The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1918-04-13
WOMEN'S WORK A
LABOR OF LOVE.
Address Delivered at Skanee Liberty
Loan Meeting by Mrs. J. 7. Been.
Printed by Request.

something to the women this evening
thinking no doubt that Judge O'Brien,
true to his reputation for saying and
doing the right thing at theright time,
would have so much to say to,the men.
the ladies might feel slighted, or at
least neglected, for am sure there is
not women here tonight who does not
feel her responsibility in this great
campaign.
You have read Of the wonderful work
women are doing everywhere in the
world today. Even in countries this
war has so far not touched women
have been stimulated to noble action.
In France, England and Russia, women
have cheerfully taken up the burden
of mems work in order that victory
may ultimately be ours. They are
serving as motormen, street car con-
ductors and ambulance drivers, they
are working in munitions factories.
building airplanes, serving as doctors,
surgeons and nurses. Often their
positions are dangerous and hazardous,
requiring at all times the utmost cool
ness, courage and determination. In
France there are many hospitals
operated, and most efficiently operated
entirely by women-women are the
doctors, surgeons, nurses. ambulance
drivers and first aid corps this in
nation where we have been led to
believe the women are capricious, vain
and frivolous, nothing more than USE
less ornaments. You have read of the
great Battalion of Death of Russia,
young maidens who defended Petrograd
against the Bolsheviki as gallantly as
any soldiers in any circumstance or
incident of history. In America. while
we have not been called upon for
gigantic tasks or personal sacrifices.
yet everywhere you go you will see
women cheerfully taking upon their
shoulders their share of the great
burden of war, in many cases much
more than their share. for we still have
slackers amongst US pacifists or
sentimentalists or worse than either.
the women, who still thinks we should
have kept out of the war. Yet the
majority are doing splendid work and
wanting to do more which is more
significant. There has been an enor-
NOUS exodus of americans to France,
where they have served in their various
capacities with CONSPICUOUS courage and
commendable ability. All through
history we read of the brave women
who have laid down their lives for their
countries, or led vast armies to victory.
We tell of these inspiring deeds OF
heroism in legends, in poetry and song.
And we have only to read the ordinary
new spaper reports to be convinced that
the heroines of the past did not do one
whit more, than thousands of women
are doing every day that lasting
peace may be ours. Our descendants
will have excellent material for tales
of valor and heroism, though doubt
If even the names of many thousands
will ever be known. They can tell only
of their deeds. Why are women max
ing these great sacrifices? , They are
needed badly enough, that is true, but
still no power has forced them into
these unpleasant duties. Blood soaked
battle fields, cold, cheerless hospitals,
days when they take only enough water
to moisten their lips for fear of de-
priving the wounded, aching backs
over hot furnaces, the prospect is not
the least bit alluring or even pictur-
esque. Yet on the volunteers come,
army upon army of them, literally
pushing the men to the front. Though
] doubt not the men would have
managed without them. they are so
used to protecting women from all
things harsh and ugly, but think this
awful struggle would be prolonged and
history might record another tale.
Again, why are they doing this? The
answer is so simple that almost wish
it were more complex, that l might
ex plain in wonderfully impassioned
words or indulge in fight of i'm
,pressive rhetoric. They love their
country. That 10 all.
OF course every woman knows deep
down in her heart that this war must
be won, that the world must be safe
for Democracy, that German kultur
must not smear it's dirty hand over the
face of civilization. She knows that
out Of this chaos Of crime, secret
negotiation, intrigue and selfish national
interests. there has grown wonder
ful beautiful purpose. q splendid
principal with one steadfast aim, one
common hope. And every woman
knows that out Of this chaos of cannon
and smoke and blood and filth, must
eventually, through our combined
efforts, and only through our combined