Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-07
WOMEN AS DIRECTORS
OF SCHOOL PROPOSED
By CIVIC CLUB HEAD
Mrs. E. w. Biddle Wants
Them on Educatfon
Board, but Says Sex
Should Not Enter Super
intendency Problem.

An entirely new issue regarding the pfo.
posal Of a woman superintendent 81
schools was raised today by Mrs. Edward
w. Biddle, president Of the Civic club
Dlsposlng OF the question OF the suprr
intendency, which she charactsrised as
one not OF sex, but of ability she pro-
posed women members OF the Board 81
Education, the body which viii elect the
superintendent in September. It Is her
flrm conviction, she said. that wemen
are necessary on educational boards
Judge Charles Y. Audenried. secretary
Of the Board Of Judges, which IN October
will oil six vacancies on the Board of
Education caused by expiration Of terms
and the death OF william T. Tfldeh, said
today that the Board Of Judges has no
objection to women on the Board OF Educ
cation, as precedent, he said, has estab-
lished that fact.
The board. he said. ia open to informal
nominations for members on the educd-
tional board. This statement Is taken 81
women as ancinyitation to present their
cause. e
BOTH sENBs f.EEDED.
II have had longtime conviction.
said Mrs. Biddle. which strengthens Is
the years pass, that for the good or tho
schools every Board OF Education should
be composed of both men and women.
There can be no question that In every
school district there may be found wotff-
en- as we'll fitted for such service as ara
the men OF the same district Co-opera-
tion in the administration OF school AZ
fairs is as natural and rs necessary -
1t is In the home"
Il am not in sympathy with any effort
to secure office for woman because she
is a woman. nor for a man because he
is man." she continued, discussing the
question OF a successor to the late Dr.
William g. Jacobs, superintendent Of
schools. consequently, feel kennIy
that the election Of so important an Of
ficial as superintendent OF schools should
not be influenced By sex Az interpret
the feminist movement. Il EXPRESSES the
earnest wish of women to be Judged
fairly. A spirit OF loyalty to the schools
and OF fairness toward the candidates Is
what / trust will actuate the members
of the Board OF Education In their de-
cision. The one point that wish to ac-
centuate Is that no woman should be
Disseminated againsts because she is a
woman"
JUDGE IS RECEPTIVE
The board OF judges, said Judge Auden-
ried. obviously cannot discuss publicly
whom II will appoint TO b. members OF
we shall be glad TO hear from the
friends of candidates." he said. 1T e
our duty to select the most Competent
persons and also to endeavor to please
the people There Is no objection to n
woman, for there have been women on
the board. Since Mrs. Owen Wister was
n member, the membership OF the board
was made smaller and, as It was deaff-
able to have as members persons well
known to the entire population, II SO
happened that no woman has been eIected
since that time. Woman's normal place
is In the home and no woman has stood
out prominently for that reason"
Asked IL he considered Dr. Anna How
ard Shaw suffragist leader repre-
sentatlveHtyp OF woman. Judge Audeh-
ried said tina the had never heard OF her
II do not recall ever having heard OF
Doctor Shaw before" De declared. II
am kept too busy"
Miss Katherine Puncheon. head OF tho
High School for Girls: DR.. Lucy u ".
Wilson, head Of the biological depart
ment of the Girls Normal School, and
Miss Margaret t. Mcguire. principal OF
the George Washington Public School.
Will certainly not be considered as pos
sibe appointees by the board
I'VE would not appoint any persons In
the employ of the Boasd Of Eduoationor
he explained. That would be a case Of
the tail wagging the dog Theyswouidn't
be considered unless they resigned.
"The election will be held the frst
Friday, in October. At that time the
board will have several persons Ia mind.
no doubt. We haven't heard the will OF
the people as yet"