The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-12-13
ARE YOU A 'J0INER?'

Anv one, may poke fun who will,
hut the fact remains that the Wom-
ems clubs have accomplished more
civic and educational betterment
than any other single group of agen-
CIV in the country. There is scarce
ly any bit of progress for better pay
for teachers more fireproof Scnool
buildings, greater beauty in streets
and parks, higher standards OF sanl-
tation of every kind. which does not
at bottom have to thank the women >
clubs.
And I should say that no home
maker could afford not to be "5oin-
er" to some type of women's CLUBS
The fact that the average housewife
spends so much time incarcerated IN
the four walls of her home IS the
very reason why she should get out
and be a 'joiner" in some interests
beyond her particular family. Next,
she should learn to work with wom-
en- as men have long ago learned to
work with men. The club takes Off
the sharp corners of fndfviduailsm
and substitutes the broader outlines
of a human being awake IN wlder az
| fairs than her own children, cooking
| and clothes.
| If there is any woman's club In your
neighborhood get busy and be mem
| Der. Take an active part in what
ever part appeals to you Pian
not to miss the meetings. By using
a fireless cooker or controlled oven
you can put your entire meal in
readiness before you leave and find
it piping hot and cooked when you
get back, Don't let Friend Hus-
band blame the club for cold DIM
ner or accuse you of "neglecting the
home" It's possible to find time for
three hours off on an afternoon and
still have an appetizing dinner await
| ing the family, even If you have no
maid. Countless women are learning
how and seeing how easy IT Is.
There Is hardly a locality where
there is not work for you as house
keeper and mother cooperating with
the club, to do. 1t may be grade
crossing to be eliminated so that the
! children get to school more safely.
1t may be food stores kept in an I'M
| sanitary manner. 1t may be an Of
| fensive dumping ground which could
easily be made into play space. 1t
may be the starting of a school bus,
the paving of streets or the build
| ing of a community center. All of
these projects are probably delayed
| Just because. there is no organized
opinion back of the proposed changes.
Any woman who still clings to the
outworn idea that woman's place is
| the home Cor has a misguided hus-
band with the same view), has only
| to convince herself that civic work
of every type is but housekeeping
on a glorified scale. What difference
is 1T to clean up a couple of dumping
| grounds than to empty and disinfect
your own garbage pail? What more
wrong in inspecting a basement bak-
cry with unsanitary conditions than
to keep your refrigerator clean ana
| food covered from flies? If you are
so careful to keep your milk pure
after it reaches your home. why not
be equally assured of it's cleanliness
In dairy distribution? If you are so
concerned with Tommy's and Susie's
habits and behavior of home, why
not be equally disturbed by what
they see and read at the local movie?
This is a good reason to become
a member of some club with a serious
purpose You have had a restful va
cation. the house is now in order.
the children started in school. You
have no excuse for not finding that
| free time once a week to attend
meetings, lectures and committees
with these worth while aims in view.
You don't have to neglect your home,
you will really only take it with you
| in the larger problems of the COM
munity where you live. The fact
that you are a woman and a house
keeper enables you to serve that
community most helpfully and ex-
| press the all-important woman view
| point in civic affairs.