Evening star., 1922-08-27
HELPS NEEDY WOMEN
League in PhilanthropicW Work
Here Shows Growth,


Washington women who are in
charge of what is undoubtedly one of
the most successful women's exchanges
in the country. Yet any funds which
are made above the necessary expenses
OF running the establishment are turned
into fund for helping the needy wom-
en- who are constantly coming to the
organization for aid. and every member
OF the board gives of her private funds
toward the support of the society The
Gentlewomen's League. as it is called
accepts for sale only articles from per-
sons whose circumstances make IL nee
essary Tor them to dispose of their
handiwork. More than 800 women were
helped by being able to sell their goods
through this society last year. and over
thousand who need the help are con-
stantly submitting handiwork
The first sales which the Gentle
Women,s League held. in private rooms.
were given Twice a year in a house on
Ionnecticut avenue and I street. The
charter members of the society sold
ally delivered their packages to MIR
chasers after the rooms had been closed
Tor the night. This was in 1910. but
now. since they have become really
well established in the brownstone
mouse .h at 18th and H streets. which
tanning such splendid cooperation be-
tween the hundreds of consignees and
'he washington purchasers that II
proved necessary to employ the services
OF an auditing firm to take charge of
The principal feature of the or
Eahlzation is to help the women of
tne higher classes of society who
nave been left financially stranded
Win Win no vocation to help themselves
win. In some cases they want to
put their children through college
in order to fit them to enter some
OF the professions: in others 1t is a
question of obtaining money to nav
on mortgages and retain properly
that otherwise would be a total loss
10 dana tne rty family Then. too. there is
the supervision of Mrs. Dunham.
which places capable domestic serv
ants with society families OF wash
inston and vicinity. Last year more
than 1000 such employees, including
&c. goissnesses; ;sr ans stenographers. typists.
through this women's exchange
one OF the most popular features
of the work handled BY the league
is the selling of foodstufrs made by
consignees: Orders for some of the
star biscuits and little cakes come
points in Massachusetts,. as we'll as
an over the states of Virginia and
Maryland. Between $50 and 5000 is
made on the foodstuffs every month,
the highest sums which come into
the coners OF the society to be re-
distributed to the consignees. ONLY
a small percentage is retained to 20
toward the expenses of the upkeep
Of the league.
Until the other rooms in the nres.
ent building at 18th and H streets
had been rented. period of several
months in the case of some Of the
rooms. the members of the board
themselves paid the necessary
amount.
Christmas is the greatest season
for the selling of the other kinds
OF handiwork, which are handled
by the society, such as embroidered
articles for table. beds and wear
ing apparel and novelties such as
odd toys and dolls. Some exquisite
handiwork on little children's frocks
Is sold through this exchange and
mere are many special orders placed
for monogrammed goods.
very useful and unique branch
OF the work is the order department.
which enables bachelors to arrange
to have their cuffs mended and socks
darned by competent hands. This is
q kind Of work that is done beauti-
fully by very old ladies. who in their
old age have been thrown upon their
own resources for financial support.
The members Of the board OF the
Gentlewomen's League, who hold the
Offices this year and hope to have
an exceptionally good year in their
philanthropic enterprise. are: Miss
Chancellor. president; Mrs. wyan de
Verux, first vice president; Mrs. Ed
ward Cohen, second vice president;
Mrs. Murdaugh, third vice president;
Mrs. Wallis Burnet. recording secre-
tary: Miss Katherine Colt. corre-
, spending secretary; Mrs. Thomas
! Groover. treasurer; Mrs. r. A. Hes
I ton, assistant treasurer; Miss Mary
NJ. Amber. parliamentarfan