Evening star., 1938-07-17


to be defended There is no ques-
tion,' she said, but that a widespread
attack IS being made on these women,
not only by men but by women. The
federation stands squarely against all
determination based on sex and insists
that aptitude, training and efficiency
'shall be the rods by which business and
professional women are measured"
Judge Lucy Howorth, who repre-
sented the Washington Club in the
absence Of the president, Miss Nina
kinsella, presented the legislative pro-
gram, adopted last year, which out
lines the principles to be supported
up to the next general meeting of the
federation next year in Kansas City,
Mo. 1t includes the extension and i'm
provement of the merit system for the
United States Government: adequate
appropriations for the United States
Womens and Children's Bureaus and
support of the equal rights amend
mentS.
While these are the major items,
many other measures are supported
by the federation. Under mandate,
the federation acts to oppose legisla-
ton which discriminates against
women in business and the professions
in all parts OF the United States
Federation Supports Varied Subjects.
Within the past year, support has
been given by the federation on such
subjects as jury service for women,
the ratification of the child labor
amendment, equal representation for
women on State party committees,
laws pertaining to juveniles, uniform
probation, equalization of educational
opportunity teacher certification and
retirement bills, and better marriage
laws.
The Importance of suitable legisla-
ton to the business woman is obvious
and much emphasis is placed on this
part OF the federations work. Mrs
Mary T. Denman of Latrobe, Pa, is
legislative chairman, but special
worker; Mrs. Marion Britt of Wash
mgton is on duty here She watches
all bills, giving special attention to
those in which women are concerned,
and makes reports on their progress.
In the interest of the entire program,
this work will be strengthened by the
addition of more workers December l,
before the opening of Congress.
Endorsement by the federation is by
no means an empty gesture, Miss
White pointed out. The program is
nl Ar, h.
members in all parts of the United
States and in Alaska and Hawaii. and
the influence Of these women is max
ing itself felt in Washington and
throughout the country, she stated.
Vocational Advisers Asked.
During the past year the Vocational
ADVISORY Committee has conducted a
campaign to have trained vocational
advisers in the schools and for the
appointment of outstanding business
and professional women on all boards
OF education. Miss Mary Stewart
directs this group.
The member clubs of the federation
have long been interested in the busi-
ness women of the future and several
cluos nave accumulated money to be
loaned to girls who were interested in
special vocations and who did not have
money with which to complete their
training Recently the demands on
these funds have decreased. because
funds for such purposes, have been
available through the National Youth
Administration.
At the present time the member
ciuos are in the happy position of
having some $4,000 of idle money on
mana. With so much attention being
gwen to the youth of the country
plans for using this money for the
oenent OF mature women were con-
hoereo. Business women freouentlv
"ihii 70 refrain, or TO change their
Vocatlons, and loans for such purposes
"ouio be very acceptable at times in
VIC opiiiioh OF many Of the members.
Why Do Women Work.
Ahat even mature and established
women have problems of this nature
was brought out through a mles-
0lonnalre, circulated to all of the
member clubs last winter and which
received much attention on its pub
Iicaeloh. The question considered
was Why Women Work" and the
study showed that the answer was
Because they have to-"
rms report will be used. as was in
tenoed, when the study was under.
TAKEN. as the federation,s contrihu-
ton to the League of Nations st,,dv
VI tne CIVIC. social and political status
OF women throughout the world
Dr, Ellen c. Potter, national health
chairman, reported that most of tho
women who lose out in the business
world do so because of uhysical or
nervous disabilities and not because
OF lack OF ability. Because of this she
~salo, the health work of the fedora
t1on will receive consideration in tho
program which has been announced
4or next year. 1t is My Business
and Yours"
In the year just closing the fed
Grafton has been studying Our
Towns Business" with each cmh
giving lts program a local slant,
St AedTS s WORK.
Judge Howorth, the program CO.
orolnator, said: Last year members
learned how communities are affected
oy the concentration of business into
larger units and what social and
economic changes affect the people
OF the community and its business,
Next year they will study the factors
that make it possible for them tn
make a living" A unified program
adopted some time ago, she said
means greater strength and unity in
the federation.
War, as a disturbing factor in
Women's work, was discussed bv Mrs
David Simnls, who declared that
|y'War and its subsequent disturbance
of the economic order can do more
to abolish women's jobs and set back
the advance Of business and profess