Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-11
STUDYING PROBLEM
OF LIFE IN COUNTRY
'ouhg Women's Christian Associa-
ZION Seeks to Extend It's Activ.
tiles Into Rural Sections.
MUCH ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED
fteid Secretary Already Organizing
Neighborhood Leagues - Eight
Weeks Clubs" Being Generally
Formed for Local Work.


Inat the constant influx of the boys
ana girls Of America into the cities
constitutes menace TO the welfare Of
mo nation. from economic, social
and bologic standpoint has been
recognized by those who have studied
Inc question for the last decade. His
Tory shows that the decadence OF all
great nations has begun in this man
ncr. and leaders in cduca ton, econo-
mics and government In America are
trying to divert from this country tho
tate that befcll the glory OF Greece and
Rome
Along with other thoughtful oreani-
cations. the Young women's Christian
association has been striving for tho
last six years TO devise and try out
PLANS whereby life i'm the small town
and on the farm can be made more
attractive TO young people. and where
BY country girls may be given oppor-
tunitics for all-round development
along lines compatible with the re-
sources of their environment. The
association leaders have recognized
that the biggest problem the city as
ISOLATION has TO face is the guiding
Of the country girl who comes TO tn.
city without the poise that is given by
independent activity and hcalthful
recreation
30 several years ago the national
organization OF the Young Womcn.s
christian Association called 60 under
take this problem OF DEVELOPING coun-
try girls into trained leaders Miss
Jessie Field. who. as rural school
teacher and later az county siperin-
tondcnt Of schools. had attracted
nation wide attention BY her success i'm
solving just such problems. Miss Field
has been in Richmond during the mast
week, and will spend tho next two
weeks making survey OF the South
Atlantic States. VISITING. colleges and
small towns and comforting with
groups OF girls who arc already en-
rolled in clubs for just such work as
the Young Women's Christian Associa-
Ton has TO offer. The South being
essentially agricultural, naturally Of
fers the widest field and shows the
greatest need for such efforts Saws
Miss Field
The South IS to-day leading in in
tcrcst and responsiveness in the bet
torment OF rural conditions The peo-
pic OF the South arc filled with
wonderful fire Of enthusiasm The
work has already had a try-out in the
Middle West. where eighteen coun-
south that the aSsociat ton looks for
tho greatest growth
MAISTAISS SAME STANDARDS
OF SOCIAL SERVICE
The country Young Womens Chris
ton Association, while having the
same high standards Of study, recrea-
ton. social service and spiritual
growth, must differ essentially in it's
method OF organization from the city
association. The country is made the
unit OF organization, and a paid secre
tary. having her headquarters in the
largest town or county seat is en-
ploYed TO supervise the work There
are no expensive. weil-equipped build
ings such as the city boasts but often
Few rooms are rented at some central
point to be used Office headquarters.
and meetings are held in churches or
schoolhouses. or whatever centcrs are
most convenient. Such equipment as
the several clubs that make IN
county association own. is largely made
or native material. and many and in
Scnious arc the homemade substitutes
Tor the apparatus without which the
city associations would be at a loss
IN many cases county organiza-
ton Is the direct outgrowth OF the So
called eight-week clubs. which girls
who have met the association influence
during the college year. organize
among their neighbors during vacation
Time. One hundred and sixty of these
clubs were organized in the South last
summer. Their work is varied. Bible
study. outdoor athletics. bits of COM
munity service, sewing. canning,
crochetins, study Of all kinds are some
Of the things these girls do. They
mir nj hor
they roll tennis courts. beautify coun-
try church and school grounds: hold
amateur athletic meets better babies
contests and lectures on community
service, suffrage. home hygiene, nature
study and the like. Sometimes they
take hold OF drowsy country Sunday
school and shake it into conscious
ness OF its amazing opportunities
Again, they render no more exalted
service than cleaning the country
church or schoolhouse till every lamp
shines and every seat is dustless. Any
thing that comes nearest their busy,
capable hands is their task. and they
make JOY of doing il.
EIGHT-WEEIk CLUBS
BEGAN TWO YEARS AGO
About two years ago Miss Mary
Stuart. Of Greenville County. S. c., a
graduate of winthrop College, or
gained three eight-week clubs in her
section. This year. having been made
supervisor of rural schools, she has
had opportunity to extend her activi-
ties further, until now fifteen clubs
are in full swing. Another college
girl OF Salisbury. y. c.. has interested
80 girls. whose work has aroused
such interest in the community that
the Young Women's Christian Associa-
ton OF Salisbury in its recent finance
campaign included $500 for the main
lcnance and training of a leader for
their county. So does the Southern girl
come into her heritage of leadership.
In permanent charge of the work for
this field, which includes Virginia,
North and South Carolina, Georgia and
Florida, is Miss Jane Skinner, herself
"A Southern country girl. Miss Skinner
brings to her work a lively apprecia-
ton OF the needs of country girls COM
bined with thorough training gained
in her study at Chicago University
al ~ x~lf