Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-05
WILL LEAD WOMEN
IN SEEKING RIGHTS.
Miss Muna Lee, Political
Poetess, Comes Here to
Head Movement.
BY GRETCHEN SMITH.

BY GRETCHEN SMITH.
The economic depression throughout
the country has brought with it condi-
tons which have caused the National
Women's Party to continue with re-
newed vigor its efforts toward enact
ing the passage of the equal rights
BILL" which for some time has been a
leading issue with the party.
Takes New Position.
A political poetess, Miss Muna Lee
in private life Sonora Luis Munoz-
Marin, has come from her home in
Porto Rico to take over duties of a new
position at National Womens Party
headquarters. director of national ac-
tivities, created TO do a special work,
made necessary by the economic sit
uation in this country.
Miss Lee, who explains that she uses
her maiden name in the United States,
finding it easier for those with whom
she comes in contact, than the difficult
Spanish name of her husband, has
taken years leave of absence from the
University Of Porto Rico, where she
Is director of the Bureau OF Interna-
tional Relations
An intensified campaign will be con-
Quoted this year against laws now
pending in certain States, as well as
among leading industrialists, which dis
criminate against women labor and
which if enacted will cause great suf-
fering and injustice among woman
workers in the country.
Men Are Favored.
Recently" Miss Lee explained. "at
meeting of the Board of the Cotton
Textile Institute, a recommendation
was passed that all women night work
ers be abolished. This recommended
ton is now being seriously considered
by textile manufacturers in several
States and should the law become ef-
fecttve 1t will cause untold suffering to
women and children in these States.
The reason for the recommendation of
this law. was that by Diminishing woman
night workers it would help solve the
condition of unemployment for men.
In other words, women shall lose their
positions In order to create places for
men"
1T appears" explained Miss Lee
that industrialists think it better that
women starve than men. 1 should
think" she laughed, that the simplest
way to rid the country of such a stua-
ton would be to deport the women
The men could then get their positions
and deportation of the women would
then save the country from the tragic
spectacle OF starving women"
Women Support Families.
I'm addition to the recommendation
OF the textile manufacturers" con-
tlnued Miss Lee. 1.-The Director of
Public Safety of Pennsylvania an
nounced that there would be a wedding
out OF all married women employed in
the separate departments of the State.
When these different movements on
the part of officials became known to
those who would suffer therefrom, the
National Women's Party became the
recipient of hundreds of letters from
all over the country from women, who
until now, have had no sympathy with
tne idea OF protective legislation, but
nave announced themselves openly as
favoring restricted legislation. They
realize now that If they are discrimi-
mated against in favor of men workers
there Is no appeal for them.
Practically all these women who
are working at night do so as their
only means of livelihood. Many of them
support large families. Frequently they
support invalid husbands. Really"
MISS Lee added, this discriminating
law Will affect men as we'll as women
Generally, married women who work
do so to help carry on the home. FIRE.
quently their husbands do not earn
enough to carry the entire support of
the family Many families in Penn
sylvania will suffer through this recent
action Of the Director of Public
Safety.
Not Militant" Appearing.
sit is this situation" explained Miss
Lee, which has created the necessity
OF the position which I have come TO
Washington to fill"
Miss Lee, whose soft dark eyes and
thoroughly feminine appearance con-
tradict all usually accepted ideas of the
female militant" combines the quail
tiles of thorough domestic woman. a
student Of politics and a talented au-
thoress.
Between the Americas" which was
Her husband, Senior Luis Munoz-
Marin, a prominent journalist and
writer OF Spanish-American subjects
VIII be in Washington frequently dur
ing his wife's sojourn in this city.
Miss Lees two children. Luis, IT., and
Munacita, accompanied her from Porto
Rico. Her son attends school in War
renton. Va, and her little daughter is
a student in the public school near her
present home, National Wcmens Party
headquarters
Is Poet and Authoress.
Miss Lees book of poems. "Sea
Change" has been widely read in the
world Of poetry. Recognition in that
world has been accorded the authoress
by permanent membership in the
Council of the Poetry Society of Amer
lea, ana her position as secretary of
the Poets Club"
Many political articles have also
come from Miss Lees pen, and her
lecture, Unofficial Cultural Relations
Between the Americas" which was
given at the Institute of Public Affairs
at the University Of Virginia, has been
published in many periodicals of North
and South America. Miss Lee speaks
Spanish fluently and has Travelled ex-
tensively throughout South and Central
America.
NEW $4,000 BRIDGE