The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-10
Mrs John B. Reid Talks About the Book Soon to be Printed Entitled Women Who Are Making Aldbdrnd"
Dy DOLLY DALRYMPLE
.F I were asked what party Mrs.
 John B. Reid belonged to I should

John B. Reid belonged to I should
 promptly answer ''the progressive" Mrs. Reids slogan is progress" Mrs.
 Reid's mind spells progress" Mrs.
 Reid's life stands for progress" and
 so 1 term her progressive"
 | Her latest activity as president of the group of women who are arranging to publish much needed and most yalu-
 able book. which will be called "Women | Who Are Making Alabama" brings her
 before the public in a new light, new 1 field. and one much to be commended,
 since no other woman in the big com monwealth of Alabama has ever at tempted such a work before-perhaps has never though of it, and if they have, cer- tainly have never carried out the idea. With Mrs. Reid as president of the or ganization. will be associated Mrs. John D. Elliott, vice president; Miss Jennie Mae Rosser secretary, and Mrs HS, Scudder Ryall as treasurer. group or truly wonderful women.
 Perhaps you received a neat typewrlt- ten letter during the past week wnicn told you of the plan of publishing
 "Women Who Are Making Alabama" If so, you read the following:
 My Dear Madam: There has never been a published directory of Alabama most prominent women. Our purpose IS to compile book including the names ad- dresses and short sketches of leading Alabama women, and 1 am enclosing you slip with questions for our lntorma- tion
 We price this book to you at $S and ask for $1 upon receipt of thIs letter and the balance of $2 upon delivery or the book to you.
 Whether you subscribe or not, we de- sire your name and will appreciate the information asked. as we purpose to make this publication of service as state directory of women whose lives
 have not been spent in vain. but use fully. Yours cordially
 MRS. J. B. REID, President J. M ROSSER, Secretary. P. S.-Please fill out enclosed slip and return at once.
 Enclosed was a printed slip which asked you as many questions as the census man when he goes his rounds or a life insurance agent when he pokes one of his policies" at you; there was one difference however-the enclosed slip didn't ask you to give your aSe' you'd know from that alone that Wom- en were back of the enterprise; a man would have demanded the day. year, hour and minute of your birth.
 Any way the information asked covers the ground completely ana some of the inquiries are, Where you were born; maiden name; educated at what place; sorority; married, and to whom, l and when. what church you are atIll- 1 lated with; what clubs, phliantroplc and civic organizations; office held III any organization, and whether you are a home maker, professional or business woman?'
 4,1 iv, Crano z coming publication of the book winch | she hopes will be within the next SIX weeks or two months, was enthusl- astic and declared that it was a most necessary publication for the state or Alabama and one that should nave been gotten out long ago.
 HOW did I happen to think of such a publication?" Mrs. Reid repeated after me. Well, TIT tell you; the idea occurred to me sometime ago, that Alabama had no record Of her Womeh' of her men and their achievements the big statesmen of Alabama, her pro fessional men, her sons who have helped to make Alabama Hisloi y, | many records have been made, but or her women-not one. This was strong lv impressed upon my mind when made visit to a sister state not great while ago. I reached the hotel, on a business errand, and wanted lhe names of some of the important "olieh in the city I was visiting. was stranger in the city and the only means I had of finding out about the women was to ask questions
 It was then and there that the loea occurred to me most emphatically that women should be identified with local 1n- terests through the medium of some sort of compiled book giving the necessary information which the public generally would like to have, as vel! as lndlvlo- uals.
 Somebody might suggest that the clty directory would give the needed lnforma- ton," Mrs Reid continued, but if you Il only stop to think, the general director ies merely classify a woman as the Wl1e of her husband, who she was or what her activities are is completely ignored
 Again, in working up my Alabama State Fair work Mrs Reid said, Il have found it very difficult to approach women, to classify their interests. Thus the loss of postage, time and energy So in compiling this book, 'Women Who Are Making Alabama I believe that it Will fill long felt want, and I may say it is the result of varied experience and untold inconvenience that I have suf- fered personally and I want to save others from a similar experience. An other thing, too, the mothers of the state