The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1922-03-29
A WOMAN'S JOB.

"HE Gazette feels very strongly that the
work of superintendent of the schools of
Redwood County is very essentially work
for which woman is best fitted. We also feel
very strongly that the woman who is at present
doing this work, Miss Fern Kennedy, is so wond-
GRIZZLY well fitted for it that she should be con-
tinued in the office just as long she can be
persuaded to remain there: Miss Kennedy is a
candidate for return to the sunefntendency
and should be given the unquestioning support
of every person interested in the continued pro-
gress Of the rural schools of the county
Herself farmers daughter, Miss Kennedy
in her childhood attended rural school thus obtain
ing first hand, and by better system than any
other yet devised, all the problems and conditions
with which rural schools are faced. After her
elementary school training she taught in rural
schools, leaving this work only to go into the
rural school departments of the some of the best
colleges in the country, endeavoring in every
way to perfect herself In the work she had especi-
ally chosen-that Of the training Of rural chill
dren Since the beginning of her teaching ex-
perienee she has set as her goal an expert know
ledge Of work under rural conditions, this ambi'
ton being assisted by considerable experience
in the rural schools of Hennepin county before
She was made the superintendent OF Redwood
County.
When Mrs. Duncan resigned from her place
as head of the schools of the County the Board
of County Commissioners, in seeking worthy
successor to carry on the splendid work she had
done. found this person in Miss Kennedy who had
been Mrs. Duncan's assistant during the last few
months Of her office-holding. This appointment
was made in the fall of 1920 and Miss Kennedy
has therefore served this county about two years
They have been two years Of hard, unremitting
labor with the ideal of the childrens welfare ever
before her. They have been two years of usually
strenuous work-and incidentally years Of great
personal expense to Miss Kennedy-spent in max
ing herself thoroughly acquainted with the many
nersonal problems of Redwood County and the
hest methods of solving those problems. Should
This fall see the election of someone else than
Miss Kennedy, this period Of study and expert
mentation must be gone over by someone else and
the rural schools would be the losers In all
fairness not only to Miss Kennedy, but to the
children for whom she is working and to the
taxpayers Of the county who want the best SER
vice their money can give the county, MISS hen'
nedy should be returned to office.
We repeat, with all due respect to the ex
Z cellent men who have served as superintendent
Of county schools, that this office is best iilee
by a woman. AS one who has taught in such
schools, under such supervision, we feel justlhec
in making this statement. The work which is
practically all with children below high schoo
are. is essentially work Of detail, Of persona
supervision, of understanding Of both the child
students and Of the young and often inexperienc
ed teachers which are in the majority in rura
school work. Men have small patience with TIM