New Britain herald., 1929-04-01
THEY WELDED NEEDLE OF
 PEACE" IN THREE WARS

New York. April 1.-FeIfinists really should lend a hand in the eel ebration this month of the 18th an- niversary of the Ncedlework society and Exchange, Brooklyn. famous forcrunncr of both the American Red Cross and the Women's EX- changes that now dot the country.
 For this organizations history paints graphic picture of the growth of Woman's opportunities in industry, the contrast between in- dustry then and now when practic- ally every field Of cndeavor is open 10 women.
 Moreover. this organization shows solidarity among women. and ap- preciation Of Womcn's problems by other women in tho sos that fcml- nists should appreciate.
 Y was back in 1854 that hun drod or so influential gentleWomen of Brooklyn banded together to aid the city's female poor" some Of them gen'leNomou like themselves save that they had been reduced to dire poverty.
 Thc Days When Women Srwed Instead of pauperizing them by charity, this organization called it. self the "Femalc Employment So- ciety" and tried to find work for them. Sewing was the one and only available occupation discovered for women,
 , Undauntod, the society toce or dcrs for fine clothes from gentle omen and for coarse things for charity purposes from churches and rich folk like Seth Lows father and w. K, Vanderbilt. To raise money for materials and wages. they held grand promenade con- certs. the forerunners of today's charity hen"fits.'
 Although welding the Implement of peace. the needle" the Penal" Employment Society developed into war organization during the 'lv'l War. In fact, by now the organlza ton has served three wars with its needle. the Civil. the Sranish-Amcr- itfll anu lti' W UT iI VI d'
 Among the relics today arc cher iShed some receipts from the gov crnment for shirts and drawers made for Union soldiers i'll tho Civil War. Later wars sent more specialized demands in the form of bright knitted socks. sweaters and pa iamHs.
 As tho years went on the organ lzation grew. When other occupa- tons opened 10 women, Iik. teach ing. department store clcrking, of- fec work. the women decided that they would Coniinu" 10 aid th. home-woman. Therefore they changed the organiza'ion's nam" 10 tho Necdlew orh Society and EX- change.
 Their Market Is Extensive
 Now they market whatever any homc-woman makes. They sell ia nous iced cakes an expert has been making for 3o years: spiccd cookies little old lalias. make 10 buy their bread and butter; tiNngs for clos cts lk" fancy clothes hangers. shoe trees. laundry bags and so on: wax flowers; bead work sick bed makes. Perhaps their most inter- csting product from q human inter- est standpoint is a variety of dainty sachet pacEag s that raralyuc sews as she lies on her chair.
 They held a sewing school for half century to teach those who could not sew. This organizations products received recognition abroad. In 1867 the Paris Exposition sent them a medal which they treasure today. In this country. the Philadelphia Centennial awarded them the bronze medal for fine seams.
 Today they furnish an outlet for thousands of omen and offer hope and a livelihood 10 anyone in Brook lyn who is home bound by small children or sickness. They are mere lv one Of many similar organizations today. But their rich traditions. their high standards and their apprecla- ton of women's problems give them place on the roll of honor of femi- mist organizations