Evening star., 1940-04-18
Women at 40
Discussed as
lob Problem
University Group
Hears 4 Speakers
Tell of Obstacles

Employment problems of the wom-
an over 40 were the subject of dis
cussions before the American As
sociation of University Women last
night by legislator a counselor,
an educator and newspaperwoman
Senator James A. Mead declared
the situation facing the worker over
40 seeking employment was so SER
ious as to justify special investiga-
ton and legislation by Congress;
DR.. William Downs, president of the
Americans Over 40 Club of WASH
ington, stated his experience showed
that women over 40, seeking en-
ployment, were faced with an ex-
tremely difficult problem; Dean FL
mer Kayser of George Washington
University, while admitting the Sit
uation is serious, asserted his view
that much of the success of women
over 40 seeking employment de-
pended upon themselves, while Helen
Essary, columnist, gave a humorous
angle to the position of woman
over 40 who has employment.
Admitting that employment for
middle-aged women is more difficult
to find than for men, Senator Mead
emphasized, however, the obstacles
which face would-be workers of both
sexes.
THE dilemma" he said, "can be
principally attributed to the demand
for speed and production in this
bewildering age"
Some Prefer Older Worker.
Holding discrimination against
older workers to be unreasonable
and unfair, the Senator quoted one
industrial executive who said,
workers over 40 are more reliable,
are settled in life, have more ex-
perience and appreciate the re-
sponsibility attached to their work" "
This view, he added, indicated
that the older worker should be in
a preferential status.
Il should like to draw your at
tention," he concluded, ito a resolu-
ton I am sponsoring in the Senate
to authorize the Secretary of Labor
to investigate and report to Con-
gress the effect of economic condi-
tions on our middle-aged and older
employables
DR.. Downs stated that while men
over 40, who are willing to work,
often succeeded in finding a job,
women over 40 usually had difficult
time. Lack of experience and tenn
peramental unsuitability were OBJ
jections found by employers to
women over 40 seeking employment,
he added.
Kayser Gives Examples.
Dean Kayser declared he was
amazed at objections taken to older
women in employment, as they had
much more to offer than less ex-
perienced women.
He told of three women. all over
70, whom he has contacted at the
university and who are making sue
cesses OF their lives. One commuted
over so miles from Virginia to at
tend the university, obtaining her
degree; second when over 70 had
done more for the secondary edu-
catlonal system in Virginia than any
other person." while a third, who is
now 78 years of age, soon will get
her A. B. degree at the university.
"A lot of people could do more for
themselves, he said, IF they'd keep
alive the dynamics."
Mrs. Essary in a humorous vein
sketched the career experiences of
the woman over 40 who started life
in the COS when women wanted to
be independent minded but fluttery." j."
A dramatic Interpretation of four
women over 40 seeking employment
was given in a monologue by Mrs,
Lawrence Kuter of the Washington
Civic Theater.
Club Leaders Are Guests.
Miss Mary V. Robinson, chairman
OF the Committee on the Economic
and Legal Status of Women, which
sponsored the program, introduced
Senator Mead and DR.. Downs. Mrs.
Joshua Evans, jr., member of the
committee, introduced Dean Kayser
and Mrs. Essary. Mrs William c.
Van Week. club president, opened
the meeting.
Guests included Miss Edith M.
Beattie Of the Graduate Nurses As
ISOLATION; Miss Mary Bourke, presi-
dent OF the Soroptimist Club; Miss
Louise Boynton of the Pilot Club.
Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle of the
Self-Help Exchange: Miss Marie
Gurley of the D. c. Employment
Center; Mrs. Raleigh Gilchrist, AL
trusa Club; Mrs. Miller Hickerson,
Good Will Industries; Miss Mary
Sigman, Zonta Club; Miss M. Kath-
crime Tancill, Quota Club; Robert
E. Bondy, director of public well
fare; Miss Gwladys Jones, secretary
of Quota International and mem
ber of the committee; Mr.. and Mrs.
Evans and Mrs. Evans, guest, Sonora
de Alfonso, director of child welfare
To- TSs 49,