Evening journal., 1916-05-22
WHAT THE YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN
ASSOCIATION is DOING AND HOPES TO DO
GENEB

necessary amount. 100000 will be
formally launched in this city on Mon
day evening, May 90 That the interest
Of the city in the proposed erection Of
new building here for the young
business women of this State has ap-
parently been aroused is attested to
by the board of managers having re-
ceived several checks from entirely
unsolicited quarters The slogan. "A
New Home For Our Business Women"
is now on the lips and branded in
the thought OF every Wilmingtonian
who has the interest of the young
business women of this State closely
at heart.
With the pushing forward Of the
movement 10 secure new quarters Tor
the young Woman's Christian Assocla-
ton here. members Of the board and
others directly interested3n 'advanc-
ing the plans have been astOnished at
the ignorance OF the public generally
concerning the association work.
great many persons when approached,
seem vague and uncertain as to just
what the association stands for, and
do not seem 20 realize what IL Is do
ing for the community Therefore a
few facts concerning the vast import
ance Of the work from a social, moral
and educational standpoint will not
be amiss.
In the FIRST place the association
stands for the development Of the
spiritual. physical and mental inter
ests Of the business girls None is
neglected. All are emphasized. No
organization devoted to the interests
OF women is doing more constructive
or a more vital work than the local
Young Woman's Christian Association
is doing for business girls and women
OF this community
AZ tho present time Wilmington is
q seething Industrial centre. To it's
hive OF industry are daily flocking
scores OF young girls and women TO
enter into the turmoil and strife OF
business life. They usually come alone
and unprotected. and they come from
all parts Of the country and state.
The majority Of those who arrive
are fresh checked. clear eyed earnest
young women. all eager and anxious
10 enroll in the ranks Of the business
troops that are daily martialled in the
Office buildings. factories and mills
of this city Each girl arrives full Of
Youthful vim and courage. Each takes
up the threads of the busy machine
called Life. with eager fingers. Each
Is certain she knows the pattern, but
then, youth is always certain OF that
A few months OF ceaseless treading
and turning of the grinding wheel are
usually sufficient TO convince the
young business woman that the pat
tern is not so easy TO follow after all
and that there are ever so many
twists and tangles TO city life that
she never saw or understood before.
Alone when Life becomes difficult
and tangled, the business girl Is more
apt 10 wander away from the correct
pattern and trace the easiest threads
Nothing skaters ones ideals as quick.
~ as loneliness. No one 10 care, and
no one 70 see. are sign posts pointing
70 the down Hill path
But with the association In back oi
her and surrounded by scores OF
other business girls and women who
in turn are surrounded by an atmos-
phere Of home-like and Christian
cheer, such as prevails at the Youne
Woman's Christian Association. the
newest pupil in the school Of business
life will instead. catch the spirit and
pluck and a renewed interest which
viii hold her fast to the threads of
decency, self respect and honor. re.
gardless OF what the odds against hei
seemingly are because there. there are
some 70 care, some to see. and some
TO advise. This is the happy result
OF providing the business girl with ,
Christian home
Hundreds Of sweet faced innocent
enthusiastic young girls. STEPPED onl,
IN the wholesome and healthy atmos
phere OF the farm down home.
where mother and father. simpl
trusting folk. tearfully but proud
await the fortune and success OF thei
dear one far away. are daily arrivin
in this city. The majority are abso
lutely unprepared 10 take up the rein
or city business life, as they have bee
Jogging along the quiet country lane
and know practically nothing Of IN
tricks Of the city horse.
Sixty-three OF these young busines
women call the local associatio
building-home. The association man
ayers announce that they can accom-
modate no others. In fact, eleve
young girls and women we're turne
away from there yesterday. seven th
day before that The question arise,
where do these girls go? Into wha
sort OF companionship do they drift
These are questions which the asso
ciation can not at the present time
owing to the inadequacy of its pres
ent building. answer.
In answer to the question. just wha
rs the association doing for youn
girls and women who come TO thi
city TO enter business life. the follow
ing Incident will perhaps open tn
eyes OF a few concerning the vast i'm
portanee of its work
shall call her Mae. OF course
that was not her real name. She toll
me that in strict confidence. She cam
to the association building one after
noon to seek room and board sh
was very pretty, in a fresh and Who'll,
some way. She was the kind of "a ,li
who instinctively reminded one ,
great stretching fields Of nodding dali
les, of wind-blown clover. of ann
blossoms, new mOwn hay and 9th,
things. sweet and wholesome To r
fleet upon.
While she was waiting for the Sc
rotary to finish a telephone convers
ton she volunteered me a great dc
Of information about herself She h
come to the city to get work. so n