The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1918-11-01
50
WQMAN'S GLIB COLUMN

> WOMAN'S CLUB COLUMN =
: "a
Mrs. H. H. Harold, Press Manager
Mrs. c. H. Lloyd, Editor for October
Woman's Part in the Great World
War So.
l have been asked TO contribute
an article for the womans column
ana it gives me great pleasure 70
comply with the request.
The great world war in which we
are all engaged has so enlarged the
sphere of women in almost all depart
ments of activity that her history
will have to be rewritten.
My memory goes back TO the time
when it gave shock to the grand
mothers and moraHsts Of those days
when young girl ventured upon the
streets wearing high heel shoes. Their
moral sensioilities were more greatly
shocked when they were seen some
years later behind counters and tele-
graph Keys Fortunately those shocks
were not Of long continuance ana
young women occupying these posi-
lions were soon looked upon as q
matter Of course
Time and custom allay apprehen
sions and work miracles
The door Of opportunity" opened
for women by the world war caused
them to take positions in factories
and munition plants as we'll as in other
occupations where they were compell-
ed to come into contact with machin-
cry ana wearing skirts and loose hair
became menace so they were forced
to wear their hair boy fashion and
don overalls-not the flowing Turk
ish trousers. but real pants like fatn-
er wears This, it is needless to say
.occasioned another shock to the ner-
yes Of the over-sensitiye. They shud-
dered at the thought and complained
that the women Of this age were de-
termined to unsex themselves.
A year ago a picture OF a woman
in overalls was sufficient to call for
a resolution from a labor union that
foretolG all sorts Of horrid things il
women were to dress themselves like
men. But a woman now in oyeralis
occasions no more comment than one
wearing high heel shoes or an ordin-
airy shirtwaist which also was only
worn after an avalanche Of many
prophesies Of evil.
In the war activities women have
shown their readiness and efficiency
in most every department and when
peace shall have been won. the sol
der in the forefront OF battle will de
serve no greater laurels than the wo-
men whose zeal, patriotism and activi-
ties have been 80 conspicuous in so
many ways and without whose help
victory would have been impossible
Women have had to fight her way
through a long night of superstition
but now light is breaking all around
her
Why, she was even denied higher
education Wesleyan college at Ma
con is not moss covered with age. yet
it boasts being the first woman col
lege in the United States
But the revolution for their eman-
cipation has gone on and on and ev-
cry step in its progress gathers adj
tional force.
If our grandmothers coul3 arise
from their graves and could see wo-
men doctors, women lawyers and 4
woman occupying a seat in congress
how they would open their eyes in
wondermenr
Women will not be completely
emancipated until the ballot is placed
in their hands and she is welcomed
to her rightful place alongside Of
man.
This privilege has been withheld
from her because 50 many still cling
to the old superstition that to do so
would cause her to unsex herself.
We are told by one Of the members
of congress from Wyoming that the
women of that state has been enjoy
ing the elective franchise since 1859
when this privilege was granted to
her by democratic legislature and
those in authority in that state, the
governor, judges and members of the
legislature join in the statement that
it has in no way impaired her mod
esty, virtue or womanly gracec.
This is the unvarying testimony
from every state where she enjoys
the right Of the ballot
How rapidly She is winning aer way