The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-04-26
WHERE GIRLS
LEAD, BOYS
FOLLOW
Abstract of Address Before
the Y. w. C. A. Convention

Hot Springs, Ark. April I'll
The horizon OF an intelligent girl
of IS today is wider than that
of the savant of 1900, Mrs. Robert
c. Speer Of New York City, presi-
dent Of the national board OF the
Young Women's Christian Associa-
ton. said in presenting the report
of the board to the national con-
vention of the association here to-
day.
Motors Of girls derived from
Louisa NJ. Alcott are out Of date, -
she. Said.
Girls are beset with complex
interests; a Pandora's box of new
emotions and experiences fills the
air, with thrills and stings for
them. The sense Of. adventure, of
something lost beyond the ranges,
something calling for us, sum-
mons the: mout Of the old highroad
of custom. Unless they are led
Alright there may be weary years Of
wanderings in the wilderness.
There could be NO greater chal-
Ienge. We are interpreters Of life
for young women. The negative
of, Sinai no longer has, power with
a world where curiosity has dis
placed fear. Our place is not with
the tables Of stone, but with the
followers of the Master who sat on
a. hiiiock OF Galilee and told the
listening crowd where the salts
factions of life are to be found.
t.It, was voted to adopt the social
ideals. of the churches to use our
resources in; preparing women for
responsible citizenship, and after
studying social and economic. con-
ditions affecting women to see how
these conditions could be helped
by legislation, pledging ourselves
to work. for. such legislation as
might promote the welfare Of young
women.
."Our much criticized stand for
social ideals has borne widespread
fruit and has brought the indorse-
naent OF practical men and womel,
as no. other action we ever took.
Contrary to widespread impression,
|,it did not bring us. financial loss.
It has Influenced popular opinion,
and ene,,fnds in newspapers today,
as eommonplaces, statements that
would have been regarded as dan
geroas three years ago. Ideas that
had their germ in the social creed
are now integral parts Of the re-
ports of merchants associations
and state, chamber of commerce.
Science now reinforces what
common sense has always said,
that where the girls lead, the boys
will follow, and the race in turn
will grow. It was this common
place of present-day thinking that
made the governmental authorities
turn iYk 1917 to the Young aWomen's
Christian Association as a wonan's
organization that could be entrust-
ed with specal responsibilities. The
nation put millions into cur hands,
not primarily to help the girls, but
that the girls might not hinder
the boys in their task. With 1919,
the welfare OF young women died
out OF. the heart Sof the average
American, but abate5 zeal did not
mean decreased need. Girls did not
go back to the accustomed life at
home.
In addition to the fact that il
has grown up since 1914, in years
when older men and women were
preoccupied with attempt to sal
wage civilization, this generation
is the first to feel the impact Of
many new forces in the worlds life.
The camera and the illustrated pa
per have brought the world to the
girls door. The. morning paper
brings her the worlds politics and
scandal. The movie, with its crude
lights and lines, tends TO destroy
the fine edge Of imagination, Or
would if God had not made resili-
,ence one of the attributes of youth.
Modern science pours into the lap
of young people great stores Of
treasure, along with the alloy; why
should they not want to try every
thing, explore all the avenues OF
life %''