The Washington herald., 1920-01-09
PETITE ORATOR
WINSACCLAIM
OFDEMOCRATS
Mrs. Olesen Is Small IN
Stature But Proves
Forensic Giant.
LIKES POLITICAL GAME
First Woman to Speak at
Jackson Day Dinner Is
Platform Vetern.
LIKES POLITICAL GAME

1t was an eventful evening for
one big. little woman
Mrs. Peter olesen, of Cloquet.
Mimi, petite in stature. but mighty
in politics. had the signal honor of
being the first woman chosen to
address a Jackson Day dinner. and
she came through the ordeal, in the
opinion of her admiring associates,
with flying colors.
Mrs olesen is very practical and
very modest.
Il recognize the wonderful re-
ception which the Democrats gave
me as not a personal tribute, but
as an honest recognition of the
fact that the day of women in poll
tics has come to stay" she said to
those who surrounded her following
her speech at the Washington Hotel.
Was u Little Nervous.
"Of course. 1 was a little bit ner-
Nous, she added. but this buoyed
me up
This. was a telegram from her hus-
band, superintendent of schools in
Cloquet who gives his hearty assent
to her political activity.
Much love from Mary and me. and
every hope that you will be the big
success we know you can be-
(Signe0 Father.
Mary Is Her Daughter.
Mary is the 12-year-old daughter of
Mrs. Olesen, and a born Democrat.
Her last word to me was that she
would be the first to buy the morning
paper and read my speech" Mrs. Ole
sen said admiringly.
While diminutive in STATURE, Mrs
Olesen possesses what might be called
a forensic wallop." She declares that
she loves the game of politics and that
public speaking Is not entirely new
to her.
You know I have just completed
tour on the Chautauqua circuit. I
spoke for 1S consecutive days on the
New Social Consciousness" 1 also
addressed the Minnesota State Con-
Vention of Democrats and / have long
been active in the suffrage move
ment." she volunteered when pressed
to furnish a bit of personal history.
Did Not "Dress Up,
And to show that she is thorough
thrift. Mrs. Olesen explained that she
did not have a new gown made for
the banquet.
This is the same silk-fiowered chif-
fOn that l wore in my Chautauqua
addresses" she said. Il knew that
men came to hear what had to say
and not to see what wore, so I
tried to be just as l always am"
Mrs. Olesen is 34 years old. She
admits 1t herself. although she re-
serves the feminine right to stop
counting when she reaches the 35
mark.
VIII Organize Women.
To her will be intrusted the task
of organizing the women of Minne-
sofa for the Democratic party. She
says she is not appalled, at the task
for the Democratic National COM
mittee has taken the women so COM
pleteIy into it's confidence that what
might seem insurmountable stumb-
ling blocks to embryo politicians
are lightened.
Il can't impress IL too strongly
that the men of the committee have
given us a full say in all delibera-
tiOns." she said. They have been
Perfectly lovely. with a result that
all of the committeewomen feel per-
fectly at home and experienced,
even though we are children in poll
tics"
why She Is Democrat.
Asked why she chose the Demo-
cratic party to work out her ideals
in politics. which run towards child
welfare and women in industry re-
forms, Mrs. Olesen pointed to that
portion of her speech which brought
prolonged applause. 1t reads:
Ideals aVe tested in time OF war.
The Democratic party has stood the
test. These times stir mems souls.
Today men and women everywhere
are demanding entrance into natures
inheritance of opportunity as never
before. They will not wait outside
life's storehouse Of good things while
others enter.
The safety of the institutions of
modern nations rests upon a party
that will work for the welfare of
the masses. A reactionary party fans
the fires of discomfort: a radical
party does not represent the safe
and sober Judgment of the majority.
The Democratic party is the party
of the common people. Its ideals
are not that property rights are su-
preme, but that human rights are
paramount. Every Democrat joins
our great President in saying: L
am more interested in the fortunes
NJ \