Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-01
INTERNATIONAL GIRL STUDENTS
HOME IN WASHINGTON IS URGED
Mrs. Whitney Hoft Tells How
World Good Will May
Be Distributed.
Success of Institution in
Paris Is Cited by Her
as Example.

Having launched a movement for the
promotion Of international understand
Ing by founding In the midst of the
Partisan Latin Quarter a home #
woman students from over the WORK.,
Mrs. Whitney Hoff, an American philan-
thropist, concludes a brief visit to
Washington today with challenge that
an institution similar to her own be
established here for the women and
girls of foreign lands who seek learn
ing In the National Capital.
Founded first as refuge for Ameri-
can and British women and girls. Mrs.
Hoff's Partisan International Students
Home in the residence of citizens of SO
nations. While the structure accom-
modates only 140 students, 1t has be-
come the common meeting place for
thousands of girl students possessed of
fine minds and meager funds.
Here In Washington also" Mrs. Hoff
said in an interview ARE gathered
young students who are In need of SYM
pathetic and friendly assistance. 1t
would be splendid thing for some one
or for several persons to establish
Foyer Internationale' in Washington"
Mrs Hoff believes there is no better
way of distributing international under
standing than through the women OF
the world.
Way to Spread Good viii.
"They are the natural ones to carry
to the homes of their countries. the feel
ing of good will and fellowship which
I have tried to develop among the stu
dents beneath the roof of the Foyer
Internationale," Mrs Hoff said. In
ternationalism with intelligence is the
basis of all peace"
Mrs Hoff moved to the French capital
30 years ago, but her work for the bene-
At Of woman students was begun In the
United States. She was the first presi-
dent of the Detroit Young Women's
Christian Association, and had founded
Industrial Girls in that city.
Upon her arrival in Paris, Mrs. Hoh
was asked to organize British-American
Y. w. c. A. centers and three groups
were formed. Mrs. Hoff's real task was
begun in 1906, when she purchased an
old monastery on the Boulevard st.
Michel and converted the old structure
into quarters for girl students, whose
residence conditions in some instances
she had found to be most pitiable.
Many Seek Admittance.
That first students home was to have
housed only American and British girls,
but within two years young women OF
50 nations sought admittance to living
conditions conducive to learning and
culture.
Two years ago, Mrs. Hoff began con-
struction of modern hotel building on
the site of the old monastery, which
suffered from bombs during the World
War. Last October the new home was
completed and became the Foyer In
ternationale des Etudiantes." One
fourth of the 14O residents are American
and British girls, one-fourth are French,
while the nationality Of the remaining
half is divided.
A library of 5000 volumes is on the
top floor Of the building and In this
reading chamber are the crests of all
countries. The building includes cafe
terra capable of serving 1000 students,
and adjoining the dining salon Is an
auditorium, two stories high. 1t Is here
her home leading scientists. artists,
musicians. writer's and scholars who talk
with thee. Here the girls will hear
Nine. Curie, woman scientist, discuss
with them her most recent radium ex-
periments.
One of the proudest institutions of
the foyer" Is the modern inf1rmary.
It Is at the disposal, not only of the
girls living in the home, but Of all girl
students of Paris who, alone, and with
meager funds. find themselves i'll.
The girls who live at the foyer" pay
a nominal fee of less than a dollar a
day. Thousands Of other girls who may