The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-17
MRS. ECHOLS NOW FORMALLY IN RACE. F OR COMMISSION
EnSley Member of Board of Education Makes State ment About Her
 Plans

city board of education, yesterday made her formal announcement as a candidate for associate commissioner of the city of Birmingham.
 1t has been known for several months that Mrs. Echols intended making the race and during the past few wekes she has perfected a skele- ton organization in all the suburbs and in the city proper. Her friend. have secured the signature of mort than 5000 voters, both men and women, it is stated, to cards urging Mrs. Echols to make the race and pledging their support of her can didacy
 After carerui consideration and consultation with a large number ot my friends throughout Greater Bir- mingham, l have decided to enter the race Tor associate commi ssioner of the city of Birmingham and hereby make my formal announcement" said Mrs. Echols yesterday.
 My long residence in this con- munity and somewhat careful study or our civic needs, coupled with SIX NNAA NAPSil lSIlSt dS Il or the city board of education, justify me, ! feel, in offering for this important office with the belief that l can and will discharge its duties with credit to myself and to the satisfaction of the citizens of Greater RirminghaM
 Open to Advice
 T recognize and appreciate the tremendous responsibilities attached to this office and assure the citizen, N Birmingham that if elected, l shall always be open to the advice and suggestions of those having the well fare and prosperity of our city al heart and shall endeavor to dis charge my duties without fear, favot or discrimination as to class CT in- terests.
 Tt shall be my purpose to meet each issue as it arises directly and without equivocation, and from tina to time as the occasion may, demand, shall express my views on ques- tions of public interest"
 The friends of Mrs Echols have let it be known that while she had a very general support among the women, she did not base her candi- dacy nor her claims for support on that ground They declare that the interest and experience of Mrs. Echols in public affairs qualify her to meet the most exacting tests and that she offers for the office because she feels that her knowledge of civic affairs fits her for the duties of commi ssioner and not solely on the ground that the city should elect q woman as member of the board.
 Mrs. Echols taught school for a number of years and the experience she gained in this work served her In eta .I~o F. I of education. During her term or the board, the work of Mrs. Echols has been generally commended, as she has demonstrated her ability as an executive.
 As the head of the Eastern Star in Alabama, Mrs. Echols pushed that organization to the forefront and Is credited by the members with mak- ing it one of the strongest forces among the women of the state. rte- gently she organized the Pythian Sis ters, the women's auxiliary of the Knights of Pythias, and largely through her leadership that organi- zation has enjoyed an unusual growth.
 Mrs. Echols has resided in Br- mingham for many years and has been identified actively with every civic movement during that time. During the war. she was one of the most effective four minute speakers and took an active part in all wHr campaigns.
 Has Many Pledges
 Friends of Mrs. Echols say thot they are well pleased with the re- ception her candidacy has received. While they declare that she has much strength with the women voters, her strength is by no means confined to them. Leaders in every walk of life have assisted in organ izing her campaign and her friends claim she starts out with several thousand pledged supporters living in every part of the city.
 Mrs. Echols declares that her cam didacy is not directed against any member of the present board or any one aspiring to membership. Since there will necessarily be some changes in the personnel due to the fact that two of the present mem bers are running for the presidency, it will be necessary to have re- assignment of the places of associate commi ssloners.
 In that case it is believed that should Mrs. Echols be elected, she would aspire to the education and health post, due to her experience in this work.
 It is contended by friends of Mrs. Echols that there is an almost uni versal recognition of the fact that the interest of women is peculiar m the matter of schools and health and there is willingness on the part of the voters to choose woman for this position provided she meets the necessary tests as to ability and eN- perience Friends of Mrs Echols de- clare that it is on this basis that she is making the race. feeling that woman must meet the same requlre~ ments as any man candidate in .he