South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-02
On Trial At Bar
Of Public Opinion
Woman Who Steps Out of
Ranks of Domesticity Not
Always Justly Judged.
BY samuel G. Dixon. NJ. D.. Ii. d.
Commissioner of Health.


Commissioner of Health
We are rather inclined to use the
two terms-domineer and dominate
as synonymous Really they are as
widely different as possible.
1 have in mind a strong sensible
woman who has a keen sense of jus-
tice and a deep regard for the rights
OF others She is a born leader and
her rights to rule are based on these
characteristics.
Those who do not know her well,
fear her power and call her domineer-
ing She was elected TO a position of
power and responsibility and many
were the expressions of cOmmisera-
ton for those who would be forced
to work under her. AS a matter of
fact there was the utmost harmony
among her cO-workers. She was strong,
but honest. She respected the rights
of others. She was not afraid to be set
right oa matters with which she was
no. fully conversant. In short, she was
a just woman.
That she dominated goes without
saving. Her associates felt that she
was giving to the matters in hand
deep consideration and study which
they had not time or opportunity TO
give. Naturally they relied upon her
statements of conditions as based up
stand h-w she became a leader.
Take the antithesis Of this charac-
ter-a woman weak, but obstinate, SUI
perficial, but snowy; self cOnceitCd,
but shallow, and the dOmineering
quality would be the dominant one
A woman of small mental CALLER
can do more harm to the cause OF
right than a half dozen women of
broad and generous views can coun-
teract.
Women are still Oh trial at the bar
of public opinion. In what has been
termed her Just sphere, where she
has been placed by man, she is judged
by totally different standards than are
brought to bear upon her as public
official or a business or political equal.
1t may be an injustice-this attitude
which closely scrutinizes the every act
of the woman who aspires TO step out
of the ranks of domesticity-but II IS
wholesome discipline.
We must study to broaden our views
of mental, moral and physical condl-
tions, as well as of political ones
True, men do not hold to the pat
tern which they offer TO woman so
freely. They gossip and wrangle. They
throw mud upon each others charac-
ters. They are given over TO many
kinds of vice and wrong doing, but
that does not make them any more
broad in their judgment of women.
1t is the woman of strong character
like the one first described, who Will
make men respect the women VINO no
longer desire to use a pedestal, or 10
kneel. but long to walk upright ana
freely along life's highways.
We must study such women ana
bring home to ourselves and to our
daughters the broad, generous attl=
tude towards others, if we would help
on the good work. We desire freedom
and Justice for our daughters and to
gain this we must grant 1T to all alike.
Laws were not made for man alone.
Women have right to make laws as
we'll as to dwell under them, but she
must show herself a true woman IL
she would create respect and love.
She must learn TO be strong, and to
understand the difference between
dominating and domineering. She
must be just and she must be KIND.