Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-04-05
| Women Organize
to Tram for w ork
for Self
~ ELLA WHEELER WILCOX,

Copyright, 1915. by Star Company
A new league has been organized by
American women.
II IL called the American Wnmans
League for self Defense,
Its motto IL American women first
Its object In 70 educate our women 10
tho highest standard OF health. purity
efficiency, proficiency, self-relianoe, TO
take the place Of husbands and fathers
when necessity requires a. IT'S platform
"a non-polltlcal, nonsracln non-eolor and
non-oreed
It's founders arc Mrs Ida Ellsworth
Lowbef and Mrs w. Yahderoook Browne.
In adviser In Mrs. Leo q. nnardman and
Ne secretary Minis Ida Vera smonton,
Here h what one Of ~ members has
10 say q the league. speaking Of what
war has taught woman
~ proves primarily that women must
depend largely upon Themselves for ade.
dunie protection. II shows concluhyely
that governments. especially IN cases N
invasion. are powetless 10 protect their
women while their fighting men ARE NJ
the front
'lt demonstrates that tho women them
selves arr no match FOR tho unhealthy
local rabble ihat-inahle 10 enlist plumber
and plllaEe when opportunity offers n
IL we'll known fact that weeks Of pro
longed hardHhlpa foster mental reck-
lessneas that destroys all decent rense OF
consideration md abnormAlsm procludes
tho bettcr-mindod IN All invading army
from shielding women from It's own
rampant self
Clearly woman cannot reply upon man
20 save her IN war time she must find
her defense, M shs finds her danger
solely within herself This emphasizes tho
necessity for the 'wAsker seq becoming
not the stronger. but strong ser.
Surely, II II comes 10 finailteH quick,
clean, honorable death from n wail-almed
bullet IL preferable 10 the lingering hor.
ror which comes OF considering ones self
lnnately helpless.
This organization positively IL not
for aggression. but for protection. II II
for feDulslon In case of attack We wish
70 enlist Nil the women OF America who
arc physically and mentally sound We
Intend 10 create regiments OF trained,
efficient soldier girls for solf-dsfense IN
case OF noed-poworful, resoureeful bodies
~ women, able not only 70 protect them
solves, but those Of their Bex who for
various reasons are unable 10 do SO.
This league IN a guarantee 10 the men
n the United States that n they viii
undoayor to their utmost ability to pro-
lcct our properties, our homes and our
beloved country and treaohery. We will
assure them that we can protect our |
solves.
we desire 20 put this proposition
July before the public In order that the
lrllllnE may begin ~ once. as every
moment ~ Of value, We urge The nrg-
'st possible enlistment, because IN this
raining we feel that We Hre not thrust.
ng burden on our sisters. but are con.
crrIng pronounced benefit
THESE preliminary oalisthcnlca will be
ollowed by exercises and drills In the
anne order ms those given to the male
i0ldier, After these you Will he IN.
Itfucted IN indoor bayonet drill,
life and pistol target practice You will
earn how 70 point and aim, how TO fire
lean and reload rife
Fair weather will sec prnctlco
norcbea aud women's military camps,
WITH all their active routine. including
ange and field firing You will learn
.raduolly OF sights and wind gauges and
heir adjustments You will be Initiated
nto all the mysterious and fascinatlng
detail which, when mastered,
pella sure aelf-dcfcnse. You will be-
One eventually a aelf-relant. HplendIdly
eveloped. courageous soldier girl. well
bic TO take care Of yourself and a
oxen others.
ITO silence Mrs. Grundy and keep her
usy we shall give her large depart
icnt OF Don'ta Chief among them VIII
e the admonltion, Don't talk too much.
Don't be militant. be military Don't be
aggressive; he eoneiiatory. Don't lose
our hend others may go with II. Don't
hirk work and a hundred other TO
e's' and Not 10 be'a.' Here will be
he task Of keeping we'll persons we'll
nd with her dampenng caution calm
ng excitsbles and aueling panics"
Eight women out OF ten who believe
themselves 10 be invallds or seml-in-
Aids would unduestionnbly be cured
'ere they 10 Identify themselves With
his Womans League Of Preparedness,
lore than three-fourths OF the ailments
hitch afflict women arc caused by lack
I Interested thoughts, lack OF an alert
ess Of mind lack Of exercise Of all
he mental and physical organs of the
uman heinz,
inertness, an Unlicensed mind, aimleAA
,neinga lung cells going 10 waste
rough lack ~ deem breathing, mus
eA az the body CROWNS soggy through
.ck N proper eNereise-theae things are I
No disease producers The Momans
easue for self.rrotectlon. n 1t did
o,hing else, would prepare her for
nalth and usefulness ana activity "
" daily walks Of NE. Join t.