St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1939-06-23
Here
and
There
By W. M. Smith

One of the developments of the
Twin Cities that deserves more
consideration than it seems to have
attracted is the forward march of
its women.
You may be quite sure that the
development of any people will rest
to a greater or less degree upon
the progressiveness of its women.
With that thought in mind one
turns with much interest to the
very considerable advancement that
has been made in these communi-
ties through the interest and de-
velopment of it's women.
Minneapolis and st. Paul, on the
outskirts of Negro life, far re-
moved from the things which have
stirred it most deeply and moved
the Negro people forward, owes to
its women much of the credit for
its present influence in Negro af-
fairs.
These communities, like others
more fortunately situated, must de-
pend upon its men for the institu-
ton of the many things that make
for progress.
In every community there are
certain basic things which first
must be begun to lead to the essen
tial after development. These are
the problems of its men. It is true
none the less, that to succeed as
they should, men must have the de-
veloped interest of the women.
Therefore it is interesting to note
the degree to which the women of
our Twin City area have influenced
the real progress we of this section
have made.
In every community progress is
recorded in much the same way.
First it's men undertake certain
progressive steps. Usually they
forget that women, either because
they are invited or because with
out invitation, they insist upon
having a part in any developing
program, demand certain consider
alton.
So we establish first a very def
mite church life. In this the women
have very real part. When that
fact is recognized the community
enters upon it's first real advance
ment.
The community house and it's
important place in community well
fare wins recognition and respect,
as has been the case in the Twin
City areas.
Usually either the Urban League
or the Society for the Advancement
of Colored People, sometimes both
of these excellent organizations,
find a place in the community de-
velopment.
Following these usually comes
the newspaper. 1t points out the
advantages that accrue from the
establishment of these institutions.
It gives to the women both the en-
enlargement and the recognition
they so well merit; points out neg
lected fields of possible advance
ment and urges their claim upon
the men and women of the commu-
nifty.
When a community possesses
these essentials, churches, commu-
nifty houses, a newspaper, men and
women able and willing not only
to see need, but willing, as well,
to work and sacrifice if necessary
for it's establishment, then real
progress in community building
has begun.
This Twin City area has reached
that point. Its men have done
some very fine things. None finer
or more promising for the future
of these areas than the recogni-
ton accorded to women.
Its women are living up to the
obligations that are theirs-no one
appreciates this more than the
newspaper that makes this brief
and inadequate acknowledgment
of their unestimable value to the
future of these growing and in
creasingly important Twin Cities.
Il