New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-05


nette Gsmse, as her married name
reads, whose appeal to Commissioner
Finley was denied on Tuesday, is now
appealing her case to the women OF
New York. In letter which she sent
Yesterday to the Feminist Alliance she
says: =,
AFTER graduating from the Normal
College in 1911, | was appointed as
teacher in the New York public schools.
The summer before ] was appointed
married. When | filled out my APP
plication for appointment ! did not
answer the question Are you married
or single" | ignored the statement at
tached to the question to the effect
that it was to be answered by women.
"The fact that was married was
known to my family and friends-to
at least two hundred persons. ] did
not announce il to the Board OF Edu-
cation.
81 taught successfully for one year.
Then the Board of Education dscov-
cred that was married at the time Of
my appointment. | was charged with
gross misconduct and dismissed.
81 appealed TO the State Commits
sioner of Education. Yesterday he
sustained the New York board, and de-
MED my appeal for reinstatement in
the schools.
Gross Misconduct" Analysed.
81 protest that the charge Of gross
misconduct on which ! was dismissed
was not justified by any act Of mine.
did not lie, did not conceal my
marriage. | did keep my own name,
as ! maintain my right TO do; and ]
disobeyed a bylaw Of the Board Of
Education which Discriminate grossly
against women.
Il was not charged with insubordi-
nation.
"No accusations other than these
have been brought against me. ! ask
if, in your opinion, they constitute
gross misconduct and justify the
Board of Education and the State Com
missioner in depriving me of the right
to teach in the public schools?
an the interests of democracy and
Of justice for women, ! appeal TO you
to arouse public opinion in opposition
to the boards policy of penallzing
women for marriage"
At the time of Miss Ortman's dis
missal by the Board Of Education a
number Of prominent women interested
themselves in her case. The opinion
was generally expressed that Miss Ort-
mans gross misconduct" did not lie
/ in the fact that she had failed TO an
swer the question on an application
blank, nor that she had kept her own
name in school, as at least one other
teacher has done, but that Miss Ort-
mans real offence in the eyes of the
Board of Education was believed to be
the fact that she was married before
she was appointed 10 teach.
Many women are strongly opposed
10 the bylaw Of the Board of Education
which states that no married woman
shall be appointed TO any teaching or
supervising position in the New York
public schools unless her husband is
incapable Of supporting her on account
of illness or has deserted her for not
less than one year.
In order TO be appointed she must
submit TO the Board Of Education sat
isfactorv proof Of her husbands men
tai or physical condition. Or OF his de-
sertion.
Has Strong Supporters.
Mrs. Harriet Stanton Blatch. Mrs.
John Francis Yawger, Mrs. r. c. Tall
bot-Perkins and Miss Edith J. Girls
void, former president of the Women
Lawyers Club, are among the women
who sympathize with Miss Ortman
ard oppose the policy OF the Board Of
Education toward married women.
Mrs. Batch said: Far from prevent
ing married women from being part OF
cur great system of public education,
! should be inclined 10 make it one Of
the necessary qualifications OF teach
or. Miss Ortman has my entire sympa-
thy
miss Ortman fulfilled her duties as
a teacher" said Mrs. Yawger 81 con-
slider the charge Of gross misconduct
entirely unjustfed"
mo board of education can stop the
trend of tire times" said Mrs. Talbot
Perkins. THE day when women will
keep their positions after they marry
il here. and hail il with delight, for
the women who have work outside
their homes are the happiest women.
| shall do all ! can to help this move
ment forward"
"A!l such cases as Miss 0rtman's are
simply gosds 10 US 10 work all the
! harder for the vote-the only weapon
by which We can get justice for
women" said Miss Griswold. "Such a
gross injustice as this helps awaken
people TO this one-sided, lop-sided
government of ours"
II Is expected that action will be
taken 10 persuade the Board of Educ
cation 10 reneal the h-lAw which for.