The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-17
TITS FIRST WOMAN CANDIDATE FOR COMMISSION


 If our old friend, Dr. Samuel John son were alive today he would be confronted with a direct refutation of his delectable aphorism in regard to the ability of women
 Said that pessimistic gentleman;
 Sir, a woman preaching is like a dog walking on his hind legs; it Is not done well. but you are sur prised to see it done at all"
 Not only would our erstwhile friend find reason to comment upon woman preaching-but upon her ad- vent into every avenue of life political, civic and commercial life and were he to stroll down the Main Street of any small village In Amer ica-for any large one for tnasS mat ter which Sinclair Lewis has pictured so graphically-no doubt he would be provoked to "paraphrase" the immor- tai lines of Shakespeare;
 q dare do all that may become a man;
 Who dares do more is-a woman"i
 The shackles have been lifted from femininitys shoulders since those primitive days 137 years or more ago when Dr. Johnson prated in his sarcastic fashion, and today for a woman to be useless is considered "unfashionable" not to say-"wa ste- ful' of her God-g given talents and opportunities.
 The so-called Society woman" who formerly spent her time in an end less round of social bligations with never a thought of what was going on in the world outside her own little sphere-Ais relegated to the shades of retirement; those who have no time for the cultivation of mind or heart--and the "fads" which they adopted in order to escape boredom are history now.
 The world is regarded by women to be vastly different place to live in; 1t Is world of worth while, time-taking occupations for women as well as men; femininity minus brains, is drug on the market while the woman who can do "do things" is in great demand
 Suffrage-that hard-fought, long daown-out battle, which enlisted some of the broadest- minded and most intelligent women of our coun- try in its cause from the pioneer days even unto the present, solved the problem for woman-kind.
 The Vote" In her hands-her in- alienable right to stand for office. to have a part in regulating and governing the affairs of her city, her state. and her country-has opened a pathway which is now being blaz- ed by splendid women who are eager and anxious to give their services to the public for the betterment of humanity.
 To step from the position of one of the leading suffrage workers in the state of Alabama, into the race for commissioner of the city of Blrming ham, is big advance for women and all suffragists of this great state of ours are proud to know that one of their foremost organizers and work CTS is the first woman to announce her candidacy for office.
 To Mrs. Myrtelle Whitney (H. H) Shell, belongs the distinction of being the first woman candidate for city commissioner that Birmingham has ever had.
 Some one asked Mrs. Shell the other day in discussing her candi- dacy if she had courage" to which she characteristically replied.
 q think that Is proven by my an nouncement to make the race"
 "Courage" Is word which de- .scribes Mrs. Shell effectively; she has has always had courage-the courage of her convictions to- express herself, not in a. namby -pamby man. ner-hut to stand bravely, courage ously, honestly, on every question: flatfooted as the darkeys say-or as the poker player would put 1t "a stand batter"
 You can always judge a woman best by the way other women think of her and talk about her; Mrs. Shell has the respect and admiration Of Her women friends and one of the sweetest tributes to her that l have heard was made by woman as christmas Greeting" last Christ mas
 T am grateful to you for being what you are, brave, staunch, and true am the richer for knowing you and rejoice to think that char acter is a greater gift than money"
 Not one friend of Mrs. Shells but practically all. will tell you that "she is the best worker in Birming ghan.'
 Serving humanity steadily intelli- '