor a woman merely because she is
woman, but would weigh the qualifica-
tions of every candidate carefully, ire
spective Of sex.
PERSONALLY, I should prefer a woman
Is superintendent, all other things being
equal. There are many qualities which
4 woman possesses in greater degree than
4 man. among them are patience. power
Of persuasion and the practical knowledge
which women have gained in teaching
Whether or not Miss Puncheon would
make creditable superintendent can be
lrgued by analogy She has had emf
rent success as principal of the High
school and from this 1t can be argued
hat she would enjoy success as super
ntendent. OF course, the requirements
n the higher position are greater but
Miss Puncheon has all the details OF the
chool system at her finger tips.
II do not know either Miss Puncheon
,r Doctor Wilson personally, but know
hat the club thinks very highly OF them
10Th"