Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-05
MYRA A. sMITH

On Changes In Work for Women
THE last twenty years have seen numerous
L and important changes in many things,
but few that have been more far reaching
than In work for women. says Miss Myra A.
Smith, general secretary of the Young
Women's Christian Association.
Zone of the most striking Of these
changes" said Miss Smith, 'lies in the new
attitude of the public toward the organiza.
tions engaged in this work and in the stand
Of the organizations with regard to the pub.
to the public because Of the feeling that the
work which they are doing Is one Of pro-
fessional philanthropy There Is also a
general idea that many workers in these
same organizations talk down to the sup
are trying to help and that they are work.
ing for them. In most instances this Is not
the case. and the great majority Of the or.
ganizations have come fully to realize the
falacy as we'll as the practical disadvantages
of letting. the general public get this er.
roneous idea.
Changes Are Widespread
THE last twenty years especially have seen
many decided notifications In all work OF
this kind and the spirit Of change Is nation.
wide. Take, for example, the difference in
the qualification Of the members of the
STATS Of such organisations all over the
country. Twenty years ago the work was
largely voluntary and the qualifications of
as they are today. Now the great majority
Of the women doing this work are highly
trained In their especial lines.
There was formerly feeling on the part
Of the public that the women did the work
because they couldn't hold any other posi-
tions These women are nearly all college
graduates and a majority have either taken
,Oc .Oroduata haVQ Htudind
abroad and are thoroughly fitted for their
duties.
Nearly all are young, which Is a decided
advantage, as they can thus enter into the
things which girls and young women do
with less adjustment than older women-even
can play hockey. ride horseback and are in
terested In many things outside Of their
daily work.
''The girls and the young women with
whom they associate as result are much
more responsive, and they have far greater
respect for the worker Of this type. The
latter must be perfectly honest and entirely
sincere in her efforts or the young women Of
the present day will find 1t out instantly.
Twenty years ago It was thought per.
fectly natural for these members to wait on
table and wash the dishes once week at
the house Of whatever organization they
were connected with. Then we frequently
with the qualifications required to earn large
salaries doing work which any girl capable
Of earning few dollars week could do.
''This is all past. Men never did this
sort of thing at any time and realized that
their sphere Of usefulness to similar organi-
cations with which they were connected lay
in matters of advice and management and
not in manual labor which could readily be
paid for and done by persons who were
yalueless in the other branches. Women
have come to take the same attitude.
Have the Community Viewpoint
"Women Of this type are especially val.
liable because they have, even more than the
actual workers, the community yiewpoint
They know the city as a whole and thew
know its needs, and this point Of view IA
essential for any society which wishes IN
make genuine progress. That society which
looks farthest ahead and anticipates The
needs of the city rather than meet them ss
they arise will progress the most rapidlv and
earn the higher measure of public CONF.
dence.
'But perhaps the biggest mistake and N.
one which the org' nization Is doing the most
to correct in the public mind is that insti.
tutions for women are simply boarding homso,
and dining rooms, where certain small nrom~s
OF girls and yoYng women can live and AL
n or s.S SaSs. which ! believe Il tynicsi